Talk2Tamara

Dr. Yehudah Pryce reflects on his time in prison and personal transformation.Dr. Yehudah Pryce's story is one of resilience and reflection. At just 19 years old, he was sentenced to 24 years in prison, a reality that felt incomprehensible to someone so young. In our latest episode, we dive deep into his experiences, focusing on the raw emotions and mental struggles he faced during his incarceration.Confronting RealityWhen he first received his sentence, the gravity of spending a quarter century behind bars was overwhelming. Yehudah recalls, "How do you conceptualize having to spend a quarter century of your life behind bars?" The initial shock led him to push the reality aside, clinging to a glimmer of hope that an appeal might allow him to escape his fate.Identity and SurvivalIn prison, Yehudah developed a new identity, one that he felt was congruent with his past actions. He describes this transformation as a defensive mechanism, saying, "I kind of just pushed it from my mind as much. Yes, it was sad. I felt a certain loss of myself... that was essentially taken away from me." He found himself grappling with anger and victimhood, feeling that the system had failed him.The Shift Towards AcceptanceHowever, it wasn’t until he had served nearly nine years that Yehudah began to accept his reality. He reflects, "What am I sacrificing my life for?" This question catalyzed a profound shift in his mindset. By recognizing the power of his choices, he began to craft a new narrative for his life.Empowerment Through ChoicesYehudah emphasizes the importance of finding agency within the confines of prison. "I found a certain empowerment by taking all the choices, all the opportunities I had for choices... that gave me so much agency," he explains. This mindset ultimately propelled him towards personal growth and self-discovery, allowing him to visualize a future beyond incarceration.The Bigger PictureDr. Pryce also shares insights into the broader patterns he observed among fellow inmates. Many had faced significant trauma before entering prison, highlighting systemic issues that contribute to cycles of incarceration. He notes, "Up to 98% of people who are incarcerated have experienced at least one lifetime traumatic event."Reflecting on his journey, Yehudah Pryce’s story stands as a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and transformation. As he continues to share his experiences, he encourages others to recognize the power of their choices, no matter the circumstances.

This week on Talk2Tamara, Tamara sits down with Isaac Rudansky, author, entrepreneur, andlifelong creative, to talk about the nearly decade-long journey that eventually led him to athree-book deal with Penguin Random House.Isaac’s story didn’t begin with a publishing deal. It began with hundreds of pages written in theearly hours of the morning, an editor telling him his manuscript simply wasn’t ready, and adecision to put it away. He went on to build a successful advertising business, start a family, andspend nearly nine years away from the book. But the feeling that he had started something andnever finished it never fully went away.When he finally returned to writing, the road wasn’t any easier. Isaac rewrote the manuscript,studied the craft, attended workshops, queried roughly 350 middle-grade literary agents, andfaced rejection after rejection. Even the agent he wanted most turned him down multiple times.Instead of accepting the no, Isaac kept refining the book and trying again.Eventually, the same agent who had previously passed on his work read the new manuscriptand wanted to represent him. That journey ultimately led to something Isaac had spent yearschasing: a three-book deal with Penguin Random House.But this conversation goes far beyond becoming a published author.Tamara and Isaac get candid about ambition, rejection, creativity, insecurity, growing up in acreative and religious home, the need for external validation, and why achieving the thing youthought would finally make you feel “enough” doesn’t necessarily stop you from searching forthe next thing.They also explore the power of what Isaac calls “idiotic optimism”: believing in somethingeven when the odds are stacked against you, being willing to look a little crazy while chasing it,and using that chip on your shoulder as motivation to keep going.This episode is about unfinished dreams, relentless persistence, and the complicatedrelationship between success and self-worth.Because sometimes the dream you put away is the exact one you’re supposed to come back to.

In this episode, Tamara sits down with Hannah Schuster, a New York attorney, entrepreneur,founder of Shuster Law, and creator of Legal Bestie, for a conversation that goes far beyondthe courtroom. Hannah shares how an unexpected divorce during law school, years of helpingfamilies navigate high-conflict situations, and becoming a stepmom completely transformed theway she approaches both life and law.Together, they dive into blended families, conflict resolution, co-parenting, setting healthyboundaries, and why "winning" a divorce often comes at the expense of the people who mattermost. Hannah also opens up about her breast cancer diagnosis, the life-changing perspective itgave her, and the importance of prioritizing your health, relationships, and peace overperfection.Whether you're navigating divorce, blending a family, facing a personal challenge, or simplytrying to create healthier relationships, this episode is filled with practical advice, heartfeltstories, and powerful reminders that your hardest seasons can become the foundation for yourgreatest growth.Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: 0K3OIBPCZZHWHONY, HS0RF6DPAEIJMPL8

In this powerful episode, Tamara sits down with bridal makeup artist, entrepreneur, and contentcreator Chava Lowy for an honest conversation about resilience, rejection, and finding purpose.After being isolated from her classmates, rejected by schools, and struggling with severe acneas a teenager, Java shares how those painful experiences shaped her confidence instead ofbreaking it. She opens up about building a successful makeup business at a young age,learning to trust herself, healing from childhood wounds, and why your greatest setbacks canbecome the foundation of your biggest success. Whether you've ever felt overlooked,misunderstood, or like you weren't enough, this episode is a reminder that your story isn't overand your hardest seasons may be preparing you for something far greater.

