Deep Meaningful Conversations

Episode 79: Frum Minimalism with Ellie Azerad

In response to today’s oversaturated consumerist society, the pendulum has swung and Minimalism is a thing. A minimalist lifestyle involves intentionally living with fewer possessions, focusing on what truly matters and rejecting unnecessary clutter and consumerism to achieve simplicity and intentionality. While trending in the secular world, can Minimalism be adapted to the frum lifestyle? Ellie Azerad, founder of Frum Minimalism, argues yes. She also believes that principles of minimalism reflect Torah values. Ellie teaches frum women how to simplify their lives so they can live life to the fullest. And she’s joined us on this DMC to give us the lowdown – and amazing stories – of how mindful decluttering and shifting your mindset about possessions can have transformative effects. 

On this episode, we discuss:

• The definition of minimalism

• How it’s trending in the secular world and where it’s coming from

• “Frum minimalism” and how it compares

• Minimalism as a response to materialism

• Principles of The Minimalist Makeover course

• Takeaway tips

  
  

  Check out Ellie's website - https://www.frumminimalism.com

Is it true that behind every great man is a great woman? Naama Malinowitz, busy mother of 9 in Jerusalem, would agree, but has a tweak to make: “Behind every great man is a great woman…rolling her eyes.”

In this episode, we talk with Naama Malinowitz about what it’s like to be married to a man who devotes his life to Klal Yisrael. Naama’s husband is Rabbi Nechemia Malinowitz, the executive director of Eretz Hakodesh which is a party representing the Torah community of the Diaspora running in the upcoming World Zionist Congress. He’s worked tirelessly to help channel of dollars into funding Torah-based institutions & ensure that Torah values are a central guiding voice in Eretz Yisrael. Naama tells us her journey as a wife and mother in this role and shares many insights into what it truly means to support one’s husband in his endeavors. ir

On this episode, we discuss:

• Naama’s aspirations when she first got married and how things developed

• The challenges and rewards of being married to a man of the klal

• Her realizations about what it means to support a husband in his endeavors

• Supporting husbands in any profession 

• Naama’s advice to her newlywed self

We all go through dark moments, trying times and painful episodes in our lives. Our guest, international lecturer Raquel Kirszenbaum, shares her personal story from darkness to light and provides profound insights into how to stop hurting and start healing. Her honesty, wisdom and vulnerability in this DMC will enter your heart. If you’re seeking perspective and meaning on how to heal from pain, or you want to be there for someone you know going through hard times, then this episode is for you. 

On this episode, we discuss:

• Raquel’s personal story from darkness to light

• Her advice to people stuck in their pain

• Developing emunah in trying times

• How healing begins and what it looks like

• Chizuk and takeaways for our listeners

Raquel’s new book:

Negotiating is a tool we use in all our relationships to get what we want or meet somewhere in the middle. Often we think of negotiation as purely a business tool, but it’s so much more. And drop the notion that negotiation is an aggressive tactic. And the stereotype that women aren’t good at it. Because negotiation is a way for us to get what we want in all our relationships. In this DMC, Chava Shapiro, business messaging strategist, master web copywriter, and founder of the Creative CEO Academy, shares her insights, tips and tricks into the powerful art of negotiation. You’ll leave this DMC feeling inspired, empowered and enlightened.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Chava’s journey as a frum female entrepreneur

• Her mission to help women make more money

• Why negotiation is one of Chava’s passion topics

• What is negotiation and how and when we use it

• The stereotype that women are poor negotiators

• Tips to improve our negotiation skills in our personal relationships

Chava’s website: