In this episode, we talk with Samuel Moore-Sobel — author, speaker, and columnist. His memoir, “Can You See My Scars?” is the story of a harrowing encounter with sulfuric acid, trauma, and severe burns.  He tells his story of his experience as a 15 year old burn survivor, a series of surgeries, his PTSD, his journey through intertwined physical and mental healing.

Chris Meyer is a lawyer, filmmaker, funeral home owner and author of a new book, “Life in 20 Lessons: What a Funeral Guy Discovered about Life, from Death” is like “This is my Life” meets “Tuesdays with Morrie.” Meyer spent 14 years in the funeral business assisting grieving families and in one case, the soon to be departed, in planning funerals. It was a life chapter he never intended to write, but he feels grateful for, given the impact the career detour had on him personally.  

Rabbi Wendi Geffen has served as one of the rabbis at North Shore Congregation Israel since her rabbinic ordination in 2002, assuming the role of senior rabbi in July 2015. A visionary, thought leader, and distinguished orator and teacher, Rabbi Geffen is passionate about Judaism, Torah, and the ways these ancient sources of wisdom add meaning to our lives and enable us to better our world today. She dedicates herself to learning and teaching with those interested in developing their own Jewish identities and Jewish journeys, no matter their age or background; she is regularly sought as a teacher and speaker, and her writing has been widely published.

In 1997, Jeff experienced a horrific automobile accident. The accident caused multiple life-threatening injuries, including crushing both his legs. He had 18 surgeries and spent six months in the hospital. His left leg was amputated above the knee. The most devastating outcome of the accident was the loss of his wife and youngest son, both killed instantly. Overwhelmed by the injuries his body suffered, Jeff had a profound near-death experience in which he met his wife on the other side, who told him he couldn’t stay and had to return. Having that glimpse into heaven gave him the courage he needed to carry on and care for his living son. He has since remarried and adopted two more sons. According to Jeff’s website, his greatest joy comes from being a husband and father. His mission is to assist people in consciously embracing who they are and the connection they share with others and the universe.

Dr. Robbins explores what it truly means to embody what is important in life.  At the end of last season, Dr. Robbins shared  her deeply personal eulogy of her grandmother, to inspire and invoke you to live your life from a place of consciousness and meaning.  Today, Dr. Robbins shares the inspirational eulogy of her grandfather while encouraging your to think about how you can use this lens of death to truly illuminate your own life everyday.  

Dr. Deguire is a clinical psychologist in private practice. She grew up on the east coast,  the lone surviving child of unsettled and iconoclastic parents. At the age of four, she was third-degree burned on 65% of her body as the result of both maternal and corporate negligence. After the fire, she spent most of her childhood in the hospital, undergoing countless medical procedures.