In this Shovavim special, I sat down with marriage coach Aaron Zakowski for a direct and practical conversation about what it really means to be a Jewish husband and father in today’s world. We talk about: Why emotional safety matters as much as financial stability The mistake many men make when they try to “fix” instead of listen How long work hours affect marriage—and what actually helps Why your value as a Jewish man does not come from your paycheck What most chassan classes don’t prepare you for How marriage changes at different stages of life Stress, self-esteem, and why men need support too Creating closeness at home without needing more time in the day Resources Aaron on Instagram Beyond The Chassan Class (Webinar) Shalom Bayis Daily (Whatsapp Group) You can reach Aaron at [email protected]

What does real success look like when you’re trying to stay grounded as a Ben Torah? In this episode of Shtark Tank, I sat down with Laizer Kornwasser — CEO of DrFirst, professor at Yeshiva University, and Chairman of NCSY — for a wide-ranging conversation about ambition, pressure, leadership, and the Torah ideas that shape how we show up at work and in life. Laizer shares stories from investment banking and the C-suite, including how he learned to earn his “seat at the table” through facts, results, and humility. We talk about drawing clear lines when work clashes with Shabbos, why most people aren’t cut out for investment banking, and how to define success in a way that protects your priorities. Then we shift into a deep dive on the Altar of Slabodka: Gadlus HaAdam, EQ vs IQ, gratitude, and the power of seeing each person as an individual with real potential. And yes — we get into the now-famous practice: why Laizer handwrites 1,000 New Year’s cards and sends personal thank-you messages one-by-one, and what it teaches about hakaras hatov, relationships, and leadership. In this episode, we cover: Why investment banking is “not cut out for most people” What “success” really means when you’re trying to grow in Yiddishkeit The importance of knowing your line in the sand (and not crossing it) A real story: a CEO tried to push Shabbos boundaries — and Laizer’s response “Facts, not emotion”: how to communicate with different personalities The Altar of Slabodka’s approach to building people, not just teaching Torah EQ as a Jewish leadership skill, not just a business buzzword Why Laizer sends personal thank-yous instead of mass messages Chesed that actually changes you (not just “check-writing”) If you got value from this episode, please take 10 seconds to subscribe and leave a 5-star rating — it helps more people find the show.

A few weeks ago, we quietly passed the 50-episode milestone of Shtark Tank, but today, we're finally taking a moment to celebrate this achievement with a special episode. In this reflective episode, I step out of my comfort zone as the host and into the guest seat to share the story of this rapidly growing podcast and a bit about my own journey. Hosting today’s conversation is Rav Efrem Goldberg, Rabbi of Boca Raton Synagogue and host of the Behind the Bima podcast. Join us for a look back at the journey so far and the lessons learned along the way. Join Our Whatsapp Group! If you enjoy Shtark Tank, you don't want to miss our Quiet Whatsapp group, which includes updates, exclusive bonus content and more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here to join.⁠⁠⁠

Balabatish Questions is a 4-part series about the mindest of being a Ben Torah in the workforce, co-hosted by Yaakov Wolff and Zevy Reinitz. The first Balabatish question: Why is "Bahlabus" a dirty word in many Batei Midrash? And why does it matter? Tune in for a conversation about the Mitzvah of Talmud Torah, the psychology of identity, and more! Thank you to the Iyun Institute for sponsoring this series. Check out their website, subscribe to their email list, and listen to their brand new podcast, for hard hitting analysis of the Haredi Draft debate and more. Do you want more Shtark Tank in your life? Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shtark Tank Quiet Whatsapp Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive bonus content! If you have any sort of feedback, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate! You can reach me by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

This week on Shtark Tank, we’re opening the mailbag to dive into the conversations, questions, and insights sparked by our recent episodes. We explore what it really means to be an eved Hashem , a professional , and a family man in a fast-paced world. In this episode, we discuss: The "Millstone" of Marriage: Does our Avodas Hashem fundamentally change once we have families? We look at the Gemara in Kiddushin about learning before vs. after marriage. Work as a "Calling": Is the idea of self-fulfillment at work a modern invention? We trace the sources from the Chovas HaLevavos to modern corporate culture. Savoring the Steak: Why we should treat a line of Gemara like a juicy steak and how to handle the stress of "not learning enough" in a vast sea of Torah. Torah as an Antidote: A deep dive into the Netziv on why the Torah critiques Yosef’s beauty and how geshmak learning is the ultimate protection against the yetzer hara. The AI Future: If AI takes over our jobs, will we actually have the focus to "study God" all day? The Aliyah Struggle: Facing the "rational" vs. "emotional" challenges of making the move to Israel. Support the Show:If you enjoyed this episode, please hit Subscribe and leave a 5-star review—it helps us reach more listeners like you!

