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PODCAST

Power Up!

Gila Ross, author of Living Beautifully - How to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot shares real life insights based on Jewish wisdom that impact your life in this exciting podcast that has been named the top Jewish podcast worldwide! Gila is a life coach, mum to 8 kiddos, wife + a warm, dynamic and down to earth educator for more than 15 years! Subscribe so you don"t miss out!

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

00:38:00

Exploring the Idea of The Chosen People

Power Up! ·

2026/03/09

What does it really mean when Jews are called “the Chosen People”? Is it a claim of superiority—or something entirely different? In this episode:Who chose who?What does “chosen” actually mean?Chosen for what?So… is it racist?

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00:21:31

Purim - A Holiday for Non-Believers

Power Up! ·

2026/03/01

Let's take a deep and thoughtful look at one of the Jewish calendar's most joyful holidays and ask some surprisingly serious questions: Why do we celebrate Jewish holidays at all? What is Purim actually trying to teach us — and how is its lesson unlike any other in the Torah?We explore the unique place Megillat Esther holds in Jewish literature, and what it means that God's name never appears in it — not once. Unlike the five books of Moses, the Purim story doesn't announce the

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00:22:41

If It’s Not in the Torah, Where Did It Come From?

Power Up! ·

2026/02/16

We explore the relationship between the Written Torah and the Oral Torah.We’ll unpack:The relationship between the Written and Oral LawWhy God gave the Torah in two partsAnd how the integrity of the Oral tradition was preserved across generationsThe Torah isn’t just a book — it’s a living guide.

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00:39:48

Rethinking Torah

Power Up! ·

2026/02/09

What is the Torah, really? We spend so much time discussing it and studying it but can you explain what it is?Does Judaism require blind faith or is there actual evidence? We explore the mass revelation at Sinai, unique prophecies that defy explanation, fascinating mitzvot you've never thought about, and the impossible survival of the Jewish people across thousands of years.This isn't your typical Torah class—it's about the big questions and surprising answers.

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00:41:09

The Problem with “I Can’t” & Moses Argument with God

Power Up! ·

2026/01/26

What happens when God calls—and the human response is resistance?At the Burning Bush, Moses doesn’t rush forward as a confident leader. Instead, he argues. He hesitates. He insists: “Who am I?” … “What if they don’t believe me?” … “I am not a man of words.”In this episode, we explore one of the most honest conversations in the Torah: Moses arguing with God—and what it teaches us about faith, fear, and the dangerous theology of saying “I can’t.”

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00:33:40

Belief in God: From Concept to Certainty

Power Up! ·

2026/01/19

What does Judaism really mean when it talks about “belief in God”?In this episode, we explore why the Torah doesn’t ask for blind faith—but for knowledge—and how that changes the way we live.The difference between belief and knowledge, and why it mattersSinai as a national experience—and why Judaism’s foundation is uniqueHow belief becomes something lived, not just discussed

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00:39:29

Finding G-d in Real Life

Power Up! ·

2026/01/09

This episode explores what real personal and spiritual growth looks like through Torah, lived experience, and the story of the burning bush. The conversation focuses on how growth often comes through every day moments.We discuss the balance between prayer and practical action, faith and responsibility, and how Judaism encourages both effort and reliance on God. The episode also examines society’s definition of success versus a spiritual one, asking how wealth, comfort, and ambition can support

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00:40:16

Joseph & the Work of Forgiveness

Power Up! ·

2026/01/05

Forgiveness sounds noble—but what does it actually require of us? And is it even possible in situations of deep hurt or betrayal?In this episode, Gila Ross explores forgiveness through the powerful story of Yosef and his brothers, weaving together Torah sources, human psychology, and uncomfortable real-life questions. This conversation challenges easy answers and invites us to think more honestly about accountability, repair, and healing.What forgiveness really means — and what it doesn’tIs

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00:28:10

From Bondi Beach to Chanukah

Power Up! ·

2025/12/19

How do we light candles, sing songs of gratitude, spin the dreidel, and eat latkes - in the shadow of devastating loss and tragedy?This episode begins with that tension. On one end of the world, the beautiful celebration of Chanukah at Bondi Beach was shattered by an antisemitic attack. We remember moments when Jews lit Chanukah candles in places like Bergen-Belsen, clinging to meaning when there was almost nothing left.We reflect on the haunting video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and on Viktor Frankl’s

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00:21:34

What Chanukah Teaches About Today’s Challenges

Power Up! ·

2025/12/12

You might know how to light the Chanukah candles but do you know why we light them the way we do?This episode uncovers the surprising debate behind the mitzvah, the deeper meaning of light in Judaism, and the powerful message the flames are trying to teach us today.Check out my book Living Beautifully - how to bring meaning, joy and love into your life based on the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot - What are we really celebrating when we light the Chanukah candles?This episode uncovers the surprising

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00:31:26

What Makes You Jewish?

Power Up! ·

2025/12/07

If someone walked up to you and asked, “So… what actually makes you Jewish?” — how would you answer?In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most fundamental — and most misunderstood — questions of Jewish identity. Through the story of Yaakov and Esav, the mysterious struggle in Rivka’s womb, the meaning of the blessings, and the battle that happens inside every one of us, we uncover what it truly means to be part of the Jewish people.This is an episode about essence, destiny, and the quiet

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00:27:41

Just Say Thanks! Why Is Gratitude So Hard?

Power Up! ·

2025/11/27

We open with the deceptively simple question: If gratitude is so obviously good, why do so many of us struggle to express it? What emotional resistance sits underneath?In this thought-provoking episode, we explore one of the most transformative middot: gratitude. Why is it so hard to simply say thank you - to people, and even to Hashem? Through surprising Torah stories, deep psychological insights, and powerful questions for self-reflection, we unpack the real inner work behind gratitude.Check out

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00:27:30

Achieving Balance

Power Up! ·

2025/11/24

Why do we have three Avot?Why not one towering role model, or ten? And what makes Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov fundamentally different from any other Jewish inspiring figures?Join us as we take a deep dive into the inner world of the patriarchs, uncovering how each embodied a distinct spiritual quality — and how each was deliberately tested in the area opposite their natural strength in order to achieve inner balance and wholeness.Just as they faced tests that stretched them beyond their natural

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00:31:19

What Does It Take to Be Happy?

Power Up! ·

2025/11/23

We all want happiness — but what does it actually take? In this episode, we explore a surprising insight from one of the Torah’s greatest commentators, Rashi, who says something almost impossible to imagine:Sarah’s entire life was “equally good.”All the years of her life — from childhood to old age — were equally filled with goodness.But wait… how can that be true?Sarah faced challenges that would break most people — being taken captive twice, decades of infertility, uncertainty, wandering, and

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00:25:22

When G-d Pushes You Past Your Limits

Power Up! ·

2025/11/17

In this insightful and uplifting episode, Gila Ross opens up about the profound lessons that emerge through life’s challenges. Together, we explore the deeper Jewish understanding of tests—nisaeon—and their surprising connection to nes, miracles.Rather than seeing challenges as obstacles, Gila reveals how they can become pathways to growth, clarity, and spiritual elevation. She shares powerful reflections on how struggle and divine intervention often intertwine, and how faith can transform even the

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00:23:25

The Hidden Trap of Modern Idol Worship

Power Up! ·

2025/11/17

We take a deep, honest look at idol worship - not as statues or ancient rituals, but as a mindset that can still tempt us today. What is the real lure of idol worship? At its core, why would someone want to worship an idol?You’ll hear about:The psychology behind why idol worship was so tempting in the Torah and why it still shows up in modern formsWhat happens internally when we move from “How do I get what I want?” to “How do I live in partnership with God?”

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00:28:46

The Jewish Approach to Shame: Burden or Blessing?

Power Up! ·

2025/09/18

Shame is one of the most powerful—and often misunderstood—human emotions. But what role does it play in Jewish thought and life?In this episode, we explore:Why do we feel shame? Is it just a negative emotion, or does it serve a deeper purpose?Is shame a good thing? How Jewish sources distinguish between toxic shame and healthy shame that guides us toward growth.How should we respond to shame? Practical wisdom on transforming shame into an opportunity for reflection, connection, and change.Join us as

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00:18:20

Balancing Self, Others, and Now

Power Up! ·

2025/09/16

In this episode, we explore one of the most famous teachings of Hillel from Pirkei Avot:"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?"This timeless mishna challenges us to reflect on three essential questions of life:Self-responsibility: What does it mean to take ownership of my life, my growth, and my spiritual journey?Connection and responsibility to others: How do I balance caring for myself with giving to others?The urgency

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00:17:39

Respect: Going Against Human Nature

Power Up! ·

2025/09/08

Respect is something we all crave — yet, surprisingly, it doesn’t always come naturally to give it. In this episode, we explore the idea that human nature often pushes us toward judgment, dismissal, or even disrespect. If that’s true, then the challenge is clear: we need to consciously lean into respect, giving more of it than we might instinctively feel.

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00:25:37

Love or Fear!?!

Power Up! ·

2025/08/31

What does it mean to live a life of purpose without expecting a reward? In this episode, we dive into the profound teaching of Antignos ben Socho, who said:"Do not be like servants who serve their master for the sake of receiving a reward, but rather be like servants who serve their master without the intention of receiving a reward; and let the fear of Heaven be upon you."We explore:✅ What does it really mean to do good for its own sake?✅ How can we apply this in a world driven by

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