https://simplecast.com The world seems to be going crazy, and it’s easy to get caught up in it. Fortunately, I’ve learned how to find calm, connection, and control even in the most insane of times, and I’m here to help you find the same. So, stay tuned and catch all the stumbles, fumbles, and bumbles on my journey of personal development. 2025 en Fri, 6 Mar 2026 16:37:49 +0000 Fri, 6 Mar 2026 16:37:59 +0000 https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/49430d3d-962e-4e28-8d66-4552c766c3d6/35f508c1-765c-460f-9204-0650ee4e3f3d/3000x3000/up-20cover.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com episodic The world seems to be going crazy, and it’s easy to get caught up in it. Fortunately, I’ve learned how to find calm, connection, and control even in the most insane of times, and I’m here to help you find the same. So, stay tuned and catch all the stumbles, fumbles, and bumbles on my journey of personal development. Jontie Karden MD false https://feeds.simplecast.com/17eAzDYP Jontie Karden, MD jontiekarden@gmail.com 6ca3bb9d-844a-4ca4-831e-afad753b333d Fri, 6 Mar 2026 16:37:49 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/why-were-not-ready-for-ai-but-can-be-HrevfrND Why We’re Not Ready for AI (But Can Be) Jontie Karden MD 00:41:20 AI is transforming the world faster than any technology in history — and most of us feel unprepared. We fear losing jobs, losing purpose, and losing control. But the truth is, AI isn’t the biggest threat to our future. Our mindset is. AI is transforming the world faster than any technology in history — and most of us feel unprepared. We fear losing jobs, losing purpose, and losing control. But the truth is, AI isn’t the biggest threat to our future. Our mindset is. false full 16 bedfa97b-f993-4b7f-914c-a5451077fff1 Sat, 28 Feb 2026 04:45:19 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/america-is-hurting-what-no-one-admits-VB38nl6a America Is Hurting — What No One Admits Jontie Karden MD 00:24:25 We’re all feeling it — the tension, the fear, the sense that something in America is deeply off. Homelessness everywhere. Families working full-time but still hungry. Addiction in towns that once felt safe. Neighbors treating each other like enemies. These are symptoms. And symptoms always point to something deeper. We’re all feeling it — the tension, the fear, the sense that something in America is deeply off. Homelessness everywhere. Families working full-time but still hungry. Addiction in towns that once felt safe. Neighbors treating each other like enemies. These are symptoms. And symptoms always point to something deeper. false full 15 3388d524-1493-44c0-9965-fa6b2532e9f4 Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:48:13 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/trump-is-not-the-problem-bC8S8tYH Trump Is Not the Problem Jontie Karden MD 00:11:43 I recently encountered someone on social media blaming division among Democrats for Trump's Presidential victory. This assumed that Trump is the problem. Trump is not the problem, he's merely a symptom of a larger problem. I recently encountered someone on social media blaming division among Democrats for Trump's Presidential victory. This assumed that Trump is the problem. Trump is not the problem, he's merely a symptom of a larger problem. false full 14 0cbe54e4-0ae7-448b-bfba-52c5582bc2f6 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 03:50:35 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/we-suck-at-spotting-liars-but-theres-hope-FzYhXdPm We Suck at Spotting Liars, but There's Hope Jontie Karden MD 00:06:23 We suck at spotting liars, me included. However, I've learned a couple important ways we can protect ourselves from being deceived by fake friends and fake leaders. Hope this helps! We suck at spotting liars, me included. However, I've learned a couple important ways we can protect ourselves from being deceived by fake friends and fake leaders. Hope this helps! false full 13 04df1c87-84c2-48e8-a7fc-83f1b19f9f12 Tue, 16 Sep 2025 22:28:01 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/7-things-charlie-kirks-death-reveals-about-us-BF665kZx 7 Things Charlie Kirk’s Death Reveals About Us Jontie Karden MD 00:16:36 I reflect on the killing of Charlie Kirk—not to debate his politics, but to examine our reactions. Why do so many of us feel selective empathy, dismissing the pain of others? From my own conflicted response to the larger tribalism shaping our society, I explore how moments like this force us to ask: Who are we, and who do we want to become? I reflect on the killing of Charlie Kirk—not to debate his politics, but to examine our reactions. Why do so many of us feel selective empathy, dismissing the pain of others? From my own conflicted response to the larger tribalism shaping our society, I explore how moments like this force us to ask: Who are we, and who do we want to become? false full 12 a79a0776-5cf2-481c-a38a-e65967659483 Sun, 11 May 2025 08:26:08 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden, MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/commies-nazis-imams-made-me-a-better-american-HWab1L6W Commies + Nazis + Imams Made Me a Better American Jontie Karden, MD 00:37:51 My family suffered under Stalin and Hitler. As horrific as these experiences were, they helped me to understand this difficult political time in the US. They may even help us to make America great again. My family suffered under Stalin and Hitler. As horrific as these experiences were, they helped me to understand this difficult political time in the US. They may even help us to make America great again. false full 11 78081f3b-c78c-46c6-b870-7312b7edcb22 Sat, 3 May 2025 18:31:34 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden, MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-go-from-a-victim-to-building-a-better-world-QhuFBeu3 How To Go From a Victim, To Building a Better World Jontie Karden, MD 00:23:02 Have you noticed lately how everyone sees themselves as a victim? Are we really all victims? What if we actually had the power to make things better? What would that world look like? And how can we get from here to there? Have you noticed lately how everyone sees themselves as a victim? Are we really all victims? What if we actually had the power to make things better? What would that world look like? And how can we get from here to there? false full 10 2045d500-eef3-44cd-82b6-95607f585ea2 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 03:37:21 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/whos-american-are-we-special-do-we-need-revolution-IrfjCKMd Who's American? Are We Special? Do We Need Revolution? Jontie Karden MD 00:47:20 We rarely discuss what makes us American. Most nations are unified by a shared race, ethnicity and sometimes even a faith. That’s not true for America. So what is it that unites us? Or are we doomed to be eternally divided? Can this only be solved by revolution? Or is there another way? While I’ll be sharing my thoughts, I hope this sparks a larger conversation. We rarely discuss what makes us American. Most nations are unified by a shared race, ethnicity and sometimes even a faith. That’s not true for America. So what is it that unites us? Or are we doomed to be eternally divided? Can this only be solved by revolution? Or is there another way? While I’ll be sharing my thoughts, I hope this sparks a larger conversation. false full 9 243773f4-a7a8-4197-8d17-f30b460f9fda Sat, 12 Apr 2025 01:03:39 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/to-be-or-not-to-be-a-shithole-country-DF9Zu1MR To Be or Not To Be a Shithole Country Jontie Karden MD 00:37:07 I instantly connected to Trump’s warning about the US becoming a shithole country. Since my father immigrated to the US from Syria, I know a thing or two about shithole countries. Turns out there’s something we all can, and should, be doing to avoid this terrible fate. Hope this helps ; ) I instantly connected to Trump’s warning about the US becoming a shithole country. Since my father immigrated to the US from Syria, I know a thing or two about shithole countries. Turns out there’s something we all can, and should, be doing to avoid this terrible fate. Hope this helps ; ) false full 8 f8f8783e-6f2e-45c9-bd54-dc51e52b6dd9 Fri, 4 Apr 2025 19:23:44 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden, MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/conspiracy-theories-ruining-your-career-JwDAnBmD Conspiracy Theories Ruining Your Career? Jontie Karden, MD 00:13:18 Conspiracy thinking gives us a sense of control in a confusing world. Unfortunately in our careers, this thinking robs us of the autonomy and agency we need to improve our lives. Conspiracy thinking gives us a sense of control in a confusing world. Unfortunately in our careers, this thinking robs us of the autonomy and agency we need to improve our lives. false full 7 51647b8a-9dcc-4210-aa45-568ef673f5ae Fri, 28 Mar 2025 17:19:18 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/ikigai-helped-me-find-my-purpose-can-help-you-too-ra6zmd5x Ikigai Helped Me Find My Purpose + Can Help You Too! Jontie Karden MD 00:35:09 We all have a basic need for purpose. If we aren’t aware of this, or if we’re afraid, or if we cave to others’ expectations of us, we lose our life’s purpose. The good news is we can reclaim our sense of joy and fulfillment by identifying our purpose. We all have a basic need for purpose. If we aren’t aware of this, or if we’re afraid, or if we cave to others’ expectations of us, we lose our life’s purpose. The good news is we can reclaim our sense of joy and fulfillment by identifying our purpose. false full 6 d899a6ff-9435-46f5-970d-1454b82e6926 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 17:10:02 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/finger-pointing-is-corrupting-faith-society-1CpRdBMq Finger Pointing is Corrupting Faith + Society Jontie Karden MD 00:13:00 Listening to Friday sermons at my local Mosque, I encountered a glitch in our human programming. Something that was preventing our religious leaders from properly guiding us. Then I realized it wasn’t just Muslims, but American society as a whole that’s fallen into this trap, this logical glitch. Fortunately, if we can address it, there’s potential to heal our increasingly contentious society. Listening to Friday sermons at my local Mosque, I encountered a glitch in our human programming. Something that was preventing our religious leaders from properly guiding us. Then I realized it wasn’t just Muslims, but American society as a whole that’s fallen into this trap, this logical glitch. Fortunately, if we can address it, there’s potential to heal our increasingly contentious society. false full 5 c2decd35-ebd3-4979-9087-d26e7939645b Fri, 7 Mar 2025 19:33:44 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/i-dont-choose-israel-or-palestine-i-choose-america-j_qqgvKW I Don't Choose Israel or Palestine, I Choose America! Jontie Karden MD 00:28:37 This issue is really personal for me. Not because I'm Israeli or Palestinian, but because my family suffered like both of these groups. Unfortunately, we're caught in this cycle of violence with no end in sight. Complicating matters each side forces you to choose their side, or be labelled an evil person. Turns out we don't have to choose one side or the other. Instead we can choose the American side. As a matter of fact, the American side holds all the "cards". So the question isn't what should the Israelis or Palestinians do, the question is what are we Americans going to do? This issue is really personal for me. Not because I'm Israeli or Palestinian, but because my family suffered like both of these groups. Unfortunately, we're caught in this cycle of violence with no end in sight. Complicating matters each side forces you to choose their side, or be labelled an evil person. Turns out we don't have to choose one side or the other. Instead we can choose the American side. As a matter of fact, the American side holds all the "cards". So the question isn't what should the Israelis or Palestinians do, the question is what are we Americans going to do? false full 4 23bd9ed2-b53e-4026-ba79-f0b9393d3226 Fri, 28 Feb 2025 20:15:55 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden, MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/is-it-time-to-start-bribing-our-government-sswpolb3 Is it Time to Start Bribing Our Government? Jontie Karden, MD 00:27:57 Did you know President George Washington hated the idea of political parties? Did you know he ran for a second term to prevent early party politics from tearing the country apart? Did you know that political parties aren’t even necessary in the US? We’ve been told that we have two choices, and that voting for a 3rd party is a waste of a vote. But there are more options than a 3rd party, even better options, and they don’t rely on us waiting for our politicians to do the right thing. We have the power to change the political status quo! Did you know President George Washington hated the idea of political parties? Did you know he ran for a second term to prevent early party politics from tearing the country apart? Did you know that political parties aren’t even necessary in the US? We’ve been told that we have two choices, and that voting for a 3rd party is a waste of a vote. But there are more options than a 3rd party, even better options, and they don’t rely on us waiting for our politicians to do the right thing. We have the power to change the political status quo! false full 3 555e08d6-974a-468e-8a89-c283a8a6915d Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:09:39 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden, MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/us-politics-suck-and-were-why-kTgHbKfm US Politics Suck: And We're Why! Jontie Karden, MD 00:19:09 Are you worried about our contentious politics? About where this leads? About the safety and security of your family? I’ve been where you are, and I’d like to share my experiences. Experiences that brought me from angry and isolated to happy and connected, due to the kindness of one person. The lesson she taught me might help us all heal our partisan divisions. Are you worried about our contentious politics? About where this leads? About the safety and security of your family? I’ve been where you are, and I’d like to share my experiences. Experiences that brought me from angry and isolated to happy and connected, due to the kindness of one person. The lesson she taught me might help us all heal our partisan divisions. false full 2 178d4cfd-e238-4fc6-8208-2e0cfb3e0d41 Tue, 11 Feb 2025 04:15:00 +0000 jontiekarden@gmail.com (Jontie Karden, MD) https://understanding-with-jontie.simplecast.com/episodes/how-i-transformed-my-fear-and-hate-into-understanding-s4JetnlI How I Transformed My Fear and Hate Into UNDERSTANDING Jontie Karden, MD 00:51:39 A lot of us fear civil strife or even civil war, and we feel powerless watching our nation unravel. I have to admit that I was part of the problem. I fell into the trap of feeling scared and angry towards “the other.” Fortunately, I learned how to unlock a superpower that you, and I, and all of us have access to. A tool that’ll help us to feel calm, connected, and in control. It may even help us build that better future we’ve been wanting. A lot of us fear civil strife or even civil war, and we feel powerless watching our nation unravel. I have to admit that I was part of the problem. I fell into the trap of feeling scared and angry towards “the other.” Fortunately, I learned how to unlock a superpower that you, and I, and all of us have access to. A tool that’ll help us to feel calm, connected, and in control. It may even help us build that better future we’ve been wanting. false full 1