Parenting Teens & Ourselves 

Shaina and Chavie start off by reflecting on Shaina’s upbringing on Shlichus (Chabad outreach) in 1970s Los Angeles. They explore how the unique challenges of her childhood and teenage years pushed her to grow up before she had the tools to manage her emotional and mental health. As a young parent, Shaina was determined to break the cycle, so she sought help to equip herself with the skills to raise her children differently. Chavie and Shaina discuss somatic techniques for regulating conflict and challenges with children and teens, emphasizing the importance of managing our body’s responses. Shaina also highlights the need to shed shame and stigma in our communities around issues like infertility and teenage struggles while respecting boundaries and privacy.

Shaina lives in Los Angeles and is a certified parent and life coach specializing in working with and supporting parents of teens. Her journey began–like that of many parents—navigating the uncharted waters of raising children without a guidebook. She immersed herself in countless  parenting resources, often second-guessing her decisions along the way. This experience inspired her to pursue professional certification, with a focus on the transformative approach of “parenting from the inside out.”

This Week's Q&A’s

 Referenced on the Pod

Stay in touch with Shaina!

www.parenteencoach.com

Stay in touch with Chavie!

www.instagram.com/chaviebruk

www.totallyunexpected.blog

For sponsorship or advertising opportunities reach out to Chavie on Instagram or at [email protected].

Faith & Fashion Aligned

In this episode, Chavie and Sheva dive into the intersection of fashion and spirituality. Sheva shares her journey from being a fashion-forward teen with limited resources to founding a spiritually-driven fashion magazine that empowers Jewish women to embrace their essence. She reflects on transforming mivtzoim, (Jewish outreach), in high school from a dreaded task into something cool and inspiring. Sheva talks about her evolution from personal shopper to stylist, adapting during the pandemic, and the lessons she’s learned about managing energy, surrendering to challenges, and stepping into an abundance mindset and her power as a Jewish woman.

Sheva grew up in Hallandale, Florida with a strong desire to empower women in being their best selves. Starting off as a personal shopper & color analyst, Sheva evolved and created the first Jewish women’s fashion and lifestyle digital magazine. She’s a wife, mother, and female entrepreneur, like many of her clients.  

This Week's Q&A

 Referenced on the Pod

Stay in touch with Sheva!

Stay in touch with Chavie!

www.instagram.com/chaviebruk

www.totallyunexpected.blog

This episode is sponsored by Sichos in English, the pre-eminent publisher of Chassidic thought in English where Jewish mysticism comes to life. Learn more at www.sie.org. For sponsorship or advertising opportunities, please reach out to Chavie on Instagram or at [email protected].

The Complex Emotional Lives of Our Teens

Sarah and Chavie begin by discussing how Sarah started journaling as a young child, which ignited her love for self-expression. They explore the tendency for kids to box themselves into labels and emphasize the importance of letting them know it’s okay to have fun and embrace who they are. The conversation shifts to the "Suffering Olympics" and hustle culture, where unhappiness and hardship are often rewarded and seen as virtues. Sarah shares how much she values her ability to acknowledge emotions in her profession and reflects on the breakthroughs she’s achieved in helping teens express their feelings in a healthy way. Chavie asks Sarah about her spiritual journey and the impact it has had on her identity as a singer-songwriter. 

Sarah Immerman, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist originally from Cleveland and now based in Boston. She specializes in helping teens and young adults navigate emotion dysregulation using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She is currently the Director of Family Services and the Assistant Director of the Day Program. She is an NCSY advisor and was a counselor and behavior team member at Camp HASC. Sarah is also a singer-songwriter and loves to journal.  

This Week's Q&A

Referenced on the Pod

Stay in touch with Sarah!

Stay in touch with Chavie!

www.instagram.com/chaviebruk

www.totallyunexpected.blog

This episode is dedicated by Rabbi Moshe & Dini Scheiner and their incredible community at the Palm Beach Synagogue, www.palmbeachsynagogue.org. For sponsorship or advertising opportunities you can reach out to Chavie on Instagram or at [email protected].

What Is Emotion Code?

Moshe shares his journey with Chavie growing up as a shy introvert in a large family and developing a debilitating anxiety with many physical symptoms that went unexplained for years. Life took a dramatic turn when his wife had a seizure and was diagnosed with a brain tumor, propelling him into a journey of healing and self-discovery. Moshe shares how he found The Emotion Code, a method to release trapped emotions, and learned to address the deep connection between emotions and physical health. Chavie also shares her struggle with celiac disease and how Moshe helped her uncover the emotional triggers that were the underlying factors of the symptoms. Moshe and Chavie talk about the the power of attracting energy and how to know the difference between toxic positivity and trusting that everything happens for a reason.

Moshe Weinbaum grew up in London, England, and studied abroad in the US. His life’s passion has always been to help others. He has worked with youth, teenagers, and adults. When he discovered the Emotion Code and Body Code, he knew it could be an effective tool to help people become healthier. Moshe specializes in treating addiction, relationships, trauma, and other behavioral and social challenges. 

This Week's Q&A

References & Resources

The Emotion Code, by Bradley Nelson

Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell

Stay in Touch with Moshe!

www.awarenessrelease.com

Stay in Touch with Chavie!

www.instagram.com/chaviebruk

www.totallyunexpected.blog

For sponsorship or advertising opportunities reach out to Chavie on Instagram or at [email protected].

A Mother & Daughter's Adoption Journey 

Chavie and Shoshana begin with an account of Shoshana's challenging childhood before she found a fresh start with the Bruk family in Bozeman, Montana. Shoshana shares what it was like to be the eldest of her new siblings while integrating into an observant Jewish household and community. Wanting to fully commit, she attended an all-girls Chassidic boarding school, only to find herself feeling alienated from that environment. Chavie discusses the impossible choices she faced in addressing Shoshana's subsequent mental health struggles as a teenager and the impact it had on their new mother-daughter relationship, which she was so committed to cultivating. The episode concludes with an honest and sometimes comedic reflection on where their relationship stands today, and the love and respect at the core of it all. Shoshana also shares where she stands today in her Jewish identity and her message for girls and women who may be experiencing similar challenges.

Please note: This episode contains numerous references to abuse, self-harm, and other challenging mental health issues.

This Week's Q&A

• Would you ever move out of Montana?

Stay in Touch with Chavie!

www.instagram.com/chaviebruk

www.totallyunexpected.blog

Sponsors

This episode is sponsored by dear friends dedicating it to the Bruk children: Shoshana, Chaya, Zeesy, Menny, and Chana Leah. Also in recognition of a new book titled Letters for Life: Guidance for Emotional Wellness from the Lubavitcher Rebbe by Levi Y. Shmotkin.

Does Astrology Align With Traditional Judaism?

In this episode, Mendel tells Chavie about his first encounter with astrology on a random night in Brooklyn. A man read his chart and he was fascinated by how accurate the reading was. That set him on a journey to learn everything he could about astrology and the human psyche. Mendel also shares about how he became interested in farming as a young boy in Israel. He decided to turn his dream of farming into a reality, and to revive the ancient Jewish agricultural heritage. He and his wife, Chana, moved to Maui where they established a kosher farm and welcome visitors far and wide to their life on the land. Mendel performs a live reading of Chavie's astrological chart, delving into her personality and the insights it reveals. He shares how astrology, combined with curiosity about ourselves and others, can help overcome interpersonal challenges and lead to a more satisfying life.

Mendel was born in Israel to Shluchim of the Rebbe and is one of eleven children. He is an ordained rabbi and shochet with a degree in economics. Together with his wife, Chana, he lives on a macadamia nut farm in Wailuku, Hawaii, nestled in the jungles of the West Maui Mountains. They have created a Chassidishe farm and lighthouse surrounded by mango trees, banana groves, avocado, and coffee. In addition to raising goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese, quails, and tilapia, they are leaders of the Jewish community and provide kosher food and experiences for locals and tourists. 

This Week's Q&A's

1. How did Chavie & Chaim meet? 

2. Any tips on connecting to my Jewish identity?

3. How do you juggle being so busy?

References & Resources

Mendel & Chana's Kosher Farm in Maui

www.mauikosherfarm.com

Stay in Touch with Mendel!

www.instagram.com/mauikosherfarm

Stay in Touch with Chavie!

https://www.instagram.com/chaviebruk/

https://www.totallyunexpected.blog/

This episode is sponsored by an anonymous fan of the show.

For sponsorship or advertising opportunities you can reach out to Chavie on Instagram or at [email protected].

Recap of the Events of October 7th

Chavie and Chana begin by connecting over their shared Chicago connection and their mutual appreciation for living in the mountains. Chana shares how she immediately felt at home in Tzfat, Israel after attending seminary there. They also bond over embracing a variety of personal and professional talents, rather than conforming to societal expectations of sticking to a single lifetime career path. Chana then gives a detailed, minute-by-minute account of the events of October 7th and its aftermath. Chana talks about the lasting trauma her children have experienced after a year of daily bombardments by Hezbollah. They then discuss whether the Jews in the Diaspora community can really relate to what Israelis are going through. Chana emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the evil around them while still cherishing the untarnished joy of the holidays. 

Chana Traxler is the Education Director at Machon Alta Women’s Yeshiva and the Programs and Extra Curricular Coordinator at Seminary Chaya Mushka in Tzfat, Israel. She and her husband, Rabbi Zalman Traxler, are the founders and directors of the Artist Quarter Minyan, a dynamic community for the English speaking community of Tzfat. She is mother to six beautiful children and originally from Chicago, Illinois. 

This Week’s Q&As:

Q #1: How do I let go of the hurt of my only sister?

Q #2: How do you make time for therapy?

Q # 3: How does mind body healing work and is it a real thing?

References & Resources

Chana & Zalman’s Artist Quarter Minyan

www.artistquarterminyan.com

Stay in Touch with Chana!

https://www.instagram.com/chana_traxler/

Stay in Touch with Chavie!

https://www.instagram.com/chaviebruk/

https://www.totallyunexpected.blog/

This episode is sponsored by Simpo Travel, www.simpotravel.com, & Benz’s Fish, www.benzfish.com.

Sex-Ed in Traditional Orthodox Communities

Elisheva Liss is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the New York area. She works with individuals and couples to help improve their quality of life and relationships. The most common issues she treats are depression, anxiety, sexual, and relationship challenges. 

Sacred not Secret

The Schmoozeletter! 

Elisheva’s Book

The Intimacy Building Exercise

Mentioned: Dr. Brene Brown, Dr. Yocheved Debow, Sara Diamond

Elisheva's Instagram

Elisheva's Website

Chavie's Instagram

Totally Unexpected! Blog

This episode is sponsored by Hasofer, www.esofer.com.

A Coffee Date with G-D

Sara Miriam Smith has a master's degree in special education and is the author of, "Are You My Mother?" Chavie and Sara Miriam talk about how they met on social media and then became friends in real-life. They discuss how hard parenting is and that instead of beating ourselves up when we make mistakes, we should believe in "our own goodness." Then, Chavie and Sara Miriam dive deep into Sara Miriam's journey with loss, grief, and her relationship with G-D. Sara Miriam talks about her "coffee dates" with G-D and how she felt His presence even in her lowest moments. 

Q&A's this Week:

1. How to find the right therapist?

2. How to overcome guilt when kids aren't Torah appreciative?

3. Does Chavie have cleaning help?

About Sara Miriam Smith

Sara Miriam is a mom to five and is no stranger to all things messy. While getting her masters degree in Special Education, she became fascinated in the crucial role sensory play takes in child development. Things turned personal when one of her children struggled with sensory processing difficulties and received an ADHD diagnosis. She started incorporating sensory materials into her everyday life and saw incredible advances in her child's emotional and physical development and overall comfort. Sensory play has since become a staple at home as a way to play, connect, and have fun!

Sensory Kits

My Friend ADHD 

Are You My Mother

Website

Instagram

This episode is sponsored by www.project6nykids.com.

Introduction to my new podcast: Totally Unexpected!

I love people and I love hearing their stories. I want to know who they are, how they got there, what didn’t go as expected, and what they did about it. That passion and curiosity led me to create “Totally Unexpected!” I've had my own fair share of unexpected twists and turns; a permanent infertility diagnoses, five adopted children with varying degrees of challenges, and co-directing Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana with my husband. I embrace all these parts of who I am, as challenging as that is sometimes, and that's how I am able to thrive through it all. 

I will be releasing episodes every other Monday, featuring interviews with people who inspire me. There will also be a Q&A segment to address questions and topics that you guys want me to talk to about. Look out for the prompt in my Insta stories and go crazy!