Published by Twin Cities Mussar
Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Toward Wholeness - How Mussar Learning and Practice Impacts Real Lives This podcast is sponsored by Living Mussar. Opinions and perspectives shared are those of the guests and hosts.
Listen on Apple PodcastsHost 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.