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Hi everyone. Today’s episode on Parenting Without Power Struggles is a special one for me—a conversation with my dear friend of over 50 years, Rabbi Michael Zedek. We talk about the power of story, how values are transmitted, and how to inspire our children to move through the world with kindness, compassion, and grace.
You can always find more of my work, including over 50 master classes on parenting topics—from anxiety to sibling rivalry—at SusanStiffelman.com. You can also sign up for my newsletter and learn about the Parenting Without Power Struggles membership, where I support parents twice a month with real, personal coaching, or join our monthly Co-Parenting with a Narcissist group.

Let’s dive in. Here’s the episode—I loved it, and I think you’ll really enjoy it.

Susan: Hello, Rabbi Michael Zedek!
Rabbi Zedek: Hello, hello. What a treat to see you!
Susan: It’s such a joy. Before I read your bio, I’ll share that we’ve known each other for over 50 years. Rabbi Zedek has done amazing work in the world. He is Rabbi Emeritus of two congregations—BHU in Kansas City and Emmanuel Congregation in Chicago—and since 2021, Rabbi in Residence at St. Paul School of Theology. He’s taught and spoken around the world on spirituality and interfaith dialogue, and hosted Religion on the Line, a radio show that ran for 29 years.
He’s the author of Taking Miracles Seriously: A Journey to Everyday Spirituality and his new book People Are Like...—a beautiful collection of stories for young readers and the young at heart.
Susan: We’re living in such an interesting time, and I really believe that values will save us. How do we communicate values to our children—not just by lecturing, but through how we live and what we share? That’s what I think your book does so beautifully, teaching through stories and metaphors.
Why do you think story is such a powerful way to share wisdom?
Rabbi Zedek: Thank you, Susan, for the chance to reconnect. Stories reach us in a way lectures never can. People don’t remember essays or sermons—they remember the examples, the illustrations. Stories give us roadmaps for living.
I once told a class of 12- and 13-year-olds an ancient story about the sages debating whether to attend the gladiatorial games. Most said no, but Rabbi Nathan said, “When the crowd shouts for the blood of the defeated, our job is to shout thumbs up.” It’s a perfect metaphor for life—to insist on hope, kindness, and compassion despite the evidence around us.
Years later, some of those same kids remembered that story. That’s when I knew stories are how we carry our values forward.
Susan: That’s so moving. It’s true—we remember stories long after we’ve forgotten advice.
Rabbi Zedek: Exactly. And my book grew from those stories. The illustrations came when I auditioned for a TED Talk; the reviewer showed me how images can make ideas come alive. I found an illustrator whose art captured that whimsical quality—something both children and adults can relate to.
Susan: That’s wonderful. You mentioned another story—the “Diamond Story.” Would you share that one?
Rabbi Zedek: Sure. A king treasures a flawless diamond, but one day it’s scratched. He offers a reward to anyone who can repair it, but no one can. Finally, one person uses the scratch as the stem of a carved rose. The diamond becomes even more beautiful than before.
All of us carry scars. The question is: what do we do with them? Can we find the blessing in our struggles? “Wounded healers,” as they say, are often the best healers.
Susan: That’s such a profound truth—for kids and adults. So many children feel pressure to be perfect. These stories open the door for honest, healing conversations.
Rabbi Zedek: Exactly. And stories also make space for dialogue—something we desperately need. I’m now the Rabbi in Residence at a Methodist seminary, and I see religion as a language to the sacred, not a monopoly on truth. We don’t have to see eye to eye to walk shoulder to shoulder.
Different faiths are like different languages—each one a way to connect with what’s holy.
Susan: That’s such a needed message today—open-mindedness and curiosity. You’ve lived that spirit of interfaith understanding for decades.
Rabbi Zedek: I try. One of my favorite quotes is from a Christian minister, Dr. Fred Craddock. When his tour guide in Israel told him a miracle happened at a site, Craddock said he saw it differently. The guide replied, “Of course. If there’s only one way to understand something, it didn’t come from God.” I love that—truth is multivalent. The world is richer when we hold multiple perspectives.
Susan: Beautiful. Any final thoughts for parents listening—about bringing compassion and curiosity to our conversations with kids?
Rabbi Zedek: We have two ears and one mouth for a reason—to listen more than we speak. If we can stay curious about our children’s stories and our own, we open the way to shared understanding. As anthropologist Richard Leakey once said, “One monkey is no monkey.” We are who we are because of one another. We can only be “we” together.
Susan: That’s such a perfect way to close. Thank you, Michael—for your wisdom, humor, and warmth. You’ve been a rock and an inspiration in my life. How can people learn more about your books?
Rabbi Zedek: Both People Are Like... and Taking Miracles Seriously are available on Amazon. You can reach me at RabbiZedek@EmmanuelCong.org or visit RabbiMichaelZedek.com. I’d love to hear from listeners.
Susan: Thank you, Michael. It’s been a joy to reconnect.

I hope you enjoyed this episode. Rabbi Zedek’s stories remind us that storytelling helps bypass our defenses—it opens our hearts. It’s how humans have always passed down wisdom, from generation to generation.
If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend, leave a rating or review, or watch on YouTube. And visit SusanStiffelman.com for more ways to stay connected, including live classes and master classes on every aspect of parenting.
Be kind to yourself, look for moments of sweetness and joy, and I’ll see you next time.