Shows
The Personal Pizza PodcastWhat Orthodox Jews Really Want to Watch w/ Raphael MargulesIn 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.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...
2025-07-211h 14The Personal Pizza PodcastMy Oldest Friend Became a Rabbi w/ Rabbi Dov Yona KornIn 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.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 bi...
2025-07-141h 05The Personal Pizza PodcastWhat Stand-Up Comedy Taught Me About Healing w/ Gerry KatzmanIn 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.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...
2025-07-0749 minThe Personal Pizza PodcastHow Movies Help Us Mourn w/ Shira RoseIn 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.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 moment...
2025-06-301h 08The Personal Pizza PodcastHow Growing Up with Addiction Shaped My Comedy w/ Byron BowersIn 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.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 di...
2025-06-231h 14The Personal Pizza PodcastWhy Functional Training Is the Future of Fitness w/ Mark SmithWatch this episode on YouTube now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cogg8_cF-P8In 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.Wi...
2025-06-1653 minThe Personal Pizza PodcastWhy Your Inner Critic Isn’t the Villain You Think w/ Nancy MorganIn 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. 🍄🧠🧩 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...
2025-06-091h 22The Personal Pizza PodcastWhat Every Parent Gets Wrong About Discipline w/ Eli WeinsteinIn 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. 🍕🧠👨🍳 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 ju...
2025-06-021h 04The Personal Pizza PodcastHow High-Control Seminars Hack Your Brain w/ Dr. John HunterIn 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? 🧠⚡🔍 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...
2025-05-191h 10The Personal Pizza PodcastWhat No One Tells You About Grief w/ Jen DavisIn 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. 🍕🖤 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 to...
2025-05-051h 01The Personal Pizza PodcastPsychedelics, Healing & the Human Psyche w/ Uri KugelIn the premiere episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, host Simcha Levenberg sits down with psychedelic therapist Uri Kugel for a powerful, mind-expanding conversation on how psychedelics are transforming mental health treatment.🔥 From cannabis to ketamine, MDMA to mushroom therapy—Uri breaks down the myths, the science, and the soul of psychedelic medicine. He shares raw personal stories and clinical insights on treating depression, anxiety, and trauma—while exploring the crucial differences between "drugs" and true medicine.💨 Learn how breath work, meditation, and touch become essential tools in healing journeys. 🌱 Understand the careful conditions und...
2025-04-211h 16The Personal Pizza PodcastIntroducing...The Personal Pizza PodcastThe Personal Pizza Podcast is a deliciously different podcast that merges clinical psychology, comedy, and pizza. Simcha Levenberg, a unique therapist with a love for baking pizza, invites guests to his home for a slice of pizza and a slice of life.Each episode dives into a variety of topics that affect our mental health: cooking and emotional well-being, loneliness, psychedelics and metabolizing trauma (or not), large group awareness trainings, complicated bereavement, spiritual traps, and the complicated relationships we have with others (and ourselves) - while simultaneously crafting and sharing some fantastic homemade pizza.This...
2024-11-0501 min