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Randall Balmer, Professor of Religious History at Barnard College, Columbia University, talks about making academia accessible, the inner circles of hell, and the hardest thing hes ever done. (New York City) Interview & Camera by Danny Alpert Editing by Travis Pruitt Produced by Erin Williams

Sarah Hodgdon loves what she does, but that doesnt mean she doesnt question it.  In this interview, the Sierra Clubs Director of Conservation talks about finding her calling, doubting it, Lois Gibbs, Love Canal, moving beyond coal, and the power to make a difference. (San Francisco, California) Interview & Camera by Danny Alpert & Marshall B. Potter Editing by Rebecca Parrish Produced by Erin Williams Photo credits.

Adam McKay, comedian, director and writer talks about tridents, allowing the universe to invent itself, and losing yourself to laughter.  Adam McKay was head writer at Saturday Night Live in the late 90s and is also the cofounder of the comedy website Funny or Die, which he launched with comedic actor Will Ferrell.  Working with Ferrell, Adam also directed the films Anchorman , Talladega Nights , and The Other Guys. (Los Angeles, California) Interview by Danny Alpert Camera by Jordan Dawes Editing by Rebecca Parish Produced by Amy Cargill & Danny Alpert

Rabbinical student Jill Perlman gives her first sermon and talks about her decision to become a Rabbi after growing up in an interfaith household. As Jill peruses her calling, she struggles with questions about acceptance and identity.   Directed by Yoni Brook Edited by Matt Lauterbach Executive Produced by Danny Alpert

Taheras family plays music, recites the Quran, and teases her about being unmarried.  Web exclusive content from The Calling . Directed by Musa Syeed Edited by Susanne Suffredin

While eating dinner in the cafeteria, Steven talks with a fellow seminarian about needing to practice Spanish and his dreams about King Kong. Web exclusive content from The Calling . Directed by Danny Alpert Edited by Susanne Suffredin

Adam Davis from the Project on Civic Reflection (PCR) speaks about the importance of asking questions and allowing ourselves to feel unsettled in order to lead full and meaningful lives. Since 2003, Adam has been training facilitators, leading discussions, and composing materials for PCR. He is the editor of Hearing the Call across Traditions and coeditor, with Elizabeth Lynn, of The Civically Engaged Reader and Talking Service: Readings for Civic Reflection . In addition to his work with PCS, Adam is the founder and lead trainer of Justice TalkingMeaning of Service, a reading & discussion series for AmeriCorps and other service organizations around the US, and he is the board chair and former director of Camp of Dreams, a nonprofit organization providing yearround programming for underserved young people in Chicago. Hes also a philosophy & literature instructor in The Odyssey Project. (Chicago, Illinois) Interview by Erin Williams Camera by Amy Cargill Editing by Matt Lauterbach Produced by Erin Williams

Lance Martin is a Lakota tattoo artist living in South Dakota.  In this interview, Lance talks about being different, finding his role, and using art to put food on the table.   Produced by Prairie Dust Films and Lakota Media Project, South Dakota Editing by Matt Lauterbach

Bilal prays with fellow Muslims, speaks to them about honoring the memory of those have come before, and shares his story of meeting WD Mohammed. Web exclusive content from The Calling. Directed by Musa Syeed Editing by Susanne Suffredin Executive Produced by Danny Alpert

Yerachmiel visits Israel with his wife, talks about his connection to Israel as a Jew, and oversees the BarMitzvah of a cousin. Web exclusive content from The Calling. Directed by Yoni Brook Editing by Susanne Suffredin Executive Produced by Danny Alpert

Demetrio Maguigad shares a story of loss from his childhood.  Demetrio works with Community Media Workshop, is the cofounder and radio host of Chicago is the World , and is a musician with the Filipino cultural collective  Bagwis. (Chicago, Illinois) Interview by Erin Williams Camera by Ian Kibbe Editing by Matt Lauterbach Produced by Erin Williams

Donna Vano is a world class professional snowboarder, skateboarder, inline skater, and mentor. In this interview, Donna talks about defying the odds, overcoming obstacles, and keeping positive.  Donna has worked with and mentored some of the worlds greatest young athletes, like Shaun White, Elena Hight, Lynz Adams and Jamie Anderson.  Donna has been involved in action sports since before they were called action sports and holds three Guinness World Records. Interview by Amy Cargill Camera by Jordan Dawes Editing by Matt Lauterbach & Nick Nummerdor Produced by Ian Kibbe

Kathryn Streeter, a theology student at Fuller Seminary, spent six years in China. Living in one of the most polluted cities, she developed severe health problems and was forced to return home, a traumatic experience that led her to reexamine her calling. (Pasadena, California) Directed by Alicia Dwyer Editing by Matt Lauterbach Executive Produced by Danny Alpert

The Rev. Dr. Michael Pfleger, pastor at the Faith Community at Saint Sabina in Chicago, is a tireless advocate for the poor and voiceless. Though a longtime Chicago figure, Fr. Pfleger gained national notoriety during the 2008 Presidential elections for his outspoken style.  In this clip, he talks about why its so important to speak out, what it means to be a voice of conscience, and the role he believes the Church should play in our lives and in society. Fr. Pfleger was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1975. In 1981, at the age of 31, he became the youngest full pastor in the diocese when he was appointed Pastor at Saint Sabina. He is the proud adoptive father of Lamar and Beronti. 1997, he became a foster father to Jarvis Franklin, who was tragically killed in 1998 as a result of gang crossfire. Since 1968, Fr. Pfleger has lived and ministered in the African American community on Chicagos South and West sides. He spent two summers working in a Native American community in Oklahoma and did his seminary internship as a Chaplin at Cook County Jail & Precious Blood Catholic Church. Fr. Pfleger has been recognized by People, Time, Ebony, Newsweek, Jet, The New York Times, The LA Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, and various Chicago outlets. He has also been profiled by 60 Minutes, the BBC, the Larry King Show, and Nightline. (Chicago, Illinois) Interview & Camera by Erin Williams Editing by Matt Lauterbach Produced by Erin Williams

Jeneen graduates from Fuller Theological Seminary. At the pool party afterwards, a friend commends her for having gone through school while being a single mother. (Pasadena, California) Web exclusive content from The Calling. Directed by Alicia Dwyer Edited by Susanne Suffredin Executive Produced by Danny Alpert

Actress, teacher, University of North Carolina lecturer and documentary theater director,  Kathy Williams talks about the importance of human interaction.  Kathy is the performance director of Hidden Voices, a community organization that uses theater to tell the reallife stories  of others  in order to challenge, strengthen, and connect our diverse communities through the transformative power of the individual voice. (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) Interview & Camera by Ian Kibbe Editing by Matt Lauterbach Produced by Ian Kibbe

Stanley Hauerwas, Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School, on bricklaying, teaching and the satisfaction of completing ones work. Professor Hauerwas is the author of numerous books, including the recent memoir, Hannahs Child: A Theologians Memoir.  In 2001 Time Magazine named Professor Hauerwas Americas Best Theologian. He responded by saying, Best is not a theological category. (Durham, North Carolina) Interview & Camera by Ian Kibbe Editing by Matt Lauterbach Produced by Ian Kibbe

Shmuly reminds himself why he performs certain rituals for Passover and fulfills one requirement with pretzels. (New York, New York) Web exclusive content from The Calling . Directed by Yoni Brook Editing by Susanne Suffredin Executive Produced by Danny Alpert

Vijay Iyer, a pianist, composer, producer, and writer talks about the American dream, jazz, and defying the odds to become an artist. A polymath whose work has spanned the sciences, arts, and humanities, Iyer holds a B.S. in Mathematics & Physics from Yale and a Masters in Physics and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Technology and the Arts from UC Berkeley. He was chosen as one of nine Revolutionary Minds in Seed Magazine , and his research in music cognition has been featured on the radio programs This Week in Science and Studio 360. (New York, New York) Interview & Camera by Danny Alpert Editing by Matt Lauterbach Produced by Erin Williams

Raufa was born in the South of the U.S. and raised Southern Baptist. As an adult, Raufa moved to the West Coast, and became involved in Sufism, eventually converting to Islam.  After praying and searching on Google for opportunities to serve people from an Islamic perspective, Raufa decided to enroll at Hartford Seminary and move into a home with other Muslims to further explore her Islamic faith. Coming to Hartford, was the first time Raufa had interacted with people who were born Muslim.  Raufa struggles not only with learning Arabic, but also with connecting with the other members of her community across age and cultural divides. (Hartford, Connecticut) Directed by Musa Syeed Editing by Matt Lauterbach Executive Produced by Danny Alpert