Explore every episode of the podcast Living Mussar

Mandy Roll-Kuhne contemplates Rosh Hashanah and its relation to the middah of seder / order through Marge Piercy’s poem “The Late Year.” The poem can be found in the prayerbook Mishkan Halev: Prayers for S’lichot and the Month of Elul (Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2017) on page  88, and it was originally published in The Crooked Inheritance: Poems (Middlemarsh Inc., 2006). 

Michael Kuhne presents his understanding of the middah of anavah / humility as it arises in Stephen Mitchell’s translation of Yehuda Amichai’s poem “The Place Where We Are Right.” Two texts are cited in this episode.

Amichai, Yehuda. “The Place Where We Are Right.” Trans. Chana Block and Stephen Mitchell. Mishkan Halev: Prayers for S’lichot and the Month of Elul. Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2017. 132.  The translation originally appears in The Selected Poetry of Yehuda Amichai. Trans. Chana Block and Stephen Mitchell. University of California Press, 1996.

Morinis, Alan. Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar. Trumpeter, 2008. 

Mandy Roll-Kuhne considers the poem “V’ahavta for Elul” by reflecting on its message of ahavah / love. The poem appears in Mishkan Halev: Prayers for S’lichot and the Month of Elul (Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2017) on page 35.

Michael Kuhne examines Lea Goldberg’s “And Will They Ever Come” and its message of tikvah / hope.  Three sources are cited in this episode:

Arnow, David.  Choosing Hope: The Heritage of Judaism. The Jewish Publication Society, 2022.

Goldberg, Lea. “And Will They Ever Come.” Trans. Rachel Tzvia Black. Mishkan Halev: Prayers for S’lichot and the Month of Elul. Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2017. 25. The translation was originally published in Selected Poetry and Drama, Trans. Rachel Tzvia Black. The Toby Press and Hakibutz Hameuchad - Sifriat Poalim Publishing House, 2005. 

Jaffe, David. Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Approach to Personal and Social Change. Trumpeter, 2016. 

 Mandy Roll-Kuhne offers a Mussar interpretation of Psalm 27 via the middah of yirrah / awe.This version of Psalm 27 can be found in Opening Your Heart with Psalm 27: A Spiritual Practice for the Jewish New Year by Rabbi Debra J. Robbins, and the translation is provided by Rabbi Richard N. Levy. 

Julie Dean and Michael Kuhne join David Arnow in the third and final installment of the 2027 series devoted to tikvah / hope. They discuss the relationship between hope, optimism, and acceptance while considering sources from psychology and Jewish texts.  Listen to the end to see how hakarat hatov / recognizing the good and tikvah / hope serve in support of one another.  Sources that are referenced in the episode include a link to David’s essay “What is Hope?” as well as a short article by renowned psychologist Erik Erikson “The Life Cycle Completed.”  Listeners can find more of David’s writings at his website. 

Host Michael Kuhne and Living Mussar founder Julie Dean continue the summer series on tikvah / hope. They briefly revisit the first episode (follow the link here) with David Arnow, the author of Choosing Hope, before they explore the writings of Jewish women scholars. Those interested in the study guide for this episode, which includes quotes from this episode as well as kabbalah / practices and daily phrases to assist in our practice of hope, can visit the Living Mussar website at livingmussar.org 

 Join us as we kick off the 2026 summer learning series, where our focus will be on Tikvah (hope), a powerful middah through which we fuel positive action in our daily lives. This month, we speak with David Arnow, author of the book Choosing Hope: The Heritage of Judaism on the individual and communal power of hope, and what hope has meant and continues to mean for the Jewish community. 

This episode features

• Hosts: Michael Kuhne & Julie Dean
• Guest: David Arnow

To access our study guide for the episode, sign up for our newsletter, or learn more about Living Mussar, visit our website at www.livingmussar.org 

Join our live studio audience for an inspiring conversation with Alan Morinis, as he shares about his newest book, The Shabbat Effect: Jewish Wisdom for Growth and Transformation. This episode takes you into the heart and soul of Alan's latest work. Listeners will surely come away with a greater appreciation for the soulfulness of Shabbat and ways each of us can engage with greater awareness, intention and joy.

Alan Morinis is highly regarded as a Mussar pioneer, scholar, founder of The Mussar Institute and author of Climbing Jacob's Ladder, Every Day Holy Day, With Heart in Mind and Everyday Holiness.  

