The Personal Pizza Podcast

In this savory episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, host Simcha Levenberg rolls up his sleeves with friend and film producer Raphael Margules for a fresh-baked conversation about movies, meaning, and making grandma pizza from scratch.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z4pAN9p8QIg

As the dough rises, so does the dialogue - Raphael shares his path into the film industry, what it really takes to produce compelling work, and how his Orthodox Jewish background influences the kinds of stories he champions. They explore the idea of frum movies - films that resonate with observant Jewish audiences, not because they're overtly religious, but because they carry emotional truth, depth, and dignity.

From industry hurdles to creative wins, he opens up about what draws him to a project and the tension between personal values and commercial demands. The two swap favorite films, debate which directors almost qualify as frum-friendly, and reflect on how stories can subtly reflect faith without preaching.

With warmth, curiosity, and just the right amount of mozzarella, this episode offers a fresh take on faith, film, and finding resonance in unexpected places.

👉 Subscribe now and take a bite out of the most fascinating topics on mind, body, and soul. This is just the beginning.

Simcha Levenberg (https://slevenberg.com/)  is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. He uses a unique blend of humor, authenticity and real world knowledge. Simcha helps individuals clarify their personal values and live a present and more meaningful life. He helps couples transform their relationships to be more open and emotionally flexible. 

This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Rithu Jagannath, & Editor Jeremiah Schultz. To learn more about how to make a podcast for you and your business, visit rainbowcreative.co 

In this rich and reflective episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, host Simcha Levenberg reconnects with his lifelong friend Rabbi Dov Yona Korn, spiritual director of Chabad House Bowery, for a conversation that spans nearly four decades of friendship and two very different pizzas.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vjengrn0BE0

As they cook side by side, Simcha and Rabbi trace the arc of his life: from wild teen years to spiritual searching, and ultimately, to becoming a rabbi. It’s a story of transformation told with humor, honesty, and deep personal insight.

They revisit their childhood antics, unpack their biggest arguments, and open up about the ways they’ve grown - emotionally, spiritually, and even physically - thanks to their recent fitness journeys. Along the way, Rabbi Korn shares how he found his calling, what he’s building at Haba House, and why he's writing a memoir that pulls no punches.

This episode blends laughter, vulnerability, and the kind of unfiltered truth that only old friends can offer. It’s a conversation about growth, faith, forgiveness—and how pizza can bring it all to the table.

👉 Subscribe now and take a bite out of the most fascinating topics on mind, body, and soul. This is just the beginning.

Simcha Levenberg (https://slevenberg.com/)  is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. He uses a unique blend of humor, authenticity and real world knowledge. Simcha helps individuals clarify their personal values and live a present and more meaningful life. He helps couples transform their relationships to be more open and emotionally flexible. 

This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Rithu Jagannath, & Editor Jeremiah Schultz. To learn more about how to make a podcast for you and your business, visit rainbowcreative.co 

In this flavorful and insightful episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, host Simcha Levenberg sits down with his friend Gerry Katzman — stand-up comedian, teacher, and deep thinker — for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts heart and humor.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eGY8qO3eqhY

The two reflect on their shared love of pizza, starting with the grandma pie they baked together, and spiral into deeper topics like life lessons from therapy, the role of comedy as a healing force, and how laughter can crack open pathways to growth. Gerry opens up about his journey as both a performer and teacher, sharing how he helps others uncover joy and meaning through humor.

Together, they unpack the pros and cons of large group awareness training like Landmark, and Gerry offers his honest take as someone who’s been through it. He also shares his unique approach to therapy, blending stand-up smarts with tools inspired by Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help others navigate their inner worlds with more compassion and clarity.

From fatherhood to funny bones, personal development to pizza dough, this episode covers a rich spread. They wrap up with a tasting session and feedback on their homemade pie — a delicious metaphor for growth, collaboration, and the kind of environment Gerry believes comedy (and life) thrives in: supportive, kind, and real.

👉 Subscribe now and take a bite out of the most fascinating topics on mind, body, and soul. This is just the beginning.

Simcha Levenberg (https://slevenberg.com/)  is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. He uses a unique blend of humor, authenticity and real world knowledge. Simcha helps individuals clarify their personal values and live a present and more meaningful life. He helps couples transform their relationships to be more open and emotionally flexible. 

