Meaningful People

In this episode of the Meaningful People Podcast, Nachi Gordon sits down with Rabbi Shmuel Diamond for an unforgettable conversation about one of the most dramatic transformations you'll ever hear. Rabbi Diamond grew up completely secular in North London, in a world where the very idea of God was treated as ridiculous, and didn't learn the Aleph Beis until he was 21. He takes us back through his years of searching, traveling through India, chasing photography, and sinking deeper and deeper into drugs, until he hit a point so low he knew something had to change. Then came the small, almost absurd moment in a Manchester shop that he still points to as the night his teshuva truly began.
 
From there, the conversation follows his climb back, his move to Israel, and his journey to becoming religious. Rabbi Diamond shares how discovering Rabbi Manis Friedman's teachings on Tanya completely changed his approach to Yiddishkeit, taking him from a Yid who looked the part to someone who finally felt genuinely connected.
 
He also shares the story behind his "Journey to a Blessed Life" course, which is helping thousands rebuild their relationship with themselves, with others, and with Hashem.



This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:



► PZ Deals
 
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► Colel Chabad Pushka App
 
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► EL AL
 
From the Hebrew announcements to the Israeli atmosphere onboard, flying EL AL feels like Israel before you even land. With nonstop flights to Israel and Jewish comfort from takeoff to landing, there's nothing like hearing: "ברוכים הבאים לישראל."
 
Book your next flight with EL AL:
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► UJA
 
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In this episode of the Meaningful People Podcast, Nachi Gordon sits down with Rabbi Tzadok Katz, a shadchan with over 23 years of experience, for one of the most honest and entertaining conversations about shidduchim you'll ever hear. From speed dating and picture sharing to the stigma facing working boys and the pressure that's been built into the system, Rabbi Katz pulls no punches about what's actually broken, and what's working better than people think.
The conversation covers everything from how technology has completely transformed the shadchan's job, to why girls are maturing faster than boys and what needs to change, to the halacha of sharing information and how buried details may be behind most early divorces. Rabbi Katz also shares his philosophy on excitement, readiness, and why "getting the job done" is more complicated than it sounds. Whether you're a single, working with singles, or just fascinated by how the system actually works behind the scenes, this episode is a must-listen.
This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:
► PZ Deals
Download the app and never pay full price again!
https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp
_________________
► Colel Chabad Pushka App
The easiest way to give Tzedaka
https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful
_________________
► EL AL
From the Hebrew announcements to the Israeli atmosphere onboard, flying EL AL feels like Israel before you even land. With nonstop flights to Israel and Jewish comfort from takeoff to landing, there's nothing like hearing: "ברוכים הבאים לישראל."
Book your next flight with EL AL: https://www.elal.com/eng/usa?utm\_source=meaningful\&utm\_medium=podcast\&utm\_campaign=gcny\_incoming\_usa\&cid=s:el%7Cm:what%7Ccp:gcny%7Cct:incoming%7Cau:usa
_________________
► Ness Vacation Homes
EDEN GARDENS' LARGEST LUXURY HOME COLLECTION
Handpicked, high-end homes available exclusively through Ness.
OPTIONAL PROGRAM-LEVEL PESACH EXPERIENCE
Upgrade your stay with a complete A–Z Pesach setup, including kitchen preparation, catered meals, and fully arranged details by Glatt Gourmet.
https://nessvacationhomes.com/
_________________
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► UJA
UJA is at the center of Long Island's Jewish community with the shared purpose of strengthening our Jewish future.
https://ujafedny.org/five-towns
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In this week's episode of the Meaningful People Podcast, Keshet Starr, CEO of Shalom Task Force and a leading advocate in the fight against domestic abuse in the Jewish community, joins Nachi Gordon for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about one of the most difficult issues facing the Jewish world today. Keshet shares what domestic abuse actually looks like behind closed doors, why it is often missed by friends and family, and how emotional, financial, spiritual, technological, and physical abuse can manifest in relationships. She also discusses the realities of working with survivors, the warning signs people should recognize, and why abuse is far more prevalent than many realize.
 
The conversation explores why victims often struggle to leave abusive relationships, the unique challenges that exist within Orthodox Jewish communities, and the role that stigma and silence continue to play. Keshet also offers practical guidance for those dating, newly married, or concerned about someone they love, sharing red flags to watch for and the importance of healthy communication, boundaries, and conflict resolution. This is an important discussion about awareness, prevention, and ensuring that those who need help know they are not alone.



This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:
 
► PZ Deals
 
Download the app and never pay full price again!
 
https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp
 
_________________
 
► Colel Chabad Pushka App
 
The easiest way to give Tzedaka
 
https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful
 
_________________
 
► EL AL
 
From the Hebrew announcements to the Israeli atmosphere onboard, flying EL AL feels like Israel before you even land. With nonstop flights to Israel and Jewish comfort from takeoff to landing, there's nothing like hearing: "ברוכים הבאים לישראל."
 
Book your next flight with EL AL:
https://www.elal.com/eng/usa?utm_source=meaningful&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=gcny_incoming_usa&cid=s:el%7Cm:what%7Ccp:gcny%7Cct:incoming%7Cau:usa
 
_________________
 
► Ness Vacation Homes
 
EDEN GARDENS' LARGEST LUXURY HOME COLLECTION
 
Handpicked, high-end homes available exclusively through Ness.
 
OPTIONAL PROGRAM-LEVEL PESACH EXPERIENCE
 
Upgrade your stay with a complete A–Z Pesach setup, including kitchen preparation, catered meals, and fully arranged details by Glatt Gourmet.
 
https://nessvacationhomes.com/
 
_________________
 
► UJA
 
UJA is at the center of Long Island's Jewish community with the shared purpose of strengthening our Jewish future.
 
https://ujafedny.org/five-towns
 
_________________
 
► Naava Kodesh
 
For the first time, Aliyah is starting to feel truly doable for mainstream, frum working families.
 
Hear directly from families already living it at a Naava Kodesh event near you.
 
https://events.naavakodesh.org/mm
 
_________________
 
► Town Appliance
 
Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp
 
https://www.townappliance.com
 
https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp

In this episode of the Meaningful People Podcast,  and  dive into one of the biggest struggles facing the Jewish world today: are we creating people who truly think, feel, and connect… or are we just creating followers? From anxiety and burnout to authenticity, leadership, inner purpose, and the fear-based versions of Yiddishkeit many people quietly wrestle with, this conversation goes far beyond surface-level inspiration. Rabbi YY Jacobson challenges listeners to stop seeing themselves as powerless products of "the system" and instead rediscover the "prophet" inside every Jew. 
 
The episode also explores painful but deeply relevant topics like division within the Jewish community, trauma, parenting, mental health, spirituality, and why so many young people feel disconnected despite living more comfortable lives than any previous generation. Rabbi YY shares powerful insights about anxiety, ego, relationships, healing, and what it really means to have a relationship with Hashem that brings a person alive instead of consuming them. This is one of the most raw, philosophical, and emotionally charged conversations we've ever had, and one that will challenge the way you think about Judaism, identity, and yourself. 



This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:



► PZ Deals
 
Download the app and never pay full price again!
 
https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp 
 
_________________
 
► Colel Chabad Pushka App
 
The easiest way to give Tzedaka
 
https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful
 
_________________
 
► EL AL
From the Hebrew announcements to the Israeli atmosphere onboard, flying EL AL feels like Israel before you even land. With nonstop flights to Israel and Jewish comfort from takeoff to landing, there's nothing like hearing:  "ברוכים הבאים לישראל."
Book your next flight with EL AL:
https://www.elal.com/eng/usa?utm_source=meaningful&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=gcny_incoming_usa&cid=s:el%7Cm:what%7Ccp:gcny%7Cct:incoming%7Cau:usa
_________________
 
► Kosher Klaf
 
This episode is brought to you by Kosher Klaf. Head over to KosherKlaf.com or call 516-737-5436 to check out their incredible selection. Plus, use coupon code meaningfulminute at checkout for free shipping!
 
_________________
 
► Ness Vacation Homes
 
EDEN GARDENS' LARGEST LUXURY HOME COLLECTION 
Handpicked, high-end homes available exclusively through Ness.
OPTIONAL PROGRAM-LEVEL PESACH EXPERIENCE 
Upgrade your stay with a complete A–Z Pesach setup, including kitchen preparation, catered meals, and fully arranged details by Glatt Gourmet.
 
https://nessvacationhomes.com/
 
_________________
 
► Town Appliance
 
Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp
 
https://www.townappliance.com
https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp

In this week's episode of the Meaningful People Podcast, Dr. David Rosmarin challenges one of the biggest assumptions people have about mental health: that anxiety is something to eliminate. A Harvard professor and leading anxiety expert, Dr. Rosmarin explains why trying to avoid discomfort may actually be making people weaker, more anxious, and less resilient. From parenting and dating to fear of failure, public speaking, and panic attacks, this conversation explores why anxiety might not be the enemy at all.
The episode also dives into anxiety in the frum world, the pressures of shidduchim, eating disorders, fear-based parenting, and how vulnerability creates stronger relationships. Dr. Rosmarin shares practical strategies for dealing with anxiety, including the four-step framework he uses with patients, while Nachi opens up about his own fears and experiences throughout the conversation. This is a deeply honest and surprisingly empowering discussion about learning to stop running from fear and start growing through it.



This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:



► PZ Deals
 
Download the app and never pay full price again!
 
https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp 
 
_________________
 
► Colel Chabad Pushka App
 
The easiest way to give Tzedaka
 
https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful
 
_________________
 
► Naava Kodesh
 
For the first time, Aliyah is starting to feel truly doable for mainstream, frum working families.
Hear directly from families already living it at a Naava Kodesh event near you.
 
https://events.naavakodesh.org/mm
 
_________________
 
► Resunize
 
Shidduch resumes shouldn't live in random screenshots, notebooks, and lost scraps of paper.
Resunize keeps every resume, note, and piece of feedback organized in one clean place.
 
https://resunize.com/mm
 
_________________
 
► Ness Vacation Homes
 
EDEN GARDENS' LARGEST LUXURY HOME COLLECTION 
Handpicked, high-end homes available exclusively through Ness.
OPTIONAL PROGRAM-LEVEL PESACH EXPERIENCE 
Upgrade your stay with a complete A–Z Pesach setup, including kitchen preparation, catered meals, and fully arranged details by Glatt Gourmet.
 
https://nessvacationhomes.com/
 
_________________
 
► Town Appliance
 
Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp
 
https://www.townappliance.com
https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp