2 Paleys on a Pod

In this episode we discuss working! We talk about some of the jobs we've had and Briyah talks about the work challenges she has experienced. We even dive into our family history to look at what patterns have arisen in terms of work ethic. We come from a family of Bosses (as direct descendants of the Vilna Gaon, we're no shleppers). After a long hiatus, Briyah's back to Airbnb hosting and the allur...

Michael and Briyah went to New Hampshire to visit Interlocken (now called Windsor Mountain), for a summer camp reunion. It was a special and meaningful weekend, full of memories, the waterfront, camp food, camp songs, and old and new friends. We were honored to invited there by the current camp owners, Kerry and Jake Labovitz. We reflect on the camp that our dear friend Richard Herman started in 1...

We just celebrated the lesser known Jewish holiday of Tu B'Av, otherwise known as the day of love, or even Jewish Valentines Day. In the old days, Jewish singles would wear white and gather in the main square, looking for a match. In this episode, we discuss modern dating, including what "ghosting" really means. Briyah, still looking for her soul mate, mentions some matchmakers whose...

We have just started the month of Av, where Jews remember the destruction of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem. This is a time of mourning that is followed by a celebration of love (Tu b’Av). Rosh Chodesh (the first day) Av was Briyah’s 41st Hebrew birthday! We discuss Briyah’s recent ayahuasca ceremonies in the Catskills where she faced herself and received deep healing. With a heart full...

Hi from sunny Portugal! I’m in the town of Monchique and felt like a solo episode. It was my birthday this past week and I wanted to reflect on what I’ve learned over these last 12 months. Today is my nephew Isaac’s 6th birthday and it’s also Bastille Day! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Lots of love! Thank you as always for listening. And to the new followers, welcome! Thank you also to...

What an adventure we had! We recap the last few weeks as travel companions, from Hungary to Israel to Poland. We learned so much and we are taking much with us. The main takeaway is that there is still Jewish life in Poland, despite all that was taken from us. We are survivors and we will always survive. Thank you for listening and sharing!

Briyah and Michael are in Poland for a Mission trip with UJA-Federation of New York. We took the opportunity to record the wonderful conversation between Michael and his long time friend, Helise Lieberman, Director of the Taube Center for Jewish Life and Learning. Helise is an American Jew who moved to Warsaw years ago and has much to say about life in Poland. We hope you enjoy this episode and pl...

We came to Israel for a few days because Michael had a conference with JDC and Briyah wanted to join for some time in Tel Aviv and one day in Jerusalem. We reflect on what this moment here feels like. We hope you enjoy listening to this heartfelt episode that explores the complexities of being American Jews who love Israel.

Briyah and Michael are together in Budapest, looking out onto the Danube. They talk about success and what it means. Who has it, how do you get it, and how do you keep it? How important is it? Is life still good without measurable success? We also talk about the past and how success has affected our family. Thanks for listening and please rate and review!

In this episode, we talk about the upcoming holiday of Shavuot and how it relates to love. Briyah reflects on her recent Dance Meets Tantra workshop in the Berkshires as well as her psychedelic medicine journeys and what it has taught her about loving herself and others. We really love this episode and hope that you do too. Shabbat shalom and chag sameach.

Hello from Amagansett! I was lucky enough to come here on my own for a few days. The house I’m staying in faces the ocean and I couldn’t be happier. I’m taking some time here to walk on the beach, rest, process and take care of myself. And that includes this update for all of you! Please reach out about anything I’ve shared. I’d love to hear from our listeners! My dad and I will be back with anoth...

We’re back with some Omer content. What is the Omer? What does it give us? How does it relate to our daily life? We answer these questions and more in another thought provoking episode. Briyah forgot to mention the generous woman who held her in the bathroom while she cried during the intermission of “Merrily We Roll Along” on Broadway. Thank you Laura, for your kindness. That show brought up a lo...

Briyah and Reb Michael are back to wish everyone a peaceful Passover holiday. We talk about what we’ve been up to (one of us went to a naked dinner party) and reflect on some parts of the Seder. We won’t be celebrating together this year, but hopefully we will reunite soon. We will be leaving an empty chair at our Seders to remember the hostages who cannot be with their families for yet another ho...

Briyah goes to Coogee Beach to talk to Judy Banki, a 96 year old who isn’t slowing down. They discuss Judy’s fascinating history that spans the globe from Flatbush to Israel, Budapest and the Hamptons. And now it includes Australia to visit her daughter and grandkids. What a privilege this interview was and Briyah hopes to see Judy back in NYC!

Briyah is in Sydney, Australia!! She talks to Michael about what it’s like to be back there after 7 years away.

Briyah is back with a solo episode. She’s procrastinating getting ready for her trip to the Bahamas tomorrow. She hasn’t been on a plane since March, so keep her in your thoughts as she embarks on another solo adventure! In this episode, she gives an update on what’s been going on in the Life Of Briyah (LOB).

My gorgeous friend Libby Malcolm joins me as this episode’s special guest. We met while I was studying abroad in Paris in 2005, and Libby is still there! We talk about our parallel life journeys and Libby reflects on raising her son in a culture very different from where she is from in Alabama. She has so much insight and hope as well as the most charming accent. I hope you enjoy this episode!

It’s just Briyah on this episode! A bit of a lighthearted one to send you off into the Thanksgiving long weekend. Michael is traveling and also, things have been awkward since the last episode when we threw some shade on the family. But you can’t please everyone! Much love and peace to everyone listening to our little podcast project. I pray my dad will join me once again.

Micha Odenheimer, a rabbi, journalist and social entrepreneur, joins the Paleys to talk about the recent terror attack in Israel. Based in Jerusalem, he offers a unique perspective on what it’s been like there. We hope you enjoy the thought provoking conversation.

In this very special episode we bring on our very first guest! Our longtime friend, Michalya Schonwald Moss, joins us from Johannesburg to speak on what she discovered about her family’s tragic past in the Holocaust and the profound impact it has had on her. She and Briyah discuss what it means to be 3Gers, or third generation survivors. Michael shares stories of living abroad and what it means to...

We are in the days of awe and it’s about to be Yom Kippur. Michael and Briyah discuss how this time has impacted them and how they’re finding meaning in it. G’mar Tov!

August 31st is Paley Day for us because it’s Grandpa’s birthday and the day he married Grandma in 1949. Briyah and Michael talk all things family and the challenges of not living nearby. The summer is coming to a close and who knows what’s next for this father-daughter duo!

This week we had a funeral for our beloved cousin, Rafi. Rafi took his own life last week. Briyah and Michael talk about the magnitude of the loss as well as how it coincides with the new month of Elul. The episode heavily deals with suicide, so please be aware of that before you listen.

We talk about the holiday of Tisha B’Av, also known as the saddest day of the Jewish year. But what if you’re sad a lot, like Briyah? Will things go up from here? Is there a second chance? There’s a special guest at the end, too!

We’re back again! Michael and Briyah catch up on the last few months. Briyah left Austen Riggs and returned to NYC. Michael taught in Europe and joined the Ride for the Living. We also discuss the importance of this three week period in Judaism during the months of Tammuz and Av.