The Long Short Way

Aaron Prager: From Rehab to His Own Show on PragerU—An Unexpected Journey Guided by Faith

Rabbi Mendy reconnects with childhood friend Aaron Prager for a deeply personal conversation about addiction, family, faith, and recovery. Aaron shares how drinking and drug use that began when he was just 12 years old eventually consumed his life, bringing him to 92 pounds, repeated attempts at treatment, and a rock bottom where he could no longer blame anyone else for the life he was living. Now ten years sober, Aaron reflects on the spiritual journey that followed—learning to surrender control, build a relationship with God, and turn his life toward service rather than self. He also offers hard-earned wisdom for parents and families of people struggling with addiction: why love cannot always reason someone into recovery, how enabling and expectations can shape family dynamics, and why sometimes the most loving thing we can do is recognize what is (and isn’t) within our control.

New Year, New Dreams- with R' Mendel Zirkind

Why will this year be different from all other years? In this episode, I sit down once again with Rabbi Mendel Zirkind for a thoughtful conversation about teshuvah—what it means to return, to change, and to believe that we are capable of becoming more than we have been. We explore why we so often fall into the same patterns, and how our recurring struggles may be pointing us toward the very places within ourselves that need to be understood more deeply. Our conversation turns to Rosh Hashanah as the day Yosef was released from prison to interpret a dream—and the invitation it offers each of us to step beyond the identities, limitations, and self-perceptions that keep us confined. Before we can change, we have to allow ourselves to dream: Who could I become? What might my life look like if it were more fully aligned with my values, my purpose, and my relationship with Hashem? And then, how do I begin translating that dream into reality? Sometimes through a bold commitment, and sometimes through one small but consequential change. Ultimately, teshuvah may begin with something very simple: the recognition that I still care. Our brokenness is not meant to become a place in which we remain stuck; it is meaningful only when surrounded by longing, hope, and the knowledge that there is more within us. Hashem is not waiting for perfection. He is waiting for us to care—and to take that first step back toward Him.

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Michoel Muchnik: The Adventures of a Chassidic Artist, and Lessons Learned Along the Way

Rabbi Mendy welcomes back his friend Yoey Muchnik, this time alongside Yoey’s father, renowned Chassidic artist Rabbi Michoel Muchnik. Rabbi Michoel traces his unlikely journey from the freewheeling art world of the 1960s and Rhode Island School of Design to yeshiva, Chassidus, and a life devoted to expressing Jewish ideas through art. Along the way, he shares personal guidance he received from the Rebbe about his work, his struggles with anxiety, and learning to see divine providence in the moments when life doesn’t go according to plan. The conversation explores a deeper question: What happens when creativity becomes more than self-expression and takes on a mission? Rabbi Michoel reflects on the tension between “art for art’s sake” and using his gifts to inspire others, while sharing decades of stories in which a painting, exhibition, or seemingly failed trip revealed an impact he could never have predicted. Yoey adds a uniquely personal perspective, reflecting on his father’s relentless creativity and the influence his work has had across generations. Ultimately, Rabbi Michoel offers a vision of creativity that extends far beyond artists. If Hashem is constantly recreating the world, then every moment presents us with a new canvas—and every person has the ability to create something new, use their gifts for good, and reveal a little more beauty in the world.

A Father and Son on Faith, Doubt, and Legacy - Rabbi Shlomo Bistritzky

Rabbi Mendy sits down with his father, Rabbi Shlomo Bistritzky, the original “Rabbi B”, for a warm, candid conversation about nearly four decades of communal leadership. Through moving family memories and remarkable stories of the Rebbe, Rabbi Shlomo reflects on the belief that every person has infinite value and that no act of kindness is ever truly small. The conversation moves from spiritual purpose and self-doubt to crises of faith, resilience, and parenting across generations. Rabbi Shlomo shares how faith, supportive relationships, and intentional spiritual practice help us prepare for life’s difficult moments, and why real love means seeing our children, giving them room to grow, and trusting the souls Hashem placed in our care.

The Light That Comes From Darkness - Rabbi Shua Naparstek on Addiction, Recovery, and Faith

In this deeply honest conversation, Rabbi Shua Naparstek, LMSW shares his journey through childhood trauma, addiction, recovery, and the long process of learning to live with openness instead of shame. He speaks about how addiction distorted his self-image, how getting help began with painful honesty, and how recovery became a path toward rebuilding his relationship with himself, his wife, his family, and Hashem. Rabbi Shua also reflects on therapy, EMDR, Chassidus, parenting, marriage, and the spiritual work of transforming darkness into light. With warmth and humility, he describes recovery not as a finished destination, but as an ongoing relationship—with God, with others, and with the wounded parts of ourselves that still need care.

Music, Chassidus, and Finding Your True Voice with Rabbi Yosef “Yoey” Muchnik

In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, Rabbi Mendy Bistritzky sits down with Rabbi Yosef “Yoey” Muchnik to explore the intersection of music, creativity, Chassidus, and personal identity. Yoey reflects on growing up in a creative Chabad family, the influence of his artist father, and the journey of becoming both a musician and a shliach. Together, they wrestle with a fascinating question: can authentic art remain fully vulnerable while also staying aligned with a higher spiritual mission? Through stories about songwriting, inspiration, and self-expression, Yoey explains how music for him is not simply self-expression, but a vehicle for bringing people closer to Hashem and revealing a deeper truth about the soul. The conversation moves into broader themes of authenticity, pain, confidence, individuality, and Jewish purpose. Rabbi Mendy and Yoey discuss the tension between modern culture’s emphasis on “expressing yourself” and the Chassidic perspective that creativity should ultimately illuminate the world and elevate others. Along the way, they share personal stories about fitting in, breaking out creatively, discovering one’s voice, and recognizing inspiration as a gift from Hashem. Warm, funny, and deeply introspective, this episode offers a moving look at how music can become both a spiritual language and a path toward discovering one’s truest self.

Truth, Trust, and Transformation: Errol Gerson’s Spiritual Journey

In this episode, Rabbi Mendy sits down with Errol Gerson, who (on the day of recording!) turns 81, to share a story of pain, resilience, and a powerful return to Jewish life. Errol was born in South Africa and endured deep childhood trauma—abandonment, abuse, and years inside a so-called Orthodox institution that harmed the very children it claimed to protect. And yet, somehow, he never learned to hate. Instead, he carried a quiet inner knowing that Hashem was real—and that warmth he felt in shul meant something. Errol’s journey winds through hardship, immigration to America with $300 and no plan B, homelessness, unexpected kindness, and the slow reawakening of Yiddishkeit. Along the way he discovers a core idea that becomes the cornerstone of his life: transformation—through truth, vulnerability, and gratitude. This conversation touches on: Childhood trauma and the choice not to hate The long road back to Judaism and Hashem Teshuva as “return,” not just apology Gratitude (Moda Ani) as a daily spiritual engine Bitachon (trust) and reframing the past How one small practice can change a marriage—and a life Errol’s closing message is simple and piercing: Don’t wait until you’re 81 to realize Hashem loves you and wants what’s best for you… the question is, what are you going to do about it?

From Addiction to Connection: Tzvi Haber’s Story

In this raw and courageous conversation, Rabbi Mendy Bistritzky sits down with Tzvi Haber to explore a journey that spans loss, addiction, faith, and radical honesty. Tzvi opens up about losing his father at age one, growing up feeling different and labeled, and how manipulation and control became early coping mechanisms. What began as experimentation with substances in Israel quickly escalated into a severe opioid and heroin addiction—hidden beneath a façade of religious observance and outward functionality. Through heartbreak, near-misses, and the painful unraveling of his marriage and identity, Tzvi shares how truth became the turning point. A single moment of choosing honesty over instinctive lying set in motion a transformation that reshaped his relationship with himself, with his wife, and with Hashem. Together, Rabbi Mendy and Tzvi reflect on struggle as a catalyst for growth, the difference between fear-based Judaism and connection-based faith, and how every fall can become the beginning of light—if we’re willing to face it.

Love, Healing, and Holy Laughs with Therapist Sony Perlman

In this special crossover episode, Rabbi Mendy Bistritzky sits down with therapist and fellow podcaster Sony Perlman, only this time, the interview takes place in Sony’s New York studio while Mendy leads the conversation. Sony, known for his candid and compassionate insights on the "BrainStorm" podcast, shares his experience working with at-risk youth, addiction recovery, and the community he’s built through “Our Village,” a network of sober living homes focused on healing through love, belonging, and human connection. The episode is co-released on both podcasts as a heartfelt collaboration between two people deeply committed to building meaningful, spiritually grounded lives. The conversation explores the nature of worthiness, what it means to truly help someone heal, and why community is the essential ingredient to long-term recovery, not just from addiction, but from the isolation that so many people feel in daily life. Sony challenges the traditional view of addiction by explaining how all people, not just addicts, are searching for the same sense of inner peace and connection. Rabbi Mendy brings in Hasidic perspectives, particularly the idea that spirituality isn’t found in perfection, but in the paradox, the holy space where longing and struggle coexist. Laced with humor, vulnerability, and spiritual depth, the episode touches on everything from how laughter can heal trauma to the Rebbe’s guidance on self-worth, to practical advice for those who are emotionally drained but still functional. Whether you’re battling addiction, burnout, or simply seeking more meaning in your relationships and spiritual life, this episode offers both comfort and clarity. It’s a reminder that healing is not about becoming someone else; it’s about remembering who you already are.

There’s goodness in everyone, humor in everything, and faith in tragedy

In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Rabbi Mendy sits down with his oldest brother, Rabbi Chanoch Bistritzky—known affectionately to his students as "Rabbi B." Together, they revisit their unique childhood in Southern California as children of Chabad shluchim, exploring memories filled with humor, mischief, and a profound sense of mission. Rabbi Chanoch reflects on the formative experiences that led him to embrace a life of Torah education, and how growing up surrounded by authenticity, warmth, and non-judgmental love shaped his approach to guiding students today. The episode takes an especially moving turn as Rabbi Chanoch shares the story of his infant daughter's unexpected passing on Yom Kippur, and how that tragedy transformed—but did not diminish—his faith and joy in life. He speaks with candor about grief, purpose, and continuing to "raise" a soul even after it has left this world. Through it all, the brothers explore big themes: the balance between "the truth" and "your truth," why humor was the currency of their youth, and what it really means to see people not as broken, but as whole.

Finding Faith, the Truth, & Ourselves and How to Speak to Our Teenagers - Rabbi Mendel Zirkind

In this thought-provoking episode of The Long Short Way, Rabbi Mendy Bistritzky sits down with well-respected Rabbi and educator, Rabbi Mendel Zirkind, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on paradox, faith, doubt, and the challenges of spiritual leadership. With humility and honesty, Rabbi Zirkind reflects on paving his own path while growing up in a prestigious rabbinic family. They explore what it means to pursue truth without abandoning faith, how to reconcile rational thinking with deep intuition, and why embracing paradox might be the most honest form of belief. Rabbi Zirkind shares his insights on parenting, trauma, how we can educate better, and his work with yeshiva students in alternative yeshiva settings. He also opens up about his personal connection to the Lubavitcher Rebbe and how that relationship continues to shape his decisions, including his upcoming move to Melbourne to become a community rabbi. This episode isn't about easy answers—it's about honest questions and the beauty of serving Hashem the long short way. Support this podcast by donating here: https://donorbox.org/chabad-of-saugus

Embezzlement, Addiction, and Teshuva: A Candid Conversation

In the debut episode of The Long Short Way, Rabbi Mendy Bistritzky speaks with Jonathan Schwartz, a former Hollywood business manager who once had it all—until a secret gambling addiction drove him to steal over $7 million from celebrity clients, including Alanis Morissette. His story made national headlines, but the public scandal was only part of a much deeper unraveling. Jonathan opens up about the dual life he was living: embezzling funds, gambling recklessly, and using drugs—all while outwardly attending synagogue and trying to keep up appearances. After hitting rock bottom and serving time in federal prison, Jonathan began a path of true t’shuva—Jewish repentance—not just as an abstract idea, but as a daily, humbling practice of change. This conversation explores the pain of self-deception, the cost of broken trust, and the redemptive power of faith, community, and spiritual honesty. To get in touch with Jonathan, find him on Instagram at @therealjonathanschwartz⁩ Support this podcast by donating here: https://donorbox.org/chabad-of-saugus