The One You Feed | Personal Growth, Emotional Resilience & Purpose

In this episode, Bruce Feiler explores why rituals have been essential to human life for thousands of years—and why they're more important than ever in today's rapidly changing world. Drawing from his new book A Time to Gather, Bruce explains how meaningful rituals can help us navigate grief, celebrate milestones, strengthen relationships, and create a greater sense of connection during life's biggest transitions. Along the way, he and Eric share personal stories of loss, family, and the healing power of gathering with intention.

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Key Takeaways:

Why humans instinctively create rituals during times of change

How personalized rituals are replacing traditional ceremonies

Bruce's five essential life rituals for today's nonlinear lives

How rituals help us process grief and strengthen relationships

The surprising role of the "group keeper" as a peacemaker

A simple framework for creating meaningful rituals of your own

For full show notes, ⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠!⁠

If you enjoyed this conversation with Bruce Feiler, check out these other episodes:

How to Harness the Power of Rituals with Michael Norton

Science and the Sacred with Sasha Sagan

This episode is sponsored by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠David Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠ bars deliver up to 28g of protein for just 150 calories—without sacrificing taste! For a limited time, our listeners can receive this special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.davidprotein.com/FEED⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Talkiatry⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ connects you with licensed psychiatrists for personalized, evidence-based mental health care, all online and covered by most major insurance plans. To get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Talkiatry.com/FEED.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Pebl⁠⁠ – an AI-powered platform that helps companies hire and manage global teams in 185+ countries. Get a free estimate at ⁠⁠hipebl.ai⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has a directory of 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠helloalma.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Refresh your wardrobe with Quince by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince.com/feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

⁠⁠⁠Shopify⁠⁠⁠ – The commerce platform that helps you build, grow, and manage your business all in one place. Start your $1/month trial at ⁠⁠⁠shopify.com/feed.⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiny Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s at-home gut health test provides science-backed insights into your microbiome, along with personalized recommendations to help you improve your digestion, energy, and overall well-being. Get $50 off your first test kit at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ tinyhealth.com/FEED⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Anne Lamott explores why waiting for the perfect community, the perfect version of ourselves, or the perfect moment keeps us from the very connection we're searching for. She discusses overcoming perfectionism, quieting the inner critic, finding the courage to walk into unfamiliar rooms, and embracing the messy, imperfect relationships that help us heal. Along the way, Anne shares her signature blend of humor, wisdom, and honesty about recovery, self-compassion, and discovering that a more meaningful life begins when we stop trying to do it all perfectly.

Free Guide: Outsmart the Hidden Saboteurs of Self-Control. What's been holding you back lately? In this free guide, Eric shares the six common saboteurs that quietly derail our best intentions—like autopilot behavior, self-doubt, and emotional escapism—and offers practical strategies to help you regain control and move forward. Download your free copy at ⁠oneyoufeed.net/ebook.⁠

Key Takeaways:

Why perfectionism keeps us from the connection we're looking for

How changing what we pay attention to can transform the way we experience life

Why healing is a process of returning to who you were meant to be—not becoming someone new

The difference between chasing validation and finding lasting serenity

Why showing up to imperfect communities can change your life

How to quiet your inner critic with awareness, acceptance, and self-compassion

The relationship between shame, perfectionism, and emotional healing

For full show notes, ⁠⁠click here⁠⁠!

If you enjoyed this conversation with Anne Lamott, check out these other episodes:

068: Byron Katie- The Work

The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober with Catherine Gray

This episode is sponsored by:

⁠⁠⁠David Protein⁠⁠⁠ bars deliver up to 28g of protein for just 150 calories—without sacrificing taste! For a limited time, our listeners can receive this special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to ⁠⁠⁠www.davidprotein.com/FEED⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Talkiatry⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ connects you with licensed psychiatrists for personalized, evidence-based mental health care, all online and covered by most major insurance plans. To get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Talkiatry.com/FEED.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Pebl⁠ – an AI-powered platform that helps companies hire and manage global teams in 185+ countries. Get a free estimate at ⁠hipebl.ai⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Alma⁠⁠⁠⁠ has a directory of 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠helloalma.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more!

