Share
Good Life Project
Rabbi Steve Leder | How to Live What Matters
With everything going on in the world recently, we've likely all thought to ourselves at some point, "Is humanity lost?" You are not alone if the news makes you feel like everything is hopeless, and it's fair to wonder if collective and individual hope in empathy, compassion, and humanity will ever be restored.
As we move forward past the darkest days of the COVID-19 outbreak, many people are still searching for hope, inspiration, and answers to some big questions like: How do you regain access to empathy? Or what truly matters in life in the end?
And I can't think of a better person to explore these questions with than my guest today, Rabbi Steve Leder.
He is a graduate of Northwestern University and was ordained at Hebrew Union College, and he currently serves as the Senior Rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles. He's also a writer and the author of several critically acclaimed books, including his best-seller, More Beautiful Than Before: How Suffering Transforms Us, and his latest book, For You When I'm Gone: 12 Essential Questions to Tell a Life Story.
His compassionate voice and words of wisdom have earned Rabbi Leder recognition as one of Newsweek Magazine's ten most influential rabbis in America — twice. In this revealing conversation, we explore his views on humanity, death, religion, and what makes a good life well-lived.
Rabbi Leder shares his interesting thoughts on why people leave the church, what he believes to be the true single source of evil, and how we can all get back to living in alignment with our values and also how to create a powerful curation of beliefs and stories to share with others he calls your ethical will. There are so many good nuggets to take away from this conversation, so I hope you're in a position to jot down Rabbi Leder's words of wisdom today.
You can find Rabbi Steve at: Website | Instagram
If you LOVED this episode you'll also love the conversations we had with Bishop Michael Curry about the role of love in faith and life.
Check out our offerings & partners:
- My New Book Sparked | My New Podcast SPARKED
- Visit Our Sponsor Page For a Complete List of Vanity URLs & Discount Codes.
More episodes
View all episodes
How to Bring More Grace Into Your Life | Julia Baird
57:30|Can grace truly change everything? In this thought-provoking conversation, Julia Baird, author of Bright Shining: How Grace Changes Everything, shares how cultivating awe, wonder, and the capacity for grace has sustained her through battles with cancer and life's darkest moments. From profound acts of forgiveness to the untold generosity of blood donors, Baird explores how opening your heart to grace can light an "invincible summer" within - even when the world feels brutally dark. An uplifting listen for anyone seeking light amidst suffering.You can find Julia at: Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode yo’ll also love the conversations we had with with Dacher Keltner about awe.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount CodesThe Self-Care Delusion: Why It Can't Fix Everything
49:26|Stuck using self-care as a quick fix for deeper dissatisfaction? Jonathan Fields' provocative spoken essay from his "Awake at the Wheel" Substack unmasks the dangerous self-care delusion trapping so many. Discover why fleeting "treat yourself" moments merely numb the real crisis - your life is fundamentally out of alignment with core values. This is an essential reality check about self-care's limits and the courageous self-inquiry required to realign your increasingly frantic modern life.You can find Jonathan's new writing project: Awake at the Wheel | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you'll also love the written essays from this episode. You can find them at Awake at the Wheel.Check out our offerings & partners: Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount CodesHow to Navigate Conflict & Build Amazing Friendships | Danielle Bayard Jackson
01:01:47|Discover surprising insights into the science of women's friendships from Danielle Bayard Jackson, author of Fighting for Our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships. This illuminating conversation dives into why healthy conflict is vital for platonic intimacy, how to navigate issues like lack of reciprocity and controlling friends, and the key to renegotiating friendship "terms" as lives evolve. You'll learn practical ways to fight for your most precious bonds and be the kind of friend who uplifts others. Don't miss these research-backed strategies for deeper, more fulfilling connections.You can find Danielle at: Better Female Friendships | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford about the power of women’s circles and friendships.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount CodesBessel van der Kolk , MD| The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
