Fighting Spirit

In this episode of Tattoos & Torah our host, Rabbi Iggy, will explore the fascinating world of Marla Aaron, a visionary jewelry designer who is redefining the concept of jewelry with her eponymous collection. Launched in 2013, Marla's collection showcases her passion for bridges, hardware, and jewelry, captivating individuals worldwide. Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of Marla Aaron and explore how she is reshaping the boundaries of jewelry design. What started with a single lock has evolved into a diverse collection that can be worn in limitless ways, serving as "jewel tools" to complement and redefine the concept of "precious" in jewelry. While the collection boasts a sleek, industrial aesthetic, its inspiration is deeply rooted in the emotional and personal jewelry of the Victorian and Georgian eras. Over time, Marla Aaron has skillfully incorporated various elements to expand the collection's artistic range. Marla Aaron's rebellious approach to jewelry led to an innovative milestone in December 2017—the installation of their first jewelry vending machine at the renowned Brooklyn Museum. Embracing their pioneering spirit, Marla and her team are currently in the process of building additional machines to make their unique pieces even more accessible. The collection received further recognition in 2016 when it was showcased at the Museum of American Finance in New York City as part of the exhibition "Gold: Worth its Weight." This exhibit celebrated the collection's distinctive blend of artistry and craftsmanship, leaving a lasting impression on visitors. Embracing the power of social media, Marla and her team regularly unveil new designs on Instagram, providing followers with an exclusive first look. With an unstructured approach to releases, each design is a surprise, adding an element of excitement and anticipation for fans of the collection. Marla's philanthropic initiative, the #lockyourmom Project, is a testament to her compassionate nature. Single moms are gifted sterling silver Baby Heartlocks, specially created for them. This heartwarming project has touched the lives of hundreds of deserving single moms across the nation, showcasing Marla's commitment to making a positive impact. Prior to launching her collection, Marla accumulated over 25 years of experience in marketing and advertising. Notably, she played a pivotal role in the launch of Cosmopolitan Magazine in Spain and orchestrated unique marketing campaigns, including one that involved sending British sports cars home with recipients. However, her true passion lay in designing jewelry, and she pursued this calling wholeheartedly. Marla is an alumna of Syracuse University and holds a graduate degree in journalism from Columbia University. She currently resides in New York City with her husband, where she indulges in knitting and eagerly awaits visits from her children who are away at college. When not immersed in these activities, Marla devotes her time to designing jewelry and enthusiastically shares her creations and musings on Instagram, inviting others into her imaginative world. Follow on Instagram @marlaaaron Shop at https://marlaaaron.com Find us at www.tshuvahcenter.org Follow us @tshuvahcenter on Instagram Say hi at [email protected] Please subscribe, rate, review and share.

Dr. Kien Vuu, widely known as Doctor V, is an accomplished assistant professor of Health Sciences at UCLA, esteemed speaker, renowned media expert, and the founder of Vuu MD Performance and Longevity. He is also the bestselling author of "Thrive State: Your Blueprint for Optimal Health, Longevity, and Peak Performance." With over 14 years of medical practice under his belt, Dr. V combines his expertise as a physician with his personal journey of overcoming chronic disease. Initially trained in Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology, Dr. V became an authority in utilizing cutting-edge medical imaging and non-invasive surgery for disease diagnosis and treatment. However, his dissatisfaction with the conventional, disease-centered model of modern medicine compelled him to seek additional training from global experts in nutrition, personal development, spirituality, and performance and longevity medicine. Driven by his passion for a more comprehensive approach to well-being, he pursued fellowship training and obtained board certification from the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. On the captivating podcast, Tattoos and Torah, join Rabbi Iggy and Dr. V as they delve into a captivating discussion on all things health and wellness. Together, they will explore intriguing topics that span the realms of medicine, spirituality, and personal growth, offering listeners a unique perspective on achieving holistic well-being. Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. V is a highly sought-after health media expert and an engaging speaker, consistently sharing his knowledge to elevate health consciousness on various esteemed platforms. His expertise has graced ABC News, TEDx stages, The Doctors, Access Hollywood, and many other influential media outlets, where he passionately advocates for empowering individuals to take charge of their own health. With his dedication to the advancement of human performance and well-being, Dr. Kien Vuu continues to inspire countless individuals to unlock their full potential and live their lives to the fullest. Tune in to Tattoos and Torah for a captivating conversation that will leave you motivated and informed about the path to optimal health and personal growth. thrivestatebook.com thriveto105.com (Free e-book on Epigenetics) kienvuu.com/accelerator (Coupon Code: PODCAST25 for 25% off) Find us at www.tshuvahcenter.org Follow us @tshuvahcenter on Instagram Say hi at [email protected] Please subscribe, rate, review and share.

Katie Silcox : Key to a Balanced and Vibrant Life Give a warm welcome to our friend Katie Silcox, M.A. is the New York Times Best-Selling author of the book Healthy Happy Sexy – Ayurveda Wisdom for Modern Women and the founder of The Shakti School, a premier online certification school for women-centered holistic wellness. Her business focuses on the convergence of ancient holistic medicine, modern science and heart- centered spirituality. On this week’s episode of Tattoo and Torah with Rabbi Iggy we talk to Katie as she shares her process and depth of knowledge. Katie’s ability to present the complexities of ancient wisdom in a practical, empowering manner, and is an internationally sought-after teacher and mentor who was named one of “San Francisco’s Best Yoga Teachers” by Common Ground Magazine in 2009, one of “70 Yogis Changing the World” by Origin Magazine in 2014, and one of “100 Trailblazers in Yoga and Ayurveda” by Spirituality and Health Magazine in 2015. Katie’s signature style is known as Body Yantra, incorporating Tantric Vinyasa, restorative yoga, dance, sound, breath, emotion processing, manifestation technology, holistic biomechanics and structural trauma-release methods. Katie’s experiences, along with her academic credentials, position her as an exceptional mentor for women looking to heal, become the best version of themselves, and connect with their Divine Feminine. After traveling around the world and learning from renowned gurus, Katie’s professional career has been shaped by her personal journey of healing and self-discovery. She holds a master’s degree in Hinduism and the Ayurvedic Sciences and has written extensively on yoga, Ayurveda, sexuality, herbalism and women’s health and has been featured in Yoga Journal, Common Ground Magazine and Origin Magazine and more. Follow on Instagram @theshaktischool www.theshaktischool.com The Shakti School Find us at www.tshuvahcenter.org Follow us @tshuvahcenter on Instagram Say hi at [email protected] Please subscribe, rate, review and share.

Your body is an instrument, and this week on Tattoos and Torah with Rabbi Iggy we meet with Bryant Wood. Bryant Wood is a Master Breathwork Instructor, Healer, and co-founder of Modern Nirvana. Previously featured on Women’s Health, PeopleTV, Forbes, Netflix, Amazon, HBO, Spotify, United Nations, Discovery Inc., and Daily Yoga App. In this episode we explore breath, sound, and movement to open yourself up, feel, and express. In with the new and out with the old stuck emotions that have been holding you back. Bryant shares the benefits of breathwork and how it can help anyone regulate their stress levels and achieve deeper relaxation. This extraordinary tool is made even more powerful by its accessibility. Paired with meditation, exercise and mindfulness practices it can help get your practice to the next level. Follow on Instagram @bryantwood Get Your Modern Oracle Deck Here Modern Nirvana Find us at www.tshuvahcenter.org Follow us @tshuvahcenter on Instagram Say hi at [email protected] Please subscribe, rate, review and share.

In this episode of Tattoos & Torah, Rabbi Iggy talks to global ultra-endurance athlete and the founder of the 5.8 Global Adventure Series, Charlie Engle. Charlie shares his story of extreme resilience – which includes running across the Sahara Desert – and how suffering can lead to extraordinary growth. Charlie offers tangible steps toward recovery so you too can practice more mindfulness and not just check the AA Meeting box for the sake of it. He gets real about his relationship with running and how important it is to lessen the noise, so you can connect with your true self. Charlie’s memoir, Running Man, became a bestseller shortly after it was published in 2016. While the book details his inspiring life story, it is about more than just running. It is about facing demons, overcoming impossible odds, keeping your sense of humor, and discovering the redemptive power of putting one foot in front of the other, even when you feel like you can’t keep going. His motivation to run and tackle extreme adventures stems from his battle with addiction to drugs and alcohol. Charlie has been in recovery since July 23, 1992, and he credits a large part of his recovery to the purposeful devotion and emotional release he experiences while running. He has said that “Drugs and alcohol were my way out. Running was my way through.” Charlie is a dynamic speaker who has enthralled audiences around the world, from keynotes at the Boston Marathon and Google to the National Geographic Society, the United Nations, and the deck of a nuclear-class U.S. Naval aircraft carrier. He’s been featured in the New York Times, National Geographic Weekend, Outside, Runner’s World, NPR’s All Things Considered, Men’s Journal, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He lives with his wife, Astacianna Hatcher, in Durham, North Carolina. Charlie’s Areas of Expertise: Ultra-endurance athletics, addiction, and recovery overcoming adversity. Follow on Instagram @charlieengle www.charlieengle.com Author of RUNNING MAN Find us at www.tshuvahcenter.org Follow us @tshuvahcenter on Instagram Say hi at [email protected] Please subscribe, rate, review and share.

Season 4 / Episode 1 Susy Markoe Schieffelin : Life-Changing Sound; Spiritual Recovery This episode of Tattoos and Torah with Rabbi Iggy features such a kind heart, Susy Markoe Schieffelin aka The Copper Vessel. Susy is an LA-based Sound Healer, a Reiki Master, a Kundalini Yoga Teacher, a sobriety coach, and the founder of The Sounder Healer’s Academy. Rabbi Iggy explores the conversation around sound as an instrument for healing, as Susy offers a plethora of inspirational tips and practices that drive her own recovery journey. Susy shares her struggles with alcoholism and self-worth issues to heal herself, following her dreams and creating a successful business as a sound healer. Susy is known for her light-filled presence and ability to guide people towards radiant and empowered lives characterized by self-love, serenity, abundance, and joy. Susy has brought healing to employees at companies such as Google, Pandora, and Nordstrom, has played crystal bowls with notable artists including Leann Rimes and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. and has been featured in publications such as WSJ, VOGUE, USA TODAY, and Los Angeles TimesShe is the founder of the Sound Healer's Academy, an innovative Crystal Alchemy Sound Healing and Spiritual Business Mentorship training, serves as a self-love advocate for brands, has created custom product lines, and offers deeply restorative crystal alchemy sound bath ceremonies and healing rituals both in-person and online. Follow on Instagram @thecoppervessel www.thecoppervessel.com The Sound Healers Academy Find us at www.tshuvahcenter.org Follow us @tshuvahcenter on Instagram Say hi at [email protected] Please subscribe, rate, review and share. 

While summer can be a period of rest and joy, it can also signal that life changes are coming.  How do we make the most of transitional periods? How can we feel comfortable letting go? In the final episode of this season of Tattoos & Torah, Rabbi Iggy addresses these questions - and shares approaches in Jewish tradition to embracing and making meaning at the end of something. Listen to this episode for some practices to try out this summer - so you can feel ready for next “season”!  See you in the fall!

What do you say to yourself when you want to quit?  How do you flip that script? This week, Rabbi Iggy sits down with Eddie Arrazola, a boxing coach who created the acclaimed anti-bullying and self-confidence building youth program, “The Wolf Pack”. Together, they discuss the value of grit and determination - and how to always move forward, even in the moments where you could get stuck. Listen to this episode to learn tools to persevere through hardship - and how to gain the most out of the challenges you face

In this episode, Rabbi Iggy discusses the healing power of embracing tensions as queer people: in our spirits, in our bodies, and in taking and making space. Rabbi Iggy examines the constant mediation of space we partake in, by being loud and proud, but ensuring we create space for others.  He covers a range of topics that touch these themes, from the spiritual principle of tzimtzum (the reduction of self), to the both/and of life. If you’re curious about how these tensions are functioning in your life, this episode is for you!

How can tattoos help us heal when reclaiming an identity we were taught to hide? In this week’s episode, Rabbi Iggy and graduate research assistant, Lilah Doris, discuss the cultural and historical importance of tattoos and body augmentation as a practice that is not just skin deep.  Together, they explore the role of tattoos in their own lives; as liberating tools for queer bodies and identities, as a representation of spirit, and as a vehicle for expressing and healing emotional wounds. Tune in to hear more about how tattoos and body modifications can offer an individual power, freedom, and bodily sovereignty.