Episode 22: Viktor Frankl - Man's Search For Meaning
Release Date: 04/11/2019
Episode 29: Stars in the Darkness - What Changes Will Last?
Purpose in the Process
My co-host and I discuss a few of the potentially lasting changes (hopefully good ones) from the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
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Episode 28: Mike Garrett - FInding Purpose in Suffering
Purpose in the Process
My friend Mike Garrett joins us in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis to discuss the purpose in the process of suffering. Thank you for your patience as I took several months off to “counter balance” a few other goals and projects. I’m glad to be back doing the podcast, especially now, and I appreciate all of the continued positive feedback and support. Some links for what we discussed in this episode: , by John Newton (I quote from this book several times in this episode). I found this book in an Episcopal church book store during a break at the Austin Film Festival, and it has...
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Episode 27: Will Blackman - Staying in the Moment
Purpose in the Process
My friend Will Blackman returns to help kick-off the second season of the podcast and give us an update. For his first visit, go check out Episode 19! In this episode, Will and I discussed: What Will has learned about the importance of staying in the moment - and how continuously returning to prayer throughout the day can help exercise that muscle Taking refuge within, despite “the shuffling of plates" How does Will feel about Viktor Frankl’s charge that we should strive to live in a manner “worth” our suffering? Learning to accept and embrace love (from both God and people) ...
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Episode 26: Peter Merriman - A Humble Approach to Hospitality
Purpose in the Process
Famous chefs don’t become known because of their humility. But as it turns out, their restaurants might. In this episode of the podcast, I spoke with renowned chef Peter Merriman about his unique approach to hospitality in his restaurants. Why is it that a person always feels welcome when they check-in with his hosts? How does Peter motivate his entire staff to entertain like they are “throwing a party every night,” prepare each and every dish like they are “cooking for their mom,” and consistently go above and beyond to “do the right thing” for every customer they meet? In this...
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Episode 25: Dr. Hyla Cass - A Purposeful Approach to Functional Medicine
Purpose in the Process
We go to the doctor with the goal of feeling better, so it should come as no surprise that conventional medicine is often aimed at helping us deal with symptoms, rather than identifying and addressing the underlying cause. Such an approach is all the more likely in an overwhelmed healthcare system where doctors are increasingly unable to spend the time required to identify and address the root issues behind many “chronic” conditions, especially those with no immediately apparent source. In this episode of the podcast, I spoke with Dr. Hyla Cass about what has fueled her career-long desire...
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Episode 25: Dr. Hyla Cass - A Purposeful Approach to Functional Medicine
Purpose in the Process
We go to the doctor with the goal of feeling better, so it should come as no surprise that conventional medicine is often aimed at helping us deal with symptoms, rather than identifying and addressing the underlying cause. Such an approach is all the more likely in an overwhelmed healthcare system where doctors are increasingly unable to spend the time required to identify and address the root issues behind many “chronic” conditions, especially those with no immediately apparent source. In this episode of the podcast, I spoke with Dr. Hyla Cass about what has fueled her career-long desire...
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Episode 24: Discovering Your Seven Stories
Purpose in the Process
What accomplishments are you most proud of? When you think of the "top stories" of your life - those where you felt most empowered, full of joy, or simply had a great time doing something you were really good at - which experiences rise to the top? More importantly, what specific attributes seem to be common to each of those stories? On the heels of a couple deep philosophical episodes about finding “purpose,” I wanted to offer some concrete advice about the “process” someone might use to start figuring out what they want to be when they grow up. I’ve mentioned the “Seven Stories...
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Episode 23: Finding Meaning In Responsibility
Purpose in the Process
In this second part of a two-part special series I focus on the importance, and process, of finding meaning and purpose in life, as found in the book Man’s Search For Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. Frankl explains how responsibility to oneself and others (and to what life is asking of you) is a vital counterpart to freedom, a concept echoed by many present-day authors, including notable thought leaders like Jordan Peterson and Jocko Wilink. If you only listen to one of these two episodes on Frankl’s book, this is the one to listen to for sure, because we talk and reflect on the second section...
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Episode 22: Viktor Frankl - Man's Search For Meaning
Purpose in the Process
In this special episode of the podcast I wanted to respond to a listener request by offering some takeaways from the globally renowned book Man’s Search For Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. I’ve mentioned this book in past episodes when discussing the importance of living a life of purpose with various guests, because at the end of the day Frankl’s message regarding the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life is core to the whole point of this podcast. This is not intended to be a summary by any means, and is certainly not a scholarly attempt to interpret what Frankl wrote in 1946 -...
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Episode 21: Staying Safe on the Road
Purpose in the Process
They say courtesy is not so common anymore - this seems to be especially true on the road. As I start to teach my son how to drive, I’ve been noticing that even some of the most experienced adult drivers are no longer driving in the kind of courteous and safe manner most likely to avoid both accidents and tickets. In this episode of the podcast I summarize a few principles about safe driving, and offer my insights as both a former police officer and attorney into some of the top ways to stay safer on the road, including how to avoid and deal with road rage. I hope you enjoy this episode...
info_outlineIn this special episode of the podcast I wanted to respond to a listener request by offering some takeaways from the globally renowned book Man’s Search For Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. I’ve mentioned this book in past episodes when discussing the importance of living a life of purpose with various guests, because at the end of the day Frankl’s message regarding the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life is core to the whole point of this podcast. This is not intended to be a summary by any means, and is certainly not a scholarly attempt to interpret what Frankl wrote in 1946 - but perhaps my amateur musings about such an amazing piece of literature will inspire you to get a copy this important book so you can see for yourself the conclusions that might be reached.
When I interview guests I’m always interested in the processes and stories about what makes their particular journey, craft, skill, or art so unique, but I’m even more interested in the purpose behind those processes. Frankl’s book offers insights as to why purpose is so important to all of us, and how finding meaning in our lives (and even the process of setting out to do so) can help us to overcome many emotional, mental, and even physical challenges.
I hope you enjoy part 1 of this special 2 part series, which covers:
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Life in the concentration camps of WW 2
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How they could tell when a prisoner had lost the will to live, and what that meant for them
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The delusion of reprieve
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Is it true that people can get used to just about anything?
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What does it mean that “love” is the ultimate and highest purpose?
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The importance of taking refuge in the inner-life
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Humor as a weapon for saving the soul
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Freedom from suffering as a form of negative happiness
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How attempting to avoid suffering can often cause it
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The importance of paying attention to inward peace (or lack thereof) in making our choices
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The last of human freedoms: to be worthy of your sufferings
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The dangers of retrospective living
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The importance of naming our emotions
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How loss of hope can have a deadly effect
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The two races of men
LINKS
Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Tara Brach’s article “Tea with Mara”