Conversation with Jared Levy

Speaker: Jared Levy

Every Generation Needs A Teacher

Jared Levy sits on the board of Social Venture Network, is an adjunct professor for the University of Colorado advertising program and is founder and CEO of a marketing agency called Guru Media Solutions. Prior to that, by the age of 25, Jared had his own company with 20 interns and was knee-deep in the Hollywood music scene; despite his success, though, he felt a big gap. "I was doing what I wanted but I could feel this physical hole in my heart -- it was very palpable," he remembers.

Very inspired by Ram Dass, and working to bring those principles of service into his daily life, Jared is most focused on empowering movements. "Movements can be led by a vision. It is the opposite of doing things because 'that’s how they’re done.' It is a refusal of stagnation and an advocate of evolution. It is a fair trade apparel company leading a movement for sustainable fashion. It is a community shifting significant investment dollars into opportunities for impact. It is a sustainable toy that can be made out of recycled milk jugs. It is a socially responsible food company competing with big brands. It is a luminary encouraging us to 'Be Here Now.'"

On a personal front, Jared has also been joining Inside Circle at Folsom Prison, a maximum-security prison. In circle with the prisoners, some of whom are lifers or on death row, they talked about their deepest fears. "Based on a methodology from the Mankind Project, the idea is to drop our masks. It's not about how much money you have or how successful you are, but more about where you're hurting and where you can grow. It's about being authentic, and some guys take a full day to get into that space while others drop right into it," Jared says. He has taken those lessons from prison circles and continues to integrate them in his personal and professional life.

Join us for a lively conversation with a spiritual seeker who surfs five times a week, listens to MindRolling podcast, hosts meetings while going on walks, and much more -- all to engage with the world while staying centered in his values.

Five Questions with Jared Levy

What Makes You Come Alive?

Siting with an innovative leader and hearing their vision for the future of their career, their business, and the world. Then starting to visualize a roadmap of how to help take them there. Manifesting creative ways to bridge the gap between their vision and the people that vision will serve. Working with other inspiring souls in our place of work. Seeing the impact that our work helps bring about. In my personal life, it is all about my wife, my dog Beans, surfing, snowboarding, beach volleyball, yoga and meditation.

Pivotal turning point in your life?

The first time I went to a Social Venture Network conference in San Diego. I was still in the music industry and had an epiphany there, actually sitting on my surfboard our at Blacks Beach in La Jolla before the third day of the conference that I needed to use my skill sets to do good things for the world. The music business was not the right place to me and I needed to do good while doing well for my family. I committed to myself at that moment to change my life.

An Act of Kindness You'll Never Forget?

Ram Dass peering into my eyes and reminding me that I'm a soul, not just a role. <br /><br />Raghu Markus from Love Serve Remember Foundation taking my wife and I to India for pilgrimage to Neem Karoli Baba's ashram and then subsequently to meet another Guru, Shyam Sundar Das Baba. <br /><br />My father and mother always ALWAYS being there for me.