Joy Ladin is an English professor at Yeshiva University, the nation's oldest Jewish university. She is also transgender. These identities met nearly four years ago when, as a male, she informed her school that she would be transitioning from Jay to Joy. School officials responded by putting her on leave, though they later took her back. Hers is a story of a poet, a Jew, and above all - a woman, in her own words, "caught in the act of becoming." Our story first aired in September 2009.
Joy Ladin, author of Psalms, and an upcoming memoir, Inside Out: Confessions of a Woman Caught in the Act of Becoming
World Religions 101: Daoism
Begins at 22 min 30 sec
Confucianism stresses etiquette, learning and proper behavior. Daoism, one of the other popular religions in China, emphasizes nearly the opposite. Daosim says we should be spontaneous, natural and unconstrained - like water flowing down a river. This is part seven in our series on the world’s greatest religions.
Stephen Prothero, religion blogger for CNN and author of God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions that Rule the World and Why Their Differences Matter
Sacred Jazz
Begins at 39 min 19 sec
Jazz legend Mary Lou Williams (pictured) believed that jazz and prayer were "twin mates of spiritual expression." She developed a style known as “sacred jazz,” which went on to inspire Duke Ellington and John Coltrane. Catholic jazz artist Deanna Witkowski introduces us to this little-known genre, and shares her new album, which sets Christians prayers, hymns and psalms to music for a jazz quartet. Our story first aired in May 2009.
Deanna Witkowski, jazz pianist/composer/vocalist. Her new album is From This Place
