Mindfulness as a Prerequisite for Power – A Conversation with Dr. Nava Levit-Binnun
Neuroscientist and mindfulness teacher Dr. Nava Levit-Binnun explores how contemplative practice can deepen our resilience and expand our capacity.
Yossi Klein Halevi on Israel, War, and Moral Complexity
On this episode of RAW, I speak with Yossi Klein Halevi—author, historian, and public intellectual whose voice is vital in conversations about Israel, Jewish identity, and moral complexity in times of crisis.
Yossi was born in Brooklyn to a family of Holocaust survivors. His father, a Hungarian Jew, survived the war as a teenager by hiding for months in a frozen ditch in the forests of Transylvania—a story that shaped Yossi’s worldview and sense of Jewish responsibility.
He moved to Israel in 1982 and is now a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. His acclaimed books include Like Dreamers, about the paratroopers who reunited Jerusalem in 1967, and Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor, a courageous effort to bridge one of today’s most painful divides.
We talk about the current war and what it reveals—about Israeli society, leadership, and the nation’s soul. We explore how the shadow of the Holocaust continues to shape Yossi’s view of the Jewish state, and the impossible tensions between survival and conscience.
We also touch on Yossi’s long-standing meditation practice, and how it helps him stay spiritually elevated and emotionally grounded through heartbreak and chaos.
This is a conversation about moral clarity and humility. About fear, grief, memory—and the quiet practices that help us stay human.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
📌 Apple Podcasts
📌 Spotify
📌 YouTube
📩 Subscribe to my newsletter: www.WithAnouk.com
📸 Follow on Instagram
Don’t miss an episode—tune in and be part of the conversation that matters.
For more updates on episodes, tools for resilience and wellbeing, and inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter at WithAnouk.com.
Parenting with a Soft Heart in a Hard Time
I speak with Ruti Dariel—mother of three, psychotherapist, expressive arts therapist, and certified parenting coach with over 20 years of clinical experience.
Ruti’s journey is deeply personal and profoundly relevant to this moment. A few years ago, despite her professional expertise, she found herself facing questions many parents know intimately:
How do I truly connect with my child when things get hard?
How do I set boundaries without losing myself?
How do I respond to frustration and aggression in a way that actually helps?
Especially as a mother of highly sensitive children, Ruti realized that many conventional parenting tools simply didn’t reach far enough. Her search for deeper understanding led her to the attachment-based developmental approach, through years of study at the Neufeld Institute and beyond.
In this conversation, we explore the emotional toll of living—and parenting—through war in Israel. I asked Ruti:
How does ongoing conflict affect our children, especially the more sensitive ones?
How can we stay emotionally present when we’re anxious and afraid ourselves?
What can we do when our kids act out or shut down—and how do we help them find resilience and hope?
And how do we talk to children about things like fear, bereavement, and the future in ways that are age-appropriate and honest?
Ruti offers not just wisdom, but warmth—a sense that we’re not alone in our struggle to show up for our children in such uncertain times. This episode is for any parent asking: How do I hold my child’s heart, even when mine feels heavy?
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
📌 Apple Podcasts
📌 Spotify
📌 YouTube
📩 Subscribe to my newsletter: www.WithAnouk.com
📸 Follow on Instagram
Rabbi Dalia Marx on Grief, Prayer and Jewish Responsibility
Dr. Dalia Marx—one of the most respected voices in contemporary Jewish thought and liturgy. We talk about how October 7 and the war since have brought profound and rapid changes to the world of Jewish prayer: the language, the focus, even the urgency. Rabbi Marx also shares her reflections on the Jewish responsibility to bring our hostages home, and the prayers—old and new—that have sustained her through these past eighteen months.
It’s a moving, grounded, and deeply thoughtful conversation with someone who has dedicated her life to holding the sacred and the human, side by side.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
📌 Apple Podcasts
📌 Spotify
📌 YouTube
📩 Subscribe to my newsletter: www.WithAnouk.com
📸 Follow on Instagram
About Rabbi Dr. Dalia Marx
Rabbi Marx is the Rabbi Aaron D. Panken Professor of Liturgy and Midrash at the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem. She is the first woman in Israel to hold a professorship in liturgy and is a trailblazer in both academic and spiritual circles.
Her work bridges scholarship and lived practice, and she is the author of several books, including When I Sleep and When I Wake: On Prayers Between Dusk and Dawn. She’s also a contributor to the new Israeli Reform prayerbook, and a leading voice in shaping how prayer responds to collective trauma, grief, and hope.
The Science of Conflict with Eran Halperin: Why We Think the Way We Do in Times of War,
In this episode of Raw, I speak with Professor Eran Halperin, a leading expert on conflict resolution, political psychology, and the emotional dynamics that shape intergroup relations. As Israel grapples with the aftermath of October 7 and the ongoing war, Professor Halperin brings his deep expertise to unpack the psychological forces at play—how fear, anger, and trauma shape public opinion, decision-making, and the possibility (or impossibility) of reconciliation.
We discuss the cognitive and emotional barriers to peace, what history teaches us about societies in prolonged conflict, and whether there is a path forward in times of such deep division. This is a conversation that cuts through the noise, offering a nuanced, research-based perspective on one of the most complex and painful moments in modern history.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
📌 Apple Podcasts
📌 Spotify
📌 YouTube
📩 Subscribe to my newsletter: www.WithAnouk.com
📸 Follow on Instagram
About Professor Eran Halperin
Eran Halperin is a professor of psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a world-renowned expert on political psychology, conflict resolution, and the role of emotions in shaping intergroup dynamics. His research focuses on the cognitive and emotional mechanisms that sustain conflicts, as well as interventions that can promote change. He has advised policymakers and peace-building initiatives worldwide and has published extensively in leading academic journals.In this episode of Raw, I speak with Professor Eran Halperin, a leading expert on conflict resolution, political psychology, and the emotional dynamics that shape intergroup relations. As Israel grapples with the aftermath of October 7 and the ongoing war, Professor Halperin brings his deep expertise to unpack the psychological forces at play—how fear, anger, and trauma shape public opinion, decision-making, and the possibility (or impossibility) of reconciliation.
We discuss the cognitive and emotional barriers to peace, what history teaches us about societies in prolonged conflict, and whether there is a path forward in times of such deep division. This is a conversation that cuts through the noise, offering a nuanced, research-based perspective on one of the most complex and painful moments in modern history.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
📌 Apple Podcasts
📌 Spotify
📌 YouTube
📩 Subscribe to my newsletter: www.WithAnouk.com
📸 Follow on Instagram
About Professor Eran Halperin
Eran Halperin is a professor of psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a world-renowned expert on political psychology, conflict resolution, and the role of emotions in shaping intergroup dynamics. His research focuses on the cognitive and emotional mechanisms that sustain conflicts, as well as interventions that can promote change. He has advised policymakers and peace-building initiatives worldwide and has published extensively in leading academic journals.
Danny Cohen: Letting Rage and Grief Transform Us, Not Consume Us
In today’s conversation, therapist Danny Cohen takes us into the heart of some of our most difficult emotions: grief, rage, and loss, especially in the wake of October 7th. How do we meet these emotions without shutting down? How do we allow them to transform us rather than consume us?
Danny Cohen is a profoundly thoughtful soul whose work integrates Jewish wisdom, contemplative practice, and trauma-informed therapy. Danny has spent years guiding individuals and communities through the deepest terrains of healing. He leads retreats—among others, for caregivers and therapists of trauma survivors—helping those who hold space for others find their own inner refuge.
Danny’s approach is informed by his studies in mindfulness, somatic psychotherapy, and communication-based healing modalities. He has trained in nonviolent communication, Hakomi mindfulness-based somatic therapy, organic intelligence, and transformative change work.
In this conversation, we speak about tribalism, and the role of spiritual practice in holding pain without being overwhelmed by it. He also shares a remarkable experience with a German man who carried deep anti-Semitism—an encounter that shifted in an unexpected and powerful way. Additionally, he takes me through some therapeutic exercises, offering a glimpse into his deeply restorative approach. Throughout, he weaves beautiful teachings from Jewish spiritual texts into our exploration of resilience and healing.
