What does it mean to live a good life—and how do we find our way there, even through pain?

In this deeply thoughtful and delightfully down-to-earth conversation, I’m joined by clinical psychologist, ACT trainer, and author Dr. Jenna LeJeune, co-author of Values in Therapy. 

Together, we explore how reconnecting with our values—those freely chosen ways of being—can guide us toward a life that truly matters.

We talk about:

. What values really are (hint: they’re not just nouns like “family” or “work”)

. Why pain can be a compass, not just a burden

. How psychological flexibility helps us move towards what matters, even when life gets hard

. Creative ways to uncover your values (including a very curious metaphor: becoming a truffle dog)

. The barriers that pull us off course—and how to come back, gently

. Where compassion fits in this values-based way of living

Whether you're a therapist, a fellow human navigating life’s complexity, or someone curious about how to live more meaningfully, this conversation offers warmth, wisdom, and practical insight.

What would a well-lived life look like for you? And… could you sniff it out like a truffle dog? Watch now and let us know your values-based takeaway in the comments.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Jenna Lejeune

01:17 Understanding Values in Therapy

04:08 The Role of Values in Living a Good Life

08:13 Navigating Life with Psychological Flexibility

12:21 Discovering and Living Your Values

26:08 The Intersection of Values and Pain

26:29 Exploring Pain and Values in Therapy

29:49 The Role of Pain in Values-Based Living

31:17 Navigating Barriers to Values-Based Living

36:00 Living Authentically in Different Contexts

42:00 The Importance of Supportive Relationships

44:38 Therapist's Approach to Values-Based Practice

48:16 Compassion and Values in Therapy

51:41 Concluding Thoughts on Values and Compassion

LINKS:

Values in Therapy: A Clinician's Guide to Helping Clients Explore Values, Increase Psychological Flexibility, and Live a More Meaningful Life (LeJuene & Luoma, 2019)

https://www.newharbinger.com/9781684033225/values-in-therapy/?srsltid=AfmBOorvPoGNWh1y_vwPgGvPNFJVm26UvGLftDZ50blFZegn7UAy5KQV

More about Dr Jenna LeJeune here:

https://portlandpsychotherapy.com/jenna-lejeune-ph-d/

If you would like to learn more about compassion focused therapy, you can find Dr Stan Steindl's book The Gifts of Compassion here: https://www.ausapress.com/p/the-gifts-of-compassion-how-to-understand-and-overcome-suffering/ 

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Website: https://www.stansteindl.com/ 

YouTube Video URL: https://youtu.be/WjsLzttrgoA

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Video hashtags:

values in therapy, psychological flexibility, acceptance and commitment therapy, compassion in practice, meaningful living, jenna lejeune