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  • 217. From Emunah to Strength: Shoshana Stavsky's Story of Infertility and Breast Cancer, in Partnership with Sharsheret

    217. From Emunah to Strength: Shoshana Stavsky's Story of Infertility and Breast Cancer, in Partnership with Sharsheret
    2026/10/01

    Please note that this episode discusses topics such as mental health, mental illness, depression, and suicide that individuals may find difficult. If you want to avoid this content, skip to minute 22:32 in the episode. Please take care of yourself while listening.

    In partnership with Sharsheret for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Baron sits down with Shoshana Stavsky to dive into the full arc of her journey through infertility, mental health, and breast cancer.

    Shoshana shares what it meant to spend years navigating chronic pain, failed treatments, and multiple surgeries while trying to grow her family, and how that period led her into severe clinical depression. She opens up about the invisible weight of infertility compared to the visible, communal support she later received after a diagnosis of breast cancer, and why that contrast made one harder to carry than the other.

    Along the way, she explores how questioning your faith doesn't push you away from it, but can actually bring you closer. Shoshana reflects on choosing to "party through" hardship rather than let suffering define her, and on the power of radical acceptance in moving forward.

    If you're navigating infertility, mental or physical health struggles this episode is for you.

    About Shoshana Stavsky :

    Shoshana Stavsky shares her lived experience of infertility, depression, and breast cancer with honesty and heart. Through the challenges, she found her voice in writing and art, using them as tools for healing and connection. Grounded in emunah and bitachon, her message is about resilience, faith, and continuing to live fully-even in the middle of it all.

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    1 時間 29 分
  • 179. [Re-Release] Seen and Remembered: Making Space for Everyone This High Holiday Season with Rabbi Yisrael Motzen

    179. [Re-Release] Seen and Remembered: Making Space for Everyone This High Holiday Season with Rabbi Yisrael Motzen
    2026/09/17

    In this re-released episode we Dr. Aimee Baron sits down with Rabbi Yisrael Motzen, who launched "Kol Echad," an Orthodox Union initiative to make sure no one in our community is overlooked or left behind. As we enter the High Holiday season, many of us gather with family, see old friends at shul, and catch up on a year's worth of life. But for those who don't fit the "expected mold" these moments can feel isolating instead of uplifting.

    Together, they talk explore simple and practical suggestions that synagogues, hosts, and individuals can make to be more inviting and inclusive. This conversation is both honest and hopeful, reminding us that community is built not only at the family table but also in the act of making space for each other.

    Whether you're someone who has felt forgotten or someone who wants to do better at seeing others, this episode offers wisdom, compassion, and a path forward.

    About Rabbi Yisrael Motzen:

    Rabbi Yisrael Motzen is the Rabbi of Ner Tamid Greenspring Valley Congregation in Baltimore, Maryland. He serves as special assistant to the executive vice presidents of the Orthodox Union and is also the director of Kol Echad, a new OU department dedicated to creating communities where every single person matters.

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    55 分
  • 216. Protecting Your Peace During Elul with Chavie Bruk

    216. Protecting Your Peace During Elul with Chavie Bruk
    2026/09/10
    In this episode, Dr. Baron sits down with Chavie Bruk, mother of five adopted children and is the co-director of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana and voice of Totally Unexpected to discuss the emotional and spiritual intensity of the High Holidays while honoring yourself and your experiences. Chavie shares what it means to enter the High Holiday season when living with unanswered prayers and infertility. She discusses the physical and mental weight of managing public community expectations during the month of Elul and Rosh Hashanah while holding space for personal pain. She and Dr. Baron explore the reality of triggers, from social media back-to-school posts, pregnancy announcements, to prying questions she stresses why self-awareness and personal boundaries are essential for self-protection. The conversation also touches on practical strategies for handling insensitive comments during social and holiday gatherings. She reflects on offering space to move away from things out of one's control and toward seeking presence and acceptance in life. If you're navigating unanswered prayers and holiday stressors, this episode is for you. About Chavie Bruk: Chavie Bruk is a mother of five adopted children and is the co-director of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana together with her husband. On her podcast, Totally Unexpected! Chavie sits with guests to her about the one unexpected moment that changed their lives. She hopes listeners will see themselves in these stories, feeling a little less alone and little more connected. Instagram‍ ‍Website‍ ‍Substack‍ ‍Totally Unexpected Podcast Hear more from Chavie Bruk: Episode 8: My Adoption Stories‍ ‍ Episode 47: Expectations, Pain, and Adoption‍ ‍Episode 100‍ ‍ Episode 141: Pain Doesn't End…or Does it?‍ ‍ Episode 180: Raw, Honest and Still Struggling Resources Mentioned: Anna Bernacki Connect with us: Website‍ ‍Instagram - send us a message YouTube‍ ‍Facebook‍ ‍TikTok‍ ‍LinkedIn‍ ‍
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    1 時間 9 分
  • 215. Witnessing Grief and Holding Faith with Chani Levertov

    215. Witnessing Grief and Holding Faith with Chani Levertov
    2026/09/03

    In this episode, Dr. Baron sits down with Chani Levertov, director of Fruitful , for a conversation about her own fertility journey and the unwavering faith that carried her through.

    Chani walks through her secondary infertility diagnosis after her second child, genetic testing embryos and cancelled transfers, and the C-section scar ectopic pregnancy that required emergency surgery. She speaks openly about grieving a healthy, wanted pregnancy she had to let go of to save her own life, and about doing it all quietly, behind the "mask" she wore while running Fruitful and co-directing Smile on Seniors through years of private pain.

    She opens up about what she calls "witnessing grief," the kind of support people may be afraid to give.

    If you're navigating your own story of faith, secondary infertility, or loss, this episode is for you.

    Resources and Contributions from Chani:

    Hearing "No" year after year Dearest little embryo Voices From the Community post

    About Chani Levertov :

    Wife to the amazing Levi Levertov, mother to my three incredible children, director of Fruitful, co-director of Smile on Seniors

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    1 時間 52 分
  • 214. Balancing Emotion and Halacha in Taharat HaMishpacha (Family Purity) with Lisa Babich

    214. Balancing Emotion and Halacha in Taharat HaMishpacha (Family Purity) with Lisa Babich
    2026/08/20

    In this episode, Dr. Baron sits down with Lisa Babich, a Kallah (bride) teacher and Rebbetzin at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan, for a conversation exploring how learning the laws of Taharat HaMishpacha (family purity) can foster deep body awareness, emotional resilience, and connection in relationships.

    Lisa Babich shares her journey into teaching brides and serving as a mikveh attendant, explaining how cycle tracking through Jewish ritual can feel empowering. She addresses the delicate balance of preparing brides for the difficult realities of fertility journeys while balancing emotions.

    The conversation also touches on navigating feelings of disconnect, anger, or relationship strain, as Lisa Babich shares why nuanced guidance and knowing when to bring in an expert are so crucial.

    If you're navigating Halacha or coping with the unexpected detours of building a family, this episode is for you.

    About Lisa Babich:

    Lisa Babich is a born-and-raised New Yorker from Queens, New York. She serves as a Rebbetzin at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue and is a speech-language pathologist, dedicating her life to education, community building, and Jewish outreach.

    Lisa began teaching and outreach work at the young age of 19. She taught at the American-based seminary TBY and spent five years teaching through EMETT Russian Outreach. She later continued her educational work at the Jewish Enrichment Center in Manhattan's West Village alongside her husband, Rabbi Eli Babich.

    Today, Lisa is widely known for her warmth, insight, and ability to connect with people from all backgrounds. She writes dating advice for the popular "Navigators" column in the Five Towns Jewish Times, is a sought-after kallah teacher, and is passionate about helping individuals deepen their connection to Judaism and explore their Jewish heritage

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    1 時間 2 分
  • 213. 12 months of compassion: The Intersection of Halacha, Jewish Law, and Fertility with Dena Block and Rabbi Elan Segelman

    213. 12 months of compassion: The Intersection of Halacha, Jewish Law, and Fertility with Dena Block and Rabbi Elan Segelman
    2026/08/13
    In this episode, Dr. Baron explores the relationship between Halacha (Jewish Law) and fertility. She sits down with Dena Block, Co-Director of Nishmat's Miriam Glaubach Center and and Rabbi Elan Segelman of Rabbinic Director of PUAH, to discuss the nuanced intersection of Jewish law, fertility challenges, and emotional well-being. Dena Block addresses what is commonly referred to as "halachic infertility," explaining why she prefers the term "ovulation before mikvah". She outlines the practical, halachic, and medical considerations couples face when cycle timing impacts their ability to conceive, while emphasizing the deep emotional burden and frustration this creates for religious families. In a re-released segement we join Rabbi Elon Siegelman, who unpacks the complex Halachic considerations surrounding third-party reproduction. Rabbi Segelman walks through the history of rabbinic rulings on IVF, donor eggs, surrogacy, and donor sperm, offering a compassionate breakdown of how different individuals approach these deeply personal choices. If you are navigating the intersection of Jewish law and family building, this episode is for you. This episode is part of our 12 Months of Compassion programming. This year-long program is designed to provide accessible education and emotional support through webinars and podcasts Each session features expert speakers followed by a live Q&A, all rooted in Jewish values About Dena Block: Dena Block is the Co-Director of Nishmat's Miriam Glaubach Center, where she oversees the education, professional development, and support of Yoatzot Halacha. As a Yoetzet Halacha herself, she provides halachic guidance to women on a broad range of issues relating to women's health and Jewish law. She is also a certified Nishmat Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor, with advanced expertise in supporting individuals and couples navigating infertility and fertility treatments within the framework of halacha. Before joining the Miriam Glaubach Center full-time in 2021, she served as a Yoetzet Halacha in communities throughout the tri-state area and taught Gemara and Halacha at Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls. She also brings experience in fundraising, nonprofit leadership, marketing, and communications. Dena lives in Raanana with her husband and 5 children and can be reached at Dena@afnishmat.org. Nishmat Yoatzot Instagram Fertility counselors contact form or WhatsApp +972-2-6404330 (Israel and American contact) Fertility@nishmat.net About Rabbi Elan Segelman: Rabbi Segelman is the rabbinic director for PUAH in America. After studying in Israel for two years at Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh, Rabbi Segelman attained a B.A. in Psychology from Touro College's Lander College for Men, as well as an M.A. from Touro College's Graduate School of Jewish Studies. Shortly after completing his Semicha, he was appointed as a Shoel U'Maishiv and Rebbe in the Lander College Judaic Studies Program. In 2016, Rabbi Segelman became the Rabbinic Educator at New York Medical College & Touro College of Dental Medicine in Valhalla, NY. Rabbi Segelman currently resides in Los Angeles, California, where he serves as the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Hancock Park. PUAH Esegelman@puahfertility.org Click Here to Donate or Sponsor an episode Connect with us: Website‍ ‍Instagram - send us a message YouTube‍ ‍Facebook‍ ‍TikTok‍ ‍LinkedIn‍ ‍
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    1 時間 59 分
  • 212. Life Beyond the Story You Never Wanted with Haddasa Manela

    212. Life Beyond the Story You Never Wanted with Haddasa Manela
    2026/07/21

    In this episode, Dr. Baron sits down with Haddasa Manela, Co-Founder of Bonei Olam Florida, to talk about her decision to live fully and choose joy in the present moment.

    Haddasa opens up about her journey through years of fertility treatments, the stillbirth of her daughter, and a diagnosis of stage II endometriosis, all while continuing to help other families on their own paths to parenthood. She shares her experience navigating difficult comments and setting boundaries in an effort to protect her own healing.

    Her story offers powerful insight into what it means to honor your past while still moving forward. This episode is an honest look at how to hold space for healing without putting the rest of your life on hold.

