Today, I’m speaking with Matana Poupko Jacobs, the host of the Hope to Recharge podcast which is all about hope, healing and personal growth.

Matana went through a profound journey through anxiety and depression, which she shares with us in the episode and now she works with others who are going through similar challenges. She meets people where they are, helping them navigate anxiety and depression by implementing practical, personalized tools that support their unique healing journey.

Drawing from her lived experience, faith and years of learning from leading experts, she shares honest conversations that inspire resilience, emotional well-being and hope. Her goal is to show that healing is possible, growth is often found in the smallest steps and no one has to walk the journey alone.

This is the perfect episode to release this week, as we approach Tisha B’Av. Sometimes it’s in the pain that we find the most connection. As they say, when there are cracks, that’s where the light can come in. In Matana’s story, we’re also learning about things that could be going on behind the scenes for anyone. So much of the time, we don’t know what another person is really going through. As we work on our ahavas chinam, or love for another Jew, in an attempt to rebuild the beis Hamikdash, Matana’s story can be a reminder of that. It can be a reminder to give ourselves more compassion if we’re going through something of our own and understanding that if you feel hurt or insulted by someone else, it may not be what you think.

In the episode we speak about:

-The moment that anxiety entered her life in a real, overt way and how that changed the course of her life moving forward

-Her journey to heal — what that looked like, what got in her way and how she overcame immense challenge

-What it looks like to reach out when you need help

-What it’s like going through certain aspects of a religious lifestyle when you have OCD and how she worked through that — specifically when it comes to personal challenges like going to the mikvah

-How she dealt with resentment that came up toward Hashem or her religious lifestyle and how she was able to persevere through that

-How she deals with her challenges as a mother and all that motherhood entails

-What she’s doing now to stay mentally healthy every day

…and so much more!

To get more from Matana, visit hopetorecharge.com

Follow her on Instagram at @matanajacobs

Two meditations she listens to:

Morning meditation

https://youtu.be/FmczMP1gQzk?is=VfKZO0zVrPAlEKCr

Gratitude meditation

https://youtu.be/xfD4HaBBc0I?is=tH8VHa9Hzn79hA-Z