This episode contains discussions of bullying, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, and loss.

⚠️Listener discretion is advised.

In this powerful episode of the Neshamos Podcast, Azriel Boymelgreen shares his raw and unfiltered journey through antisemitic bullying, isolation, substance abuse, and the lasting scars of loss. What begins as a story of deep pain and alienation transforms into one of resilience, spiritual growth, and a commitment to help others.

Azriel opens up about the pivotal moments that led him from despair to healing, from life-changing therapy to rediscovering meaning through faith and community. He also discusses the creation of The Bereishis Foundation, a nonprofit organization that empowers child wellness by helping families afford therapy for children struggling with mental health challenges.

The foundation provides direct financial assistance for therapy costs, allowing parents to choose their preferred licensed therapist.

This episode is longer and more intense than most. A deeply personal conversation about struggle, recovery, and the courage to speak the unspeakable.

In this poignant episode of the Neshamos Podcast, Chana Leah Bleznick shares her transformative journey from a turbulent childhood to becoming a beacon of hope and advocacy for women in Crown Heights.
Having emerged from the shadows of multi-generational addiction and rage, Chana Leah found healing and direction through 12-step recovery.
She reflects candidly on her college years, early struggles in marriage, and the pivotal moments that shaped her resilience and stability.
Through themes of self-responsibility, female mentorship, and the courage to speak openly, she highlights the power of story to dismantle shame and secrecy. Her testimony is a moving reminder of the strength that can be found in community and spirituality.

In this powerful episode of the Neshamos podcast, Hindy Rechaval shares her personal experience of navigating postpartum psychosis. Raised in a Chaseedish home and later joins the Chabad community in Crown Heights, Hindy opens up about the cultural pressures that shaped her sense of self-worth, and how everything unraveled after the birth of her first child.
What began as sleepless nights and racing thoughts spiraled into full-blown psychosis, hospitalization, and a long, painful period of overmedication. Finally, with the support of her husband, family, and mental health professionals, Hindy began to rebuild.
Now, she’s using her experience to break the silence around maternal mental health. She speaks about the power of gratitude, the strength of community, and her mission to support other women facing similar struggles, all while learning to hold space for both her dreams and her reality.

In this honest and emotional episode, Shlomo Wolf shares his journey through anxiety, addiction, and self-discovery.

Raised across different countries, always the “new kid,” Shlomo learned early on to survive by reading people and fitting in—often at the cost of his own needs.

When weed entered his life, it felt like relief—a break from constant alertness and self-judgment. But beneath the addiction was something deeper: a belief that he only mattered if he was useful, helpful, or liked.

Shlomo reflects on what it means to finally stop performing and begin healing—not just from substance use, but from years of codependency and self-erasure.

Bruyah’s journey through trauma has completely changed the way she sees life, resilience, and healing. After her devastating accident, when she was told she was partially paralyzed, she faced an incredibly long road to recovery—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In this episode, Bruyah opens up about the raw emotions she felt, from the fear and uncertainty to the moments of inner strength that helped her keep going.
She talks about how, even after overcoming huge obstacles, the smaller struggles of daily life can still feel overwhelming. Bruyah reflects on the importance of community, being kind to yourself, and the constant effort it takes to hold onto hope—even when there are no guarantees.
Her story is one of perseverance, acceptance, and learning to find strength even in the face of the unknown. It’s a conversation that reminds us that healing isn’t just about surviving—it’s about truly learning how to live.

In this uplifting episode of the Neshamos podcast, Yosef Halevy, an accomplished entrepreneur and sports coach, shares his profound journey from a challenging upbringing marked by bullying and instability to building resilience and helping others. Yosef's story highlights how he found solace and strength in basketball, transforming his adversities into life lessons and meaningful projects. The conversation delves into Yosef's move to Israel for personal growth, the importance of being present, and practical advice on journaling and meditation for mental well-being. Join us for an inspiring discussion on the power of self-acceptance, community, and the ongoing journey of healing.

In this deeply moving podcast episode, Miriam Raquel Feldman shares her family's emotional journey navigating her son's struggle with Pandas, a debilitating autoimmune disorder. With vulnerability and honesty, Miriam Raquel shares the heart-wrenching challenges they faced, from anxiety and depression to intrusive thoughts and paranoia.

Within the darkness of their ordeal, Miriam Raquel and her husband exemplify unwavering love and dedication as they navigate uncharted territory. Through their son's pain and despair, they find strength in each other and in their commitment to a healing solution that aligns with their deepest values, even when conventional methods fall short.

Miriam Raquel's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the boundless capacity of a parent's love. Join her as she offers a glimpse into their journey, filled with hope, faith, and the transformative power of a parents unconditional acceptance.

To learn more about Miriam Racquel's work or to get in touch visit https://www.miriamracquel.com/

Mendy's story starts as a chaotic storm, replete with neglect, shock, sexual abuse & addiction.

Mendy is sober now for over two years and lives a happy life in Israel together with his wife and four children.

The Neshamos project is a charitable endeavor and relies solely on our generous donors for support.

To sponsor this (or any) episode or for dedications please reach out to us via [email protected].

Meet Estee, a Montreal native who's now a young wife and mother of four in Brooklyn, NY. In this episode, Estee opens up about her journey living with her husband's debilitating anxiety. From being the “can-do” problem solver since childhood, she soon realized that she couldn’t “make it better” for everyone else around her anymore. The depths of her husbands emotional distress compelled her to seek out the help she deserved. Today, Estee prioritizes her well-being and develops compassionate empathy- no longer shouldering the responsibility of others’ emotional states. ” I didn't only have to be on the receiving end, but I also had to tell people exactly how I wanted them to support me.” Estee's transformation even led her to become a certified life coach, supporting women dealing with addiction and mental health challenges.

Join us in this powerful episode of the Neshamos Podcast as we dive into Mendy Schusterman's remarkable journey.

Raised in Peabody, Massachusetts, Mendy, at just 22 years old, has already experienced the depths of hopelessness and suffering that comes with alcohol addiction. With raw honesty, he shares the turning point that ignited his desire for change and led him on a path to recovery. As a full-time social work student at TUW University, and a senior student at Bais Menachem Wilkes Barre Yeshiva- Mendy now uses his personal experience to provide support and mentorship to younger students. In this episode, he shares his gripping story of overcoming alcoholism and finding a new path filled with hope and alignment. Don't miss this inspiring account of transformation and resilience.