Best Jan Goldstein Podcasts (2025)

1
Touchstones (an ATM reprise) 16:16

Play Pause

3d ago16:16

16:16

Sometimes forgiveness can be found in the most unpredictable of place and one is transformed. Jan shares the incandescent moment when he was wrapped in the wings of an angel, bridging years of injustice.By Jan Goldstein

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The Day Simon Wiesenthal Showed Me The Light 14:40

10d ago14:40

14:40

Many of us witness injustice in the world. Our pain can be real.How do we honor it? Jan shares his personal encounter with the world famous Nazi hunter, Simon Wiesenthal, when he interviewed him in Vienna years ago and how he taught him it's possible for each of us to bring a bit more justice into the world by 'being the light.'…

1
What's In A Name? 14:27

17d ago14:27

14:27

It's the little things sometimes. Small, seemingly pieces of trivia, that allow us to understand and see things in a richer way. Jan shares several odd and fascinating facts we might never know about the world, along with a true story of how, with a scratch of a pen, a last minute change of name altered the course of history.…

1
Next To Normal 14:54

24d ago14:54

14:54

Life brings with it grief and loss that lead us to deepening our purpose and love. Jan shares the story of a hit musical recently featured on PBS in a new London production that reminds us how essential feeling "all the feels" of life can be to our health and to our hope.By Jan Goldstein

1
You Are The Best Gift 14:32

1M ago14:32

14:32

Jan shares with us a recent visit to a dying woman and his interaction with her daughter and how, together, they discovered the best gift each of us has to give another at all times.By Jan Goldstein

1
The Fabulous Win That Was William Finn 16:12

1M ago16:12

16:12

Witty, incandescent art that shakes the way you look at the world, that was the gift of composer, theatre artist, William Finn who died recently. Never heard of him? You have now. Jan celebrates the ways Finn's music and truth lifted his spirit and helped him reframe family, life, and love.By Jan Goldstein

1
Small Shots of Positivity 14:16

1M ago14:16

14:16

Our days can become so hectic and tension-filled, we need a shot of positivity. Besides this podcast, Jan shares suggestions from a variety of artists, designers, and writers, small ways we can each find an oasis of uplift in our daily lives.By Jan Goldstein

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Instructions For Not Giving Up 15:24

2M ago15:24

15:24

At times we wrestle with darkness and despair. After all, it's part of life. Jan shares a personal story of a dying woman with whom he recently spent time and how she found balance and light in the lives she has touched, a hope and positivity expressed in poems he highlights on this week's podcast.By Jan Goldstein

1
Time Passages 12:22

2M ago12:22

12:22

How do we use this element by which we measure life-Time? How we do brings meaning and purpose to our lives. Jan shares the precious advice his father gave him at the end of his life--a gift of love.By Jan Goldstein

1
Eva, Joe, and the Autistic Episode 14:58

2M ago14:58

14:58

Those with autism can feel pressure differently than others. Jan shares the true story of two players on TV's reality show SURVIVOR, and how one person taking action to help regulate another can inspire all of us to reach beyond ourselves to help make the world more whole, bringing the healing of the human touch.…

1
The World Happiness Report 12:42

2M ago12:42

12:42

Every year several world organizations study the data to find where in the world people are the happiest and why? Jan shares the newly released latest findings and shows just how poisonous negativity can be and how powerful positivity is in changing the quality of our lives right now, today.By Jan Goldstein

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The Life Lessons of a Giant Schnauzer 12:57

3M ago12:57

12:57

Recently, Monty the Giant Schnauzer won Best In Show at Westminster, the world's most renowned Dog Show. But did you know he could teach you Torah? Jan shares how one dog can inspire us to be the best version of ourselves!By Jan Goldstein

1
How To Be and How Not To Be 14:13

3M ago14:13

14:13

Each of us wants to discover even more of the good stuff life offers. That good stuff often comes with empowerment born of wisdom gleaned from sacred wounds. Jan shares the ultimate question posed by Abraham Joshua Heschel, one that helps us see the invisible gifts right in front of us.By Jan Goldstein

