We’re going to be taking a little bit of a break from the show. We’ll be back soon with something that we think you are going to LOVE!Meanwhile Karen and the Your Jewish Life team wish you a beautiful and meaningful Chag Sameach.Smashing Li

Jake Cohen on Connection, Community and Pride Through Jewish Food

Aug 8th, 2023 1h 11m

Karen sits down with bestselling cookbook author Jake Cohen for a chat about his new cookbook, I Could Nosh (coming out September 12!); his journey from being told Jewish food was too niche to hitting the New York Times bestseller list; bringin

My 8-Year-Old Jewish Life with Karen’s Daughter Zara

Jul 25th, 2023 25m 48s

Karen sits down with her 8-year-old daughter Zara for a chat about what it’s like to be a young Jewish Londoner in 2023. They talk about how Zara balances her strong Jewish identity with life in a diverse community, what she loves about journal

My Autistic Jewish Life with Author Sara Gibbs

Jul 11th, 2023 58m 13s

Karen sits down with Sara Gibbs, the author and comedy writer behind upcoming Jewish rom com Eight Bright Lights, for a chat about autistic Jewish life, being diagnosed with autism as an adult, standing up to antisemitism, and so much more.We

A Look Inside the Syrian Jewish Community with Author Corie Adjmi

Jun 27th, 2023 38m 25s

Karen sits down with author Corie Adjmi for a fascinating look at the Syrian Jewish community. Corie’s new novel, The Marriage Box, draws on her own experiences moving from a Reform upbringing in New Orleans to a traditional Orthodox Syrian lif

The Power of Jewish Community {with Smashing Life Member Emily Scheinfeld}

Jun 13th, 2023 56m 12s

Karen sits down with Emily Scheinfeld, a beloved member of the Smashing Life community, to chat about her own Jewish life. Emily is an absolute ray of sunshine who’s contributed so much to the vibrant, accepting group that is Smashing Life, and

Being LGBTQ+ and Jewish: Negotiating Intersecting Identities {with Ben M. Freeman}

May 30th, 2023 44m 25s

Karen sits down with Ben M. Freeman for an important conversation about what it’s like being LGBTQ+ and Jewish.As a minority within a minority, LGBTQ+ Jews negotiate intersecting identities every day - and the Jewish community doesn’t often g

Manifesting Your Jewish Life, Your Way with Cathy Heller

May 16th, 2023 1h 2m

Karen sits down with Cathy Heller, a business coach and podcaster who specializes in helping women create wealth and next level happiness, for an inspirational discussion all about making the Jewish life of your dreams a reality. Cathy opens up

Jewish Pride Through a Digital Lens with Matthew Bussy of Philadelphia Jewish Film & Media Festival

May 2nd, 2023 53m 34s

Karen sits down with Matthew Bussy, the Program Director of Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Festival. Karen first met Matthew when he invited her to be a guest speaker at the 2023 Jewish New Media Festival in Philly - she’ll be speaking on S

Bringing Moshiach Energy with Modi, the comedian making Jewish humor cool

Apr 18th, 2023 45m 54s

Karen sits down with Modi, the comedian known for his lighthearted takes on the ups and downs of Jewish life in the 21st century, and he’s got so much insight to share about everything from why the Jews are the ‘choosing people’ rather than the

How I’m Spending Passover 2023

Apr 4th, 2023 29m 45s

Karen’s thinking about what she wants to break free from as she prepares for Passover 2023. She also shares stories of some of her most memorable seder nights over the years - from childhood celebrations with family in Israel to the ultra-meani

Balancing Israel Advocacy and a Busy Career with Dr. Sheila Nazarian

Mar 21st, 2023 55m 7s

Karen sits down with Dr. Sheila Nazarian, a top board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Beverly Hills and mother of three who’s also carved out a niche as one of Israel’s staunchest defenders on social media. She talks about how s

David Baddiel on his Jewishness, antisemitism, and why Jews need a rebrand

Mar 7th, 2023 57m 45s

Few people have done as much to expose the rising fashionability of antisemitism in the progressive world as comedian, author, screenwriter, and television presenter-turned-activist, David Baddiel. In this important episode, Karen sits down

What It Feels Like to Be Single and Jewish in 2023

Feb 21st, 2023 40m 56s

Karen sits down with Smashing Life member Emily Cohen for an honest chat about contemporary Jewish life - from dealing with antisemitism in the workplace to what it’s like to be a single Jewish woman in 2023.They cover everything from how Em

Jewish Grief and Mourning {with Karen and Ben M. Freeman}

Feb 7th, 2023 56m 54s

Karen sits down with author and activist Ben M. Freeman for an emotional discussion about Jewish grief and mourning. Karen and Ben both lost a beloved parent too soon - Ben’s father in 2017, and Karen’s mother in 2021 - and in the aftermath, ea

Top 5 Dos & Don'ts for Planning a Jewish Wedding in 2023

Jan 31st, 2023 24m 41s

If you’re currently planning a wedding, this episode is for you! As the founder of Smashing The Glass, the world’s largest Jewish wedding platform, Karen shares her dos and don’ts for planning a one-of-a-kind wedding that’s totally authentic to

Easy Yet Meaningful Ways to Bring Shabbat into Your Life

Jan 24th, 2023 48m 40s

Karen sits down with Sam and Emily from Team YJL to talk all things Shabbat! They talk about what Shabbat’s all about, how Judaism’s weekly day of rest looks like for each of them, and why they find it meaningful - and, most importantly, share

How to Find Joy During Difficult Times

Jan 17th, 2023 16m 16s

Karen shares her secret for how to find joy during difficult times. Her secret sounds simple - it’s all about gratitude - but putting that into action can be easier said than done. In this episode, Karen shares some practical takeaways for prac

How to Own Your Jewishness with Yoav Davis of Jews of NY

Jan 10th, 2023 57m 18s

Karen sits down with Yoav Davis, the founder of Jews of NY, where he shines a light on the beautiful diversity of Jewish life in the Big Apple. Yoav’s commitment to Jewish joy and positivity is so refreshing, and his conversation with Karen abo

My 9-Year-Old Jewish Life with Karen’s Daughter Sacha

Jan 3rd, 2023 20m 4s

Karen sits down with a very special guest: her 9-year-old daughter, Sacha! Sacha is a proud Jewish girl who loves challah, cheder (that’s Hebrew school to you Americans), and sharing about Jewish traditions with the diverse group of friends she

Bonus

REPLAY: Overcoming Jewish impostor syndrome: Bringing Jewish Tradition to life with Micaela Ezra

Dec 27th, 2022 1h 4m

Karen chats with illustrator, textile designer, and writer Micaela Ezra, founder of contemporary Judaica collection AHYIN, about growing your spirituality, overcoming Jewish impostor syndrome, and what it really means to build a Jewish home - a

Building Jewish Community through Books with PJ Library

Dec 20th, 2022 44m 27s

Karen sits down with Lauren Hamburger, the UK director of PJ Library, an organization that sends free Jewish children's books to families across the world each month - all in the name of helping families learn about Judaism in a gentle way, spa

My Top 10 Journaling Prompts for Reflecting on 2022 – and Setting the Stage for Your Best Year Ever in 2023

Dec 13th, 2022 27m 18s

As Karen looks ahead to the new year, she’s taken some time to think about how she’s going to live her best Jewish life in 2023. To focus her reflections, she’s come up with a list of 10 journaling prompts that helped her drill down to her one-

Our Jewish Conversion Stories: Two Jewish Women Tell Their Stories and Share Their Tips

Dec 6th, 2022 55m 29s

Karen sits down with Erin and Maggie, two beloved members of the Smashing Life community, to chat about their respective Jewish conversion stories. They give honest accounts of the ups and downs of conversion, share their tips for those consid

Top 10 Gift Ideas for Hanukkah 2022

Nov 29th, 2022 17m 48s

It’s Hanukkah season, and Karen’s rounded up her very favorite gift options for 2022. In this episode, she shares her picks for the season’s best Hanukkah swag, blue-and-white Judaica, tasty treats, and more, with options to suit all styles and