Musings On Wellbeing
We are excited to launch a new season for “Musings….” This season we have changed the title to reflect a shift in our focus. The new title is “Musings on Wellbeing.” Why the change? At a time of increased polarization in the United States and Europe, as well as threats to peace in the Middle East and Africa, the time is right to dive deeply into the concept of wellbeing. After all, isn’t that what we all seek for ourselves, our families, our communities, and our planet? Together with host Charlie Bresler, guests will explore a variety of perspectives on the theme of wellbeing. Hopefully, these interviews will provoke listeners to do their own exploration: What is your pathway to personal wellbeing? How, as a society, can we create a pathway that promotes the wellbeing of all our citizens? In a world that too often makes us feel powerless, Charlie and guests are helping us identify steps (quite literally) to take to increase personal and societal wellbeing. Charlie Bresler, Ph.D. is a clinical and social psychologist who, after a career as a graduate professor of psychology, ventured into the world of business and philanthropy. He is the former president of a large international retail company and co-founder of The Life You Can Save.
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Episode 31: Musings with Milica Jelača Jovanović
07/10/2025
Episode 31: Musings with Milica Jelača Jovanović
What does it mean to live a life in tune—with yourself, your passions, and your wellbeing? In this episode of Musings on Wellbeing, host Charlie Bresler and his guest, internationally renowned pianist Milica Jelača Jovanović, explore how the pursuit of excellence can both shape and challenge our inner lives. Raised in a family of classical musicians in Yugoslavia, Milica’s journey spans elite music schools, intense conservatory training in post-Soviet Moscow, and a new chapter of life in Michigan. Their conversation touches on the delicate balance between ambition and self-care, artistry and identity. Her story is both deeply personal and universally resonant—a reflection on discipline, resilience, and finding meaning through music. Listeners will hear Milica’s candid take on how intensive training has shaped her mental and emotional wellbeing, the role of family in grounding her, and why she prioritizes self-improvement over competition. She also shares the guiding principles behind her teaching style and gives a sneak peek into exciting musical projects on the horizon. Links: Milica on YouTube Music from this episode: Mozart concerto performance with Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at . Charlie Bresler is a former business executive, co-founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, and a self-described effective hedonist. As a psychologist, Charlie emphasizes the importance of aligning personal pleasure with doing good, rejecting the notion of self-sacrifice in favor of a fulfilling, values-driven life.
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Episode 30: Musings with Richie Goldman
05/15/2025
Episode 30: Musings with Richie Goldman
What does wellbeing look like in the corporate world—and how can companies truly support the personal growth of their employees? In this episode of Musing on Wellbeing, Charlie Brelser is joined by Richie Goldman, Co-Founder of Men’s Wearhouse, author, marketing strategist, and writer of Curmudg. Together they explore the intersection of career, mindfulness, and meaningful connection. It’s a conversation that reminds us that professional success doesn't have to come at the cost of personal wellbeing. This episode will give listeners powerful takeaways about the value of authentic leadership, the impact of a supportive work environment, and the importance of aligning personal values with professional choices. Richie’s embrace of meditation, volunteerism, and focusing on what’s within one’s control offers a meaningful roadmap for anyone seeking a more grounded and purpose-driven life. Check out his writing, Curmudg, on Substack: https://curmudg.substack.com/. Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at . Charlie Bresler is a former business executive, co-founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, and a self-described effective hedonist. As a psychologist, Charlie emphasizes the importance of aligning personal pleasure with doing good, rejecting the notion of self-sacrifice in favor of a fulfilling, values-driven life.
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Episode 29: Musings with Patricia Natalicchio
04/17/2025
Episode 29: Musings with Patricia Natalicchio
Within the realm of education, what does it mean to support the well-being of both children and adults? In this inspiring episode of Musings on Wellbeing, host Charlie Bresler explores how an intentional approach to learning environments can cultivate academic success, personal growth, and emotional balance. Patricia Natalicchio joins Charlie for this conversation, and she brings over 30 years of educational experience to the table. From her childhood teaching her dolls in Buenos Aires to founding Montessori-inspired schools across Argentina and Italy, Patricia shares a heartfelt journey grounded in curiosity, respect, and innovation. Her passion for child-centered education is both practical and deeply personal. Patricia shares insights into creating nurturing learning environments, balancing career and family life, and rethinking traditional school structures. Links: Patricia on LinkedIn Patricia on Instagram Patricia on Facebook Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at . Charlie Bresler is a former business executive, co-founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, and a self-described effective hedonist. As a psychologist, Charlie emphasizes the importance of aligning personal pleasure with doing good, rejecting the notion of self-sacrifice in favor of a fulfilling, values-driven life.