1
The 113 Year Old Rose 13:07

3M ago13:07

13:07

This past week the oldest known survivor of the Holocaust died. She was 113 years old. Jan shares the true story of Rose Girone. Her example of incredible, awe-inspiring fearless living, in the wake of the worst evil mankind can produce, is a gift and inspiration to us all.By Jan Goldstein

1
Rachel's Remarkable Gift 14:39

3M ago14:39

14:39

How do we find our way when life sends struggle our way? Is there a gift we might find, if we can drain the pain? Jan shares the true story of a young girl who bravely shared her own gift born of illness and challenge and transformed her pain into a 'sacred wound.'By Jan Goldstein

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The Rest of the Story 15:00

4M ago15:00

15:00

When we take the time to learn the rest of someone's story, it can make all the difference. Jan shares his childhood memory of broadcaster Paul Harvey and his story of a young man whose encounter with another musician would help the young boy go on to impact the music of the world.By Jan Goldstein

1
The House of Belonging 15:59

4M ago15:59

15:59

Tuning out the chaos and madness of our daily lives, we find a tuning fork in poetry. Jan shares how his poet mother set him on a journey blessed with poems. With the words of poet David Whyte, he invites the listener to find the way back to our truest selves and the house of our own belonging.By Jan Goldstein

1
All That's Good About Today 12:25

4M ago12:25

12:25

With fear and rage all around is in social media and news headlines, Jan urges us to reframe our daily lives by asking a simple question: what's good about today? He provides a few keys as to how to find the good stuff and reminds us of key advice from Anne Frank, the Dalai Lama, and Audrey Hepburn.By Jan Goldstein

1
"Hope Is Like Peace..." 17:49

4M ago17:49

17:49

How to find hope? Remembrance is a powerful tool. Jan shares the story of the creation of International Holocaust Remembrance Day taking place this week the world over, and how the children of Terezin help us remember darkness as a pathway to light. "Hope is like peace. It is not a gift from God. It is a gift only we can give one another." Elie Wie…

1
Brave Enough To Be It 14:52

5M ago14:52

14:52

In a time of division and the changing of the guard in America, Jan is reminded of a brilliant poem Amanda Gorman wrote for Joe Biden's inauguration four years ago. The words are more powerful tan ever, challenging us to be brave enough to uncover the light in ourselves so needed in difficult times, in our own lives, in that of a country, and of th…

1
Out of the Fire's Ashes 16:51

5M ago16:51

16:51

The devastation of this past week's Southern California wildfires reminds us of the fragility of life. It calls on us to resilience through our compassion and deeds. Jan shares the words of poet Marge Piercy and the power of connectivity and community as a pathway to hope.By Jan Goldstein

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The Bird of Beginning 14:20

5M ago14:20

14:20

Dickinson tells us that,"Hope is a thing with feathers..." As we begin a new year we get to allow this soft bird of hope to take flight within us. How will it manifest? Jan shares a poet's view of new beginnings for 2025.By Jan Goldstein

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Who Knew? SATCHMO Spoke Yiddish 13:58

5M ago13:58

13:58

Louis Armstrong was a true American jazz hero and ambassador of how wonderful life could be. He experienced his share of racism and saw firsthand the inhumanity of antisemitism as well. Jan shares the personal story of Satchmo's Jewish connection and his choice to wear a Star of David around his neck throughout life.…

1
Piece By Piece 16:17

5M ago16:17

16:17

Did you ever wonder what or who inspired that hit song? Jan shares the true background behind several popular songs, considering how they grew out of relationships, as well as their aspiration to change. Each one of us is capable of rebuilding ourselves piece by piece, as we end one year and begin another.…

1
The Captain of My Soul 11:26

6M ago11:26

11:26

Many can feel weighted by pressures, ills, and life's struggles, especially in the darkest time of the year. It is no coincidence that Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa take place at this time with their messages of light. Jan shares the "rest of the story" of a man, William Ernest Henley who, though ill and struggling much of his life, created a po…

1
Wickedly Changed 'For Good' 16:55

6M ago16:55

16:55

The movie musical has exploded on the scene with its message of how we treat the "other" in society and yet how friends can change us "for good." Jan celebrates the vision of Stephen Schwartz to turn the book into musical before a film, and how each of us can find ourselves, our better selves, in the eyes of a friend.…

1
Simon and the Storm-Once More* 7:46

6M ago7:46

7:46

Four years ago in the midst of the pandemic, Jan started this podcast to share stories that reframe the way we live and look at life. It was a call for positivity in a sea of worries. This is that first podcast, a brief tale of the need to open our eyes and hearts in order to recognize the gifts that are all around us. Jan's voice has changed ever …

1
The 'Meet-the-Moment' Mark of Caitlin Clark 14:59

6M ago14:59

14:59

Certain individuals meet the moment and transform a game, an art, a life. We ignore the detractors and focus on the gift of such an athlete to inspire countless individuals, especially young girls. Jan shares how CC ignited his interest in women's basketball and a celebration of equal opportunity whose reality is as inevitable as this young woman's…

1
Hannah's Impossible Lesson 14:25

7M ago14:25

14:25

There are moments following a loss where purpose dwindles and the future seems hazy. Some speak of it after a death, others after an election or a divorce or a heartbreak. Jan shares the story of a woman who experienced the worst of humanity's evil and personal loss. Impossibly, she was the brightest spirit he ever encountered. She taught him: "Don…

1
Pharrell's Chocolate-Peanut Butter Lesson for Life 15:06

7M ago15:06

15:06

Sometimes we need to exhale an old version of ourselves and inhale a new "me." Jan shares the story of Pharrell Williams meeting singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers in a classroom on music and the unique philosophy of creativity he espouses to the class that makes us all unique.By Jan Goldstein

1
Stay Gold 14:10

7M ago14:10

14:10

Robert Frost's poem Nothing Gold Can Stay challenges us to consider what is permanent and what is not in life. Jan shares his recent personal experience with the new musical The Outsiders on Broadway and how a character's dying words quoting Frost illuminate the ongoing power of finding what truly matters.…

1
The Night Wiesel Cried Tears of Gladness 19:36

7M ago19:36

19:36

Jan shares how his life intersected twice with the Nobel Peace Prize Recipient/noted author, Elie Wiesel, and the lesson Wiesel taught that can inspire each of us to live life as it could be.By Jan Goldstein

1
The Girl who Gave Birth to a Thousand Cranes (reprise-1st Season) 12:34

8M ago12:34

12:34

The world is in dire need of stories that show how some people have met war and devastation with hope. The folding of origami cranes is said to bring the granting of a wish, for life, for recovery. Jan shares the story of a little girl named Sadako and a lesson of love and art to lift us all.By Jan Goldstein

1
The Muslim in the Sukkah (reprise) 18:26

8M ago18:26

18:26

It is the week of the Jewish holiday, Sukkot, a harvest festival, sending out wishes to the world that all might have enough to eat and a place to live. A time for counting blessings and fostering hope. Jan shares the remarkable story of his meeting a muslim inside a dwelling built for this Jewish holiday and the power each of us can draw from conn…

1
Of Remembrance and Blessing 13:57

8M ago13:57

13:57

This week is the one year anniversary of the terrorist attack on innocent families in kibbutzim and at the Youth Dance Festival in Israel. That violence began a cycle of loss of life on all sides. This year's anniversary is a day of memorial and silence, one that can lead to reclaiming what is most important about our lives and being true to our ow…

1
Hope Is Not Optional 14:48

8M ago14:48

14:48

At the changing of the seasons we feel change calling us. Jan shares two poems that speak to blessings in front of us if we will simply lift our heads and risk seeing, we will uncover possibility and miracles of humanity. In the words of Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of Hirsch, "Hope Is Not Optional."…

1
Gili's Light 15:11

8M ago15:11

15:11

In moments of tragedy, we are called on to seek light. Jan shares the true story of 24 year-old Gili Adar who perished nearly a year ago, struck down by terrorists in a moment of dance. Her parents show us how essential it is that we remember, but more, they call on us to find 'slivers of joy' each day and to share them with one another. In such a …

