Pod By Pen

Penina Kunstler

Welcome to Pod By Pen - the podcast that feels like a couch convo with your smartest, funniest friends.
I’m Penina, and I’m here to un-gatekeep the real stories behind success, creativity, faith, and figuring it all out - no fluff, just real talk, curiosity, and a little bit of chaos.

For sponsorships & brand partnerships:
Podbypen@gmail.com

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26 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes26

Newest first

Tuesday · 44 min
Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt: Journalist, Rebbetzin, and the Courage to Say the Hard Things
Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt is a journalist, rebbetzin, mother, and co-founder of Altneu - one of the most talked-about synagogues in New York City. Known as the spiritual First Lady of the Upper East Side, she’s also the journalist who was once warned her writing would cost her a shidduch. She joins Pod by Pen to talk about co-founding Altneu, living between the Orthodox and secular worlds, and why she’s never been able to stay quiet about the things that matter. Avital opens up about shidduchim, the ancestral weight of truth-telling, and what it costs to be the person in the room who says what everyone else is thinking. Connect with Avital: Instagram: @avitalrachel Email: inquiries@avitalchizhik.com For Sponsorships & Inquiries: Podbypen ⁨@gmail.com⁩ Follow Along: @penkunstler ⁨@podbypen⁩
July 21 · 50 min
Rivkah Fox: Jewish Matchmaking, Unfiltered
Rivkah Fox has been matchmaking since she was sixteen - and she’s not afraid to say the system she inherited needs work. Rivkah Fox, third-generation Jewish matchmaker and founder of BlindFate, joins Pod by Pen to talk about her 4,000-person singles database spanning 8 countries, the accidental Instagram experiment that turned into a movement, and the wild, funny, sometimes heartbreaking messages she gets as a matchmaker. We get into what men and women actually want versus what they say they want, the “shidduch crisis” debate, and the match that shouldn’t have worked on paper - but did. Follow Rivkah: Instagram: @rivkahfox Link to join free database https://form.fillout.com/t/kMMqHXnjBbus?src=war Website: rivkahfox.com For sponsorships & inquiries: Podbypen@gmail.com Follow along:@podbypen @penkunstler
July 14 · 1 hr 16 min
Healing Your Nervous System (Not Just Your Diagnosis) - with Kaley Z
Kaley Zeitouni was diagnosed with MS at 12 - and spent the better part of two decades in an adversarial relationship with her own body before healing through a mind-body approach rooted in nervous system repair and Torah teachings. In this conversation, Kaley breaks down why healing chronic illness isn’t about adding one more supplement or protocol, but about a full nervous system overhaul: rebuilding trust with your body, learning real-time tools to calm symptoms, and shifting from survival mode into repair mode. We also talk about the unexpected loss of her fiancé and how she leaned into grief using the same tools she’d used for physical healing, her move from Israel to New York and the intuition that led her to her husband, raising kids to feel connected to their own bodies. This one is tender, practical, and full of hard-won wisdom. Follow or Connect with Kaley: Instagram: @kaleyzeitouniofficialhttps://kaleyz.com hello@kaleyz.comfacebook.com/kaleyzeitouni Follow Along:🎙️ @podbypenFor Sponsorships & Inquiries: 📩 podbypen@gmail.com
July 7 · 37 min
Ashley Shurka Eliyahu: The Heart Behind the Content
This week on Pod by Pen, I’m joined by Ashley Shurka Eliyahu, known for her hosting and big Shabbat meal prep content that’s been resonating with so many people lately - and once you hear her talk, it’s easy to understand why. We spend this episode on the couch talking about family, togetherness, and what home really means to her. Ashley opens up about her dad, and how much of what she creates today - the hosting, the table, the meals - comes from him. It’s a conversation about where content comes from when it’s coming from a real place. Follow Ashley: @ashleyeliyahu2.0 Follow Pod by Pen: @podbypen @penkunstler For sponsorships and inquiries: Podbypen@gmail.com
June 30 · 46 min
Girl in Progress | Dina Stern
Some women have the traditional roadmap. Dina Stern didn’t. She never graduated high school, has navigated weight loss surgery, postpartum depression, motherhood, and somehow built a thriving business completely on her own terms. This week’s conversation isn’t heavy—it feels like sitting down with a friend who tells the truth. We talk about body image, confidence, building a career without the “right” credentials, motherhood, identity, and what it looks like to keep showing up through every season of life. It’s funny, honest, vulnerable, and full of those little conversations women have when the microphones aren’t usually on. Follow Dina: ⁨@DinaSternWigs⁩ Follow along:Instagram: @podbypen @penkunstler For Sponsorships & Collaborations:podbypen@gmail.com Episodes every Tuesday.
June 23 · 40 min
The Frock Sisters on Life, Loss, and Staying Close
Simi Polonsky and Chaya Gestetner-Chanin built The Frock NYC together as sisters - and even after closing that chapter, they’ve stayed close, both in life and online. In this episode, they open up about what it means to keep sharing the real stuff publicly: loss, addiction, family, and the messy, ongoing work of figuring out who you are when life doesn’t look like you thought it would. This one’s personal for Penina too - her own connection to Simi’s story shapes the conversation from the start. Follow Simi: @thelifeofsimi Follow Chaya: @chaya.chanin @podbypen | podbypen@gmail.com
June 16 · 1 hr 7 min
Rachel Husney: Lets Talk About Relationships
This week, I sat down with therapist Rachel Husney, LCSW, for a candid conversation about navigating friendships as adults, dealing with rejection, managing expectations, setting boundaries, and learning not to take everything so personally. Rachel brings her signature blend of honesty, humor, and straight talk as we explore why friendships often feel harder in adulthood, how our past experiences shape our relationships, and what it actually means to show up for the people we care about. Rachel Husney is a New York City-based therapist who works with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and the lasting impact of trauma. Connect with Rachel: @rachel_husney Rachelshusney@gmail.com https://rachel-husney.clientsecure.me/contact-widget This episode is sponsored by Sukiru Beauty Created by professional makeup artist Batya Reyz, Sukiru Beauty was born from years of working on thousands of faces and testing countless products to create makeup that is high-performance, easy to use, and genuinely fun to wear. Beautiful shades. Foolproof formulas. Incredible staying power. Shop the full collection at: https://sukirubeauty.com @sukirubeauty CODE PODBYPEN If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone you love. Follow along: @penkunstler | @podbypen For sponsorships and collaborations: podbypen@gmail.com
June 9 · 49 min
The Woman Behind Adina Eden
This week on Pod By Pen, I’m joined by Adina Kamkhatchi, founder of Adina Eden Jewelry. Most people know the brand. What they don’t know is the story behind it. Before the celebrity placements, major retailers, and multi-million dollar company, Adina was a kid growing up in Brooklyn, NY. What began with a handmade necklace, a few hundred dollars, and a dream eventually grew into one of the most recognizable jewelry brands in the country. But success was only one chapter. In this conversation, Adina opens up about her infertility and IVF journey, becoming a mother to twins, navigating life as a single mom, and the reality of carrying enormous responsibility both at home and in business. We talk about resilience, identity, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and what happens when life teaches you lessons that hard work alone can’t solve. Most importantly, we explore the woman behind the brand - and what she would say today to those who are in a chapter of building a business and navigating life. This episode is for anyone building something, becoming someone, or finding their way through a season they never planned for. Follow Adina: @itsadinaeden @adinaeden_ Pod By Pen is a podcast spotlighting authentic conversations with Jewish women about business, motherhood, resilience, faith, wellness, and everything in between. Follow along: @penkunstler For sponsorship inquiries: podbypen@gmail.com
June 2 · 48 min
The Relationship Advice Nobody Wants to Hear | Rachaeli Glucksman
In this episode of Pod by Pen, I sit down with marriage coach Rachaeli Glucksman for a candid conversation about one of the hardest lessons many of us face in relationships: learning to focus on ourselves instead of trying to control the people we love. We discuss respect in marriage, personal responsibility, communication, and the uncomfortable truths that often lead to the biggest breakthroughs. Rachaeli shares lessons from her own journey through divorce, remarriage, and rebuilding relationships, along with the tools she now teaches women navigating their own marriages. This conversation isn’t about blame, perfection, or pretending relationships are easy. It’s about understanding your contribution, letting go of control, and creating healthier dynamics built on respect and connection. Whether you’re married, remarried, dating, or simply interested in personal growth, this episode offers thoughtful insights and practical takeaways that may challenge the way you think about relationships. Connect with Rachaeli: @rachaelglucksman Follow along: Instagram: @penkunstler @podbypen For sponsorships, collaborations, or guest inquiries: podbypen@gmail.com
May 26 · 43 min
NGL: Remarriage, Step Parenting & The Questions We Don’t Ask Out Loud
A quick disclaimer before diving in: these are simply my raw thoughts, personal experiences, and honest musings in real time. I cope with a lot of life through humor and sarcasm, and this episode definitely reflects that. Nothing here is meant to be universal advice - just one woman candidly sharing her perspective and experience. In this solo episode, I’m answering anonymous questions about remarriage, step parenting, blending families, boundaries, relationships, motherhood, healing, and navigating the emotional complexity of building a life the second time around. Some questions are funny, some are uncomfortable, some are deeply personal — and I tried to answer all of them honestly. This episode is less polished advice and more real conversation. The messy middle, the humor, the hard parts, the growth, and all the things people often think about but don’t always say out loud. Pod by Pen For sponsorship inquiries, collaborations, or guest requests: Podbypen@gmail.com Follow along for episode clips, behind the scenes, and more: Instagram: @penkunstler
May 19 · 48 min
Converting to Orthodox Judaism in Real Time | Kaitlin Kehler on Faith & Identity
Kaitlin Kehler joins me for a candid conversation about conversion to Orthodox Judaism, marriage, motherhood, identity, and building a completely new life from the ground up. Originally from Idaho, Kaitlin shares how her journey slowly evolved from curiosity and connection into fully embracing an Orthodox Jewish lifestyle alongside her husband. We talk honestly about culture shock, internet reactions, navigating change publicly, funny moments along the way, and what people don’t always understand about choosing this path. This episode is honest, warm, emotional, funny at times, and deeply human. Follow Kaitlin: @kaitlinkehler Follow me here:Instagram: @penkunstler @podbypen For podcast inquiries, sponsorships, or collaborations: Podbypen@gmail.com Welcome to Pod by Pen Real conversations with women about life, growth, identity, business, relationships, motherhood, faith, and everything in between.
May 12 · 49 min
Therapy, Anxiety & Emotional Wellness | with Jen Lax
This week on Pod By Pen, I’m joined by Jen Lax, therapist and founder of Dear Mind, for an honest conversation about anxiety, depression, therapy, trauma, and the realities of mental health today. We talk about the pressure so many women feel to “keep it together,” the stigma around medication, what anxiety can actually look like in daily life, and why asking for help shouldn’t feel shameful. Jen also shares what inspired her to launch Dear Mind, her new private practice focused on helping people feel seen, supported, and understood through their mental health journeys. This episode is not about judgment or labels. It’s about understanding ourselves better, having healthier conversations around mental health, and reminding people that support exists. Whether you’ve been in therapy for years, are considering it for the first time, or love someone navigating mental health struggles, this conversation is filled with honesty, nuance, and compassion. If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who may need it. Follow along on Instagram: @penkunstler @podbypen For podcast inquiries & sponsorships: podbypen@gmail.com
May 5 · 1 hr 12 min
Grief, Growth, and the Life After | Maya Namdar
In this episode, I sit down with Maya Namdar for a conversation that is as real as it is uplifting. After the unimaginable loss of her daughter, Maya shares what grief actually looks like - not just in the moment, but in the everyday life that follows. We talk about navigating pain, holding onto emunah, and what it means to keep living when life feels like it’s been split in two. But this conversation doesn’t stay in the darkness. We speak about Mashiach, hope, and the belief that there is something bigger unfolding—even when we can’t fully see it. Maya brings a perspective that is both deeply spiritual and deeply human, reminding us that joy and pain can exist side by side. This episode is about loss, but it’s also about life - how we rebuild, how we believe, and how we keep going. Welcome to Pod by Pen—real conversations with women, about life, growth, and everything in between. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it, and don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. For sponsorships or collaborations: podbypen@gmail.com Follow for more @penkunstler @podbypen Follow Maya - @mayanamdar_
April 28 · 1 hr 10 min
Motherhood, Milk & Everything In Between with Tamari Jacob
Motherhood doesn’t come with a filter… and Tamari Jacob isn’t pretending it does. In this episode, Tamari, also known “One with the Pump”, shares her real-life experience as a pumping consultant supporting nursing and working moms - while living it herself. We get into the emotional, physical, and mental load of motherhood, the reality of exclusively pumping, and what it looks like to show up every day without the polished version of “perfect.” This conversation is candid, honest, and deeply relatable for any woman navigating motherhood in the real world. From messy homes to middle-of-the-night pumps, this is the side of motherhood we don’t always see - but all feel. Find tamari on instagram: @onewiththepump To sponsor an episode or collaborate, reach out at: podbypen@gmail.com Follow along on Instagram: @penkunstler @podbypen
April 21 · 58 min
Roots, Resilience & Real Talk with Elizabeth Savetsky
For years, many of us knew Elizabeth Savetsky as a fashion influencer. Polished, stylish, curated. However, over the last few years, her voice has taken on an entirely new role. In this episode, we sit down for a deeply personal conversation about where she comes from, what shaped her, and how she stepped into one of the most powerful advocacy roles we’re seeing today. Having known each other for over a decade, this conversation goes beyond what you see online. It’s not just about her public stance - it’s about the human behind it. The shifts, the pressure, the responsibility, and the moments that changed everything. This is a conversation about identity, growth, and what happens when your voice becomes bigger than you ever expected. About the Podcast: Pod by Pen is where real conversations meet the women behind the stories. Raw, honest, and a little unfiltered - this is your space for depth, growth, and everything in between. Stay Connected: Instagram: @penkunstler Email: podbypen@gmail.com 🎧 New episodes dropping weekly.
April 14 · 1 hr 12 min
Supporting Families Through Pregnancy & Infant Loss | Reva Judas of NechamaComfort
Trigger Warning: Discussion of pregnancy and infant loss. In this episode, I sit down with Reva Judas, founder of Nechama Comfort, to talk about the realities of pregnancy and infant loss and the support families truly need. We discuss grief, community, emotional support, and what it looks like to walk alongside someone during their most vulnerable moments. A powerful and necessary conversation. If you or someone you know is navigating pregnancy or infant loss, support is available through Nechama Comfort. 833-NECHAMA (833-632-4262) or (201) 724-4093 info@nechamacomfort.org www.nechamacomfort.org Based in Teaneck, NJ, Nechama Comfort provides compassionate, confidential support to families globally. For sponsorship inquiries: podbypen@gmail.com Follow along on Instagram: @penkunstler @podbypen
March 24 · 50 min
Frumee Taubenfeld: Being Seen, Being Judged, Being Authentic
In this episode, Frumee Taubenfeld opens up in a way that feels both deeply personal and incredibly relevant. We talk about the pressure of being a Jewish woman in today’s world - online and offline - and how modesty can sometimes shift from a meaningful value into something that feels performative. Frumee opens up about marriage, navigating hard seasons, and the emotional weight that can come with feeling misunderstood or exposed. This conversation is honest, thoughtful, and full of the kind of nuance we don’t always make space for. Follow Frumee @frumeetaubenfeld Subscribe to Pod by Pen for honest, unfiltered conversations about life, identity, relationships, and everything in between. Follow along on Instagram: @podbypen For inquiries & sponsorships: podbypen@gmail.com
March 17 · 1 hr 12 min
Rechama (D-rama) on Business, the Internet & Getting Real
Rechama Jaffa is known online for her humor, honesty, and unfiltered takes on life, motherhood, and entrepreneurship. But before the internet personality era, she built D-Rama, a fashion brand focused on creating stylish clothing for women who often felt overlooked by the industry. In this episode of Pod by Pen, Rechama opens up about what it was really like to run a storefront, build a brand from the ground up, and ultimately make the difficult decision to close that chapter for now. We talk about the realities of entrepreneurship, the pressure of building a business publicly, body image and weight loss, and what it means to evolve when life takes you in a different direction than you originally planned. Rechama brings her signature humor and honesty to a conversation about reinvention, priorities, and the many different eras women move through in life. Follow Rechama: https://www.instagram.com/d____rama?igsh=aWY3b3NkMXlvb3l3 This episode is sponsored by Dress Blank. Dress Blank creates timeless, wearable pieces designed for real life. Effortless, elevated, and made to be styled your way. Explore the collection: @dressblank dressblank.com Follow along: Instagram: @penkunstler Podcast Instagram: @podbypen For sponsorships, collaborations, or guest inquiries: podbypen@gmail.com Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
March 10 · 1 hr 7 min
Building A Luxury Shoe Brand | Sarah Shagalow of A. Soliani
Building a product brand takes vision, creativity, and an incredible amount of persistence. In this episode of Pod by Pen, I sit down with Sarah Shagalow, founder of A. Soliani, a brand known for its beautifully designed shoes and leather goods. Sarah shares the story behind launching A. Soliani, what inspired her to enter the world of footwear and leather design, and the reality of building a product-based brand from the ground up. We talk about her Italian background, the challenges of manufacturing and production, and what it takes to grow a brand in today’s competitive fashion industry. This conversation is a real look at the intersection of entrepreneurship, design, craftsmanship, and building something meaningful. Follow Sarah & A. Soliani Sarah's Instagram: @sarah.soliani Instagram: @a.soliani Website: https://asoliani.com Follow & Connect Instagram: @podbypen Host: @penkunstler Sponsorship & collaborations: podbypen@gmail.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share. It helps more women find these conversations.
February 24 · 47 min
What No One Tells Women About Their Pelvic Floor | Dr. Tamar Ohana
In this episode of Pod By Pen, I sit down with Dr. Tamar Ohana for an honest, overdue conversation about pelvic floor therapy and women’s health. So many women experience leaking, pelvic pain, discomfort during intimacy, core weakness, or lingering postpartum issues - and assume it’s just something they have to live with. It’s not. This episode breaks down what pelvic floor therapy actually is, who it’s for, and why discomfort after childbirth (or even years later) should never be dismissed as “normal.” If you’ve had babies, are planning to, or simply want to better understand your body — this conversation is empowering, informative, and incredibly validating. Follow & Connect Info@alignpelvicphysio.com 410-929-3238 Pod By Pen Instagram: @podbypen Host: @penkunstler Sponsorship & collaborations: podbypen@gmail.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share. It helps more women find these conversations.

Pod By Pen

Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt: Journalist, Rebbetzin, and the Courage to Say the Hard Things

Rivkah Fox: Jewish Matchmaking, Unfiltered

Healing Your Nervous System (Not Just Your Diagnosis) - with Kaley Z

Ashley Shurka Eliyahu: The Heart Behind the Content

Girl in Progress | Dina Stern

The Frock Sisters on Life, Loss, and Staying Close

Rachel Husney: Lets Talk About Relationships

The Woman Behind Adina Eden

The Relationship Advice Nobody Wants to Hear | Rachaeli Glucksman

NGL: Remarriage, Step Parenting & The Questions We Don’t Ask Out Loud

Converting to Orthodox Judaism in Real Time | Kaitlin Kehler on Faith & Identity

Therapy, Anxiety & Emotional Wellness | with Jen Lax

Grief, Growth, and the Life After | Maya Namdar

Motherhood, Milk & Everything In Between with Tamari Jacob

Roots, Resilience & Real Talk with Elizabeth Savetsky

Supporting Families Through Pregnancy & Infant Loss | Reva Judas of NechamaComfort

Frumee Taubenfeld: Being Seen, Being Judged, Being Authentic

Rechama (D-rama) on Business, the Internet & Getting Real

Building A Luxury Shoe Brand | Sarah Shagalow of A. Soliani

What No One Tells Women About Their Pelvic Floor | Dr. Tamar Ohana