💡 If this conversation resonates with you, remember to:
✅ Subscribe to Raw on your favorite podcast platform.
✅ Rate & review the show—it helps others find these important discussions!
✅ Sign up for my newsletter at withanouk.com for more reflections, insights, and behind-the-scenes content.
✅ Share this episode with anyone who might find it valuable.
Psychedelics, Trauma & Resilience
Psychedelics have long been intertwined with human consciousness, healing, and transformation—but what happens when they intersect with trauma, crisis, and cultural shifts?
In this episode of Raw, I sit down with Nir Tadmor, a transpersonal psychotherapist, psychedelic integration specialist, and leading voice in harm reduction. As the Educational Director at Impulse, co-founder of Safe Shore, and a research associate at Haifa University’s Neurophenomenology Lab, Nir has spent years working with individuals navigating non-ordinary states of consciousness and mental health crises.
We dive into the complex relationship between psychedelics, the Israeli trans music community, and trauma, exploring how these substances have shaped culture and what they meant for Nova Festival survivors who were under the influence during the October 7 attack. We also discuss the evolving field of psychedelic-assisted therapy, where it’s headed, and how to engage with it safely and meaningfully.
Finally, we explore new research on altered states, what we can learn from survivors, and the future of mental health and therapy. This is a raw, thought-provoking conversation about the transformative potential—and very real risks—of psychedelics, and how we can create safer, more intentional spaces for healing.
💡 If this conversation resonates with you, don’t forget to:
✅ Subscribe to Raw on your favorite podcast platform.
✅ Rate & review the show—it helps others find these important discussions.
✅ Sign up for my newsletter at withanouk.com for more reflections, insights, and behind-the-scenes content.
✅ Share this episode with anyone who might find it valuable.
Unpacks Israeli History with Integrity and Humor
Today on the show, we welcome Dr. Noam Weissman, Executive Vice President of OpenDor Media, where he leads a team of producers and educators to reach millions of young Jews yearly through articles, videos, and social media about Israel and the Jewish people. As the host of Unpacking Israeli History, the #1 Jewish podcast, he’s known for breaking down complex historical narratives with honesty, nuance, and a touch of humor.
In today’s conversation, he brings that same clarity and candor to a more personal level. We talk about how he actively works to confront his own biases and tribal instincts, the challenges of teaching history in an increasingly polarized world, and why he believes that intellectual honesty is the key to meaningful discourse. He also reflects on the past year—both professionally and personally—with his signature mix of humor, and thoughtfulness.”*
With a doctorate in Educational Psychology from USC and years of experience as an educator and school principal, Noam is deeply committed to helping students—and all of us—navigate history without falling into ideological traps.
Follow and subscribe on your preferred podcasting platform:
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Youtube
For more updates on episodes, tools for resilience, and inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter at WithAnouk.com
Embracing the Wisdom in Anxiety and Trauma
Today on the show, we speak with Galit Levin, founder of the Kaden Association and Kaden College.
Galit is a yoga teacher, yoga therapy expert, and teacher of meditation and the philosophy of yoga. She leads workshops and retreats both in Israel and around the world.
In our conversation, we explore her belief that labeling difficult emotions like anxiety or trauma as “bad” does a disservice to the deep and natural wisdom they hold. Galit shares her perspective on how to view these emotions in a different light and how that shift can impact our lives for the better.
She also reflects on the year since October 7 and why it awakened a profound connection to Judaism.
Listen now and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Bearing Witness: Documenting Trauma and Resilience with Ohad Ufaz
On October 8th, Ohad Ufaz, an award-winning filmmaker and documentarian, was part of a leading team of 400 filmmakers and mental health professionals undertaking an extraordinary mission: recording video testimonies from survivors of the October 7th massacre.
With years of experience in storytelling and a deep commitment to social impact, Ohad has dedicated his career to amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard.
In this episode of *Raw*, Ohad shares his personal journey, the challenges and responsibilities of documenting deeply personal and traumatic stories, and the delicate balance between preserving history and supporting survivors.
We explore how this critical work not only safeguards truth but also serves as a powerful tool for healing and resilience, offering hope in the face of unimaginable loss.
