He grew up between worlds - Filipino by birth, Israeli by life - until he made a choice that would change everything. In this episode, Aleeza Ben Shalom sits down with singer Howie Danao to explore a journey shaped by identity, faith, and purpose. From questioning his place in the Israeli army to choosing conversion, and from October 7 to creating music that brings light to others, his path is anything but typical. And just when he let go of the idea of love… it found him. A conversation about purpose, peoplehood, and the moments that quietly reshape a life.

Should you hide your gray hair? When do you tell someone you’ve been married twice? And how do you stay open and playful without getting hurt? In this unfiltered Q&A, Aleeza Ben Shalom takes on the questions people usually dance around: confidence, timing, emotional risk, and the patterns that quietly sabotage dating. Honest, practical, and a little uncomfortable in the best way, this episode is about dating with clarity, courage, and self-respect.

He’s not a traditional matchmaker, but he's but he’s been bringing people and food together for over 20 years. In this episode, Aleeza Ben Shalom sits down with Joseph Gitler, founder of Leket Israel, the country’s largest food rescue organization. What started as late-night food pickups became a nationwide network connecting surplus to need and people to purpose. From wartime pivots after October 7 to volunteers who found community, aliyah, and even love along the way, this conversation is about impact, connection, and the unexpected ways giving back can change your life.

They both said no at first… and now they’re married. In this episode, Aleeza Ben Shalom sits down with Yaakov and Tehila Zimmerman to share the unlikely path that led from reluctant introductions to marriage just 20 weeks later. Along the way: reserve duty after October 7, a first date that ended in a bomb shelter, and a three-day Rosh Hashanah that made them realize something real was unfolding. A story that proves sometimes the opportunities you almost pass on are the ones that change your life.

What happens when you open your home and it turns into a global community? In this episode, Aleeza Ben Shalom sits down with Jodi Samuels, founder of JIC, whose journey began with hosting 36 international students for Rosh Hashanah just weeks after moving to New York. That one meal grew into a worldwide network helping Jews far from home find belonging. From raising a daughter with Down syndrome to building meaningful experiences and lifelong connections, Jodi shares how choosing purpose over mediocrity can transform a life… and an entire community.

Is it real interest or just attraction? In this Q&A episode, Aleeza Ben Shalom answers the dating questions that feel hardest to decode: long-distance beginnings, mismatched religious levels, and those awkward fiancé phone calls where the conversation stalls. She shares why slowing down physical connection can clarify everything, how to navigate faith differences with honesty, and what it means to take responsibility for the energy you want in a relationship. Practical, grounded, and real, this episode will help you stop guessing and start dating with clarity.

What happens when two people almost say no? In this powerful episode, Aleeza Ben Shalom sits down with Rabbi Leo Dee and his wife, Aliza, to talk about grief, healing, and second love. After losing his wife and two daughters in a terror attack, Rabbi Leo began exploring what it takes to move forward without leaving the past behind. At the same time, Aliza was facing her own crossroads - tempted to return to something familiar but only 60% aligned, and choosing instead to say yes to the unknown. From a lonely Shabbat to reluctant first dates and radical honesty, this conversation is about faith, resilience, and choosing to build again - slowly, intentionally, and together.

What if the biggest threat to your relationship isn’t your partner - but your fear? In this honest conversation, Aleeza Ben Shalom sits down with communication expert Elana Israel to explore why smart, self-aware people keep repeating the same relationship patterns. From people-pleasing and fear of conflict to learning how to sit with uncomfortable emotions, this episode offers practical tools and real-life insight to help you identify the fear running the show and relate more honestly to yourself and others. A powerful listen for anyone who wants healthier connection, not just better communication.

What is love? In this rich, thought-provoking conversation, Aleeza Ben Shalom sits down with Rabbi Nir Menussi to explore love, intimacy, and commitment through a Jewish and mystical lens. From the idea of God as the third presence in a relationship, to why self-acceptance matters more than self-love, to how faith plays a role when certainty disappears, this episode invites you into a deeper way of thinking about dating and marriage. A soulful, grounding listen for anyone seeking meaning - not just chemistry.

What do you do when someone seems interested but won’t say it clearly? When does “having standards” start feeling more like a wall than a boundary? Should you move cities for the chance at love — or stay rooted where you are? In this Q&A episode, Aleeza Ben Shalom tackles the dating questions that live in the gray areas: unclear communication, mismatched styles, and the fine line between real needs and neediness. Direct, compassionate, and deeply practical, this episode helps bring clarity where dating usually feels confusing.