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Episode 28: Musings with Dara O’Rourke
03/20/2025
Episode 28: Musings with Dara O’Rourke
This episode of Musing on Wellbeing examines the intersection of well-being, sustainability, and activism. Our choices as consumers shape the world around us, but how can we ensure those choices align with our values? From ethical labor practices to climate solutions, understanding the impact of our actions is key to creating a healthier planet and a more just society. Host Charlie Bresler is joined by Dara O’Rourke, an activist, academic, and sustainability expert. Dara shares his journey from growing up in Pullman, Washington, to becoming a professor at UC Berkeley, where he has spent decades researching global supply chains and labor practices. Dara’s groundbreaking work exposing Nike’s labor conditions in Vietnam led to greater corporate accountability, and his creation of the Good Guide empowered consumers to make informed choices. In this conversation, Dara unpacks the biggest challenges in sustainability today, the crucial role consumer behavior plays in driving change, and why hope and activism must go hand in hand. He also introduces the exciting Master of Climate Solutions program at UC Berkeley, designed to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools to combat climate change. Tune in to gain insights on how you can be part of the solution. Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at . Charlie Bresler is a former business executive, co-founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, and a self-described effective hedonist. As a psychologist, Charlie emphasizes the importance of aligning personal pleasure with doing good, rejecting the notion of self-sacrifice in favor of a fulfilling, values-driven life.
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Episode 27: Musings with Sarah Matyko
02/27/2025
Episode 27: Musings with Sarah Matyko
What if the secret to lasting wellbeing isn’t discipline, guilt, or fear—but pleasure? In this episode of Musings on Wellbeing, host Charlie Bresler explores how joy, purpose, and connection can be more powerful motivators for healthy behavior than the traditional messages of restriction and willpower. Joining the conversation is Dr. Sarah Matyko, Vice President of Well Being Strategy at Premise Health and Sonic Boom Wellness. With deep expertise in workplace wellness and behavior change, Dr. Matyko sheds light on how societal structures shape our health habits—poorly— and how we can shift our focus toward what truly matters. In this episode, you’ll discover key insights into the science of wellbeing, including the power of strength training as we age, the role of social connection in longevity, and how we can learn to find joy in behaviors we now regard as burdens. Take the first step toward redefining your approach to well-being. Don’t forget to subscribe to Musings on Wellbeing for more insightful discussions, share this episode with friends who could use a fresh perspective on health, and leave a review to let us know what resonated with you! Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at .
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Episode 26: Musings with Charlie Bresler
01/23/2025
Episode 26: Musings with Charlie Bresler
Welcome to the new season of Musings. As you've likely noticed from the artwork, Musings is taking a new direction — we're broadening our horizons to consider the idea of "wellbeing" as a whole. What does it mean to be truly "well," physically, mentally, and emotionally? In this first episode, Charlie Bresler swaps his host chair for the guest chair, and long-time friend and colleague Stacey Black is asking the questions. Stacey and Charlie discuss the new direction for Musings — the idea of pursuing wellbeing as a whole — and how what Charlie has termed "effective hedonism" plays into his sense of wellness. Also self-confidence, self-efficacy, ideals, pleasure, and conscience all can have roles to play in our ultimate sense of wellbeing. Stacey and Charlie also discuss Charlie’s new project, EH Walkers, and how it's a great example of marrying personal pleasure with your values to truly get the most wellbeing bang for your buck. Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at .
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Episode 25: Musings with Shameran Abed & Scott MacMillan Part 2
12/05/2024
Episode 25: Musings with Shameran Abed & Scott MacMillan Part 2
How important is hope and a feeling of agency over your own life? I think we’d say those are crucial to anyone. But if you’re born into a consistent cycle of poverty, if your family and community have struggled for generations, hope and agency can seem as fantastical as unicorns. Welcome to part 2 of Charlie Bresler’s discussion with Shameran Abed, Executive Director of BRAC International, and Scott MacMillan, Director of Learning and Effectiveness and author of Hope Over Fate. In part 1, the show delved into BRAC’s history and the evolving vision of its founder, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. In this new segment, Charlie and his guests look into the necessity of hope and agency in breaking the cycle of poverty. BRAC takes this notion very seriously. BRAC supplies funding, but also skills training, health care, education, and microloans for entrepreneurial efforts. Listen to the conversation to find out how BRAC is truly moving the needle on extreme poverty, then go to BRAC’s website, , to learn more and to give. You can also order a copy of Scott’s book, Hope Over Fate: Fazle Hasan Abed and the Science of Ending Global Poverty: . Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: .
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Episode 24: Musings with Shameran Abed & Scott MacMillan Part 1
11/21/2024
Episode 24: Musings with Shameran Abed & Scott MacMillan Part 1
“When people ask me now what BRAC stands for, I like to say that we stand for an idea – an idea of a world where everyone has an equal opportunity to realize their potential." --Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, BRAC Founder For Shameran Abed, BRAC was basically an elder sibling. The organization, formed in 1972, preceded Shameran’s birth by about a decade and was founded by his father, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. BRAC was born from the devastation that occurred as Bangladesh fought for its independence and also faced a disastrous cyclone. What began as a modest, local relief effort quickly grew into a movement that reaches more than 100 million people in need across Asia and Africa. The organization and Shameran basically grew together, making his perspective on philanthropy both unique and life long. Welcome to part 1 of the discussion among host and co-founder of The Life You Can Save, Charlie Bresler and his guests Shameran Abed, Executive Director of BRAC International and Scott MacMillan, author of Hope Over Fate: Fazle Hasan Abed and the Science of Ending Global Poverty. In this discussion, they discuss the history of BRAC and its founder, the evolution of BRAC’s mission, what it’s like to grow up in a mission-centered household, and the state of philanthropy today. We hope you’ll also join us for part 2, publishing December 5, 2024, on the importance of hope and agency in overcoming poverty in a lasting and sustainable way. Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: .
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Episode 23: Musings with Rena Greifinger
10/17/2024
Episode 23: Musings with Rena Greifinger
“I was instilled with this idea that I come from a lot of privilege and lot of ease in my own life, and to use that as power to clear the barriers for others to exercise their own privilege and power.” Rena Greifinger has used her power and privilege to help some of the most underrepresented and marginalized people in the world. Director of Individual Philanthropy and Managing Director of the Maverick Collective by Population Services International or PSI, Rena joined PSI twelve years ago with a mission of working for the dignity of people affected by stigmatized issues. Whether that’s HIV/AIDS or helping women get access to contraception and family planning or helping communities upgrade sanitation, Rena puts people at the center. What you’ll hear in this episode: 00:00 Rena's background and passion for social justice 08:00 Introduction to Population Services International (PSI) 13:27 The Maverick Collective: investing in women and girls 18:21 Addressing gender-based violence 23:03 Including men and boys in the conversation for gender equality 24:56 Challenges and rewards of working in different countries and cultures 25:37 The power of individual philanthropy and innovation 28:40 Engaging high-net-worth women donors through Maverick Collective 45:18 The interconnectedness of social issues 49:04 Taking action and recognizing privilege in living a moral life Find out more about the Maverick Collective and PSI on their websites: and . Get to know Rena Greifinger on LinkedIn: . Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: .
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Episode 22: Musings with Vincent van der Holst
09/20/2024
Episode 22: Musings with Vincent van der Holst
Musings host Charlie Bresler wrote a piece called “You Don’t Have to Be Brave to Save Lives,” () about how us ordinary humans can do good from the comfort of our living rooms. Someone should probably send that URL to Vincent “Vin” van der Holst. Founder of BOAS, a company that both saves denim from landfills and donates profits to charitable organizations, Vin is already doing the hard work to help save lives. But in June of 2024, he decided to do more: on June 7, he undertook to break a world record and cycle at least 130 kilometers (about 81 miles) no-handed. Every kilometer he rode brought more money to the Against Malaria Foundation. Did he make it? Listen and find out! In this conversation, Vin and Charlie discuss philanthropy and sustainability, but also the impacts of mental health on our behavior and choices in life. What drives us to do the things we do, believe the things we believe, act according to our beliefs or in contradiction to them? To learn more about Vin’s world record attempt, read the article on The Life You Can Save website: . Also, check out BOAS and buy their products to help reduce our impact on our natural environment and donate to worthy causes: And donate to help prevent the spread of malaria through the Against Malaria Foundation, either via The Life You Can Save () or directly on their website (). Connect with Vincent: Instagram - LinkedIn - Website - Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: .
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Episode 21: Musings with Annabelle Chauncy
08/15/2024
Episode 21: Musings with Annabelle Chauncy
In 2008, Australian entrepreneurs Annabelle Chauncy and David Everett founded School for Life. The mission statement tells it all, really: “To educate poverty out of existence.” The co-founders met in Kenya where they were working as volunteers, and they saw in real time how education changes lives for the better, for individuals and their communities. They returned to Australia determined to build a school in rural Uganda. In partnership with Rotary, they raised over a half-million Australian dollars, and in 2011, Katuuso Primary and Vocational School opened its doors for the first time. Since that day, Annabelle and her team have continued helping developing communities transform, making these communities more successful and sustainable by making education more accessible. In this fascinating conversation, host Charlie Bresler and Annabelle Chauncy muse over a wide range of topics, including the importance of education, how families and communities influence the adults we become, how parents — and parenting — impact our lives and perspectives, and how we can stay positive and motivated in the face of overwhelming obstacles. Learn more about Annabelle and The School for Life on their website, . You can donate there or at The Life You Can Save (). Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: .
