What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Q: What is *What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?* by Michal Oshman about?

*What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?* blends Jewish wisdom, particularly Chabad Chassidic philosophy, with modern leadership principles to address anxiety, purpose, and personal growth. Drawing from Tanya teachings and the Rebbe’s guidance, Oshman shares her journey from corporate success (Meta, TikTok) to inner peace, offering frameworks for overcoming fear and aligning life with spiritual values.

Q: What are the key concepts in *What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?*?

Key ideas include: - **Fear as a catalyst**: Reframing fear to drive purpose. - **Chassidic philosophy**: Applying Tanya’s teachings to modern life. - **Embracing brokenness**: Finding strength in vulnerability. - **Leadership through spirituality**: Building compassionate workplaces.

Q: What Jewish teachings are central to the book?

The book emphasizes the Alter Rebbe’s *Tanya* and Rabbi Schneerson’s teachings, focusing on self-awareness, ethical action (*mitzvot*), and joy as spiritual practices. Oshman ties these to daily challenges like parenting and career transitions.

Q: What leadership frameworks does Oshman propose?

- **“Golden Time”**: Prioritizing purpose-driven tasks. - **Compassionate candor**: Balancing honesty with empathy in feedback. - **Legacy-building**: Aligning professional goals with community impact.

What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?

Michal Oshman

3.98 (471 Reviews)

Self-growth

Psychology

Inspiration

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

TikTok executive Michal Oshman reveals how ancient Jewish wisdom can transform modern anxiety into purpose-driven action. Readers report life-changing decisions - from moving homes to healing broken hearts - after discovering one provocative question: What would you do if you weren't afraid?

What is What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? by Michal Oshman about?

What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? blends Jewish wisdom, particularly Chabad Chassidic philosophy, with modern leadership principles to address anxiety, purpose, and personal growth. Drawing from Tanya teachings and the Rebbe’s guidance, Oshman shares her journey from corporate success (Meta, TikTok) to inner peace, offering frameworks for overcoming fear and aligning life with spiritual values.

Who should read What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid??

This book suits professionals seeking work-life balance, individuals grappling with anxiety, and readers interested in applying Jewish spirituality to modern challenges. Leaders in tech, HR, or organizational development will find actionable insights on company culture and resilience.

Is What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? worth reading?

Yes, it provides unique insights by merging ancient Jewish wisdom with corporate leadership strategies. Reviewers praise its practical advice on parenting, career setbacks, and emotional resilience, calling it a “fresh perspective” on fear management.

What are the key concepts in What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid??

Key ideas include:

Fear as a catalyst: Reframing fear to drive purpose.
Chassidic philosophy: Applying Tanya’s teachings to modern life.
Embracing brokenness: Finding strength in vulnerability.
Leadership through spirituality: Building compassionate workplaces.

How does Michal Oshman’s corporate experience influence the book?

Oshman’s roles as Head of Culture at TikTok and Meta inform her strategies for integrating spirituality into leadership. She shares case studies on fostering inclusivity, managing teams during crises, and balancing high-pressure careers with family life.

What Jewish teachings are central to the book?

The book emphasizes the Alter Rebbe’s Tanya and Rabbi Schneerson’s teachings, focusing on self-awareness, ethical action (mitzvot), and joy as spiritual practices. Oshman ties these to daily challenges like parenting and career transitions.

How does the book address anxiety and fear?

Oshman argues fear stems from misaligned priorities and offers Jewish mindfulness techniques to reframe anxiety. Exercises include journaling prompts, gratitude practices, and integrating Chassidic mantras into decision-making.

What leadership frameworks does Oshman propose?

“Golden Time”: Prioritizing purpose-driven tasks.
Compassionate candor: Balancing honesty with empathy in feedback.
Legacy-building: Aligning professional goals with community impact.

How does What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? compare to secular self-help books?

Unlike secular approaches, Oshman roots strategies in 18th-century Jewish mysticism, offering timeless principles rather than fleeting trends. Critics note it assumes openness to spirituality, making it less universal.

Can the book help with career changes or workplace challenges?

Yes, it includes templates for navigating layoffs, promotions, and toxic work environments using Chassidic resilience techniques. Oshman shares anecdotes from her IDF service and corporate career to illustrate adaptability.

What quotes from the book are impactful?

“Your deepest fear holds your greatest mission.”
“Brokenness is where the light enters.”
“Lead like a shepherd—guide, don’t control.”
These emphasize vulnerability and purpose-driven leadership.

Why is What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? relevant in 2025?

Post-pandemic workplace shifts and AI-driven disruption make its focus on adaptable, values-based leadership timely. The 2023 Hebrew edition’s success post-October 7 attacks underscores its resonance during crises.

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Key takeaways

The Question That Transforms Everything

00:00

"What would you do if you weren't afraid?" This question, displayed prominently on Facebook's walls, struck Michal Oshman like lightning on her first day at the tech giant. Despite impressive credentials - military leadership, multiple degrees, executive positions - she had been living with crippling anxiety that manifested in constant catastrophic thoughts and physical symptoms. This simple yet profound question became the catalyst for her transformation. Drawing from 3,000-year-old Jewish teachings, Oshman discovered a framework for addressing very modern issues of anxiety, purpose, and belonging. Her journey reveals that sometimes ancient wisdom offers the freshest perspective on our contemporary struggles. When we confront the question of what lies beyond our fears, we begin to see that our limitations are often self-imposed - invisible chains we've wrapped around our own potential. Conventional therapy focused on childhood traumas - exposure to death through her father's work as a forensic pathologist, inherited trauma from Holocaust survivor grandparents. This approach normalized feelings but created a limiting cycle of reopening wounds without healing them. Her breakthrough came from Jewish wisdom, particularly the concept of "neshama" (soul) - related to the Hebrew word for "breath" - suggesting every human possesses a divine flame needing nurturing. The Tanya describes the soul as "comparable to the flame of a candle which continually flickers upwards." This powerful metaphor helped her see anxiety not as a disease but as part of the human condition - the beautiful struggle of a soul yearning to grow beyond its current state.

Finding Purpose Beyond Self-Focus

Crossing Life's Narrow Bridges

The Wholeness of Broken Hearts

Creating Space for Others to Flourish

Building Cultures of Belonging

The Journey Back to Your Essence

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What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Self-growth. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

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