This special episode of Shtark Tank is a live recording from our third community event—and the first ever live podcast-style conversation. Recorded at the beautiful DLA Piper offices in Tel Aviv, the room was full of professionals, Bnei Torah, and thoughtful seekers, all gathered to explore a question at the heart of both our Jewish identity and our working lives: What does it mean to be free? We were honored to host Rabbi David Lapin, whose Torah, business experience, and wisdom challenged our assumptions about freedom, slavery, technology, work, and what really defines success. Together, we unpack: Why "freedom from" isn’t enough—and how Torah gives us freedom to rise above instinct The hidden cost of entertainment and escapism How Kiddush Hashem shows up at work—and why restraint is more powerful than reaction What Viktor Frankl teaches us about agency in the workplace How Shabbos might be our last line of defense in a distracted world Whether you were there in person or are tuning in from your commute, we invite you to join this deep, practical conversation about the kind of inner freedom that can transform your life—from the boardroom to the beis medrash. Stay In Touch There's more to Shtark Tank than just a podcast. Check out ShtarkTank.org and subscrive for meaningful blog posts. You can also check out our Quiet Whatsapp group, which includes updates, exclusive bonus content and more. You will also get the chance to submit questions for the show itself. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here to join. Special thanks to DLA Piper for graciously hosting. This event was sponsored in memory of Shlomo David Ben Reuven Stanley Cohen z”l, by his son Simon Cohen. Also dedicated to the memory of Yehudit Shlomit bat Breina a”h Like what you hear?Please rate, review, and share Shtark Tank with a friend. It helps us reach more Bnei Torah in the workplace—and beyond. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:18 Understanding Slavery and Freedom for professionals 09:49 Finding Spirituality in a Busy Life 14:52 Engaging with Torah: Quality Over Quantity 17:43 Freedom and Entertainment: A Double-Edged Sword 25:03 Mastering Impulses: The Power of Restraint 26:30 Audience Questions 31:50 The Importance of Responsibility and Boundaries 32:32 Shabbos: A Sanctuary in a Busy World 38:16 The Interplay of Restrictions and Freedom in Judaism

With Yom HaShoah coming up this week, I sat down with Lawrence Burian, the COO of LIV Golf and the son of a Holocaust survivor. Before joining LIV Golf, Lawrence held a number of senior positions at the Madison Square Garden Company, the group behind the MSG Arena, the Knicks, the Rangers, MSG Network, and more. We spoke about his career, his father’s story, and how the two deeply interact. We also discussed Lawrence’s family’s involvement in Holocaust remembrance efforts, what Holocaust education should look like in 2025, and what it means to carry legacy into boardrooms, classrooms, and Jewish homes. This is a conversation about memory—but also mission.About trauma—but also strength.About Jewish identity that doesn't just survive—but builds. Topics we explore: Growing up as the son of a survivor—and what that taught Lawrence about purpose and pressure The power of showing up proudly Jewish in high-stakes rooms Lessons from a 13-year-old in Auschwitz that still echo in today’s leadership decisions Why Holocaust education needs to shift from trauma to relevance October 7th, antisemitism, and why “never again” has to mean action—not slogans Mentioned in this episode: A Boy From Bustina by Andrew Burian z”l (Order here – all proceeds go to Yad Vashem)Lessons From Our Parents Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl The Choice – Edith Eger Subscribe to our newsletter at shtarktank.org for more from working Bnei Torah around the world. Join our quiet whatsapp group for episode updates, event invites and exclusive bonus content. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:51 Lawrence's Journey in the Sports Industry 06:53 Andrew Burian z"l, Lawrence's father 16:00 Navigating Identity and Responsibility 21:54 Contrasting Generations: From Trauma to Success 25:00 Engaging the Next Generation in Holocaust Education 33:47 Reflections Post October 7th 39:45 Lightning Round: Personal Insights and Reflections

What the Pesach Story Teaches About Justice, Dignity, and Purpose in the Workplace This special bonus episode is for all the busy bnei Torah out there — whether you're scrubbing your kitchen, running errands, or on the road for Yom Tov. We know how hectic things get before Pesach, and sitting down to read a dvar Torah isn’t always realistic. That’s why we’re bringing you the audio version of a new essay posted on shtarktank.org — so you can prepare for the chag while on the move. In this episode, we explore: What Yetzias Mitzrayim teaches us about navigating the workplace How to carry values like justice, dignity, and purpose into our careers Why this story isn’t just ancient history — it’s a blueprint for how we show up today Read the original, and more, at: shtarktank.org Please sign up so that you don't miss future essays! Part of our new series of written divrei Torah from working bnei Torah — listeners and past guests of the show — The Write Way.

We recorded a regular Shtark Tank conversation with Tuvia Eisenman—about sales, chessed, and life in Israel. Then the war broke out. Tuvia was called back to reserve duty, and he joins us now from his IDF base with an emergency update. He walks us through the past few days, shares what it’s like on the ground in the Jordan Valley, and offers powerful reflections on what soldiers and their families are facing right now. After the update, we return to the original conversation, recorded just days earlier. Tuvia shares how a yeshivish kid from Passaic ended up serving in the IDF, building a sales career in Israel, and using those skills to raise millions for nonprofits around the world. We talk about the art of listening—how it drives both sales and parenting—and how he balances intense frontline experiences with raising a family and living a life of purpose. We also dive into the world of nonprofit marketing and fundraising. Tuvia offers a frank take on why most campaigns fall flat, how organizations can do better, and why peer-to-peer giving—though messy and personal—is actually one of the frum community’s greatest strengths.

From our very first episode, writing has been a steady theme here at Shtark Tank. Over the past two episodes, we got amazing feedback about the banker who wrote world-famous sefarim and Abie Rotenberg, who not only composed legendary music but also published sefarim—on top of his day job. This week, we’re continuing that thread and talking about writing divrei Torah. But before we get into it, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new website: shtarktank.org! It features writing by Bnei Torah in the workforce—real, thoughtful Torah from people balancing work and avodas Hashem. Head over there and drop your email so you don’t miss a post. This week we’re joined by Reuven Kirschner—a systems implementor at a tech company with a ton going on beyond his 9-to-5. He recently published a sefer called Groovin’ to the Torah, and he’s one of the founding members of the growing community in Karmei Gat. We talk about motivation, time management and more. You can check Reuven out on LinkedIn, and don't forget to check out his podcast, Career Canvas. Chapters 00:00 Introduction, Personal Background, Career Development 08:48 The Writing Journey 19:50 Carmei Gat: A New Chapter in Life 41:56 Time Management Strategies and Lightning Round