Episode 31: Musings with Milica Jelača Jovanović

What does it mean to live a life in tune—with yourself, your passions, and your wellbeing? In this episode of Musings on Wellbeing, host Charlie Bresler and his guest, internationally renowned pianist Milica Jelača Jovanović, explore how the pursuit of excellence can both shape and challenge our inner lives. Raised in a family of classical musicians in Yugoslavia, Milica’s journey spans elite music schools, intense conservatory training in post-Soviet Moscow, and a new chapter of life in Michigan. Their conversation touches on the delicate balance between ambition and self-care, artistry and identity. Her story is both deeply personal and universally resonant—a reflection on discipline, resilience, and finding meaning through music. Listeners will hear Milica’s candid take on how intensive training has shaped her mental and emotional wellbeing, the role of family in grounding her, and why she prioritizes self-improvement over competition.  She also shares the guiding principles behind her teaching style and gives a sneak peek into exciting musical projects on the horizon.  Links: milicajelacajovanovic.com Milica on YouTube @milicajj Music from this episode: Mozart concerto performance with bellinghamsymphony.org  Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at www.ehwalkers.org. Charlie Bresler is a former business executive, co-founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, and a self-described effective hedonist. As a psychologist, Charlie emphasizes the importance of aligning personal pleasure with doing good, rejecting the notion of self-sacrifice in favor of a fulfilling, values-driven life.  

What does wellbeing look like in the corporate world—and how can companies truly support the personal growth of their employees?  In this episode of Musing on Wellbeing, Charlie Brelser is joined by Richie Goldman, Co-Founder of Men’s Wearhouse, author, marketing strategist, and writer of Curmudg. Together they explore the intersection of career, mindfulness, and meaningful connection. It’s a conversation that reminds us that professional success doesn't have to come at the cost of personal wellbeing.  This episode will give listeners powerful takeaways about the value of authentic leadership, the impact of a supportive work environment, and the importance of aligning personal values with professional choices.  Richie’s embrace of meditation, volunteerism, and focusing on what’s within one’s control offers a meaningful roadmap for anyone seeking a more grounded and purpose-driven life. Check out his writing, Curmudg, on Substack: https://curmudg.substack.com/.  Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at www.ehwalkers.org. Charlie Bresler is a former business executive, co-founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, and a self-described effective hedonist. As a psychologist, Charlie emphasizes the importance of aligning personal pleasure with doing good, rejecting the notion of self-sacrifice in favor of a fulfilling, values-driven life.  

Within the realm of education, what does it mean to support the well-being of both children and adults?  In this inspiring episode of Musings on Wellbeing, host Charlie Bresler explores how an intentional approach to learning environments can cultivate academic success, personal growth, and emotional balance. Patricia Natalicchio joins Charlie for this conversation, and she brings over 30 years of educational experience to the table.  From her childhood teaching her dolls in Buenos Aires to founding Montessori-inspired schools across Argentina and Italy, Patricia shares a heartfelt journey grounded in curiosity, respect, and innovation. Her passion for child-centered education is both practical and deeply personal. Patricia shares insights into creating nurturing learning environments, balancing career and family life, and rethinking traditional school structures. Links: creatingconnections.it Patricia on LinkedIn @patricia-natalicchio Patricia on Instagram @patricia.natalicchio.coach Patricia on Facebook @patricia.natalicchio Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at www.ehwalkers.org. Charlie Bresler is a former business executive, co-founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, and a self-described effective hedonist. As a psychologist, Charlie emphasizes the importance of aligning personal pleasure with doing good, rejecting the notion of self-sacrifice in favor of a fulfilling, values-driven life.  

This episode of Musing on Wellbeing examines the intersection of well-being, sustainability, and activism. Our choices as consumers shape the world around us, but how can we ensure those choices align with our values? From ethical labor practices to climate solutions, understanding the impact of our actions is key to creating a healthier planet and a more just society. Host Charlie Bresler is joined by Dara O’Rourke, an activist, academic, and sustainability expert. Dara shares his journey from growing up in Pullman, Washington, to becoming a professor at UC Berkeley, where he has spent decades researching global supply chains and labor practices.  Dara’s groundbreaking work exposing Nike’s labor conditions in Vietnam led to greater corporate accountability, and his creation of the Good Guide empowered consumers to make informed choices. In this conversation, Dara unpacks the biggest challenges in sustainability today, the crucial role consumer behavior plays in driving change, and why hope and activism must go hand in hand. He also introduces the exciting Master of Climate Solutions program at UC Berkeley, designed to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools to combat climate change.  Tune in to gain insights on how you can be part of the solution. Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at www.ehwalkers.org. Charlie Bresler is a former business executive, co-founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, and a self-described effective hedonist. As a psychologist, Charlie emphasizes the importance of aligning personal pleasure with doing good, rejecting the notion of self-sacrifice in favor of a fulfilling, values-driven life.  

What if the secret to lasting wellbeing isn’t discipline, guilt, or fear—but pleasure? In this episode of Musings on Wellbeing, host Charlie Bresler explores how joy, purpose, and connection can be more powerful motivators for healthy behavior than the traditional messages of restriction and willpower.  Joining the conversation is Dr. Sarah Matyko, Vice President of Well Being Strategy at Premise Health and Sonic Boom Wellness. With deep expertise in workplace wellness and behavior change, Dr. Matyko sheds light on how societal structures shape our health habits—poorly— and how we can shift our focus toward what truly matters.  In this episode, you’ll discover key insights into the science of wellbeing, including the power of strength training as we age, the role of social connection in longevity, and how we can learn to find joy in behaviors we now regard as burdens. Take the first step toward redefining your approach to well-being. Don’t forget to subscribe to Musings on Wellbeing for more insightful discussions, share this episode with friends who could use a fresh perspective on health, and leave a review to let us know what resonated with you! Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at www.ehwalkers.org.

Welcome to the new season of Musings. As you've likely noticed from the artwork, Musings is taking a new direction — we're broadening our horizons to consider the idea of "wellbeing" as a whole. What does it mean to be truly "well," physically, mentally, and emotionally?  In this first episode, Charlie Bresler swaps his host chair for the guest chair, and long-time friend and colleague Stacey Black is asking the questions.  Stacey and Charlie discuss the new direction for Musings — the idea of pursuing wellbeing as a whole — and how what Charlie has termed "effective hedonism" plays into his sense of wellness. Also self-confidence, self-efficacy, ideals, pleasure, and conscience all can have roles to play in our ultimate sense of wellbeing. Stacey and Charlie also discuss Charlie’s new project, EH Walkers, and how it's a great example of marrying personal pleasure with your values to truly get the most wellbeing bang for your buck.  Musing on Wellbeing is sponsored by EH Walkers. Discover more and join EH Walkers at www.ehwalkers.org.    

How important is hope and a feeling of agency over your own life? I think we’d say those are crucial to anyone. But if you’re born into a consistent cycle of poverty, if your family and community have struggled for generations, hope and agency can seem as fantastical as unicorns. Welcome to part 2 of Charlie Bresler’s discussion with Shameran Abed, Executive Director of BRAC International, and Scott MacMillan, Director of Learning and Effectiveness and author of Hope Over Fate. In part 1, the show delved into BRAC’s history and the evolving vision of its founder, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. In this new segment, Charlie and his guests look into the necessity of hope and agency in breaking the cycle of poverty. BRAC takes this notion very seriously. BRAC supplies funding, but also skills training, health care, education, and microloans for entrepreneurial efforts.  Listen to the conversation to find out how BRAC is truly moving the needle on extreme poverty, then go to BRAC’s website, bracusa.org, to learn more and to give. You can also order a copy of Scott’s book, Hope Over Fate: Fazle Hasan Abed and the Science of Ending Global Poverty: bracusa.org/hope-over-fate. Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization The Life You Can Save and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: www.thelifeyoucansave.org.

“When people ask me now what BRAC stands for, I like to say that we stand for an idea – an idea of a world where everyone has an equal opportunity to realize their potential."   --Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, BRAC Founder For Shameran Abed, BRAC was basically an elder sibling. The organization, formed in 1972, preceded Shameran’s birth by about a decade and was founded by his father, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. BRAC was born from the devastation that occurred as Bangladesh fought for its independence and also faced a disastrous cyclone. What began as a modest, local relief effort quickly grew into a movement that reaches more than 100 million people in need across Asia and Africa. The organization and Shameran basically grew together, making his perspective on philanthropy both unique and life long. Welcome to part 1 of the discussion among host and co-founder of The Life You Can Save, Charlie Bresler and his guests Shameran Abed, Executive Director of BRAC International and Scott MacMillan, author of Hope Over Fate: Fazle Hasan Abed and the Science of Ending Global Poverty. In this discussion, they discuss the history of BRAC and its founder, the evolution of BRAC’s mission, what it’s like to grow up in a mission-centered household, and the state of philanthropy today. We hope you’ll also join us for part 2, publishing December 5, 2024, on the importance of hope and agency in overcoming poverty in a lasting and sustainable way.  Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization The Life You Can Save and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: www.thelifeyoucansave.org.  

“I was instilled with this idea that I come from a lot of privilege and lot of ease in my own life, and to use that as power to clear the barriers for others to exercise their own privilege and power.” Rena Greifinger has used her power and privilege to help some of the most underrepresented and marginalized people in the world. Director of Individual Philanthropy and Managing Director of the Maverick Collective by Population Services International or PSI, Rena joined PSI twelve years ago with a mission of working for the dignity of people affected by stigmatized issues. Whether that’s HIV/AIDS or helping women get access to contraception and family planning or helping communities upgrade sanitation, Rena puts people at the center. What you’ll hear in this episode: 00:00 Rena's background and passion for social justice 08:00 Introduction to Population Services International (PSI) 13:27 The Maverick Collective: investing in women and girls 18:21 Addressing gender-based violence 23:03 Including men and boys in the conversation for gender equality 24:56 Challenges and rewards of working in different countries and cultures 25:37 The power of individual philanthropy and innovation 28:40 Engaging high-net-worth women donors through Maverick Collective 45:18 The interconnectedness of social issues 49:04 Taking action and recognizing privilege in living a moral life Find out more about the Maverick Collective and PSI on their websites: www.psi.org and maverickcollective.org. Get to know Rena Greifinger on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/renagreifinger. Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization The Life You Can Save and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: www.thelifeyoucansave.org.

Musings host Charlie Bresler wrote a piece called “You Don’t Have to Be Brave to Save Lives,” (www.thelifeyoucansave.org/you-dont-have-to-be-brave-to-save-lives) about how us ordinary humans can do good from the comfort of our living rooms. Someone should probably send that URL to Vincent “Vin” van der Holst.  Founder of BOAS, a company that both saves denim from landfills and donates profits to charitable organizations, Vin is already doing the hard work to help save lives. But in June of 2024, he decided to do more: on June 7, he undertook to break a world record and cycle at least 130 kilometers (about 81 miles) no-handed. Every kilometer he rode brought more money to the Against Malaria Foundation.  Did he make it? Listen and find out! In this conversation, Vin and Charlie discuss philanthropy and sustainability, but also the impacts of mental health on our behavior and choices in life. What drives us to do the things we do, believe the things we believe, act according to our beliefs or in contradiction to them? To learn more about Vin’s world record attempt, read the article on The Life You Can Save website: donorbox.org/tlycs-us-against-malaria-foundation/fundraiser/vincent-van-der-holst-1. Also, check out BOAS and buy their products to help reduce our impact on our natural environment and donate to worthy causes: boas.co And donate to help prevent the spread of malaria through the Against Malaria Foundation, either via The Life You Can Save (www.thelifeyoucansave.org/best-charities/against-malaria-foundation) or directly on their website (www.againstmalaria.com). Connect with Vincent: Instagram - @vintagedenim LinkedIn - @invincentvanderholst Website -  boas.co Musings About Ourselves and Other Strangers is the podcast for the non-profit organization The Life You Can Save and is hosted by co-founder Charlie Bresler. Please check out other episodes as well as our website for ideas on how you too can extend your impact for good in the world: www.thelifeyoucansave.org.