Human & Holy

A conversation about singlehood, self-worth, and the spiritual journey of opening yourself up to receive G-d's blessings. Jackie, a former psychologist turned global dating mentor, shares powerful insights about faith and personal identity, her story of finding her soulmate at 44, having a baby at 50, and the profound inner work she experienced during that time. To contact Jackie or learn more about her courses, you can find her at jackieglaser.com or find Jackie on Instagram: datingbyjackieg EPISODE SPONSOR:This episode is sponsored by Tov Bookkeeping, founded by Tova Munitz. Message @TovaBookkeeping on instagram or Whatsapp 323-770-9356 to book a free 20 minute consultation. * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. * * * * * * * TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction & The Power of Inner Shifts 01:25 - Meet Jackie Glaser: Psychologist Turned Dating Coach 04:00 - Helping Others Dissolve Inner Blockages 06:00 - Single by Design, Not by Punishment 08:15 - Jackie's Journey 11:00 - 14 Years of Waiting: Wrestling with Hashem 13:30 - The Myth of "Not Being Whole Enough" for Marriage 16:00 - Soulmates, Timing & Hashem’s Bigger Plan 18:10 - Crushed to Create: The Olive Oil Analogy 20:00 - Spiritual Bypassing vs. Real Inner Work 23:00 - Mirror Moments: Patterns That Reveal Our Growth Areas 26:15 - How Self-Worth Impacts Dating & Relationships 28:30 - Building Self-Trust through Somatic & Emotional Work 32:00 - Dissolving Fear & Receiving Blessings 35:00 - How We Project Internal Beliefs onto Others 38:00 - Rejection, Self-Worth & Emotional Resilience 41:00 - Our Flaws Are Filters, Not Failures 44:00 - Shadchanim, Boundaries & Trusting Hashem 47:00 - True Bitachon: Trusting Hashem in Action 49:30 - Real Life Example: Surgery, Fear & Hashem’s Protection 53:00 - The Role of Anxiety as a Spiritual Opportunity 56:00 - Loneliness, Desperation & How to Nurture Ourselves 59:00 - Healthy Yearning vs. Desperation in Dating 01:02:00 - Who You Marry Reflects Where You’re At 01:04:00 - Manifesting, Misconceptions & Hashem’s Role 01:06:30 - How to Support Single Friends with Sensitivity

A lesson from the red heifer about how faith is not something that is created or imposed on our lives, but is the ground that everything instinctively rests on. Also: being a channel for giving to others despite our own blockages, leaning into our engraved experience of faith, and the invitation in the unexplainable laws within the Torah. Based on a talk from the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Parshas Chukas, Chelek Alef. * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

