In this deeply moving episode, Corey Nathan welcomes Rabbi Sharon Brous, the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a groundbreaking Jewish community based in Los Angeles. Rabbi Brous is also the author of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World. Together, they explore ancient traditions, mental health, spiritual leadership, and how to foster deeper, more compassionate human connections even across profound divides.
What We Discuss:
The ancient ritual of turning toward the brokenhearted and its modern relevance.
The profound impact of being seen and embraced in moments of vulnerability.
How leaders carry and process communal pain—and why that matters.
Practical wisdom on staying curious and compassionate across ideological divides.
The role of community design in spiritual experiences.
Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] Rabbi Brous explains the Mishnah Middot and the ritual of turning toward the brokenhearted.
[00:08:00] Corey and Rabbi Brous discuss the concept of sin as a burden like mental illness.
[00:15:00] The transformative power of being truly seen and how crying makes space for new realities.
[00:20:00] Rabbi Brous reflects on the toll leadership can take and how caregivers must process pain.
[00:24:00] The design of IKAR’s prayer space and how it fosters visibility and community.
[00:34:00] Navigating discomfort with changes in religious leadership and traditions.
[00:42:00] How to stay at the table with those who hurt or anger us—and why it’s critical.
[00:53:00] A powerful story about transformation through simple presence and blessing.
Featured Quotes:
"Sometimes you don’t even want to get out of bed. Yet, sacred tradition compels us to show our brokenness—and trust that we will be held with love." — Rabbi Sharon Brous
"If you don’t metabolize pain, it will metastasize inside of you." — Rabbi Sharon Brous
"We can create new neural and spiritual pathways—by allowing ourselves to be seen and to receive love." — Rabbi Sharon Brous
"It takes courage to be curious about someone who hurt you, but that’s the only way to heal." — Rabbi Sharon Brous
Resources Mentioned:
The Amen Effect by Rabbi Sharon Brous: https://ikar.org/the-amen-effect/the-big-idea/
IKAR Jewish Community: https://www.ikar.org/
How to Know a Person by David Brooks: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/652822/how-to-know-a-person-by-david-brooks/
Fierce Love by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis: https://jacquijlewis.com/fierce-love/
I Never Thought of It That Way by Mónica Guzmán: https://www.moniguzman.com/book
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