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Finding Meaning Through Viktor Frankl, Chabad Chassidus & Therapy
In this episode of From The Inside Out Podcast with Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein, we interview Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, a therapist and author of "Viktor Frankl and the Psychology of the Soul," about integrating CBT, marriage/family therapy, Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy, and Chabad Chassidus. Schonbuch explains Frankl’s core idea that humans are driven by meaning, not pleasure or power, and outlines three ways to find meaning: purposeful work, love/experience, and changing one’s attitude when suffering can’t be avoided. He describes creating TorahPsychology.org, holding Hakhel conferences inspired by the Rebbe’s encouragement and a message sent to Frankl, and using a 30-day logotherapy workbook to reduce depression and anxiety. The conversation also covers shared meaning in marriage, rising divorce and estrangement, parenting tools (I=QR, connection/communication/reduced control), reflective listening, trauma and meaning, and incorporating Mitteler Rebbe  teachings and “Tracht gut vet zein gut.”

EPISODE SPONSORS

Yakira Bella

Yakira Bella is a modest, beautiful clothing brand with dresses that look and feel like designer pieces — elegant, well-made, and made to move with you all night — without the designer price tag. Their pieces get noticed and get compliments every time, and they're proud to be a brand featured on our podcast. Check out the link in our show notes. 

🔗 https://go.jcn.io/ybio

Heart & Mind Matters
This episode is also sponsored in part by Heart & Mind Matters, a ready-to-use social skills curriculum created by Henny Moskowitz for therapists, teachers, and social workers. Built from real sessions and years of hands-on experience, it takes the guesswork out of lesson planning with goal-oriented worksheets, activities, and games — already trusted by over 100 therapists, educators, and parents.
🔗 https://go.jcn.io/hmio

Basically Kids

Basically kids offers everyday kids' clothing essentials at everyday prices, perfect for the new season when everyone's suddenly scrambling for polos, pants, and anything to fit kids who somehow grew three inches over the summer. It's made for busy parents: shop the link below, or just text your sizes to 833-588-8332 and they'll take care of the rest.

🔗 https://go.jcn.io/sbio

Atzmi
Atzmi runs evidence-based, Torah-grounded programs — including My Best Self — helping girls build real confidence and measure their worth by who they are, not the world's standards. Active in 80+ schools..
Learn more & register: https://go.jcn.io/AtzmiIO

Kosher Riverboat Cruises:

KRC Expeditions charters entire riverboats and ships — fully kosher, mehadrin, under the hashgacha of Rav Hamachshir Rabbi Yitzchak Fisher. Every meal, every kitchen, every Shabbos is built for you, with rooftop pools and private decks, surrounded by people who get it. Their destinations go far beyond the expected too: Vietnam and Cambodia, the British Isles, the Lower Danube, Southern India and Sri Lanka, Norway — even Antarctica, with a hechsher. As they put it, you arrive as strangers and leave as lifelong cruise friends. Learn more at kosherrivercruise.com, call 310-237-0122, or email [email protected].

GUEST BIOS

Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch is a therapist, Chabad rabbi, and author who has spent decades helping individuals, couples, and families achieve emotional wellness by integrating psychological and spiritual principles. Trained in CBT, EMDR, and marriage and family therapy, he is best known for bringing Viktor Frankl's logotherapy — the psychology of meaning — into his clinical work, alongside the teachings of the Mitteler Rebbe and Chabad Chassidus. He is the founder of TorahPsychology.org, where he has trained thousands of coaches and counselors, and the author of several books, including At Risk: Never Beyond Reach, Think Good Will Be Good, and his newest work, Viktor Frankl and the Psychology of the Soul. Rabbi Schonbuch lives in Crown Heights and works with clients from all walks of life and faiths around the world.

You can find Rabbi Schonbuch and his books here: https://torahpsychology.org/about-us/

COMMUNITY
Join the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 135, share insights, and continue the conversation:
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💫 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheInsideOutPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

CHAPTERS
00:00 – Intro & Meet Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch

00:03 – How a Rabbi Became a Psychologist

00:06 – Who Was Viktor Frankl? Freud, Adler & the Birth of Logotherapy

00:09 – The Three Ways to Find Meaning

00:13 – Why This Generation Needs Frankl More Than Ever

00:14 – Was Viktor Frankl Religious? The Rebbe's Hidden Message

00:20 – The Mitteler Rebbe's Techniques for Going Deeper in Therapy

00:23 – Marriage, Gottman & the Power of Shared Meaning

00:26 – The Real Crisis Behind Today's Teens: The 3 C's

00:36 – Why Marriages Are Falling Apart So Fast

00:38 – Finding Your "Why" in Marriage

00:45 – The Crisis of Meaning, By the Numbers

00:47 – Finding Meaning in Suffering

00:52 – Why Meaning Doesn't Have to Be Big

00:58 – Meeting Your Teen in Their World, Not Lecturing Them

01:05 – The Three Tools That Changed His Career

01:14 – The Story of Yitzi Horwitz & Finding Chabad

01:22 – Think Good and It Will Be Good

01:29 – His Favorite Quote & Where to Find Him

COMMUNITY
Join the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 101, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:

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Somatic Healing, Emotional Safety & the 5 Foundations of Marriage | Miriam Racquel & Dovid Feldman

In this episode of From The Inside Out Podcast with Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein, we welcome marriage helpers Miriam Racquel and Dovid Feldman, a Chabad couple who work with couples and individuals. They share their personal journey from meeting in college through different paths in Judaism, and how they now combine Dovid’s strength-based, solution-oriented therapy and 12-week Recreating Intimacy program with Miriam Racquel’s somatic mind-body healing. The conversation explores nervous system states in marriage, how to trust bodily signals while interpreting them wisely, and practical communication tools that avoid criticism and blame. They discuss rising divorce rates, social media’s anti-marriage bias, emotional regulation, “letting go” of expectations, emotional safety, receiving, and intimacy differences between men and women. They close with Torah- and Rebbe-based perspectives, quotes, and resources including their websites and books.

