Another Jewish Podcast

A lot of us grew up doing Jewish things without always stopping to ask what they’re actually meant to do to us. In this episode, we talk about the parts of Judaism that are meant to be felt, not just performed, meditation, hitbodedut, brachot, mikvah, Tehillim, Shabbat, tzedakah, and the idea that our everyday lives can become much more connected to God. We also get into why so much of that feeling may have been lost over time, what exile did to Jewish spiritual life, and what it could look like to bring some of that depth back in a real and practical way.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Don’t become addicted to spiritual highs

01:08 — Is the first rule of Halacha to meditate?

08:37 — How exile changed the way we experience Judaism

11:26 — Prophecy, Ruach HaKodesh, and what may be returning

17:36 — Hitbonenut, Hitbodedut, and learning to talk to God

26:36 — Brachot and finding God in the physical world

31:47 — Reclaiming the heart and feeling behind Judaism

39:07 — Bringing God-consciousness into work and business

42:50 — Mikvah and the Baal Shem Tov’s spiritual toolkit

47:09 — Tehillim, Tikkun HaKlali, and spiritual healing

52:23 — Pleasure, Shmirat HaBrit, and healthier forms of connection

1:05:40 — Tzedakah, money, and using wealth correctly

1:16:51 — The power of reaching out to someone

1:18:00 — Why you shouldn’t chase spiritual highs

1:21:22 — Israel, Torah, prayer, and expanding your spiritual capacity

This episode is special to me because I got to sit down with my Friendtor (Friend+Mentor) Aron Harkham. Aron is someone I find myself seeking both business advice and life advice from- we essentially have been having a continuous conversation for the last 9 years focused on both the philosophical and practical underpinnings that lead to a great life. What inspires me most about Aron is that the more wins and successes he racks up in his business career- the more down to earth and humble he has become. Most of all, witnessing that level of work ethic up close has expanded my belief in how much I’m capable of accomplishing.

00:00 — How to make your first $100,0000

1:17 — The biggest mistake people make early in their career

04:22 — Aron’s origin story and growing up around business

07:04 — Starting a business at 12 and buying Apple stock

12:00 — 12-hour workdays, Shabbat, and building stamina

14:15 — Creating something from nothing and partnering with God

17:51 — Negotiating with LVMH and why good people matter

23:10 — The price of ambition and knowing what you’re sacrificing

30:22 — Business 101: how to actually get started

33:04 — Treating your life like a startup

39:44 — The real addiction behind your phone

46:02 — Finding God, peace, and beauty in the quiet

54:52 — The lessons Aron learned from his father

1:01:05 — Seven lessons to pass down to the next generation

1:07:25 — The fisherman story and knowing when enough is enough

1:16:10 — What actually makes a good business?

Alec Kremins is building a company in the middle of one of the fastest-changing moments in technology, but this conversation is really about how to build a career without losing yourself in the process. We talk about getting fired just after finding out his wife was pregnant, turning a personal brand into real opportunities, why he believes you can manufacture your own luck, when entrepreneurship actually makes sense, how to know when to pivot, and why being human may become even more valuable as AI gets better. We also get into faith, hitbodedut, ambition, money, risk, and Alec’s belief that you need something bigger than your career to keep you grounded through the highs and lows.

02:02 — Balancing ambition, entrepreneurship, and God04:54 — Hitbodedut: making time to talk to God11:36 — How to know if entrepreneurship is right for you15:25 — Alec’s journey from failed startup to the tech world20:47 — Getting fired, getting back up, and trusting God24:47 — Building a company culture around trust and excellence28:45 — How to prioritize, pivot, and follow the money34:06 — Sunk costs and making difficult leadership decisions38:11 — Why a meaningful life beats an easy life43:03 — Why personal branding matters more in the age of AI47:12 — How to manufacture your own luck53:29 — Standing out by creating value for other people58:25 — Digital leverage: become a creator, not a consumer1:02:13 — Finding an anchor in a world designed to distract you1:06:37 — Work hard, breathe, and know where home is

Pornography is one of those things that affects a huge number of people, but too infrequently are its negative impact on individuals and society discussed. In this episode, we get into why it can become so addictive, what it does to motivation, intimacy, relationships and self-worth, and why shame usually makes things worse. More importantly, we talk about what actually helps: support, accountability, better habits, self-respect, and building a life that gives you something greater to move toward. We also discuss the role of parents, educators and community leaders, and what prevention can look like before the problem gets out of control.You can follow Saadiah's journey at:https://www.instagram.com/saadiah.foundationshttps://www.youtube.com/@Saadiah.Foundations

TIMESTAMPS00:00 Why pornography is so damaging01:44 How pornography affects the brain and motivation05:19 How Saadia got into helping people with addiction11:50 Why people fall into pornography16:14 What actually helps people recover21:41 Pornography, masturbation, and the damage to intimacy28:06 Technology, motivation, and believing your life matters30:26 A practical path out of addiction35:08 Saadia’s own struggles and why this work became personal39:28 Can we actually solve a problem this big?42:10 What Saadia would tell someone struggling right now44:40 What parents and educators need to hear45:38 Finding a future worth working toward50:31 Building a healthier vision for the future53:42 What to do immediately after you fall55:23 Finding hope and joy within the struggle58:07 Prevention, parenting, and healthier homes1:00:37 Israel, connection, and a sense of belonging1:02:45 Saadia’s future plans and building a support community1:04:51 A closing blessing

High school dropout, CEO, Torah observant Jew: Daniel Poneman is a Chicago native who has been in the sports world since the age of 14. His journey is anything but linear- while most teenagers are learning in school at age 16, Daniel was out discovering future NBA stars. While most adults in their 30s are fully focused on building their career, Daniel decided to take time to study in Yeshiva (Jewish Torah School), while being the CEO of college basketballs most influential sports agency. My personal takeaway from this episode is that spiritual development and career development are not contradictory. If we approach life from a place of authenticity and seeking- wherever we find ourselves becomes the arena for our development and growth.

TIMESTAMPS

00:22 — Building a sports career and finding a deeper path

01:11 — You don’t choose your destiny — you discover it

02:30 — Starting a basketball business at 14

07:25 — Sports Illustrated, YouTube, and finding future NBA stars

10:53 — Choosing basketball over college

13:14 — Losing momentum and hitting rock bottom

15:07 — How failure sparked a spiritual awakening

19:30 — Why happiness can’t depend on success

22:30 — From Eastern spirituality to discovering Judaism

24:11 — The Costa Rica experience that changed everything

30:13 — Success on paper, misery behind the scenes

37:01 — Adversity, resilience, and wrestling with God

41:42 — Judaism as a technology for faith

46:47 — Balancing spiritual growth with business success

48:56 — Why I went to Yeshiva at the peak of my career

54:20 — Building WEAVE and representing hundreds of athletes

58:12 — Hard lessons: hiring, firing, and difficult conversations

1:02:44 — Integrity, Torah, and becoming a better leader

1:08:20 — Closing blessing and what comes next

In this episode we discuss the significance and deeper meaning of the high holidays. We lay a foundation of what Rosh Hashana is so that we are able to truly grasp the power of Yom Kippur. A lot of our tradition is so layered and complex and obviously this conversation is the tip of the iceberg. Reminder that books are your best friend and contain so much more wisdom and context.I originally connected with Steve 4.5 years ago before leading my first birthright trip. He sat on the phone with me for an hour giving me advice. It is no surprise that he made himself available to record this episode with less than 24 hours of notice. I want to take this moment to wish you an easy and meaningful fast. May you feel God's presence with you each step of the way.

TIMESTAMPS

00:27 — Should I fast this Yom Kippur?
02:45 — The first step: believing you can actually change
04:19 — Why Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are so powerful
06:19 — Shofar, judgment, and Rosh Hashanah as a day of assessment
10:28 — The birthday of humanity and starting with a new script
15:50 — What it means to bring more goodness into the world
21:15 — Shofar, the soul, and learning to move on
28:35 — Why Yom Kippur is actually one of the happiest days of the year
30:52 — Confession, unity, and why we speak in the plural
32:46 — Baby steps, forgiveness, and repairing relationships
34:55 — Where Yom Kippur comes from: Moses and the Golden Calf
38:17 — Resetting your life and choosing one thing to change
44:18 — Yom Kippur explained in 40 seconds
45:56 — Five things to understand about Yom Kippur
48:12 — Avinu Malkeinu: God as both parent and king
49:31 — What to do if you struggle with prayer
52:48 — Neilah and the power of the final moments of Yom Kippur

When I heard that my first friend ever was coming to Israel I knew we would have to get a session in together. Yossef and I spend hours on the phone sharing our discoveries and observations on the human experience. It's our attempt to make sense of a world that always seems to be filled with chaos and volatility as well as our deep rooted belief- that life if done right can lead to beautiful and magical outcomes. We decided to invite you along for the journey this time.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — My childhood best friend interviews me
00:35 — Building AJP without losing myself
03:12 — What a bad day actually looks like
06:04 — No one is coming to save us
10:58 — Marriage, fatherhood, and moving to Israel
14:53 — EMDR, old wounds, and becoming ready
18:27 — Marriage, pressure, and learning to provide
19:32 — Finding your why
20:47 — Solitude and creating space for consciousness
24:19 — Childhood scars and turning pain into energy
28:21 — Creating distance from the line of fire
33:11 — Talking to God and going straight to the source
34:42 — Turning off your phone and getting quiet
40:54 — Agreements, discipline, and rebuilding self-trust
49:19 — Books, mentors, and finding people you connect to
53:05 — The future vision for Another Jewish Podcast
1:02:13 — Consistency, discipline, and episode 19
1:03:00 — A blessing for courage and solitude

Rabbi Moshe Nadtich gives a grounded and soulful guide to Rosh Hashana: what the day actually means, how to prepare for it, and how to tap into it without getting overwhelmed or stuck in your head. We talk about judgment, prayer, shofar, apples and honey, trusting God for a good year, and why emotional health may be the first step to real spiritual connection. This conversation is less about pressure and more about learning how to show up honestly, feed your soul, and enter the new year with clarity, hope, and intention.

TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Intro: Rosh Hashana, the soul, and spiritual preparation00:16 — What Rosh Hashana felt like 200 years ago02:37 — Why Rosh Hashana is such a serious opportunity06:31 — Rosh Hashana 101: creation, judgment, and prayer09:02 — How Jews traditionally prepared for the new year11:05 — How to tap in through intention15:49 — Why your soul already knows the truth18:20 — Emotional health as the starting point24:38 — Taking an honest account of your life25:54 — Finding the spiritual batteries in Judaism31:51 — What to do before Rosh Hashana begins38:19 — Apples, honey, and programming the year43:05 — Shofar, breath, judgment, and new life49:55 — Trusting Hashem for a good year56:23 — Three things that block your blessing1:02:31 — Three simple things every Jew can do1:03:45 — God loves us and wants us close1:06:08 — A blessing for the Jewish people

Eliyahu Pereira joins us for a conversation about Teshuvah, Rosh Hashanah, and what it really means to return to Hashem. We talk about why Teshuvah isn’t about becoming perfect or beating yourself up over your mistakes, but learning to move forward with more joy, self-compassion, and connection. Eliyahu shares teachings from Rebbe Nachman and the Baal Shem Tov on Emunah, dealing with failure, choosing joy, navigating Jewish law, making difficult decisions, and learning to see Hashem with more love and mercy.

TIMESTAMPS:00:18 Teshuvah Isn’t What You Think02:39 Why Returning Should Make You Happier05:58 The First Step Back08:24 Stop Beating Yourself Up11:24 How to Wake Yourself Up Spiritually15:15 Jewish Law Isn’t Just Rules19:30 How Far Should You Push Yourself?23:18 The Biggest Ideas in Chassidut26:39 Why Joy Changes Everything30:52 If You’re Miserable, Something’s Wrong33:23 The Power of Daily Personal Prayer35:45 What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do38:21 What Rosh Hashanah Is Actually About43:19 Change the Way You See God45:35 Five Principles for Starting Again48:33 The Inner Shift That Changes Everything51:42 What Happens When You Fail?56:28 Building a Different Kind of Torah Community

In this episode, Daniel Poneman shares the wild story of losing the business he built, burning out as a sports agent, and finding his way back to God, Torah, and himself. From growing up around Eastern spirituality, to discovering Chabad, wrapping tefillin, keeping Shabbat, and rebuilding his agency through faith, Daniel’s journey is filled with strange timing, real miracles, and a lot of honesty. We also talk about Mac McClung’s dunk contest moment, the pressure young athletes face, why money alone does not create happiness, and what it means to use success as a vessel for something bigger.

TIMESTAMPS:00:56 — Dan’s many chapters and becoming a Baal Teshuva03:41 — Growing up with Eastern spirituality08:41 — The Rebbe, Chabad, and finding his way back13:30 — His first time wrapping tefillin17:42 — Moving to Crown Heights without knowing why20:14 — Mashiach, mitzvot, and personal transformation23:05 — Burnout, leaving the agency, and starting over27:07 — The Costa Rica vision that led him to Torah30:04 — The Mack McClung miracle31:28 — Building a sports agency through faith37:30 — Tzitzis, kippah, and representing God40:04 — Learning to fully keep Shabbat44:08 — Losing his mind to find his soul46:50 — Helping athletes find their “why”53:54 — Dan’s blessing for the podcast