Your body never stops talking to you — the question is, are you listening?In this episode, I sit down with Adina Erez, CEO of Bleu Glove Concierge, who blends evidence-based medicine with a whole-person approach to healing. We talk about how chronic stress, grief, and "survival mode" show up in the body as real physical symptoms — from Crohn's disease and IBS to burnout and emotional eating.Adina shares the hard truths she tells patients every day: that hunger is a life force, that compassion (not perfectionism) is the real healer, and that you can't expect anyone else to be on your team if you're not on your own. We get personal — I open up about my own diagnosis with Crohn's after losing my mother, and how "the body keeps score" became more than just a phrase for me.This is a conversation about medicine, but it's also about grief, self-abandonment, and finally coming home to yourself.🩺 In this episode:Why the same diagnosis can lead to completely different outcomesThe link between grief, trauma, and autoimmune diseaseWhy hunger is often the first thing we ignoreCompassion vs. perfectionism — and why one heals and one harmsLearning to be okay with not being okay"Are you on your own team?" — the question everyone needs to ask themselves💙 About Adina Erez & Bleu Glove Concierge: Bleu Glove is redefining what healthcare can be. We bring expert medical care to patients at home, in the office, in our clinic, and virtually, while partnering with businesses and healthcare organizations to provide comprehensive corporate medicine, occupational health, medical clearances, and wellness solutions. Personalized care. Exceptional medicine. Wherever you need us.📱 Instagram: @bleugloveconcierge 🌐 Website: Bleugloveconcierge.com🎙️ Find Tamara: 📱 Instagram: @talk2tamara 🌐 Website & all podcast platforms: https://tamaragestetner.com/If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real conversations on health, healing, and being human.#TheBodyKeepsScore #GutHealth #CrohnsDisease #HolisticHealing #MentalHealthMatters #SurvivalMode #SelfCompassion #TalkToTamara #BleuGloveConcierge #EmotionalHealing #WomensHealth #Burnout #TraumaHealing #ConciergeMedicine

Send us Fan MailMarriage, Loneliness & Intimacy Real Talk with Dr Lauren Orthodox Therapist | Talk2TamaraWe're BACK! 🎙️ After a technical issue delayed Part 1, Dr. Lauren — PhD in Clinical Psychology and known as The Orthodox Therapist — finally joins us for the full conversation we've all been waiting for. In this episode, we dive deep into:✅ Why people feel MORE lonely in marriage than when they were single✅ The unrealistic expectations we bring into marriage✅ Why self-work matters MORE than couples work✅ Pre-marital counseling — does it actually help?✅ Intimacy, physical connection & what nobody talks about✅ How the Jewish community approaches relationships & therapy✅ The pressure men face around sex (and what's actually realistic)✅ Should you ever share your sex life with friends?Whether you're single, dating, engaged, or married — this episode will give you a completely new perspective on emotional connection and what it really takes to build a healthy relationship.🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode!👍 Like this video if it helped you📲 Find Dr. Lauren:Instagram: @theorthodoxtherapistWebsite: www.theorthodoxtherapist.com---marriage advice, loneliness in marriage, orthodox therapist,Support the showFollow Tamara on Instagram @Talk2Tamara, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for new episodes on relationships and personal growth. Watch new episodes on Youtube and visit my website for coaching and 1:1 support.

Send us Fan MailThis is a deeply honest conversation about breaking generational trauma, childhood abuse, and the healing journey towards forgiveness and peace.Leah shares her powerful story of growing up in an abusive home in Melbourne, Australia, and how she found the strength to build a completely different life for herself and her family. We discuss:✨ Recognizing childhood trauma and abuse✨ Breaking generational patterns✨ The journey toward forgiveness (without sacrificing boundaries)✨ Why family loyalty shouldn't come at the cost of your mental health✨ How to heal from deep pain and shame✨ Building healthy relationships after trauma✨ The importance of seeking help and speaking upThis conversation is for anyone who has experienced family trauma, felt lost on their healing journey, or struggled with the pressure to maintain relationships with toxic family members. If you're carrying pain in silence, know that you're not alone, and healing is possible.🎙️ Hosted by Tamara Gestetner🎤 Guest: Leah---**IMPORTANT MESSAGE:**If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please reach out for help:- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): 1-800-656-4673- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453---📌 **Connect with Tamara:**Instagram: @talktotamaraWebsite: tamaragestener.comConsultation bookings available at tamaragestener.com---**Hashtags:**#TraumHealing #FamilyTrauma #MentalHealthAwareness #ChildhoodAbuse #Forgiveness #GenerationalHealing #MentalWellness #SurvivalStory #PersonalGrowth #Boundaries---⚠️ **Trigger Warning:** This episode contains discussion of childhood abuse, physical abuse, and emotional trauma. Please take care of yourself while listening. If you need support, reach out to a mental health professional or the resources listed above.---**Duration:** 1 hour 2 minutes**Content:** Educational | Self-Help | Mental Health | Personal DevelopmentSupport the showFollow Tamara on Instagram @Talk2Tamara, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for new episodes on relationships and personal growth. Watch new episodes on Youtube and visit my website for coaching and 1:1 support.

