The Puck: Venture Capital and Beyond

Episode 118: Rabbi David Wolpe

In this episode, host Jim Baer talks with Rabbi David Wolpe, a leading American rabbi and former Harvard Kennedy School fellow, about the role of religion in modern life. Wolpe argues that religion is a diverse, action‑oriented force that builds community, encourages charity, and offers a humility‑based gratitude that can counteract today’s information overload and negativity. He contrasts religious practice with “spirituality,” emphasizing that faith traditions demand concrete good deeds and provide unique social support that governments cannot replicate. The conversation also touches on the challenges of institutional trust, the impact of social media on negativity, and the need for grassroots movements that teach kindness and foster optimism.