18Forty Podcast Shais Taub: A Vulnerable Conversation About Shame, Selfhood, and Authenticity [Mysticism III 3/3]
Dec 23, 2025
In a profound conversation, Rabbi Shais Taub, founder of SoulWords and author, delves into themes of shame, authenticity, and selfhood. He discusses the pain of individuation and the quest for spiritual awakening, emphasizing the importance of aligning desires with higher goals. Shais explores the damaging effects of societal masks and how shame shapes identity. He redefines teshuva as a path to inner unity and shares insights on the transformative power of genuine experiences, inviting listeners to engage with their authentic selves.
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Kafkaesque Parking Ticket Story
- Shais Taub told a banal Kafkaesque story about getting a ticket to reveal how he senses tedium as horror.
- David recognized it and that recognition signaled shared understanding, not pretension.
Shame Of Showing Your True Face
- Shais Taub identifies shame from revealing one's true face as core human suffering and root of masking.
- He says being liked for a false self is more painful than being rejected for your true self.
Addiction As A Symptom, Not The Problem
- Taub reframes addiction as a solution to the pain of existence, not the root problem.
- The real issue is the soul's pain of separation from God; spiritual awakening is the cure.
