"God kept me alive, and I’m going to use that gift to make a contribution on this planet." Lauren Finkelstein
What would you do if you stood just steps away from a suicide bombing… and lived? For my friend and fellow badass leader, Lauren Finkelstein, that moment changed everything. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Lauren shares how surviving both the Sbarro bombing in Jerusalem and the attacks of 9/11 ignited her mission to “Save One Person” — a nonprofit connecting people in need with life-saving organ donors.
From MTV dreams to deep grief, from near-death experiences to matching an 11-year-old girl with the kidney that saved her life, Lauren’s story is a testament to the truth that you don’t have to be perfect to live your purpose. This episode will challenge you to rethink how you show up, how you use your unique skills for good, and how to keep going… even when life gets messy.
Lauren Finkelstein is the founder of SaveOnePerson.org, a nonprofit that uses media to help save lives by connecting people in urgent need of medical miracles and living organ donors with those who can help. With a background in television production and a passion for purpose-driven storytelling, Lauren has turned her skills into a global mission of compassion and impact.
Timeline Highlights:
[1:10] – Recording from a college library: the reality of showing up messy but committed
[2:50] – “A mess with a mission”: Lauren’s raw self-introduction
[7:45] – Surviving the Sbarro suicide bombing — the slow-motion moments and haunting realizations
[16:10] – Declaring a new life purpose… just weeks before witnessing 9/11 firsthand
[22:55] – Why Lauren’s mission focuses on living organ donation
[26:05] – The 11-year-old girl whose life was saved — and how God weaves the details
[31:56] – A “wink from the universe” from MTV’s Kurt Loder
[34:35] – What’s saving Lauren’s life right now: connection, creativity, and community
Find Lauren in ALL the places:
SaveOnePerson.org
TikTok: saveoneperson
Instagram: Save1person
Twitter (personal): @LaurenFinkelst
Twitter (non-profit): @SaveOnePerson
Facebook: Lauren Finkelstein and SaveOnePerson
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