The Axe Files with David Axelrod

Ep. 579 — Cyrus Habib

May 9, 2024

Former politician Cyrus Habib, who lost his eyesight at 8, discusses leaving office for the Catholic ministry. Topics include his immigrant background, battling childhood cancer, post-9/11 political involvement, and his decision to join the Jesuits for a more meaningful life.

01:04:22

Episode guests

Cyrus Habib

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Overcoming blindness and personal challenges shaped Cyrus Habib's journey from politics to the Jesuits.

Cyrus Habib found spiritual fulfillment and a deeper calling in Catholicism, leading him to join the Jesuit order.

Habib's transition from politics to the Jesuits reflects a commitment to authentic service, communal living, and social justice activism.

Deep dives

Introduction to Cyrus Habib's Background

Cyrus Habib, a former prominent politician, decided to leave his political career and embark on a transformative journey to join the Jesuits. Habib encountered personal challenges, including coping with childhood cancer that led to blindness and facing existential questions about his purpose.

Introduction

2min

Family Roots and Education: A Journey to Independence

9min

Navigating Childhood Challenges with a Rare Eye Cancer

12min

Promoting Sleep Number Smart Beds and 'Chasing Life' Podcast

2min

Navigating Identity and Political Aspirations Post-9/11

23min

The Journey to Becoming a Jesuit Priest

15min

Exploring Impactful Conversations and Respectful Disagreements

2min

Cyrus Habib was a political rising star when he made the surprise announcement that he was leaving elected office to join the Catholic ministry. Cyrus lost his eyesight to cancer at 8 years old, but that didn’t stop him from collecting such accolades as degrees from Yale and Oxford and the role of Washington state lieutenant governor by the age of 35. While he valued helping those in need, he felt he could make a difference more authentically by removing the ego of political office and leaning into his faith. He joined David to talk about growing up as the son of Iranian immigrants and how his parents taught him his blindness was not his identity, interning for then-Senator Hillary Clinton following 9/11 and how it changed his outlook on public service, and deciding to convert to Catholicism and join the Jesuit order.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

Ep. 579 — Cyrus Habib

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Introduction to Cyrus Habib's Background

Roots of Cyrus Habib's Spiritual Call

Transition from Politics to Jesuit Mission

Impact of Power and Authenticity in Habib's Journey

Habib's Mission in Africa and Reflections on Politics

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts