Many people play an important but often unspoken role in their families and communities: they are the person others turn to when life becomes complicated.
A friend calls to talk about a struggling marriage. A parent asks for help with a difficult child. A colleague wants perspective on a major decision.
Sometimes the conversation begins with a simple sentence:
“Can I run something by you?”
In moments like these, the person asking is often overwhelmed and unsure how to think through what they are experiencing.
Rabbi Shais Taub says the key to helping someone in that situation is not having a quick answer.
“It’s not about being ‘smart’ and knowing all the answers. It’s about creating the kind of conversation where the person’s own clarity can emerge,” he explains.
Instead of rushing to give advice, meaningful conversations require careful listening, thoughtful questions, and the ability to help someone sort through competing emotions and ideas.
According to Rabbi Taub, many people already do this instinctively. The difference between a helpful conversation and a truly transformative one often lies in how that conversation is guided.
His new three-part course, How to Answer Any Question (Including Your Own), is designed to develop that ability.
The program focuses on practical skills such as listening deeply, identifying what someone is truly struggling with, and helping them move from emotional confusion to a clearer understanding of their situation.
Rather than offering ready-made answers, the approach emphasizes helping people think through their own questions in a calmer and more constructive way.
Rabbi Taub says the course is intended for anyone who frequently finds themselves in the role of listener, advisor, or sounding board, the person friends, family members, or colleagues trust when they need perspective.
“When these conversations happen,” he says, “they can be incredibly meaningful moments in someone’s life. It’s very humbling.”
Registration includes:
3 LIVE online classes, with full replay access.
Real-time interactive Q&A during each class.
Private online forum personally moderated by Rabbi Shais Taub.
The course will take place over 3 consecutive evenings from 8:30–10:00 PM ET:
Part 1: Monday, March 16
Part 2: Tuesday, March 17
Part 3: Wednesday, March 18
Enrollment is limited and registration will close once capacity is reached. For more information and to register, visit: SoulWords.org/How
