In this special crossover episode, Rabbi Mendy Bistritzky sits down with therapist and fellow podcaster Sony Perlman, only this time, the interview takes place in Sony’s New York studio while Mendy leads the conversation. Sony, known for his candid and compassionate insights on the "BrainStorm" podcast, shares his experience working with at-risk youth, addiction recovery, and the community he’s built through “Our Village,” a network of sober living homes focused on healing through love, belonging, and human connection. The episode is co-released on both podcasts as a heartfelt collaboration between two people deeply committed to building meaningful, spiritually grounded lives.

The conversation explores the nature of worthiness, what it means to truly help someone heal, and why community is the essential ingredient to long-term recovery, not just from addiction, but from the isolation that so many people feel in daily life. Sony challenges the traditional view of addiction by explaining how all people, not just addicts, are searching for the same sense of inner peace and connection. Rabbi Mendy brings in Hasidic perspectives, particularly the idea that spirituality isn’t found in perfection, but in the paradox, the holy space where longing and struggle coexist.

Laced with humor, vulnerability, and spiritual depth, the episode touches on everything from how laughter can heal trauma to the Rebbe’s guidance on self-worth, to practical advice for those who are emotionally drained but still functional. Whether you’re battling addiction, burnout, or simply seeking more meaning in your relationships and spiritual life, this episode offers both comfort and clarity. It’s a reminder that healing is not about becoming someone else; it’s about remembering who you already are.