The Science of Miracles

Skepticism abounds when it comes to spontaneous healing. Doctors are taught that “miraculous” recoveries are flukes, so they don’t study those cases or take them into account when treating patients. Enter Dr. Jeffrey Rediger, who has spent more than 15 years studying the phenomenon, showing that much of our physical reality is created in our minds. Perception changes experience. He compares notes with a neuroscientist who famously had her own stroke of insight: Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor studied her own massive stroke as it happened, then documented it and her astonishing recovery.

A book signing featuring both speakers will follow the program.

About the Speakers

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained and published neuroanatomist. In 1996, a blood vessel exploded in the left half of her brain, and over the course of four hours she watched her mind completely deteriorate until she could not walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. It took eight years for her to completely recover all function. In 2008, Dr. Taylor gave the first TED talk to go viral. She was the premier guest on Oprah’s Soul Series, and she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2008. Her memoir My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey spent 63 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and is translated in over 30 languages. Dr. Taylor is committed to educating the public about neuroplasticity and the ability of the brain to recover from stroke or brain trauma. She is a highly sought-after public speaker who travels the world, and she uses her nonprofit organization Jill Bolte Taylor BRAINS to advance her mission.

Jeffrey Rediger, MD, MDiv, is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, the Medical Director of McLean SE and Community Affairs at McLean Hospital, and the Chief of Behavioral Medicine at Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center.

A licensed physician and board-certified psychiatrist, he also has a master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. His research with remarkable individuals who have recovered from illnesses considered incurable has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz shows, among others.

He has been nominated for the National Bravewell Leadership Award and has received numerous awards related to leadership and patient care.

This program is supported by Eileen Caulfield Schwab.

Lead support for Brainwave is provided by Science Sandbox, an initiative of Simons Foundation, and by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Major support is provided by Gerry Ohrstrom, Rasika and Girish Reddy, and Noah P. Dorsky.

Program support is provided by Eileen Caulfield Schwab, Eva and Yoel Haller, Cheryl Henson, and Heather Beth Henson.