This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Rithu Jagannath, & Editor Jeremiah Schultz. To learn more about how to make a podcast for you and your business, visit rainbowcreative.co 

In this tender and laugh-filled episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, host Simcha Levenberg is joined by his longtime friend Shira Rose for a rich conversation about two seemingly unrelated — but deeply connected — topics: grief and gluten.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BQQOMaLxVww

What starts as a chat about the struggles of gluten-free living (and the trials of making a gluten-free pizza crust) quickly expands into something more profound. Together, Simcha and Shira explore how food, memory, and media shape the way we process loss and hold onto joy. With warmth and vulnerability, Shira shares her personal experiences navigating grief — and how these moments have shaped her decision to pursue a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

The two dive into beloved movies and series like The Lion King, Harry Potter, and Finding Nemo, unpacking how these stories gently introduce us to themes of parental loss, identity, and resilience. Their reflections are both emotionally resonant and sprinkled with humor, offering a rare mix of insight and levity.

Throughout the episode, Shira and Simcha weave in shared memories, movie references, and honest reflections on coping mechanisms — from therapy to storytelling to pizza-making experiments gone slightly wrong. By the end, Shira offers a moving reflection on how we carry our grief, and how it can coexist with laughter, love, and even a perfectly imperfect slice of gluten-free pizza.

👉 Subscribe now and take a bite out of the most fascinating topics on mind, body, and soul. This is just the beginning.

Simcha Levenberg (https://slevenberg.com/)  is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. He uses a unique blend of humor, authenticity and real world knowledge. Simcha helps individuals clarify their personal values and live a present and more meaningful life. He helps couples transform their relationships to be more open and emotionally flexible. 

This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Rithu Jagannath, & Editor Jeremiah Schultz. To learn more about how to make a podcast for you and your business, visit rainbowcreative.co 

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, host Simcha Levenberg sits down with comedian and actor Byron Bowers. Byron opens up about growing up with a drug-addicted father and facing mental health challenges head-on.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aNIisLuBfqQ

Together, they explore Byron’s powerful journey into spirituality and healing through psychedelics, unpacking how these experiences reshaped his view on life and mental wellness.

Byron shares exciting news about his upcoming Marvel role in Wonderman and his soon-to-be-released book, giving us a glimpse behind the scenes of his evolving career.

They dive into the stigma of mental illness in different communities and reflect on the delicate balance of life, love, and personal growth.

Whether you’re curious about comedy, spirituality, or just love a good slice of pizza with your podcast, this episode serves up an unforgettable mix of honesty, humor, and heart.

👉 Subscribe now and take a bite out of the most fascinating topics on mind, body, and soul. This is just the beginning.

Simcha Levenberg (https://slevenberg.com/)  is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. He uses a unique blend of humor, authenticity and real world knowledge. Simcha helps individuals clarify their personal values and live a present and more meaningful life. He helps couples transform their relationships to be more open and emotionally flexible. 

This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Rithu Jagannath, & Editor Jeremiah Schultz. To learn more about how to make a podcast for you and your business, visit rainbowcreative.co 

Watch this episode on YouTube now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cogg8_cF-P8

In this high-powered, deeply human episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, Simcha Levenberg sits down with Mark Smith - former professional bodybuilder, boxer, and British Gladiators icon to slice into the layered world of fitness, fame, and personal evolution.

From his protein-packed beginnings in competitive bodybuilding to his larger-than-life stint on Gladiators, Mark shares the behind-the-scenes of a body built for battle complete with old-school training splits, ‘90s fad diets, and a few eyebrow-raising supplements along the way.

With honesty and zero flexing, Mark opens up about his experience with steroids and performance enhancers, reflecting on how ambition, image, and industry pressures shaped (and sometimes strained) his body and mind.

He even shares what it was like to train actor Jonathan Majors for his intense role in Magazine Dreams, offering a glimpse into the demands of building a body for the big screen.

Whether you’re gym-curious, chasing gains, or simply reflecting on your own relationship to health—this episode brings the heart behind the hustle. No judgment, no gimmicks—just truth, sweat, and a surprisingly tender core.

👉 Subscribe now and take a bite out of the most fascinating topics on mind, body, and soul. This is just the beginning.

Simcha Levenberg (https://slevenberg.com/)  is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. He uses a unique blend of humor, authenticity and real world knowledge. Simcha helps individuals clarify their personal values and live a present and more meaningful life. He helps couples transform their relationships to be more open and emotionally flexible. 

This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Rithu Jagannath, & Editor Jeremiah Schultz. To learn more about how to make a podcast for you and your business, visit rainbowcreative.co 

In this grounding and expansive episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, Simcha Levenberg warms up the conversation with therapist, facilitator, and inner-explorer Nancy Morgan, whose work spans Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy. 🍄🧠

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7kWmC1_IxC4

🧩 Together, they explore the intricate layers of the human psyche—no toppings too messy—as Nancy unpacks the IFS model and its non-pathologizing, deeply compassionate approach to inner healing.

🔥 Nancy breaks down the roles of “managers” and “firefighters”—those protective parts inside all of us that jump into action to help us survive—and how reconnecting with our core “Self-energy” can bring lasting peace and clarity.

🌿 They also dive into her role as a Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy facilitator in Oregon and Colorado, walking through the preparation, safety protocols, and sacred integration that surround this powerful work with plant medicine.

⚠️ With clinical insight and heartfelt wisdom, Nancy reflects on the long-reaching impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how both traditional and emerging modalities can help people not just cope, but transform.

⚰️ And just when you think the pie is fully baked—they touch on natural and conservation burials, exploring what it means to die as intentionally as we live.

Whether you’re therapy-curious, plant-medicine-interested, or just craving a fresh slice of self-awareness—this episode offers a beautifully baked mix of science, soul, and softness.

👉 Subscribe now and take a bite out of the most fascinating topics on mind, body, and soul. This is just the beginning.

Simcha Levenberg (https://slevenberg.com/)  is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. He uses a unique blend of humor, authenticity and real world knowledge. Simcha helps individuals clarify their personal values and live a present and more meaningful life. He helps couples transform their relationships to be more open and emotionally flexible. 

This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Rithu Jagannath, & Editor Jeremiah Schultz. To learn more about how to make a podcast for you and your business, visit rainbowcreative.co 

In this warm and delicious episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, Simcha Levenberg fires up the oven as he welcomes Las Vegas-based therapist and parenting expert Eli Weinstein into his kitchen for a flavorful conversation about raising kids and rising dough. 🍕🧠

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KSmVr4MCfZY

👨‍🍳 Together, they craft two mouthwatering pies—a classic Neapolitan and a hearty grandma pizza—while diving into rich, real-talk discussions on modern parenting.

🛑 Eli shares why pausing before jumping into your kid’s arguments might be the most powerful parenting move you make, and how concepts like lighthouse parenting and gentle parenting play out in real life—not just in Instagram captions.

⚡ With honesty and heart, he opens up about living with ADHD, the challenges and breakthroughs he sees in his therapy practice, and why balance—not perfection—is the secret sauce in parenting.

🎙️ He also dishes on his podcast, The Dude Therapist, and teases his upcoming book on maintaining strong relationships while navigating parenthood.

Whether you’re a parent, planning to be, or just love the smell of deep conversation with fresh basil—this episode serves up nourishment for the soul and the stomach.

👉 Subscribe now and take a bite out of the most fascinating topics on mind, body, and soul. This is just the beginning.

Simcha Levenberg (https://slevenberg.com/)  is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. He uses a unique blend of humor, authenticity and real world knowledge. Simcha helps individuals clarify their personal values and live a present and more meaningful life. He helps couples transform their relationships to be more open and emotionally flexible. 

This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Rithu Jagannath, & Editor Jeremiah Schultz. To learn more about how to make a podcast for you and your business, visit rainbowcreative.co

00:00 Introduction: Simplifying Parenting
00:37 Welcome to the Personal Pizza Podcast
00:48 Meet Ellie Weinstein: Parenting Expert
00:57 Pizza Making Begins: Neapolitan and Grandma Pizza
01:30 Hands-On Pizza Preparation
05:05 Parenting from a Deficit: Overcoming Challenges
11:17 Imposter Syndrome in Parenting
16:32 The Role of Therapy in Parenting
23:06 Medication Management for Kids
30:14 Pizza Preferences and Dough Obsession
30:41 Cooking Methods: Gas vs. Wood Pellets
31:05 Nostalgic Pizza Memories
32:43 Parenting Styles and Boundaries
39:51 ADHD: Personal Experiences and Parenting
48:19 The Dude Therapist Podcast Journey
54:49 Parenting Advice: Stop Trying So Hard
59:27 Public Speaking and Upcoming Book
01:02:34 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this eye-opening episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, Simcha sits down with psychologist and researcher Dr. John Hunter to peel back the layers of large group awareness training (LGATs)—intense seminars that promise transformation, but at what cost? 🧠⚡

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/37caNRzs_k8

🔍 With years of firsthand research, John breaks down the high-pressure tactics used in these trainings—how stress and emotional manipulation can pave the way for euphoric breakthroughs, and why that might not be as empowering as it seems.

💊 He introduces his dopaminergic defense hypothesis, a powerful framework for understanding the biochemical rollercoaster these programs can trigger—and the potential long-term psychological effects on participants.

🚨 From the blurred lines of informed consent to parallels with Scientology and the troubled teen industry, Dr. Hunter sounds the alarm on how these techniques are repackaged and sold—often without transparency or ethical oversight.

Whether you’ve been to one of these trainings, are curious about the self-help world, or just want a deeper dive into how psychology can empower and endanger—this episode brings clarity, caution, and some serious truth-telling to the table.

👉 Subscribe now and take a bite out of the most fascinating topics on mind, body, and soul. This is just the beginning.

Learn more about Dr. Hunter and order his book at: www.johnhunterphd.com

Simcha Levenberg (https://slevenberg.com/)  is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. He uses a unique blend of humor, authenticity and real world knowledge. Simcha helps individuals clarify their personal values and live a present and more meaningful life. He helps couples transform their relationships to be more open and emotionally flexible. 

This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones and Executive Producer, Editor Jeremiah Shultz . This episode also had the support of Producer Rithu Jagannath.

In this heartfelt episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, Simcha teams up life coach Jen Davis to explore the tender terrain of grief—all while attempting to master the art of gluten-free pizza. 🍕

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOYyMwkhtlw

🖤 From the kitchen to the soul, Jen opens up about losing her aunt, grandparents, and both parents—and how grief reshaped her life in unexpected ways.

 🌊 She shares her healing journey, from time spent at the transformative Omega Institute to her evolution from therapist to life coach.

 🎨 Simcha and Jen dive into how creativity, ritual, and honest conversation become powerful tools for navigating loss.
 🍞 Plus, hear their hilarious and humble trials with gluten-free dough—where success and soggy crusts meet in equal measure.

Whether you're processing your own grief, supporting someone through it, or just here for the pizza—this episode offers a nourishing mix of depth, warmth, and real talk.

👉 Subscribe now and take a bite out of the most fascinating topics on mind, body, and soul. This is just the beginning.

Simcha Levenberg (https://slevenberg.com/)  is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. He uses a unique blend of humor, authenticity and real world knowledge. Simcha helps individuals clarify their personal values and live a present and more meaningful life. He helps couples transform their relationships to be more open and emotionally flexible. 

This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones and Executive Producer, Editor Jeremiah Shultz, and Producer Rithu Jagannath. This episode also had the support of Producer Evy Bjorn. To learn more about how to make a podcast for you and your business, visit rainbowcreative.co

00:00 Introduction to Emotional Complexity
00:45 Welcome to the Kitchen
01:58 Pizza Making and Grief Discussion
02:46 Jen's Grief Journey
07:10 Sim's Family Losses
09:49 Processing Grief Through Therapy
14:23 Creative Arts and Grief
15:40 Making the Perfect Gluten-Free Pizza
25:53 The Primal Response to Grief
28:12 Understanding the Startle Response
28:32 The Power of Grief and Art
29:25 Personal Experiences with Grief
29:42 Childhood and Family Dynamics
30:31 The Impact of Losing a Parent
31:27 Therapy and Personal Growth
32:17 The Role of Creativity in Healing
48:40 Jewish Grieving Traditions
55:42 Reflections on Grief and Healing