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Artwork for Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories

Chabad.org: Chana Weisberg
Judaism
Chabad
Israel
Spirituality
Torah
Faith
Anti-Semitism
Chassidus
Mental Health
Conversion To Judaism
Holocaust
Christianity
Community
Family
Rebbe
Chabad-Lubavitch
Grief
Hasidic Judaism
Parenting
Hasidic Philosophy

Join this podcast as Chana Weisberg masterfully interviews people from all walks of life, uncovering their inspiring and amazing stories. Listen to the latest episode, or any of the past interviews, to discover extraordinary people with extraordinary stories.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes50Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
JudaismReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories

Latest Episodes

Rebbetzin Hadassah (Schneerson) Carelbach shares about her father's heroism under Communism and during the Holocaust, how they rebuild their lives afterward, and what gives her satisfaction today.

Rabbi Shabse Alpern was a kid from Brooklyn, whom the Rebbe sent to Brazil. Hear how the Rebbe's blessings, directives, and lessons have been the guiding light of his life.

Yaakov Schy spent years living and working in rural Asia, where he discovered that everyone had a tribal identity except for him. That led him to rediscover Judaism.

Nikki's turnaround came when a rabbi came into her room with a shofar. She went on to publish his book after he was murdered by terrorists.

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Recent Guests

Yaakov Schy
Jewish writer and speaker who spent years in China
Independent writer/ speaker
Episode: My Jewish Identity: Made in China
Nikki Goldstein
Author of Conversations with My Rabbi, Timeless Teachings for a Fractured World; journalist
Collaborator with Rabbi Ellie Schlanger
Episode: I Was in a Coma and the Doctors Gave Up on Me
Eliana Duthy
Guest who shares her life journey from a non-Jewish background to Judaism and shlichut in South Africa
Shlichah in South Africa (Chabad)
Episode: How a Baptist Girl from the Deep South Became a Chabad Rebbetzin
Rabbi Benzion Kravits
Founder of Jews for Judaism
Jews for Judaism
Episode: The Man Behind Jews for Judaism
Elissa Felder
Guest on the show who shares her journey through infertility, the loss of her baby, and her work with Chavra Kadisha
Chavra Kadisha advocate; author
Episode: My Baby Died on the Operating Table
Cameron Hayes
Former white supremacist, anti-racist advocate
Independent activist
Episode: The Rabbi and the Skinhead
Lieba Karnikov
Shlucha in Fort Lee, sharing her miraculous medical story
Shlucha, Fort Lee
Episode: Miracle After Miracle Saved My Husband
Katia Bolotin
Musician, songwriter, and author of Making It Relevant, Timeless Torah Wisdom for a Changing World
Self/Independent author
Episode: The Pianist Who Chopped Off Her Finger
Shachar Banim
Chabad Rebbetzin of Venice, Italy
Chabad Lubavitch, Rebbetzin Unplugged
Episode: Hosting a Seder in a City Without Cars

Host

Chana Weisberg
Host of Ordinary People with Extraordinary Stories

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 54 ratings
  • Excellent podcast

    Excellent

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MiriamalezaB
    United States2 months ago
  • Kosher Yoga

    Amazing story of Areya Siegal’s journey from “poster child” of TM to fight the Rebbe’s fight through the “winks” he got understanding he had done right & good. Deeply engaging for like- minds.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    🪬🧿🪽🪽
    United States9 months ago
  • Great podcast!

    Chana does a great job interviewing Jewish women from across the world! Gives insight into the lives of many Chabad schulim. A great and impactful show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pod Friend 14
    United States2 years ago
  • Really appreciate this podcast

    I really appreciate the wide range of guests that have been on this podcast. Such refreshing to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CZ B"H
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Clear, thoughtful questions and engaging storytelling make guests feel seen and heard.
Listeners appreciate the range of guests and the authentic, faith-centered conversations.
The host fosters meaningful dialogue with Jewish women and community leaders around the world.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From Tattoos to Teshuvah
Q: How do you connect tattoos with teshuvah and Jewish life today?
The tattoos are reframed as icebreakers that open conversations about faith; they symbolize a journey from rebellion to responsibility, illustrating how deliberate actions aligned with Jewish values create a stronger, more visible commitment to God and community.
From Tattoos to Teshuvah
Q: What was your turning point on campus that shifted your path toward Judaism?
A chance encounter with a campus rabbi who treated him as Jewish and engaged him with thoughtful questions about politics, sexuality, and identity, leading him to realize the depth and practicality of Torah over his Buddhist explorations.
I Was Trapped Behind the Iron Curtain
Q: What was life like growing up as a Jewish child in communist Czechoslovakia?
She describes pervasive anti-Semitism, social exclusion, and the constant sense of being watched, which shaped a fragile sense of identity but also an early drive to persevere and seek a future in the West.
We Chose Judaism in Rural Montana
Q: What did you find compelling about the Old Testament teachings that pointed toward Judaism?
The guest notes the direct relationship with Hashem and freedom from needing an intermediary, which felt authentic and foundational in his search for truth.
We Chose Judaism in Rural Montana
Q: Like what? Can you give us an example of what was resonating about the Old Testament that you felt was truthful about Judaism?
He highlights the idea that Hashem could be approached directly without an intercessor, which contrasted with the intermediary practices in many Christian denominations and resonated as a core truth.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories

What is Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on deep, personal conversations with people across Jewish life, exploring transformation, faith, identity, and community. Episodes commonly thread personal journeys—conversion, redemption, caregiving, and resilience—through lenses of Judaism, Hasidic teachings, and outreach. The conversations often highlight practical spirituality, interfaith dialogue, and the role of community in navigating life's challenges, from grief and illness to social change. A standout aspect is the consistently intimate, testimonial style that blends cultural context with actionable wisdom, making it suitable for listeners seeking meaningful, faith-centered storytelling and for potential guests who want to share transformative life experiences wit... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories:

1. From the Inside Out: With Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein
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5. All Classes

How many episodes of Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories are there?

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories launched 5 years ago and published 50 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories?

Recent guests on Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories include:

1. Yaakov Schy
2. Nikki Goldstein
3. Eliana Duthy
4. Rabbi Benzion Kravits
5. Elissa Felder
6. Cameron Hayes
7. Lieba Karnikov
8. Katia Bolotin

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