The Curious Middle

Steve Leder, Head Rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, is one of the country's most influential rabbis and the author of 5 life changing books. Rabbi Leder joins us for second podcast to discuss topics such as the foundations of Jewish faith, fascinating historical anecdotes, the problems within DEI, the role of education in Judaism, mental health and addiction,

Did you know that the founding fathers of the United States considered adopting Hebrew as the official language? Or that Napoleon played a pivotal role in the emancipation of European Jews?

Whether you're deeply religious, spiritually curious, or simply a lover of history, there will be something for you in this discussion.

Topics Discssed

(01:01) Differences between Judaism and Christianity, The Jewish emphasis on ethical behavior

(09:00) The idea that Jews are white eastern european colonizers is absurd

(18:23) The problem with diversity, equality and inclusion

(31:14) Hate of Jews subordinates the rest of their entire identity

(36:32) The democratic party no longer represents the working class

(38:40) As it relates to God and religion, how much do you think our country has veered

(56:13) I was not capable of balancing it, which is why I'm stepping aside

(01:04:41) Painkiller addiction and how it changed your life

(01:16:45) Spirituality is the sanctification of the ordinary

Connect with us on Instagram @meantforit and share your thoughts via email at [email protected]. Visit www.meantforit.com for more episodes that offer guidance, light and community.

Join us as Joan Barnes, the founder of Gymboree, she shares her journey from a young woman seeking community into a powerhouse businesswoman. Gymboree started as a mommy and me play center in Marin County, California that eventually Joan led to a successful franchise business and chain of international children's clothing stores. At the time of Gymboree's blockbuster IPO in 1993, the company had annual revenue of $86.3M. In 2010, Bain Capital acquired the company for $1.8 billion! In this truthful conversation, Joan shares her unorthodox approach to business, motherhood, domestic life, her struggles with bulimia, and the personal sacrifices she made when putting her work first.

Joan's insights on the challenges of balancing professional ambition with personal happiness are as relevant today as they were during her time with Gymboree. This episode and Joan's book, Pay it Forward, will be fascinating for entrepreneurs who like to hear behind the scenes stories about companies that made it to the exhilarating day of a successful IPO. Joan shares the challenges of accepting VC funding and balancing a family life with a growing franchise This is not the story about having it all, partially because Joan knew she didn't want it all, and also because a complete focus on her business, resulted in sacrificing her marriage and spiraling deeper into bulimia.

Today, Joan has found peace with her family, friends and knowing that she made bold choices and stayed true to herself. So, sit down or take this podcast for a walk as we have a real conversation with a woman who despite the odds, always knew she was meant to be a trailblazer.

Notable Quotes from Joan Barnes:

"Professional friendships are not the same when you don't have that job anymore."

"I'm a cheerleader, not a caretaker."

"We all know what to do. It sometimes takes us a while to, you know, uncover it all."

"I wouldn't do anything differently because you kind of are who you are."

Topics Discussed:

• (00:00) Joan's early life and her path to entrepreneurship

• (09:29) The societal pressures and personal challenges of motherhood

• (13:40) The inception and global success of Gymboree

• (25:20) Joan's battle with bulimia and her road to recovery

• (44:00) Life after Gymboree: Embracing spirituality and letting go

• (49:33) The importance of listening to your heart and making conscious choices

Find us on Instagram @meantforit. You can also visit our website at www.meantforit.com, and sign up for our newsletter here or email us [email protected]

We jump with joy when we hear from you. Unless it's negative, then we may stomp a bit..

In this short podcast, we talk about how to shift your perspective about making a difference in the world. It is so easy to compare ourselves with others and to feel that we aren' doing enough in our lives to make a difference in the world. What if we consider that the way we choose to live our day-to-day life is our personal activism / impact. Making a difference isn't only about huge professional achievements, it is also about the daily interactions and the kindness we share with our family, our friends and the people who cross our path.

From opening a door, complimenting someone, be gentle and thoughtful with your family, to getting to know the people in our communities, let these micro-acts of positivity fill you up. If you also fall into the loops of feeling bad about your day job,, this is a reminder that our jobs don't define our impact on the world—it's the type of person we are from dawn till dusk that matters.

If you are uncertain about your influence in the world, we hope this is a gentle nudge to feel good about the power and importance of your everyday actions

Connect with us on Instagram @meantforit and share your thoughts via email at [email protected]. Don't forget to visit www.meantforit.com for more episodes that inspire, challenge, and celebrate the small yet significant victories of daily life.

Want to contiune ths convesation? Find us on Instagram @meantforit. You can also visit our website at www.meantforit.com, and sign up for our newsletter here or email us [email protected]

If you decide to divorce a narcissist this is a must-listen episode. Dr. Ramani, the world's leading expert on narcissism, joins us for a third episode to discuss what you can expect during a divorce. We cover the emotional landmines, legal traps and issues you are likely to struggle with even long after your divorce. Your ex may start to behave in ways you never expected, like suddenly becoming a father who is completely devoted to sharing custody. We cover the best and worst-case scenarios of ending a marriage with a narcissist, including a quick settlement to the torture of vindictive custody battles.

Dr. Ramani also offers valuable guidelines for getting through the divorce. We cover the importance of choosing a divorce attorney who understands narcissism and why you must be prepared to be meticulous in your activities and always document your communication with your ex. Dr. Ramani suggest you use an app such as My Family Wizard to communicate so it is documented and admissible in court.

We also discuss the emotional impact on children and the long-term consequences of growing up with a narcissistic parent. Doctor Ramani shares invaluable advice on supporting your children and there is a hopeful reminder: Every child needs just one truly loving and supportive adult to thrive, and the suffering they endure in a divorce can be transformed into strength and resilience.

Previous Episodes with Dr. Ramani

• Dr. Ramani's Guide to Dealing with Narcissists at Work
• Dr. Ramani on Dealing with the Narcissists in Your Life

Notable Quotes from Doctor Ramani

"You're going to war, and you have to be prepared for that."

"Narcissistic people are novelty seekers. They do tend to lose interest in situations, but as long as the kids represent a place of power, they will fight that right to the end."

"Be present, be attuned, be loving, be all the things you want to be with that child."

"The courts are about parental rights. It's not about child's rights."

Topics Discussed:

Timestamps

• 02:33 — Introducing Dr. Ramani / best-case divorce scenario
• 04:55 — If you initiated the divorce: hire the right attorney before you say a word
• 07:15 — Even if they cheated, don't assume it'll be easy
• 09:33 — Parenting apps, documentation, and protecting yourself legally
• 14:14 — The two biggest mistakes people make (including the mama bear mistake)
• 16:42 — A real example of outsmarting a narcissist over custody
• 19:03 — When there's no money / how courts are biased toward "success"
• 21:26 — The Disneyland parent trap and what kids actually experience
• 26:14 — Validating your child without indicting the other parent
• 28:36 — What adult children of narcissists look like: anxiety, people-pleasing, perfectionism
• 30:58 — How to break the intergenerational cycle
• 33:17 — What gets normalized: silence, shame, and no needs
• 35:45 — The "good family" myth debunked
• 37:40 — Family is a casino — it's luck, not virtue
• 39:46 — What a truly healthy family actually looks like
• 44:29 — Family court reform: children's rights vs. parental rights
• 46:49 — Why judges can't do more / coercive control laws
• 49:09 — Do narcissists ever stop fighting?
• 51:23 — When they finally lose interest

Connect with us on Instagram @thecuriousmiddlepod and share your thoughts via email at [email protected] for more episodes that offer guidance, light and community.

In this episode we discuss all things femtech with Healthcare Law Lawyer, Advisor and Portfolia FemTech Fund Partner Delphine O'Rourke. We get into what FemTech is, why it's so important for women to invest and support this sector, and how you can help. In case you haven't noticed, in the past, VCs have overlooked products designed for women primarily because they don't understand the needs or the market

When you invest in or support FemTech, your contributions help the market develop innovations that address issues like osteoporosis, menopause, fertility and many more opportunities that will help women live better and longer lives.. According to Market.us, the Global FemTech Market size is projected to surpass around USD 127.1 Billion by 2033! For example, have you ever considered why the dreaded speculum used in annual ob-gyn exams has not been updated since the 1800's? Neither did we until Delphine mentioned it.

