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The Defiant Spirit is Dr. Rabbi Baruch HaLevi’s podcast about discovering deeper meaning, cultivating greater resilience and realizing our true purpose in life - inspired by the work of Dr.Viktor Frankl, author of ”Man‘s Search For Meaning,” and founder of Logotherapy, (meaning-centered psychotherapy, together with Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition and the Enneagram, an ancient, psycho-spiritual roadmap.
Episodes
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
From Slavery To Freedom 6: Defying Victimhood
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
Baruch HaLevi discusses the topic of Jew hatred and the exclusion of Jews from diversity, equity, and inclusion conversations. He challenges the idea that Jews are considered powerful and dominant, emphasizing their historical victimization. Baruch highlights the resilience and adaptability of the Jewish people throughout history, using their circumstances to thrive and make significant contributions to various fields. He encourages individuals to move from victimhood to empowerment by accumulating tools in their 'go-bag' and not allowing external circumstances to define their destiny.
Saturday Apr 27, 2024
From Slavery To Freedom 5: Limited By Labels and Identities
Saturday Apr 27, 2024
Saturday Apr 27, 2024
Passover is a journey of challenging our assumptions and identity. It is about liberating ourselves from limiting labels and embracing our whole selves. We often allow external circumstances to reduce us to certain roles or identities, but we have the power to choose our responses and define who we are. Passover reminds us that our circumstances or labels do not define us, but by the defiant power of the human spirit. It is a time to take back our power and remember our true selves.
Friday Apr 26, 2024
From Slavery To Freedom 4: Questions Lead To Liberation
Friday Apr 26, 2024
Friday Apr 26, 2024
In this conversation, Baruch HaLevi discusses the importance of asking questions and being open to learning and growth. He emphasizes that communication is about listening and understanding, rather than inserting our own opinions and judgments. Baruch shares how the Passover Seder, a Jewish ritual meal, is centered around asking questions and engaging in meaningful dialogue. He also highlights the need to approach conversations with curiosity and a willingness to challenge our assumptions. Baruch encourages listeners to empty themselves of preconceived notions and be open to receiving new perspectives. Ultimately, he suggests that the journey from slavery to freedom involves moving from closed-mindedness to open-heartedness through the power of questioning.
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
From Slavery To Freedom 3: Open Your Mouth Speak
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
The conversation explores the themes of complicity, communication, and reclaiming identity in the context of Passover and the Exodus. It discusses the rise of anti-Jewish sentiment on college campuses and the moral obligation to speak out against it. The loss of identity and communication during slavery is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of meaningful conversations. The role of speaking in the Passover tradition is examined, encouraging the use of words to liberate oneself and others. The conversation concludes with a call to action to reclaim our identity and commit to acts of love, justice, and truth
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
From Slavery To Freedom 2: Your Inner Concentration Camp
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
This conversation discusses the rise of anti-Semitism and Jew hatred on college campuses, particularly focusing on Columbia University. The host emphasizes the importance of having open and honest conversations about this issue, regardless of one's religious or cultural background. He draws parallels between the concentration camps of the Holocaust and the inner concentration camps created by hatred and closed-mindedness. The conversation also touches on the need for dialogue and the dangers of monologues and anger. The host encourages self-reflection and liberation from inner concentration camps. The conversation concludes with a call to choose our responses and engage in constructive dialogue with kindness and compassion.
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
In this conversation, Baruch discusses the significance of Passover and addresses the protests against Israel on college campuses. He emphasizes the message of Passover, which is about the Jewish people's ability to survive and thrive despite attempts to exterminate them. Baruch highlights the achievements of the Jewish people, including the establishment of the state of Israel and their contributions in various fields. He encourages individuals to rise above victimhood and embrace resilience and purpose. Baruch also expresses gratitude to allies of the Jewish people and calls for continued support.
Learn more at www.Defiantspirit.org
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
From Slavery To Freedom 3: Open Your Mouth Speak
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
The conversation explores the themes of complicity, communication, and reclaiming identity in the context of Passover and the Exodus. It discusses the rise of anti-Jewish sentiment on college campuses and the moral obligation to speak out against it. The loss of identity and communication during slavery is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of meaningful conversations. The role of speaking in the Passover tradition is examined, encouraging the use of words to liberate oneself and others. The conversation concludes with a call to action to reclaim our identity and commit to acts of love, justice, and truth.
Monday Apr 22, 2024
Holding Space: The Secret Sauce of Logotherapy
Monday Apr 22, 2024
Monday Apr 22, 2024
Holding Space: The Secret Sauce of Logotherapy
In this conversation, Dr Baruch HaLevi and Dr. Daniel Franz discuss the importance of human connection in finding meaning in life. They emphasize that therapy is not about tools and techniques, but about making a genuine human connection. They share anecdotes and insights from Dr. Victor Frankl's teachings, highlighting the power of holding space for others and the healing that comes from sharing our deepest secrets. They also discuss the role of therapy in addressing issues like infidelity and addiction, and the importance of repairing the damage caused by these secrets. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for human connection and the transformative power of holding space for others.
Takeaways
- Therapy is not about tools and techniques, but about making a genuine human connection.
- Holding space for others and allowing them to share their deepest secrets can be healing and transformative.
- Secrets keep us sick, and sharing them with a trusted person can free us from their burden.
- Repairing the damage caused by secrets is an important step in finding wholeness and healing.
- Human connection is essential for finding meaning, purpose, and resilience in life.
Chapters
00:00 The Power of Human Connection
05:34 The Importance of Making Eye Contact
11:21 The Power of Validation and Listening
15:29 Row Your Own Boat
26:02 The Power of Confession
31:18 Repairing the Damage of Secrets
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
The Kevorka (Animal Magnetism) Does a Man Have It Or Does It Have You?
In this podcast, you'll explore Kevorka, the primal animal desire or magnetism in a person, and how harnessing it and using it in a positive way rather than getting rid of it or being controlled by it, is how you rise up, especially as a man, in the second half of life. B also uses the movie American Beauty to explain how Kevorka works. Watch The Kevorka: https://youtu.be/o3ctwuaXa-A?si=AzgY_9InivNozbBP
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Don't Get Out of The Box. Shatter It! - A Meaning Academy Conversation
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Monday Apr 15, 2024
The conversation explores the concept of reductionism and how it limits our understanding of ourselves and others. It emphasizes the importance of not reducing ourselves to a single label or diagnosis, but rather embracing our multifaceted identities. The hosts discuss the need to break free from societal boxes and seek personal growth and education in various forms. They encourage saying yes to new experiences, challenging oneself, and finding meaning outside of traditional institutions. The conversation concludes with the reminder to live life with purpose and resilience.