Love What You Do

Levi Van Hoecke and Drew Birnbaum

Do what you love and love what you do. We have conversations with a variety of professionals about the story of their work and how they ended up loving what they do for a living. We also highlight the distinctive features of different jobs and industries, and talk about the philosophy of work associated with one's vocation.

Episodes

  1. #5 - Paul Birnbaum: The Chaplain

    11/03/2023

    #5 - Paul Birnbaum: The Chaplain

    How does a chaplain comfort those who are in pain or are facing the end of their life? In this episode, Paul shares his perspective on giving compassionate care and spiritual support to medical patients in a hospital setting. Whether you're considering a career in chaplaincy, or simply seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of the human spirit, this conversation will leave you with a profound appreciation for those who bring solace and support during life's most vulnerable moments. Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (3:25) Challenges of the job (5:24) Chaplaincy self-care (8:45) Chaplaincy vs. Traditional Pastoring / Paul's ministry background (15:00) Caring for patients with a wide spectrum of worldviews (18:20) What to say (and not say) to patients (20:02) A chaplain's place in the medical environment (22:10) Working with co-chaplains (23:19) Experiences with patients dealing with pain (25:14) Empathizing with a patient's perspective (27:35) Importance of being self-aware as a chaplain (29:42) Has this job made you happier? / Finding joy in the work of chaplaincy (31:45) Do you ever have to deliver bad news? (33:25) Tools used to overcome obstacles of the job (34:47) Offering hope to others (36:34) Is physical touch part of the job? (39:17) Advice for young people considering chaplaincy or other care professions (42:02) How has being a chaplain changed your life? (44:00) The importance of simply being with patients (45:13) Books that have helped Paul (48:34) Confronting your own wounds in order to minister to others (50:40) Advice for figuring out what to do for a living

    53 min
  2. #4 - Dr. Laurie Johnson: The Professor💡

    10/05/2023

    #4 - Dr. Laurie Johnson: The Professor💡

    Educating. Community building. Mentoring. Writing books. We cover it all in this conversation with Dr. Laurie Johnson! Dr. Johnson is the Director of the Primary Texts Analysis Program at Kansas State University, a Professor of Political Philosophy at K-State, the founder of a nonprofit alternative education initiative called The Maurin Academy, and the author of several books. Tune in to hear about the different ways Dr. Johnson offers formative educational experiences to her community. Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (1:15) How did you come to your vocation? (7:04) Difference between Undergraduate and Graduate experience. (9:45) Skill versus willpower in graduate studies. (13:06) How did you figure out what you were good at? (17:32) What is philosophy? (19:00) Introversion and Extroversion (21:35) Influential Mentors (24:08) Promoting Mentorship (26:23) What was finding a professorship like after your doctoral program? (30:46) Primary Texts Education (36:30) What does it take to keep that educational program running? (39:35) What is the best way to educate college students? (41:49) Writing Books (44:07) What is your writing process? (46:06) Does the stress of impending deadlines ever go away? (48:05)) How do you relieve stress? (49:38) Organizing the writing process (52:50) Dealing with Alternate Viewpoints, Integrating Conversation (56:15) The Maurin Academy, Catholic Worker’s Movement (1:00:48)  Platforms of Education, JP2 Farm (1:05:17) Lessons Learned from Active Citizenship (1:08:32) Balancing Vision and Volunteer Relationships (1:11:46) Advice for Figuring Out What to Do for a Living

    1h 14m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Do what you love and love what you do. We have conversations with a variety of professionals about the story of their work and how they ended up loving what they do for a living. We also highlight the distinctive features of different jobs and industries, and talk about the philosophy of work associated with one's vocation.