Whether you're an experienced investor or just curious about how to get started, this episode may cause a paradigm shift in how you think about investing. As a Fund Partner at Portfolia, Delphine is part of a team that decides what start-ups to invest in. We discuss how you can also join a Portfolia fund with a minimum $10k if you are an accredited investor.

if you enjoy this topic, don't miss our podcast with Portfolia founder and venture capital pioneer, Trish Costello, and our podcast with Ida Tin, the woman who coined the term Femtech!

Want to talk more about this? Find us on Instagram @meantforit. You can also visit our website at www.meantforit.com, and sign up for our newsletter here or email us. [email protected].

Notable Quotes from Delphine:

"We need to move medicine for women out of the 1900's, 1800's into modern medicine."

"We make 92% of consumer decisions, 82% of healthcare decisions."

"Shifting the contraceptive burden is highly impactful and that's what we look for."

"We want to make our money work for us and it's just sitting in a checking account. The financial gap, the pay gap, will just continue and compound."

Podcast Chapters:

(03:48) Femtech is where technology intersects with women's health (07:35) The stark reality of women's health innovation and the need for change

(15:10) The potential of wearable bone technology and its impact on osteoporosis

(18:59) Portfolia invested in a male contraceptive that is reversible

(22:55) Maven's success story and the shifting role of employers in healthcare

(29:29) Why investment education is critical for women

(32:53) Exploring why men haven't invested in women's health historically

(37:35) Every woman will go through menopause unless she dies

(43:03) An accredited investor is someone who is eligible to invest in credit funds

(49:56) We know we have a loneliness crisis in the United States

(53:03) Maven provides women's health remotely through telemedicine

Head Rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles ( rabbi for a large congregation incuding many stars) is our guest for this episode. Rabbi Steve Leder, one of the country's most influential rabbis and the author of 5 life changing books, joins us to discuss the radicalization and chaos on university campuses. We invited Rabb Leder to discuss his latest book, For You When I am Gone, but first wanted to address the Jew hatred inflaming US universities so we have split our conversation in two parts. In this episode, Rabbi Leder breaks down the rise of Jew hatred on college campuses, tracing its roots back to a decades-long campaign of indoctrination. There was a very organized and well funded campaign leading to today's moment.

But, it's not all doom and gloom and there are huge reasons to be optimistic. Rabbi Leder shares how peace with Saudi Arabia can transform the world and shift the power away from the regimes choosing to make war and hatred their top priority. If you doubt that is possible, consider Israel's peace treaty with Jordan, Egypt and normalized relations with the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. Despite the desperate attempts of Iran to keep the world inflamed with hate and war, we need to unite and stay focused on peace.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand what the f&^(&( is happening across the US. And remember, in the words of Rabbi Leder, "Peace is an environment in which conflict can be addressed with civility and respect."

Connect with us on Instagram @meantforit and reach out via email at [email protected] with your thoughts or suggestions for future episodes. Visit www.meantforit.com for more episodes that challenge, inspire, and drive us towards a world where understanding wins over division. If you leave us a review on iTunes, we'll be overjoyed with gratitude!

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Topics Discussed:

(03:22) The origins of campus protests and the 25-year groundwork (09:15) How economic disparity and victim identity fuel current unrest

(17:40) The hope for peace in the Middle East and its implications (26:50) Addressing the conflation of Palestinian rights and extremist agendas (31:10) The importance of fighting for the rational middle ground in society

Notable Quotes:

Today's college anti-Israel protests are "The bearing of fruit of a tree planted 25 years ago."

"This is straight up Jew hatred, and Jew hatred has been inculcated into this community to the degree that hatred subordinates every other value these people claim to live by."

"Peace is an environment in which conflict can be addressed with civility and respect."

"The greatest threat and the greatest enemy to a better life for Palestinians is Hamas and Hezbollah and Iran and Qatar and the Islamic brotherhood."

"The news is not the world. The news is just the collection of stories that will sell the most commercials. It's entertainment."

Have you ever wondered why scandals slide off certain politicians like water? Jessica Tarlov, co-host of Fox News Channel's The Five, cable's highest-rated program, actually did her PHD dissertation examining how scandals impact politicians' careers. As the lone, democratic voice on The Five, Jessica shares how she handles the daily debates and how she decides to pick her battles. Given our upcoming elections, Jessica has a lot of thoughts on this topic including the phenomena of teflon Don. Jessica loves her job on The Five and feels fortunate for the opportunity to bring alternative opinions and analysis to the most important news stories.

Topics Discussed

• (04:10) Political economy professor says none of Trump's scandals have affected his popularity
• (10:32) People reject the direction that the Democratic Party is going
• (19:29) 40% of Americans now identify as an independent
• (21:00) Thoughts on how Fox is covering the Israel war compared to other networks
• (24:49) What's going on on college campuses
• (40:25) What it's like to work on The Five

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Connect with us on Instagram @meantforit and reach out via email at [email protected] with your thoughts or suggestions for future episodes. Visit www.meantforit.com for more inspiring stories, and if you leave us a review on iTunes, we'll do a little dance of joy.

Jared Armstrong, a professional basketball player, is using his love for sports as a tool for uniting, educating, and creating social change in our kids and communities.

Growing up in the vastly different environments of the Maryland suburbs and the inner city of Philadelphia, Jared learned to move between different cultures, ethnicities and religions. Jared’s love for basketball, led him to play professionally in Israel, and Jared’s desire to help others led to starting Jab Camp, a sports camp with a goal of connecting kids of different religions and backgrounds. 

We love Jared’s passion and commitment to using sports as a tool for positive change. We discuss the importance of introducing kids to diversity early on. While it’s easier to send your kids to the same local camp where their friends are going, getting uncomfortable, and stretching yourself to be around people different than you is where the magic happens.

https://www.jaredarmstrong.net/about-jared

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Connect with us on Instagram @meantforit and reach out via email at [email protected] with your thoughts or suggestions for future episodes. Visit www.meantforit.com for more inspiring stories, and if you leave us a review on iTunes, we'll celebrate with a happy dance!

Favorite Quotes from the Podcast:

"I'm just looking to try to make a difference, make a change. I think, you know, where we're at in society, not just jab camp, but any type of sports camp that can help bridge the gap between communities."

"I think the biggest, I would say fault that I see in my experience so far is more so parents than kids. You know, so many parents are afraid or, they're just used to being in that comfort zone of sending their kids to the same camp with the same kids, same people."

"So ​it's ​kind ​of ​just ​of ​a ​bigger ​picture ​here, ​you ​know, ​to ​show ​kids, ​you ​know, ​that ​number ​one, ​basketball ​and ​or ​any ​sport ​can ​take ​you ​all ​around ​the ​globe, ​but ​also ​can ​introduce ​you ​to ​so ​many ​different ​people ​from ​so ​many ​different ​walks ​of ​life, ​you ​know, ​that ​you ​never ​thought ​you ​would ​meet ​and ​you ​may ​one ​day, ​you ​know, ​end ​up ​doing ​business ​with ​them ​or, ​you ​know, ​becoming ​close ​friends ​or ​marrying ​someone, ​you ​never ​know. So ​I'm ​just ​trying ​to ​use ​basketball ​as ​a ​tool."

Topics: (09:57) How did you end up wanting to apply for Israeli citizenship (14:23) Fell in love with Israel on birthright trip (19:17) What does it feel like to be black and living in Israel (21:16) You were there on October 7 - what happened? (30:32) Sarted a nonprofit to bring kids from different backgrounds together

Grit, resilience, strong values and a work ethic instilled in her from a young age propelled Jane from her dirt poor Iowa upbringing to an executive role at Microsoft where she was one of the top 10 women at Microsoft at 40. By 52, Jane had launched three billion-dollar businesses. We discuss Jane's new book, "Worthy: From Cornfields to Corner Office of Microsoft," and the story that led her to a life she never could have imagined.

When a door opened, Jane leapt through it and went all in. When she felt like a fraud, and was flooded with fear and insecurity, she kept going. When she felt like she didn't belong among the upper middle ivy leaguers, she kept going. Jane wants you to know that your background does not define your future. If you find it hard to relate to people who have all the answers, and don't have major issues they are struggling with, this is the book for you. Jane doesn;t shy away from the uncomforable memories, including her recovery from the bulimia that nearly destroyed her.

From the Jane's Gottman Institute bio:

"Unwilling to let circumstances, fear or others define her, Jane was penniless and married at 20, earned an MBA at 24, saw the ocean at 25, commuted to South America each week at 31, brought two sons into the world by 35, was a millionaire at 37, and one of the top 10 women at Microsoft at 40. By 52, Jane had launched three billion-dollar businesses, been VP of the largest merger in the history of the US, forged global alliances, won lots of awards and left a legacy of strong leaders in her wake.

Along the way to the corner office, Jane was hit on, spit on, shot at, yelled at, a zero and a hero. She's been called a bulldog, a bitch, an idiot and brilliant, all in the same week.

Married to her high school sweetheart, Jane lives in Washington state and works to make a difference, serving on boards including Boys & Girls Clubs, writing, speaking, and consulting.

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Connect with us on Instagram @meantforit and reach out via email at [email protected] with your thoughts or suggestions for future episodes. Visit www.meantforit.com for more inspiring stories, and if you leave us a review on iTunes, we'll celebrate with a happy dance!

Favorite Quotes from the Podcast:

"I never look at a no as a no. I always think of it as a not yet."

"I'm no longer afraid to be afraid. And that being afraid means that I am stretching, I am growing, I am trying to do something I've never done before."

"Nobody has the full meal deal. Know what you're good at, embrace that and own it."

"In sharing your secrets and having the courage to share your secrets, that's when you heal."

"Everybody has a secret. And it's the secrets that kill."

"I worked my heine off and I took jobs that required me to travel overseas when my child was one and a half years old and commute."

If you have ever dreaded going to work because of a nightmare colleague or manager you are not alone. Dr. Ramani joins us again to discuss a topic rarely discussed in corporate environments: narcissism in the workplace.

Did you know narcissists are more likely to be found in certain professions and certain high-status jobs within competitive, elitist environments, such as finance, law, media, entertainment, and even certain medical fields.

From extreme competitiveness to gaslighting, Dr Ramani gives examples and discusses the subtle tactics narcissistic bosses use to keep talented employees from advancing and creating a 'frozen talent' scenario that keeps high performers stuck in the same roles. Hiding information, stealing ideas, gaslighting, colluding behind your back are all examples of narcissistic behavior at work.

What can you do if you find yourself in a toxic environment? Dr. Ramani has a few suggestions. If you've ever felt alone in your workplace struggles or unsure how to handle a narcissistic colleague or boss, this episode is a must-listen.

Quotes:

• "Narcissistic bosses absolutely sap people's talent."
• "Workplace bullying is actually not against the law."
• "Me Too was not a women's movement. Me Too was a narcissism movement."
• "It's almost like corporations are almost like cults, right? They have their messaging, they have their programming, they have their leader."

Topics Discussed

• Introduction to the podcast discussion on dealing with narcissism in the corporate workforce.
• Dr. Ramani highlights the industries where narcissistic behavior is prevalent.
• Identifying narcissistic traits in the workplace, such as lack of empathy and secretive communication, gaslighting, colluding.
• Importance of documenting interactions for protection in toxic work environments.
• Strategies for setting boundaries and handling confrontations with narcissistic individuals.
• Leveraging documentation to address HR concerns and ensure psychological safety in the workplace.
• Encouragement to find allies and mentors within and outside the organization.
• Seeking reality checks from mentors on industry standards and strategic decision-making support.
• Naricssism in other countries
• Why The Devil Wears Prada movie does not reperesent a narcissist

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Connect with us on Instagram @meantforit and reach out via email at [email protected] with your thoughts or suggestions for future episodes. Visit www.meantforit.com for more inspiring stories, and if you leave us a review on iTunes, we'll celebrate with a happy dance!

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