On the journey of practice, maturity, equanimity and real freedom.

• (0:00) - Introduction to Diego Perez
• (3:21) - Vipassana Teachings
• (6:51) - The Element of Fire
• (16:13) -Observing Impermanence
• (21:25) - Processing Pain and Emotions
• (26:32) -Practical Application in Parenting

Diego Perez is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author, widely known by his pen name, Yung Pueblo. Online he has an audience of over 4.5 million people and was named one of the Time100 Creators of 2025. He has sold nearly 2 million books worldwide that have been translated into over 25 languages, and his writing focuses on the power of self-healing, creating healthy relationships, and the wisdom that comes when we truly work on knowing ourselves. Much of Diego's inspiration comes from the many silent meditation courses he's sat in the last 13 years. Additionally, Diego cofounded Wisdom Ventures, an investment fund focused on scaling compassion, and is the founder of Ready, a relationship app that centers personal growth. His new book, Journey: The Year That Changes Everything, releases November 10, 2026.

On committing to your Quiet Age, microdosing emotions for authenticity, and becoming a beacon of insight, harmony and integrity.

• 0:00 - Introduction to Cory Allen
• 4:51 - Origins of The Quiet Age
• 16:07 - Personal Growth and Vulnerability
• 30:23 - Exploring Book Structure
• 38:51 - The Reset Phase
• 41:53 - Slowing Down and Discovery
• 56:29 - Embodying Authenticity Through Becoming
• 59:48 - Arising Toward Clarity

Cory Allen is an author, mindfulness expert, speaker, and podcast host helping people slow down, think clearly, and live with intention. A daily meditator for over 25 years, his words reach millions of people each week on Instagram, where his daily insights have become a trusted source of clarity in an overstimulated world.

The Quiet Age: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Quiet-Age/Cory-Allen/9798881609849

The Pulse Mindfulness Ring
https://www.pulsemindfulness.com/

Our prior interviews

https://elenabrower.com/episode-196-cory-allen/

https://elenabrower.substack.com/p/live-with-cory-allen

On the clear connection between stoicism and empathy; the gift of learning to bear challenges with steadiness.

• 0:00 – Introduction
• 3:03 – Discussion on Shermin's Book "Stoic Empathy"
• 5:33 – Stoicism and Empathy: Personal Experiences
• 12:48 – Living with Uncertainty and Moral Decisions
• 27:10 – Strategic Empathy and Emotional Regulation
• 43:10 – Practical Applications of Stoic Empathy
• 50:19 – Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Shermin Kruse is a globally recognized author, law professor, negotiation consultant, TEDx producer, and author of Stoic Empathy. Born in Tehran during political upheaval, she immigrated to Canada as a child and earned degrees in philosophy and neuropsychology from the University of Toronto, followed by a law degree from the University of Michigan. Her work lives at the intersection of ancient wisdom, neuroscience, and the art of negotiation; and her life is the proof of what she teaches.

She spent nearly two decades as a partner at Barack Ferrazzano, a prestigious Chicago law firm, representing Fortune 500 clients in high-stakes negotiations, cross-border transactions, and corporate litigation. She is currently a professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where she teaches stoic empathy negotiations, leadership, and global transactions; her book Stoic Empathy is required reading for the advanced negotiation course there.

As founder and executive producer of TEDxWrigleyville, she has produced and scripted over 80 TEDx and TED talks and performances with millions of views across dozens of countries, and has delivered three TEDx talks herself on advocacy, stoicism, and strategic empathy.

She serves on the boards of the ACLU and RefuSHE, has founded multiple NGOs, and has been recognized as one of the nation's top 100 Women to Watch by BizWomen Magazine. She is also the author of the novel Butterfly Stitching and the textbook Global Transactions and Regulation.

Shermin lives in Chicago with her four children.