1
The Girl In The Locker Room 13:10

9M ago13:10

13:10

Being the first at anything, breaking long-held barriers, takes perseverance, audacity, and quiet determination. It also takes an ability NOT to take NO for an answer. Jan shares the story of Robin Herman, who helped lead a change in the reporting of Sports that helped transform the industry, and open doors for others, and that matters..…

1
Maria's Song-The Gift That Keeps On Giving 14:35

9M ago14:35

14:35

As some of you may know, as a young boy Jan met Maria Von Trapp on a visit to Stowe with his grandmother. Over the his formative years, she gave him a gift that has stood the test of time, one that can empower each of us to rediscover wonder and our own authenticity.By Jan Goldstein

1
Thoreau's Facts of Life 15:25

9M ago15:25

15:25

We know about Thoreau and Walden. Who knew his writing contained poetic ways of seeing the inner world of the mind and the heart? Jan shares the story of Thoreau's personal relationship with his mentor's wife and how it led him to discover that connecting to another human being can be a way to "splice the heavens?"…

1
Pink's Message to her Daughter 12:22

9M ago12:22

12:22

Sometimes, like the singer, Pink's, daughter, we feel ugly. We all have days like that. Jan shares with us not only Pink's words to her little girl, but ways to claim the perfect day, and rediscover love, beginning with ourselves.By Jan Goldstein

1
The Irish Priest's Gift 16:57

10M ago16:57

16:57

Jan shares the true story of his involvement as a teenager in an ecumenical summer camp where he learned a lifelong lesson about Judaism from a big bear of a man, an Irish-American priest, Father Bill. It is a gift we all can share in today if we wish to create bridges of blessing within ourselves and for others..…

1
Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda-Did! 15:04

10M ago15:04

15:04

Success comes in many cycles of life. Perhaps we recognize in the genius of others our own rejected thoughts. Jan shares a view of embracing the first step of our next success and calming the positive first step only we can take.By Jan Goldstein

1
The Song of Our Own Resilience 16:01

10M ago16:01

16:01

Part of reframing a world challenged by divisions and disunity is in tapping into our own resilience. Jan shares a long ago recording of his mother whose yahrzeit he and his family commemorate this week. Here, his mom, a celebrated poet in her day, shares one of her poems about reclaiming the possibility of life. Here's to discovering and rediscove…

1
The Prince of Nantucket-an ATM reprise* 18:14

10M ago18:14

18:14

We are all primed to go far in life, each in our own way, but to do that, at times, we must first find our way home. Jan shares the true story of his mother's Alzheimer's, her poetry, and the inspiration for his LA Times bestselling second novel of a mother and a son and the meaning of art.By Jan Goldstein

1
WYS - That's Your Sign! 1:00:12

11M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Signers, thank you so much for all your support over the years. Since launching on an eclipse in February 2018 we have been on the wildest of rides creating What's Your Sign? Podcast. That journey has come to its completion, so enjoy this episode where we say goodbye and reflect on fond WYS memories. We look back on iconic moments like when The Ast…

1
When Iambic Pentameter Was an Olympic Sport 13:26

11M ago13:26

13:26

Did you know that poetry and painting were once Olympic sports? On the eve of the Olympic Games in Paris this summer of 2024, Jan shares the story of when the games celebrated the arts, lifting the mind as well as the body, and ways we each can "medal" in that every day of our lives.By Jan Goldstein

1
Me, Spike Lee, and the "Second Look" 16:20

11M ago16:20

16:20

Jan shares a chance encounter with a talented filmmaker and is reminded of the power of taking a second look, not just at films that make a difference, but at encounters with people and circumstances that can deepen us and lead us to an opportunity to repair and grow.By Jan Goldstein

1
Celebrating "What's Right!" 15:48

11M ago15:48

15:48

We often hear people talk about what's wrong with the world. Jan shares the story and words of a photographer who turns that on its ear, focusing on what's right, in our lives and that of others. There is a lift and balance, he suggests, if we follow that positive example.By Jan Goldstein