In this savory episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast , host Simcha Levenberg rolls up his sleeves with friend and film producer Raphael Margules for a fresh-baked conversation about movies, meaning, and making grandma pizza from scratch. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z4pAN9p8QIg As the dough rises, so does the dialogue - Raphael shares his path into the film industry, what it really takes to produce compelling work, and how his Orthodox Jewish background influences the kinds of...
Jul 21, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 11
In this rich and reflective episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast , host Simcha Levenberg reconnects with his lifelong friend Rabbi Dov Yona Korn, spiritual director of Chabad House Bowery, for a conversation that spans nearly four decades of friendship and two very different pizzas. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vjengrn0BE0 As they cook side by side, Simcha and Rabbi trace the arc of his life: from wild teen years to spiritual searching, and ultimately, to becoming a rabbi. It...
Jul 14, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 10
In this flavorful and insightful episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast , host Simcha Levenberg sits down with his friend Gerry Katzman — stand-up comedian, teacher, and deep thinker — for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts heart and humor. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eGY8qO3eqhY The two reflect on their shared love of pizza, starting with the grandma pie they baked together, and spiral into deeper topics like life lessons from therapy, the role of comedy as a heal...
Jul 07, 2025•49 min•Ep. 9
In this tender and laugh-filled episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast , host Simcha Levenberg is joined by his longtime friend Shira Rose for a rich conversation about two seemingly unrelated — but deeply connected — topics: grief and gluten. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BQQOMaLxVww What starts as a chat about the struggles of gluten-free living (and the trials of making a gluten-free pizza crust) quickly expands into something more profound. Together, Simcha and Shira explore...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 8
In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, host Simcha Levenberg sits down with comedian and actor Byron Bowers. Byron opens up about growing up with a drug-addicted father and facing mental health challenges head-on. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aNIisLuBfqQ Together, they explore Byron’s powerful journey into spirituality and healing through psychedelics, unpacking how these experiences reshaped his view on life and mental wellness. Byron shares ex...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 7
Watch this episode on YouTube now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cogg8_cF-P8 In this high-powered, deeply human episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast , Simcha Levenberg sits down with Mark Smith - former professional bodybuilder, boxer, and British Gladiators icon to slice into the layered world of fitness, fame, and personal evolution. From his protein-packed beginnings in competitive bodybuilding to his larger-than-life stint on Gladiators , Mark shares the behind-the-scenes of a body built ...
Jun 16, 2025•54 min•Ep. 6
In this grounding and expansive episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast , Simcha Levenberg warms up the conversation with therapist, facilitator, and inner-explorer Nancy Morgan , whose work spans Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy. 🍄🧠 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7kWmC1_IxC4 🧩 Together, they explore the intricate layers of the human psyche—no toppings too messy—as Nancy unpacks the IFS model and its non-pathologizing, deeply compassionate approach ...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 5
In this warm and delicious episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast , Simcha Levenberg fires up the oven as he welcomes Las Vegas-based therapist and parenting expert Eli Weinstein into his kitchen for a flavorful conversation about raising kids and rising dough. 🍕🧠 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KSmVr4MCfZY 👨🍳 Together, they craft two mouthwatering pies—a classic Neapolitan and a hearty grandma pizza —while diving into rich, real-talk discussions on modern parenting. 🛑 Eli s...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 4
In this eye-opening episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast, Simcha sits down with psychologist and researcher Dr. John Hunter to peel back the layers of large group awareness training (LGATs) —intense seminars that promise transformation, but at what cost? 🧠⚡ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/37caNRzs_k8 🔍 With years of firsthand research, John breaks down the high-pressure tactics used in these trainings—how stress and emotional manipulation can pave the way for euphoric breakthr...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 3
In this heartfelt episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast , Simcha teams up life coach Jen Davis to explore the tender terrain of grief—all while attempting to master the art of gluten-free pizza. 🍕 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOYyMwkhtlw 🖤 From the kitchen to the soul, Jen opens up about losing her aunt, grandparents, and both parents—and how grief reshaped her life in unexpected ways. 🌊 She shares her healing journey, from time spent at the transformative Om...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 2
In the premiere episode of the Personal Pizza Podcast , host Simcha Levenberg sits down with psychedelic therapist Uri Kugel for a powerful, mind-expanding conversation on how psychedelics are transforming mental health treatment. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G2mZruJg4k 🔥 From cannabis to ketamine, MDMA to mushroom therapy—Uri breaks down the myths, the science, and the soul of psychedelic medicine. He shares raw personal stories and clinical insights on treat...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 1
The Personal Pizza Podcast is a deliciously different podcast that merges clinical psychology, comedy, and pizza. Simcha Levenberg, a unique therapist with a love for baking pizza, invites guests to his home for a slice of pizza and a slice of life . Each episode dives into a variety of topics that affect our mental health: cooking and emotional well-being, loneliness, psychedelics and metabolizing trauma (or not), large group awareness trainings, complicated bereavement, spiritual traps, and th...
Nov 05, 2024•2 min•Ep. 1
