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What happens when a religious Jewish mother decides to run a marathon and becomes one of Israel's most elite athletes? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Julia sits down with Beatie Deutsch, the ultra-marathon champion who runs in a skirt, covers her hair, and represents Israel on the world stage. From deciding to train for her first marathon after having four kids in six years to becoming Israel's national champion with a 2:42 finish, Beatie's story is about so much more than speed. Together, Julia and Beatie explore what it means to honor every part of yourself: the ambitious athlete, the devoted mother, the religious woman navigating a secular sports world, and the human being learning to balance it all. They discuss the power of doing hard things, the courage it takes to pursue your dreams even when your community doesn't fully understand, and why modesty is about so much more than a dress code. Beatie opens up about representing Israel while keeping Shabbos, navigating injuries and setbacks, and the mental toughness required to keep going when you haven't set a personal record in four years. In one of the most vulnerable moments of the episode, Beatie shares her journey with disordered eating, the shame she carried, and how she found freedom by refusing to let food define her. This conversation tackles body image, the silent epidemic of eating disorders in the Jewish community, and why it's so important to speak about struggles out loud. Julia and Beatie discuss the pressure women face to look a certain way, the danger of obsessive thoughts, and the beauty of learning to nourish yourself without fear. This episode is for the mothers who feel guilty for wanting something for themselves, for the women navigating ambition in a world that tells them to stay small, and for anyone who has ever wondered if they can honor all the parts of who they are without choosing one over the other. Whether you're an athlete, a dreamer, or simply someone trying to show up fully in your life, this conversation is a reminder that your gifts are meant to be used, your struggles don't define you, and Hashem made you exactly as you are for a reason. Because at the end of the day, the most powerful thing you can do is refuse to shrink yourself and instead run full speed toward the life you were meant to live. episode produced by short form media #BeatieDeutsch #TribeAndTribulations #JuliaMakowsky #JewishPodcast #EliteAthlete #MarathonRunner #JewishWomen #ModestyAndAmbition #JewishIdentity #BodyImage #DisorderedEating #MentalHealth #JewishMotherhood #FaithAndAmbition #DoingHardThings #IsraelRunner #WomenInSports #JewishCommunity

What happens when you send your child to Israel for a year and suddenly realize they're navigating adulthood without you? In this deeply practical and insightful conversation, Julia sits down with Ariella Taragin, founder of Ready, Set, Sem, to talk about the soft launch of adulthood that is seminary and yeshiva in Israel. From the moment they land to the moment they leave, this year is filled with growth, independence, homesickness, roommate drama, and the kind of self discovery that only happens when you're far from home. Ariella shares her own experience moving to Israel as a teenager when her parents made aliyah, the gaps she noticed in how students were being supported, and how she turned that realization into a business that helps hundreds of girls and boys navigate everything from buying linens to finding a therapist to learning how to weigh produce at the shuk. Together, Julia and Ariella discuss the reality of homesickness, the pressure we put on this year to be life changing, how to choose the right seminary or yeshiva without letting fear dictate the decision, and why parents need to be a listening ear instead of a fixer. They explore the beauty of interpersonal connection in a world dominated by screens, the importance of setting realistic goals, and why it's okay to try something on and decide it doesn't fit. This conversation is for the parents sending their kids off with equal parts excitement and anxiety, for the students about to embark on a year that feels impossibly big, and for anyone who remembers what it felt like to navigate independence for the first time in a country that doesn't have Amazon on demand. Whether you're packing your suitcase, helping someone else pack theirs, or simply curious about what this transformative year really looks like, this episode is a reminder that growth doesn't happen in perfection. It happens in the messy, beautiful, overwhelming moments when you're figuring it out as you go. episode produced by short form media #ReadySetSem #SeminaryInIsrael #YeshivaYear #GapYearInIsrael #JewishYouth #TribeAndTribulations #JuliaMakowsky #JewishPodcast #IndependenceJourney #JewishIdentity #GrowthAndChange #ParentingTeens #IsraeliExperience #JewishEducation

When you think of Danielle Renov, you probably think of recipes, food, and the vibrant chaos of raising a family in Israel. But this conversation goes so much deeper. In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Julia sits down with Danielle Renov for an honest exploration of faith, identity, family, and what it means to build a life grounded in values rather than comfort. From growing up Modern Orthodox in the Five Towns to consciously choosing a more religious path, Danielle opens up about navigating religious differences with family, the beauty of choosing your environment, and why integrity matters more than perfection. Together, they discuss the gray areas of halacha and personal standards, the power of reframing discomfort as growth, and why the hardest times to connect to Hashem are often when everything is good. Danielle shares her grandfather's remarkable Holocaust survival story, how her mother's journey with prayer shaped her own relationship with Hashem, and the conscious decision to live according to Torah values even when it doesn't feel natural. This is a conversation about choosing connection over comfort, about faking it until you make it when grief steals your happiness, and about why asking Hashem for help every single day matters more than we realize. This episode is a reminder that authenticity doesn't mean perfection. It means showing up, choosing your values, and remembering that Hashem wants your closeness more than you could ever imagine. Whether you're navigating your own religious journey, trying to understand how to hold boundaries with grace, or simply looking for a reminder that growth happens in the uncomfortable moments, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. episode produced by short form media #DanielleRenov #PeasLoveAndCarrots #TribeAndTribulations #JuliaMakowsky #JewishIdentity #JewishPodcast #JewishWomen #FaithAndFamily #ModernOrthodox #JewishMotherhood #FindingYourself #JewishLife #GriefAndGrowth

Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, 2001, Tzivi Itzkowitz lost her sister Nancy. But this episode isn’t about how Nancy died. It’s about how she lived. Nancy was a beloved daughter, sister and friend. She was young, vibrant, building her career, and had so much life still ahead of her. And while the world remembers 9/11 as a day that changed history, for Tzivi and her family, it was the day they lost someone they loved. Twenty-five years later, Tzivi sits down with me to share Nancy with all of us. We talk about who Nancy really was, the memories that still make Tzivi smile, the bond between sisters, and what it means to carry someone you love with you through every stage of life they didn’t get to be here for. There is grief in this conversation, but there is also so much love. Because maybe one of the most beautiful ways we can honor the people we’ve lost is to keep saying their names, telling their stories, laughing at the memories, and allowing the world to know a little bit of the person we were lucky enough to love. On the 25th anniversary of September 11th, this is our small way of remembering one beautiful life. This is Nancy’s story. Welcome to Tribe & Tribulations with Julia Makowsky. you can support the Nancy memorial fund here: https://www.nancymorgensternmemorial.org/ or you can shop topaz and ruby: https://topazandruby.com/ Episode produced by Short Form Media

What happens when you realize that the most important work you're meant to do isn't in a classroom, a shul, or a Shabbaton—but in the quiet moments of your everyday life? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Julia sits down with Faigy Blumstein, one of the voices behind the Thank You Hashem movement, for an honest exploration of faith, purpose, gratitude, and what it really means to live a Hashem-centered life. Together, Julia and Faigy discuss the origins of the Thank You Hashem movement, how a Shabbos in Tzfat turned into a global revolution of gratitude and music, and why accessible Judaism matters more than ever. Whether you're deeply connected to Chassidus or have never opened a Tanya, whether you're thriving or just surviving, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to be perfect to be close to Hashem. You just have to show up. episode produced by short form media

What happens when the life you thought you were going to have disappears overnight? In this deeply personal conversation, Abbey Wolin—founder of AW Media and creator of The Foundry—shares the story behind the woman she’s become. After losing her father at a young age, Abbey watched her family, identity, and sense of stability change in ways she never expected. Instead of letting that loss define her, she rebuilt her life one chapter at a time. From teaching elementary school to building a thriving marketing agency, and now launching The Foundry to help young adults discover their passions and become entrepreneurs, Abbey has continually reinvented herself. More importantly, she’s become the adult she wishes she’d had when she was growing up. This episode isn’t just about business. It’s about grief, resilience, identity, purpose, and the courage to create a life that honors where you’ve been without being limited by it. If you’ve ever wondered whether your hardest chapter could become the foundation for your greatest work, this conversation is for you.

How do you build one of the biggest media brands in the Chasidish world without ever relying on traditional social media? In this episode, Julia sits down with Eli Weber, founder of Weber Media, to talk about the power of storytelling, why WhatsApp became the secret weapon that changed content creation in his community, and how he built a business by understanding people—not algorithms. But this conversation goes far beyond media. Julia also talks about Eli’s recent marriage to a Modern Orthodox woman from the Five Towns and what it looks like to navigate two different Jewish worlds with curiosity, respect, and love. From culture shock to communication, we explore how relationships can challenge assumptions and create bridges where there were once divides. This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, community, and the stories that connect us more than they separate us. Episode produced by Short Form Media.

In this deeply important and rarely discussed episode, Julia sits down with Erica Pelman, founder of Shifra, the only American-based organization dedicated to supporting Jewish women through unplanned pregnancies. From the woman with ten children who discovers she's unexpectedly pregnant again, to the 44-year-old who thought her baby years were behind her, to the teenager facing an impossible decision, Shifra offers counseling, financial assistance, practical resources, and unconditional support through pregnancy and beyond. Erica shares the personal story that led her to create Shifra 17 years ago, the struggles of building trust in a community where shame and silence often prevail, and the layers of care required to truly support women in crisis. This episode tackles the vulnerability of pregnancy, the courage it takes to ask for help, and the transformative power of unconditional love. Whether you're navigating an unplanned pregnancy, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand how to show up for women in crisis, this conversation is a reminder that no one has to suffer in silence. for more information on this amazing organization: https://www.instagram.com/call_shifra/ episode produced by short form media

