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Totally Unexpected!

Chavie Bruk
Parenting
Judaism
Adoption
Personal Growth
Education
Community Support
Jewish Community
Mental Health
Child Development
Neurodivergent Children
Infertility
Spirituality
Lubavitcher Rebbe
Therapy
Spiritual Growth
Parent-Teacher Communication
School Advocacy
Motherhood
Astrology
Emotional Dysregulation

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 insid... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes54Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
JudaismPersonal JournalsReligion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Totally Unexpected!

Latest Episodes

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 ol... more

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 astrol... more

YouTube

Dena Schusterman tells Chavie about growing up on shlichus, first in Berkeley and then Albuquerque, where her childhood was filled with skiing, wide-open landscapes, and saying the Twelve Pesukim into the New Mexico canyons. When her older sister str... more

YouTube

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... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Naomi Salfati
Founder of AstroTorah, bridges Kabbalah, astrology, psychology
AstroTorah
Episode: Naomi Salfati's Story: Torah & Astrology - Reclaiming Nature's Manual
Dena Schusterman
Author and Shlucha, focusing on personal stories and her memoir
Author, Shlucha
Episode: Dena Schusterman's Story: Facing the Stories I Carry
Julia Makowsky
Licensed therapist, coach, speaker, content creator; host of Tribe & Tribulations
Independent/Tribe & Tribulations
Episode: Julia Makowsky's Story: When Religion Becomes Anxiety + EP 50 BONUS
Sonia Daccarett
Author; communications professional; memoirist
Author of The Roots of the Guava Tree
Episode: Sonia Daccarett's Story: A Jewish Mother, a Palestinian Father, & Her Search for Identity
Sorrela Abrahams
Survivor of the Bandai/Bondi Beach attack, co-founder of Abraham's Tent in Sydney
Abraham's Tent / Sydney Chabad community
Episode: Sorella Abrahams' Story: From Love In London To Terror In Bondi
Yisroel Bernath
Senior Rabbi at Rohr Chabad NDG, Montreal; The Love Rabbi; author of The Forgiveness Experiment
Chabad/Montreal
Episode: Yisroel Bernath's Story: The Forgiveness Experiment
Paola Feher
Yoga instructor, biomechanics expert, and Ayurveda practitioner
Arya Veda School / The Yogurt Tree Mexico
Episode: Paola Feher's Story: From Yoga to Ayurveda - A Guide to Breath, Body, & Self
Aimee Baron
Founder and director of I Was Supposed To Have a Baby
I Was Supposed To Have a Baby
Episode: Aimee Baron's Story: I Was Supposed To Have a Baby
Dassi Zar
Founder of The Resilient Minded Mom; IFS-informed coach; former Shlucha in Lower Manhattan; yoga and Pilates instructor; owner of 50% Off Wig business
The Resilient Minded Mom
Episode: Dassi Zar's Story: In Between Selves - The Act of Rebirthing

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 173 ratings
  • Love it!

    Chavies interviews are always fascinating conversations! There is a great energy and curiosity, i always come away with something new to think about.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wolfies07
    Australiaa year ago
  • Great

    The episode with rabbi yy was so insightful, I loved how vulnerable, deep and self aware it was. It really resonated especially the talk about mashiach made me think

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Frisma
    Mexicoa year ago
  • Totally Unexpected!

    I love listening to these conversations; they are thoughtful, meaningful and leave you with lots of foods for thoughts. Chavie does an excellent job facilitating the interviews; she’s asking thoughtful questions, contributes to the conversations and is a very good listener. She has found that delicate balance of asking purposeful questions, sometimes hard questions- while also being respectful. Highly recommend this podcast- it will take you in some unexpected and interesting directions - and yo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SF NorCal
    United Statesa year ago
  • Chavie’s Mom

    Such a beautiful podcast! Fascinated by your Mother’s background and her sense of calling to be a Shlucha. Thank you both for being so candid and giving us an inside glimpse into both of your Shlucha commitments and experiences. May Hashem continue to bless you both with Koach and ruach to continue the amazing contributions you make and the sacrifices you take on to spread and share Chassidus.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bubbe 1951
    United Statesa year ago
  • Loved it!!

    Loved!!!!! The podcast with your mom!!!! The depth and as your mother put it, the “layers” really resonated with me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ZeeeeeeeRR
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the balance between ask-good-questions and respectful listening.
Guests share personal stories in a way that resonates and invites reflection.
Interviews are engaging and thought-provoking, with a strong host presence.
Conversations feel vulnerable, honest, and deeply meaningful.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Yisroel Bernath's Story: The Forgiveness Experiment
Q: What is the core idea of the drama triangle and its alternative, the empowerment triangle?
The drama triangle centers on roles of victim, perpetrator, and rescuer; the empowerment triangle reframes interactions around agency and co-creation, enabling people to move out of victimhood by choosing how they respond.
Yisroel Bernath's Story: The Forgiveness Experiment
Q: How did the Love Rabbi phase influence your path?
It introduced him to a broader network of matchmaking and later to storytelling and film projects, shaping his public persona before he shifted toward the forgiveness work that now dominates his focus.
Yisroel Bernath's Story: The Forgiveness Experiment
Q: What prompted you to write The Forgiveness Experiment?
It started as a personal process of documenting and organizing his experiences with forgiveness, not a planned book, and evolved after witnessing how people reacted to his public calls for forgiveness and accountability.
SPECIAL EPISODE: A Day In the Life of Chavie Bruk
Q: What pulled you out of the zone this Friday?
A combination of mikveh interruptions, life demands, and a few unexpected home moments pulled her away from the cooking zone, but she continued problem-solving and kept moving forward.
Yocheved Shapiro's Story: A Parent’s Guide to School Advocacy
Q: How can parents effectively communicate with schools about their child's needs?
Approach the school from a partnership perspective, believing that the school cares about your child's success. Focus on identifying problems without blaming individuals, and express willingness to work together for solutions.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Totally Unexpected!

What is Totally Unexpected! about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features long, intimate conversations led by a host who steers guests through personal histories, faith journeys, and hard-won lessons. Episodes commonly center on topics like Orthodox Jewish life, motherhood and parenting, adoption, trauma and resilience, healing, and authenticity in belief. A notable strength is the willingness to tackle tough subjects with vulnerability, blending memoir-level storytelling with practical insights for listeners navigating faith, family, and self-advocacy. The format often invites guests from religious communities, therapy and wellness spaces, authors, and lay leaders to share how moments of adversity became catalysts for growth and meaning. The show is likely to appeal to listeners seeking heartf... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Totally Unexpected!?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Totally Unexpected!:

1. From the Inside Out: With Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein
2. Stories Of Hope With Tzipora Grodko
3. Pod By Pen
4. Meaningful People
5. Inspiration for the Nation with Yaakov Langer

How many episodes of Totally Unexpected! are there?

Totally Unexpected! launched 2 years ago and published 54 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 Totally Unexpected!?

Recent guests on Totally Unexpected! include:

1. Naomi Salfati
2. Dena Schusterman
3. Julia Makowsky
4. Sonia Daccarett
5. Sorrela Abrahams
6. Yisroel Bernath
7. Paola Feher
8. Aimee Baron

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