Lorne Epstein
Host of The Lorne Epstein Show
1. Do you remember a time when you were happiest as a child? Where were you, who were you with and what were you doing?
I was happiest as a child when I was being sung a lullaby by my parents at night. I see myself laying on the bed with them towering above me, with the lights out, singing lullaby and good night.
2. Who was your favourite teacher at school? What did you learn from that person?
Don Dellman was my all time favorite teacher. He taught my fourth grade class and what I learned from him was how to be kind, caring, and selfless. His claim to fame, other than being an amazing teacher, was playing the clarinet in the movie The Godfather.
3. What seemed like an inconsequential decision at the time, but in hindsight turned out to fundamentally reshape your life?
Moving to Washington DC was going to be a small life choice, getting an advanced degree, working for the federal government, and who knows what. What happened was totally unexpected. I took the Lifespring trainings and my heart and spirit opened up wide. I have been working on my personal growth since then. And because of the work, I learned to lead experiential trainings and coach from a happy place.
4. What habit or behaviour or belief have you recently acquired? Why is it now in your life?
I now believe that Unconscious Bias is not a bad thing, it is just a human thing. I learned that about 5-6 years ago. I lead workshops where people learn for themselves what unconscious bias means and how it impacts there lives as well as tools to mitigate it and make them and the folks around them happier.
5. What do you think is true that most people think is false? What do you think is false, that most people think is true?
True: The experience of life is an illusion and has no inherited meaning.
False: The Western form of capitalism is the best way to create a world that works.
6. What are the three books that you would unhesitatingly recommend to others?
Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsh
A real experience of connecting with your personal divine is possible and attainable. This book will help you make that connection.
Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
An awesome tale about the human condition and a very interesting city.
The Prize by Daniel Yergin.
You will learn why the fossil fuel industry is now how it is.
7. Name a well-known person you admire and explain why you hold them high esteem?
Dr. Herb Tanzer, he had a profoundly deep connection to the divine and used this to make other peoples lives better. He was a skilled and wealthy veterinarian and instead of using those trained skills, he developed himself as a healer of the human condition.
8. If you wrote a ‘user manual’ for how people should interact with you, what would be the most important point in the manual?
Don’t take everything I say without a grain of salt. Know that I truly love you. Keep a sense of humor handy.
9. Imagine: if we were to go to people who don't think very highly of you, what do you think they would say about you?
I was an arrogant a know-it-all with a hard Brooklyn edge.
10. On what topic would you never make a joke? Why?
The death of a soldier. It is not ironic that soldiers die, it is always a tragedy.
11. Have you always had the same political beliefs? If so, why do you think you have held them so long? If not, what event caused you to change your view?
No. I used to think poor people were poor because they were lazy. Growing up, learning about people and seeing the world as it is vs. how others wanted me to see it.
12. What’s the last image on your camera roll? Care to explain?
My friend and neighbor Michael. He was picking from his garden and looked like a amish farmer. Very sweet and sublime.
13. What is the best purchase you’ve made recently?
A machine that makes carbonated water, which is my always favorite beverage.
Why? I used to buy bottles of this stuff, which cost money and created a good deal of waste. Our community stopped glass recycling so those two issues were a problem for me. And the most important is that I have an unending supply of seltzer.
14. What is your most prized possession? What’s the story behind it?
An Olympic torch
What’s the story behind it?
When I lived in California in 2000-01, I was chosen to carry the Olympic torch for the 2002 winter Olympics. Coca-cola was my sponsor and they gave us the torches we carried. There is still propane gas in it and occasionally I light it up.
15. If you were a giant mega Monster what city would you rampage first? Why?
Queens New York, because I am from Brooklyn! You gotta problem with that?
16. Which fictional villain do you find yourself sympathising with most? Why?
Thanos, I get it. I think he had a very valid point.
17. What’s the one bad quality you wouldn’t mind in a colleague? Why?
Total honesty. I like it when people are harsh; it reminds me of the people I knew in Brooklyn. I feel a kindship to the people of this world who speak their truth regardless of the consequences.
18. Aside from your parents, name one person who has had an extraordinary impact on your career. What did they do and what did you learn from that person?
Michael Farber brought me into recruiting which guided my life in a forever sort of way. Without him, I would have been a movie producer. Thanks Mike, you dick!
19. If you could add a question to this selection for the next person to answer, what would it be?
The question would be how forthright were you in answering these questions?
20. Who would you recommend to do the next 20 Questions With … ?
Steven Kantor – so smart, so successful.
Thank you to Lorne Epstein for taking 20 Questions for The Brainfood Tribune