⁠⁠⁠Quince:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Refresh your wardrobe with Quince by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince.com/feed⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

⁠⁠Shopify⁠⁠ – The commerce platform that helps you build, grow, and manage your business all in one place. Start your $1/month trial at ⁠⁠shopify.com/feed.⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiny Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s at-home gut health test provides science-backed insights into your microbiome, along with personalized recommendations to help you improve your digestion, energy, and overall well-being. Get $50 off your first test kit at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ tinyhealth.com/FEED⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Amy Kurtz explores the challenges of when your health feels like a roller coaster and finding stability in the chaos of chronic illness. She shares her journey through years of misdiagnosis before finally being diagnosed with late-stage Lyme disease. Amy also discusses living in the "grey area" between sickness and wellness and introduces her concept of "Medical Trauma Brain" (MTB), describing the emotional and neurological impact of chronic illness. You'll discover practical tools, including her "Four Rs" framework, to help people regulate their nervous system and reclaim agency over their health and wellbeing.

Free Guide: Outsmart the Hidden Saboteurs of Self-Control. What's been holding you back lately? In this free guide, Eric shares the six common saboteurs that quietly derail our best intentions—like autopilot behavior, self-doubt, and emotional escapism—and offers practical strategies to help you regain control and move forward. Download your free copy at oneyoufeed.net/ebook.

Key Takeaways:

Personal journey with chronic illness and late-stage Lyme disease diagnosis

Challenges of misdiagnosis and the struggle for clarity in health

Living in the "grey area" between being sick and well

Concept of "Medical Trauma Brain" (MTB) and its emotional impact

The complexity of diagnosing chronic conditions with overlapping symptoms

Mental health struggles following physical recovery from illness

Importance of self-advocacy and agency in healthcare

Tools and strategies for managing anxiety and trauma related to chronic illness

The "Four Rs" framework for regulating the nervous system

The ongoing process of acceptance and change in the context of chronic illness

For full show notes, ⁠click here⁠!

If you enjoyed this conversation with Amy Kurtz, check out these other episodes:

How to Find Joy and Healing While Living with Chronic Illness with Meghan O’Rourke

Living with Chronic Illness with Toni Bernhard

How To Live with Uncertainty and Find Hope in the Midst of Chronic Illness with Marisa Renee Lee

This episode is sponsored by:

⁠⁠David Protein⁠⁠ bars deliver up to 28g of protein for just 150 calories—without sacrificing taste! For a limited time, our listeners can receive this special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to ⁠⁠www.davidprotein.com/FEED⁠⁠

⁠⁠Talkiatry⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ connects you with licensed psychiatrists for personalized, evidence-based mental health care, all online and covered by most major insurance plans. To get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Talkiatry.com/FEED.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pebl – an AI-powered platform that helps companies hire and manage global teams in 185+ countries. Get a free estimate at hipebl.ai

⁠⁠⁠Alma⁠⁠⁠ has a directory of 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Visit ⁠⁠⁠helloalma.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more!

⁠⁠Quince:⁠⁠⁠ Refresh your wardrobe with Quince by going to ⁠⁠⁠Quince.com/feed⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

⁠Shopify⁠ – The commerce platform that helps you build, grow, and manage your business all in one place. Start your $1/month trial at ⁠shopify.com/feed.⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiny Health⁠⁠⁠⁠'s at-home gut health test provides science-backed insights into your microbiome, along with personalized recommendations to help you improve your digestion, energy, and overall well-being. Get $50 off your first test kit at⁠⁠⁠⁠ tinyhealth.com/FEED⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Millerd explains why the safe path in life isn’t always the right one. He explores what happens when the life that looks successful on paper no longer feels like your own. Paul also discusses why we often stay in situations that no longer fit, how fear and uncertainty shape our decisions, and what it means to define success on your own terms. You’ll learn about the tension between security and freedom, the importance of self-awareness, and how asking better questions can help you build a life that aligns with what truly matters.

Free Guide: Outsmart the Hidden Saboteurs of Self-Control. What’s been holding you back lately? In this free guide, Eric shares the six common saboteurs that quietly derail our best intentions—like autopilot behavior, self-doubt, and emotional escapism—and offers practical strategies to help you regain control and move forward. Download your free copy at oneyoufeed.net/ebook.

Key Takeaways:

Concept of the “pathless path” and its challenge to traditional career trajectories

Personal journey of leaving a corporate career for a more authentic life

Exploration of fear, self-awareness, and coping mechanisms

Tension between financial security and pursuing meaningful work

Importance of questioning and reflecting on life choices

The parable of the two wolves and its relevance to personal growth

The impact of societal expectations on individual career paths

Balancing ambition with freedom and personal values

The role of self-awareness in aligning work with personal passions

Strategies for navigating discomfort and uncertainty in life choices

For full show notes, click here!

Quince:⁠ Refresh your wardrobe with Quince by going to ⁠Quince.com/feed⁠ for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

Shopify – The commerce platform that helps you build, grow, and manage your business all in one place. Start your $1/month trial at shopify.com/feed.

David Protein bars deliver up to 28g of protein for just 150 calories—without sacrificing taste! For a limited time, our listeners can receive this special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to www.davidprotein.com/FEED

Alma has a directory of 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Visit helloalma.com to learn more!

Talkiatry⁠⁠⁠ connects you with licensed psychiatrists for personalized, evidence-based mental health care, all online and covered by most major insurance plans. To get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes, visit ⁠⁠⁠Talkiatry.com/FEED.⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Tiny Health⁠⁠⁠'s at-home gut health test provides science-backed insights into your microbiome, along with personalized recommendations to help you improve your digestion, energy, and overall well-being. Get $50 off your first test kit at⁠⁠⁠ tinyhealth.com/FEED⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Simone Stolzoff explores why the need for certainty is holding you back and how learning to live with uncertainty can lead to greater resilience, better decisions, deeper relationships, and a more meaningful life. Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and his own deeply personal experiences, Simone explains why our brains crave certainty, why that instinct often fuels anxiety and overthinking, and how embracing the unknown can become a source of growth rather than fear. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck waiting for the “right” answer before moving forward, this conversation offers a wiser—and more freeing—way to navigate life’s inevitable uncertainty.

Free Guide: Outsmart the Hidden Saboteurs of Self-Control. What's been holding you back lately? In this free guide, Eric shares the six common saboteurs that quietly derail our best intentions—like autopilot behavior, self-doubt, and emotional escapism—and offers practical strategies to help you regain control and move forward. Download your free copy at oneyoufeed.net/ebook.

Key Takeaways:

The concept of uncertainty and its discomfort in a world that demands quick answers.

The parable of the two wolves and its relation to embracing uncertainty.

Biological and evolutionary reasons for the discomfort associated with uncertainty.

The impact of technology and instant answers on our tolerance for uncertainty.

Psychological traps related to certainty: comfort, hubris, and control.

The importance of reframing uncertainty as a source of possibility and growth.

Decision-making strategies and insights from experts on navigating uncertainty.

The role of doubt as a positive force in decision-making and personal growth.

The balance between exploration and exploitation in life choices.

Personal experiences with uncertainty and their impact on life perspectives.

For full show notes, ⁠click her⁠e!

If you enjoyed this conversation with Simone Stolzoff, check out these other episodes:

Embracing Uncertainty: The Key to True Intimacy and Connection in a Chaotic World with Prince EA

How to Embrace Change for an Authentic Life with Najwa Zebian

This episode is sponsored by:

Quince: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince by going to Quince.com/feed for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

⁠Shopify⁠ – The commerce platform that helps you build, grow, and manage your business all in one place. Start your $1/month trial at ⁠shopify.com/feed.⁠

⁠David Protein⁠ bars deliver up to 28g of protein for just 150 calories—without sacrificing taste! For a limited time, our listeners can receive this special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to ⁠www.davidprotein.com/FEED⁠

⁠Alma⁠ has a directory of 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Visit ⁠helloalma.com⁠ to learn more!

⁠Talkiatry⁠⁠⁠⁠ connects you with licensed psychiatrists for personalized, evidence-based mental health care, all online and covered by most major insurance plans. To get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Talkiatry.com/FEED.⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiny Health⁠⁠⁠⁠‘s at-home gut health test provides science-backed insights into your microbiome, along with personalized recommendations to help you improve your digestion, energy, and overall well-being. Get $50 off your first test kit at⁠⁠⁠⁠ tinyhealth.com/FEED⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices