Tattoos and Torah

The reality we live in seems so solid, fixed, REAL. However, it's actually quite fragile and easily manipulated. We may find ourselves seeking the truth within the fake (and not even know we're DOING that), making meaning out of whatever we see (or don't see) in the world around us. For Laura Cosner, who works in digital special effects by day and maintains a rigorous meditation practice in her da...

The creative process is a complex one. Much like recovery, it's not linear: it has its ups and downs. Making your voice heard can be difficult, and creating your life's work or your art can be filled with excitement and peril. In this episode, Rabbi Iggy talks to musician and actor Michael C. Fox about music, the creative process, making meaning and fame. Together, they discuss process vs. outcome...

Why do we wear masks? What’s our fascination with pretending to be someone or something else? Does the mask create a barrier from the world, or does it offer connection? And, what is the connection between masks and addiction? These are a few of the questions Rabbi Iggy answers in this Purim episode of Tattoos & Torah. He examines the roles we play in life, and the fine line between revealing...

We all feel anxiety, anger, frustration or even craving sometimes. We all have those 'freak out' moments once in a while (or perhaps too often!)How do we deal with emotion when it arises? What tools can we use to gain clarity and awareness, as well as address and recover from these moments in life? And how do we know if we're moving in the right direction, or when to change course? Rabbi Iggy and...

Prayer does not have to be a religious practice, but rather a tool to strengthen our recovery and our quest for more meaning in our lives. For many, prayer is a difficult skill to master. What are the different ways we can approach prayer? Who exactly should we pray to? What if no one is listening? Does the universe really have our back? In this episode, Rabbi Iggy shares about his approach to pra...

The orthodox world is impenetrable for many. How do they frame God? What is spirituality to an observant Jew? How do they see their role in the world? In this podcast episode, Rabbi Iggy and Rabbi Chanan Drew Rose discuss these questions. They also share their views on Jewish recovery from a mystical sense, as well as how to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. If you're interested lea...

At some point or another, we all must face a dark night of the soul. Edgar Allen Poe wrote “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” When we arrive to the Dark Night, how do we move forward? How do we traverse the fear, anxiety and loneliness of that darkness? How do we hold space for what's...

We all seek connection. We all seek a clear direction for our lives. We all want supportive, secure, loving relationships. So, how do we go about achieving clear, aligned connection? What resources can we invest in on this path of connection? Rabbi Iggy and Dr. Judy Markose, esteemed relationship and life coach, share one process for creating a vision for the life you want and the roadmap tha...

We all deserve a meaningful life, one filled with moments of joy, happiness and growth. Life may be filled with challenges and obstacles (even amidst the successes and joys). We can usher in the strength to face it all, and access depth and clarity in the process. So, how do you go about LIVING from this place? How do you cultivate a meaningful life (and all the skills required to sustain it)?In t...

Modern life is filled with politics. Whether you follow it or not it affects all of us. From policies to making our voices heard and count. This year has been a tumultuous one for politics and the people who work in that world. Rabbi Iggy talks to Brad Bauman who is the Founder and CEO at Fireside Campaigns which is a digital and communications consulting firm operating in the political space. He...

Episode 52, the last episode of the season is marking a whole year of learning about how to live a life of meaning and create a robust recovery. It is devoted to new beginnings and our personal spiritual growth. Rabbi Iggy talks about opening a spiritual bank account, spiritual budgeting and how to invest in ourselves. We examine how to deposit into the account so we can flourish, grow, live in ab...

Poetry, Few arts are as calming, inspiring and thought provoking. Celebrated Poet Joanna Solfrian shares how she “makes her soul explicit” in her conversation with Rabbi Iggy. Talking about inspiration, creation and the discipline of art making Joanna reads her poems and shares her process. Having a favorite poem committed to memory is a must for those who seek a life of meaning and increased reco...

Things that are beautiful attract us. Even our own tradition tells us that beauty has the capacity to expand a person's heart. Adele Beiny is an Instagram influencer who knows how to create beauty, and inspires people to live by design (not default).In this episode, Rabbi Iggy and Adele go deeper than design, diving into life beyond Instagram. They discuss their similar orthodox upbringing, the pi...

How do you fight darkness? How do you move through and overcome (even with a lack of motivation and inspiration)?In this episode, Rabbi Iggy talks about his approach to the questions, sharing ways we can continue growing, continue strengthening our recovery, and cultivating more meaning in our lives. Chanukah reminds us of how to balance the light and darkness. If you want to dive deeper into the...

Ever wonder what it would feel like on the podium at the Olympics? What do top athletes tell themselves to push harder and gain momentum? What goes through your mind when you are the BEST at what you do?  In today's podcast episode, Rabbi Iggy and Dr. Markus Rogan dive into these questions, and talk about what it took for him to be an Olympian. In their conversation, they uncover that th...

What is the difference between saying 'thank you' and having gratitude? How do you practice gratitude authentically? Giving thanks and gratitude are not the same. Saying 'thank you' is the inevitable result of actions we take, lessons we learned and appreciation of what we have gone though. Gratitude is being able to look at our life and our experience and acknowledge what we know, fee and appreci...

What exactly defines success? What makes a person successful? How do you break into a new industry? Our guest on today's podcast episode, Nathen Aaren, has been working with executives and brands for years, helping them reach their next level of success. He is a speaker, entrepreneur and dream life seeker. Working with fortune 500 companies & Grammy Award winning artists, he is the podcast pro...

There is a deep connection between seeking meaning and cultivating connection. Finding meaning in life, clarifying the values we hold dear, and the connection we feel to the world and people: how are these interconnected and informing each other everyday?  Many of us want joy, equanimity, happiness, gratitude and mindfulness in this life. But achieving those things is dependent on a few...

George Haas is one of the most respected dharma teachers in the world, integrating attachment repair and meditation to support people in living more meaningful lives. Surviving abuse, trauma, addiction, abandonment and tragedy, his take on life is unique and inspiring. Not only that, he is an acclaimed artist whose art is featured at the MOMA, the Hammer Museum and the Library of Co...

We often focus on the light in us, the beauty of the well illuminated path and the spark of the divine in all things. But there is enormous beauty in the shadows, too. In our inner chaos and Biblical Tohu Vavohu. The wonder that is in us and compels us to ask questions and to explore. Ever wonder why we wear masks? Why in so many cultures we celebrate the day of the dead or Hallowee...

How do you go about transcending tragic events in life? How can you move from a place of confusion and hatred into into a life of devotion, heart practices and a path committed to decreasing suffering? What is Karma (and what are some ways of understanding its role in our lives today)? In this episode of Tattoos and Torah, Rabbi Iggy speaks with Dave Smith, internationally recognized Buddhist...

Coming it out is not just a proclamation. It’s not just an affirmation. It is an act of bravery and assertion. It’s a statement : This is who I am! In this episode of Tattoos and Torah, Rabbi Iggy explores the nuances of coming out and how he approaches the integration of queer identity with spiritual identity. In many ways, coming out marks the beginning of something. The...

How do we beat hate and undo discrimination as a culture in 2020 (when the institutions that guide and govern us are modeling divisiveness, exclusion and hate)? How do we fight back and create a world of inclusion, acceptance and a celebration of diversity, when the world around us is filled with discrimination, ignorance and barbed speech? What does it take to skillfully stand up for ou...

Do spirituality and science live on different planes? Do we need to leave our spiritual practices and beliefs at the door before entering the lab? In this episode of Tattoos and Torah, Rabbi Iggy and Dr. Michael McGee talk about the role spirituality plays in the world of science, medicine, hospitals and institutions, as well as addiction rehab. They also discuss the emerging variety of the differ...

In this episode of Tattoos and Torah, Rabbi Iggy reflects on the concept of silence and solitude as a spiritual practice. He transforms our approach to a prayer said on Yom Kippur into a tool for finding meaning in our lives and examine the self. He shares how recovery can teach us how to more effectively spend time in reflection and inspiration (and why making space for silence in our lives is a...