2 Paleys on a Pod

Briyah is having a really hard time getting treatment at Berkshires Mental Hospital, Austen Riggs. Will she stick it out a few more weeks? She thinks it's making her more traumatized. Who ever heard of patient led groups? Michael talks about counting the omer some more, and starting the Bronfman Youth Fellowships 36 years ago.

Count the Omer with us from Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Briyah has had some more setbacks and changes of plans, but what else is there to do but move forward? Michael went to Japan, Briyah came back from LA, sent her car back and forth...OY, the drama.

Michael is traveling and Tod, Briyah's old friend, is taking care of her in LA, so he stepped in to record this episode. There's a lot of psychiatric bashing and a bit about our friendship. More to come. Also, Briyah has to make some big decisions about treatment centers and can barely decide what to eat every day, so this is an uphill battle. Please God, help her find her life purpose and...

The journey continues with Briyah being helped by an unconditionally loving and supportive friend in LA. Michael talks about Passover and the weekly Parsha and how it inevitably connects to Briyah's situation. There's even some singing. Onwards!

The Heroine's Journey continues and Briyah is now trying out LA, but finds that her problems do indeed follow her everywhere. Michael is supportive as always, and even flew with her to LA. What a hero! The episode might seem dark because Briyah is working on deep aspects of her soul and facing herself in a way that feels uncomfortable. But she is here to share the journey, hoping her pain will hel...

An important part of the journey is surrendering. It's uncomfortable, but necessary. Briyah is praying for the willingness to surrender, so her life can really begin, at 40! Also, what does it mean to surrender? Can Briyah do it? How do we ask God for help? Briyah and Michael talk about the repercussions of "being in love with anger."

Briyah went to the Psych Ward and all she got from it were a pair of pajamas that were then disposed of by her mother. She provides an update on her latest life drama and Michael adds intellectual and empathic commentary.

An update: Briyah is in NYC, being taken care of by her parents. It's been a hard time. She's working on getting more intensive care. She and Michael talk about what it means to face our demons and get through periods of struggle.

This is a tough one...Briyah was told to leave Esalen after a month. She is still grieving the loss of her job and explains what she think happened and where she is now. Michael brings in Jewish text, perspective, and as always, a lot of love. The journey to enlightenment and the quest to feel at "home" continues. Apologies for the audio not being so clear this time. 

Briyah talks about her nearly completed cross country road trip, taken during the Jewish holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah. Rabbi Michael talks about the significance of the timing, as well as lessons from the Zohar and the Torah. They both get vulnerable about letting go and taking risks.

In this episode, Briyah and Michael discuss some of the Jewish Holidays and what they represent in our everyday lives. Why are they in this order? Yom Kippur is supposed to feel like death. But what about love? What do the two have to do with each other? I'm proud of this episode and the connection my dad and I share. He has such a powerful ability to break down Jewish rituals and concepts.

Shana Tovah U'metukah! A happy Jewish New Year to all who celebrate. In this episode we discuss the important and challenging process of forgiveness. But aside from that, what if we choose to simply forget how we've been wronged by others? How does that work and what does the Torah say about it? Since our last episode, Michael turned 70 and reflects on how he feels about it.

What does it feel like to be lonely? What can you do to feel better? In this episode, Briyah and Michael talk about widespread loneliness in today's world. You are not alone if you feel lonely.

In this episode we discuss the role of teachers in our lives, as well as challenges we've both faced when it comes to learning.

How do we learn and grow? Why is it so painful at times? What does  success look like? Why did my Dad leave his job at Columbia in the 90s?  These are some of the questions we discuss in this episode. Also, did  you know we are descendants of the Vilna Gaon?

What is prayer? Why do we do it? Is it the only way to connect to God? In this episode, my dad and I discuss the role of prayer in our lives.

In this episode we discuss a lot of things, including Israel!

We are a father and daughter who will explore all of life's issues in our podcast. This episode is about who we are and what we plan to do.

Talking about the journeys we've been on, and working on feeling better after a few spiritual retreats. Where is God? What's the meaning in this?