Melinda Gates was interviewed by Jay Shetty. It was a good interview.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7216569062582038528/

It is sort of disingenuous as her struggle as a 60 year old new divorcee is not the same as any other 60 year old.

First, it is obvious that Jay has no idea what silence is. So he is unable to correct Melinda at minute 11.12 because she states that she sits in silence every day before she begins the day to listen to her inner voice. The inner voice appears to be critical of her expression. She is grateful and practices gratitude with her kids.

Trust people who can help you meet your goals. It is important to cultivate relationships. They discuss whether they should tell everyone everything or some people, a few things. How to strike a balance is key.

She talks about the difference between men and women. She realized that the world was set up differently between men and women in technology. She states there are so many ways for men to get help. They get help from a friend that has had time to advance which is not available to women.

Contraception, women reproductive health, and choice for women is important to Melinda. She faced resistance from her Catholic church. She was influenced by Brene Brown a lot. She is not a medical doctor so it took her some time to get knowledge.

She talks about lessons from her kids’ childhood. She learned that everyone is not given the same opportunity. She sought wisdom from different age groups. Society has an addiction to perfection. She states don’t judge others as everyone has their own journey. Grace is her favorite word. She mentions that it was difficult to divorce.

She had an image she’d be married for life. There wasn’t enough trust or any trust any longer. She didn’t think it was going to be her. She cried a lot. She prayed a lot. She would not wish that on anyone. She had a lot of tough patches. There is a lot of beauty and who can expect to be single at 60. She read Awakening Joy and one of the things she learned that there is joy and sadness that can be held in the same moment.

She recommends to feel all the emotions in all her heart. It was gut wrenching. You will find happiness again is the lesson she learned as you go through tough times. Empowering women of color is important to her. There is no paid family leave so she was upset about that. We don’t have enough women in congress to write women friendly, parent friendly policies.

Jay Shetty has been under fire for a while: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/ng-interactive/2024/feb/29/jay-shetty-self-help-empire

To summarize:

Jay Shetty’s attorneys state that his time as a monk began in May 2010 at Bhaktivedanta Manor, after which he moved to India three months later, with returns to the UK and other travels for community service. This account aligns with Shetty’s description in his book Think Like a Monk. Gauranga Das confirmed that Shetty was a monk from May 2010 to March 2013, initially at Bhaktivedanta Manor and then mainly in India.

During this period, Shetty maintained a blog called “the Essence” recounting his travels in Europe and India. Blog posts from summer 2010 indicate Bhaktivedanta Manor as his primary ashram. He moved there in July 2010 and visited India in October 2010 for less than four months. A 2011 blog entry described his activities in the UK post-India trip, including visiting City University and participating in local temple events.

Contrary to the serene portrayal in his book, Shetty’s life at the Watford ashram involved blogging and lecturing. A former Iskcon devotee recalled seeing Shetty often in sweatpants. Despite his active online presence and travels, Shetty claimed difficulty in re-assimilating into society after leaving the ashram in early 2013, describing his experience of depression and struggle with small talk on a 2023 British TV show. He omitted his time near the TV studio, blogging and lecturing at City University.

In 2016, Jay Shetty left his consulting job to become an independent media personality. His first video, about the Bhagavad Gita and New Year’s resolutions, was released on Hare Krsna TV and featured quotes from various spiritual and cultural figures. Initially, Shetty aimed to present Krishna consciousness to a modern audience but later adapted his message for broader appeal, emphasizing a nonsectarian approach in his book Think Like a Monk.

Shetty’s videos gained attention quickly, leading him to join HuffPost in late 2016. By early 2017, he was independently producing content on Facebook and YouTube, amassing millions of followers and substantial income. However, his success was partly due to the support of Iskcon members, who helped promote his content without compensation.

In 2019, influencer Nicole Arbour accused Shetty of plagiarizing content from other creators. Shetty subsequently credited the original sources and deleted over 100 posts. Despite these changes, Shetty continues to use others’ content on his Instagram without permission or compensation.

Shetty’s rise has been controversial, with some comparing his role in Iskcon to that of Tom Cruise in Scientology, serving as a charismatic ambassador. Critics like Ronald Purser argue that Shetty’s approach represents a commodified, superficial form of spirituality.

In early 2018, Jay Shetty moved to Los Angeles, becoming close with celebrities like Russell Brand and Will Smith. He made appearances on popular shows such as Ellen and Red Table Talk. Shetty’s humble and appealing demeanor helped him gain fame, though some, like author Fariha Róisín, questioned his transition from monk to celebrity influencer.

Shetty expanded his business ventures, launching the Jay Shetty Certification School in January 2020. The six-month online course costs $7,400 and trains individuals in Shetty’s success-coaching methods. Critics compared the school to a multilevel-marketing scheme, but Shetty’s lawyers defended it as a legitimate business. Graduates generally had positive experiences, though few were earning full-time incomes from their coaching businesses.

Shetty faced plagiarism accusations in 2019, leading him to credit original sources and delete over 100 posts. He continued to use others’ content without permission on Instagram. Despite this, Shetty’s fame and wellness industry success allowed him to buy an $8.4 million home in Nichols Canyon, Hollywood Hills, in 2021.

Shetty’s rise has faced limited criticism. When questioned about his credentials, defenders like Dax Shepard emphasized Shetty’s expertise in Indian religions. Shetty’s lawyers maintained he has always been transparent about his background and monastic training.

CONCLUSION

Melinda went through a lot. She has her heart in the right place. She is the champion of women’s rights. It is odd that she selected Jay Shetty but wherever you find joy, that is what is best for you.