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Episode 20: Musings with Dr. Wendy Harrison
07/18/2024
Episode 20: Musings with Dr. Wendy Harrison
Born on a dairy farm in West Sussex, Dr. Wendy Harrison has been around animals and agriculture her entire life. In fact, she stated her desire to be a vet at the ripe old age of six. While doing post-doc research and study at the University of Georgia, Dr. Harrison took a volunteer position at the non-profit Heifer International. She describes having a “Eureka moment” during this time, when she fully realized the linkage between animals and humans and how the health of all are “woven together.” One key part of her research has been in the attempt to end schistosomiasis, a waterborne parasite that can cause organ failure and cancer in its host. Because so many diseases such as this occur in neglected areas among marginalized populations, the diseases — and their victims — have been largely ignored by Western society. To help combat parasitic diseases, Dr. Harrison joined up with the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) in 2009. She became CEO of Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation) in 2019. In this interview, Charlie Bresler hosts Dr. Harrison and Matias Nestore, Senior Associate in Research and Evaluation at The Life You Can Save, in a conversation about tropical diseases, mass treatment and prevention interventions, and how health systems can be strengthened through collaboration. To support Unlimit Health’s work, you can donate via The Life You Can Save website or directly at unlimithealth.org. Links: Heifer International -
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Episode 19: Musings with Felix Brooks-church
06/20/2024
Episode 19: Musings with Felix Brooks-church
Starvation isn’t only a deficit of calories, it’s also a deficit of nutrients. Children especially suffer when the food they do get doesn’t meet all their nutritional needs. Felix Brooks-church has some big ideas to end the “hidden hunger” of micronutrient deficiency, and in 2013, he and David Dodson co-founded the non-profit organization Sanku to help close the gap. One of Felix’s biggest ideas is the dosifier. In many places in Africa, a starchy flour is the staple food people consume. A dosifier adds critical nutrients to the flour, providing key vitamins and minerals the flour alone lacks. Coupled with smart technology from Vodafone, Sanku is able to reach millions, and the organization is on track to assist more than 30 million people in getting the nutrients they need by 2026. We hope you’ll enjoy this encouraging conversation. After you’ve listened, please consider making a donation to Sanku either via or directly at . Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes at .
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Episode 18: Musings with Joshua Ross and Adam McCurdie of Humanitix
05/03/2024
Episode 18: Musings with Joshua Ross and Adam McCurdie of Humanitix
What do concert tickets and philanthropy have in common? Generally, not much, but a couple of friends of The Life You Can Save are working very hard to change that. Tech entrepreneurs Joshua Ross and Adam McCurdie could have made a fortune building their ticketing platform start up, but a trip to war-torn Sri Lanka fueled their desires to do work that was truly meaningful. It took a few years to get all the pieces aligned, but in 2016, Humanitix launched with a mission to be "The home of tickets for good, not greed." And in less than a decade, they've transformed more than $10 million (Australian) dollars to healthcare, housing, education, and more — including a donation of $4M AUD to The Life You Can Save! In this episode, Charlie talks with co-founders Josh and Adam about the history of Humanitix, the good it's done so far, and their mission to do even more in the years to come. Find more about Humanitix and founders Josh and Adam at their website, . Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: .
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Episode 17: Musings with Peter Singer
03/18/2024
Episode 17: Musings with Peter Singer
When the book The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty was first published in 2009, it completely changed (and re-ignited) the conversation around poverty, ethics, and philanthropy. Clearly it affected Musings host Charlie Bresler, who, after reading the book, ultimately approached its author about starting a non-profit based around philanthropy. According to its author, Peter Singer, those with money are behaving unethically — even immorally — if they don’t take steps to end the poverty and suffering of others. Singer’s parents were Austrian Jews who immigrated to Australian to escape the Nazis. Tragically, three of his four grandparents died at the hands of the Nazi regime, and in this episode, Peter and Charlie discuss how this history may or may not have impacted his world view. It’s a fascinating conversation around why we give or don’t. As you might imagine, the reasons are complex, rooted in human psychology, tinged with fear and cognitive dissonance, and seasoned with a lack of cultural pressure, thanks to an idea called the “diffusion of responsibility.” We hope you’ll enjoy this episode and share it widely. And remember, you can request a free copy of The Life You Can Save from our website: . More about Peter Singer: Raised in Australia, Peter Singer was awarded a scholarship to attend Oxford, where he received a Bachelor of Philosophy and later a Master’s. He was a Radcliffe lecturer at Oxford, a visiting professor at NYU, and spent most of his career as a professor in Melbourne. In 1999 he moved to Princeton to teach, and in 2011 to London to lecture at the New College of the Humanities. Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization , and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world.
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Episode 16: Musings with Caroline Teti
03/04/2024
Episode 16: Musings with Caroline Teti
Most of us in the west have our first pair of shoes long before we can actually walk. Not true for Caroline Teti, who had her first pair of shoes at 12, when it was time to go to high school. From a very early age, Caroline understood the importance of education for finding a way out of the limitations that come from poverty — fewer choices, poorer health, less ability to contribute to her community. Her family and the people in her village all encouraged Caroline to pursue a formal education. And she did. Caroline took advantage of every opportunity that came her way, working hard to get a Bachelor’s degree and teaching credentials, then a Master’s degree, all while caring for her family. And she uses that education to help raise others out of the kind of poverty she experienced. Now the Director of Recipients Advocacy at GiveDirectly Global, Caroline previously spent years in the public sector working on reproductive health, education, water, sanitation, and other problems that impact people living in extreme poverty. We hope you’ll enjoy Charlie’s conversation with this absolutely inspiring woman. To find out more about Caroline Teti and GiveDirectly, visit the GiveDirectly website at . Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization , and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world.
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Episode 15: Musings with Dylan Matthews
02/12/2024
Episode 15: Musings with Dylan Matthews
One of its first three employees, journalist Dylan Matthews is a senior correspondent and head writer for Future Perfect at Vox. For those unfamiliar, Future Perfect tells stories about people and organizations “finding the best ways to do good.” Dylan came across Peter Singer’s book at a formative age, helping cement his interests around global health, anti-poverty efforts, philanthropy, and economic policy. In this episode, Dylan and Charlie muse about difficulties in maintaining the distinctions between truth and falsehoods in this age of social media, the necessity of transparency when dealing with societal problems, and the evolutions of the modern American political parties — all through the lens of the obligations and functions of journalism. It’s a fascinating discussion we hope you’ll share! To learn more about Dylan Matthews and Future Perfect and to find his writings, follow him on Vox: . Musings on Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization , and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world.
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Episode 14: Musings with Will Rayward-Smith
01/15/2024
Episode 14: Musings with Will Rayward-Smith
Will Rayward-Smith has spent his adult life learning about the effects of climate change. Fortunately, unlike many who feel overwhelmed by the climate crisis, Will has dived in to help bring about lasting change. A specialist in decarbonization and transitioning to clean energy with a PhD in Clean Energy from Cambridge, Will understands the urgency of the issue. He founded SunSHIFT to replace diesel generators with mobile solar power in remote areas, with a goal of lowering carbon emissions. Now as a Partner in Energy and Sustainability at Deloitte, Will helps clients identify and take advantage of the opportunities provided by clean technology — to the benefit of us all. In this episode, Will and Charlie muse on the necessity of understanding how climate change disproportionately affects poorer areas of the world and how finding clean-energy solutions ultimately improves quality of life for everyone. Find out more about Will Rayward-Smith on his LinkedIn profile () and on the : . Musings on Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization , and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world.
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Episode 13: Musings on Season 1
01/08/2024
Episode 13: Musings on Season 1
What drives us to do good things? And what dissuades us from doing those good things, even if we generally believe ourselves to be good people? This has been the topic underlying Season One of the Musings podcast, and Charlie has had some truly fascinating conversations on that question. In Season Two, Charlie plans to look at a different perspective on philanthropy and doing good: “Effective Hedonism.” He gives us a brief introduction to the term in this episode, and you can in Time magazine for more information: . Join us in Season Two to hear more on the subject of Effective Hedonism, as well as other journeys into the human psyche and what drives us to do (or not do) the good acts we know will benefit others. Musings on Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization , and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world.