In this intergenerational conversation, mother and daughter open their hearts to reflect on what it means to be impacted by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in today’s world. From personal encounters with the Rebbe to honest reflections on what it looks like to be shifted by the Rebbe's teachings without his physical presence, we explore the rich empowerment, divine awareness and love of another Jew that characterizes the Lubavitcher Rebbe's impact. C. Rochel Duchman is a Certified Life Coach (by Infiniti Coaching Training) and Dating Coach. She believes each person has exceptional gifts and greatness to contribute to the universe. As a coach, she is committed to helping each individual uncover and reach their limitless potential. Find out more at Autumncoaching.net. Instagram: Autumncoaching. Facebook: Autumn Coaching. Phone: 323-620-3618 Srula Chaiton is a guiding force in the lives of children and families—leading with warmth, vision, and deep compassion. Through her work with Kol Yakov Yehuda, camp, and dance, she has shaped some of the most innovative programming for girls, especially around Shabbos and Jewish identity, setting a new standard for creativity and meaning. As a proud member of Chai Lifeline’s crisis intervention team and one of the first female CTMs with Magen Am, Srula brings calm, strength, and action where it’s needed most. Devoted wife, beloved mother, and vibrant community builder, she lives each day with purpose—rooted in faith, growth, and an unshakable belief in the power of the neshama. She can be contacted at sruladuchman@gmail.com. * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. TIMESTAMPS:00:00 – Welcome 00:45 – Meet Srula Chaiton: Building Spiritual Community for Kids 02:20 – Experiencing the Rebbe's Impact Beyond Physical Presence 04:00 – A Tzaddik's Soul After Their Passing 06:30 – I Feel Empowered to Have an Impact 08:15 – Making the Rebbe’s Energy Accessible Today 08:55 – Why Do You Want Your Children to Feel Connected to the Rebbe? 11:50 – Total Immersion: My Life is Not Made of Fragmented Pieces 14:30 – Encouraging Teens to Ask and Learn 17:00 – Meet Rochel Duchman: Growing Up with a Legendary Chabad Legacy 19:00 – "I Was Your Chossid Before You Were My Rebbe" 20:12 – Growing Up in Close Proximity to the Rebbe 22:00 – Personal Story: My Private Audience with the Rebbe 24:29 – Use the Gifts That You Have 25:45 – The Rebbe’s Belief in Me Still Gives Me Strength 28:00 – How Did the Rebbe's Passing Impact You? 30:20 – Empowering the Individual Soul 32:30 – Intergenerational Reflection: What We Admire in Each Other 35:00 – Truth, Faith, and the Power of Stories 38:10 – Teaching Through Experience and Realness 42:00 – A Personal Letter and Unexpected Answer 43:37 – Footage of the Rebbe's Leadership 44:51– Lifting Others Will Uplift You 46:00 – What Messages from the Rebbe Would You Like to See More Integrated? 48:08 – Returning to Our Core 51:00 – Judaism is Coming Alive 52:00 – How Would You Like to See the Rebbe's Impact Develop? 55:06 – Trusting the Next Generation

A moving source exploring how our beloved biblical characters were unaware of the way their lives were being recorded as the text of the Torah and what that teaches us about the sacredness of the lived experience of our Judaism and how our lives are becoming a part of the Torah's story, too. Sources: Rus Rabbah 5 Rupture and Reconstruction: The Transformation of Contemporary Orthodoxy by Haym Soloveitchik linked here: https://traditiononline.org/rupture-and-reconstruction-the-transformation-of-contemporary-orthodoxy * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

How do you move from fear to purpose? Bestselling author and TikTok exec Michal Oshman shares how discovering her soul helped her overcome anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt. She opens up about parenting with intention, redefining success, and embracing the concept of bitul—spiritual humility—as a path to clarity and peace. Michal Oshman is the former Head of Company Culture, Diversity and Inclusion at TikTok Europe, and was formerly responsible for international leadership and team development at Facebook. Throughout her career, Michal has trained and coached hundreds of tech leaders. She served as an officer in the IDF, and has three university degrees in psychodynamic and systemic thinking, sociology, and anthropology. Michal lives with her husband and their children in London, UK. Find out more about Michal on michaloshman.com. Contact Michal at info@michaloshman.com To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. * * * * * * * TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro: Fear, Purpose & Jewish Wisdom 01:37 – Meet Michal Oshman 05:10 – Fear vs. Anxiety 09:00 – Discovering the Jewish Soul 14:00 – You Are Here for a Reason 18:00 – Parenting with Soul, Not Fear 22:10 – Hashem as a Life Partner 25:20 – The Holiness of Marriage 29:20 – Confidence vs. Fear in the Workplace 33:50 – Letting Go of Parental Perfection 38:10 – Finding Purpose Through Life Phases 44:45 – Discovering and Using Your Gifts 48:00 – What Is Bitul? 52:25 – Living for a Mission Greater Than the Self 55:00 – The Power of Honest Friendship 57:20 – You Are Needed

Time rushes forward and in attempt to control its passage, we often find ourselves divvying it up into smaller sections, mining it for every ounce of productive energy, or missing it entirely. In this episode, we explore how mitzvos offer us a way to suspend time---not by escaping it, but by entering it more deeply. Each mitzvah invites us into a moment of stillness within the endless flow of life. These moments of interaction with the divine don’t just change our experience of time, but reshape us as people. Our beings are shifted by the way we choose to inhabit the moments of our lives. Source mentioned: Maamer V’Avraham Zaken 5738 Sefer Hamamorim Melukat Vol. 1 * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

A conversation with Miriam Tenenbaum about the power of a mother's influence, staying connected to a deeper calling while experiencing the mundane moments of motherhood, and staying grounded within your sense of self while showing up for others. To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

Thoughts on the neatness of religious art, what my process has been around learning to voice the honest emotional experience of life through poetry, and King David's model for creating spiritual art from a raw place within. Sources mentioned in this episode: Orthodoxy, Wealth, and Tackiness by Alex S. Ozar from Tradition, Spring 2025 Issue 57.2 Psalm 22: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me; why so far from delivering me and from my anguished roaring?...I cry by day, You do not answer.." * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com. To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

A conversation with Devori Nussbaum, a psychotherapist and Tanya teacher, about emotional honesty in our spiritual growth and living with open-hearted presence. Devori shares her unique approach to integrating Chassidus and psychotherapy, offering powerful insights into shedding old identities, processing the grief of life, and tapping into the opportunity for connection with G-d at every moment. Devori is an integrative psychotherapist who has trained in many different healing modalities including body psychotherapy, imago therapy, logotherapy, the energetics of food, quantum touch, breathwork, CBT, NLP, EMDR, IFS, inner child work and somatic modalities. She is also passionate about teaching Chassidus in a way that is accessible, relevant and embodied, showing people that these teachings are not just nice ideas, but a description of our reality. Get in touch with Devori and find out more about her work on www.devorinussbaum.com. * * * * * * * EPISODE SPONSOR: "Miss Rose is Worried" by Estee Cohen is a heartwarming story that shows that every child's individuality is a gift. Their quirks and character traits, if nurtured rather than suppressed, become the foundation of who they are meant to be. Link to purchase the book here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/miss-rose-is-worried-estee-cohen/1146818067 To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. * * * * * * * TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Sneak Peek & Sponsorship 02:25 – Meet Devori Nussbaum 04:45 – The Power of Real Human Presence 07:12 – What Is Chassidus Meant to Do for the Human Psyche? 12:00 – Finding the Balance Between Presence & Spiritual Aspiration 18:04 – Embracing the Void: Turning Emotional Numbness into a Portal for Growth 21:15 – Seeing Beneath the Surface of Reality 26:00 – How Unprocessed Grief Blocks Our Hearts—and How to Reopen Them 30:11 - The Role of Grief in Spiritual Growth 36:01 - Holy Honesty 38:00 – Bringing G-d into Daily Life 44:53 - Navigating the Fear of Change 47:00 – Regulating Your Nervous System 54:30 – One Minute a Day: Building Presence in Busy Lives 1:02:15 – Kavanah and Mitzvot: How One Moment Can Fill a Lifetime 1:07:30 – Animal Soul vs. Divine Soul: A Compassionate Integration 1:12:00 – Redefining Iskafya: Presence, Breath, and Spiritual Discipline 1:16:30 – Choosing Growth vs. Chasing Perfection 1:29:10 - Crumbling into Grief 1:41:00 – How to Navigate Religious Trauma 1:44:15 – Parents, Fear, and Compassion: Reframing the Narrative 1:47:00 – The Magic of Retreats 1:53:30 – Personal Journey: From Control to Joy 1:57:05 – Presence, Honesty, and Shedding the Snake Skin 1:59:00 – Host’s Outro

The cost of undeveloped potential, the misguided instinct to protect our brightest lights, why Dinah felt an internal call to leave her home and lead, and why the world is waiting for women to trust and raise their own distinct voices. Based on a talk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe about Dinah. Likkutei Sichos, Volume 35, Vayishlach Sicha 3. Link to the episode with Rivky Kaplan: https://humanandholy.com/the-feminine-spirit-a-rising-force-rivky-kaplan * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

We spend weeks leading up to Shavuot refining our characters. And then we receive G-d's Torah, which asks us to faithfully reflect the light of the Divine in this world. Does the Torah mark a path to self development or self transcendence? What might it look like to be both surrendered and distinctly who we are? * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. * * * * * * * TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - The Gift of the Torah 02:50 - Understanding Bitul: Reflecting the Divine 05:57 - The Interplay of Self-Development and Self-Transcendence 08:51 - The Role of Rosh Chodesh in Preparing for Receiving the Torah 12:04 - Naaseh v'Nishmah: Redefining Our Sense of Self 15:07 - Expanding, Not Shrinking

In honor of Shavuos, three women — Lauren Nagel, Devora Pinson, and Chana Arnold — sit down for a raw and honest conversation about receiving the Torah anew in our adult lives. What are some of the things that have disconnected us from the Torah over the years? What are some of the things that have softened those blockages? And in what ways has the Torah become the greatest gift of our lives? If you connected to something that was shared in this episode, let our generous guests know: Devora Pinson: DevoraRpinson@gmail.com Lauren Nagel: LaurenRNagel@gmail.com Chana Arnold: Chanaarnold1@gmail.com EPISODE SPONSORS: This episode is sponsored by Finds By Rivka. Think of Rivka’s finds as a personal shopper who sifts through the sale pages to find the best Tznius clothing deals! Join 3,000+ other women who are loving the group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LBOxmcsZin66u7brbOvx4l * * * * * * * Babyccino is a Mommy & Me class curriculum designed to facilitate meaningful, Jewish experiences for mothers and babies. We can only receive the Torah that is given to us, and the Torah is given to children, first, by their mothers. Find out more here: www.babyccinoclass.com * * * * * * * This episode is co-sponsored and dedicated with love by Riki to a special "Human & Holy" person, mother and friend, Miriam Frimet Bas Tzivia, upon her birthday. May it be a Zchus. * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. * * * * * * * TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Sneak Peek 00:17 - Host's Intro 01:45 - Sponsorship Message: Finds by Rivka 03:03 - Meet the Guests: Devora, Chana, Lauren 05:18 - Spiritual Backgrounds 08:52 - I Needed More 12:10 - The Torah Feeds My Soul 16:34 - Choosing the Torah Again 17:50 - The Torah as a Tree of Life 19:58 - I Was Just Repeating What I Learned 22:55 - Real Learning Creates Space for Real Struggles 24:21 - Letting Go of Perfectionism 30:06 - I Lost Everything 32:28 - When I Began to Access Hashem 33:27 - Holding Pain & Faith Simultaneously 35:33 - I Am Not Alone 37:37 - A Real Relationship Welcomes Your Full Self 40:54 - What Do We Do With Our Freedom? 42:05 - The Torah Can't Be Done in Isolation 44:30 - I Skip to My Torah Classes 46:05 - From "I Have to" to "I Get To" 49:51 - Torah is an Overflowing Ocean 51:08 - Raising Kids with G-d Consciousness 54:01 - When You See the Light Shining in Other Women 54:37 - The Torah Shifted Me 56:22 - Investing in Our Relationship with G-d 58:24 - Shavuos as a Relationship Renewal 01:01:07 - Sharing Torah at the Table 01:01:44 - Beautifying Our Experience of the Torah 01:04:38 - Host's Outro

Answering listener questions on maturing in our Judaism, maintaining a spiritual sense of self when mothering small children, friendship, Torah study, and spiritual ruts. ______ To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

A personal journey of discovering Jewish meditation, taking the cerebral act of study and grounding it in the body through focus and breath. Explore the balance between body and soul, the power of intention in prayer, the difference between Jewish and Eastern meditation, and the spiritual practice of finding balance in our characters through the Sefirot. A mom of seven, Zeesy is the director of Sinai Academy Jewish International School and Cape Town Torah High School. She is the spiritual feminine leader of Blouberg Jewish Community Centre. Zeesy gives ongoing psycho-spiritual ‘soultalks’ in the community, sharing her passion of bringing people closer to their soul source. She coaches women around the world with ‘Echad coaching’ bringing body and soul together. Find out more about Zeesy's work here: www.echad.co.za Get in touch with Zeesy at director@sinaiacademy.co.za * * * * * * * To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. * * * * * * * TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Sneak Peek 00:17 - Host's Intro 01:17 - Support Human & Holy 01:39 - Welcome Zeesy 03:34 - The Birth of Echad: Mindfulness & Meditation 05:31 - Integrating Body and Soul in Spiritual Practice 09:01 - Learning & Practicing Meditation 10:47 - Chassidic Meditation Practice 14:05 - Jewish Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation 18:22 - An Example of Jewish Meditation 22:24 - How Torah Learning Becomes Embodied 24:57 - Da’at: Intimacy with G-d Through Torah and Body 32:10 - Practical Tools for Spiritual Integration 34:00 - The Power of Single Tasking 34:52 - Morning Rituals and Connection to Nature 36:13 - Building a Meaningful Prayer Practice 38:45 - Integrating Gratitude into Daily Life 41:00 - Heartfelt Prayer: Emotional Presence in Judaism 42:42 - Understanding the Sefirot and Personal Growth 48:19 - Balancing Character Traits 49:46 - Breathing the Sefirot Into Your Day 51:57 - Hashem in the Slow Lane: Trusting Divine Timing 54:18 - Peak Judaism: When Body and Soul Are One 55:34 - Experiencing G-d On Slower Days 57:30 - Vulnerability in Prayer 59:58 - Grounding Ourselves in Our Bodies 1:03:43 - Host's Outro

Does each generation get less spiritually sensitive? What is the original source for the idea of "Yeridos Hadoros" -- the decline of the generations -- and in what ways are we experiencing a reversal of that idea? Explore the deeper meaning of Lag Ba'Omer, a teaching from R' Tzadok about the ascent of the generations and why there is an unprecedented spiritual attunement to the deepest parts of Torah. To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

A conversation about discovering a loving relationship with G-d through grief. Bianca shares her personal journey of loss and how it led her to a deeper understanding of G-d's love and connection. We discuss expressing raw emotions in prayer, the Torah as a love letter from G-d, and the significance of gratitude and daily conversation in building a relationship with the Divine. Bianca Benisti Kaffash is a motivational speaker and spiritual coach who has walked through her own challenges to discover a deeper connection with Hashem and the beauty of Torah. She believes in the power of reconnecting with the sacred language of prayer and Torah—something that’s often been cheapened or lost. Now, Bianca is passionate about bringing others back to that language, helping them experience the profound beauty and strength it offers. Through spiritual coaching, personalized prayers, and leading meaningful events, Bianca empowers others to find healing, clarity, and a true connection with Hashem. Follow her on Instagram @ritainspired for raw, heartfelt inspiration and a journey back to the light of Torah. To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Sneak Peek 00:16 - Host’s Intro 01:10 - Introduction of Bianca Benisti 02:43 - Welcome Bianca 02:51 - Bianca’s Background + Starting Rita Inspired 04:31 - Grief and Torah as a Healing Language 06:05 - Being Reintroduced to the Torah as Hashem’s Love Language 06:46 - Shifting from Obedience to Connection 08:15 - Mourning Laws as Divine Comfort 09:59 - Inviting G-d In 11:07 - The Only Way Out is Through 11:50 - Experiencing Hashem’s Love Through Loss 13:35 - Surrendering to G-d 15:37 - Having a Conversation with G-d 18:33 - How to Pray When It Feels Imaginative 23:49 - Personal Gratitude and Emotional Honesty 28:46 - How Grief & Singlehood Shaped My Prayer 29:57 - Hashem Wants to Spend Time with Me 30:34 - The Exodus: Crying Out to G-d Sparks Redemption 32:05 - Simple, Raw Prayers Can Bring Miracles 34:13 - Studying Torah to Understand G-d 36:15 - Mitzvot Are Love Maps, Not Restrictions 38:32 - The Message Behind Jealousy 39:46 - Hashem Just Wants You to Be You 40:39 - When G-d Doesn’t Reveal Everything 42:01 - Being Motivated by Love 43:32 - Crisis Can Reveal G-d’s Emotional Presence 46:14 - Finding Clarity in Torah 47:49 - G-d will Find a Way to Get Into Your Painful Moments 48:22 - My Joy Under The Chuppah 51:35 - Host’s Outro

A reading of the poem "How a Place Becomes Holy" by Yehoshua November, reflections on the power of calling out to G-d with the few, ambiguous words we have, and the delicate invitations in both creativity and faith to trust what stirs inside us. Episode sponsored in honor of the safety and protection of the Jewish people in the Holy Land. To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - "How a Place Becomes Holy" 02:00 - Self-Trust in Creativity 03:45 - Holiness as the Subtext of Reality 04:22 - Story of Yeshaya Bar-Daki: A Cry for Life 06:50 - An Experience at the Mikvah 08:58 - The Holiness in Everyday Life 11:45 - Trusting the Heart's Longings

A conversation with Rivky Kaplan exploring what it means to lean into the feminine spirit in both the private and public sphere, the Lubavitcher Rebbe's vision for Jewish womanhood, the wisdom available to us in our cycles and the seasons of our life, how to stay connected to the woman beneath the role of mother, and the power of sisterhood in helping us find our voices. Rivky Kaplan is a Chabad Shlucha in Tzfat, Israel with her husband Chaim and family. Rivky teaches Torah and Chassidut in various seminaries as well as many adult education classes both in Israel and abroad. She is passionate about engaging her students in the text and making Torah concepts personal and relevant. Rivky is a Yoetzet Halacha and has recently opened a one of a kind Educational Visitors center in their newly renovated Mikva. She is also a trained Fertility Fellow providing guidance to couples navigating the challenges of infertility. Rivky is also a very proud Bubby. You can contact Rivky at rivkaplan@gmail.com To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Sneak Peek 00:27 - Host's Intro 02:13 - Welcome Rivky 05:51 - Rosh Chodesh: A Gift to Women 07:35 -The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Vision for Jewish Womanhood 10:26 - Why Chana Decided to Stay Home 15:00 - Giving Your Child That Little Bit More 16:26 - Why Dena Went Out to Lead 17:35 - Personifying Internality: The Feminine Spirit 19:03 - Beyond Biological Motherhood: A Spiritual Role 21:00 - Expanding the Walls of the Home 23:46 - Capitalizing on What is Unique About Us 25:40 - If the Workplace Was Designed for Women's Needs 28:55 - The World is Waking Up to Feminine Values 29:55 - Listening to Our Bodies 32:50 - I Expected Myself to Be a Full Moon Every Day 33:25 - Understanding the Hormonal Phases 35:15 - Attuning Ourselves to Our Bodies 37:58 - The Phases of Our Menstrual Cycles 38:44 - Wishing My Mother Could Hold My Babies 42:55 - Our Bodies Hold Paradox 44:28 - Carrying Life and Grief in Israel 46:40 - A Disconnect From Our Bodies 47:50 - Navigating Life's Seasons: We Are Both Chana and Dina 50:33 - Being Present Where You Are 52:50 - Staying Connected to What Fuels Me 56:33 - What is a Feminine Way of Giving? 57:56 - Story of the Rebbe: What is the Identifier of a Jewish Girl? 1:01:30 - Shifting the Way the World Sees Jewish Women 1:04:30 - Have We Internalized That Vision? 01:07:05 - Menopause and Its Impact on a Woman’s Identity 1:09:24 - Expanding the Why's That Carried You 1:11:30 - How to Nurture Yourself When You're a Mother 1:13:37 - G-d Trusts Us 1:17:35 - Having a Firsthand Experience of the Torah 1:20:48 - Teaching From a Place of Trust 1:24:25 - Textual Learning Makes Space for Critical Thinking 1:30:58 - There Are Many Ways of Serving G-d 1:33:18 - I Felt Escorted to the Mikvah by the Chain of Jewish Women 1:37:33 - The Contemporary Sisterhood 1:40:00 - Female Soldiers Immersing in the Mikvah 1:41:42 - How to Create Your Own Sisterhood 1:43:28 - You Need One Person to Truly See You 1:49:00 - The World is Waiting for Every Woman's Voice 01:50:05 - Host’s Outro

Personal reflections on some of the central themes in Reclaiming Dignity. Exploring the sanctity of our inner worlds, what it truly means to walk before G-d, how tznius shows up in the way we speak, share of ourselves and spend money, why legislating every detail of tznius robs us of the ability to cultivate own own internal sensitivities, and what it might look like to infuse our clothing with the depth of tznius, instead of having them define it. Link to purchase the book at 15% off: https://mosaicapress.com/product/recl.... Human & Holy discount code is humanandholy15. Find out more on the website www.reclaimingdignity.com. To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday and Wednesday on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

A conversation with Bracha Poliakoff, co-author of the groundbreaking book Reclaiming Dignity, exploring the deep, spiritual meaning of Tzniut in Judaism. Far from being just a dress code, this episode explores Tzniut as a powerful expression of dignity, internality, and self-respect for both men and women. We discuss halachic sources, misconceptions around modesty, and why more is not always better in this sensitive and central Jewish value. Bracha Poliakoff, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical social worker, speaker, and writer. She currently serves as the founder and director of continuing education at Bright Ideas Continuing Education, providing high-quality programs for mental health professionals in the United States and Canada. Bracha has a strong commitment to Jewish education, having taught Torah to high schoolers and adults in various settings, founded a number of Jewish learning initiatives, and co-authoring Reclaiming Dignity: A Guide to Tzniut for Men and Women. As a passionate member of the Orthodox community, she actively gives back and makes a difference, including serving on the boards of Keneseth Beth Israel (Richmond, VA) and the Women’s Institute of Torah/Mesorah Baltimore (Baltimore, MD). Bracha is also committed to personal and professional development, having participated in The Associated’s Young Leadership Council, Orthodox Union’s Women’s Initiative Leadership Summit, and the Orthodox Leadership Project. She lives in Baltimore, MD, with her husband and three children. Bracha can be contacted at brachapoliakoff@gmail.com. The book, Reclaiming Dignity, can be purchased here: https://amzn.to/4iP9j1O. Find out more on the website www.reclaimingdignity.com. To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.com To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor. Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨ Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Sneak Peek 00:34 Host’s Intro 02:35 Welcome Bracha 03:33 Why Write a Book on Tznius? 08:10 The Importance of Women’s Voices in the Conversation About Tzniut 11:00 Is Tzniut for Men? 13:07 A Torah Source for Men's Tzniut: Dignity in War 16:07 The Parts of Tzniut That No One Will Ever See 18:10 Shifting My Own Experience of Tzniut 21:36 Removing the Judgment and Pressure 24:08 Are Introverts More Tzniut? 28:37 The Difference Between Erva and Tzniut 30:11 Do Women Dress Tzniut for Men? 35:03 The Negative Impacts of Overemphasizing External Modesty 36:21 Mutual Respect Between Men and Women 38:23 Excessive Modesty Can Sexualize Women 39:26 More is Not Always Better 41:21 Women's Pictures in Magazines 46:00 The Cost of Exclusion 50:32 When I Didn't Want My Own Picture Published 52:00 Determining Your Own Boundaries 53:51 Materialism & Other Areas of Tzniut Beyond Clothing 57:37 How Does Bracha Aim to Show Up? 01:00:57 Host’s Outro