HOW TO DO NOTHING WITH JESSIE KANZER


HOW TO DO NOTHING WITH JESSIE KANZER


HOW TO DO NOTHING with JESSIE KANZER

 

 

“The Tao is simple… It is our human nature, I think, to complicate things where they need not be complicated.” – writer Jessie Kanzer

 

 

 

Episode Summary:

 

Does life seem more hectic than it was even before the pandemic?

 

Today we talk with Jessie Asya Kanzer, whose story begins as an child refugee from the Soviet Union seeking asylum in the US with her family. A descendant of Holocaust survivors living in a communal apartment with four households, one toilet, and a rickety old bathtub in the middle of the kitchen -- her family finally made it to Brooklyn in 1989. 

 

As an 8-year-old refugee who only spoke Russian, Jessie (or “Asya” then) yearned to fit in. She changed her name and much about herself. She experienced depression, bulimia, anxiety and lost herself pursuing the American Dream.

 

Until she stopped. 

 

In Tao Te Ching she rediscovered herself, found her innate power, and she learned to chill. Her book, “Don’t Just Sit There, DO NOTHING”, will help you do the same. 

 

Listen in to hear about Jessie’s struggles and triumphs through the lens of the 6th century philosophy Tao Te Ching, which she calls “the world’s oldest self-help book”.

 

 

 

Topics We Discuss:

 

  • [3:18] How Jessie’s story -- from losing identity as a child refugee from Russia with Eastern Europe roots, through renaming and reinventing herself in America, struggling bulimia, and being physically broken after suffering a car crash -- steered her toward a deep dive into Tao Te Ching, and ultimately going within spiritually.

 

  • [15:42] Tenets of 6th century philosophy Tao Te Ching: simplicity, patience, compassion. We consume more information in a single day than people did in their entire lifetime in just a few hundred years ago.

 

  • [27:46] Creativity comes with unscheduled time.

 

  • [31:01] What the paradox of “do nothing” means to Jessie.

 

 

  • [41:30] Amy’s speed round questions: What is spirituality? What is something people don’t know about you? What is one thing you’re looking forward to right now? What’s one thing you’re deeply grateful for? What book is on your nightstand? What is your favorite spiritual or healing practice? What is the most spiritually transformative experience of your life?

 

 

FOLLOW JESSIE KANZER:

 

Jessie’s book, “Don’t Just Sit There, Do Nothing” is available wherever books are sold.  Download two free chapters of on her website.

 

Follow her on Instagram.

 

 

SUPPORT DR. AMY ROBBINS:

 

If you’re enjoying the podcast and finding value in guest interviews, ghost stories, and the content I share, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patreon member for as little as $5 a month at Patreon.com/DrAmyRobbins

 

As a member you’ll get more say in the content we cover and exclusive access to behind-the-scenes goodness!

 

Stay Connected with Dr. Amy Robbins:

 

 


Previous
Previous

A WHOLE LAVA LOVE - A GHOST STORY

Next
Next

FINDING YOUR SUPERPOWERS WITH KATHARINE BRANHAM