Human & Holy

Thoughts on the neatness of religious art, what my process has been around learning to voice the honest emotional experience of life through poetry, and King David's model for creating spiritual art from a raw place within.

Sources mentioned in this episode:

Orthodoxy, Wealth, and Tackiness by Alex S. Ozar from Tradition, Spring 2025 Issue 57.2

Psalm 22: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me; why so far from delivering me and from my anguished roaring?...I cry by day, You do not answer.."

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To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.

Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨

Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

A conversation with Devori Nussbaum, a psychotherapist and Tanya teacher, about emotional honesty in our spiritual growth and living with open-hearted presence. Devori shares her unique approach to integrating Chassidus and psychotherapy, offering powerful insights into shedding old identities, processing the grief of life, and tapping into the opportunity for connection with G-d at every moment.

Devori is an integrative psychotherapist who has trained in many different healing modalities including body psychotherapy, imago therapy, logotherapy, the energetics of food, quantum touch, breathwork, CBT, NLP, EMDR, IFS, inner child work and somatic modalities. She is also passionate about teaching Chassidus in a way that is accessible, relevant and embodied, showing people that these teachings are not just nice ideas, but a description of our reality. Get in touch with Devori and find out more about her work on www.devorinussbaum.com.

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EPISODE SPONSOR:

"Miss Rose is Worried" by Estee Cohen is a heartwarming story that shows that every child's individuality is a gift. Their quirks and character traits, if nurtured rather than suppressed, become the foundation of who they are meant to be. Link to purchase the book here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/miss-rose-is-worried-estee-cohen/1146818067

To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected]

To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.

Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨

Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Sneak Peek & Sponsorship

02:25 – Meet Devori Nussbaum

04:45 – The Power of Real Human Presence

07:12 – What Is Chassidus Meant to Do for the Human Psyche?

12:00 – Finding the Balance Between Presence & Spiritual Aspiration

18:04 – Embracing the Void: Turning Emotional Numbness into a Portal for Growth

21:15 – Seeing Beneath the Surface of Reality

26:00 – How Unprocessed Grief Blocks Our Hearts—and How to Reopen Them

30:11 - The Role of Grief in Spiritual Growth

36:01 - Holy Honesty

38:00 – Bringing G-d into Daily Life

44:53 - Navigating the Fear of Change

47:00 – Regulating Your Nervous System

54:30 – One Minute a Day: Building Presence in Busy Lives

1:02:15 – Kavanah and Mitzvot: How One Moment Can Fill a Lifetime

1:07:30 – Animal Soul vs. Divine Soul: A Compassionate Integration

1:12:00 – Redefining Iskafya: Presence, Breath, and Spiritual Discipline

1:16:30 – Choosing Growth vs. Chasing Perfection

1:29:10 - Crumbling into Grief

1:41:00 – How to Navigate Religious Trauma

1:44:15 – Parents, Fear, and Compassion: Reframing the Narrative

1:47:00 – The Magic of Retreats

1:53:30 – Personal Journey: From Control to Joy

1:57:05 – Presence, Honesty, and Shedding the Snake Skin

1:59:00 – Host’s Outro

The cost of undeveloped potential, the misguided instinct to protect our brightest lights, why Dinah felt an internal call to leave her home and lead, and why the world is waiting for women to trust and raise their own distinct voices.

Based on a talk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe about Dinah. Likkutei Sichos, Volume 35, Vayishlach Sicha 3.

Link to the episode with Rivky Kaplan: https://humanandholy.com/the-feminine-spirit-a-rising-force-rivky-kaplan

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To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected]

To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.

Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨

Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

We spend weeks leading up to Shavuot refining our characters. And then we receive G-d's Torah, which asks us to faithfully reflect the light of the Divine in this world.

Does the Torah mark a path to self development or self transcendence? What might it look like to be both surrendered and distinctly who we are?

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To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected]

To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.

Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨

Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - The Gift of the Torah

02:50 - Understanding Bitul: Reflecting the Divine

05:57 - The Interplay of Self-Development and Self-Transcendence

08:51 - The Role of Rosh Chodesh in Preparing for Receiving the Torah

12:04 - Naaseh v'Nishmah: Redefining Our Sense of Self

15:07 - Expanding, Not Shrinking

In honor of Shavuos, three women — Lauren Nagel, Devora Pinson, and Chana Arnold — sit down for a raw and honest conversation about receiving the Torah anew in our adult lives.

What are some of the things that have disconnected us from the Torah over the years? What are some of the things that have softened those blockages? And in what ways has the Torah become the greatest gift of our lives?

If you connected to something that was shared in this episode, let our generous guests know:

Devora Pinson: [email protected]

Lauren Nagel: [email protected]

Chana Arnold: [email protected]

EPISODE SPONSORS:

This episode is sponsored by Finds By Rivka. Think of Rivka’s finds as a personal shopper who sifts through the sale pages to find the best Tznius clothing deals! Join 3,000+ other women who are loving the group:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/LBOxmcsZin66u7brbOvx4l

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Babyccino is a Mommy & Me class curriculum designed to facilitate meaningful, Jewish experiences for mothers and babies. We can only receive the Torah that is given to us, and the Torah is given to children, first, by their mothers. Find out more here: www.babyccinoclass.com

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This episode is co-sponsored and dedicated with love by Riki to a special "Human & Holy" person, mother and friend, Miriam Frimet Bas Tzivia, upon her birthday. May it be a Zchus.

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To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected]

To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.

Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨

Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Sneak Peek

00:17 - Host's Intro

01:45 - Sponsorship Message: Finds by Rivka

03:03 - Meet the Guests: Devora, Chana, Lauren

05:18 - Spiritual Backgrounds

08:52 - I Needed More

12:10 - The Torah Feeds My Soul

16:34 - Choosing the Torah Again

17:50 - The Torah as a Tree of Life

19:58 - I Was Just Repeating What I Learned

22:55 - Real Learning Creates Space for Real Struggles

24:21 - Letting Go of Perfectionism

30:06 - I Lost Everything

32:28 - When I Began to Access Hashem

33:27 - Holding Pain & Faith Simultaneously

35:33 - I Am Not Alone

37:37 - A Real Relationship Welcomes Your Full Self

40:54 - What Do We Do With Our Freedom?

42:05 - The Torah Can't Be Done in Isolation

44:30 - I Skip to My Torah Classes

46:05 - From "I Have to" to "I Get To"

49:51 - Torah is an Overflowing Ocean

51:08 - Raising Kids with G-d Consciousness

54:01 - When You See the Light Shining in Other Women

54:37 - The Torah Shifted Me

56:22 - Investing in Our Relationship with G-d

58:24 - Shavuos as a Relationship Renewal

01:01:07 - Sharing Torah at the Table

01:01:44 - Beautifying Our Experience of the Torah

01:04:38 - Host's Outro

Answering listener questions on maturing in our Judaism, maintaining a spiritual sense of self when mothering small children, friendship, Torah study, and spiritual ruts.

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To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected]

To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.

Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨

Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

A personal journey of discovering Jewish meditation, taking the cerebral act of study and grounding it in the body through focus and breath. Explore the balance between body and soul, the power of intention in prayer, the difference between Jewish and Eastern meditation, and the spiritual practice of finding balance in our characters through the Sefirot.

A mom of seven, Zeesy furthers development on the Board of the Jewish International School. She is the spiritual feminine leader of Blouberg Jewish Community Centre. Zeesy gives ongoing psycho-spiritual ‘soultalks’ in the community, sharing her passion of bringing people closer to their soul source. She coaches women around the world with ‘Echad coaching’ bringing body and soul together.

Find out more about Zeesy's work here: echadcoach.com

Get in touch with Zeesy at [email protected]

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To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected]

To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.

Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨

Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Sneak Peek

00:17 - Host's Intro

01:17 - Support Human & Holy

01:39 - Welcome Zeesy

03:34 - The Birth of Echad: Mindfulness & Meditation

05:31 - Integrating Body and Soul in Spiritual Practice

09:01 - Learning & Practicing Meditation

10:47 - Chassidic Meditation Practice

14:05 - Jewish Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation

18:22 - An Example of Jewish Meditation

22:24 - How Torah Learning Becomes Embodied

24:57 - Da’at: Intimacy with G-d Through Torah and Body

32:10 - Practical Tools for Spiritual Integration

34:00 - The Power of Single Tasking

34:52 - Morning Rituals and Connection to Nature

36:13 - Building a Meaningful Prayer Practice

38:45 - Integrating Gratitude into Daily Life

41:00 - Heartfelt Prayer: Emotional Presence in Judaism

42:42 - Understanding the Sefirot and Personal Growth

48:19 - Balancing Character Traits

49:46 - Breathing the Sefirot Into Your Day

51:57 - Hashem in the Slow Lane: Trusting Divine Timing

54:18 - Peak Judaism: When Body and Soul Are One

55:34 - Experiencing G-d On Slower Days

57:30 - Vulnerability in Prayer

59:58 - Grounding Ourselves in Our Bodies

1:03:43 - Host's Outro

Does each generation get less spiritually sensitive? What is the original source for the idea of "Yeridos Hadoros" -- the decline of the generations -- and in what ways are we experiencing a reversal of that idea?

Explore the deeper meaning of Lag Ba'Omer, a teaching from R' Tzadok about the ascent of the generations and why there is an unprecedented spiritual attunement to the deepest parts of Torah.

To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected]

To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.

Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨

Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

A conversation about discovering a loving relationship with G-d through grief. Bianca shares her personal journey of loss and how it led her to a deeper understanding of G-d's love and connection. We discuss expressing raw emotions in prayer, the Torah as a love letter from G-d, and the significance of gratitude and daily conversation in building a relationship with the Divine.

Bianca Benisti Kaffash is a motivational speaker and spiritual coach who has walked through her own challenges to discover a deeper connection with Hashem and the beauty of Torah. She believes in the power of reconnecting with the sacred language of prayer and Torah—something that’s often been cheapened or lost. Now, Bianca is passionate about bringing others back to that language, helping them experience the profound beauty and strength it offers. Through spiritual coaching, personalized prayers, and leading meaningful events, Bianca empowers others to find healing, clarity, and a true connection with Hashem. Follow her on Instagram @ritainspired for raw, heartfelt inspiration and a journey back to the light of Torah.

To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected]

To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.

Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨

Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Sneak Peek

00:16 - Host’s Intro

01:10 - Introduction of Bianca Benisti

02:43 - Welcome Bianca

02:51 - Bianca’s Background + Starting Rita Inspired

04:31 - Grief and Torah as a Healing Language

06:05 - Being Reintroduced to the Torah as Hashem’s Love Language

06:46 - Shifting from Obedience to Connection

08:15 - Mourning Laws as Divine Comfort

09:59 - Inviting G-d In

11:07 - The Only Way Out is Through

11:50 - Experiencing Hashem’s Love Through Loss

13:35 - Surrendering to G-d

15:37 - Having a Conversation with G-d

18:33 - How to Pray When It Feels Imaginative

23:49 - Personal Gratitude and Emotional Honesty

28:46 - How Grief & Singlehood Shaped My Prayer

29:57 - Hashem Wants to Spend Time with Me

30:34 - The Exodus: Crying Out to G-d Sparks Redemption

32:05 - Simple, Raw Prayers Can Bring Miracles

34:13 - Studying Torah to Understand G-d

36:15 - Mitzvot Are Love Maps, Not Restrictions

38:32 - The Message Behind Jealousy

39:46 - Hashem Just Wants You to Be You

40:39 - When G-d Doesn’t Reveal Everything

42:01 - Being Motivated by Love

43:32 - Crisis Can Reveal G-d’s Emotional Presence

46:14 - Finding Clarity in Torah

47:49 - G-d will Find a Way to Get Into Your Painful Moments

48:22 - My Joy Under The Chuppah

51:35 - Host’s Outro

A reading of the poem "How a Place Becomes Holy" by Yehoshua November, reflections on the power of calling out to G-d with the few, ambiguous words we have, and the delicate invitations in both creativity and faith to trust what stirs inside us.

Episode sponsored in honor of the safety and protection of the Jewish people in the Holy Land.

To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected]

To support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.

Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨

Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - "How a Place Becomes Holy"

02:00 - Self-Trust in Creativity

03:45 - Holiness as the Subtext of Reality

04:22 - Story of Yeshaya Bar-Daki: A Cry for Life

06:50 - An Experience at the Mikvah

08:58 - The Holiness in Everyday Life

11:45 - Trusting the Heart's Longings