Ideas That Change Lives: Recent Episodes
Beth Perkel
Invest a few minutes listening as each episode I explore transformational ideas from my own life and search for wisdom, as well as the experiences of some of the most inspirational people I have come across, and get a fresh idea that changed someone's life in return...perhaps it will change yours as well! Think of each episode as distilling a lifetime of treasure hunting into finding the actual treasure!
In this episode we learn how to navigate the opinions that ultimately define our inner world and avoid "broken thermometers". We explore a litmus test for determining whether we are using the right input and I end the episode with an exercise to use as a one week challenge to improve your self esteem (based on the mirror work of Louise Hay).
In this episode we delve into relationship tools for marriage, mentoring, and our longest and most intense relationship: the relationship with ourselves! International lecturer and prolific author Sara Yoheved Rigler unpacks pearls of wisdom from her webinars, writing, and most importantly life experiences.
To learn more about Sara's work, please visit her website: https://sararigler.com
After death, is a person really gone? Ever wonder what happens to the body and soul after death but before burial? Ever wonder why Judaism considers it such a desecration to the body to cremate? Ever consider the fascinating interplay between having a soul that was carved from G-d’s throne stuck in a body that was taken from the dust of the earth? In this episode I delve into the realm of the seemingly un-delv-able with Danya Miller as we explore these questions and more. For more resources on why Judaism believes that the body needs to be buried and not cremated, please visit: lastkindness.org
What are our fears telling us? What is anger telling us?In this episode, we discuss how to look deeper atwhat is under emotions and instincts. We address primary vs. secondary responses and why this concept frees us to be more compassionate towards ourselves.
We talk about the superpower of acceptance, and how to look out not only for our messages but our messengers.
In this episode, organization and decluttering expert Rebekah Saltzman joins us to share both practical and profound ideas on how to reduce what you have so that your stuff is serving you, rather than you serving your stuff. We troubleshoot the hurdle of forgetting where things are as we age, how to set your kids up for success with learning to organize, getting past the monetary aspect of releasing things we bought and don't use, and dealing with "collectors" (ehem, those with hoarding tendencies). We discuss how to transform what we choose to keep into blessings and not burdens, as well as how to make space for new blessings in our lives. For more information on Rebecca's work please visit her at https://balaganbegone.com/ or connect with her on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BalaganBeGoneFacebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/591632997706988Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/balaganbegone/?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rebekahsaltzmanLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekahsaltzman/Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe7GnM6sHEyi42DM8DhVT4Ahttps://youtube.com/@balaganbegonePinterest https://www.pinterest.com/rebekahsaltzman/
In this episode, we take a deep dive into a negativity detox. I explain the negativity bias as well as suggest several tools (as well as a tangible exercise) for rewiring our brain to replace negativity with positivity. In addition, I suggest a unique way to live in our happy moments more than our negative ones. To purchase a signed copy of my book with the special offer in this episode, please email teachingchildrenhappiness@gmail.com
In this episode, Sam Glassenberg joins us to discuss how he turned his childhood fascination with computers and animation into a thriving, emmy-winning, industry-expanding career. Through the retelling of his journey, Sam discusses ideas that have changed both his career and his life.
In this episode, I explain why we need constant steams of support and strengthening (yes, its not just you!). I offer practical solutions and words that I hope will be "evergreen" about what we can do from all four corners of the earth to battle for the dignity and victory of the Jewish people during difficult times.
In this episode, I present 5 questions that will help you move from auto-pilot to more concious living. Through a change of mindsets and course-correcting our paths, our answers will help create a plan for true transformation and renewal.
World-renowned educator, speaker, writer, and media personality Lori Palatnik joins us to discuss ideas that have changed her life. Some highlights from the episode include wisdom on pushing through pushback, the four "C"s that bring us to a place of clarity, growing through our efforts, and the magic of being "all in", as well as some litmus tests to determine our real friendships.
"Everyone has shtick about money". This is a common notion that comes up in the world of psychology. In this episode we explore many questions relating to its pursuit and use:
Is money power? Is money good or bad? What do you believe is the best use for it in improving your life and those of the people around you? Do you prefer to spend money for convenience or inconvenience yourself to save money? Do you prefer to spend money on special experiences or on making your every-day life a better experience? Are there certain areas of your life where you write yourself a blank check but other areas where spending money is very difficult for you? How do you not sell away your present for your future?
Let's Dive in!
Batya Burd-Oved, a brilliant Canadian lawyer-turned Old City of Jerusalem resident and spiritual seeker, joins us to share the journey that took her from the heights of the legal world in Canada and some of the highest mountains in the world, to the depths of sorrow after she lost her beloved husband on his 40th birthday during a swim into the Ocean in which he didn't return back alive. Batya bravely shares her life-changing ideas on how to move through pain and transform suffering step by step from something that constricts you to something that broadens your world and elevates your soul. She also shares deep insight for spectators of sorrow- how other people can offer true help to those who are going through a difficult time, as well as avoid the common triggers that might make those who are suffering shut down.
