Hashem, Challenge Accepted!

Sheva and Chavie begin by discussing the value of dark humor as a coping mechanism for navigating life’s painful moments. Sheva reflects on her childhood, growing up in the desert of Tucson, Arizona, on a beautiful 10-acre property raised by her hippie parents. After being expelled from high school, she attended a school for troubled youth. At 15, she found a job and eventually left home at 16. Sheva shares with Chavie how the challenges she faced as a teenager helped her identify with her daughter, Rozie, who was born with Down syndrome. Labeled by society as "high functioning," Rozie doesn’t fit neatly into societal categories—neither fully part of the special needs community nor the "normal" world. Sheva also talks about her journey to becoming frum, finding structure while striving to maintain her individuality. In addition to her spiritual journey, Sheva shares about studying fine arts with a focus on illustration, becoming an EMT, and taking pride in raising a creative family.

Sheva Givre was born and raised in the beautiful desert of Arizona, lived in Baltimore, Maryland and recently moved to Parkland, Florida. She used to be the author and photographer of the inspiration blog, My Shtub. In recent years she changed her advocacy from blog writing to social media where she shares the joys and challenges of family, motherhood, and raising her four children including a child with special needs.

This Week's Q&A’s

1. I recently got married and moved across the world to a new country and it's been really hard to start from scratch without knowing anyone. Any tips?
2. I just lost my son in the summer and I’m having a hard time coping with lifecycle and seasonal transitions. Any advice?
3. What’s your ideal travel to at-home ratio where everything feels balanced?

Referenced on the Pod

• “Ace’s” Trauma Evaluation Screening

Stay in touch with Sheva!

www.instagram.com/pearlyluart

Stay in touch with Chavie!

www.instagram.com/chaviebruk

www.totallyunexpected.blog

This week's episode is sponsored by East Side Kosher Deli in Denver, Colorado, a one stop kosher concierge for your vacation anywhere out West. For more information please visit www.eastsidekosherdeli.com or chat with a representative on WhatsApp at 747-243 -1683.

For sponsorship or advertising opportunities reach out to Chavie on Instagram or at chaviebruk@gmail.com.

Parenting Teens & Ourselves

Shaina and Chavie start off by reflecting on Shaina’s upbringing on Shlichus (Chabad outreach) in 1970s Los Angeles. They explore how the unique challenges of her childhood and teenage years pushed her to grow up before she had the tools to manage her emotional and mental health. As a young parent, Shaina was determined to break the cycle, so she sought help to equip herself with the skills to raise her children differently. Chavie and Shaina discuss somatic techniques for regulating conflict and challenges with children and teens, emphasizing the importance of managing our body’s responses. Shaina also highlights the need to shed shame and stigma in our communities around issues like infertility and teenage struggles while respecting boundaries and privacy.

Shaina lives in Los Angeles and is a certified parent and life coach specializing in working with and supporting parents of teens. Her journey began–like that of many parents—navigating the uncharted waters of raising children without a guidebook. She immersed herself in countless parenting resources, often second-guessing her decisions along the way. This experience inspired her to pursue professional certification, with a focus on the transformative approach of “parenting from the inside out.”

This Week's Q&A’s

1. Where was your dress from that you wore at the Chai Lifeline Dinner?
2. When does ski season start in Montana?
3. What does Chai Lifeline do for you in Montana?

Referenced on the Pod

• Avi Fishoff, Twisted Parenting
• Michal Carlebach, Shop Moddo

Stay in touch with Shaina! www.instagram.com/parenteen_coach

www.parenteencoach.com

Stay in touch with Chavie!

www.instagram.com/chaviebruk

www.totallyunexpected.blog

For sponsorship or advertising opportunities reach out to Chavie on Instagram or at chaviebruk@gmail.com.

Faith & Fashion Aligned

In this episode, Chavie and Sheva dive into the intersection of fashion and spirituality. Sheva shares her journey from being a fashion-forward teen with limited resources to founding a spiritually-driven fashion magazine that empowers Jewish women to embrace their essence. She reflects on transforming mivtzoim, (Jewish outreach), in high school from a dreaded task into something cool and inspiring. Sheva talks about her evolution from personal shopper to stylist, adapting during the pandemic, and the lessons she’s learned about managing energy, surrendering to challenges, and stepping into an abundance mindset and her power as a Jewish woman.

Sheva grew up in Hallandale, Florida with a strong desire to empower women in being their best selves. Starting off as a personal shopper & color analyst, Sheva evolved and created the first Jewish women’s fashion and lifestyle digital magazine. She’s a wife, mother, and female entrepreneur, like many of her clients.

This Week's Q&A

1. How do you prepare Menny for another camp experience after the racial incident that occurred this month?
2. What’s the biggest advantage of living in a small Jewish community?
3. I love how you use “and” instead of “but.” How did that start?

Referenced on the Pod

• Aligned Tishrei Issue
• Zeya Comedy
• Carla Mathis
• Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being

Stay in touch with Sheva! https://www.instagram.com/sheva_kastel

Stay in touch with Chavie!

www.instagram.com/chaviebruk

www.totallyunexpected.blog

This episode is sponsored by Sichos in English, the pre-eminent publisher of Chassidic thought in English where Jewish mysticism comes to life. Learn more at www.sie.org. For sponsorship or advertising opportunities, please reach out to Chavie on Instagram or at chaviebruk@gmail.com.