tenaciously — in a determined and persistent way, refusing to give up

resonance — the quality of having a deep and lasting effect on people

secular — not connected to religion or the church

ties in with — to be connected to or related to something else

delve into — to investigate or explore something deeply and thoroughly

acquaintance — a person you know slightly but not very well

cross paths with — to meet someone by chance, often unexpectedly

pivotal — of great importance, having a major effect on future events

pave the way for — to create the conditions that make something possible in the future

set in motion — to start a process or series of events that continues by itself

keep pace with — to move or develop at the same speed as something else

wake up to — to begin to understand or become aware of something important