In this powerful episode, Lizzy Savetsky shares her remarkable journey from fashion influencer to one of the most prominent Jewish activists on social media. Lizzy opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her path—from growing up in Fort Worth, Texas with dreams of being a singer, to building a successful fashion blogging career, to making the courageous decision to pivot to full-time Jewish advocacy in 2021. She discusses the personal and professional sacrifices she made, including being dropped by her management company, receiving death threats, and hitting rock bottom with alcoholism before finding sobriety. Lizzy's story is one of authenticity, resilience, and the power of living your truth out loud, even when it costs you everything.

• [1:22] Growing up in Fort Worth, Texas and early performing dreams
• [5:40] Meeting her husband and the journey to Orthodox Judaism
• [9:37] The decision to study in Israel at Neve Seminary
• [20:00] Breaking into fashion PR and starting her blog
• [27:50] Discovering Instagram and building a following
• [39:20] The turning point: May 2021 and pivoting to Jewish advocacy
• [53:00] Getting dropped by management and facing death threats
• [59:00] The importance of authenticity vs. performing your life
• [62:30] Hitting rock bottom with alcoholism and finding sobriety
• [66:45] Rumors of "Lizzy for Mayor" and potential political future
• [70:15] Fast Five: Biggest mistakes, sacrifices, and superpowers
• [70:00] Final message: Invest in yourself and find your purpose

Lizzy Savetsky is a Jewish activist, digital advocate, and social media influencer known for her unapologetic defense of Israel and the Jewish people. With a background in fashion PR and blogging, Lizzy made headlines when she pivoted from fashion content to full-time advocacy work in 2021, following attacks on Israel. Despite facing death threats and losing lucrative brand partnerships, she has built a powerful platform speaking at rallies, delivering speeches nationwide, and mobilizing the Jewish community online. A mother of four and wife to a plastic surgeon Ira Savetsky.

This episode is sponsored by Roth & Co innovators in accounting and business advisory. To learn more visit https://rothcocpa.com/

In this episode of Inspire to Lead, host Talia Mashiach sits down with Chayale Kaufman, founder of the Jewish Content Network and Consult Write Media. Chayale shares her remarkable journey from her early days in print media to becoming a trailblazer in digital marketing and nonprofit strategy. Discover how she built two thriving companies, the sacrifices and grit required for true success, and the unique challenges and triumphs of women in leadership.

• 01:30 – Chayale's Early Career and Founding Her Companies
• 06:00 – What Makes Consult Right Media Unique
• 10:00 – The Power of Personal Branding
• 14:00 – Marketing Strategies for Businesses and Nonprofits
• 20:00 – Lessons from 15 Years in Print and Digital Media
• 25:00 – The Role of Grit and Sacrifice in Success
• 30:00 – Women, Leadership, and the Value of Mentorship
• 36:00 – Navigating Partnerships and Financial Confidence
• 42:00 – The Impact of AI on Marketing
• 48:00 – Balancing Family, Business, and Personal Growth
• 54:00 – Overcoming Guilt and Embracing Support
• 1:00:00 – Chayale's Superpower: Tenacity and Moving Forward
• 1:05:00 – Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• 1:10:00 – Final Reflections and Takeaways

Guest Description:
Chayale Kaufman is the founder and CEO of the Jewish Content Network and Consult Write Media, two innovative agencies specializing in digital and print marketing, PR, and strategic communications for businesses and nonprofits. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Chayale is recognized for her expertise in campaign strategy, branding, and her deep commitment to helping organizations amplify their impact. She is a passionate leader, mentor, and advocate for women in business, known for her authenticity, creativity, and relentless drive to make a difference in the Jewish community and beyond.

In this episode, Melissa Bernstein shares her remarkable journey from a creative, "unsettled" child to the co-founder of Melissa & Doug. She opens up about channeling her internal chaos into creativity, the early struggles and scrappy beginnings of the company, and the mission-driven philosophy that guided their growth. Melissa discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of resilience, and the lessons learned from both setbacks and successes from building a business from her basement to selling the company for over a billion dollars. She also talks about balancing business and family, working with her husband, and her new venture, Lifelines, which focuses on well-being and helping others find meaning. Melissa's story is a testament to the power of creativity, grit, and staying true to one's mission.