01:01:08|Bessel van der Kolk, legendary trauma expert and author of The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma reveals a revolutionary approach to healing trauma. Discover how trauma profoundly impacts the brain and body, making growth difficult by trapping us in past experiences. Explore potent mind-body practices like yoga, dance, and psychedelics that can unlock trauma's grip by igniting collective joy, self-compassion, and an expansive perspective on our vast human potential. Gain life-changing insights to feel truly alive again.You can find Bessel at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Ellen Hendrikson about social anxiety.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount CodesHow to Create Change That Actually Sticks | Tamsen Webster
56:14|Are you struggling to make lasting positive changes in your life? In this thought-provoking conversation, change philosopher Tamsen Webster unlocks the secrets to transformational change from her new book Say What They Can't Unhear: The 9 Principles of Lasting Change. Discover how aligning your core beliefs with your desired identity is crucial for sustainable growth. Learn to recognize and leverage "disorienting dilemmas" that shatter limiting assumptions about what's possible. Webster shares candid stories from her own journey overcoming panic disorder and embracing a healthier lifestyle. Listen now for a fresh perspective to finally make changes that stick.You can find Tamsen at: Website | Instagram | The Compact Case™ | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Maya Shankar about how we change.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount CodesHow Safety Sometimes Stops Us From Living (and what to do about it) | Chase Jarvis
01:01:13|Are you feeling stuck in a life of predictability and safety? Chase Jarvis, author of Never Play It Safe: A Practical Guide to Freedom, Creativity, and a Life You Love, reveals how stepping out of your comfort zone unlocks creativity, authenticity, and joy. Discover powerful mindset shifts and practical tools to reshape your relationship with time, cultivate intuition, and direct your attention towards what truly matters. If you're craving more aliveness, meaning, and fulfillment, this insightful conversation provides an inspiring roadmap to the life you really want.You can find Chase at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Chase about finding your creative calling.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount CodesParty of One: Finding Joy in Your Own Company | Meghan Keane
01:00:52|Meghan Keane's Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner upends the cultural myth that romantic love is the ultimate source of fulfillment. This insightful conversation offers a refreshing perspective on embracing your single status, pursuing harmonious passions, and fostering an enriching community of platonic relationships. Meghan provides an empowering vision for radical self-acceptance, values-based living, and finding profound meaning beyond prescribed relationship narratives - a must-listen for anyone seeking to thrive authentically.You can find Meghan at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Kat Vellos about crafting adult friendships.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount CodesEscaping Survival Mode: Rewiring Stress & Overwhelm | Spotlight Convo
01:29:45|Are you stuck in an endless cycle of stress and burnout, constantly chasing new goals but never feeling fulfilled? Or do you struggle with focus, restlessness, and emotional intensity - perhaps signs of neurodivergence? In this powerful episode, our guests Romie Mushtaq, Aviva Romm, and Sasha Hamdani provide candid insights into breaking free from the "stress success cycle," managing overwhelm and survival mode, and embracing the unique wiring of ADHD. Prepare for an honest, hopeful discussion packed with practical strategies to rewire your busy brain, repair your body's stress response systems, and start living with more presence and inner peace.Episode TranscriptYou can find Dr. Romie at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with RomieYou can find Dr. Aviva at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with AvivaYou can find Dr. Sasha at: Focus Genie App | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with SashaCheck out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes6 Ways to Be More Present, Less Reactive and Enjoy Life More
46:56|Are you trapped in a cycle of reactive busyness, constantly chasing other people's priorities? This powerful Unbusy Manifesto provides a roadmap to breaking free from that frantic pace through mindset shifts and daily practices. Learn intentional living strategies to reclaim your time, cultivate presence, and infuse more meaning into each day.And, by the way, in case you’d like to spend more time reading what you’re about to experience, I’ve posted a version of it over on my Awake at the Wheel newsletter.Episode TranscriptCheck out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes