Deep Meaningful Conversations

Normal frum women (and men, for that matter) have normal frum struggles. It’s normal. (Did we say that already?) And the mitzvah or societal norm that we struggle with may not be the ones you struggle with. We’re all on our own religious journeys and in our own unique relationships with Hashem.

In this episode you’ll hear:

- The religious struggles of some awesome normal frum women

- The inspiration behind this episode (who is also our very first SURPRISE GUEST later on in the episode!!)

- Alex and Rivki getting real about the mitzvos and societal stuff that can be challenging to them

- How we deal with the the struggles that we have

At the end of today’s episode, we hope you will have gained some chizuk in knowing that we all grapple at different points in our lives with different parts of Judaism, and that’s ok and even healthy. But at the end of the day, we want to come out of the struggle stronger.

This episode is sponsored by Grove Kosher Market. We are sure you have heard the buzz around town, but now it's official! Cleveland, get ready for the FULL Grove Kosher experience people have come to know and love from the Florida Grove locations! Be sure to come by July 22nd for the grand opening! Enjoy live music, raffles, meet and greet the staff and many more surprises to come.

We’d love to hear from you. You can find us on social media, or email us at [email protected]. 

We’ve all heard the inspiring stories of hashgacha pratis and self-sacrifice of BTs who have done whatever it takes to make the sometimes huge change to a life of Torah observance. But what happens after that initial decision to become observant? How do BTs navigate their new world which is full of unspoken rules that can’t exactly be found on Aish.com?

We speak with Liv Sher, an undergrad at NYU, and newly observant NFW, as well as Penina Taylor, an inspirational speaker and master mindset coach, who has married off all her children.

In this episode you’ll hear:

At the end of today’s episode, we hope you’ll have gained more insight into, and appreciation of, the experiences of baalei teshuva in our community.

This episode is sponsored by BakeBox For Kids, a monthly kosher baking kit subscription, providing hands on fun for little and big bakers. Each beautifully packaged box comes complete with pre-measured, individually packaged dry ingredients, step by step instructions and a fun activity. You can choose from the beginners or advanced option, and from a 1, 6 or 12 month subscription plan. Follow @bakebox_for_kids on instagram. Visit https://www.bakeboxforkids.com to subscribe today.

We’d love to hear from you. You can find us on social media, or email us at [email protected]. And please send us your Takeaway mentioned in the episode!

References:

Penina’s podcasts:

Leap of Faith -  https://anchor.fm/penina-taylor18 or

https://israelnewstalkradio.com/category/penina-taylor/

Hold That Thought - https://anchor.fm/penina-taylor

Penina Taylor’s website  peninataylor.com

To book Penina for a speaking event this fall, email [email protected]

The BT book that Alex referenced: https://becomingfrum.weebly.com

We’ve all heard the inspiring stories of hashgacha pratis and self-sacrifice of BTs who have done whatever it takes to make the sometimes huge change to a life of Torah observance. But what happens after that initial decision to become observant? How do BTs navigate their new world which is full of unspoken rules that can’t exactly be found on Aish.com?

We speak with Liv Sher, an undergrad at NYU, and newly observant NFW, as well as Penina Taylor, an inspirational speaker and master mindset coach, who has married off all her children.

In this episode you’ll hear:

At the end of today’s episode, we hope you’ll have gained more insight into, and appreciation of, the experiences of baalei teshuva in our community.

This episode is sponsored by BakeBox For Kids, a monthly kosher baking kit subscription, providing hands on fun for little and big bakers. Each beautifully packaged box comes complete with pre-measured, individually packaged dry ingredients, step by step instructions and a fun activity. You can choose from the beginners or advanced option, and from a 1, 6 or 12 month subscription plan. Follow @bakebox_for_kids on instagram. Visit https://www.bakeboxforkids.com to subscribe today.

We’d love to hear from you. You can find us on social media, or email us at [email protected]. And please send us your Takeaway mentioned in the episode!

References:

Penina’s podcasts:

Leap of Faith -  https://anchor.fm/penina-taylor18 or

https://israelnewstalkradio.com/category/penina-taylor/

Hold That Thought - https://anchor.fm/penina-taylor

Penina Taylor’s website  peninataylor.com

To book Penina for a speaking event this fall, email [email protected]

The BT book that Alex referenced: https://becomingfrum.weebly.com

School is out, it’s hot and muggy outside, and we’re feeling some summer vibes! Today’s episode is all about road trips! And we’re not just talking about the cross-country types. Any time you get in the car to do something fun -- by yourself or with the family in tow -- counts. And we’ve learned lots of tips and tricks from our guest, Jodi Fried, founder of Love.Adventure.Mom and host of the To Mom Life podcast, who has a personal love for all things road trips!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

By the end of today’s episode, we hope you’ve gotten some helpful pointers, as well as a bit of inspiration, to get out of the house and plan a fun trip for you (and maybe your family too) this summer.

This episode is sponsored by the Howie and Luba Penner 

We’d love to hear from you. You can find us on social media, or email us at [email protected]. And please send us your Takeaway mentioned in the episode!

References:

- Jodi Fried’s website: www.loveadventure.mom

-Jodi's Road Trip Activity Guide  

School is out, it’s hot and muggy outside, and we’re feeling some summer vibes! Today’s episode is all about road trips! And we’re not just talking about the cross-country types. Any time you get in the car to do something fun -- by yourself or with the family in tow -- counts. And we’ve learned lots of tips and tricks from our guest, Jodi Fried, founder of Love.Adventure.Mom and host of the To Mom Life podcast, who has a personal love for all things road trips!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

By the end of today’s episode, we hope you’ve gotten some helpful pointers, as well as a bit of inspiration, to get out of the house and plan a fun trip for you (and maybe your family too) this summer.

This episode is sponsored by the Howie and Luba Penner 

We’d love to hear from you. You can find us on social media, or email us at [email protected]. And please send us your Takeaway mentioned in the episode!

References:

- Jodi Fried’s website: www.loveadventure.mom

-Jodi's Road Trip Activity Guide  

So this week’s episode is a biggie: We’re tackling marriage. Or, as much as we can tackle in 45 minutes. The only expertise that we have on the topic is that we are each married, so whatever experience that comes with is what we’re bringing to the table.

But, good news, we’re bringing on marriage coach Kayla Levin to give us the lowdown on some common issues and struggles she helps women deal with in their marriages.

Today we’ll be talking about:

By the end of today’s episode we hope that you walk away with some practical tools and mindsets to improve your marriage, or any close relationship.

This episode is sponsored by Rivke Gardner, Marriage Coach. Rivke Gardner is a Certified Marriage Coach trained by Dina Friedman. In her private coaching practice and group coaching programs she takes women on a transformational marriage journey: From conflict and resentment to love and connection. Connect with Rivke at [email protected] or call 216-926-9036.

We’d love to hear from you. You can find us on social media, or email us at [email protected]. And please send us your Takeaway mentioned in the episode!

References:

-Kayla Levin’s website:

https://firstyearmarried.com/

-Kayla Levin’s podcast:

https://firstyearmarried.com/podcast/

So this week’s episode is a biggie: We’re tackling marriage. Or, as much as we can tackle in 45 minutes. The only expertise that we have on the topic is that we are each married, so whatever experience that comes with is what we’re bringing to the table.

But, good news, we’re bringing on marriage coach Kayla Levin to give us the lowdown on some common issues and struggles she helps women deal with in their marriages.

Today we’ll be talking about:

By the end of today’s episode we hope that you walk away with some practical tools and mindsets to improve your marriage, or any close relationship.

This episode is sponsored by Rivke Gardner, Marriage Coach. Rivke Gardner is a Certified Marriage Coach trained by Dina Friedman. In her private coaching practice and group coaching programs she takes women on a transformational marriage journey: From conflict and resentment to love and connection. Connect with Rivke at [email protected] or call 216-926-9036.

We’d love to hear from you. You can find us on social media, or email us at [email protected]. And please send us your Takeaway mentioned in the episode!

References:

-Kayla Levin’s website:

https://firstyearmarried.com/

-Kayla Levin’s podcast:

https://firstyearmarried.com/podcast/

Last episode, we asked everyone in our takeaway to think about if life turned out the way you dreamed it would as a teenager, and what you would tell your teenage self about your future. We were really thinking ahead about today’s episode. So here we are: You’re an adult, and this is your life. There are going to be disappointments and dissatisfactions. It’s normal. But now what? How can we be content with the life we have?

In this episode we’ll be talking about ways we have come to terms with how our lives are not the exact pictures we painted them to be. We’re also talking with author and Mishpacha Magazine contributor Esther Kurtz about the idea of “Jewish privilege” and how that plays out in our struggles of being satisfied with our lots.

By the end of today’s episode we hope you walk away feeling inspired to better appreciate the life you lead, warts and all, and feel more empowered to deal with any interfering thoughts of comparison, inadequacy and disappointment that rob the joy out of life.

This episode is sponsored by Master My Space, a luxury home professional organizing company based in Cleveland. Working with the way you naturally function, not fighting it. Want to find out your organizing personality and how to take advantage so it works for you? Contact [email protected] to schedule a session. Visit mastermyspace.com for more info and follow her on Instagram @mastermyspace.

We’d love to hear from you. You can find us on social media, or email us at [email protected]. And please send us your Takeaway mentioned in the episode!

References:

- Brene Brown’s ideas on scarcity can be found in her book Daring Greatly. https://www.amazon.com/Daring-Greatly-Courage-Vulnerable-Transforms/dp/1592408419

- https://www.estherkurtz.com

Last episode, we asked everyone in our takeaway to think about if life turned out the way you dreamed it would as a teenager, and what you would tell your teenage self about your future. We were really thinking ahead about today’s episode. So here we are: You’re an adult, and this is your life. There are going to be disappointments and dissatisfactions. It’s normal. But now what? How can we be content with the life we have?

In this episode we’ll be talking about ways we have come to terms with how our lives are not the exact pictures we painted them to be. We’re also talking with author and Mishpacha Magazine contributor Esther Kurtz about the idea of “Jewish privilege” and how that plays out in our struggles of being satisfied with our lots.

By the end of today’s episode we hope you walk away feeling inspired to better appreciate the life you lead, warts and all, and feel more empowered to deal with any interfering thoughts of comparison, inadequacy and disappointment that rob the joy out of life.

This episode is sponsored by Master My Space, a luxury home professional organizing company based in Cleveland. Working with the way you naturally function, not fighting it. Want to find out your organizing personality and how to take advantage so it works for you? Contact [email protected] to schedule a session. Visit mastermyspace.com for more info and follow her on Instagram @mastermyspace.

We’d love to hear from you. You can find us on social media, or email us at [email protected]. And please send us your Takeaway mentioned in the episode!

References:

- Brene Brown’s ideas on scarcity can be found in her book Daring Greatly. https://www.amazon.com/Daring-Greatly-Courage-Vulnerable-Transforms/dp/1592408419

- https://www.estherkurtz.com

A lot's been said about self-care in the world of frum media. Based on all the passionate (and indignant) letter writers out there, it seems that the topic of what is self-care and what it isn’t, why we need it and how to do it, can get controversial at times. So we wanted to have the discussion right here on the podcast, Normal Frum Women-style!

In today’s episode we’ll be discussing:

- What self-care means and how to do it

- Rivki and Alex’s self-care evolution

- The crucial role of mental health in self-care, with psychotherapist Dr. Rachel Goodman

- Practical tips and inspiration from the salon chair with aesthetician and sheitel macher Fariba Diamond

By the end of this episode, we hope you’ll feel more inspired along with us to make YOU a priority in your busy life.

This episode is sponsored by Wellness by Miriam, the 17-day diet plan, boutique nutrition and weight loss program . Visit www.wellnessbymiriam.com for more information and follow her on instagram @wellness.delivered.

We’d love to hear from you. You can find us on social media, or email us at [email protected]. And please send us your Takeaway mentioned in the episode!

References:

Dr. Rachel Goodman’s website: www.drrachelgoodman.com

Mental Health Shabbat: www.mentalhealth.tbdj.org

Fariba Diamond: instagram - @faribadiamond