In this episode of Tribe & Tribulations, Julia sits down with Adina Moss for a thoughtful conversation about growth, identity, and embracing new seasons of life. Adina shares stories from her upbringing, the values that shaped her, and what inspired her recent personal and professional rebrand. Together, they explore spirituality, self-discovery, and the balance between honoring where you came from while creating a life that feels authentic to who you are today. It’s an honest conversation about purpose, change, and having the courage to evolve without losing yourself. episode produced by short form media

This week on Tribe & Tribulations, Julia sits down with Max Cohen, better known as Murray Hillboy, for an honest conversation about identity, belonging, comedy, and the courage to be yourself. Known for his hilarious and painfully accurate portrayals of Jewish life, Max has built a devoted following by turning shared experiences into comedy. From sleepaway camp culture and helicopter parenting to dating, family dynamics, and Jewish nostalgia, his content strikes a chord because it feels so familiar. But behind the viral videos is a deeper story. Max opens up about his journey as a gay Jewish man, what it was like coming out, finding acceptance, and navigating the complexities of living at the intersection of multiple identities. Together, Julia and Max discuss the pressures of labels, the importance of visibility, and why authenticity matters more than fitting into someone else's expectations. They also dive into social media, content creation, dating, community, and the universal desire to find where we belong. Whether you're Jewish, LGBTQ+, or simply someone trying to live more authentically, this conversation is filled with humor, insight, and a powerful reminder that your identity is yours to define. 🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation. Podcast edited by Short Form Media.

In this unfiltered, and deeply honest episode, Julia sits down with Zoli Honig and Chava Feigen for a conversation that refuses to play by the rules. From second marriages and second chances to reinventing faith, business, and identity, this couple has lived a thousand lives before 40, and they're not apologizing for any of it. Zoli and Chava didn't just start over. They blew up the blueprint. Divorced young, remarried each other, and built a life that looks nothing like what their communities expected. He's a serial entrepreneur who's launched more startups than he can count. She went from fashion to real estate to podcasting, peeling back layers of who she thought she was supposed to be until she found who she actually is. Together, they've navigated the chaos of blending lives, setting boundaries with family, and creating a marriage where laughter, autonomy, and brutal honesty are non-negotiable. This Episode is produced by Short Form Media.

In this deeply personal episode, I'm joined by my sister, Lauren, for an honest conversation about what it means to come from the same home but grow into two very different women. Our lives don't look the same. Our personalities aren't the same. Our paths have taken us in different directions. And yet, somewhere along the way, we stopped expecting each other to be the same and started choosing each other exactly as we are. We talk about our childhood, motherhood, faith, family, and the ways our differences have challenged us, shaped us, and ultimately made our relationship stronger. It's a conversation about letting go of comparison, embracing individuality, and discovering that love doesn't require sameness—it requires understanding. Whether you have a sister, a sibling, or someone in your life who sees the world differently than you do, this episode is a reminder that our greatest connections are often built not in spite of our differences, but because of them. *podcast edited by Short Form Media

In this essential and deeply needed episode, Julia tackles one of the most talked about yet rarely addressed topics in the Orthodox community: the Jewish day school system. From skyrocketing tuition costs to children who don't fit the mold, to identity crises within schools to the question of accessibility, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a system that is both beautiful and broken, sacred and struggling. Julia is joined by Rabbi Fein, Head of School at BMA, and Mr. Richard Altabe, a legendary educational consultant who has shaped Jewish education for decades and served as principal to generations of students across the New York area. Together, they navigate the most pressing challenges facing Jewish schools today, offering honest insights, real solutions, and a reminder that while the problems are complex, the mission is clear: every Jewish child deserves access to a meaningful Jewish education.

In this fascinating and eye-opening episode, Julia welcomes Yitzhak Pinkesz, Author of Kosher Astrology, for an conversation that tackles one of the most controversial topics in the modern Orthodox world: astrology. With manifestation, moon signs, and zodiac talk dominating social media, many people are left wondering: Is this even allowed? Is it Kabbalah? Is it avodah zarah? And if we're supposed to be wholehearted with Hashem, where does astrology fit into a Torah-true life? Yitzhak, who literally wrote the 500-page book on kosher astrology, breaks down the difference between forbidden astral magic and worship versus the permissible, deeply Jewish practice of understanding celestial wisdom. He explains how astrology has always been woven into Jewish tradition, from the Talmud to the machzor, from Mazal Tov to the twelve tribes, and why the real question isn't whether astrology exists but how we use it.

In this episode Julia sits down with two beauty experts to tackle a topic that's often dismissed as superficial but is actually deeply personal: beauty, both internal and external. Whether you're a minimalist who swears by soap and water or someone navigating the overwhelming world of serums, injectables, and skincare routines, this conversation strips away the noise and gets real about what beauty means in the modern Orthodox world and beyond. Julia is joined by Leah Begun, RN and NP, who specializes in injectables and runs her own beauty brand, and Elise Tabin, a beauty editor with 16 years of experience writing about every product imaginable. Together, they explore the intersection of confidence, self care, societal pressure, and the evolving standards of beauty in religious and secular communities.