Timestamps

• 03:45 – Channeling chaos into creativity: the start of Melissa & Doug
• 08:30 – Melissa's upbringing and search for meaning
• 13:00 – Quitting corporate jobs and the fateful weekend
• 16:30 – Early mission and building a company from scratch
• 22:00 – First product, "fuzzy puzzle," and manufacturing challenges
• 27:00 – Getting burned by a factory agent
• 32:00 – Serendipity, resilience, and finding the right factory
• 36:00 – Building the business from their home
• 41:00 – Balancing family, business, and self-funding
• 48:00 – Sales, rejection, and learning to overcome objections
• 55:00 – Expanding categories: puzzles, wooden toys, plush, costumes
• 1:05:00 – Entering mass market and the Amazon story
• 1:15:00 – Taking on investors and the eventual sale
• 1:25:00 – Leaving the company, starting Lifelines, and finding new meaning
• 1:33:00 – Advice for entrepreneurs, women, and parents
• 1:38:00 – Melissa's book and mentoring the next generation
• 1:45:00 – Final thoughts: creativity, meaning, and living authentically

Guest Description
Melissa Bernstein is the co-founder of Melissa & Doug, one of the world's leading toy companies, and a passionate entrepreneur, creator, and advocate for mental health and authentic living. Over 35 years, Melissa and her husband Doug built their company from scratch, focusing on sparking children's imaginations with high-quality, open-ended toys. After selling the company for over a billion dollars, Melissa launched Lifelines, a new venture dedicated to well-being tools for adults, and authored the book "The Heart of Entrepreneurship." Her journey is marked by creativity, resilience, and a mission-driven approach to business and life.

In this inspiring episode of "Inspire to Lead," host Talia Mashiach sits down with singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Shaindy Plotzker. Together, they explore Shaindy's journey of becoming a trailblazer in the Orthodox Jewish music scene. Shaindy shares candid insights about building her business, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of authenticity, leadership, and self-worth. This conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone looking to pursue their passion, break barriers, and lead with purpose.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction & opening thoughts
• 01:07 – Meet Shaindy Plotzker: background and early influences
• 04:20 – Breaking barriers: music, business, and Orthodox Jewish identity
• 07:00 – Building a team and running a production company
• 12:43 – Growing up, family, and the power of music
• 17:39 – Overcoming obstacles and finding your unique voice
• 24:04 – Leadership, authenticity, and advice for young women
• 35:58 – The pivotal moments that changed everything
• 42:04 – Quick-fire questions and closing thoughts

Guest Description: Shaindy Plotzker is a dynamic singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur known for her soulful voice and energetic performances. As a leading figure in the Orthodox Jewish music world, Shaindy has inspired thousands with her message of self-acceptance, faith, and empowerment. Beyond the stage, she runs her own production company, mentors young talent, and is passionate about using her platform to uplift others. Shaindy's journey is a testament to the power of authenticity, resilience, and following your calling.

In this episode of Inspire to Lead, host Talia Mashiach sits down with Dr. Aimee Baron, founder and executive director of I Was Supposed to Have a Baby, for a deeply moving conversation about resilience, purpose, and building a nonprofit from personal experience. Aimee shares her journey from a lifelong dream of pediatrics, through the heartbreak of multiple second-trimester miscarriages, to finding new meaning by supporting others facing fertility challenges in the Jewish community.

The discussion explores the realities of career pivots, the emotional toll of loss, and the power of vulnerability in leadership. Aimee opens up about the challenges of leaving medicine, the process of founding a nonprofit, and the importance of community, support, and being open to life's unexpected turns.

03:15 – Aimee 's Early Passion for Pediatrics and Medicine
06:45 – The Reality of Medical Training and Family Life
10:00 – Facing Repeated Loss and Leaving Medicine
18:00 – Speaking Out: Breaking the Silence on Fertility Challenges
22:00 – Volunteering and the Birth of a Nonprofit
28:00 – Building "I Was Supposed to Have a Baby" from the Ground Up
35:00 – Fundraising, Hiring, and Growing a Team
41:00 – Redefining Success: Support Over Outcomes
46:00 – Advice on Difficult Decisions and Listening to Your Gut
52:00 – The Power of Community and Giving Back
58:00 – Aimee 's Superpower and Final Reflections

About Our Guest:
Dr. Aimee Baron is a pediatrician, nonprofit founder, and advocate for those facing fertility challenges. After a successful medical career, Aimee 's personal experiences with loss inspired her to create I Was Supposed to Have a Baby, a platform dedicated to providing emotional support and resources to the Jewish community. Known for her empathy, candor, and commitment to making a difference, Aimee 's work has touched thousands and continues to foster connection,community, and hope.

