While most of Jesse Israel's buddies at NYU were out drinking at keg parties, he had his sights set a bit higher. Jesse started a music label... from his dorm room... and then signed the band MGMT. Sounds cool, right? Maybe... but it also left him feeling so much pressure that the anxiety became almost debilitating. He knew he had to seek a solution.

This began Jesse's quest for inner peace... a journey that would ultimately lead him to start a global meditation movement, design an experiential event called "The Big Quiet" which saw over 150,000 people through its doors, and eventually... go on tour with Oprah Winfrey and share stages with the likes of Deepak Chopra. 

If you've ever dealt with stress, anxiety, imposter syndrome, racing thoughts, or had the thought that "meditation just isn't for you" (spoiler alert: it is probably easier than you think) then today's episode is a must-listen.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:10] Jamie introduces Jesse Israel, founder of “The Big Quiet”. 

[02:30] Jesse starts to talk about what he was like as a child and young adult in the 90s. 

[08:24] Jesse describes the start of his panic attacks and the challenges that they caused him. 

[10:47] Jesse talks about starting a record label out of his dorm room and recounts signing hit band, MGMT. 

[15:02] Jesse explains his mental health struggles during the early 2000s. 

[17:00] Jesse shares that his father was the person who suggested he try meditation. He describes his connection to Vedic meditation and why it's a beneficial practice. 

[20:41] Jesse talks about meditating at Coachella and how his concept of “The Big Quiet” was born. 

[26:40] Jesse speaks about his challenges with anxiety and panic that continued during his time building “The Big Quiet”. 

[30:22] Jesse describes one of the practices he does during his mass meditation event that gives people a space to really feel repressed emotions and feelings. 

[32:28] Jesse recounts getting into contact with Oprah and being invited to tour with her.

[38:00] Jesse shares his gratitude practice including a 5 question, 10-minute practice. 

[40:24] Jesse talks about what he hopes his legacy will be. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

[14:24] Jesse talks about the appreciation of a creative process as they are unfolding versus just focusing on the outcome. 

[25:58] Jesse describes the intersection between doing something that truly gives us energy and being uniquely gifted to do it. 

[38:30] Jesse explains the significance of his gratitude practice which allows him to come out of fear and worry and step into the man that he is and the journey he’s on today. 

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Make sure to follow Jamie @jamiehess on Instagram for news & updates, and visit our companion Instagram account @gratitudeology for a sneak peek into the personal moments discussed on the show.

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Thank you to Jesse Israel for sharing your truth with us today. Follow Jesse on Instagram @jesseisrael.

Check out more about Jesse: 

https://www.jesseisrael.com/

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The Gratitudeology Podcast theme music is by HYLLS, performed by Nadia Ali @thenadiaali 

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Jesse’s Bio:

Jesse is a meditation leader, keynote speaker and leadership coach known for founding the mass meditation movement The Big Quiet. Named "The Meditation Expert" by The New York Times, Jesse has led some of the largest meditations on earth — having toured arenas with Oprah Winfrey and co-hosted international broadcasts with Deepak Chopra. An Audible Originals best-selling creator and a Forbes Next 1000 recipient, Jesse has collaborated on meditation projects with Grammy winning rappers, coached the world’s most influential entrepreneurs and keynoted at Fortune 500s around the globe.

Prior to his work at The Big Quiet, Jesse ran a record label and tech fund called Cantora (acquired 2016), where he signed multi-platinum bands like MGMT and invested in entertainment-focused tech startups.

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