After 12 days of war and survival-mode living, many of us are being asked, or even expected, to return to "normal." But what happens when your nervous system isn’t ready? When your body is still holding the weight of everything it’s just lived through?

In this episode, I speak to the tender and often unspoken truth of what it means to transition out of crisis: the pace, the pressure, the vigilance that doesn’t just go away. I share why the slower, quieter rhythm of wartime, even in its intensity, can feel strangely grounding, and how to gently honor your own process, even if it looks different from those around you.

Listen with curiosity, compassion, and the knowing that there’s nothing wrong with you if “normal” feels anything but.

How often do we say “I feel like…” - but what we’re actually expressing is a thought, an opinion, or a judgment?

In this live conversation, my husband Rabbi Yonasan Reiser and I sat down to explore the deeper meaning behind that common phrase. We unpacked the subtle but powerful difference between thoughts and feelings, and why this distinction matters so much in our relationships, our self-awareness, and even our avodas Hashem.

Topics we touched on include:
– Why it feels safer to say “I feel like…” instead of naming what we actually feel
– The role of vulnerability in honest communication
– A Shabbos story that surprised me with just how many feelings were tangled inside
– How unmet needs show up in relationships, especially between men and women
– What it means to receive and give from a place of wholeness, through the lens of the Kabbalistic concepts of mekabel and mashpia
– Why having the right words for our emotions can create real relief and connection
– And how using Nonviolent Communication in our marriage gave us a shared language to express what’s really going on beneath the surface

Whether you're new to this kind of emotional work or deep in it, we hope this conversation brings more clarity, self-compassion, and maybe even new language to help you feel heard, by yourself and the people you love.

As Pesach approaches, the stress of navigating family dynamics, expectations, and personal triggers can feel overwhelming—especially for those of us with complex backgrounds.

In this heartfelt conversation, Chaya Hinda and I explore what it means to prioritize our own needs, set boundaries with difficult personalities, and embrace the reality of our emotions rather than pushing them aside. We dive into the power of saying “no” with confidence, making the Seder meaningful even in unconventional settings, and shifting focus from external pressures to inner connection and joy.

With raw honesty and deep compassion, we also touch on the challenges of parenting when carrying personal trauma, the importance of speaking to ourselves with kindness, and how to balance self-care with communal and familial responsibilities.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of holiday expectations or struggled to find peace in the chaos, have a listen to this conversation. Our hope and tefillah is that you’ll walk away feeling validated, supported, and equipped with new perspectives to bring more ease and meaning into your Yom Tov experience.