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Episode 12: Musings with Nicholas D'Agosto
12/04/2023
Episode 12: Musings with Nicholas D'Agosto
The “mildly talented” (100% his term, not ours) actor, Nick D’Agosto tweeted enthusiastically about The Life You Can Save, and when the team saw the tweet, they jumped on it! They reached out and connected Nick and Charlie, and a friendship was formed. Nick invited Charlie to appear on his (Nick’s) podcast, “God & Other Delicacies,” and now Charlie is returning the favor. If Nick sounds familiar, it’s because his voice graces the beginning and end of each of Charlie’s episodes (and some movies and TV shows, as well). Born and raised in a middle- to upper-middle-class, largely white, neighborhood in Nebraska, Nick made the effort to have a broader world view, including studying poverty and race issues in the Dominican Republic for a semester when he was a student at Marquette University. As of this recording, Nick is back in grad school, pursuing an advanced degree in Divinity at Meadville Lombard Theological School, a Unitarian Universalist seminary. In this episode, Nick and Charlie talk about how ending poverty is a value they share, how ending poverty is a central tenet to Christianity and ethical atheism alike, what influences shape us as we go through life, and why it’s so easy to fall short of our professed values. Nick is a member at Antaeus Theatre Company in Los Angeles, volunteers at his UU church in Pasadena, and supports the charity "The Life You Can Save." He lives in Los Angeles, CA with his wife and young son. You can find out more about Nick on IMDb: . Musings on Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization , and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world. Resources: God & Other Delicacies on Podbean: Election on Rotten Tomatoes: Charlie’s episode on Nick’s podcast:
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Episode 11: Musings with Michael Faye
11/27/2023
Episode 11: Musings with Michael Faye
It seems almost ridiculously simple: when donors give money directly to recipients, poverty goes down. Michael Faye, co-founder of GiveDirectly and Segovia, and CEO of Taptap Send, came to this “cash works” realization in the early 2000s. Michael was working on his PhD in Business Economics at Harvard University, evaluating ways to help bring about the end of extreme poverty. Once it became apparent that cash in the hands of recipients worked as well or better than any other intervention for relieving poverty, Michael shifted focus to finding ways to make it simple for donors to give and recipients to receive. Many of us in the west balk at handing over cash without some middle organization vetting how the money is spent; we’ve heard too many stories of recipients using the money for drugs or alcohol or other wants we might find objectionable or frivolous. In fact, numerous randomized controlled studies demonstrate the opposite impact of direct cash transfers. Michael sys the data reflects the fact that the recipients generally use the money to feed their families, invest in businesses, upgrade their living conditions, and so on. In this episode, Michael and host Charlie Bresler talk about the ripple effects of financial stability in small communities, the notion of UBI (Universal Basic Income), the cultural challenges of convincing potential donors to give cash, and the technological challenges of getting cash in the hands of recipients. Find out more about Michael Faye and learn about (and donate to!) GiveDirectly at . Musings on Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization , and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world.
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Episode 10: Musings with John Hagensen
11/13/2023
Episode 10: Musings with John Hagensen
“Money, although it won't make us happy in and of itself, is an incredibly powerful tool in our lives, when we use it in alignment with things that matter to us. Because whether we like it or not, money is needed and necessary to accomplish things that matter.” John Hagensen, Managing Director at wealth management firm Creative Planning, probably handles the “tool” of money better than most. With a profound belief in the power money can have to improve lives of those in need, John is very committed to philanthropy and to encouraging high-net-worth folks to give as well. John’s values are underpinned by a deep faith and humility — as a teenager, he took a trip abroad where he had an eye-opening experience into life for those with far less. He and his wife Brittany have practiced their values not only in their giving but also in their personal lives, adopting four of their seven children from very impoverished circumstances. As far as his work in wealth management is concerned, John focuses on helping clients feel secure in their financial futures, so they’re not operating from a “scarcity mindset.” This frees many clients to consider giving or giving more without fear. If you want to learn more about John and Creative Planning, you can find information on their . You can also check out John’s two books, The Retirement Flight Plan and Unleash Your Investments, and listen to his podcast, . Musings on Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for non-profit organization , and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world.
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Episode 9: Musings with Marcus Daniell
11/06/2023
Episode 9: Musings with Marcus Daniell
The only thing more high-impact than tennis champion Marcus Daniell’s serve is his philanthropy and his mission to encourage other athletes to give. An Olympic bronze medallist with five ATP titles, Marcus realized he had a unique opportunity to help the less-fortunate not only by donating but by using his platform to spread the word. In 2020, he co-founded High Impact Athletes to encourage other high-profile athletes to follow his example. In this episode, Charlie and Marcus talk about treating all Earth’s creatures with respect, whether human, furry, feathered, or finned. In addition to human poverty, they touch on factory farming and climate change initiatives which can help make the world a place of less suffering for all. Be sure you check out the website , to find a running tally of human and animal lives improved, tonnes of CO2e mitigated, and money influenced towards non-profit giving. High Impact Athletes works with “12 of the most effective charities in the world,” ensuring each donation goes as far and helps as many as it possibly can. And with a roster of more than 180 athletes representing 40 sports and 31 countries, HIA is doing a lot. Be sure to subscribe to wherever you listen to Musings! Musings on Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization , and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world.