    About Haddasa Manuela:

    Co-Founder of Bonei Olam Florida

    Instagram‍ ‍Bonei Olam Florida for Medical Assistance call - 7183732000 or email info@boneiolam.org

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    1 時間 18 分
  • 211. Naomi Nachman on Faith, Time, and Pregnancy Loss

    211. Naomi Nachman on Faith, Time, and Pregnancy Loss
    2026/07/20
    In this episode, Dr. Baron sits down with Naomi Nachman, a well-known kosher food personality, author, and travel connoisseur, to discuss her personal experience with pregnancy loss from years ago. She shares the story of her second pregnancy, only to discover at a routine five-month checkup that her baby no longer had a heartbeat. This conversation explores the intersection of faith and medical trauma, highlighting Naomi's deep-rooted bitachon (faith) that continues to carry her through life-changing moments. Naomi Nachman reflects on one of the most painful chapters of her journey: continuing to carry her pregnancy after learning she had lost her baby. She shares how leaning on her faith helped her move through everyday interactions with strength, and how it became a source of peace during an unimaginably difficult time. If you are carrying a heavy grief from many years ago or navigating the intersection of faith and medical trauma, this episode is for you. About Naomi Nachman: Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Naomi Nachman moved to New York 34 years ago. After earning her teaching degree from Touro College, she spent many years teaching in both classroom and informal Jewish education settings. Over the years, Naomi has built a strong personal brand across social media, with an active presence on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Status. She is widely recognized as a leading kosher food media influencer and has partnered with numerous brands, including Kosher.com, Gefen, Tuscanini, Tropicana, Breakstone's, Ore-Ida, Gourmet Glatt, Manischewitz, Maxwell House, Empire Poultry, Tnuva Dairy, and Prime Nosh. In addition to her passion for food, Naomi has expanded her brand into travel content. She has visited 58 countries and 48 U.S. states, partnering with companies and destinations such as Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas, Gaya Tours in Iceland, Lebor Tours and Mundo Tours in South America, the Inbal Hotel in Israel, and the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain. Naomi has also led four tours to Israel. In recent years, Naomi has traveled extensively both personally and professionally, working on Birthright trips, Pesach programs, and summer travel experiences. Alongside her frequent visits to Israel to spend time with her grandchildren, she has explored Asia, Europe, Africa, Central and South America, and Australia. Naomi and her husband have visited 48 states and hope to complete the remaining two states this year. Naomi currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Kosher River Boat Cruises and will also be leading cooking demonstrations on the company's 2026 sailings through Europe, Japan, and Antarctica. Naomi is the host of the cooking show Sunny Side Up on the Kosher.com network. She also writes a monthly food and travel column for Mishpacha Magazine titled Off the Eaten Track and has been a contributing editor for The Jewish Home newspaper for the past 15 years, where she shares weekly recipes with readers across the country. She has appeared as a guest host on QVC and made guest appearances on CBS (New York and Washington), NBC Morning News, Fox 5 New York, and the Hallmark Channel. Naomi has also been quoted in Forbes Magazine and The Wall Street Journal regarding Jewish food trends. In 2017, Naomi published her debut cookbook, Perfect for Pesach, with Artscroll Publications, followed by her second cookbook, Perfect Flavors, in 2018. Together, her cookbooks have sold more than 28,000 copies. Naomi is frequently invited to lead cooking demonstrations, book signings, and Kosher Chopped-style cooking competitions around the world, where she shares her enthusiasm and passion for food. This past Pesach, Naomi worked with Leisure Time Tours at the Phoenix program, where she directed the culinary arts program for guests by leading cooking demonstrations, producing chopped competitions, and overseeing social media marketing. Naomi's motto in life is: "See the world, one bite at a time." Instagram‍ ‍ Perfect Flavors (Cookbook by Naomi Nachman) Website Belonging Is Our Work Help us reach 300k in our annual campaign (7/15 - 7/21) Click Here to Donate now Connect with us: Website‍ ‍Instagram - send us a message YouTube‍ ‍Facebook‍ ‍TikTok‍ ‍LinkedIn‍ ‍
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    1 時間 7 分