The Secret Ingredient to a Meaningful Life | Jenna LeJeune

What does it mean to live a good life—and how do we find our way there, even through pain?In this deeply thoughtful and delightfully down-to-earth conversation, I’m joined by clinical psychologist, ACT trainer, and author Dr. Jenna LeJeune, co-author of Values in Therapy. Together, we explore how reconnecting with our values—those freely chosen ways of being—can guide us toward a life that truly matters.We talk about:. What values really are (hint: they’re not just nouns like “family” or “work”). Why pain can be a compass, not just a burden. How psychological flexibility helps us move towards what matters, even when life gets hard. Creative ways to uncover your values (including a very curious metaphor: becoming a truffle dog). The barriers that pull us off course—and how to come back, gently. Where compassion fits in this values-based way of livingWhether you're a therapist, a fellow human navigating life’s complexity, or someone curious about how to live more meaningfully, this conversation offers warmth, wisdom, and practical insight.What would a well-lived life look like for you? And… could you sniff it out like a truffle dog? Watch now and let us know your values-based takeaway in the comments.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to Dr. Jenna Lejeune01:17 Understanding Values in Therapy04:08 The Role of Values in Living a Good Life08:13 Navigating Life with Psychological Flexibility12:21 Discovering and Living Your Values26:08 The Intersection of Values and Pain26:29 Exploring Pain and Values in Therapy29:49 The Role of Pain in Values-Based Living31:17 Navigating Barriers to Values-Based Living36:00 Living Authentically in Different Contexts42:00 The Importance of Supportive Relationships44:38 Therapist's Approach to Values-Based Practice48:16 Compassion and Values in Therapy51:41 Concluding Thoughts on Values and CompassionLINKS:Values in Therapy: A Clinician's Guide to Helping Clients Explore Values, Increase Psychological Flexibility, and Live a More Meaningful Life (LeJuene & Luoma, 2019)https://www.newharbinger.com/9781684033225/values-in-therapy/?srsltid=AfmBOorvPoGNWh1y_vwPgGvPNFJVm26UvGLftDZ50blFZegn7UAy5KQVMore about Dr Jenna LeJeune here:https://portlandpsychotherapy.com/jenna-lejeune-ph-d/ If you would like to learn more about compassion focused therapy, you can find Dr Stan Steindl's book The Gifts of Compassion here: https://www.ausapress.com/p/the-gifts-of-compassion-how-to-understand-and-overcome-suffering/ Say hi on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drstansteindl Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/StanSteindl Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_stan_steindl/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stan-steindl-150a5264/ Website: https://www.stansteindl.com/ YouTube Video URL: https://youtu.be/WjsLzttrgoA*Affiliate Disclaimer: Note this description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. While this channel may earn minimal sums when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in no way obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support! Video hashtags:values in therapy, psychological flexibility, acceptance and commitment therapy, compassion in practice, meaningful living, jenna lejeune