Curating Modest Fashion

Chavie and Michal compare notes on growing up outside mainstream religious communities, and speaking Yiddish and Hebrew, respectively, as their first languages. Michal shares how she developed a passion for education early on and always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Chavie and Michal then discuss how although teaching might not be the most glamorous career, it is such a powerful position and should only be pursued by those who are truly passionate and qualified. Michal shares how she realized that "what she does" is not "who she is" which helped her navigate launching her online fashion business while also running a Chabad House and being a full-time mom. Michal and Chavie discuss the unique needs of the modest consumer, sharing tips and best practices for looking your best while shopping smart and spending wisely.

Michal was born and raised in Long Beach, California. She is a devoted mother, business owner, and educator who leads Chabad House in Toluca Lake together with her husband. After spending a decade teaching middle school in Los Angeles and running a homeschool in The Valley, Michal transitioned to entrepreneurship, creating a unique, quality-driven modest fashion brand. Her deep appreciation for fashion is matched by her lifelong passion for education. Known for curating designs from around the world, Michal caters to the modern, modest, and fashion-forward woman. She loves inspiring women to care for themselves at every stage of life, empowering them to embrace their creativity and express their individuality through clothing.

This Week's Q&A’s

1. Was the yoga retreat you attended a Jewish program?
2. Are your kids resentful when you travel?
3. Did you stay at the retreat for Shabbos or at the local Chabad House?

Referenced on the Pod

• Child Development Specialist, Dr. Siggie

Stay in touch with Michal!

www.instagram.com/shopmoddo

www.shopmoddo.com

Stay in touch with Chavie!

www.instagram.com/chaviebruk

www.totallyunexpected.blog

This week's episode is dedicated by Rabbi Shneur Zalman and Mimi Felig of Miami in loving memory of their son, Boruch Sholom Dovber ben Shenur Zalman. Also in honor of the Bruk family and the entire team at Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana, with blessings for continued success in their holy work, including this podcast, Totally Unexpected!

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

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.

The Complex Emotional Lives of Our Teens

Sarah and Chavie begin by discussing how Sarah started journaling as a young child, which ignited her love for self-expression. They explore the tendency for kids to box themselves into labels and emphasize the importance of letting them know it’s okay to have fun and embrace who they are. The conversation shifts to the "Suffering Olympics" and hustle culture, where unhappiness and hardship are often rewarded and seen as virtues. Sarah shares how much she values her ability to acknowledge emotions in her profession and reflects on the breakthroughs she’s achieved in helping teens express their feelings in a healthy way. Chavie asks Sarah about her spiritual journey and the impact it has had on her identity as a singer-songwriter.

Sarah Immerman, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist originally from Cleveland and now based in Boston. She specializes in helping teens and young adults navigate emotion dysregulation using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She is currently the Director of Family Services and the Assistant Director of the Day Program. She is an NCSY advisor and was a counselor and behavior team member at Camp HASC. Sarah is also a singer-songwriter and loves to journal.

This Week's Q&A

1. Do you take podcast guest suggestions
2. ⁠If you wrote a book what topic would it be about?
3. ⁠What was the first book to make an impact on you?

Referenced on the Pod

• Brad Reedy, The Journey of the Heroic Parent: Your Child's Struggle & The Road Home: https://a.co/d/h9Nq0Nn
• Sarah Immerman's music on Sound Cloud

Stay in touch with Sarah! Sarah's LinkeIn

Stay in touch with Chavie!

www.instagram.com/chaviebruk

www.totallyunexpected.blog

This episode is dedicated by Rabbi Moshe & Dini Scheiner and their incredible community at the Palm Beach Synagogue, www.palmbeachsynagogue.org. For sponsorship or advertising opportunities you can reach out to Chavie on Instagram or at chaviebruk@gmail.com.

What Is Emotion Code?

Moshe shares his journey with Chavie growing up as a shy introvert in a large family and developing a debilitating anxiety with many physical symptoms that went unexplained for years. Life took a dramatic turn when his wife had a seizure and was diagnosed with a brain tumor, propelling him into a journey of healing and self-discovery. Moshe shares how he found The Emotion Code, a method to release trapped emotions, and learned to address the deep connection between emotions and physical health. Chavie also shares her struggle with celiac disease and how Moshe helped her uncover the emotional triggers that were the underlying factors of the symptoms. Moshe and Chavie talk about the the power of attracting energy and how to know the difference between toxic positivity and trusting that everything happens for a reason.

Moshe Weinbaum grew up in London, England, and studied abroad in the US. His life’s passion has always been to help others. He has worked with youth, teenagers, and adults. When he discovered the Emotion Code and Body Code, he knew it could be an effective tool to help people become healthier. Moshe specializes in treating addiction, relationships, trauma, and other behavioral and social challenges.

This Week's Q&A

1. Is there good skiing in Montana?
2. I keep getting hives, what should I do?
3. Can too much therapy do more harm than good?

References & Resources

The Emotion Code, by Bradley Nelson

Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell

Stay in Touch with Moshe! www.instagram.com/mosheweinbaum

www.awarenessrelease.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.

A Mother & Daughter's Adoption Journey

Chavie and Shoshana begin with an account of Shoshana's challenging childhood before she found a fresh start with the Bruk family in Bozeman, Montana. Shoshana shares what it was like to be the eldest of her new siblings while integrating into an observant Jewish household and community. Wanting to fully commit, she attended an all-girls Chassidic boarding school, only to find herself feeling alienated from that environment. Chavie discusses the impossible choices she faced in addressing Shoshana's subsequent mental health struggles as a teenager and the impact it had on their new mother-daughter relationship, which she was so committed to cultivating. The episode concludes with an honest and sometimes comedic reflection on where their relationship stands today, and the love and respect at the core of it all. Shoshana also shares where she stands today in her Jewish identity and her message for girls and women who may be experiencing similar challenges.

Please note: This episode contains numerous references to abuse, self-harm, and other challenging mental health issues.

Shoshana Bruk is the eldest of the five Bruk children. She is a junior at Montana State University and looks forward to pursuing a degree in forensics, law enforcement, and criminology. Her parents, Rabbi Chaim and Chavie Bruk, are the directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana. After a crushing diagnosis of permanent infertility, the Bruks chose to adopt five children. At the time considered taboo in the Orthodox Jewish community, the Bruks have become outspoken advocates for adoption and for removing the stigma around physical and mental health challenges that each of their children face.

This Week's Q&A

• Would you ever move out of Montana?
• Why isn’t adoption more common in the Orthodox Jewish community?
• How do you have time to take on such a big project like a podcast?

Stay in Touch with Chavie!

www.instagram.com/chaviebruk

www.totallyunexpected.blog

Sponsors

This episode is sponsored by dear friends dedicating it to the Bruk children: Shoshana, Chaya, Zeesy, Menny, and Chana Leah. Also in recognition of a new book titled Letters for Life: Guidance for Emotional Wellness from the Lubavitcher Rebbe by Levi Y. Shmotkin.

Does Astrology Align With Traditional Judaism?

In this episode, Mendel tells Chavie about his first encounter with astrology on a random night in Brooklyn. A man read his chart and he was fascinated by how accurate the reading was. That set him on a journey to learn everything he could about astrology and the human psyche. Mendel also shares about how he became interested in farming as a young boy in Israel. He decided to turn his dream of farming into a reality, and to revive the ancient Jewish agricultural heritage. He and his wife, Chana, moved to Maui where they established a kosher farm and welcome visitors far and wide to their life on the land. Mendel performs a live reading of Chavie's astrological chart, delving into her personality and the insights it reveals. He shares how astrology, combined with curiosity about ourselves and others, can help overcome interpersonal challenges and lead to a more satisfying life.

Mendel was born in Israel to Shluchim of the Rebbe and is one of eleven children. He is an ordained rabbi and shochet with a degree in economics. Together with his wife, Chana, he lives on a macadamia nut farm in Wailuku, Hawaii, nestled in the jungles of the West Maui Mountains. They have created a Chassidishe farm and lighthouse surrounded by mango trees, banana groves, avocado, and coffee. In addition to raising goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese, quails, and tilapia, they are leaders of the Jewish community and provide kosher food and experiences for locals and tourists.

This Week's Q&A's

1. How did Chavie & Chaim meet?

2. Any tips on connecting to my Jewish identity?

3. How do you juggle being so busy?

References & Resources

Mendel & Chana's Kosher Farm in Maui

www.mauikosherfarm.com

Stay in Touch with Mendel!

www.instagram.com/mauikosherfarm

Stay in Touch with Chavie!

https://www.instagram.com/chaviebruk/

https://www.totallyunexpected.blog/

This episode is sponsored by an anonymous fan of the show.

For sponsorship or advertising opportunities you can reach out to Chavie on Instagram or at chavie@jewishmontana.com.