SPONSORS

Swimply
Today's episode is sponsored by Swimply — the app that lets you book a private pool by the hour, no crowds, no chaos, just your own space to swim with your family. With pools available across all 50 states, it's an easy, private way to plan a fun summer outing. Use code INSIDEOUT10 for 10% off your next booking.
🔗 Swimply.com

Heart & Mind Matters
This episode is also sponsored in part by Heart & Mind Matters, a ready-to-use social skills curriculum created by Henny Moskowitz for therapists, teachers, and social workers. Built from real sessions and years of hands-on experience, it takes the guesswork out of lesson planning with goal-oriented worksheets, activities, and games — already trusted by over 100 therapists, educators, and parents.
🔗 https://go.jcn.io/hmio

Basically Kids

Basically kids offers everyday kids' clothing essentials at everyday prices, perfect for the new season when everyone's suddenly scrambling for polos, pants, and anything to fit kids who somehow grew three inches over the summer. It's made for busy parents: shop the link below, or just text your sizes to 833-588-8332 and they'll take care of the rest.

🔗 https://go.jcn.io/sbio

Atzmi
Atzmi runs evidence-based, Torah-grounded programs — including My Best Self — helping girls build real confidence and measure their worth by who they are, not the world's standards. Active in 80+ schools. Save the date for their ambassador's evening with Bracha Jaffe, August 30th.
Learn more & register: https://go.jcn.io/AtzmiIO

GUEST BIOS
Dovid Feldman
Dovid Feldman is a marriage coach and licensed therapist with over 30 years of experience — professionally and in his own marriage — helping couples rebuild trust, communication, and intimacy. His 12-week program works with each spouse individually and centers on his "five foundations of marriage": appreciation, communicating without criticism, compassionate listening, loving boundaries, and consistent intimacy. He hosts the "Building Great Marriages" podcast. Learn more at https://dovidfeldman.com/             

Miriam Racquel
Miriam Racquel is a somatic healer, marriage coach, and trauma & anxiety specialist who helps women access the wisdom of their body and intuition to create clarity, safety, and passion in their relationships. She's the author of "God Said What?!" and runs Your Marriage Magic, offering marriage and dating coaching for women. Learn more at https://www.miriamracquel.com/    

https://yourmarriagemagic.com/

CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

04:06 Tzedakah Moment Pushka App

04:39 Meet Miriam and Dovid

05:24 Dovid Origin Story

07:28 Miriam Journey to Judaism

10:52 How They Work With Clients

13:08 Therapy Approach and Program

17:40 Somatics and Nervous System

20:55 Body Signals vs Interpretation

22:47 Everyday Trigger Example

27:45 Deep Patterns and Resentment

30:44 Why Divorce Rates Rising

32:46 Choosing Happiness in Marriage

37:03 Chuppah Doubts and Mind Stories

43:10 Why Receiving Feels Hard

43:25 Five Blocks to Receiving

44:50 Reopening After Hurt

46:59 Dating Like a Gentleman

47:58 Emotional Safety First

50:36 Five Foundations Begin

54:16 No Criticism Rule

55:15 Reframing Instead of Critique

58:05 Four Step Communication

01:04:28 Repeat Requests Without Nagging

01:08:58 Letting Go Expectations

01:13:02 Intimacy Story Let Go

01:18:01 When Traits Annoy You

01:18:41 Why Criticism Creates Distance

01:19:37 Reframing Differences as Growth

01:20:37 War Survivor to Baal Chessed

01:24:39 Five Foundations That Work

01:26:13 Tools Therapy and Their Books

01:29:05 Torah Advice for Newlyweds

01:32:31 Soulmate Mindset and Regulation

01:34:31 What Men and Women Long For

01:40:39 Intimacy Needs and Scheduling

01:46:27 Closing Quotes and Hope

COMMUNITY
Join the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 101, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:

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From the Inside Out: Color, Confidence, and God-Given Design with Rivky Duchman

In this episode of From The Inside Out Podcast with Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein, we introduce guest Rivky Duchman, a Miami Beach color analyst and image consultant who blends aesthetics with Torah and Chassidus. Rivky explains her work uses the face as an “aesthetic blueprint” (skin tone, eyes, hair, contrast, texture, lines, and energy) to identify harmonious colors and styles, helping women develop signature style, reduce insecurity, and avoid trend-driven noise. She outlines seasonal color analysis origins and nuanced subtypes, shares how outside comments can disconnect people from their design, and discusses aesthetics as communication, first impressions, modesty, and dignity, citing stories about Rabbi Ishmael. Rivky supports enhancement tools like makeup or hair color while warning against “distortion,” critiques status-driven trend chasing, and emphasizes that true worth comes from being a part of Hashem and expressing inner beauty outward.

EPISODE SPONSORS

Swimply
Rent a private pool by the hour, right in your own city — no crowds, no chaos, just your family or friends in your own space, with over 15,000 pools across the US, Canada, and Australia.
Download the app or visit Swimply.com — code INSIDEOUT10 for 10% off your next booking!

Shefa Living
Women carry so much — marriage, kids, running a home, all while staying connected to Hashem and themselves. Nesheema sits at the heart of Mountain View, the new frum community by Shefa Living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina: a mikvah, spa, gym, daycare, café, and shared workspace, built around kedusha. Mountain View is already 358 acres of kehillah, with the shul built and first families moving in this summer.
Learn more: https://go.jcn.io/SLIO

OkClarity.Com

Finding the right therapist or coach can be one of the most challenging parts of seeking help — even with a great referral, the person isn't always the right fit. That's where OkClarity comes in. OkClarity is an online platform featuring hundreds of Jewish therapists, psychiatrists, coaches, nutritionists, and support groups, where you actually get to meet the person through videos and introductions before deciding whether to move forward with a first session. More than 10,000 people have already benefited from OkClarity, and it's not just a directory for those seeking help — if you're a mental health practitioner, therapist, or coach, you can list yourself on the platform too, so the people who need you can find you. Visit OKclarity.com: https://go.jcn.io/OtfUxl  to find the right fit for you.

Atzmi
Atzmi runs evidence-based, Torah-grounded programs — including My Best Self — helping girls build real confidence and measure their worth by who they are, not the world's standards. Active in 80+ schools. Save the date for their ambassador's evening with Bracha Jaffe, August 30th.
Learn more & register: https://go.jcn.io/AtzmiIO

GUEST BIOS

Rivky Duchman is a color analyst and image consultant based in Miami Beach. She helps clients discover their God-given design — the colors, textures, and styles that align with who they truly are — blending seasonal color analysis with the wisdom of Torah and Chassidus. Find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/rivky.color/ 

COMMUNITY
Join the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 135, share insights, and continue the conversation:
💫 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fromtheinsideout.podcast/
💫 Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/L0W4PRglR5B4kC
💫 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheInsideOutPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome 

01:47 Meet Rivky Duchman

06:55 God Given Design

08:17 Style Instinct and Noise

12:18 How Analysis Works

15:45 Seasons Explained

22:07 Torah Lens on Beauty

27:27 Aesthetics as Communication

31:49 Clothes and Identity

34:09 Enhancement vs Distortion

37:38 Trend Chasing and Worth

42:33 Seasonal Bag Personalities

44:28 Logo Mania Backlash

46:12 Classic Style Over Trends

46:46 Elegance Without Breaking Bank

49:16 Beauty as Holy Work

55:24 Stop Projecting Your Taste

01:00:00 Modesty Role Models

01:03:18 Everyday Outfit Struggles

01:08:34 Trends That Fit Your Design

01:11:57 Find Your Palette and Style

01:14:43 Closing Worth and Beauty

COMMUNITY
Join the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 101, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:

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• 💫 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheInsideOutPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 

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On Serving God, Not Being Religious with Dr. Elad Ben Elul & Rabbi Manis Friedman

In this episode of From The Inside Out Podcast, Rivkah and Eda sit down with Dr. Elad Ben Elul and Rabbi Manis Friedman on their book I Didn't Ask to Be Born and its core idea: Judaism isn't about being "religious" or what we need from God, but what God needs from us — asking daily, "What does God need from me today?" Ben Elul shares his Jewish awakening during fieldwork in West Africa, caught between secular Tel Aviv and an enclosed religious world, until Friedman's lecture "Why You Shouldn't Be Religious" reframed Jewish life as mission. Friedman traces this to his outreach starting in 1970 and its path to the book's Israeli success. They cover mitzvot, purpose, soulmates and marriage, hostages who found mission in captivity, teaching Tanya, Chabad's nonjudgment, and audience Q&A on dating, marriage, and identity.

Get the book, I Didn't Ask to Be Born: Understanding the Purpose of Our Creation: https://amzn.to/4bxqnrF

EPISODE SPONSORS

Swimply
Rent a private pool by the hour, right in your own city — no crowds, no chaos, just your family or friends in your own space, with over 15,000 pools across the US, Canada, and Australia.
Download the app or visit Swimply.com — code INSIDEOUT10 for 10% off your next booking!

BINA
Bina walks alongside families from the moment someone they love suffers a brain injury, through every stage of recovery. Their campaign, "A World of Difference," runs July 19–21.
Support Bina: https://go.jcn.io/BinaIO, or call 929-463-9100.