In this episode of Inspire to Lead, host Talia Mashiach sits down with Beth Warren, CEO and founder of Nourished by Beth, to explore the journey of turning a love for food and helping others into a thriving nutrition practice. Beth shares her story of starting out in marketing, landing a coveted internship at American Express, and ultimately pivoting to nutrition—navigating the challenges of building a business from her Brooklyn home while raising a family.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of entrepreneurship: from the decision to accept insurance, scaling to multiple offices, and the importance of networking and self-advocacy, to the sacrifices and resilience required to balance motherhood, business growth, and personal well-being. Beth opens up about the lessons learned through divorce, the power of having your own career, and the evolution of her practice to focus on emotional well-being and authentic connection.

03:15 – Discovering Nutrition: From Marketing to Food
07:00 – Landing the American Express Internship
10:00 – The Power of Networking & Self-Advocacy
15:00 – Starting a Private Practice While Raising a Family
20:00 – Accepting Insurance & Scaling the Business
25:00 – Building a Team: Assistants, Billers, and Dietitians
30:00 – Work-Life Balance: Juggling Family and Growth
35:00 – Navigating Financial Pressures & Business Pivots
40:00 – Resilience Through Divorce & Reinventing the Practice
45:00 – Focusing on Emotional Well-Being & Authenticity
50:00 – Writing Books & Building a Personal Brand
55:00 – Advice, Mindset, and Final Reflections

About Our Guest:
Beth Warren is a registered dietitian, entrepreneur, and author, known for her practical approach to nutrition and her commitment to helping others achieve lasting well-being. As the founder of Nourish by Beth, she has built a reputation for expertise, empathy, and innovation in the field of nutrition and wellness. Beth's journey is marked by resilience, adaptability, and a passion for empowering others to live their healthiest, most authentic lives.

In this inspiring episode of Inspired to Lead, host Talia sits down with Ziva Glanz, a pioneering "rainmaker" who has carved a unique path in Israel's infrastructure and investment landscape. Ziva shares her journey from New Jersey to Jerusalem, the challenges and triumphs of being a religious female leader in a male-dominated field, and her mission to build not just projects, but communities and legacies. The conversation delves into navigating Israeli bureaucracy, the importance of women's leadership, balancing family and career, and the power of resilience in the face of adversity. Ziva's story is a testament to the impact of purpose-driven leadership and the importance of contributing your unique skills to the greater good.

05:00 – Becoming a Rainmaker: Bridging Investors and Bureaucracy

10:00 – The Disney Park Story & Missing Opportunities

15:00 – Navigating Bureaucracy: Skills & Strategies

20:00 – Building Trust & Respect as a Female Leader

30:00 – Ziva's Personal Journey: Family, Education, and Career Pivots

40:00 – The Power of Community and Mentorship

50:00 – Balancing Family, Career, and Self-Care

1:00:00 – Turning Tragedy into Purpose: Advocacy and Social Impact

1:10:00 – The Office of the Geula: Vision for the Future

1:20:00 – Advice for Aspiring Leaders & Final Reflections

About Our Guest:
Ziva Glanz is an international project manager and "rainmaker" specializing in connecting global investors with Israeli infrastructure opportunities. With a background in urban planning, nonprofit leadership, and government relations, Ziva has become a trusted advisor for complex, high-impact projects. She is known for her ability to navigate bureaucracy, build consensus, and deliver results in challenging environments. A passionate advocate for women's leadership and community building, Ziva draws on her personal experiences as a mother, a bereaved parent, and a leader to inspire others to contribute their unique talents to the world. Her work is driven by a deep sense of purpose, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact on Israeli society and beyond.

Powered By Roth & Co. For guest suggestions, please email Talia: podcast@thejwe.org