Fifteen years ago, Matty Dreyfuss was my first-grade student. (Well, sort of, cuz I was the assistant.) He was bright, curious, full of energy, and definitely not always the kid whose head was exactly where the rest of the class was. And I never forgot him. This year, completely out of the blue, I called him. This convo turned into a one I think every kid, teenager, parent, and teacher needs to hear. Matty talks about what it felt like growing up hearing that he had “so much potential,” getting sent out of class when he didn’t even really understand what he had done wrong, and eventually learning something that changed everything: how his own brain works. We talk about ADHD, motivation, learning differently, comparison, asking for help, connecting to Hashem, and what can happen when we stop trying so hard to become like everybody else and start understanding who we actually are. Especially as we head back into the long stretch of school, work, and routine after Yom Tov, I cannot think of a better time for this conversation. For every kid who has ever wondered, “Why is this so hard for me?” And for every adult who loves one of those kids. This one is for you. Support the show

Nobody told David Jacobowitz to become frum. He wasn’t pushed into it by anyone. He wasn’t raised that way. He was a teenager sitting in public school when something inside of him started asking: What am I doing with my life? And then he did something about it. David pushed to transfer himself into Jewish school and slowly began a journey toward Shabbos, kosher, Torah and a Yiddishkeit that he genuinely loves. But this conversation isn’t only about David becoming frum. It’s about all of us becoming baalei teshuvah. We talk about what happens when you stop trying to fit in. Why the hardest part of David’s journey wasn’t actually keeping Shabbos or kosher. What it means to see Yiddishkeit as a gift instead of a list of restrictions. And why real change usually isn’t one huge dramatic moment. It’s choosing again and again and again. As we approach Yom Kippur, David reminded me of something I desperately needed to hear: Teshuvah isn’t about becoming somebody else. It’s about coming back to the person Hashem created you to be. And yes, it’s possible. My daughter Leora and I recently released our song Possible, and its message connects so deeply to this episode: Hashem is the only One who gets to decide what you’re capable of. 🎵 Listen to Possible by Leora & Morah Tziri: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4hxKl4jah5fuATVNS57Hn6?si=7tMmyfdLRVm1mQLvd79j3A&utm source=copy-link Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/possible/6805389698?i=6805390129 YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=b4Gjc3pvrmU&si=pFIErXdWOqIbjSNq 24Six: https://24six.app/app/music/content/462084 Possible is for women and girls only. Hashem doesn’t give up on you. So don’t give up on yourself. Gmar Chasima Tova 🤍 Support the show

What happens when Morah Tziri hears EKEV singing, “I don’t need to go to space,” and decides she simply does not believe him? She calls him to find out. In this funny, thoughtful, and completely unexpected conversation, EKEV, also known as Gavriel, admits that he would absolutely love to travel to space and even dreams about the music he might create there. But the conversation quickly becomes about much more than astronauts and moon rocks. Morah Tziri and EKEV talk about where creativity comes from, what it feels like to create music for other artists, the songs people carry through difficult moments, imposter syndrome, curiosity, wonder, and learning to embrace the unique mission Hashem gives each of us. They also discover that the word “space” has followed them through the entire conversation: outer space, creative space, space to wonder, and the emotional space kids sometimes need to breathe, process, and feel what they are feeling. You do not have to travel anywhere to find Hashem. He is with you exactly where you are. And sometimes, all you need is a little space. Support the show

This episode is really special to me. You’re going to meet two girls who are both showing us what strength looks like… just in very different ways. First, you’ll meet Leahla. Right now, she’s going through treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. And the way she talks about it? The way she carries herself? It stopped me in my tracks. She’s not looking for pity. She’s not calling herself a “nebach.” Her words: “We’re not nebachs. We’re heroes.” And once you hear her explain what that means… you won’t forget it. Then you’ll meet Sari. After her baby sister spent time in the NICU, Sari realized something powerful: She doesn’t just want to learn… she wants to help. She’s already thinking about becoming a nurse one day, maybe in oncology, maybe in the NICU… and the way she talks about caring for people, really seeing them, is something every kid (and adult!) needs to hear. So this episode is about two kinds of strength: ✨ The strength to go through something hard ✨ And the strength to step up and help others through it  👉 When life gets hard… what kind of kid are you? 🎁 Sponsor + Special Features 🎢 Whee Play by SR If you’re looking to upgrade your backyard in a way your kids will actually use… this is it. Strong, safe, customizable playsets that turn your backyard into their favorite place. 👉 Check them out: https://wheesr.com/ 🎨 InKredible Kids x TYH Coloring Book Collab This is something I’m SO excited about. Every Thursday, you can print a FREE coloring book that includes: • Adorable, detailed pages • Hidden surprises • A short message from me that kids can actually read and share Here’s the fun part: Your child sends in their drawing… We choose a winner… And we turn THEM into a character in a future coloring book 🤯 👉 Download here: https://tyhnation.com/printables Support the show

This episode is such a good one — and it has two parts that  fit together perfectly. First, meet Eli — an 8-year-old from Lakewood who decided to start saying Tehillim… and then actually kept going. What started as a “we’re bored, let’s say Tehillim” moment at the kitchen table turned into something much bigger. Eli finished the whole Sefer Tehillim once, started again, lost a chart, remembered where he was up to, kept going, and is now saying Tehillim as a zechus for his grandfather, Meyer ben Tzirel Perel, who needs a refuah sheleimah. But this conversation became about so much more than Tehillim. We talked about grit — not the cereal kind — the real kind. Resilience. Endurance. Courage. Eli shares what it feels like to keep trying, even when a goal feels huge. He talks about stage fright, getting up anyway, creating skits in class, managing a bunch of third grade boys, bringing in props, costumes, fake gold coins, paper beards, and somehow making the whole thing work. Sometimes we think “big accomplishments” have to look very serious. But sometimes they look like a kid with a Tehillim chart, a creative brain, a little stage fright, a lot of ideas, and the willingness to try again. Then, in the second part of the episode, we talk about grit in a totally different way — through biking. We hear from Rami and Shuey about the upcoming TDK Junior Father-Son Bike Ride in Baltimore, and what it means to push yourself, ride together, and be part of something that is fun, challenging, and meaningful. Because grit isn’t only something you use when you’re sitting with a Tehillim chart. Sometimes grit looks like getting back on the bike. Sometimes it looks like riding a little farther than you thought you could. Sometimes it looks like a father and son doing something side by side. And sometimes it looks like a whole community showing up for something healthy, exciting, and good. My favorite part of this episode is how it reminds us that kids are not simple. A kid can be quiet and also loud. Creative and also serious. Nervous and also brave. Fun and also focused. And when kids are given space to practice all the different parts of who they are, it is incredible to watch what comes out. Thank you to this week’s sponsors: Hosiery Plus — for the basics, swim, socks, hosiery, and all the things your whole family needs. https://hosieryplus.com/ TDK Junior Bike Ride — coming up June 21! A father-son ride, family fun, and such a great Baltimore event. https://bikercholim.rallybound.org/tdkjr Whee by SR /  — for beautiful outdoor play that gets kids moving, climbing, imagining, and actually playing. https://wheesr.com/ Listen to this episode with your kids, and then ask them: What’s one big thing you could do… one small piece at a time? Support the show

This episode started with a car ride, a 24six playlist, and one song that completely took over our house. After hearing Rabbi Kalish speak about the importance of listening to the music our kids connect to, I decided to follow my daughters’ lead into the world of this generation’s music… and it led me to Zevi. In this powerful conversation, Zevi shares: • how one audition changed his life • the story behind “Push a Little Harder” • how music can reveal emotions we don’t always know how to say out loud • what “celebrate the love and fear” really means • and why sometimes the biggest victory is simply realizing you have something meaningful to share with the world We also talk about grit, vulnerability, creativity, fear, confidence, and why today’s music might actually be revealing something very deep about this generation. Thank you to our amazing sponsors for helping us continue creating meaningful content and conversations for kids and families. 🛝WheePlay by SR: WheePlay by SR — The best play sets for your backyard!!  🚲TDK Jr: TDK Jr — Sign up for this father/son epic bike ride on June 21!! Support the show

When people first met Miriam Mintz A”H, they noticed how little she was. It did not take long to realize how truly huge she was. Miriam lived with extraordinary confidence and independence. She learned to drive, earned her master’s degree, became a special educator, got married, and built real, lasting relationships with the people around her. She devoted her life to helping children who struggled with reading, but what she gave them went far beyond the skills inside a book. She taught them to believe: I can, even when it’s hard. Believe in yourself, no matter what. Always smile and keep a positive attitude. In this episode, Morah Tziri speaks with Yossi Goldman, one of Miriam’s former students. Yossi has dyslexia, and reading has never come easily to him. But just 1 day before this conversation, after months of hard work, he stood at his Bar Mitzvah and read the entire parsha from the Torah. Miriam was not physically there to see it. But everything she taught him was. We also hear from Miriam’s brother, Naftali Fink, about the confidence, emunah, strength, and purpose that shaped her life. And Miriam’s young niece Shana shares her own sweet memories of an aunt who taught her, played with her, believed in her, and made her feel deeply loved. This conversation is for every child who struggles with something, every parent trying to see the possibilities inside their child, and every teacher who may never fully know how far the lessons inside their classroom will travel. You can take a break. You can ask for help. You can struggle. And you can still do things you once thought were impossible. This episode was sponsored by Naftali and Kayla Fink and family, l’ilui nishmas Miriam Mintz A”H. May her neshama have an aliyah, and may her beautiful legacy continue through every child who learns to believe in themselves. Mentioned in this episode Until Someday, the new InKredible Kids Tisha B’Av family film: https://ikfilm.org Whee Play by SR, premium playsets designed for years of backyard fun: https://wheesr.com Explore more from InKredible Kids: https://inkrediblekids.org Support the show

In this episode of the InKredible Kids Podcast, you’re going to meet two InKredible kids, Shira and Noah, who both live with diabetes — and you’ll see how the same challenge can look completely different for different people. You’ll hear Shira explain what diabetes actually means in a calm, kid-friendly way. She talks about pumps, beeps, carbs, school, camp, and learning how to manage something big — without letting it define who she is. Then you’ll meet Noah, who brings you right into his world of sports, recess, and real-life moments where diabetes shows up at the most inconvenient times. From getting pulled out of a football game to dealing with beeping devices and juice breaks, Noah shares what it’s really like — with honesty, humor, and heart. This episode is not just for kids who have diabetes. This episode is for you if: • you’re dealing with any kind of challenge • you want to be a better friend • you’re curious about what other kids might be going through • or you need the reminder that you are not your diagnosis As you listen, you’ll learn: • how challenges don’t define you • how technology can help — but courage matters too • how asking “Are you okay?” can make a big difference • and how being a good friend doesn’t mean fixing — it means showing up Shira and Noah show you that you can live a full, fun, meaningful life — even when something hard is part of your story. 💛 Help Spread the InKredible If this episode meant something to you: • share it with a friend, classmate, or family member • follow and rate the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts • tell others about the InKredible Kids Podcast Putting together episodes like this takes many hours of planning, interviewing, and editing — and sharing is the biggest way you help keep this going. Dedication opportunities are available. If you want to dedicate an episode, email [email protected]. If you want to be part of a future storytime episode, head to inkrediblekids.org and click Future Episodes. Thanks for listening — and never forget: You are an InKredible Kid. 💙 Support the show

In this episode, Morah Tziri speaks with two truly InKredible Kids. Chaim is a 12-year-old Team Lifeline runner who has already completed the Miami Half Marathon three times. He’s funny, full of energy, and has a message for every kid listening: no one is too young to make a difference. Then, in a surprise twist, Chaim gets to reconnect with Azzi, a boy he met at the marathon, who inspires him deeply. Azzi shares about music, Camp Simcha, life in a wheelchair, and how he faces challenges with simcha and emunah. One runs. One sings. Both keep going. Thank you to our sponsor, WheePlay by SR. Check them out at wheesr.com. New InKredible Kids x TYH Nation coloring sheets are available every Thursday at tyhnation.com. For a whole world of resources for your kids, head to inkrediblekids.org now. Be sure to sign up for our email so you never miss new content and live programs. For sponsorships, ads, collaborations, or  bookings: [email protected] And remember: You are all inkredible kids. Support the show