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From the Inside Out: With Rivkah Krinsky and Eda SchottensteinAuthor: Rivkah and Eda
We are momtrepreneurs and friends on a mission to transform inspiration into action. Drawing from our formal training, exclusive interviews with renowned thinkers and leaders, the wisdom of everyday heroes, and the profound insights of the Chassidic perspective, we deliver thought-provoking insights that ignite purposeful living. Join us on this transformative journey as we provide the tools, guidance, and transformative conversations you need to lead a fulfilling life and make a lasting impact on the world around you. Language: en-us Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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#133: As Relevant As Ever: The Rebbe’s Letters on Anxiety, Loneliness & Emotional Wellness with Levi Shmotkin
Tuesday, 16 June, 2026
Send us Fan MailLetters for Life: Levi Y. Shmotkin on Rebbe’s Guidance for Emotional Health From the Inside OutIn this episode of From The Inside Out with Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein, we interview Levi Shmotkin, author of Letters for Life, a practical guide to emotional health based on the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s letters, recorded in honor of Gimmel Tammuz. Shmotkin shares how his own teen experience of heaviness and apathy led him to the Rebbe’s counseling, emphasizing gratitude, humility, and shifting focus outward through giving and responsibility. He contrasts popular self-help’s self-focus with the Rebbe’s “third way” that validates feelings while expanding the mind toward Hashem and others, including examples from education. He discusses tools like structure and productivity, trust to counter anxiety, hesech hadas (redirecting attention), loneliness as eased through awareness of Divine providence, Torah and halacha as the enduring path to spirituality, discovering purpose, and the Rebbe’s message that “nothing stands in the way of the will.”EPISODE SPONSORSSwimplyThis episode is powered by Swimply — and with summer here, the timing couldn't be better. Swimply lets you rent a beautiful private pool by the hour, right in your own city. No crowds, no chaos — just your family or friends in your own space. With over 15,000 private pools across the US, Canada, and Australia, you can browse by size, style, and location and find exactly what you're looking for. For those of us who value privacy and modesty, this is truly a game-changer: a luxurious, secluded swim experience without having to travel far from home. Download the Swimply app or visit Swimply.com, and use code INSIDEOUT10 for 10% off your next booking!Shefa Living & Yeshiva of Glade Valley:Shefa Living is a warm, growing Jewish community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina — offering families the rare combination of natural beauty, affordable living, and authentic Torah life, all in one place. At the heart of the community is Yeshiva of Glade Valley, a school built on the understanding that every child is created with a unique soul, unique strengths, and unique needs. With small classrooms, close rebbe and morah relationships, strong Torah values, and a deep focus on emotional balance, confidence, and creativity, it's a place where children can truly feel seen — and where families can breathe a little deeper. Learn more here: https://yeshivagv.com/Colel Chabad Colel Chabad is one of Israel’s oldest continuously operating charities, supporting families with food security, widows & orphans, and emergency relief. Their Pushka (Charity Box) App makes it easy to turn inspiration into action with simple daily giving—small “micro-donations” that add up to real impact over time. To join thousands of daily givers, download the Pushka App on iOS or Android and start giving today: https://pushkapp.cc/Inside Discover and donate to Colel Chabad here: https://colelchabad.org/ OkClarity.ComFinding the right therapist or coach can be one of the most challenging parts of seeking help — even with a great referral, the person isn't always the right fit. That's where OkClarity comes in. OkClarity is an online platform featuring hundreds of Jewish therapists, psychiatrists, coaches, nutritionists, and support groups, where you actually get to meet the person through videos and introductions before deciding whether to move forward with a first session. More than 10,000 people have already benefited from OkClarity, and it's not just a directory for those seeking help — if you're a mental health practitioner, therapist, or coach, you can list yourself on the platform too, so the people who need you can find you. Visit okclarity.com to find the right fit for you.GUEST BIOLevi Y. ShmotkinLevi Y. Shmotkin is a Chassidic scholar and author based in Los Angeles, California. His debut book, Letters for Life: Guidance for Emotional Wellness from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, was born from a deeply personal journey — as a teenager, Levi found himself grappling with heaviness, apathy, and a loss of inner spark. It was the Rebbe's letters that became his lifeline, and what began as a private notebook of insights eventually became a book that has resonated with thousands across all walks of Jewish life. A member of Generation Z who never met the Rebbe in person, Levi brings a fresh, relatable voice to timeless wisdom — showing that truth, as he says, is eternal, and the Rebbe's guidance speaks as powerfully today as ever.You can purchase the Letters For Life book here: https://a.co/d/040r8ezR CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction04:05 Meet Levi Shmotkin16:03 Gen Z Connection to Rebbe17:50 Modern Self Help vs Rebbe19:27 A Third Way27:47 Healing Through Others41:17 Spiritual Not Religious42:11 Psychedelics And Torah46:45 Channeling Spiritual Desire48:11 Finding Your Purpose53:29 Loneliness And Providence59:31 Solitude Versus Isolation01:08:13 Changing From Within01:08:42 Speak To Yourself01:14:48 Anxiety And Trust01:23:25 Hesech Hadas Explained01:25:19 Action Without Rumination01:28:39 Marriage and Subconscious01:35:16 Suicidal Student Letter01:41:27 Leap Beyond Status Quo01:45:09 Willpower and Soul Energy01:49:12 Closing Quote and FarewellCOMMUNITYJoin the Community! Connect with us on socials to discuss Episode 101, share insights, and continue the conversations you want to have:💫 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fromtheinsideout.podcast/ 💫 Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/L0W4PRglR5B4kC 💫 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheInsideOutPodcast?sub_confirmation=1
