Totally Unexpected!

Join Chavie as she discovers the one totally unexpected moment in her guests’ lives that changed everything. These are real stories about pain, joy, and struggle, the moments that make us human. Chavie is obsessed with personal growth and doesn’t shy away from the hard conversations. She covers topics like Jewish astrology, parenting taboos, health and wellness, adoption, race, and sexuality inside the Orthodox Jewish community and beyond.Chavie Bruk is a mother of five adopted children and the co-director of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana together with her husband, Rabbi Chaim Bruk. On Totally Unexpected! Chavie doesn’t just interview her guests, she sits with them for long, unfiltered conversations where they laugh, cry, and share the stories that shaped who they have become. Chavie also writes a weekly essay on Substack about the unexpected moments in her life, the one’s happening in real time that are challenging her, stretching her, and helping her grow. Sign up for free here: www.T

Totally Unexpected! is a religion podcast hosted by Chavie Bruk, with 54 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Chavie Bruk hosts Totally Unexpected!, a religion show with 54 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #54

  David Aaron's Story: Kabbalah Demystified - The Science of Judaism

  Sep 22, 20261h 29m

  Rabbi David Aaron tells Chavie about growing up in Toronto hearing his Holocaust-survivor mother scream in her sleep, and questioning how G-d could be good amid so much suffering. He describes feeling the “oy” rather than the joy of being Jewish and using rock and roll and comedy to drown out those questions, before discovering NCSY, Shabbos with friends, Chabad, and finally going to a yeshiva in Jerusalem. Rabbi Aaron shares how he discovered Kabbalah at a young age which unlocked for the "science" for how Judaism works. He also shared how a near-stranger insisted she knew his soulmate, despite the cultural and language differences between him and Chana; after an awkward first date, they tried again and have been married for 42 years. Chavie returns to the childhood pain that shaped his work, opening a conversation about Judaism’s “branding problem” and Chana’s insight during labor that “pain with purpose is power.” Rabbi David Aaron is a renowned educator, author, and Rosh Yeshiva of Orayta in the Old City of Jerusalem. He is the author of several influential books, including The Secret Life of God, Seeing God, Living a Joyous Life, and Soul Powered Prayers. His teachings focus on the deeper foundations of emunah, tefillah, and personal growth, making profound Torah ideas clear, practical, and deeply relevant. This Week's Prompt There is no prompt this episode and next due to the holidays but we will resume right after! Listen to voice notes from listeners at the end of every episode with their personal stories and reflections on a given prompt. Referenced On the Pod 29:20 Night by Elie Weisel 23:30 Chavie’s grandfather, Dr. Yitzchok Block 45:15 Rabbi Noah Weinberg, founder of Aish HaTorah 52:27 The Road Less Traveled by Dr. M. Scott Peck Further Along the Road Less Traveled by Dr. M. Scott Peck 1:12:36 “The Pangs of Cleansing” by Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook Stay in touch with David Aaron https://rabbidavidaaron.com/ https://www.instagram.com/davidaaron613 https://www.youtube.com/@RabbiDavidAaron Stay in touch with Chavie @chaviebruk on Instagram www.totallyunexpected.blog Totally Unexpected! on Youtube This episode is dedicated to the loving memory of Rabbi David Aaron’s beloved granddaughter, Nechalya, who tragically lost her life in a car accident while traveling as a passenger a few months ago. Want to sponsor or dedicate an episode? Reach out to Chavie on Instagram or by email at chaviebruk@gmail.com.

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  Episode #53

  Shevach Tamir's Story: Learning To Parent Through Trauma

  Sep 7, 20262h 28m

  Shevach tells Chavie about growing up in Miami Beach as the youngest of seven, sometimes feeling like an only child, but later recognizing the freedom and attention he received as the youngest. He and Chavie compare that with her experience as the oldest of nine, and Chavie describes the many ways her son feels different: the only boy among four sisters, Black, adopted, and the only Jewish child in his class. Shevach talks about validating the pain of feeling alone before trying to help a child see what makes them unique. He then tells Chavie about a broken engagement which showed him how little he trusted his own voice and led him to start separating personality from dysfunction. They move into the overlooked “easy” child and Shevach’s belief that trauma leaves a mark even when someone appears resilient. Shevach shares how his young nephew drowned in the family pool when Shevach was seven, and how that grief resurfaced years later when he panicked over an unlocked balcony door near his own son. Shevach traces his path from hiding a guitar inside his yeshiva mattress and starting a Chassidic rock band to studying psychology, developing sports social work, and creating the WISE Parenting Method. Chavie asks what his approach looks like for parents. They close on the uncomfortable reality that parents and children are not always naturally compatible, but does not mean you do not love them. Shevach Tamir LCSW, Parenting and Trauma Therapist, is a seasoned clinician with over a decade of experience supporting individuals, parents, and families within the Jewish community. He specializes in parenting therapy, family therapy, and trauma-informed care. Shevach is deeply committed to empowering parents, helping them feel confident, understood, and supported in their role, because parents matter too. His approach is warm, respectful, and grounded in a culturally sensitive, Torah-aligned perspective, creating a space where parents feel safe, seen, and supported as they navigate growth and healing. This Week's Prompt Tell Me One Thing You Feel Astrology Gets Right About Your Personality Listen to voice notes from listeners at the end of every episode with their personal stories and reflections on a given prompt. Referenced On the Pod 2:29 Aura Rosenblatt' podcast Divine Detour 15:09 The Billion Dollar Secret, Rafael Badziag Stay in touch with Shevach @wiseparenting_official on Instagram www.onthebeachcounseling.com/parenting-therapy/ Book a Free 15 Minute Initial Consultation https://calendly.com/onthebeachcounseling/initial-consult Join Wise Parenting Hub - WhatsApp Group Send an email with your name and number to Hello@WiseParentingMethod.com Light of Shneur Initiative - Almost Free Parenting Therapy Hello@BetterParentingTherapy.com Stay in touch with Chavie @chaviebruk on Instagram www.totallyunexpected.blog Totally Unexpected! on Youtube Want to sponsor or dedicate an episode? Reach out to Chavie on Instagram or by email at chaviebruk@gmail.com.

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  Episode #52

  Naomi Salfati's Story: Torah & Astrology - Reclaiming Nature's Manual

  Aug 24, 20262h 20m

  Naomi starts off by telling Chavie how she became an artist, why she was drawn to Hebrew letters, and how studying Jewish mysticism eventually led her into astrology. She explains why she considers herself a student of astrology rather than an astrologer. Chavie asks Naomi to break down the basics, including sun, moon, and rising signs, and because the interview happens to fall on Chavie’s birthday, Naomi uses her chart to do a full live reading. Along the way, Naomi shares her view that astrology was taken from us as part of our disconnection from God and nature, while Chavie explains why she sees a birth chart as a handbook from Hashem that can help people understand their strengths, struggles, and what they are here to do. Chavie asks how astrology fits with the Jewish belief in free will, and Naomi explains the difference between having a mazal and having a fixed destiny. They end with Chavie asking Naomi for her favorite and worst thing about each of the twelve signs. Naomi Salfati is a Hebrew letter artist and the founder of AstroTorah, where she bridges Kabbalah, astrology, and psychology to help people better understand themselves and their life's purpose. This Week's Prompt Tell me about something you’re scared to do and what’s holding you back? Listen to voice notes from listeners at the end of every episode with their personal stories on a given prompt. Referenced On the Pod 11:42:00 Mendel Zirkind’s interview with Chavie 1:18:35 find your chart on Astro.com Stay in touch with Naomi! instagram.com/astrotorah www.astrotorah.com Book a reading with Naomi here: https://astro-torah.as.me/schedule/56d76640 Stay in touch with Chavie! @chaviebruk on Instagram www.totallyunexpected.blog Totally Unexpected! on Youtube Want to sponsor or dedicate an episode? Reach out to Chavie on Instagram or by email at chaviebruk@gmail.com.

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  Episode #50

  Julia Makowsky's Story: When Religion Becomes Anxiety + EP 50 BONUS

  Jul 27, 20262h 11m

  Julia Makowsky grew up in Los Angeles with baal teshuvah parents who became increasingly passionate about Torah as she was growing up, while Julia often felt that she was simply along for the ride. Although she had an innate spiritual connection from a young age, she struggled to make Judaism feel like her own. By the time she had her third child, she had taken on more and more religious practices out of fear, believing that if she did not daven enough or observe everything perfectly, Hashem might punish her or take away her children. When her rabbi finally told her, “That is not Torah. That is anxiety,” Julia began breaking down the way she had been practicing and rebuilding a relationship with God that felt personal, chosen, and peaceful. She and Chavie talk about what it means to find your own religious baseline, why other people’s standards can pull us away from our own values, and how Chavie’s baseline in raising five adopted children is always attachment and safety. Julia shares that she knew she wanted to become a therapist from the time she was eight years old because of how deeply she felt other people’s emotions. She opens up about growing up as an empath, the emotional scar tissue she developed after being hurt and abused, and what she later had to learn as a therapist about separating her clients’ feelings from her own and not helping them through the lens of her personal wounds. She then explains why she added coaching to her work, describing therapy as a space where the practitioner asks the questions that help a client arrive at their own answers, while coaching allows her to be more direct, identify concrete steps, and help someone move toward a specific outcome. Julia and Chavie talk about why both approaches matter, why coaching cannot replace the processing that sometimes needs to happen first, and why the right practitioner may look different for each person. They close by asking when healing becomes another form of avoidance, why constant self-reflection and optimization can leave us perpetually dissatisfied, and whether feeling calm, not endlessly striving, is a better sign that something in our lives is actually working. Julia K. Makowsky is a licensed therapist, coach, speaker, content creator, and host of Tribe & Tribulations. Known for her honest, relatable, and compassionate approach, Julia blends professional expertise with real-life experience to explore mental health, relationships, identity, parenting, faith, and personal growth. Through her therapy practice, speaking engagements, social platforms, and podcast, she creates meaningful conversations that bridge communities, reduce stigma, and help people feel seen, understood, and empowered. This Week's Prompt CELEBRATING EPISODE 50! Which guests do you want to hear from in the voice note section? These are the guests listeners said they want to hear from and have submitted voice notes: Chaim Bruk, Sara Miriam Smith, Sarah Immerman, Moshe Weinbaum, Shaina Wiess, Aura Rosenblatt, Brochie Spritzer Referenced On the Pod 7:10 Tom Segura podcast 7:10 Tiger Belly podcast 8:05 Yitzhak Pinkesz, Author of Kosher Astrology on Julia’s podcast 8:55 Gedale Fenster 8:59 Charlie Harary 45:47 Chavie’s Tanya Class, Clearing the Mud Sara Miriam Smith's episode on Totally Unexpected! Moshe Weinbaum's episode on Totally Unexpected! Sarah Immerman's episode on Totally Unexpected! Shaina Wiess's episode on Totally Unexpected! Chaim Bruk's episode on Totally Unexpected! Brochie Spritzer's episode on Totally Unexpected! Aura Rosenblatt's episode on Totally Unexpected! Stay in touch with Julia! Julia on Instagram https://jkmakowsky.com https://www.youtube.com/@juliakmakowsky Stay in touch with Chavie! @chaviebruk on Instagram www.totallyunexpected.blog Totally Unexpected! on Youtube Want to sponsor or dedicate an episode? Reach out to Chavie on Instagram or by email at chaviebruk@gmail.com.

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  Episode #48

  Sorella Abrahams: From Love In London To Terror In Bondi

  Jun 29, 20262h 47m

  Sorella shares what it was like to grow up in London as the eleventh of twelve children in a big, Chabad family, and how her school and community experiences were shaped by a mix of Holocaust survivors, Russian immigrants, and baalei teshuvahs. She shares how, at eleven years old, her childhood was abruptly changed when her 17-year-old sister Chayale passed away suddenly, and on the same day, her best friend, Dina’s younger sister, Malky, also passed away. Chavie asks what grief looked like in the home after that, and Sorella talks about how her sister was spoken about constantly, even if the tools for processing grief were different than they are today. Sorella then shares how those two losses connected their families forever and how Dina’s older brother, Aycee, eventually became her husband after years of friendship, chemistry, and trying to convince herself he was too familiar and safe. Chavie and Sorella trace her move to Sydney, where she and Aycee built a life on shlichus, and the transition from their established roles into founding Abraham’s Tent, an organization supporting Jewish patients and families in hospitals. The losses of both their mothers became a turning point for Sorella and Aycee, pushing them to question whether they were really living up to their potential and eventually leading them to start Abraham’s Tent. Sorella then walks Chavie through a play by play of the Chanukah attack at Bondi Beach, where their close friend Rabbi Eli Schlanger was killed, and what it was like to run with her children, search for the ones who weren’t with her, and then step into the aftermath as Abraham’s Tent became part of the response for the injured and their families. Chavie reflects on how grief keeps showing up differently as life moves forward. Chavie and Sorella talk about faith, anger, fear, purpose, and what it means to keep bringing light while still living with the questions. Sorella Abrahams is a passionate community builder and Chabad Shlucha, born in the UK into a large Chabad family. From a young age she developed a deep love for people and a fascination with their stories and journeys. Together with her husband Rabbi Aycee, Sorella founded Abrahams Tent and The Soul Centre in Randwick, Sydney in 2022, creating spaces that support hospital patients and their families while nurturing community, wellbeing and spiritual growth. Through challenges in her own life, Sorella has learned to turn pain into purpose and madness into meaning, using her experiences to uplift and support others. A devoted wife and mother of four, she is passionate about teaching women, building meaningful connections, creative writing, public speaking, and travelling G-D's magical world. This Week's Prompt Tell me about the time you forgave someone or asked someone for forgiveness! This segment at the end of every episode features voice notes from listeners with their personal stories and hot takes on a given prompt. Referenced On the Pod 43:36 Merkos Shlichus 45:56 Bikur Cholim London 57:46 Abrahams’s Tent Sydney 1:14:10 Sefirat HaOmer 1:17:43 Awarness By Miriam Adahan 2:30:02 Faith Niece interview with Sony Perlman 2:33:56 Shaindy Plotzker 2:34:07 Shalom for Charlotte Stay in touch with Sorella! sorella@abrahamstent.org.au @sorellaellaella on Instagram www.abrahamstent.org.au www.supportsydney.org/Eli Stay in touch with Chavie! @chaviebruk on Instagram www.totallyunexpected.blog Totally Unexpected! on Youtube Want to sponsor or dedicate an episode? Reach out to Chavie on Instagram or by email at chaviebruk@gmail.com.

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