Atzmi
Atzmi runs evidence-based, Torah-grounded programs — including My Best Self — helping girls build real confidence and measure their worth by who they are, not the world's standards. Active in 80+ schools. Save the date for their ambassador's evening with Bracha Jaffe, August 30th.
Learn more & register: https://go.jcn.io/AtzmiIO

Ohr Naava
Ohr Naava's "Just One Brick" turns Tisha B'Av into a guided experience — Eicha, the Kinot, an Ask the Rabbi segment, a video from founder Rabbi Wallerstein, and a lineup including Rabbi Fisher, Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi, and Charlie Harari. Join the live stream and support Ohr Naava's year-round work for women worldwide.
Register: https://go.jcn.io/ONIO

Shefa Living
Women carry so much — marriage, kids, running a home, all while staying connected to Hashem and themselves. Nesheema sits at the heart of Mountain View, the new frum community by Shefa Living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina: a mikvah, spa, gym, daycare, café, and shared workspace, built around kedusha. Mountain View is already 358 acres of kehillah, with the shul built and first families moving in this summer.
Learn more: https://go.jcn.io/SLIO

GUEST BIOS

Rabbi Manis Friedman is a rabbi, author, and longtime emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. One of the most-watched rabbis on YouTube, he has spent decades teaching on faith, relationships, and Jewish identity. He is co-author, with Dr. Elad Ben Elul, of I Didn't Ask to Be Born: Understanding the Purpose of Our Creation.

Dr. Elad Ben Elul is an Israeli anthropologist and author. After years of fieldwork in West Africa while completing his PhD at Tel Aviv University, a lecture by Rabbi Manis Friedman reshaped his understanding of Judaism and purpose. He went on to study and teach Tanya and Chassidut, eventually co-writing I Didn't Ask to Be Born — a bestseller in Israel — followed by Back to Innocence, on relationships and intimacy.
Get the book: https://amzn.to/4bxqnrF

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
08:01 Meet the Guests
10:08 A Spiritual Awakening
15:38 Africa and Jewish Identity
19:54 How the Book Happened
22:29 God Needs Us Concept
30:42 Anthropology of Mitzvot
35:45 Religious vs Jewish
39:49 Hostages and Mission
48:29 Love vs Need in Marriage
49:35 Loneliness and Divine Need
52:10 God's Humility and Romance
55:57 Soulmates and Marriage Reunion
59:35 Love as a Thing Trap
01:06:13 Love Idolatry and Cheating
01:07:52 Soul Journey and Resurrection
01:12:36 Rebbe's Nonjudgmental Lesson
01:15:17 Dating Is Not Relationship
01:21:15 What to Look for in Marriage
01:24:07 Mitzvot and God-Mindedness
01:30:42 Teaching Tanya at Any Age
01:35:03 Identity Through Action
Closing

COMMUNITY
Join the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 101, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:

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Soul Therapy with Joanne Zagonev: Healing the False Self Through Psychology & Tanya

In this episode of From The Inside Out Podcast, with Rivkah and Eda, we introduce clinical psychologist and author Joanne Zagenov, whose book "Soul Therapy" integrates psychodynamic/attachment theory with Tanya. Joanne shares how growing up in a culture that prized intelligence, feeling like an outsider, and early experiences of “not good enough” shaped her pursuit of psychology and later Chassidus through Rabbi YY Keselman, leading to deeper healing. The conversation explores the true self vs false self, healthy authenticity vs narcissistic “do what feels good,” secure attachment and defenses, and the Tanya’s animal soul and godly soul, emphasizing a God-directed life alongside responsible therapy. Joanne discusses sensitivity, anxiety as a coping mechanism, splitting and transference, practical Chassidic tools for low self-esteem, shame, envy, anger, and anxiety, and offers guidance on estranged family relationships.

EPISODE SPONSORS

Swimply

This episode is powered by Swimply — and with summer here, the timing couldn't be better. Swimply lets you rent a beautiful private pool by the hour, right in your own city. No crowds, no chaos — just your family or friends in your own space. With over 15,000 private pools across the US, Canada, and Australia, you can browse by size, style, and location and find exactly what you're looking for. For those of us who value privacy and modesty, this is truly a game-changer: a luxurious, secluded swim experience without having to travel far from home. 

Download the Swimply app or visit Swimply.com, and use code INSIDEOUT10 for 10% off your next booking!

Colel Chabad 

Colel Chabad is one of Israel’s oldest continuously operating charities, supporting families with food security, widows & orphans, and emergency relief.  

Their Pushka (Charity Box) App makes it easy to turn inspiration into action with simple daily giving—small “micro-donations” that add up to real impact over time. To join thousands of daily givers, download the Pushka App on iOS or Android and start giving today: https://pushkapp.cc/Inside 

Discover and donate to Colel Chabad here: https://colelchabad.org/

Shefa Living & Yeshiva of Glade Valley:

Shefa Living is a warm, growing Jewish community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina — offering families the rare combination of natural beauty, affordable living, and authentic Torah life, all in one place. At the heart of the community is Yeshiva of Glade Valley, a school built on the understanding that every child is created with a unique soul, unique strengths, and unique needs. With small classrooms, close rebbe and morah relationships, strong Torah values, and a deep focus on emotional balance, confidence, and creativity, it's a place where children can truly feel seen — and where families can breathe a little deeper. Learn more here: https://yeshivagv.com/

OkClarity.Com

Finding the right therapist or coach can be one of the most challenging parts of seeking help — even with a great referral, the person isn't always the right fit. That's where OkClarity comes in. OkClarity is an online platform featuring hundreds of Jewish therapists, psychiatrists, coaches, nutritionists, and support groups, where you actually get to meet the person through videos and introductions before deciding whether to move forward with a first session. More than 10,000 people have already benefited from OkClarity, and it's not just a directory for those seeking help — if you're a mental health practitioner, therapist, or coach, you can list yourself on the platform too, so the people who need you can find you. Visit OKclarity.com: https://go.jcn.io/OtfUxl  to find the right fit for you.

