613 Books Podcast

By Heather DeanReligion & Spirituality

613 Books Podcast episodes

March 20, 2024 Lesley Kaplan and the Small Business Success Toolbox & Guide
On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Lesley Kaplan, a business strategy, branding and goal-achieving coach, who is also the author of “Small Business Success Toolbox & Guide.”
Drawing from several decades’ experience running her own successful businesses (product and service) Lesley defines and explains the importance of having a U.S.P. (unique selling proposition); a concise explanatory “elevator pitch;” a concept called “creating a buyer or customer persona;” and a prioritizing time management technique called “Eat That Frog.”
Lesley downloads loads more practical insights in this interview, so get ready to build your biz!
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
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Show notes:
Featured author interview: Lesley Kaplan author of “Small Business Success Toolbox & Guide”
To Purchase “Small Business Success Toolbox & Guide” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SMALL-BUSINESS-SUCCESS-TOOLBOX-GUIDE-ebook/dp/B0CH5YBD1C
To Purchase on Amazon in Paperback and E-book formats
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CTCXDC2W/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1706421929&sr=8-1
ISRAEL ORDERS - Paperback - Delivery to your door:
https://lesleykaplan.com/product/small-business-success-toolbox-guide/
Lesley’s website: https://lesleykaplan.com/
To contact Lesley through her website: https://lesleykaplan.com/lesley-kaplan-contact/
Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger
Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.com/
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
40 min
March 06, 2024 Judy Gruen and her memoir Bylines and Blessings
On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Judy Gruen, the author of “Bylines and Blessings: Overcoming Obstacles, Striving for Excellence, and Redefining Success.” Judy says that she writes to find meaning, hope, and laughter in a complicated world. Her first memoir is the acclaimed "The Skeptic and the Rabbi." Just has also written three humor books, one of which is a multiple-award winner.
Judy and Heather discuss a variety of storied vignettes from “Bylines and Blessings,” her early work as a reporter and editor, and eye-opening experience at the elite school of journalism she attended, her lifelong ambitions and the perseverance that has served her well so far throughout her incredible career.
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
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Show notes:
Featured author interview: Judy Gruen author of “Bylines and Blessings”
To Purchase “Bylines and Blessings” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bylines-Blessings-Overcoming-Excellence-Redefining/dp/B0CPV443SW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YRWCYNESJLB4&keywords=bylines+and+blessings&qid=1702833394&sprefix=%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1
Judy’s website: https://judygruen.com/
Read an excerpt from Bylines and Blessings (PDF): https://judygruen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bylines-Blessings-Book-Excerpt.pdf
To contact Judy through her website: https://judygruen.com/contact-me/
Judy’s column for Jewish Journal: https://jewishjournal.com/author/judy_gruen/
Judy’s writing on Substack: judygruen.substack.com
Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger
Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.com/
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
31 min
February 28, 2024 Mindy Blumenfeld and her book Hillel and the Paper Menschies
On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Mindy Blumenfeld, the author of “Hillel and the Paper Menschies,” a book for children (that the rest of us will enjoy!) based on the actual experiences of young Hillel Blumenfeld z”l who was diagnosed with cancer when he was six years old.
This book is co-written by Marc Luber, who is also the book’s illustrator. The words and pictures in Hillel and the Paper Menschies” take us on a journey before, during and after the main character’s diagnosis, teaching us creative and thoughtful lessons about resilience and the power of a faith and a family’s love that can bouy a person through challenges.
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
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Show notes:
Featured author interview: Mindy Blumenfeld author of “Hillel and the Paper Menschies”
To Purchase “Hillel and the Paper Menschies” from Israel Bookshop Publications:
https://www.israelbookshoppublications.com/store/pc/showsearchresults.asp?SearchValues=10717
To Purchase “Hillel and the Paper Menschies” and Mindy Blumenfeld’s other written work on her website: https://mindyblumenfeld.com/publications/
Book Illustrator and co-writer: Marc Lumer
Marc’s website: https://www.marclumerproductions.com/
Marc’s email: [email protected]
Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger
Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.com/
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
25 min
February 21, 2024 Menachem Weinreb and the release of Mystical Matters from the Bible and Beyond
This week’s featured guest on “613 Books Podcast” is Menachem Weinreb, Creative Director of Mishpacha Magazine. His newly-published ingeniously artful book, “Mystical Matters from the Bible and Beyond” was previewed on this podcast last summer when it was still in manuscript form. Back then, host Heather Dean predicted this book just might be The Next Big Thing, given all of its bold and whimsical illustrations, fanciful factoids, and surprising tales from the Talmud.
Enjoy hearing from Menachem about the intricacies of making this book and the “joys” of shipping it to dozens of Kickstarter backers and other buyers, as well as a dramatic reading from the book by its versatile author.
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to 613 Books Podcast and never miss an episode!
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Show notes:
Featured Guest: Menachem Weinreb, Creative Director, Mishpacha Magazine
Author of "Mystical Matters from the Bible and Beyond”
Contact Menachem either through his website: Amudart.com, or email: [email protected]
Instagram handles: @meweinreb, and @amudart
Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger
Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.com/
22 min
January 24, 2024 Ahava Ehrenpreis and her books My Special Uncle and More than Special
On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Ahava Ehrenpreis, the celebrated author of “On My Own…but Not Alone,” “More than Special: Perspectives from the World of Special Needs,” and “My Special Uncle.”
Ahava is the mother of Saadya, a”h, a young man with Down syndrome. Her experiences raising him were the basis for her popular and well-received articles and her two most recent books. His tragic passing from COVID-19 provided the impetus for “My Special Uncle,” which serves as a tribute to his sincere and ever-present assertion to everyone he knew that “it’s going to be okay!”
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
Show notes:
Featured author interview: Ahava Ehrenpreis author of “My Special Uncle,” and “More than Special”
To Purchase “My Special Uncle” from Mosaica Press: https://mosaicapress.com/product/my-special-uncle/
To Purchase “My Special Uncle” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/My-Special-Uncle-Ahava-Ehrenpreis/dp/195757903X
To Purchase “More than Special” from Artscroll: https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422629802.html
To Purchase “More than Special” on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Special-Ahava-Ehrenpreis/dp/1422629805/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1705957594&refinements=p_27%3AAhava+Ehrenpreis&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Ahava+Ehrenpreis
Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger
Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.com/
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
10 min
January 17, 2024 What’s on Authors’ Reading Tables!? Part 1
In this episode of “613 Books” podcast, producer and host Heather Dean welcomes back a few esteemed authors who were Heather’s featured guests over the course of Season 1 to tell us about the books that are on their reading table.
Subscribe to “613 Books Podcast” and discover new books every week!
Featured authors:
(1)
Bracha Goetz, author of “Nourish the Soul” and 41 Jewish children's books
Bracha’s Reading Table selection: “Ein Od Milvado, Divine Providence, Hashgacha Peratis: God’s Intimate Involvement In Our Daily Lives” by Kenneth Ephraim Pinczower
To Purchase “Ein Od Milvado” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Milvado-Divine-Providence-Hashgacha-Peratis-ebook/dp/B09NJSG6G1
To Purchase a revised and expanded edition of “Ein Od Milvado” from Feldheim Publishers: https://www.feldheim.com/ein-od-milvado-divine-providence
To Purchase “Nourish the Soul” directly from Bracha Goetz: https://goetzbookshop.com/products/nourish-the-soul
To Purchase “Nourish the Soul” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nourish-Soul-Filling-Emptiness-Within/dp/1737094053
Contact Bracha here: [email protected]
To schedule Bracha Goetz for a writing project/consultation, a personal consultation, or to invite her to come to your school or organization's event for a presentation via Zoom or in person: https://goetzbookshop.com/pages/contact
(2)
Barbara Bensoussan, author of “Pride & Preference”
Barbara’s Reading Table selection: “Pepper, Silk & Ivory: Amazing Stories about Jews and the Far East” by Rabbi Marvin Tokayer and Dr. Ellen Rodman
To Purchase “Pepper, Silk & Ivory” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pepper-Silk-Ivory-Amazing-Stories-ebook/dp/B00N9A832U
To Purchase “Pride & Preference” from Menucha Publishers: https://menuchapublishers.com/collections/barbara-bensoussan/products/pride-and-preference
To Purchase “Pride & Preference” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pride-Preference-Barbara-Bensoussan/dp/1614658331
Contact Barbara through her website: https://barbarabensoussan.com/
(3)
Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz, author of “Shabbat and the Festivals” and many more books
Rabbi Tatz’s Reading Table selection: The work of Rabbi Moshe David Valle
To purchase books by the mekkubal Rabbi Moshe David Valle from Seforim Center website
https://seforimcenter.com/Rabbi-Moshe-David-Valle-1697-1777__c-p-0-0-218.aspx
To Purchase “Shabbat and the Festivals” by Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz from Menucha Publishers:
https://menuchapublishers.com/products/shabbat-and-the-festivals-journey-and-destination?_pos=11&_sid=59730177f&_ss=r
For more information and to contact Rabbi Tatz, visit: https://akivatatz.com/
(4)
Heather Dean, author of “Searching for Heather Dean: My Extraordinary Career as a Celebrity Interviewer and Why I Left It”
Heather’s Reading Table selection: “Chofetz Chaim: A Lesson a Day: The Concepts and Laws of Proper Speech Arranged for Daily Study”
To Purchase “Chofetz Chaim: A Lesson a Day” from Artscroll:
https://www.artscroll.com/Details.aspx?itemNo=9780899063218
To Purchase “Chofetz Chaim: A Lesson a Day” on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Chofetz-Chaim-Concepts-Arranged-ArtScroll/dp/0899063217
To Purchase “Searching for Heather Dean” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Heather-Dean-Extraordinary-Interviewer/dp/965927050X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705350965&sr=1-1
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Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger
Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.com/
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
12 min
January 10, 2024 Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld and his book Body & Soul
On this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, Producer-Host Heather Dean’s guest is Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld, Executive Director if Jewish Spiritual Literacy, Inc (JSLI). He is the co-author of Body & Soul: The Torah Path to Health, Fitness, and a Holy Life. This book is a collection of over one-hundred-eighty major Torah teachings, some of which appear in translation for the first time. Heather asks Rabbi Seinfeld about the authentically Jewish approach to intermittent fasting; proper sleep and the “power nap;” and Rabbi Seinfeld’s findings about the sugary treats we give our kids. Body & Soul covers a wide range of health-related topics through the prism of the Torah and our sages and while adhering to this book’s guidelines may seem daunting, Rabbi Seinfeld provides a perspective to help us all get on the path toward better health.
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
Show notes:
Featured author interview: Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld, co-author of Body & Soul
Body & Soul is co-authored by Dr. Daniel Grove MD, and includes and Afterward by Rabbi Benzion Shafier
To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Soul-Torah-health-fitness/dp/1680259156
Contact Rabbi Seinfeld through his website: [email protected]
Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld’s blog: https://rabbiseinfeld.blogspot.com/
For excerpts from Rabbi Seinfeld’s book, related FREE resources, contacting Rabbi Seinfeld about hosting Torah Health programs in your community: www.torahhealth.org
Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld’s page on Torah Anytime: https://www.torahanytime.com/#/speaker?l=1397
Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger
Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.com/
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
28 min
December 27, 2023 Sarah Shapiro and Her Book Audience of One
In this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, producer-host Heather Dean speaks with Sarah Shapiro about her book, “Audience of One,” a collection of short stories. Sarah’s eclectic topics and ponderings are boldly honest yet written in a breezy yet contemplative manner that makes writing about ourselves seem easy. But it’s not! Sarah’s choices in phrasing, structure and tone keep us readers riveted, going places we didn’t think the author would take us.
Heather and Sarah delve into stories from the book about aging, being authentic, navigating whether to talk about Gd to an atheist relative, and poignant memories of Sarah’s late father, bestselling author Professor Norman Cousins.
Subscribe to “613 Books Podcast” and discover new books every week!
Show notes:
Featured author interview: Sarah Shapiro, author of “Audience of One”
To Purchase from Mosaica Publishers: https://mosaicapress.com/product/an-audience-of-one/
To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Audience-One-other-stories/dp/1952370205
Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger
Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.com/
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
29 min
December 20, 2023 Barbara Bensoussan and her novel Pride and Preference
In this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, producer-host Heather Dean speaks with journalist and Mishpacha Magazine contributor Barbara Bensoussan about her novel, “Pride & Preference,” a frum homage to the Jane Austen classic, “Pride and Prejudice.”
The episode begins with an exploration of an essay Barbara published in Mishpacha magazine as a call to achdus in light of the massacre on October 7 and a personal tragedy that struck Barbara’s family seven years prior.
Barbara and Heather also discuss a variety of modern-day conundrums that occur in the lives of Barbara’s characters which mirror modern-day shidduch circles.
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
Show notes:
Featured author interview: Barbara Bensoussan, author of “Pride & Preference”
To Purchase from Menucha Publishers: https://menuchapublishers.com/collections/barbara-bensoussan/products/pride-and-preference
To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pride-Preference-Barbara-Bensoussan/dp/1614658331
Contact Barbara through her website: https://barbarabensoussan.com/
Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger
Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.com/
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
17 min
December 06, 2023 Bracha Goetz on her Memoir and Books for Children
In this episode of “613 Books” Podcast, producer-host Heather Dean speaks with bestselling author of over 40 children’s books Bracha Goetz about her memoir (for grown-up readers), “Nourish the Soul” as well as quite a bit of her other written work. In “Nourish the Soul,” Bracha openly reveals her quest for the Truth, her struggles with food and how she overcame them with joy, as well as other well-earned insights.
Bracha also speaks about her breakthrough books for families, “Let’s Stay Safe,” and “Talking About Personal Privacy,” which offer children and parents insights about inappropriate touching and abuse, written sensitively and honestly in a way that has earned a place on the bookshelves of thousands of Jewish homes.
PLUS Bracha has many Chanukah-themes merchandise and reading material that are sure to please her many readers and fans.
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
Show notes:
Featured author interview: Bracha Goetz, author of “Nourish the Soul” and 41 Jewish children's books
To Purchase directly from Bracha Goetz: https://goetzbookshop.com/products/nourish-the-soul
To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nourish-Soul-Filling-Emptiness-Within/dp/1737094053
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Book: “Let’s Stay Safe!”
To Purchase directly from Bracha Goetz: https://goetzbookshop.com/products/lets-stay-safe
To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Stay-Paperback-Bracha-Goetz/dp/1422617599/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RPIORHVC4NL3&keywords=Let%27s+Stay+Safe+by+Bracha+Goetz&qid=1701807570&s=books&sprefix=let%27s+stay+safe+by+bracha+goetz%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C309&sr=1-1
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Book: “Talking About Personal Privacy”
To Purchase directly from Bracha Goetz: https://goetzbookshop.com/products/talking-about-personal-privacy?_pos=1&_psq=Talking+About+Personal+Privacy&_ss=e&_v=1.0
To Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Talking-About-Personal-Privacy-Bracha/dp/1680250744
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Contact Bracha here: [email protected]
To schedule Bracha Goetz for a writing project/consultation, a personal consultation, or to invite her to come to your school or organization's event for a presentation via Zoom or in person: https://goetzbookshop.com/pages/contact
Show Announcer for 613 Books Podcast: Michael Doniger
Michael’s contact info, voice-over samples, and demo: https://michaeldoniger.com/
SUBSCRIBE to “613 Books” Podcast and discover new books every week!
21 min