For more information on the Western Wall prayer organization Batya runs that is mentioned in the episode please click here: westernwallprayers.org
In this episode, I discuss what the experts say is really behind anger and how we can both drain the lighter fluid out of us during a fit of anger, and how we can relate to and deal with angry people in our lives. I talk about the 90-second anger rule and how to use it to change our entire experience of the emotion of anger.
In this episode, Batyah Cohen joins us to tell her tale and reveal the life lessons she gleaned from spending four days walking across the expanse of Israel through desert, wilderness and water with a group of 16 strangers and nothing but a pack on her back. We discuss life-changing lessons about true strength, the antidote to jealosy and competition, and the gap that is bridged when strangers take the leap to interact.
In this episode, we discuss the idea from the Talmud that just like there are rewards in life for pursuing, so too there can be rewards for stopping...
As we explore the sunken costs of time, energy, emotions, money and other considerations that often leave us trying to force our will upon relationships, jobs, former decisions, community institutions etc. that are no longer right for us, we:
-learn how to garner the strength to go down new paths and leave ones that are no longer ideal for us.
-learn how to let go of the things we are attached to that are bad for us
-learn how to deal with endings better and identify the 5 E's of potential within endings: Energize, encode, edit, evaluate and elevate
-learn an exercise for evaluating whether we are fooling ourselves by thinking a situation can get better, and learn a tool for garnering the bravery to go down the new path.
Dr. Elliot Weiner joins us in this episode to explore some of the groundbreaking ideas and approaches that are used in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for helping people navigate overwhelming emotions. Learning how to harness the power of acceptance, balancing escapism, navigating communication issues in relationships, and coping mechanisms to deal with difficult situations in the moment are all explored. To purchase Dr. Weiner's newly released DBT workbook click the following link:
https://www.amazon.com/Self-Directed-DBT-Skills-Workbook-Regulate-ebook/dp/B0BS37F4H6/ref=sr_1_35?crid=2Z5G91Y70D6C5&keywords=dbt+skills&qid=1676500068&sprefix=dbt+skills%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-35
In this episode, Dr. Leslie Gutman joins me to explore the ideas of optimism, challenges, the difficult nature of transitions as well as post-traumatic growth as they pertain to resilience. We work towards an understanding of resilience as a journey in which reacting and recovering from challenges and life changes becomes not about bouncing back into who we were but bouncing forward into who we can become...
For those of you interested in purchasing Dr. Gutman's book it can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Resilience-Jewish-Adversity-Fostering-Strength/dp/195237023X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17L2AYN50QMCU&keywords=leslie+gutman&qid=1677788923&sprefix=leslie+gutman%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1
This episode explores the secrets of timing, from redeeming your to-do list to exploring time management as a spiritual exercise. You will learn the evils of the afternoon, as well as what to do and avoid at various points in the day in order to catch the best time-pockets that are recommended by scientific research.
In this episode Yuri Kruman- author, sought after speaker, and CEO of HR, Talent & Systems Consulting- joins me to discuss how expectations manage us if we don't learn to manage them. From our expectations of ourselves and others, to our jobs, life goals and even the expectations others are projecting upon us, this episode contains many applications for dismantling the high walls of expectations in our lives.
Here is a link to Yuri's books on Amazon!:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Yuri-Kruman/author/B00FZ0I5KC?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
In this episode, I explore why we have so much trouble making decisions and what we can do to both become more decisive and to improve our decision-making processes. I walk the listener through an exercise from my book (https://mosaicapress.com/product/light-at-the-beginning-of-the-tunnel/) that helps you identify and improve your motivations that simmer below the surface and are ignited when faced with a decision.
In this episode, Rebecca Fishman Lipsey (President and CEO of the Miami Foundation) shares several of the hard-earned lessons she reflected upon and put to paper in honor of her 40th birthday and bravely shared on social media. She walks us through: how not to be fearful of our joy, using vulnerability as power, deciding who gets to own real estate in our minds, saying "no" is an act of power and discipline, dreaming big, and how to lift others first and root for them (yes, even in our hearts!)...
David Perkel joins us on this episode to discuss the life-changing ideas that helped him succeed throughout his journey from childhood actor and junior Olympic gold medalist to top lawyer, mediator, scholar and dude-who-manages-to-start-his-mornings-at-3:15 a.m.-and-still-survive-the-day. He walks us through some of the high-efficiency concepts that helped him scaffold his success such as:
-Touching tasks once
-Finding your individual "time-zone" (no, this isn't referring to people who run chronically late :))
-Identifying your thinking portals
-Harnassing professional tools in your personal life for refocus and growth (such as calendar reminders to remind you to get in a certain mindset before you go home, or to break you from the trance of ruminating about things that are bothering you). Take back the "pings!" Use them to make sure you are acting like who you want to be, and focusing on the things you want to own your mental real estate.
In this episode, we learn how to regularly get rid of the thoughts, behaviors and propensities in our lives that are weighing us down. Two helpful exercises are described for regular clearing out our personal cobwebs.
This episode explains the nature of how our thoughts influence and affect our perceptions of reality and daily interactions. I then detail what we can do to shift and improve the impact of our internal narrator.