Better Call Daddy

What does it mean to balance old school values with the rapid advancements of technology?

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts welcomes tech expert Oshri Cohen, who delves into the importance of maintaining traditional values in a world increasingly dominated by AI and digital innovation.

The conversation touches on the challenges of parenting in the digital age, particularly when it comes to navigating platforms like YouTube, and how his new product, Watchly Player, aims to create a safer viewing experience for children.

Oshri Cohen is an AI-native Chief Product & Technology Officer who helps companies build software the way modern teams actually should. Over 25 years in software — 20 of them in technology leadership — he has made AI-native transformation his focus: rewiring how engineering organizations plan, build, and ship, not just bolting AI features onto old workflows. He leans on cloud-native architecture, DORA metrics, and GitOps to turn slow, siloed teams into fast, measurable product engines.

His range is unusually broad. Since 2018 he has served as fractional and interim CTO to more than 30 companies, almost all US-based, and at his peak directed 12 engineering teams across seven countries. He has shipped more than ten digital products across healthtech, e-commerce, manufacturing, logistics, and finance. A McGill business grad who taught himself to code at 13, Oshri leads business-first — every technical decision starts at the P&L, never the other way around.

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What does it really take to break the cycles you were handed and build something better for the next generation?

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Kelby Green, purpose-driven entrepreneur and proud girl dad, for a conversation that moves between boardrooms and bedrooms the business of building a life with intention.

Kelby opens up about leaving the corporate world behind, what pushed him toward entrepreneurship, and the hard lessons that came with the leap.

Reena and Kelby get into the real work of validating ideas before falling in love with them, why investing in yourself is non-negotiable, and how to network in a way that actually feels human. They also tackle the trickier stuff when to work for free, when to walk away from a partnership, and how to build community around what you create.

And woven throughout it all: fatherhood. Kelby reflects on how raising daughters shapes the way he thinks about business, legacy, and what it means to give kids room to figure out who they are.

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In this heartfelt episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts reunites with her childhood friend Carre Gordon to talk about loss, connection, and healing. The two reminisce about their carefree days growing up together in Kentucky before Carre shares her journey through grief after the sudden loss of her son, Grant, during what began as an ordinary birthday celebration.

Carre opens up about the unexpected signs and messages she's received from Grant, and how they've shown her that her bond with her son didn't end it just changed shape. The conversation moves through the role of spirituality, the healing power of community, and the lessons trauma can teach us about strength and vulnerability.

Together, Reena and Carre explore mediumship, the idea of soul contracts, and what it means to stay connected to someone you've lost. Carre's story is a gentle, grounded reminder that grief isn't linear and that love doesn't disappear, it just finds new ways to reach us.

If you or someone you love is navigating loss, this episode offers comfort, honesty, and the reassurance that you're not walking through it alone.

(00:00) Introduction to Carre Gordon

Resources mentioned

https://www.helpingparentsheal.org/

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Join us for this enlightening conversation about love, loss, and the connections that keep shaping our lives even after death. If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that support is available and healing is possible.

What happens when personal trauma intersects with a mission to advocate for justice?

In this powerful episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Ariella Goldberg-Kay, a survivor liaison for Zaakah, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence within the Jewish community.

Ariella Kay opens up about her deeply personal connection to this work, rooted in her aunt's tragic story of sexual assault and suicide  a loss that has profoundly shaped her life and advocacy.

Reena and Ariella explore the complexities of trauma recovery, the stigma surrounding mental health in religious communities, and the fight for justice for survivors of sexual abuse.

Ariella shares how her own experiences fueled her passion for advocacy, helping other survivors find their voice and pursue legal action against their abusers.

The conversation also unpacks the unique challenges Jewish survivors face from barriers to reporting abuse to inadequate institutional responses. Ariella explains how Zaakah is changing the landscape for survivors by empowering them to seek justice without needing rabbinical approval, and why a trauma-informed approach is essential to real healing.

If you or someone you know needs support, Zaakah's confidential hotline is available at 1-888-492-2524, or visit www.zaakah.org.

"I don't want people to have to live with the aftermath of suicide or sexual abuse."

"Your relationship with God is between you and God, and no one else should dictate that."

"If an institution can't afford to pay restitution for the abuse that happened there, it doesn't deserve to exist anymore."

(00:00) Introduction to Ariella K. and Zaakah

Website: www.zaakah.org | Instagram

Outcry Podcast 

https://www.facebook.com/zaakah

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

If you've ever wondered how trauma shapes our lives — and why advocacy and community support matter for survivors of sexual abuse — this episode of Better Call Daddy is a must-listen.

Need support? Zaakah's hotline: 1-888-492-2524 | www.zaakah.org

What draws us to true crime and what does it say about us?

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Jerry Matz, the mind behind the hit Instagram account ID Crime Vault, for an honest conversation about true crime, storytelling, and the family moments that shape who we become.

Jerry traces his love of true crime back to childhood watching shows like Joe Kenda and Hollywood Demons with family, and slowly realizing he didn't just want to consume these stories. He wanted to tell them.

Reena and Jerry dig into what makes crime narratives so compelling, how he built a loyal community one consistent post at a time, and why patience might be the most underrated skill in content creation.

The conversation also gets real about the darker side of the industry — the psychological toll reality TV takes on its participants, and the responsibility creators and media have to portray crime with accuracy and empathy.

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🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS:

If you've ever found yourself three hours deep in a true crime rabbit hole and wondered why — this episode is for you.

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Jey Young, a mental health counselor and podcaster, to talk about holding grief and joy at once. Just weeks before welcoming his baby boy into the world, Jey lost his father to suicide.

Jey Young opens up about what it's like to process devastating loss while celebrating new life, sharing raw, unfiltered insight into that emotional whiplash. Together, Reena and Jey dig into the nuances of mental health, the power of open communication, and why community support matters most in moments of crisis.

The conversation traces how Jey's experiences have reshaped his understanding of fatherhood and mental health, offering listeners real takeaways on resilience, connection, and the importance of checking in on the people we love. Reena and Jey also reflect on their own stories, underscoring how vulnerability and authenticity are what make relationships meaningful.

It's also Men's Mental Health Month, and this episode is a reminder of why that matters: men are still far less likely to ask for help or talk about what they're carrying, even when it's costing them everything.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text, 24/7.

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💭 MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM JEY:

"Life is a lot emptier. My phone feels a lot heavier, and my call log feels empty."

"Just to check on people, just to ask how they're doing, just to be there for them, just to show up for them."

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Join us for this heartfelt conversation about sharing our stories and showing up for one another through life's hardest and most beautiful moments.

What happens when deep grief meets the journey of healing, honesty, and vulnerability?

In this heartfelt episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts reconnects with Malisa Hepner grief expert and host of Emotionally Unavailable who has faced unimaginable loss.

Malisa shares her profound journey through the heartache of losing her child, revealing the layers of grief that come with such a loss and how it has shaped her understanding of emotional availability.

Malisa opens up about her experiences with loss, including the passing of her parents and her child, and how these events have reshaped her perspective on vulnerability and connection. Reena and Malisa dive deep into authentic communication, the discomfort that often accompanies grief, and the necessity of allowing yourself to feel every emotion without judgment.

They also talk honestly about the adjustments that come with major life changes how grief forces you to rebuild your sense of normal, and what that process actually looks like day to day.

They discuss how societal expectations often lead to dismissive responses to grief, the importance of creating safe spaces for those who are mourning, and the power of vulnerability and community support.

Sharing one's story, they explore, can be a healing act not just for the person grieving, but for everyone who hears it.

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💭 MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM MALISA:

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Join us for this enlightening conversation that reminds us of the power of connection, empathy, and the importance of sharing our stories in the face of tragedy.

Reena goes on the other side of the mic and brings it back home.

This one's a flip of the script. Robert Plank — podcaster, interviewer, and WordPress wizard who's sat across from over a thousand guests — turns the tables and interviews Reena on his own show. Then Wayne tunes in, weighs in, and Reena wraps it with a custom intro just for the Better Call Daddy family.

The conversation covers what happens when you spend years behind the mic before you ever step in front of it: how early experiences in entertainment shaped Reena's approach to storytelling, why vulnerability is the through-line of every great interview, and what it actually takes to find your voice as a podcaster. Robert brings the craft perspective — Reena brings the heart — and Wayne brings the commentary only a dad can.

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🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS:

What happens when everything you've been taught to believe is built on fear?

In this powerful episode of Better Call Daddy, Reena Friedman Watts sits down with cult survivor Ryan Anthony Hernandez, host of the Truth That Heals podcast, to discuss his journey out of a controlling religious community and into a life of freedom, healing, and self-discovery.

Ryan shares what it was like growing up in a high-control religious environment where questioning authority came at a cost. He opens up about the promises of belonging, purpose, and certainty that initially drew him in, as well as the manipulation, fear, and emotional consequences that followed.

Together, Reena and Ryan explore religious trauma, faith deconstruction, identity reconstruction, and the courage it takes to leave behind everything you've ever known. Ryan reveals how storytelling became an essential part of his healing process and how he's learning to trust himself after years of conditioning.

The conversation also dives into relationships after trauma, redefining spirituality, and the search for authentic love and connection. With thoughtful insights from Reena's dad, the discussion highlights the importance of loyalty, self-worth, and living in alignment with your truth.

Whether you've experienced religious trauma, left a high-control group, questioned your beliefs, or are simply searching for deeper authenticity, this episode offers hope, perspective, and healing.

"Leaving a cult is a lot like leaving a religion. You're taught fear before freedom." — Ryan Anthony Hernandez

In this episode:

Keywords: cult survivor, religious trauma, spiritual abuse, healing from a cult, faith deconstruction, identity reconstruction, personal growth, self-discovery, emotional healing, truth that heals, overcoming fear, cult recovery, trauma recovery, spirituality, freedom from control, Better Call Daddy podcast.

Connect with Ryan Anthony

https://www.facebook.com/ryan.anthony.hernandez.2025

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-anthony-h-b209b7174/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheTruthThatHealsPodcast

What happens when Kentucky roots, a life in radio, and a passion for understanding people come together through the power of voice?

In this down-to-earth episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts reconnects with Jonathan Mertz host of It’s Your Break for a conversation about creativity, reinvention, and what it truly means to use your voice with purpose.

From Kentucky roots to radio beginnings, Jonathan shares how his journey has taken him through IT, consulting, voice work, and even working in a jail each chapter shaping how he sees people and the stories they carry.

“There’s power in speaking and even more power in learning to understand people.”

Jonathan opens up about fatherhood, mentorship, weight loss, knee surgery, and the uncomfortable seasons that force growth.

He reflects on his late grandmother’s influence, the importance of education, and how family continues to ground his creative path.

The conversation also explores his wife’s experience discovering her biological father later in life, highlighting themes of identity, connection, and healing through truth.

Reena and Jonathan dive into the art of voice acting, podcasting, and storytelling discussing how tone, presence, and authenticity shape the way we connect with others.

This episode is a reminder that every voice carries weight and every story has the power to change how we understand one another.

🔑 Episode Keywords

Better Call Daddy, Family Relationships, Parenting Advice, Generational Trauma, Jewish Culture, Personal Development, Emotional Healing, Forgiveness, Life Lessons, Family Dynamics, Bar Mitzvah, Motherhood, Storytelling, Self-Discovery, Legacy Building, Communication Skills, Relationship Building, Healing Through Art, Navigating Divorce, Childhood Memories

Kentucky roots and early radio beginnings

Reinvention through IT, consulting, and voice work

Lessons learned from working in a jail

Fatherhood, mentorship, and personal growth

Family legacy and his grandmother’s influence

Identity, adoption, and reconnecting with family

The craft of voice acting and storytelling

Why discomfort leads to growth

(00:00) Welcome to Better Call Daddy

(05:15) From radio to reinvention

(15:30) Working in a jail & understanding people

(25:00) Fatherhood and family influence

(35:45) Identity, connection & discovery

(45:00) Voice acting, creativity & storytelling

If you’ve ever wondered how your voice, your story, and your experiences connect you’ll feel right at home in this conversation.

Connect with Jonathan 

https://itsyourbreak.com/

Connect with Reena

https://www.youtube.com/c/bettercalldaddy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts/

instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts