In this episode of The None of Your Business Podcast, Michael and Ushy are joined by actor, podcaster, and Jewish advocate Jonah Platt for an open and thoughtful conversation about identity, purpose, and taking up space. Jonah shares his journey from Broadway and Hollywood, including his time in Wicked and Jewish projects like Menorah in the Middle, to becoming the host of his own podcast, Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. He talks about how October 7th reshaped his focus, why staying quiet has never protected us, and why Jewish visibility, dignity, and self respect matter now more than ever. The discussion touches on antisemitism in Hollywood and online, the pressure many Jews feel to keep their heads down, and the importance of unity across different levels of observance. Jonah also reflects on Jewish summer camp, intentional parenting, philanthropy, and what it means to live Jewishly in everyday life. This episode blends humor, honesty, and uncomfortable truths into a conversation that goes far beyond fame or labels. It is about choosing meaning, leaning into identity, and being unapologetically authentic in a complicated world. 00:00 Welcome to The None of Your Business Podcast 02:15 Meeting Jonah Platt and why this conversation matters 05:30 Jewish leadership, philanthropy, and the work of the JDC 10:10 Hostages, visibility, and the cost of being thrust into the spotlight 13:30 From Hollywood to Broadway and landing Wicked 18:45 Fame, fulfillment, and being a “J list celebrity” 22:10 Menorah in the Middle and telling Jewish stories on screen 25:40 October 7th and the shift from reacting to leading 30:10 Launching Being Jewish with Jonah Platt 34:45 Creating a safe space to talk honestly about Jewish identity 39:30 Jewish summer camp and building identity early 43:50 Intentional parenting and raising the next generation Jewishly 47:30 Silence versus visibility and why keeping your head down does not work 52:10 Unity across observance and breaking down Jewish silos 56:40 “They don’t like us when we’re small or when we’re big” 59:50 Authenticity, self respect, and taking up space 1:03:30 Choosing meaning over applause 1:06:45 Final reflections on purpose, pride, and being unapologetically yourself Episode Sponsor: ► Prime Source This episode is powered by Prime Source, the partner senior care facilities trust for real savings and smarter spending. With years of industry experience, Prime Source guides operators to use best-practice purchasing methods, identify hidden opportunities, and stretch every dollar without compromising care. For a free spend analysis, call 877-8PRIME8 or visit https://www.primesourcex.com

In our second episode of the "None of Your Business" podcast, we're joined by our friend and co-host, Heshy Kleiman, a seasoned operator of skilled nursing and adult daycare centers in New Jersey. Heshy's laid-back, positive attitude and transparency add a unique flavor to our discussion. We dive into the world of sports, exploring Heshy's idea of changing the rules to keep games more interesting, and finding out if Ushy agrees. We also discuss the good, bad, and ugly of hiring people or using vendors from within your community. Amidst these topics, we share fun personal stories, like how Michael’s friends helped fund a weekend getaway Bar Mitzvah and Ushy's deep love for sports and his son. Staying true to our theme of positivity and happiness, we share candid thoughts that might be none of anyone's business—but hey, that's the name of the podcast! Tune in for lively discussions, real-life stories, and practical takeaways. Subscribe now and join our journey towards continuous growth and happiness! 00:00 Making an Impact: Going Beyond for Customers 00:47 Introducing the Podcast and Special Cohost 01:27 Dealing with Critics and Staying Positive 03:00 Heshy's Generosity and Pool House 17:08 Coaching Kids: Challenges and Rewards 27:43 Navigating Friendships and Business 32:35 Navigating Business Relationships 33:28 Balancing Friendships and Business 34:24 Vendor Loyalty and Service Quality 35:45 The Impact of Personal Gestures in Business 36:47 The Importance of Relationships in Business 39:26 The Car Hoarding Habit 42:10 Anxiety and Its Manifestations 44:32 Concerns About the Judicial System 46:27 The Rise of Divisiveness and Anti-Semitism 59:25 Choosing a Career Path 01:04:09 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

In this episode of None Of Your Business Podcast, Michael and Ushy sit down with Major Joshua Zager a former U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot who now flies for United Airlines. Joshua shares his journey from a teenage dream of serving Israel, to flying combat missions after 9/11, to navigating faith, leadership, and responsibility in both military and civilian life. The conversation touches on elite training, the emotional weight of high-stakes decisions, keeping Shabbat while flying commercially, and the realities of transitioning from war zones to the airline industry. None Of Your Business is a podcast about growth learning from people who’ve been through real journeys. We explore where they started, what they’re building now, and how they think about what’s ahead. No scripts. No filters. Just real stories, real lessons, and perspectives you can grow with. Episode Sponsor: ►Prime Source This episode is powered by Prime Source, the partner senior care facilities trust for real savings and smarter spending. With years of industry experience, Prime Source guides operators to use best-practice purchasing methods, identify hidden opportunities, and stretch every dollar without compromising care. For a free spend analysis, call 877-8PRIME8 or visit https://www.primesourcex.com

Join us on the None of Your Business podcast as we delve into an engaging conversation with Rabbi Aaron Spivak, an author, former elementary school teacher, and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. In this first part of a two-part series, Rabbi Spivak recounts his transition from being a fifth-grade Rebbe to becoming a therapist. The discussion navigates the complexities of Jewish education, personal values, mental health, and the educational challenges within Hasidic and ultra-Orthodox communities. Key topics include guilt, self-worth, the balance of religious and secular studies, and the necessity of modern educational approaches. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:36 Getting to Know Rabbi Spivak 01:10 Rabbi Spivak's Teaching Journey 03:46 Transitioning from Teaching to Therapy 06:11 Challenges in the Education System 07:57 Career Guidance for Rabbaim 15:12 Ethical Dilemmas in Career Transitions 30:52 Personal Reflections and Jewish Guilt 32:29 Understanding Jewish Guilt 33:02 Therapeutic Approaches to Guilt 34:14 The Impact of Guilt on Daily Life 37:04 Creating a Guilt-Free Environment 39:42 Personal Reflections on Guilt 43:05 The Role of Therapy in Overcoming Guilt 55:23 Educational Challenges in Orthodox Communities 01:07:53 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions

In this unforgettable episode of the None of Your Business Podcast, we sit down with legendary Jewish composer Yossi Green. From his first melody created on a broken piano in a London attic to over 1,000 songs composed for Jewish music stars all around the world, Yossi reveals the stories, emotions, and divine moments behind his greatest hits. We explore his views on favorite compositions, ChatGPT’s take on his career, and how a song 20 years in the making became a chart-topper. Plus, Yossi shares powerful insights from Shlomo Carlebach that reshaped his perspective on Yom Kippur, and dives into the lesser-known business side of Jewish music, including royalties, copyrights, and the challenges of monetization in the streaming era. 00:00 - The 20 Year Song / Introduction and First Song 00:39 - Introduction to Yossi Green 01:53 - ChatGPT's Take on Yossi Green 06:20 - The Creative Process 40:09 - The Business of Jewish Music 82:19 - Appreciation for All Music 105:23 - Closing Thoughts and Future Guest

Discover the story behind Liraz Zeira, a man shaped by war, faith, resilience, curiosity, and an unwavering search for truth. In this fascinating, emotional, and deeply inspiring episode of the None of Your Business Podcast, Michael sits down with Liraz to explore a life that has taken him from elite Israeli military service, to years of spiritual searching across India, China, and Southeast Asia, to becoming a Chabad rabbi, educator, and community leader in the heart of Jerusalem. Raised in Israel with a remarkable family history stretching back to pre-state Israel and Holocaust survivors, Liraz shares stories of serving in one of the Israeli army's most elite units, witnessing the Gaza disengagement firsthand, and spending years searching for meaning through Buddhism, Hinduism, meditation, philosophy, and life on the road before unexpectedly finding himself pulled back toward Judaism. The conversation explores identity, purpose, suffering, resilience, marriage, parenting, leadership, spirituality, and the difference between sadness and growth. Liraz offers a unique perspective on how life's most difficult moments can become opportunities for transformation, a philosophy that would later be tested in ways few people can imagine. The episode also dives into the realities of reserve duty in Israel, the aftermath of October 7th, serving for months inside Gaza and Syria, balancing family life with military responsibility, and the life-changing injury that cost him both legs during a mission just days before returning home. Yet somehow, despite everything, this conversation is filled with hope, humor, gratitude, and an extraordinary outlook on life. Today, Liraz and his family run one of Jerusalem's most impactful Chabad campus centers, serving thousands of students and creating a home away from home for young people searching for connection, community, and meaning. One thing that becomes clear throughout this conversation is that while many people know Liraz because of his injury, that story is only a small chapter in a much larger journey. This episode is ultimately about perspective, purpose, faith, and what it means to keep moving forward even when life changes in an instant.

For 45 years, Zev Brenner has been one of the most recognizable voices in Jewish media, interviewing presidents, prime ministers, rabbis, activists, and controversial public figures. In this episode of the None of Your Business Podcast, Michael Greenfield turns the microphone around on Zev to hear the stories behind his career in Jewish radio, politics, journalism, and live broadcasting. Zev shares behind-the-scenes stories from interviewing Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mikhail Gorbachev, Al Sharpton, and others, while reflecting on controversial interviews, community scandals, abuse, scams, free speech, and the evolution of Jewish media from radio to YouTube. A fascinating conversation about journalism, politics, Jewish media, and what Zev has learned after 45 years of asking tough question

In this vibrant episode of the None of Your Business podcast, Ushy embarks on a solo journey while his co-host, Michael, is away in Israel. Accompanied by his friends, Al Tenenbaum and Maier Arm, the trio dives into various topics ranging from business ventures and personal growth to an unquenchable love for golf. While Al shares insights on managing a family-owned mechanical contracting business, Maier opens up about running his ABA therapy company, dedicated to helping children with autism. The conversation oscillates between business strategies, personal anecdotes, and their mutual obsession with golf. The guests discuss the most beautiful courses they've played on, their highest scores, and recall memorable games with famous personalities. They also touch on deeper subjects like therapy, life's challenges, and the importance of having a support system. This episode offers a rich blend of humor, wisdom, and heartfelt moments, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in business, personal development, or the sport of golf. 00:00 Intro 00:35 Welcome to the None of Your Business Podcast 02:37 Introducing Special Guests: Al and Mayer 04:53 Mayer's Journey into ABA Therapy 11:05 Al's Family Business in Mechanical Contracting 17:29 Lightning Round: Golf Questions 20:56 Golfing with Celebrities 32:32 Bucket List Golf Destinations 35:01 The Exclusive World of YSV 35:22 Navigating Golf Club Memberships 35:58 The Prestige of Pine Valley 36:40 Golf Etiquette and Pet Peeves 39:43 Personal Growth and Golf 47:21 The Importance of Therapy 55:38 Balancing Golf and Family Life 01:04:53 Parenting and Personal Development 01:14:17 Finding Balance in Life and Golf 01:14:27 A Group Project for Personal Growth 01:15:16 The Importance of Outreach 01:17:27 Debating Happiness and Wealth 01:19:53 The Golf Obsession 01:33:54 Reflecting on Personal Addictions 01:39:18 The Impact of Golf on Relationships 01:43:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of None of Your Business, Michael and Ushy sit down with Yaakov Langer one of the most influential voices in Jewish media and the creative force behind Living Lchaim, Kosher Money, and Inspiration for the Nation. Yaakov shares his journey from Flatbush to building a media empire, the challenges and rewards of podcasting, the importance of staying true to your mission, and the power of storytelling in the Jewish community. The conversation covers everything from the business of content creation, handling criticism, and the value of authenticity, to the lighter side of superhero fandom and the best pizza in Brooklyn. Plus, practical advice for aspiring podcasters and a candid look at the future of Jewish digital content. 00:00 - Introduction & Yaakov Langer’s YouTube Journey 00:21 - Welcome Back: Hosts and Guest Intros 01:40 - Becoming the Biggest Jewish YouTube Channel 05:41 - Handling Fame and Audience Reactions 09:15 - Dealing with Hate and Antisemitism Online 13:48 - Yaakov’s Upbringing and Early Influences 18:00 - The Start of Content Creation: WhatsApp to Podcasts 22:00 - Building a Brand and Making a Living 27:00 - The Meaningful People Podcast Era 32:00 - Splitting Up and Starting New Shows 36:00 - The Power of Niche and Podcast Growth 41:00 - Inspiration, Impact, and Favorite Guests 46:00 - Monetization, Sponsors, and Staying Authentic 51:00 - Podcasting Challenges & Audience Feedback 56:00 - Advice for Aspiring Podcasters 59:00 - Guest Recommendations & Networking 1:03:00 - Reflections, Critiques, and Closing Thoughts 1:06:00 - Wrap Up & Final Messages Twillory (Official Sponsor) Upgrade your wardrobe with Twillory’s performance dress shirts and everyday essentials. Whether you're heading to the office or a simcha, Twillory keeps you looking sharp without sacrificing comfort. Shop at https://twillory.com