Shows
The Ritual HouseTalmud, It's A Ritual- Rabbi Igael Gurin-MalousThe Ritual House host, Tova Leibovic-Douglas and Igael Gurin-Malous (Iggy) have an in depth conversation about all things ritual in relation to cultivating a personal spiritual practice as well as engaging with Talmud. Iggy shares his personal long term ritual of studying Talmud and how it has walked with him throughout his life in all it's stages. What does it mean to have an intense and personal practice that is connected to our ancestors? Can one do so when they feel on the outside? How does one even begin? The two debate as rabbis and friends do with love.2024-03-291h 07
Tattoos and TorahWhat Life MandatesOur lives are full of mandates, orders, and obligations. This week, Rabbi Iggy wonders, how can spirituality guide us through these mandates? Rabbi Iggy’s ruminations weave through hot-button issues like the Covid-19 vaccines along with his personal history, all with an eye toward finding freedom through our burdens. Ultimately, this is a brief and instructive guide to reclaiming responsibility, agency, and sovereignty through the things that make us feel powerless.2021-11-1919 minTattoos and TorahWellness ActivatedWhat is the relationship between wellness and self-sovereignty? This week, Rabbi Iggy hosts Ceasar Barajas, an award-winning singer, dancer, actor, yoga teacher, and Navy Veteran. Their conversation pulls from Ceasar’s wide-ranging skills and experiences, meandering through complex themes of activism around mental health, recovery, and gender. Ultimately, this is a conversation focused on liberation. Rabbi Iggy and Ceasar wonder together, how we can free ourselves by creating internal wellbeing?2021-11-131h 11Tattoos and TorahA Case For Spiritual CounselingModern life sometimes has a way of disconnecting us from the complexities of our deeper feelings, emotions, and truths. How can we prevent this erosion of ourselves? How can we unearth our more authentic selves? This week, Rabbi Iggy makes the case for spiritual counseling, a process that can help us examine who we are, why we are here, how we make meaning, and how we understand our pain. Rabbi Iggy synthesizes wisdom from his decades as a practicing spiritual counselor as well as the most recent empirical studies on spiritual counseling. This episode is for anyone interested in askin...2021-11-0513 minTattoos and TorahBipolar/SpiritualHow can we overcome our shame and guilt through spirituality?
This week, Rabbi Iggy sits down with Rabbi Alfredo Borodowski, “The Bipolar Rabbi,” a trained philosopher, personality type interpreter, and therapist who specializes in the blending of spirituality and mental health. Together, the two rabbis grapple with change and growth, personality types, and mental health.
If you’re interested in connecting spiritual wisdom with mental well-being, this conversation is for you.2021-10-291h 09Tattoos and TorahSpiritual Bypassing And Toxic PositivityHow can spiritual bypassing limit our ability to provide each other support?
This week, Rabbi Iggy ruminates on toxic positivity and spiritual bypassing. By acknowledging that spirituality includes all aspects of life, not just the positive, we can learn to more fully support ourselves and each other.
If you want to discover tools to be supportive without engaging in spiritual bypassing, this episode is for you.2021-10-2221 minTattoos and TorahTeaching BelongingHow are mindfulness and recovery practices informed by culture, heritage, race, and gender?
This week, Rabbi Iggy speaks with Meghan Stewart-Wills, a renowned mindfulness coach with Unified Mindfulness. A multi-racial Black woman based in Ottawa, Canada, Meghan's work in local school boards supports youth in anti-discrimination and wellness initiatives. Together, Rabbi Iggy and Meghan map out the nexus of personal recovery and addiction recovery. They explore complex issues of race, the whiteness of recovery spaces, and the role of privilege in recovery.
If you are interested in the intersections of self-restoration, restorative justice, and recovery, th...2021-10-151h 16Tattoos and TorahKnow God / No MastersHave you ever wondered where god resides?
This week, Rabbi Iggy discusses imminence and transcendence, and how to make sense of these concepts in our own lives. By investigating why some people believe god is near and others don't, he illuminates the role the divine can play in your recovery. In this short episode you can expect many questions... and maybe a couple of answers along the way.
If you're interested in exploring your own relationship to god and how this examination can enhance your recovery, this episode is for you!2021-10-0818 minTattoos and TorahChance And ChoiceHow can someone build a meaningful, enriching life out of adversity, trauma and hardship?
Rabbi Iggy speaks with T'Shuvah Center's Director of Counseling, Jeremy Pool about building a life of meaning through addiction, incarceration, and family challenges. In this episode you'll learn about forgiveness: how to ask for it, how to be able to offer it, how to forgive the world and most importantly, yourself.
If you want to learn how to rise above challenges by leveraging the power of forgiveness and acknowledging the joy and gifts life has brought, this episode is for you!2021-10-0158 minTattoos and TorahHeart To HeartHow can meditation and community guide us to the wisdom of our hearts?So much of what we do flows from our heart. HeartRise Movement founder Jessie May Wolfe has made this spiritual truth the center of a movement, focused on building a community that engages in active meditation to awaken the inner intelligence of their hearts. In this episode, Rabbi Iggy and Jessie have a heart to heart on spirituality, connection, creativity, and meaning. As Jessie puts it, “a universal call to ignite the radiant heart power in all of us”.If you are interested in finding purpose, stre...2021-09-2454 minTattoos and TorahAmend Not ApologiesWhat is the difference between an apology and an amends? In this episode of Tattoos & Torah, Rabbi Iggy discusses the amends process, and how taking this step strengthens our connections with others (and profoundly enhances our recovery!) If you want to learn how to approach this process, from setting intentions to making plans to get started, this episode is for you!2021-09-1721 minTattoos and TorahIts Funny Cause Its TrueWhat happens when a comedian and a rabbi meet during the ten days of awe?In this midst of the "10 Days of Repentance", Rabbi Iggy and comedian Alex Edelman discuss the intersection of comedy, social commentary, art, and general Jewish angst. They explore the complex relationship between Jewish identity, humor, and remorse, and how it informs their own approach to the high holy days.If you like to find humor in the darker side of life, this episode is for you!2021-09-101h 00Tattoos and TorahResults Not ResolutionsHave you ever made a resolution but didn't follow through? This week, Rabbi Iggy discusses how to rethink goal-setting around the new year, from developing strategies and building an accountability team, to avoiding the pitfalls of magical thinking. If you want to learn how to leverage the new year to take steps toward a more robust recovery and a life of meaning, this episode is for you!2021-09-0314 min
Tattoos and TorahConversations Of SubstanceHow can the medium of film be used to help people enhance their addiction recovery?
In this episode of Tattoos & Torah, Rabbi Iggy is joined by Alex Kaplan, founder of the innovative nonprofit “Of Substance” that creates premium short films focused on overcoming the shame, blame, and stigma of addiction. They explore the ways in which movies can activate vulnerability, help us engage in emotional learning, and allow us to interrogate our own personal narratives. By digging into our personal narratives and journey from different entry points, we can approach recovery in a meaningful, enduring way.
If you’re interested in the...2021-08-271h 10Tattoos and TorahPreparingHow can the Hebrew month of Elul be a catalyst for personal transformation?The month of Elul is dedicated to reflecting on how we live our lives, the values that drive us, and the balance between accountability, remorse, growth and rejuvenation. This week, Rabbi Iggy ruminates on this essential period and the purpose of the high holidays. By contemplating the values he personally plans to focus on this fall, Rabbi Iggy takes us on a journey of connection, creativity and refection.If you want to learn how to make the most of this crucial moment in Jewish life, this...2021-08-2026 minTattoos and TorahTo Be “Unhinged And Bubbled Up”What role does dating play in modern life, and why is it more complicated and confusing than ever?Rabbi Iggy spoke with Serial Dater Phil and Dating Detoxer Liz, hosts of the Unhinged and Bumbled Up podcast, where they offer a light-hearted, relatable and irreverent look at the world of modern dating. In this week's podcast, you can expect dating do’s, don’ts and disasters, with some spit-your-tea-out-funny personal anecdotes, as they bare all about their dating lives. Rabbi Iggy, Phil and Lizz talk about love, rejection, life choices, and the unique partnership they formed as podcast hosts.If y...2021-08-131h 20Tattoos and Torah“…Being Both”What should we consider when bringing an interfaith approach into our family systems, community and greater culture?In this episode of Tattoos & Torah, Rabbi Iggy speaks with author + journalist Susan Katz Miller about bringing greater awareness to the crucial issue of interfaith life, identity and experiences within the Jewish community and, indeed, all communities of faith.Susan is considered the top expert on interfaith families that follow more than one religion, and has spoken across the country and abroad on this topic. She is author of the book Being Both: Embracing Two Religions in One Interfaith Family, as well a...2021-08-0658 minTattoos and TorahIndelible RightsWhat does it take to lead a movement that transforms our nation (and world)? Rabbi Iggy spoke with Evan Wolfson, a pioneer for same-sex marriage and advisor for some of the most important social justice movements today. Evan Wolfson is an attorney and gay rights advocate who founded the historic Freedom to Marry nonprofit. He is also author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People’s Right to Marry, which Time Out New York magazine called, “Perhaps the most important gay-marriage primer ever written…”Rabbi Iggy and Evan discuss persistence, grit, determination and how to deal with setbacks...2021-07-301h 05Tattoos and TorahShow Me The DarknessWhat lives at the intersection of mindfulness, recovery, Judaism and developmental coaching? Rabbi Iggy and Melissa Armstrong (Unified Mindfulness L2 Coach) explore the potential for long-lasting transformation and collective healing that lives at this intersection of modalities and philosophies (and how the combination can support recovering addicts in distinct ways).
In this episode, you’ll learn how to build a sense of belonging and self-clarity to fuel your long term recovery (and build your self-esteem!)
Rabbi Iggy and Melissa talk about how to enliven your recovery if it’s feeling stale, stagnant or expired in any way (and why this is a...2021-07-231h 03Tattoos and TorahConsequences: 70-2021 CEWhat can we learn from commemorating the destruction of temple in Jerusalem, a structure lost over 2000 years ago? How is it relevant to today’s world? This week, Rabbi Iggy talks about the choices we make (and the consequences of those choices). Examining the intersection of cultural awareness, sovereignty as well as our individual and collective roles in history, he illuminates the modern lesson that has roots in an ancient catastrophe. If you’re interested in zooming in on an example of the past informing our present, then you’ll love this episode2021-07-1623 minTattoos and TorahJewJitsuRemi Franklin is a native Angeleno, a Jiujitsu practitioner and an entrepreneur who is passionate about Jewish identity. Since the rise of antisemitism in the country, and particularly in LA, he has become a deeply devoted security volunteer, standing guard as highly visible Orthodox Jews make their way to and from Shabbat services.Known as a ‘Shabbat Angel’, Remi uses his talents to be of service to the Jewish community and the safety of all.Rabbi Iggy and Remi talk about the inner and outer work one needs to do in order to feel safe and in order to maintain disci...2021-07-101h 06Tattoos and TorahTattoos And DharmaShannon Smith encapsulates the intersection of recovery, Buddhism and motherhood unlike most contemporary dharma teachers. For Shannon Smith, integrating the dharma and 12-step Recovery that has resulted in more than 25 years of sobriety.In this episode of Tattoos & Torah, Rabbi Iggy and Shannon Smith talk about secular Buddhism and how it supports addiction recovery. They also discuss the importance of pursuing one’s passions, as well as creating the rise of female-led voices in the Buddhist community. If you’re interested in learning more about these intersections and accessing ways to explore these elements in your own life and recove...2021-07-021h 07Tattoos and TorahJewish Pride StillEve Barlow is a pop culture journalist, and as of late has emerged as a proud voice of Jewish zionist queer identity. As an antisemitism and social justice warrior, Eve is a prominent figure in media outlets today, promoting equality, inclusivity and a push for a non-bias media. As a Hollywood insider, she has been at the center of cultural influence.In this episode of Tattoos & Torah, Rabbi Iggy and Eve talk about the path of finding your own voice, standing up to the establishment and the urgency of fighting antisemitism in the media.
*Please forgive some...2021-06-2500 minTattoos and TorahPride 2021In this episode, Rabbi Iggy talks about our feminine and masculine sides, and how the strength of our spiritual connection depends on our ability to contact our own authenticity as well as face all parts of ourselves.We'll examine a range of topics that touch into these themes, including fatherhood and LGBTQI+ identities. If you're curious about the different aspects of self and how they're functioning in your life, then this episode is for you!2021-06-1816 minTattoos and TorahThe HollowJess Perlman is a queer Reiki master, medium and witch, providing her clients with a multidimensional space of healing, intergenerational clarity development and self-mastery.Growing up Jewish did not make any of these parts of her identity easy to grapple with, and has come to be an evolving, meaningful and integral part of who she is and how she serves in the world.Rabbi Iggy and Jess talk about the intersection of spirituality, the world beyond physical death and the challenges and joys of being a Jewish witch and clairvoyant. It's a discussion filled with specters, souls, quests for belonging a...2021-06-111h 06Tattoos and TorahSoul to Soul CoachingEmotional intelligence and awareness are integral parts of living a meaningful, skillful life (and they're essential components for people in recovery from addiction or dysfunction).Meet a steward of emotional intelligence, Mike Sagun! He is a certified professional men’s coach, offering life-transforming support to those in need. Recognizing the impact and importance of deep emotional health propelled him into his coaching career.He has trained with Challenge Day, Lincoln Center Education in NYC, Bi-Jingo, Coaches Training Institute (CTI), and EVRYMAN. In 2017, Mike delivered a TEDx Talk about why it's so important for young people to have trusted adults in t...2021-06-051h 08Tattoos and TorahOpposite Of ForgettingMemory is an essential component of forming identity. Personal, collective and constructed memory are just a few elements that can inform our approach to connection with self and others, to our recovery and to a life of meaning.In this episode of Tattoos & Torah, Rabbi Iggy discusses the meaningful process of remembering and memory. He shares about the role memorial, memory and remembrance has in our society and culture, as well as ways to build a life of meaning and a stronger recovery fueled by remembering. If you're curious about how memory (cultural and individual) scaffolds identity and shapes...2021-05-2816 minTattoos and TorahHealing EnergyChristine Marie is a published author, poet, energy healer and a shamanic healer. Through the medium of creativity and shamanic healing, she guides and holds space for others to unearth their true divinity and empowers them to heal themselves.Rabbi Iggy and Christine explore the world of spirits, and the power of healing that's available within each and every one of us.This conversation connects spirituality, healing, creativity and the exploration of meaning. If you're curious about taking your healing journey into your own hands, then this episode is for you.2021-05-211h 04Tattoos and Torah70 WaysThis week we are exploring the idea of learning and growing, and how important it is to find one’s interests and passions.
Celebrating the upcoming holiday of Shavuot is a celebration of the torah that was given to (and that continues to add meaning to our lives in a timeless way). In this episode, Rabbi Iggy talks about different ways to interpret this body of wisdom and the way to make it your own. If you’re looking to build a deeper relationship with the Torah, this episode is for you!2021-05-1419 minTattoos and TorahHandmade LoveHave you ever wondered what's possible if you could freely share your passion with the world? How might your attitude change? Will your level of service scale in quality if you are doing what you love?In this episode of Tattoos & Torah, Rabbi Iggy spoke with Ben Siman Tov aka @BenGingi on Instagram (“YAAAAAS”) all about this. Ben is someone who has built a life and career around sharing his love and talent with a LOT of people, through the art form of baking.Rabbi Iggy and Ben talk about how feeding people is a spiritual practice. Ben shares abou...2021-05-071h 17Tattoos and TorahShadow WorkShadow work is a Jungian idea that is an essential part of the work we must do to create more peace and equanimity in ourselves and our lives.
Creativity, joy, authenticity and recovery are enhanced when we commit to exploring our actions, motivations and values. In this episode Rabbi Iggy explores different approaches to shadow work and explains his spiritual interpretation of it.
If you ever wondered what shadow work is or how to start engaging in it, this episode is for you.2021-04-3020 minTattoos and TorahUnshakableChris Wilson is the co founder of Unshakable Man', a community and brotherhood for men that offers tools for anxiety & stress relief, expanding emotional awareness, unleashing inner power and living a more fulfilling, whole life.In this episode of Tattoos & Torah, Rabbi Iggy and Chris discuss masculinity, emotion intelligence, the entrepreneurial spirit and what it means to be a man in modern life. If you're interested in what it means to slow down and access more meaning in your life, then this episode is for you!
2021-04-231h 07Tattoos and TorahWho Sanitizes The Sanitizer?Marcy Crawford is founder of Embodied Teaching, one of the lead teachers at Unified Mindfulness, as well as a dedicated practitioner. She is a meditation teacher, but not just any meditation teacher. She is the the teacher that other meditation teachers come to to learn how to be an effective meditation teacher .In this episode of Tattoos & Torah, Rabbi Iggy and Marcy discuss the true essence of mindfulness, and the distinct and diverse ways the practice can truly change your life. They talk about its use in education, parenting, trauma-repair and many other aspects of life. Marcy shares not on...2021-04-161h 16Tattoos and TorahCounting What MattersWe count so many things in life: money, possessions, real estate and other material things. We also count sobriety and recovery time.But, how do you count the things that matter? The things that matter include the values you hold dear, and the things you treasure in yourself and others.Counting the omer is a thousand year-old tradition that reminds us to improve, change, grow and focus on our individual selves. Rabbi Iggy talks about his 49 values that point to the 49 days of the omer. If you're interested in enhancing your recovery, join us in counting the omer.2021-04-0927 minTattoos and TorahStreet TheologyPastor Mick's journey is nothing short of miraculous. Salvation came unexpectedly and dramatically for this British Christian Pastor, after overcoming a traumatic past and traveling the dark roads of addiction and violence. Today, his life's work is fully centered on supporting highly vulnerable and marginalized people, including addicts and houseless people, in the UK.Rabbi Iggy and Pastor Mick talk about his story, his deep faith and some life changing street theology. Pastor Mick's story and mission carries both inspiration and a powerful message of hope and purpose for each and every one of us.2021-04-0254 minTattoos and TorahPrison Of The MindHave you ever felt enslaved in your life? To someone else, to craving, or even to a behavior?The question is: How do you cultivate an enduring sense of freedom in your life? Is freedom given to us, or do we have to claim it? Is it possible to be enslaved to your desires?These are just a few questions that Rabbi Iggy and Rabbi Mark Borovitz discuss in this episode. As an ex con and recovering addict, Rabbi Mark knows all too well what it means to me imprisoned from the outside AND the inside. Both Rabbis talk...2021-03-2659 minTattoos and TorahNo Controlling The UncontrollableThe future is never secure. Many of us meet the future with a mixture of fear, excitement, trepidation and readiness.In this podcast episode, Rabbi Iggy talks about the spiritual nature of uncertainty, our attempts to control the uncontrollable and offers some ideas on how to meet what’s coming with equanimity and dignity.If you're looking for a spiritual perspective on navigating the unknown with a sense of hope and overwhelm-prevention, then this episode is for you!2021-03-1921 minTattoos and TorahCan We Trust Reality?The reality we live in seems so solid, fixed, REAL. However, it's actually quite fragile and easily manipulated. We may find ourselves seeking the truth within the fake (and not even know we're DOING that), making meaning out of whatever we see (or don't see) in the world around us.For Laura Cosner, who works in digital special effects by day and maintains a rigorous meditation practice in her daily life, this tension is felt every day. Rabbi Iggy and Laura break down what it can look and feel like to live in that tension of 'real' and 'imagined...2021-03-121h 05Tattoos and TorahThe CreativeThe creative process is a complex one. Much like recovery, it's not linear: it has its ups and downs. Making your voice heard can be difficult, and creating your life's work or your art can be filled with excitement and peril.In this episode, Rabbi Iggy talks to musician and actor Michael C. Fox about music, the creative process, making meaning and fame. Together, they discuss process vs. outcome and making connections across the digital divide. If you're looking for new perspectives on the creative process, and ways to navigate it all while staying the course, then this episode...2021-03-051h 16Tattoos and TorahRevealing And ConcealingWhy do we wear masks? What’s our fascination with pretending to be someone or something else? Does the mask create a barrier from the world, or does it offer connection?
And, what is the connection between masks and addiction?These are a few of the questions Rabbi Iggy answers in this Purim episode of Tattoos & Torah. He examines the roles we play in life, and the fine line between revealing and concealment. If you want to learn about how to use masks in your every day in healthy ways, then this episode is for you.2021-02-2619 minTattoos and TorahContemplative ActionWe all feel anxiety, anger, frustration or even craving sometimes. We all have those 'freak out' moments once in a while (or perhaps too often!)How do we deal with emotion when it arises? What tools can we use to gain clarity and awareness, as well as address and recover from these moments in life? And how do we know if we're moving in the right direction, or when to change course?Rabbi Iggy and mindfulness coach Jessica Lipman discuss different ways we can emotionally self-regulate, from across psychological frameworks, contemplative traditions, and mindfulness techniques, in order to gain...2021-02-191h 07Tattoos and TorahYes, Wait, Something Better Is ComingPrayer does not have to be a religious practice, but rather a tool to strengthen our recovery and our quest for more meaning in our lives. For many, prayer is a difficult skill to master. What are the different ways we can approach prayer? Who exactly should we pray to? What if no one is listening?
Does the universe really have our back?In this episode, Rabbi Iggy shares about his approach to prayer, going into the challenges he's faced with prayer and ways he's overcome those challenges to support his spirituality. If you're looking to find your...2021-02-1218 minTattoos and TorahThe Young MysticThe orthodox world is impenetrable for many. How do they frame God? What is spirituality to an observant Jew? How do they see their role in the world? In this podcast episode, Rabbi Iggy and Rabbi Chanan Drew Rose discuss these questions. They also share their views on Jewish recovery from a mystical sense, as well as how to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. If you're interested learning more about the intersection of the orthodox world and Jewish recovery, this is a must listen.2021-02-051h 15Tattoos and TorahHello Darkness My Old FriendAt some point or another, we all must face a dark night of the soul. Edgar Allen Poe wrote “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” When we arrive to the Dark Night, how do we move forward? How do we traverse the fear, anxiety and loneliness of that darkness? How do we hold space for what's on the other side of it, trusting the process?In this episode Rabbi Iggy reads a few texts about this type of struggle, sharing some key ideas for examin...2021-01-2919 minTattoos and TorahEncountered, Centered.We all seek connection. We all seek a clear direction for our lives. We all want supportive, secure, loving relationships.So, how do we go about achieving clear, aligned connection? What resources can we invest in on this path of connection?Rabbi Iggy and Dr. Judy Markose, esteemed relationship and life coach, share one process for creating a vision for the life you want and the roadmap that can lead you to living fully into your vision.If you're looking to develop more emotional awareness, self-clarity and interpersonal health, then this podcast episode is for you.2021-01-221h 06Tattoos and TorahDo You Have A Mission?We all deserve a meaningful life, one filled with moments of joy, happiness and growth. Life may be filled with challenges and obstacles (even amidst the successes and joys). We can usher in the strength to face it all, and access depth and clarity in the process.So, how do you go about LIVING from this place? How do you cultivate a meaningful life (and all the skills required to sustain it)?In this episode, Rabbi Iggy offers a process for developing a meaningful life: How to create a mission statement for yourself (and how to use it get...2021-01-1527 minTattoos and TorahPolitical AnimalModern life is filled with politics. Whether you follow it or not it affects all of us. From policies to making our voices heard and count.
This year has been a tumultuous one for politics and the people who work in that world. Rabbi Iggy talks to Brad Bauman who is the Founder and CEO at Fireside Campaigns which is a digital and communications consulting firm operating in the political space. He has worked for electoral and issue campaigns at every level and as a Senior Advisor for several Presidential campaigns and so much more.
...2021-01-081h 20Tattoos and TorahSpiritual EconomyEpisode 52, the last episode of the season is marking a whole year of learning about how to live a life of meaning and create a robust recovery. It is devoted to new beginnings and our personal spiritual growth. Rabbi Iggy talks about opening a spiritual bank account, spiritual budgeting and how to invest in ourselves. We examine how to deposit into the account so we can flourish, grow, live in abundance and able to afford dealing with life unexpected twists and turns.
If you ever wanted to find a moment to start a new, or wandered how...2021-01-0130 minTattoos and TorahThe Poet And The RabbiPoetry, Few arts are as calming, inspiring and thought provoking. Celebrated Poet Joanna Solfrian shares how she “makes her soul explicit” in her conversation with Rabbi Iggy. Talking about inspiration, creation and the discipline of art making Joanna reads her poems and shares her process. Having a favorite poem committed to memory is a must for those who seek a life of meaning and increased recovery says rabbi Iggy. If you ever wanted to hear a poet talk about what it feels like to get to read in front of a public. Or if you ever wondered what it woul...2020-12-251h 18Tattoos and TorahBeauty And The BeigeThings that are beautiful attract us. Even our own tradition tells us that beauty has the capacity to expand a person's heart.Adele Beiny is an Instagram influencer who knows how to create beauty, and inspires people to live by design (not default).In this episode, Rabbi Iggy and Adele go deeper than design, diving into life beyond Instagram. They discuss their similar orthodox upbringing, the pitfalls of having a successful brand, and the true beauty of connection. If you ever wanted to know how to elevate your life through design and meaning (but don't know where to begin), an...2020-12-181h 06Tattoos and TorahThere Lies A SparkHow do you fight darkness? How do you move through and overcome (even with a lack of motivation and inspiration)?In this episode, Rabbi Iggy talks about his approach to the questions, sharing ways we can continue growing, continue strengthening our recovery, and cultivating more meaning in our lives.Chanukah reminds us of how to balance the light and darkness.If you want to dive deeper into the richness of Chanukah, and seize this moment to make a change in your life for the better, then this episode is for you.2020-12-1125 minTattoos and TorahWe Are The ChampionsEver wonder what it would feel like on the podium at the Olympics? What do top athletes tell themselves to push harder and gain momentum?
What goes through your mind when you are the BEST at what you do? In today's podcast episode, Rabbi Iggy and Dr. Markus Rogan dive into these questions, and talk about what it took for him to be an Olympian. In their conversation, they uncover that the road to recovery and the road to self fulfillment are very similar paths. Rogan shares the lessons he learned as an Olympic athlete, which he now...2020-12-041h 06Tattoos and TorahPractical GratitudeWhat is the difference between saying 'thank you' and having gratitude? How do you practice gratitude authentically? Giving thanks and gratitude are not the same. Saying 'thank you' is the inevitable result of actions we take, lessons we learned and appreciation of what we have gone though. Gratitude is being able to look at our life and our experience and acknowledge what we know, fee and appreciate now that we didn’t before. The words 'Thank you are the acknowledgment of how our life is better BECAUSE of our experiences (whether they're good and bad)! How can I come to...2020-11-2721 minTattoos and TorahDream BuildingWhat exactly defines success? What makes a person successful? How do you break into a new industry?
Our guest on today's podcast episode, Nathen Aaren, has been working with executives and brands for years, helping them reach their next level of success. He is a speaker, entrepreneur and dream life seeker. Working with fortune 500 companies & Grammy Award winning artists, he is the podcast producer of two podcasts which charted #1 across iTunes.In this episode, Rabbi Iggy and Nathen dive into the idea of success. They discuss how to transform your life, how to truly develop your passions...2020-11-201h 15Tattoos and TorahService And SacrificeThere is a deep connection between seeking meaning and cultivating connection. Finding meaning in life, clarifying the values we hold dear, and the connection we feel to the world and people: how are these interconnected and informing each other everyday?
Many of us want joy, equanimity, happiness, gratitude and mindfulness in this life. But achieving those things is dependent on a few factors. In this episode, we're talking about one of those major factors: SERVICE. Being of service is a major component in how we feel in the world, the actions we take and how we can cu...2020-11-1320 minTattoos and TorahTo Stare Back At ItGeorge Haas is one of the most respected dharma teachers in the world, integrating attachment repair and meditation to support people in living more meaningful lives. Surviving abuse, trauma, addiction, abandonment and tragedy, his take on life is unique and inspiring. Not only that, he is an acclaimed artist whose art is featured at the MOMA, the Hammer Museum and the Library of Congress. In this episode, Rabbi Iggy and George talk about survival, AIDS-era New York City, photography, art, spirituality, Buddhism, Queerness. They also talk about his latest book, the Lower Manhattan Dormitory Effect. If you’re looking to hear...2020-11-061h 19Tattoos and TorahMisfits And MaladjustmentsWe often focus on the light in us, the beauty of the well illuminated path and the spark of the divine in all things. But there is enormous beauty in the shadows, too. In our inner chaos and Biblical Tohu Vavohu. The wonder that is in us and compels us to ask questions and to explore. Ever wonder why we wear masks? Why in so many cultures we celebrate the day of the dead or Halloween and the like? To honor that fringe of darkness, Rabbi Iggy and Ben L talk about being drawn towards the strange, vociferous and the...2020-10-3054 minTattoos and Torah"Instant Karma Is Going To Get You"How do you go about transcending tragic events in life? How can you move from a place of confusion and hatred into into a life of devotion, heart practices and a path committed to decreasing suffering? What is Karma (and what are some ways of understanding its role in our lives today)? In this episode of Tattoos and Torah, Rabbi Iggy speaks with Dave Smith, internationally recognized Buddhist meditation teacher, addiction treatment specialist, and published author. Dave shares about his journey in life through music (as a touring rock musician), addiction and Buddhism, the lessons he learned along the wa...2020-10-241h 10
Tattoos and TorahCapital G GayComing it out is not just a proclamation. It’s not just an affirmation. It is an act of bravery and assertion. It’s a statement : This is who I am! In this episode of Tattoos and Torah, Rabbi Iggy explores the nuances of coming out and how he approaches the integration of queer identity with spiritual identity.In many ways, coming out marks the beginning of something. The practice of coming out weaves into a life long emotional, psychological and spiritual practice, because we live in a mostly heteronormative world that requires a consistent ‘coming out’ in the occupying of s...2020-10-1629 minTattoos and TorahThe Power of ConvictionHow do we beat hate and undo discrimination as a culture in 2020 (when the institutions that guide and govern us are modeling divisiveness, exclusion and hate)? How do we fight back and create a world of inclusion, acceptance and a celebration of diversity, when the world around us is filled with discrimination, ignorance and barbed speech? What does it take to skillfully stand up for ourselves, and to advocate for ourselves as well as other marginalized people and communities around us? On this episode of Tattoos and Torah, Rabbi Iggy speaks with Dr. Rachel Fish, activist, scholar, published author, mot...2020-10-091h 11Tattoos and TorahDoctors, Addicts And New ideasDo spirituality and science live on different planes? Do we need to leave our spiritual practices and beliefs at the door before entering the lab?
In this episode of Tattoos and Torah, Rabbi Iggy and Dr. Michael McGee talk about the role spirituality plays in the world of science, medicine, hospitals and institutions, as well as addiction rehab. They also discuss the emerging variety of the different kinds of addictions we are facing these days.
Dr McGee teaches people to successfully learn to stop engaging in the use of addictive substances or behaviors. He provides...2020-10-0257 minTattoos and TorahThe Sound Of Silence...In this episode of Tattoos and Torah, Rabbi Iggy reflects on the concept of silence and solitude as a spiritual practice. He transforms our approach to a prayer said on Yom Kippur into a tool for finding meaning in our lives and examine the self. He shares how recovery can teach us how to more effectively spend time in reflection and inspiration (and why making space for silence in our lives is a powerful enhancement for our addiction recovery journey). If you're looking for ways to cultivate your relationship with your higher power, increase your intuitive strength and emotionally...2020-09-2526 minTattoos and TorahMisfits, Warrior Women And RabbisNew beginnings require us to look inward, muster up some bravery, and take action.When we prime ourselves and move into these new beginnings, we get to forge a path of change for ourselves and find not only strength, but wisdom and insight in the process. We exercise our sovereignty and proclaim to ourselves and to the world - I MATTER. I have God-given, intrinsic value to be, to exist and to thrive. I get to choose, and by doing so, I manifest my right to live, to love, to express myself and to make a difference. Rosh Hashana (Jew...2020-09-1858 minTattoos and TorahBeyond The Veil...God-shots, moments of clarity or near death experiences happen to people all the time…
These phenomena are hard to explain, but they create a profound, lasting impact for many.
These moments influence our own understanding of faith, God, spirituality and soul. In this episode of Tattoos and Torah, we dive into the power of the near death experience, and the ways in which they can serve as the portal into those life-changing spiritual insights.
Our guest this week, Dr Eben Alexander is author of the book ‘Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into t...2020-09-111h 12Tattoos and TorahFor Every Moment We HadFrom the moment we are born and draw our first breath, we start the countdown to the day we give out our last one.
This clock is inherent to our lives. Birth, in fact, starts the clock. Life causes it.
Our challenge while we’re here is to honor every moment of life, to witness it’s precious uniqueness and make sure we create meaning out of it.
The sacredness of life is in the tension between fleeting moments and the timeliness of each one, between fragility and strength.
Each moment is l...2020-09-0415 minTattoos and Torah"Hovering Over The Water"Our oceans cover 71% of Earth’s surface: that’s serious presence. And yet, we mistreat them, fear their majesty, and abandon them to pollution, poison and trash.
From a spiritual perspective, when we start the book of Genesis, we read that God’s spirit floats above the water. This primordial essence, the vital part of our existence, is there: setting the stage, cradling life, and containing all of the world’s potentiality.
Here is a truth that humans do not LIVE into today: We are charged with the care of these sacred waters. There is a physic...2020-08-281h 21Tattoos and TorahThe Voice Of Your Soul; passion and creativity.Who are you really?
How do we find out the language of our self? The language your soul?
How do we find our passion? Ignite our creativity?
Why is it important in recovery?
This episode is for you if you want to get on your way to have more creativity, more meaning and more spirituality in your life?
Wonder is the source of creativity, self expression and the moments we stand back and appreciate the majesty of the world.
Reading AJ Heschel ideas about wonder and radical amazement
“the state of maladjustment to words and notions, is therefore a prerequisite fo...2020-08-2118 minTattoos and TorahHoly F*#k, Intimacy And SpiritualityWhy is it so hard to talk about sex and intimacy?
We are conditioned to feel shame when it comes to sex, intimacy and our wants. We are not taught how to communicate what feels good to us and what we want from our partners.
How do we overcome that? How do we take control of our own body and our pleasure? And how does this all connect to our recovery, spirituality and creativity?
In this episode of Tattoos and Torah, Rabbi Iggy and Jessica Graham explore the paths one can take to...2020-08-141h 33Tattoos and TorahLOVE: For Those Who Seek it.Are you looking for love? How do we maintain it once we “have” it? How does one find it?
In this episode we will talk about all these and how to understand ourselves better and what love is…
Consider this: Like most things in life it’s not easy. But it can be done meaningfully. The ancient greeks had six different definitions or varieties of LOVE. Looking at love from their perspective can inspire us to move beyond our current addiction to romantic love
I believe that it is in our sources that we fine...2020-08-0722 minTattoos and TorahSurrender: For Those Who Hate Following Rules...Why surrender ? Why is it important and how do I do it? As a spiritual person, as a spiritual leader I strive to find spirituality and I’ve created a community around me of people that help me do that. But this world is harsh and unforgiving and we are also in constant tension between our intent of a more mindful life and the harsh reality of it of the world that does not always make it easy to maintain equanimity.
So, lets start with some basics,
How do define my spirituality, where is god and most importantly how to do I...2020-07-3116 minTattoos and TorahTalk It And Walk ItPsychologist Seth Menachem and rabbi Iggy discuss the ins and outs of therapy. Examining the difference between spiritual counseling and therapy they find the similarities and major differences in their approaches to the human condition.
How do you know who is a good therapist? How to choose one and what does the therapist really think of you? are some of the questions they answer. Along with talking about their curiosity of people, their past encounters where recovery and therapy cross and their dedication to try and help those who suffer…2020-07-241h 03Tattoos and TorahParenting Is Not Just For ChildrenAre you finding that your role as a parent or caregiver is amplifying during this pandemic? Are you wearing more hats now? Are you tasked with navigating family life, home life, work life, your personal passions and projects?.
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The question we can ask ourselves at this time is: What is my role as a parent, caregiver and supporter of others? And how do I want to show up for my role and my family?.
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Children are the obvious recipients of parenting; but they’re not the only party impacted by parenting and the paradigm of caregiving. Many of us are li...2020-07-1725 minTattoos and TorahCreativity , Karma and Consequence“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction” said Sir Isaac Newton.
In our quest for a life of meaning we often find that every decision we make has a consequence (might not be immediate though).
That the world often finds a way to balance out what we put into it.
Our creative forces allow us to imagine a new life, a new world for ourselves. We can choose the narratives we tell about life and change the surroundings we create around us.
Talking to writer, artist and ad creative Karl Dunn we explore our abilities to seek meanin...2020-07-101h 19Tattoos and TorahIndependenceWe all strive to feel and be independent ! To feel we have choices and that we can whitstand what life throws at us! But what does independence mean to you? and how do we achive it ?
Here are a few ways to get you on the path to achieve independence and self reliance. I offer a few actionable suggestions for stepping up and taking the first steps towards achieving our goal of personal independence.2020-07-0330 minTattoos and TorahAnd The One Who Doesn’t Know How To Ask.You’re not broken! Your learning environment is
If you think about it, we live in a culture that’s designed for one dominant learning and teaching style
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However, one of MANY things this pandemic has taught us is that that’s a LIE. Teaching within one style to accommodate one type of learner corrodes our collective capacity to learn (and disregards the diverse array of learning styles that make up the human experience)
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In this podcast episode, Rabbi Iggy interviews Dr. Aviva Goldstein, educator, lecturer and family counselor with a private practice based in Jerusalem. They answer the following questio...2020-06-261h 18Tattoos and TorahPride, Addiction Recovery And The Sex Positive Journey.In a conversation with Jeffrey Leavell we explore the story of LGBTQI+ identity, pride and integrity . We talk about being sex positive and how we can use our recovery to help us in understanding our own life and others. We of course also discuss the community and it’s challenges and successes.2020-06-1955 minTattoos and TorahRigorous HonestyThis episode of Tattoos And Torah Rabbi Iggy talks about the power of rigorous honesty. How embrace truth and authenticity as a way of life.
This year, the year 2020 might stand for 20/20 vision. Perfect 20/20 vision! Maybe that’s what this year is, a super clear, honest and brisk moment.
We get to see clearly for the first time.
We get to face ourselves, our society. Our life.
We get to examine ourselves and realize we are at a fork in the road. We now get to choose how to proceed.
Crystallizing knowledge of working with people for many years, rabbi Iggy...2020-06-1234 minTattoos and TorahThe Quest For FreedomLets talk about how to find freedom? The quest for it is long and never without challanges. Both inner and outer freedom have to be won, earned and carfuly carved out for ourselves. Lets learn how to take inventory? deal with privilage and bring awernes. Lets get practical!2020-06-0520 minTattoos and TorahThe Rabbi The Meditator And The Unknown.Jess Lipman (Mindfulness + Mindset Coach) and I dive into the intersections of Judaism and mindfulness.
Why it’s so important to to lean into life? How can these two frameworks and philosophies guide us in cultivating deeper fulfillment.? If you want that VIBRANCY and vitality in life we can help.2020-05-291h 04Tattoos and TorahBreaking The Shanda : Mental health Awareness MonthBreaking the Shanda is about an honest conversation about what so many of us are going through. fear, isolation, anxiety and stress. Its about mental health awareness and about courage authenticity and some comfort that comes from an unexpected place.2020-05-2229 minTattoos and TorahThe Rabbi, The Turtle, The DrumTalking and learning with the author of the new book Turtle Boy, Evan Wolkenstein. Discussing mystery, connection, life’s meaning, our emotions baggage, recovery and grief.2020-05-151h 20Tattoos and TorahOthernessLet’s talk about the experience of ‘otherness’, of Feeling different. Being a gay rabbi is not common. ImLooking at life through that lens what is teaches me...2020-05-0826 minTattoos and TorahHow do we tell our story? The importance of origin storiesLearning with comedienne and author Sara B (from the amazing well this isn’t normal podcast) We discuss mental health, recovery , origins stories and wigs...2020-05-011h 05Tattoos and TorahGRIT ! How to balance strength and weakness, fear and courageWhat gives us grit? What can we do to have more courage and strength ? The stoic way to look at life .2020-04-2429 minTattoos and TorahWandering Souls. How to make the desert that is our lives to flourish.Studying with Rabbi Mark Borovitz this week about forgiveness , amends , appeasement and the lessons of this corona virus desert.2020-04-1758 minTattoos and TorahPassing feelings and our inner truthHow do we use this moment to grow or how do we just sit with ourselves and not judge or ignore our feelings. Learning about our inner self , observing feelings and about mediation, tattoos recovery and poetry2020-04-1023 minTattoos and TorahYalta, strength of a woman in TalmudLearning with rabbi Tova from LA . We discuss fragility and strength, vulnerability and authenticity, spirituality and our own lives dealing with the pandemic .2020-04-0348 minTattoos and TorahSpiritual Resilience (In times of Covid-19)A few strategies to help with our thoughts, fears and anxiety during this time of Corona virus. Some tools to help build spiritual resilience.2020-03-2727 minTattoos and TorahBeautiful People. Learning with Dylan CLearning with trendsetter and leading hair stylist Dylan C of Benjamin Salon (LA,NYC) we discuss beauty standards, ugliness and how to live in society when you look and feel different. Also feminism and gayness...2020-03-2049 minTattoos and TorahBecoming YourselfHow do you become the person you always wanted to be ? How do we get to know how broken we are and how do we repair ourselves ? Let’s talk about our dark selves and our higher selves2020-03-1311 minTattoos and TorahOn self worth, self love and self loathingWhy do we treat ourselves so badly ? Why do we feel like everyone else is happy and I’m not ? How do we find our self worth and not compare ourselves to everyone’s else’s seemingly perfect life ... Anxiety, self hate, and the curse of the filters, and social media2020-03-0618 minTattoos and TorahOur Own Reflection.Our Own Reflection. Learning with Author Jonathan B about recovery, commitment, spiritual awakening and identity.2020-02-2847 minTattoos and TorahBeloved: Art, Ritual, Love And Pain.Artist Naama G joins us learning about expectation, art, recovery, pain, compassion and love.2020-02-2130 minTattoos and TorahLife’s most important skill; TransitionTransition and fear are constant in our lives . How do we face them?2020-02-1411 minTattoos and TorahThe Right Choice. How to combat decision fatigue and make better decisions for yourselfHow do you make sure you make the right decision ? What can you set in place to help you make the best decisions for yourself ? Learn about decision fatigue and how to fight it.2020-02-0712 minTattoos and TorahThe Ugly ManJoin me and Jeremy P learning about the ugly man in talmud . We discuss ugly and beauty , addiction and recovery prison and freedom among other things2020-02-0235 minTattoos and TorahLiving T’ShuvahHow do we ACTUALLY check in on ourselves and our progress? What can we do to live a better life? Here are some tools2020-01-2412 minTattoos and Torah“Neither them nor their reward “This week we discuss recovery and our willingness to get better. What stops us from making the right choices. Are we ready to heal? Talking to Ben L in recovery from drugs and more ...2020-01-1724 minTattoos and TorahThe start of a better life - A shift in perspective.Discussing how to shift our perspective in life and how to take the first step towards making our day to day better for ourselves.2020-01-1005 minTattoos and TorahTattoos and Torah (Trailer)2020-01-0900 min