Episode 338: When Purpose Finds You: Using What You Have, Where You Are

Guest: Yael Goodman, founder Run JLM

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:

This week, we’re exploring what it truly means to take what you have -- your skills, your heart, your story, your energy and passion -- and use it to make a difference, even in the most challenging circumstances. Host Laura Cox Kaplan is joined by Yael Goodman, an Israeli-based tour guide, storyteller, and founder of Run JLM running tours, who has inspired countless people by forging connections across faiths, histories, and trauma.

Yael’s journey was forever changed by the events of October 7th, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel. In the aftermath, Yael channeled her passion for movement, community, and healing into supporting evacuees and survivors in new and powerful ways. This episode is dedicated to the victims and hostages of October 7th, and to all seeking hope and resilience in times of crisis.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

Yael Goodman combines her uniquely blended heritage with her work as a tour guide and religious history scholar, focusing on honoring the overlapping traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Born and raised in Israel, Yael is also a passionate runner and founder of Run JLM, an innovative running tour company that invites people to “run through thousands of years of history” while connecting to the land, each other, and themselves. After October 7th, Yael repurposed her skills to nurture healing within communities of evacuees, survivors, and soldiers, founding running and movement groups that offer both physical and emotional recovery.

KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

THE POWER OF CONNECTION & STORYTELLING: How Yael’s upbringing at the crossroads of faith shapes her ability to connect with people from all backgrounds, make history come alive, and foster community.

INNOVATION FROM ADVERSITY: Hear how Yael transformed her business after struggling with her weight ten years ago, founded running tours in Jerusalem, and how this experience prepared her to serve others in times of crisis.

RESPONDING TO TRAUMA WITH PURPOSE: Following October 7th, Yael asked: “What can I give that is different?” That question transformed her business and her purpose. 

HEALING THROUGH ACTION: Discover how Yael, through her family’s Tani Goodman Foundation, equipped hundreds of survivors and reservists with running gear and built a network of supportive community groups that address trauma by literally and figuratively moving forward.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FACTUAL UNDERSTANDING: Yael offers a historian’s perspective on current events, encouraging education and empathy, especially in the face of misinformation and misunderstanding about the war in Israel.

ADVICE FOR USING WHAT YOU HAVE: Whether it’s movement, connection, or another unique skill, Yael shares wisdom for those seeking to help amid the world’s pain or their own, emphasizing starting from your authentic strengths.

There is so much heart, wisdom, and actionable advice in this episode -- not only about resilience but about the power of showing up for others with the tools you already have.

Please let us know what resonated most with you. We’d love to hear from you!

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Learn more about Yael’s foundation: Tani Goodman Foundation

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LET’S CONNECT!

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• LinkedIn: @Laura Cox Kaplan 
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• Email: [email protected]

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