Send us Fan MailBehind The Glam: Depression & Weight Loss Story | Talk2TamaraIn this powerful episode, we dive deep into the untold story of Dina Stern — a successful wig entrepreneur, mother, and someone who openly shares her journey through postpartum depression, weight loss surgery, and reclaiming her identity.Dina takes us through her incredible journey: Building a thriving wig business from her bathroom while dealing with imposter syndrome The real experience of postpartum depression — what it looks like behind the Instagram filters Her candid discussion about weight loss, body image, and getting weight loss surgery Why medication, working out, and therapy became her lifeline How she learned that fixing your body doesn't fix your mind — it's the INTERNAL work that matters Creating a toxic-free, holistic lifestyle with her husbandKey Takeaway: You can wear your Chanel, keep your gloss on, AND take medication for postpartum depression. There's no shame in seeking help.Dina's story is for every woman who's felt invisible, struggled with their body image, or wondered if something was wrong with them after having a baby.Connect with Dina: 📱 Instagram: @talk2tamara🌐 Website: tamaragestetner.comIf you found this helpful, please like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.Support the showFollow Tamara on Instagram @Talk2Tamara, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for new episodes on relationships and personal growth. Watch new episodes on Youtube and visit my website for coaching and 1:1 support.

Send us Fan MailThis is a conversation most people avoid but need to hear.In this episode, I sit down with nurse practitioner Allyssa Brody to talk about postpartum and peripartum psychosis, something that is often misunderstood, minimized, or completely missed.We talk about what it actually looks like beyond what people assume, how it’s different from baby blues or postpartum depression, and the warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored. This is not about fear. It’s about awareness.Because the truth is, not every woman feels like herself after giving birth and sometimes it goes far deeper than we expect.We also talk about why so many women stay quiet, how partners and families can recognize when something is off, and what real support should look like during this time.This episode is for women, for partners, for families, and honestly for anyone who wants to better understand the mental health side of motherhood that doesn’t get talked about enough.If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone and there is help.Listen to Talk2Tamara wherever you get your podcasts.Support the showFollow Tamara on Instagram @Talk2Tamara, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for new episodes on relationships and personal growth. Watch new episodes on Youtube and visit my website for coaching and 1:1 support.

Send us Fan MailIn this solo episode, I talk about something so many of us live with but rarely say out loud: our relationship with our bodies.For many women, body image becomes a lifelong conversation in our heads. It shows up when we look in the mirror, when we get dressed, when we see photos of ourselves, and in the quiet way we judge or compare ourselves throughout the day.In this episode I share my own thoughts and experiences with body image and how complicated that relationship can be. Our bodies carry our stories. They change through different seasons of life, through motherhood, stress, aging, and everything in between. Yet we often treat them with criticism instead of understanding.This isn’t a conversation about diets or trying to “fix” our bodies. It’s about becoming more aware of the way we think about ourselves and beginning to shift that relationship with a little more honesty and compassion.If you’ve ever struggled with how you see your body, this episode is a reminder that you’re not the only one having this conversation. It’s one many of us are quietly carrying.Support the showFollow Tamara on Instagram @Talk2Tamara, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for new episodes on relationships and personal growth. Watch new episodes on Youtube and visit my website for coaching and 1:1 support.

Send us Fan MailIn her debut episode, Tamara introduces herself, her background as a licensed therapist and coach, and the deeper mission behind this podcast. Through her personal story of growing up Orthodox Jewish, marrying young, and navigating relationships, motherhood, and identity, she opens up honest conversations about mental health, body image, trauma, and connection — all through a compassionate, judgment-free lens.In this episode:Who Tamara is and why she started this relationships and mental health podcastHow her advice column sparked deeper conversations about intimacy, anxiety, and personal growthGrowing up Orthodox Jewish and how faith shaped relationships, identity, and self-expressionEarly marriage, navigating intimacy without prior dating experience, and learning in real timeThe reality behind “good” relationships and why communication and curiosity matterOpening up conversations around body image, trauma, anxiety, spirituality, and connectionWhat to expect from future episodes focused on relationships, mental health, and honest self-reflectionSupport the showFollow Tamara on Instagram @Talk2Tamara, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for new episodes on relationships and personal growth. Watch new episodes on Youtube and visit my website for coaching and 1:1 support.