Join host Bonnie Dickel Hoffman for a heartfelt and illuminating conversation with fellow Living Mussar participant Sara Knauz about the launch of her pilot initiative, Illuminating Our Voices. Centered on gathering Mussar stories from members of the LGBTQ+ community, this project lifts up lived experience as sacred text — worthy of listening, learning, and honor.

Together, Bonnie and Sara explore how storytelling itself becomes a Mussar practice — an expression of emet (truth), ometz lev (heart-strength), and communal responsibility. When voices are welcomed and heard, our collective path toward wholeness expands.

Thoughtful, affirming, and deeply relevant, this episode invites us to listen more closely, speak more courageously, and recognize that every story has the power to illuminate our shared journey.

Every Act Makes a Difference: Meeting This Moment with Mussar

What does it mean to meet this moment — not with reactivity, but with presence, purpose, and heart?

Join host Michael Kuhne for a rich and timely conversation with Julie Dean, founder and executive director of Living Mussar, as they explore how Mussar offers a steady compass in uncertain times. Through the transformative middot of chesed (lovingkindness), achrayut (responsibility), and ometz lev (courage of the heart), they reflect on how inner work shapes outer impact.

In a world that can feel overwhelming, this episode reminds us: every act matters. Every interaction carries the possibility of dignity, repair, and holiness. When we strengthen our middot, we strengthen our communities.

Thoughtful, grounding, and deeply relevant, this conversation invites you to respond to today’s challenges with intention, compassion, and courage — and to remember that even small actions can help tip the world toward healing.

Welcome to Living Mussar; Jewish Conversations on a daily path towards wholeness.  In this Episode, join host Michael Kuhne for a conversation with Bruce Matza, a passionate student of Mussar learning and practice. Bruce shares his experiences, reflections,insights and enthusiasm as a leadership consultant and active member of the Jewish community. You’ll also hear how Bruce helped Mussar become a foundation of the Mount Zion annual brotherhood retreat. 

 Adam Greenleaf joins Michael Kuhne to discuss his involvement with the Harry Kay Leadership Institute, which led to a more long-term engagement with Mussar. Adam shares his curiosity and love of words and how both contribute to his experience of living mussar. 

Welcome to Living Mussar, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  In November of 2025, Living Mussar hosted the Spirit and Song event.  This event featured soul stories by four Mussar practitioners as well as music by the Jewish women's acapella group, Shir Harmony.  Please enjoy listening to this very special event.  

Welcome to Living Mussar: Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  This week Michael talks with Neil Segal about Mussar, patience, listening and grief.  Neil also shares a song that he wrote inspired by Mussar.

Welcome to Living Mussar, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  Today we welcome Abby Fenton who talks about going through a big change and how Mussar has helped her through change and growth.

Welcome to Living Mussar, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  Today we welcome Luke Weisberg, who discusses how Mussar has helped him to further communal shlemut (wholeness).

Ecclesiastes 3:7 עֵ֥ת לַחֲשׁ֖וֹת וְעֵ֥ת לְדַבֵּֽר

A time for silence and a time for speaking;

The “Life-Giving Power of Silence” launches today as the third installment of our ongoing Power of Speech Summer Series. As the quote from Ecclesiastes above reminds us, alongside the practices of mindful speech and attentive listening, we turn to the balancing middah of Sh’tikah—the essential discipline of cultivating silence and intentional pause in our lives. Dive deeper with our thoughtfully crafted study guide, designed to help you reflect on the sacred role silence plays in spiritual growth. Then, listen to our latest podcast episode, where we engage in a rich conversation about how Sh’tikah nurtures inner balance and deepens our awareness of speech’s power. Join us as we discover together how silence can be a profound life-giving force for connection.

THE POWER OF SPEECH, SHTIKAH/SILENCE - STUDY GUIDE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_tsqhL7Nd1pDJkDNavEz5x6WfH0Jw8huP2v34zsUXw8/edit?usp=sharing

Welcome to Living Mussar, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness. 

In this episode, Tony Gleekel shares the powerful impact that listening has on improving relationships.

Welcome to Living Mussar, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness,  this week we hear from Peggy Mandel who talks about how Mussar plays a role in her leadership experience.

Welcome to Living Mussar, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  This week we interview Jen Bucklew and Manuel Englander who are learning partners as well as real-life partners.

Welcome to Living Mussar: Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness!  On this episode, hear how psychologist, Ruth Hornstein incorporates Mussar wisdom into her practice.

Hear how Rabbi Tobias Moss embraces music as a facilitator and in his Mussar practice.

Welcome to Living Mussar, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  This week we hear about Gayle's Mussar practice and how she faces Bechirah points head on.  Gayle is also facilitating a va'ad this fall and shares how facilitator training enhanced her Mussar journey.

Twin Cities Mussar founder, Julie Dean, previews Season Two of the Living Mussar podcast.

Welcome to the Living Mussar Podcast: Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.
This week we talk with Lisa about how her Mussar practice has helped her in relationships with others and herself.  Lisa also talks about her meditation journey.

This week Dianne talks about her Mussar journey and the connection between Mussar and yoga.

We close out season one of Living Mussar with reflections from Julie Dean and Michael Kuhne.  You'll hear highlights from episodes and nuggets of wisdom from our guests.  Plus, our hosts will illuminate how Mussar enables us to be learners and teachers in our life's journey.

Welcome to the Living Mussar Podcast; Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  Today, we are pleased to welcome Dan Rybeck.  Dan was introduced to Mussar while reading the book "The Yeshiva,": by Chaim Grade - a book he highly recommends.  He'll tell us about the experimental nature of his va'ad (his Mussar group), and how his practice guided him while serving as a synagogue president.  Let's hear how Dan Rybeck is Living Mussar.

Welcome to the Living Mussar Podcast; Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  This episode features Abby Kirshbaum, the past director of Temple Israel's Camp Teko and the Associate Director at the University of Minnesota Hillel.  Abby discusses how she has incorporated Mussar into Jewish day camps as well as her unique mindful phrases that she uses to elevate her awareness of certain Middot, or, character traits.  Let's listen how Abby Kirshbaum is Living Mussar.

Welcome to the Living Mussar podcast, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  Today our guest is Gerry Rosen.  Gerry will describe how practicing the middot of Kavod (honor), Savlanut (patience), and Anavah (humility), are helping him grow into a better version of himself, especially during difficult times.  Let's hear how Gerry Rosen is living Mussar.

Welcome to the Living Mussar podcast, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  Today we are pleased to welcome Mandy Roll-Kuhne.  Mandy has studied and practiced Mussar for ten years.  Today, she'll tell us how Mussar has provided her with a vital toolkit for living.  You'll also hear how an orderly person like Mandy utilizes the middah of Seder (order) when faced with chaos.  Let's hear how Mandy is living Mussar.

Welcome to the Living Mussar Podcast; Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  On this episode, Jenni Schwartz, one of the Living Mussar Podcast's hosts, speaks with Julie Dean about how Mussar is a motivation for her to try new things while at the same time lengthening the space between the spark and the match.  Throughout her day-to-day practice, Jenni also focuses on self-compassion as an important middah.  Let's listen how Jenni Schwartz is living Mussar.

Welcome to the Living Mussar podcast, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness.  Today's guest is Barry Epstein.  Barry began his Mussar learning in a va'ad, a group of people studying Mussar, and then trained to become a facilitator.  You'll hear the story of that evolution and how his multi-layered practice guides him every day.  Let's hear how Barry is living Mussar!

Welcome to the Living Mussar podcast, Jewish conversations on a daily path towards wholeness.  Today we welcome Julie Jacobs.  Julie has experience as both a Mussar participant and facilitator.  Julie will share how the practices of gratitude and kindness helped her grow and the positive impact of her practice on her family members.  Let's hear how Julie is Living Mussar.

Welcome to the Living Mussar Podcast, Jewish conversations on a daily path towards wholeness.  Today our host is Ofer Geller.  In this episode, you'll hear Ofer share the ways he creates greater distance between the match and the fuse.  Ofer's journaling tips may even inspire you to begin or elevate a journaling practice.  Let's hear how Ofer is living Mussar.

Welcome to the Living Mussar Podcast, Jewish conversations on a daily path towards wholeness.  We are so pleased to welcome Julie Dean, the founder, force and visionary of the Twin Cities Mussar movement.  Julie will shed light on Mussar, its growth, and how it offers her a spiritual path of daily personal transformation.

Today you'll meet our Living Mussar Podcast hosts, Michael Kuhne and Jenni Schwartz.  They hope that the Living Mussar stories of joy, transformation and intention will spark curiosity and you'll want to learn more.  Which you can do right here at Living Mussar and at livingmussar.org.  Let's hear how Jenni and Michael are living Mussar.