What happens when a Shliach builds a tool that ends up helping hundreds of other Shluchim around the world? In this episode of the Trust and Curiosity Podcast, Shmuly Rothman sits down with Rabbi Kushi Schusterman, founder of Chabad Force, to explore how an unexpected opportunity to help fellow Shluchim evolved into a service supporting communities around the world. Rabbi Kushi shares insights on balancing local Shlichus with broader impact, using technology intentionally, and creating systems that help Shluchim stay focused on people rather than software. He discusses leadership, delegation, fundraising, and the importance of building practical keilim while remaining focused on the mission. This conversation offers a thoughtful perspective on growth, responsibility, and how helping others can strengthen your own Shlichus. Learn more here: https://livaveinu.com

What happens when you fully step into the person HaShem created you to be? In this conversation, Shmuly Rothman sits down with Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman, founder of Chabad Intown and mentor to Shluchim around the world, to discuss leadership, fundraising, personal growth, and the inner work required to build impactful institutions. Eliyahu shares formative experiences from his childhood, lessons learned from Rabbi Berel Lazar, and the realities of leading and growing a Chabad organization over decades. He explains why fundraising, team building, and organizational growth are deeply connected to personal development and why external success often follows internal transformation. The conversation explores how insecurities, fears, and self-limiting beliefs can quietly shape decision-making, and how leaders can develop the confidence to move forward despite uncertainty. Eliyahu emphasizes that the work of a Shliach is not only to build programs and institutions, but also to continually grow as a person. If you want to become a stronger leader, build a healthier organization, and deepen your impact in Shlichus, this episode offers powerful insights and practical wisdom.

Many Shluchim search for the right strategy, structure, or model to succeed. In this conversation, Shmuly Rothman sits down with Rabbi Peretz Chein to explore a deeper truth. Real impact begins within, by accessing and living from your Pnimis. Peretz shares how M54 was developed to help Shluchim move beyond comparison and imitation, and instead uncover their unique path in Avoda and Shlichus. While access to Torah and Chassidus has never been greater, the real challenge is integration, applying those ideas in a way that is personal, lived, and real. The conversation highlights a powerful shift. A shliach’s effectiveness is shaped by understanding their own Makom, their unique strengths, and their specific mission, and fully stepping into it. They also explore the transformative power of Farbrengen. Through authentic conversation and guided internal exploration, individuals can access clarity, connection, and growth, even in environments where this approach is unfamiliar. This episode offers a lens on Shlichus that starts from within and expands outward into meaningful impact. Learn more about Rabbi Peretz Chein here: M54 Program: https://www.jotform.com/251868965643272 Let’s Farbreng!: https://m54.org/letsfarbreng Purchase on Amazon https://a.co/d/02CF7tlj #Shluchim #Chabad #Shlichus #ChabadShluchim #JewishLeadership

In this conversation, Shmuly Rothman sits down with Rabbi Eli Kaminetzky, shliach in Taos, New Mexico, to explore how one challenge in local Shlichus became a scalable solution for Shluchim everywhere. Eli shares the story behind ConnectYid, a system and app developed to help organize outreach, maintain relationships, and ensure that no Yid is forgotten. What began as manually tracking visits, addresses, follow-ups, and connection frequency evolved into a platform that allows Shluchim and volunteers to work together more efficiently and intentionally. The conversation explores an important tension in modern Shlichus: how to balance meaningful personal connection with growing complexity and limited time. Eli explains why outreach must move beyond one-time touchpoints and become a process of sustained engagement that continues long after Matzah deliveries, Chanukah visits, or holiday programs. Shmuly and Eli also discuss the role of systems, volunteers, and technology in making the Rebbe’s vision practical and scalable. They reflect on the idea that the tools available today are opportunities to expand reach, deepen connection, and unlock greater impact in Shlichus. This episode is an inspiring look at what becomes possible when Shlichus, creativity, and technology work together in the service of reaching every Yid.

What happens when a Shliach approaches fundraising with the mindset of a teacher instead of a salesperson? In this conversation, Shmuly Rothman sits down with Rabbi Elazar Green to explore fundraising, Shlichus, personal growth, and the deeper meaning behind supporting fellow Shluchim. Elazar shares how years of serving a small Chabad on Campus led him to develop practical fundraising systems and consulting frameworks that now support dozens of Chabad Houses around the world. The conversation explores the emotional side of coaching and consulting, including the pressure of helping Shluchim navigate financial responsibility while carrying the weight of their communities. Elazar explains why he originally resisted becoming a coach and how his approach evolved into a hands-on partnership model focused on implementation, accountability, and real-world execution. Shmuly and Elazar also discuss the connection between helping fellow Shluchim and strengthening Hiskashrus to the Rebbe. Elazar reflects on how exposure to Shluchim across the globe deepened his appreciation for the Rebbe’s vision and helped him recognize the extraordinary impact ordinary Shluchim are having every single day. The episode also dives into entrepreneurship within Shlichus, the importance of maintaining personal passion and “Nachas fun zich,” and why Shluchim must continue building, creating, and expanding instead of remaining stagnant. Throughout the conversation, Elazar emphasizes that fundraising and organizational growth become far more effective when systems are simplified, practical, and actionable. This episode is a thoughtful and honest discussion about growth, responsibility, leadership, and the privilege of helping build the Rebbe’s vision one Shliach at a time. Learn more about his services here: growgelt.com/contact

What keeps a Shliach moving forward when the pressure is heavy, the expectations are high, and the road feels overwhelming? In this conversation, Shmuly Rothman sits down with Rabbi Mendel Duchman, founder of Padyom and longtime supporter of Shluchim worldwide, to explore the mindset, energy, and responsibility behind helping others grow. Mendel shares how his years on Shlichus shaped his understanding of the emotional and practical struggles many Shluchim face, especially around fundraising and leadership. He explains why “Padyom” means more than motivation. It means refusing to stay stuck and continuing to move forward no matter the challenge. The discussion also explores the role of intuition, resilience, and personal responsibility in leadership. Mendel opens up about moments of exhaustion, breakthrough, and the Nachas that comes from helping Shluchim expand their impact in communities around the world. If you are looking for clarity, encouragement, and practical perspective on growth in Shlichus, this episode offers both inspiration and direction. Learn more about Padyom here: https://padyom.com

In this conversation, Shmuly Rothman sits down with Tzviki Krasnjansky to unpack what actually drives fundraising success. It is a mindset. Tzviki shares how his coaching journey evolved from working with bochurim to supporting shluchim worldwide. The pattern is consistent. The biggest obstacle is internal. Fear of rejection, discomfort with money, and lack of confidence in communication. This episode breaks down how overcoming those internal limitations leads to real growth. When a shliach shifts from hesitation to confidence and from doubt to bitachon, conversations improve, opportunities expand, and results follow. You will also learn how the environment shapes behavior, and why courage is the real driver of success.If you want to improve your fundraising, communicate with more confidence, and expand your impact, this episode delivers a clear shift in how to think and act. To learn more about Tzviki’s coaching, visithttps://coachingbytzviki.com/.

Many people view fundraising as a technical skill. Marc Pitman sees it as something far deeper. In this conversation, Shmuly Rothman sits down with Marc Pitman to explore the approach, communication, and spiritual principles behind effective fundraising. Marc reflects on his journey from studying Jewish relations and leadership to becoming a respected fundraising coach working with Shluchim today. The discussion revisits a defining moment from one of Marc’s early fundraising boot camps for Shluchim, where a question about donor rejection transformed into a powerful conversation about HaShem as the true provider. That moment became a turning point for many attendees, helping them move from feelings of embarrassment and limitation toward confidence, dignity, and purpose in fundraising. Marc also shares how learning from the Rebbe’s teachings, Tanya, Hayom Yom, and years of interaction with Shluchim have shaped his own worldview and spiritual growth. He explains why fundraising can become a powerful catalyst for personal growth when leaders fully believe in their mission and recognize the value they bring to the world. The conversation also explores a practical challenge many Shluchim face: communicating impact to donors. Marc explains why donors respond more deeply to emotional clarity and meaningful stories than to raw numbers and reports alone. This episode is a thoughtful exploration of fundraising, identity, leadership, and the privilege of supporting Shlichus with confidence and joy. Guest: Marc A. Pitman, CSP®, is an internationally recognized fundraising coach and nonprofit leadership trainer. For more than twenty years, he has been equipping nonprofit boards and staff with the confidence and skills to ask for major gifts without fear. He is the founder of FundraisingCoach.com, one of the longest-running blogs in the nonprofit sector, hailed by The Atlantic as “1 of 5 philanthropic blogs fundraisers need to read.”

What drives a person to give generously, consistently, and with genuine joy? In this conversation, Shmuly Rothman sits down with Sruli Schochet to explore the mindset, faith, and responsibility behind meaningful Tzedakah. Sruli shares how Emunah and Bitachon shape his approach to money, giving, and business, and why true trust in Hashem changes the way a person views wealth entirely. The discussion dives into the emotional and practical realities of fundraising from the perspective of the giver. Sruli explains how donors process requests, why intuition often plays a role in deciding how much to give, and how the Yetzer Hara can sometimes disguise itself as “rational thinking” when generosity is being challenged. Sruli also breaks down the three categories through which he approaches Tzedakah: obligation, protection, and inspiration. He explains why certain projects resonate more deeply with donors and how Shluchim can communicate their mission in a way that creates emotional connection and long-term impact. This episode is a powerful exploration of generosity, trust, dignity, and the eternal impact of supporting Shlichus.