Podcasts have been my jam for awhile now, and what better time to get more into them than in Elul? Sometimes, especially as a busy woman, it’s easier to learn while on your way to work, cooking in the kitchen or on a walk with the baby rather than finding time to sit down a read a whole book (but we have those recs too!) I love the amount of information available to us with podcasts — there are constantly new conversations for us to glean from.
Sometimes, there are so many choices it’s hard to know where to start. You don’t know if what you’re picking is actually going to be good and then you either waste precious time scrolling through, listen to ten minutes of something and then feel “eh,” or just give up and not listen to anything at all. So instead, I’ve done the digging for you.
While I’ve recommended shows before, in this piece I’m going directly to a specific episode that was really impactful for me. Pick one, pop it on and add some instant inspo to whatever you’re doing. I know you’ll love them and hopefully, feel more connected to Hashem in the process.
The Wildescast with Rabbi YY Jacobson
This podcast was life-changing for me, and that’s not an exaggeration. Rabbi YY Jacobson has been someone I’ve looked to for humorous shiurim mixed with a profound wealth and depth of information for a while now. In this podcast, he speaks with Rabbi Wildes of Manhattan Jewish Experience about Torah and Judaism. I’m not going to give any spoilers, but there is one part where Rabbi Jacobson is discussing spirituality in comparison to the discovery of electricity and it changed the way I view the world. You don’t want to miss those sparks.
Empowered Jewish Living with Aliza Bulow
Aliza Bulow is my mentor’s mentor so I knew she had to be something special. This interview didn’t disappoint — it’s an hour long yet still had me wanting more from her. Her life’s journey is incredibly inspiring. She’s gone through certain difficulties we should never know, yet the way she speaks about them is so articulate, wise and real. The organization she’s created, CORE, to help other women empower each other is just as impressive, yet not surprising given the woman she seems to be.
Behind the Bima with Rabbi Mordechai Machlis
This is an older ep, but such a good one. If you’ve ever read Emunah with Love and Chicken Soup, you know how incredible the Machlis family is. While the book mostly focuses on Henny a”h, her husband, Rabbi Machlis, also exemplifies greatness. In the podcast, his humility yet guidance on so many things in our day-to-day lives as Jews was really amazing to listen to. Being interviewed by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg also makes it a definite listen.
America’s Top Rebbetzin’s with Rebbetzin Maryashie Deren on Bitachon
It’s always a good time to learn about bitachon, or trust in Hashem, but in Elul it just hits differently. We’re so focused on connecting to G-d in a deeper way right now and we’re being told he’s more accessible to us but sometimes it’s hard to know just how to feel it. In this podcast, Rebbetzin Maryashie Deren of Chabad of Greenwich talks about how we can connect with G-d in a deeper way even when we’re struggling. I love the realness she brings to the conversation — although she’s a “top Rebbetzin,” she’s also facing challenges in the everyday as we are. By sharing how she works through them, she’s padding your toolbox with more ways to do the same.
Deep Meaningful Conversations on Body Image with Rachel Tuchman
While this one may not seem super spiritual from the title, it is when you look beneath the surface. As women (and definitely some men too), we put so much pressure on ourselves to fit into a certain size or to be “back” at a number on the scale, that we use up precious energy that could be put toward other, more spiritual things. That’s not to say that health isn’t important of course or to discourage anyone who may have a personal weight loss goal. The point is, that putting so much of our focus on our weight takes away some of the joy the present has and the upcoming holiday should bring. Taking time to enjoy the delicious food in front of you can connect you more to Hashem. Realizing your body is for living and not just to be made smaller is also a way to elevate your soul. By doing so, you can access greater heights rather than reducing yourself to just a number or image in your mind. This podcast will give you more resources to get into that mindset.
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What have you been listening to these days? Let me know in the comments!
About Alexandra
