In Search Of More with Eli Nash

Dr. Charlie Powell, a former combat medic and trauma ER doctor, shares his transformative journey from traditional medicine to exploring plant medicine for PTSD. He discusses the emotional challenges of his military service and the limitations of conventional mental health treatments. Charlie advocates for confronting trauma and believes in the healing power of vulnerability. He also introduces his documentary, 'Healing Heroes: No Mind Left Behind', which highlights veterans' struggles with trauma and the potential of alternative healing methods.

In this episode of In Search Of More, I sit down with Roovy Shapiro for one of the realest, hardest conversations I’ve had on the podcast. Roovy talked about depression, suicidal thoughts, and growing up with deep emotional neglect. Not in a dramatic way—just straight up, the truth. The kind most people carry around quietly because saying it out loud feels like betrayal.What we kept bumping up against was this impossible thing—how do you speak honestly about your life when your truth might hurt your family. When healing means saying stuff that might offend the people who raised you. We’re not trying to shame anyone or burn it all down. But silence doesn’t heal. So what do you do with that?Roovy didn’t come on here with a five-step plan or some perfect Instagram-ready version of healing. He talked about what it looked like to fall apart after yeshiva, to hit rock bottom during COVID, and to slowly piece himself back together. What stuck with me was how he saw it—not as “I’m broken” but “this is what I was taught, and I can unlearn it.”We got into parenting, marriage, what it means to try and show up different than the generation before us. Not to be better. Just to stop handing down pain we never asked for.This episode doesn’t have easy answers. That’s not the point. The point is we’re finally asking the questions. Out loud.See you on the other side,Eli

I pulled this one from the archives. This conversation with my friend Ryan Carter was recorded more than a year ago. At the time, I wasn’t sure if I’d share it. Was my relationship ready for it? Was there enough here to make it worth posting? I kept coming back to it. And honestly, the timing couldn’t be more appropriate. I needed to hear what I said back then, because I’ve fallen into the exact pattern I’m calling out in this episode.This one is about what marriage actually demands from us. The kind of personal growth few other things require. It brings up the wounds we might otherwise avoid and forces us to either face them or settle for something less.We talked about learning to communicate, rebuilding trust, staying emotionally present, and the pressure of being providers without going numb. For men, that often means not withdrawing, not checking out, not losing ourselves in anger, and not silencing what we really feel just to keep the peace. For women, it can show up as stepping into control mode, trying to manage the relationship instead of staying open to receive. Both patterns create distance.The real work in a relationship is staying present within it. That’s what this conversation is about. Two friends being honest about what it takes to grow through the hard stuff.See you on the other side,Eli

Jack Cohen, Head of Jewish Education at Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach, shares his unique journey from outside the traditional Jewish system to leading education today. He discusses the harmony between individuality and tradition, advocating for personalized learning in Jewish education. Jack highlights the impact of digital disconnection on youth mental health and the importance of real-life connections. His views on balancing personal identity with communal values offer a fresh perspective on leadership and spirituality, encouraging a deeper understanding of Jewish life.

This one’s close to home—and it feels urgent, especially for Jewish teens right now.I sat down with Saadiah Klein to talk about something a lot of people don’t want to touch: Porn. It’s everywhere. Quiet, constant, and doing real damage. Saadiah shares his story—starting from the first time he got exposed—and we talk about how easy access through tech is messing with our heads, hearts, and connection to something deeper.I’ve spoken about porn addiction before, but what Saadiah shares is something completely different. We’re 20 years apart—and the gap is massive. I was already in my 20s when the iPhone came out. He grew up with one in his hand. That changes everything. The speed, the access, the intensity—it’s a whole different beast.This isn’t just about right and wrong. It’s about what happens when we forget who we are. When fake connection starts replacing the real thing. When we lose touch with ourselves, with each other, with God.If you’re a teen, a parent, or just trying to find something real in a world full of noise—this one’s for you.See you on the other side,Eli

In this episode of In Search of More, I sit down with my brother and friend Omar Pinto. We just got back from a men’s retreat, and honestly, we’re still in it—raw, cracked open, figuring it out in real time. We talk about what happens when men actually have space to move, to feel, to drop the act and remember who they are underneath it all. Omar shares his path—addiction, ayahuasca, emotional sobriety, real growth. Not the Instagram version. The kind that costs you something. At one point, Omar talks about a decision he made after a powerful ayahuasca experience—he started drinking again, convinced he was no longer an addict. Three years later, the truth of that choice has come into focus, and he doesn’t shy away from what that reckoning looked like. We get into fatherhood, childhood wounds, old stories we didn’t even know we were still carrying. The quiet ways we check out. And what it takes to come back. This one’s an invitation—to feel more, hide less, and lead from your gut even when it scares you to the core. If you’re on the path, or trying to be, this one’s for you.See you on the other side,Eli

In this episode of In Search of More, I sit down with Levi Shmotkin for a conversation that felt less like an interview and more like a farbrengen—a raw, real, and deeply honest exchange about what it means to grow, to heal, and to live with purpose. We touched on the teachings of the Rebbe, our personal stories, and how the descent—yeridah letzorech aliyah—is often where the real work begins. We didn’t shy away from the hard stuff: addiction, isolation, the pain that comes with family, and the complicated process of reconnecting with yourself and with others.What I appreciated most was how naturally the conversation moved between Chassidic ideas and real-world experience. We spoke about how healing doesn’t mean escaping life, but learning how to show up fully within it—through practices like Shabbat, through structure, through community, and most importantly, through truth. This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt stuck between who they were raised to be and who they’re becoming. If you’re on a path of healing, this one will speak to you.Eli Nash

In this episode of In Search of More, Eli Nash sits down with Moshe Haim Srour for a heartfelt, honest, and at times deeply emotional conversation about what it really means to heal. They talk about everything from childhood trauma and the lasting impact of CPTSD to the daily challenge of showing up for yourself and the people you love. Moshe Haim shares openly about his own journey—how practices like breathwork, deep self-reflection, and leaning into community have helped him come back to himself. They also touch on parenting, and how being present with your kids—really present, not just doing things but being with them—is one of the most healing things you can offer. This episode feels like sitting in on two old friends catching up, unpacking big truths with rawness, laughter, and a whole lot of heart. It’s about trust, connection, and the slow, beautiful work of becoming whole again.

Bassy Kutten, a brave speaker and advocate who grew up in New Square, opens up about her journey from trauma to healing. She discusses the emotional challenges of addressing childhood abuse and the crucial role of therapy in self-acceptance. The conversation dives into cultural silences surrounding abuse, especially within Jewish communities, and the importance of brave voices in driving change. Bassy also explores the impact of spirituality and community support in healing, making for a compelling discussion on resilience and the necessity of breaking cycles of silence.

In this episode of In Search of More, Eli Nash sits down with Rav Avshi Weingot to explore the intersection of personal spirituality and Jewish mysticism, particularly through the lens of the Remak and Kabbalah. They discuss the relevance of Kabbalistic teachings in modern life, touching on themes of identity, trauma, and the pursuit of deeper meaning. Rav Avshi emphasizes the importance of joy and authenticity in spiritual practice, advocating for a connection to faith rooted in love rather than obligation. The conversation also delves into the balance between tradition and personal growth, highlighting how struggles can serve as pathways to transformation and deeper connection with the divine.