GUEST BIO

Joanne Zagonev

Joanne Zagnoev is a clinical psychologist based in South Africa with over 32 years of experience helping clients navigate emotional healing, attachment wounds, and the search for authentic selfhood. She specializes in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and is known for her unique integration of psychodynamic and attachment theory with the teachings of Tanya and Chassidus. Joanne is the author of Soul Therapy: Achieving Total Transformation Through Psychology and Tanya, in which she explores the parallel journeys of psychological healing and spiritual growth — distinguishing the true self from the false self, and the animal soul from the godly soul, on the path to living a God-directed life. A South African native and mother of four, Joanne brings both clinical expertise and personal insight to her work, helping clients move from woundedness to wholeness. 

You can purchase Joanne’s book, Soul Therapy, here: https://amzn.to/4eZCAGp 
You can reach out to Joanne directly here: joannezag5@gmail.com

COMMUNITY

Join the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 130, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:

• 💫 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fromtheinsideout.podcast/ 
• 💫 Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/L0W4PRglR5B4kC 
• 💫 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheInsideOutPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

02:58 Welcome And Background

04:24 Childhood Wounds

09:24 Psychology Meets Tanya

13:10 Triggers And Growth

15:24 True Self False Self

19:29 Authenticity And Empathy

25:56 Self Care Balance

28:38 Two Souls Explained

34:44 Therapy And Chassidus

38:01 Nature Nurture Sensitivity

39:58 Gaslighting Defined

52:56 Anxiety As Coping

57:00 Splitting Cupboard Analogy

59:53 Ambivalence and Splitting

01:01:01 Idealization in Therapy

01:03:24 Steel Cupboard Metaphor

01:06:38 Splitting Self and Narcissism

01:08:47 Transference and Distortion

01:13:45 People Pleasing False Self

01:15:33 Spiritual Tools Low Self Esteem

01:20:13 Anxiety Mantra and Caution

01:22:39 Envy and Bespoke Souls

01:30:34 Healing Shame vs Guilt

01:40:58 Anger and Seeing Godly Essence

01:49:34 Estrangement and Boundaries

01:54:45 Core Teachings and Farewell

COMMUNITY
Join the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 101, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:

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• 💫 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheInsideOutPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 

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Letters for Life: Levi Y. Shmotkin on Rebbe’s Guidance for Emotional Health From the Inside Out

In this episode of From The Inside Out with Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein, we interview Levi Shmotkin, author of Letters for Life, a practical guide to emotional health based on the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s letters, recorded in honor of Gimmel Tammuz. Shmotkin shares how his own teen experience of heaviness and apathy led him to the Rebbe’s counseling, emphasizing gratitude, humility, and shifting focus outward through giving and responsibility. He contrasts popular self-help’s self-focus with the Rebbe’s “third way” that validates feelings while expanding the mind toward Hashem and others, including examples from education. He discusses tools like structure and productivity, trust to counter anxiety, hesech hadas (redirecting attention), loneliness as eased through awareness of Divine providence, Torah and halacha as the enduring path to spirituality, discovering purpose, and the Rebbe’s message that “nothing stands in the way of the will.”

EPISODE SPONSORS

Swimply

This episode is powered by Swimply — and with summer here, the timing couldn't be better. Swimply lets you rent a beautiful private pool by the hour, right in your own city. No crowds, no chaos — just your family or friends in your own space. With over 15,000 private pools across the US, Canada, and Australia, you can browse by size, style, and location and find exactly what you're looking for. For those of us who value privacy and modesty, this is truly a game-changer: a luxurious, secluded swim experience without having to travel far from home. 

Download the Swimply app or visit Swimply.com, and use code INSIDEOUT10 for 10% off your next booking!

Shefa Living & Yeshiva of Glade Valley:

Shefa Living is a warm, growing Jewish community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina — offering families the rare combination of natural beauty, affordable living, and authentic Torah life, all in one place. At the heart of the community is Yeshiva of Glade Valley, a school built on the understanding that every child is created with a unique soul, unique strengths, and unique needs. With small classrooms, close rebbe and morah relationships, strong Torah values, and a deep focus on emotional balance, confidence, and creativity, it's a place where children can truly feel seen — and where families can breathe a little deeper. Learn more here: https://yeshivagv.com/

Colel Chabad 

Colel Chabad is one of Israel’s oldest continuously operating charities, supporting families with food security, widows & orphans, and emergency relief.  

Their Pushka (Charity Box) App makes it easy to turn inspiration into action with simple daily giving—small “micro-donations” that add up to real impact over time. To join thousands of daily givers, download the Pushka App on iOS or Android and start giving today: https://pushkapp.cc/Inside 

Discover and donate to Colel Chabad here: https://colelchabad.org/

OkClarity.Com

Finding the right therapist or coach can be one of the most challenging parts of seeking help — even with a great referral, the person isn't always the right fit. That's where OkClarity comes in. OkClarity is an online platform featuring hundreds of Jewish therapists, psychiatrists, coaches, nutritionists, and support groups, where you actually get to meet the person through videos and introductions before deciding whether to move forward with a first session. More than 10,000 people have already benefited from OkClarity, and it's not just a directory for those seeking help — if you're a mental health practitioner, therapist, or coach, you can list yourself on the platform too, so the people who need you can find you. Visit OKclarity.com:  https://go.jcn.io/OtfUxl 

GUEST BIO

Levi Y. Shmotkin

Levi Y. Shmotkin is a Chassidic scholar and author based in Los Angeles, California. His debut book, Letters for Life: Guidance for Emotional Wellness from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, was born from a deeply personal journey — as a teenager, Levi found himself grappling with heaviness, apathy, and a loss of inner spark. It was the Rebbe's letters that became his lifeline, and what began as a private notebook of insights eventually became a book that has resonated with thousands across all walks of Jewish life. A member of Generation Z who never met the Rebbe in person, Levi brings a fresh, relatable voice to timeless wisdom — showing that truth, as he says, is eternal, and the Rebbe's guidance speaks as powerfully today as ever.

You can purchase the Letters For Life book here: https://a.co/d/040r8ezR 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

04:05 Meet Levi Shmotkin

16:03 Gen Z Connection to Rebbe

17:50 Modern Self Help vs Rebbe

19:27 A Third Way

27:47 Healing Through Others

41:17 Spiritual Not Religious

42:11 Psychedelics And Torah

46:45 Channeling Spiritual Desire

48:11 Finding Your Purpose

53:29 Loneliness And Providence

59:31 Solitude Versus Isolation

01:08:13 Changing From Within

01:08:42 Speak To Yourself

01:14:48 Anxiety And Trust

01:23:25 Hesech Hadas Explained

01:25:19 Action Without Rumination

01:28:39 Marriage and Subconscious

01:35:16 Suicidal Student Letter

01:41:27 Leap Beyond Status Quo

01:45:09 Willpower and Soul Energy

01:49:12 Closing Quote and Farewell

COMMUNITY
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Letters for Life: Levi Y. Shmotkin on Rebbe’s Guidance for Emotional Health From the Inside Out

In this episode of From The Inside Out with Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein, we interview Levi Shmotkin, author of Letters for Life, a practical guide to emotional health based on the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s letters, recorded in honor of Gimmel Tammuz. Shmotkin shares how his own teen experience of heaviness and apathy led him to the Rebbe’s counseling, emphasizing gratitude, humility, and shifting focus outward through giving and responsibility. He contrasts popular self-help’s self-focus with the Rebbe’s “third way” that validates feelings while expanding the mind toward Hashem and others, including examples from education. He discusses tools like structure and productivity, trust to counter anxiety, hesech hadas (redirecting attention), loneliness as eased through awareness of Divine providence, Torah and halacha as the enduring path to spirituality, discovering purpose, and the Rebbe’s message that “nothing stands in the way of the will.”

EPISODE SPONSORS

Swimply

This episode is powered by Swimply — and with summer here, the timing couldn't be better. Swimply lets you rent a beautiful private pool by the hour, right in your own city. No crowds, no chaos — just your family or friends in your own space. With over 15,000 private pools across the US, Canada, and Australia, you can browse by size, style, and location and find exactly what you're looking for. For those of us who value privacy and modesty, this is truly a game-changer: a luxurious, secluded swim experience without having to travel far from home. 

Download the Swimply app or visit Swimply.com, and use code INSIDEOUT10 for 10% off your next booking!

Shefa Living & Yeshiva of Glade Valley:

Shefa Living is a warm, growing Jewish community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina — offering families the rare combination of natural beauty, affordable living, and authentic Torah life, all in one place. At the heart of the community is Yeshiva of Glade Valley, a school built on the understanding that every child is created with a unique soul, unique strengths, and unique needs. With small classrooms, close rebbe and morah relationships, strong Torah values, and a deep focus on emotional balance, confidence, and creativity, it's a place where children can truly feel seen — and where families can breathe a little deeper. Learn more here: https://yeshivagv.com/

Colel Chabad 

Colel Chabad is one of Israel’s oldest continuously operating charities, supporting families with food security, widows & orphans, and emergency relief.  

Their Pushka (Charity Box) App makes it easy to turn inspiration into action with simple daily giving—small “micro-donations” that add up to real impact over time. To join thousands of daily givers, download the Pushka App on iOS or Android and start giving today: https://pushkapp.cc/Inside 

Discover and donate to Colel Chabad here: https://colelchabad.org/

OkClarity.Com

Finding the right therapist or coach can be one of the most challenging parts of seeking help — even with a great referral, the person isn't always the right fit. That's where OkClarity comes in. OkClarity is an online platform featuring hundreds of Jewish therapists, psychiatrists, coaches, nutritionists, and support groups, where you actually get to meet the person through videos and introductions before deciding whether to move forward with a first session. More than 10,000 people have already benefited from OkClarity, and it's not just a directory for those seeking help — if you're a mental health practitioner, therapist, or coach, you can list yourself on the platform too, so the people who need you can find you. Visit OKclarity.com:  https://go.jcn.io/OtfUxl 

GUEST BIO

Levi Y. Shmotkin

Levi Y. Shmotkin is a Chassidic scholar and author based in Los Angeles, California. His debut book, Letters for Life: Guidance for Emotional Wellness from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, was born from a deeply personal journey — as a teenager, Levi found himself grappling with heaviness, apathy, and a loss of inner spark. It was the Rebbe's letters that became his lifeline, and what began as a private notebook of insights eventually became a book that has resonated with thousands across all walks of Jewish life. A member of Generation Z who never met the Rebbe in person, Levi brings a fresh, relatable voice to timeless wisdom — showing that truth, as he says, is eternal, and the Rebbe's guidance speaks as powerfully today as ever.

You can purchase the Letters For Life book here: https://a.co/d/040r8ezR 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

04:05 Meet Levi Shmotkin

16:03 Gen Z Connection to Rebbe

17:50 Modern Self Help vs Rebbe

19:27 A Third Way

27:47 Healing Through Others

41:17 Spiritual Not Religious

42:11 Psychedelics And Torah

46:45 Channeling Spiritual Desire

48:11 Finding Your Purpose

53:29 Loneliness And Providence

59:31 Solitude Versus Isolation

01:08:13 Changing From Within

01:08:42 Speak To Yourself

01:14:48 Anxiety And Trust

01:23:25 Hesech Hadas Explained

01:25:19 Action Without Rumination

01:28:39 Marriage and Subconscious

01:35:16 Suicidal Student Letter

01:41:27 Leap Beyond Status Quo

01:45:09 Willpower and Soul Energy

01:49:12 Closing Quote and Farewell

COMMUNITY
Join the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 101, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:

• 💫 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fromtheinsideout.podcast/ 
• 💫 Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/L0W4PRglR5B4kC 
• 💫 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheInsideOutPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 

Send us Fan Mail

Rachel Goldberg-Polin on Faith, Grief, and Meaning After Hersh’s Captivity | From the Inside Out

Hosts Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein interview educator and author Rachel Goldberg-Polin about her book When We See You Again, her family’s life in Jerusalem, and the loss of her son Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken hostage from the Nova Music Festival on October 7 and later murdered after 328 days in captivity. Rachel recounts her path into Orthodox Jewish life starting in eighth grade at an Orthodox day school, describes how tefillah and Torah have sustained her, and shares how Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning—relayed to her through released hostage Or Levy—became a tool for enduring suffering by finding purpose. She discusses Modeh Ani, trust in Hashem amid uncertainty, grief as an expression of love, “toxic positivity” versus “tragic optimism,” and verses and teachings that frame this world as a hallway to the next.

EPISODE SPONSORS

Colel Chabad 

Colel Chabad is one of Israel’s oldest continuously operating charities, supporting families with food security, widows & orphans, and emergency relief.  

Their Pushka (Charity Box) App makes it easy to turn inspiration into action with simple daily giving—small “micro-donations” that add up to real impact over time. To join thousands of daily givers, download the Pushka App on iOS or Android and start giving today: https://pushkapp.cc/Inside 

Discover and donate to Colel Chabad here: https://colelchabad.org/

 OKclarity.com
Finding the right therapist or coach can be one of the most challenging parts of seeking help — even with a great referral, the person isn't always the right fit. That's where OKclarity.com comes in. OKclarity.com is an online platform featuring hundreds of Jewish therapists, psychiatrists, coaches, nutritionists, and support groups, where you actually get to meet the person through videos and introductions before deciding whether to move forward with a first session. More than 10,000 people have already benefited from OKclarity.com, and it's not just a directory for those seeking help — if you're a mental health practitioner, therapist, or coach, you can list yourself on the platform too, so the people who need you can find you. Visit OKclarity.com today: https://go.jcn.io/OtfUxl

Shefa Living & Yeshiva of Glade Valley:

Shefa Living is a warm, growing Jewish community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina — offering families the rare combination of natural beauty, affordable living, and authentic Torah life, all in one place. At the heart of the community is Yeshiva of Glade Valley, a school built on the understanding that every child is created with a unique soul, unique strengths, and unique needs. With small classrooms, close rebbe and morah relationships, strong Torah values, and a deep focus on emotional balance, confidence, and creativity, it's a place where children can truly feel seen — and where families can breathe a little deeper. Learn more here: https://yeshivagv.com/

GUEST BIO

Rachel Goldberg-Polin

Rachel Goldberg-Polin is an educator, mother, and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller When We See You Again. Born in Chicago and now based in Jerusalem with her husband Jon and their daughters, Rachel became a voice that moved millions during the 328 days her son Hersh was held hostage in Gaza after being taken from the Nova Music Festival on October 7th. Hersh was murdered in captivity alongside five other hostages. Through her writing and speaking, Rachel continues to share the rare wisdom, faith, and tragic optimism she has carried through unimaginable loss — opening up something in the souls of everyone she touches.

You can find Rachel’s new book here: https://a.co/d/0hhTa1wK 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Meet Rachel Goldberg-Polin

01:59 Tzedakah and Opening Blessing

02:59 Choosing Torah and Mitzvot

06:01 First Day at Orthodox School

09:13 Learning Shabbat and Davening

11:51 Always Learning Jewish Wisdom

13:17 Hersh and Frankl in Captivity

20:16 Sponsor Break OkClarity

21:37 Trusting Hashem Without Answers

26:38 Modeh Ani After October 7

34:56 Broken Heart and Kintsugi

39:57 Living With Loss and Telling Truth

42:58 Book Not a Memoir

43:37 Hallway to Next World

46:11 Living Without Answers

46:57 Nova Festival Chesed

48:43 One Act of Kindness

52:26 Love Stronger Than Death

54:58 Finding Joy After Loss

59:13 Broken but Still Me

01:02:33 Toxic Positivity Antidote

01:04:55 Hashem Gives and Takes

01:07:14 Thank God I Believe

01:07:59 God Doesnt Ask Us

01:12:13 Closing Quotes and Blessings

COMMUNITY
Join the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 101, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:

• 💫 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fromtheinsideout.podcast/ 
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Link for Miami Live Podcast Event:

https://www.theshul.org/form/WCshavuos5786

Sefirar HaOmer as a Path of Alignment, Growth, and Relationship

In this episode of From The Inside Out Podcast with Rivkah and Eda, we interview  Rivkah Mazal Tauber, recommended by Rivky Kaplan, who co-created a Sefira journal. 

Rivka, who describes starting an Omer WhatsApp group that transformed her and explains Sefirat HaOmer as a step-by-step journey from Egypt to Matan Torah. She unpacks “Omer” (manna measure, barley offering, forgotten sheaf for the needy) as receiving from God, returning to God, and giving to others, and defines “Sefirah” as counting, story, and shining, framing the Sefirot as divine vessels and soul powers. Using building a business, she maps Keter through Malchut and applies the framework to relationships, procrastination, balancing effort with surrender, and the 49-day count leading to an uncountable 50th, emphasizing that simply counting fulfills the mitzvah and that God meets us in our humanity.

Join us for a beautiful Pre-Shavuos evening on Wednesday, May 13 at the Shul Bal Harbor. Don’t miss this meaningful conversation and a delicious cheesecake bar!
Plus, enter a raffle for a chance to win a color analysis session.
RSVP and find more details here: https://www.theshul.org/form/WCshavuos5786

EPISODE SPONSORS

Colel Chabad 

Colel Chabad is one of Israel’s oldest continuously operating charities, supporting families with food security, widows & orphans, and emergency relief.  

Their Pushka (Charity Box) App makes it easy to turn inspiration into action with simple daily giving—small “micro-donations” that add up to real impact over time. To join thousands of daily givers, download the Pushka App on iOS or Android and start giving today: https://pushkapp.cc/Inside 

Discover and donate to Colel Chabad here: https://colelchabad.org/

Yakira Bella 

Yakira Bella is the go-to for trendy, modest women’s fashion that still feels current—think playful-but-polished pieces, elevated basics, and outfits that actually work for real life (day-to-day, Shabbos, events, everything in between). Their collections balance tasteful + bold, with a steady stream of new arrivals and best sellers so you can refresh your wardrobe without overthinking it. If you’re looking for modestwear that’s stylish, wearable, and affordable, Yakira Bella is absolutely worth checking out.  

Visit https://yakirabella.com/ and follow along at https://www.instagram.com/yakirabellaofficial/

GUEST BIO

Rivka Mazal Tauber

Rivka Mazal Tauber is an experienced educator, skilled writer, and team leader based in Yerushalayim, with a passion for connecting people to ideas and experiences that awaken the soul. She teaches at Mayanot and has a particular gift for making the mystical tangible — most recently through her Sefirat HaOmer journey, which began as a small WhatsApp group on Erev Pesach and grew into a thriving community of women counting the Omer together. She is the co-author of a Sefirat HaOmer journal with Yoetzet Halacha Rivky Kaplan.

You can find Rivka Mazal here: https://www.instagram.com/rivkamazal/

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction

07:36 Guest Journey Into Sefira

11:16 What Is the Omer

16:26 Meaning of Sefira

20:49 Sefirot Through Business

22:00 From Desire to Daat

28:46 Sponsor Break Colel Chabad

30:11 Chesed and Gevurah Action

34:37 Tiferet Balance and Paradox

38

COMMUNITY
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Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Edith Eger: Holocaust Survivor on Choice, Freedom, and Healing From the Inside Out

In this episode of From The Inside Out with Rivkah Krinsky & Eda Schottenstein, we're re-releasing an early, cherished interview after Dr. Edith Eger’s death, honoring the Auschwitz survivor, psychoanalyst, and author of The Choice, who taught that while we can’t control circumstances, we can choose our response. Eger recounts liberation after being left for dead, the loss of her parents and first love, guilt about her mother’s death, and how returning to Auschwitz helped her forgive herself. She discusses Viktor Frankl’s influence, finding purpose, sharing rather than hoarding, and distinguishing distress from stress. Eger offers guidance on self-love as self-care, expression as an antidote to depression, revisiting trauma, responding instead of reacting, compassionate listening with children, and building relationships through responsibility, growth, and hope, insisting hate keeps us imprisoned and that love is shown through actions.

00:00 Tribute to Edith
02:11 Meeting Edith Again
02:30 Liberation and Legacy
03:53 Frankl and Purpose
05:19 Dancing to Survive
05:54 First Love Lost
07:27 Rescued from Death
08:10 Joy and Growth Mindset
11:35 Guilt and Forgiveness
12:17 Faith and Sharing Bread
14:57 Have Tos and Hope
17:30 New Books and Recipes
19:24 Wisdom and Self Love
21:02 Secrets and Expression
21:46 Kind Words Only
22:48 Choices After Trauma
23:40 Speak Your Truth
24:55 Evolving Beyond Fear
27:08 Mind Freedom in Auschwitz
29:57 Forgiveness and Freedom
31:06 Validate Feelings at Home
34:45 Marriage Lessons Twice
37:41 Respond Don’t React
39:45 Legacy and Final Yeses

COMMUNITY
Join the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 101, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:

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• 💫 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheInsideOutPodcast?sub_confirmation=1