Show notes
The hardest chapters of your life often become the clearest mirror of your values. When Rabbi Jonathan Cohen woke up one Shabbat (Saturday) morning unable to move, he had no idea he was facing a life-altering medical emergency. What followed - emergency brain surgery, a cancer diagnosis, and a whirlwind of hospital visits - could have broken his spirit. Instead, it clarified his purpose. In this raw and deeply human conversation, Jonathan - affectionately known as "JoCo" - shares how he continues to show up with purpose during hard times, for his family, his community, and himself, even in the midst of fear, fatigue, and the unknown. With humor, wisdom, and an unmistakable warmth, he invites us to rethink what it means to live meaningfully when life turns upside down. This isn't just a story about illness. It's a story about resilience, presence, and the power of showing up with purpose, even when everything else falls away. In this conversation about showing up with purpose during hard times, you'll hear: The Shabbat (Saturday) morning that changed everything for Jonathan How he stayed grounded in his values through a health crisis and what helps him through the hard times What it meant for him to suddenly be a patient What makes a visit meaningful when someone is seriously ill Caring for others and visiting communities affected by October 7, even as he confronts his own health challenges Jonathan's reflections on vulnerability, community, and setting boundaries And many more insights TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction to Jonathan Cohen's Journey 01:37 – Life Before the Cancer Diagnosis 07:27 – The Morning Everything Changed 13:59 – Emergency Brain Surgery and Hospitalization 21:03 – Adjusting to Life as a Patient 26:50 – Support from Family and Friends 32:09 – Navigating Visits and Staying Positive 36:12 – What Makes a Visit Truly Meaningful 40:10 – Balancing Illness with Family Life 40:57 – Creative Ways Visitors Made an Impact 42:44 – Community Engagement as a Healing Practice 45:44 – The Therapeutic Power of Getting Outside 47:37 – Supporting Others Through Small Gestures 50:28 – Seeing Life Differently Through Illness 55:42 – Fighting vs. Managing Illness 59:33 – Finding Strength Through Support and Positivity 01:02:44 – Final Reflections and Life Lessons ABOUT THE GUEST Rabbi Jonathan Cohen (affectionately known as "JoCo") is a dynamic force of inspiration within the Jewish community. He works with Yeshiva University (YU) recruiting gap-year students to continue their education at YU, while also serving with NCSY (a division of the Orthodox Union) to help young couples find their place in Jewish communities across the United States. Beyond his professional roles, Rabbi Cohen is renowned for his exceptionally warm and open home, where he and his family have hosted countless students for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals. Recently diagnosed with cancer, Rabbi Cohen faces this challenge with remarkable resilience and positivity. Despite undergoing intensive treatment, he remains steadfast in his mission to serve others. He continues to travel across Israel, leading impactful trips and providing support to communities affected by the events of October 7th, turning his personal struggle into an opportunity to spread kindness and connection to those in need. QUOTES "Being a hero also means going through challenges and creating opportunities." - Jonathan Cohen "What I've learned most importantly is that we have to be there more for each other." - Jonathan Cohen "That first week, there were certain people [who] weren't even thinking about themselves. They were thinking about 'what can we do to put a smile on your face?'" - Jonathan Cohen "Communication is still a hard thing in the generation that we live." - Jonathan Cohen ABOUT THE HOST Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and former faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. SEE ALL SHOW NOTES http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast LEARN MORE at http://www.transcendingx.com and http://www.schneiderspeech.com