In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Jim interviews Ben Yalom about his moving collaboration with his father, renowned psychiatrist Dr. Irvin D. Yalom, on their co-authored book, Hour of the Heart: Connecting in the Here and Now.
Ben reflects on what it was like growing up in the shadow of a famous father—and in Palo Alto, no less, where not inventing a technological breakthrough by age 14 made you seem like a slacker. He shares how he forged his own unique path in theater, coaching, and therapy, while still honoring his father’s influence.
We also explore the origin of the book: Irv, facing memory loss and aging, invited Ben to help him capture and shape his reflections—many drawn from decades of work with patients. Having supported his father on previous writing projects, Ben stepped into this collaboration with both tenderness and clarity.
Throughout the conversation, we dive into themes of aging, legacy, father-son connection, existentialism, and the power of being present. Whether you’re a therapy enthusiast, a clinician, or someone interested in meaningful relationships across generations, this episode offers rich insights and warm humanity.
Hour of the Heart speaks to both everyday readers and therapy nerds (like yours truly). Don’t miss this intimate and inspiring dialogue.
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