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Episode 8: Musings with Ankur Shah Delight
10/23/2023
Episode 8: Musings with Ankur Shah Delight
“Typical tech nerd”? Whatever that is, Ankur Shah Delight probably doesn’t fit the definition. The once-math and computer science student is now an Executive Coach with Momentum Lab, where he helps people discover themselves through finding a purpose that truly aligns with their values. Of Eastern Indian heritage and one of the few students of color in his town in rural Washington State, Ankur didn’t always fit in with his overwhelmingly white class, nor did he readily identify with his Indian roots. Like many, the journey of self-discovery started after high school: in Ankur’s case, while taking philosophy classes at Stanford. Gandhi’s ideas in particular appealed to Ankur and inspired him to learn more about the world. After finishing university, Ankur wasn’t interested in the traditional route of ivy league school > investment banking. Instead he traveled widely for more than a decade, most often staying with peasant farmers around the world to learn how they lived. This experience gave him a grounding in “real” life that complemented and filled in the gaps of his university education. Now Ankur is on a path to achieve excellence in his relationships with himself, with the greater community of humanity, and with other living creatures on Earth. Whether personal progress comes through reading philosophy or having conversations with as many people as possible or trying psychedelics or fasting or engaging deeply with nature, Ankur urges us all to be more aware of the world around us. Subscribe to Ankur's weekly newsletter on meaning, purpose, and community at
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Episode 7: Musings with Ingrid Srinath
10/16/2023
Episode 7: Musings with Ingrid Srinath
Am I even making a difference? Is helping one cause, one kid, or one family going to make a difference that lasts? In this episode, Charlie welcomes Ingrid Srinath’s musing on this topic. She shares that making a difference is a combination of giving now, advocating for policy change, and building the ecosystem that can support both of those. Ingrid Srinath has held many titles in her career, including formerly Director of the Centre for Social Impact & Philanthropy at Ashoka University, a private, nonprofit university offering students a multidisciplinary liberal education. But she prefers to describe herself as, “a philanthropy geek and champion of civil society in India and around the world.” Charlie and Ingrid share musings on the giving movement, how the framework of profit marketing and advertising could have a place in the nonprofit sector, and how to use marketing to manage donations. They discuss the process Ingrid has used to close the gap between supporters who know, like, and trust an organization but don’t actually donate. Ingrid has such an insightful and thought-provoking perspective on a wide range of topics. Enjoy this conversation and all she has to offer. To learn more and make a donation to The Life You Can Save, visit our website, https://www.thelifeyoucansave.org/.
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Episode 6: Musings with Daniel Petre AO
10/09/2023
Episode 6: Musings with Daniel Petre AO
Daniel Petre is an insightful no-nonsense conversational partner, so be ready for some frank talk in these musings. A former Microsoft executive, who worked closely with Bill Gates and later founded several highly successful venture capital funds. Daniel has worked and lived among high-powered, monied individuals. He has been struck by how “old rich, white men” do not want to part with their money, while young tech entrepreneurs, who don’t feel as entitled to their wealth, are more generous. Daniel decided to focus the next stage of his life on philanthropy, so in 2022 he founded StartGiving to inspire a culture of giving in the innovation community. StartGiving encourages tech founders to start their giving journey early and to give to charities they care about now. Daniel’s view of philanthropy has been impacted by reading Peter Singer’s The Life You Can Save – the same book that inspired host Charlie Bresler’s non-profit of the same name. In that book, a particularly motivating story is “the girl in the pond,” which Daniel and Charlie reference in this episode. Humans often freeze when confronted by the true scope of inequality and desperation in the world. But ask someone if they passed by a pond and saw a little girl drowning, would they try to save her? Of course they’ll answer yes. Helping people make the connection between the girl in the pond and all the girls (and boys) worldwide who need help is critical to unfreezing people – and their generosity. Enjoy Daniel, a most fascinating, intelligent and humble individual. Resources: StartGiving: The Life You Can Save organization: Get a free copy of Peter Singer’s book:
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Episode 5: Musings with Neela Saldanha
10/02/2023
Episode 5: Musings with Neela Saldanha
Is it possible for life to be both fulfilling and moral? How do we strike a balance between our obligations to others and living a pleasurable life? In this conversation, Charlie and Neela Saldana, a fellow board member of The Life You Can Save, muse on how cultural differences, religion, identity, education, wealth, family upbringing, even travel all influence our moral principles. In order to impact someone’s philanthropic behavior, do we need “marketing” that understands and speaks to all the components of that person’s moral code? At Wharton School of Business where Neela obtained her Ph.D, she became interested in consumer behavior and how it motivates people’s decisions, such as whether to donate or not to a non-profit. Neela currently leads the Yale Research Initiative on Innovation and Scale We hope you’ll join us as we muse over these fascinating and crucial questions. Links:
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Episode 4: Musings with Elaine Wynn
09/26/2023
Episode 4: Musings with Elaine Wynn
From bingo to the Bellagio, Elaine Wynn’s life hasn’t followed what one might term a “conventional” path. She and her now-ex-husband Steve Wynn were introduced by their fathers when both were very young. They started their lives together running Steve’s father’s bingo business; a series of opportunities took them to Las Vegas, where they built some of the most famous resorts in that city. Elaine was inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame in 1999. Despite a very successful life, Elaine never lost focus on equity for those less fortunate. She’s particularly interested in the lives of children, helping children affected by poverty gain access to support through the organization Communities in Schools (CIS). CIS recognizes that children can’t succeed in school if they aren’t safe, nurtured, well-fed, and empowered — ideals that so mirrored Elaine’s own that she founded CIS Nevada. Elaine has served in many governmental and organizational positions, always with the aim of finding ways to help people thrive. She’s been incredibly generous with her time, intelligence, and money, and her beliefs about morality and ethics are reflected in her service to others. We hope you’ll listen to the brilliant Elaine Wynn as she and Charlie muse on the urgency of climate change, leadership, community service vs individualism, philanthropy and power, access to resources, the necessity of art, and so much more. You can find out more about Elaine Wynn on her profile page on the . Organizations mentioned: Communities in Schools: LA County Museum of Art (LACMA):
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Episode 3: Musing with Josh Greene
09/19/2023
Episode 3: Musing with Josh Greene
In this episode, guest Professor Joshua Greene and host Charlie Bresler hit upon an important question — and have somewhat different answers. Many of us claim to be pretty “moral” human beings with an admirable set of values. But do we always live up to it? Obviously not, or we likely wouldn’t need police or lawyers or jails. The question Josh and Charlie found thornier is the why. Why don’t we live up to our professed values? According to Charlie, it seems we simply learn to suppress our better angels when they aren’t convenient or comfortable. Sure, it may cause cognitive dissonance to pass by a hungry homeless person, but somehow we manage. For Josh, the reason may be more embedded in our survival instinct. We have evolved to live in relatively small groups of friends and family, and our nobler intentions don’t always extend beyond that circle. Universal cooperation just isn’t in our genetic makeup. Which is it? Nature, nurture, or a smidge of both? Whatever, the larger question here — and the one they agree on — is how do we overcome our smaller, more selfish behavior to help anyone in need? Josh Greene is an experimental psychologist, neuroscientist, philosopher, and professor at Harvard University . He studies how humans make moral judgments and decisions, but includes a very science-based perspective: primarily behavioral experiments and functional neuroimaging (fMRI). He is the author of Moral Tribes: Emotion, Reason, and the Gap Between Us and Them.
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Episode 2: Musings with Michael Schur
08/29/2023
Episode 2: Musings with Michael Schur
Musing with Michael (Mike) Schur is a bit like playing chess with Garry Kasparov. No matter what conversational move you make, he has a counter that will likely stun you. No wonder his book is called How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question… In this episode, host Charlie Bresler is musing with Michael Schur. Creator of the critically acclaimed NBC comedy The Good Place, co-creator on Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn 99, and Rutherford Falls, writer on The Office and Saturday Night Live, Michael has a long history of being both very smart and very funny. Events in young adulthood led him to read philosophy as a way of understanding himself and those around him. In particular, a seemingly very minor incident that got a bit out of control caused Michael to question the morality of what he was doing. Fortunately for all of us, this spiraling minor incident ultimately led to the television show The Good Place, a show that tackles the question of how we judge if a life has been “good” or “bad.” Moral dilemmas also produced the book How to Be Perfect. In his book, Michael talks about the principle of umbuntu, a concept in many parts of Africa that is described as the philosophy of “I am because you are.” “Our happiness depends on the happiness of others and vice versa,” he explains. And in many ways, he says, it’s almost the opposite of one of the central precepts here in the west: “I think therefore I am.” It’s not a commonly known idea here in the west, but, says Michael, it might be an antidote to some of the selfishness that individualism often leads to. We strongly recommend you read or listen to How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question. You can find out more about Michael Schur on IMDb: . We also hope you’ll share, rate, and review this podcast so others can find us more easily. Then learn more about The Life You Can Save on our website:
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