Jewish Teen Talk

Questions explored in this episode:1. I have no interest in boys. I'm worried that this will be an issue when I am ready to date. Is this normal for someone my age to be thinking about this and is it something I should be worried about? (02:25)2. How can I not be embarrassed being seen in public with my non-religious relatives? (08:31)3. How do people have so many children? Some kids will inevitably end up being neglected... (13:23)4. My parents are constantly fighting and putting each other down. I'm afraid to bring my friends over in case my parents explode at each other. What can I do? (17:21)Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode:1. Is it normal to imagine how people would look without clothing on? (01:24)2. My parents are separated and my dad showed up at school to give me money. It feels like taking sides by taking the money. What do I do? (11:23)3. All my friends are applying to sleepover camp. My parents can't afford to send me. How do I convince them to send me? (18:32)4. Why do teachers use codewords to talk about topics that we will anyways find out later? (26:06)5. I feel like being held back from buying non-tznius clothes is crushing my identity and self expression. How do I handle this? (32:24)

Questions explored in this episode: 1. My friends are doing whatever they want hiding and are being accepted to top seminaries. I'm working on myself but don't look the part. How can we change the system? (01:10) 2. Where do I draw the line between a mentor and a therapist? (17:45) 3. I'm a frum girl and I know it's bad to masturbate but I masturbate and I don't know how to stop. Please help me! (22:54)

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I get very frustrated when people throw around terms like "depression" and "suicide" and "bipolar". How do we create an awareness about this? (02:55) 2. I have really strong feelings of love towards other girls. Will this affect marriage in the future? (10:16) 3. I think about boys a lot. How can I stop thinking about them so much? (20:60) Submit your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I'm having a really hard time in school academically and socially. I feel depressed, can you help me? (00:36) 2. Please can you talk about self harm? I think people don't understand how it helps someone deal with emotional pain... (10:04) 3. My friend confides only in me about her family situation. How can I be there for her? (29:46) Submit your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com! Reach out to us at teentalkqanda@gmail.com for additional resources.

Questions explored in this episode: 1. What should I think about when I'm davening? (00:36) 2. How can I not be jealous of my friend? (08:50) 3. A girl in my class says toxic things and curses a lot. There's not much I can do, any advice? (12:52) 4. I go to an extremely small school but I want ‘the' high school experience. How can I get through this? (17:41) 5. Ever since I was little I have felt like a boy. I have a girl's body, but it doesn't feel right. What does this mean, and is it bad? (21:27)

Questions explored in this episode: 1. Is it wrong to have a close friend who I don't share with about personal issues? (02:21) 2. How can getting bad marks on so many tests be part of Hashems plan? (08:46) How do I deal with being excluded from friendship in seminary? (16:15) 4. How do I become more confident and less awkward while talking to my mashpia (spiritual mentor)? (24:34) 5. I feel like sibling exploration that I had as a child may have gone too far. Should I speak to someone? (27:05) Feedback from Episode 55! (37:12) Submit your anonymous questions or feedback at www.jewishteentalk.com! We will be happy to hear from you :)

Questions explored in this episode: 1. How can I not be rude with boys when I have to stay away from them? (01:25) 2. Every time I think about Moshiach I get really nervous. This world is so comfortable how it is.  How could I change my perspective? (19:48) 3. I literally hate when people smoke. What do I do and do I accept it? (29:13) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I'm broken, depressed and suicidal. suicide! Why am I different than everyone? (01:26) 2. I'm afraid of not getting a good shidduch because my family is so messed up. Help! (14:21) 2. How do I transition into my "own" life from teenager to adult? (22:31) 3. How can I overcome a porn addiction with no support system? (28:26) 4. How can I be so selfish to bring children into this horrible world of suffering?? Please guide me. (35:36) Resource for suicide prevention: www.thelongshortroad.com Resource for porn addiction: www.guardyoureyes.com Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I'm a Chassidish boy and I think that I need a girlfriend or wife who can understand my feelings. What do I do? (01:38) 2. I am not skinny and worried about getting a shidduch with an overweight boy with problems. How do I approach this? (08:07) 3. I have a Mashpia but I am embarrassed to ask her some questions. Any tips? (19:58) 4. How can a gay person be happy in a heterosexual marriage? (25:56) 5. I'm always telling off my siblings in matters of Torah. How can I stop this? (31:13) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com! Thank you to our sponsors, Chava and Rivka for your support!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I sometimes wish bad things on people. How do I still look at myself as a good person? (01:20) 2. I am constantly telling off my siblings. How can I stop this? (09:51) 3. I recently heard that sexual abuse is common and present in the frum community. How can I keep myself safe and trust anyone? (16:14) 4. How is Judaism not being all or nothing different than the Reform choosing what to observe? (27:11) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com.

Questions explored in this episode: 1. Why is it bad to listen to non Jewish podcasts and YouTubers? (03:02) 2. Hashem is always testing me. Does He want me to stay religious? (09:15) 3. Am I getting depressed or is it just stress from exams? (14:40)

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I really struggle with procrastination? What can I do? (02:16) 2. Is it normal to so badly want to get married and have a baby? (09:39) 3. Why is everyone so fake? (15:37) 4. How do I bring my religiosity to the next level? (16:11) 5. How can I stay religious in this generation? (21:04)

Questions explored in this episode: 1. What is wrong with having a boyfriend? (01:35) 2. Any advice for staying strong about being Tznius? (01:59) 3. I want to hang out with boys and talk to them. What can I do? (02:28) 4. I never talk with my mom about boys or drama. Many of my friends do and it's upsetting at times. What can I do? (02:58) 5. My brother is taking drugs, getting drunk and selling drugs. Please help me! (08:57) 6. I have a sister who's becoming anorexic. What can I do for myself and for her? (21:39) Submit your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com! Partner with Jewish Teen Talk by sponsoring an episode at https://bit.ly/3SYdFsI.

Questions explored in this episode: 1. How do I dress Tznius when others around me don't? (02:48) 2. How do I stay frum but still make friends as a Chabad frum girl in a non-Jewish co-ed school? (06:24) 3. I have a Jewish mom and Christian father. How can I be a better Jew and get closer to G-d? (14:13) 4. My parents won't let me get social media and it's frustrating. What can I do? (22:58) Submit your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com! Partner with Jewish Teen Talk by sponsoring an episode at https://bit.ly/3SYdFsI.

Questions explored in this episode: 1. How much physical touch is okay between girls? (01:44) 2. I feel like a hypocrite. What can I do about this? (06:25) 3. I wish I had more of a social life with frum people. What can I do? (15:00) Submit your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I have a fear of death. I'm scared out of my wits. Can you talk about it? (00:41) 2. School is so hard. How do I encourage myself not to drop out? (12:08) 3. I am always comparing myself to girls around me who are skinny and look good. How do I become more confident with myself the way Hashem made me? (20:00) Submit your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I am going to a very small high school and I don't see myself becoming close friends with any of the girls. Any tips on what I can do? (01:11) 2. My father has bipolar and there is constant physical, emotional and verbal abuse in our home. I always need to pretend that my life and family is perfect. Please help me. (07:00) 3. I know I'm supposed to love Shabbos, but I just don't. How can I learn to love Shabbos? (17:57) 4. What is a real friend? (25:22) Submit your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com! Sponsor a future episode on our website :)

Questions explored in this episode: 1. Why am I so interested in romance novels? (01:55) 2. Do I have to be tznius (modest) when saying shema? (12:50) 3. My friends are always together without me. What do I do? (15:57) 4. I know that sexual relationships are prohibited, but how about masturbating? (23:35) 5. How can I push away people's mean comments? (28:50) Submit your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com! Sponsor a future episode on our website :)

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I overthink relationships. What is a healthier way of going about it? (01:00) 2. How do we have a healthy body image? (10:30) 3. How can I show my parents that I'm trying to change? (24:12) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com

Questions explored in this episode: 1. How do I know who are my true friends? (01:26) 2. How do you know for real that Hashem created the world and we did not create Hashem? (06:02) 3. Could you explain the concept of limitless or infinite? (15:26) Send in your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. What exactly is marriage and why get married? (01:53) 2. I got a mashpia and then fired her. What do I do now? (05:16) 3. How can I deal with cliques in a small class? (15:19) 4. How do I make conversations less awkward? (21:33) Submit your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. Thank you so much for bringing up this complicated topic (SSA) because it happens a lot in frum schools. How can we deal with friends with same sex attraction when we see them doing things with other girls in our class? (03:19) 2. Is attraction between a brother and sister a common thing and is it something that is natural or does it need to be taken care of? (24:14) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com! Sponsor a future episode by contacting us through our website :)

Sponsor a future episode at www.jewishteentalk.com! Questions explored in this episode: I want to go a specific seminary, but my mom thinks it's too modern. How could I explain to my momther that her viewpoints do not align with mine? (01:32)  Is it appropriate to have a crush and to talk about it with friends? (11:33) Is it normal to want to have some kind of relationship with boys (ie, your crush) even if there is no physical contact? (17:15) What's the difference between self-esteem and confidence? (32:38)

Questions explored in this episode: 1. How can I do kiruv on my non-religious relatives without feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable if they reject it? (02:18) 2. How do I stop myself from always thinking the worst? (09:00) 3. What do I do if I feel like my friends are ignoring me? (18:18) 4. I keep getting farther and farther off the derech. How do I stay religious? (22:44) 5. What do I do if I have a friend who's been through something traumatic but she won't tell other people what happened? (30:29) 6. I really think I need a therapist, but I don't know how to ask my parents. What should I do? (34:42) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1- I have really bad FOMO. What can I do about it? (03:43) 2- Will tests from Hashem be harder each time because we pass the previous ones? (07:47) 3- How do I deal with my sister who criticizes me all the time? (17:03) 4- I don't really have any friends. Can I thrive without them? (22:17) 5- Can my parents be my mashpia? (27:41) 6- Are girls allowed to kiss the Torah when they have their period? (32:14) 7- I am depressed and have suicidal thoughts. I do not want to go to therapy. How can I help myself? (38:44) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I don't trust Hashem after Oct. 7th. What should I do? (02:03) 2. I really think I need a therapist, but I don't know how to ask my parents. (11:33) 3. I have anxiety because of the war in Israel. Is there any way to get over it without going to therapy? (15:04) 4. I feel like my friends think I'm too good for them. What am I supposed to do? (25:11) 5. How do I act with friends who are disrespectful and very talkative? (28:48) 6. Can you please talk all about marriage? (see episode 21) 7. Help me love every Jew. How do I not judge people? (33:49) 8. How am I supposed to love every Jew as I love myself if I don't even love myself? (33:49) 9. Why are so many people rejected by their communities if you are supposed to love every Jew? (40:00)

Questions explored in this episode: 1. Im having a seminary interview and I'm not sure how to represent myself. How can I make this easier? (2:25) 2. My parents aren't getting along so well. It's really unsettling and painful. Do you have any tips? (11:27) 3. I'm starting to dislike being a religious Jew. What should I do? (19:33) 4. I am a fully religious Jew but I have an addiction to sexual content. How can I get over it? (27:01) 5. What's the issue with going to college? (37:10) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. How can I overcome my social anxiety and nervousness when I'm with friends? (00:25) 2. Can I daven without a skirt in private? (09:23) 3. Are religious boys thinking of girls often? (19:55) 4. Is it bad to read and watch romance novels or movies? (26:33) 5. Why are my parents so strict with me hanging out with boys? (31:15) 6. My best friend told me she's been diagnosed with depression, but doesn't want me to share with anyone. How do I support her? (38:01) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. Please explain a bit more about how music affects us. (00:16) How can you dress frum when you're around lots of people who judge you for that? (05:33) Do the laws of shomer negiya apply to same sex attraction? (08:37) How can I help people in my class that become modern. Is it wrong that I feel hopeless for them? (15:47) My parents aren't open minded and there is no way I can speak to them about these things. What should I do? (21:44) Submit your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1- I struggle with intense anxiety. Can I heal myself without a therapist? 2- Do we actually have free choice? 3- I've stopped davenning. I'm scared I will stop to do more things. What do I do? 4- My friends feel that I'm too good for them. They are annoyed with the things I say and do. What should I do? 5- Any ideas what hachlata I could do in honour of my birthday? Submit your questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I've heard that Hashem doesn't give people a challenge that they can't handle but if that's true then why do some people commit suicide? 2. I feel like I want to give up. How do I feel more empowered to get through this? What should I do when I want to commit suicide but I know I can't because Hashem doesn't let?

Questions explored in this episode: 1. Can you please explain psychological warfare? 2. The world is doing so much kindness during these days! How do we know Moshiach is actually coming? 3. Ever since the war I have a strong desire to join the army. Is it worth spending 3 years of my life? 4. I have a friend who is trying to distance herself from me because I'm too skinny and pretty and I'm going to give her an eating disorder. What do I do? 5. Why are some people just careless about people's feeling or just about anything?

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I'm addicted to watching movies. How do I stop? 2. Can I respect my relatives if I don't agree with their religious opinions? 3. It feels weird to dress modest when my friends aren't. What should I do? 4. How do I deal with being suicidal in high school? 5. Why is being a teenager so hard? Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: 1. I feel numb when I hear news of Israel. Should I be feeling more pain? 2. I don't want Moshiach to come. I'm happy with life as is. What do I do? 3. I can't stop thinking about boys. How can I stop? 4. Why do I have to dress modest for men? Submit your anonymous question at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions in this episode: 1- What to do when I see that my friend is going through pain? 2- What can I do for my sister who has some friends that are not a good influence? 3- Why is it that religious kids are picked on by friends and teachers? 4- Is there an inherent problem with talking/hanging out with girls and vice versa? Submit your anonymous questions or comments at www.jewishteentalk.com! Sponsor an episode on our website :)

Questions in this episode: How can I be real even in the presence of people who intimidate me? It's hard and I really want to be myself no matter when and who I'm with (1:20) How do I make everyday activities meaningful? (21:39)

Question 1: What do I do with this terrible news in Israel? (00:38) Question 2: I can't sleep at night and feel so scared from everything I've seen on TikTok. What can I do to calm myself down? (09:21) Question 3: How do I eat, sleep, learn and go about my day as regular when so many people are grieving and suffering? (17:12)

Questions explored in this episode: My older brother dropped out of Yeshiva and is now working. He went off the derech (way). What do I do and say? (00:57) I've been told that everyone has a talent that Hashem gave them. I feel like I don't have any talents. How can this be? (09:26) There is someone who is always putting me down. How am I supposed to act back? (28:27) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: Is it that bad to listen to non jewish music, watch movies, hang out with boys, wear non tznius clothes? I just want to explore life! (00:51) There is someone that always makes me feel horrible, as if I'm lower than them. What am I supposed to say or do? (22:56)  Is it fine for me to like a religious boy and want to have a relationship with him even though I know I'm not going to because I know it's wrong? (37:02)

Questions explored in this episode: What is the deeper meaning of a mashpia? (01:00)  Why is it important for followers of Chabad to not shave their beard? (09:52) I have a good friend who started behaving in ways that make me feel uncomfortable. What do I do and how do I help? (29:32)

Questions explored in this episode: At what point should I “let go and let God” (01:54) How do you know if you really are going through something or have anxiety (21:06) How is it that so many frum people and even people on shlichus are going so low? In school, I very often see people going lower and lower and I always wonder how Hashem lets this happen... (35:56) Submit your anonymous questions at jewishteentalk.com!

Questions in this episode: Why get married and have kids? (01:08) What should a teen do with sexual energy? (23:20) Submit your anonymous question or sponsor an episode at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: The guys in my class are constantly getting high. I was always told that drugs are the worst thing in the world. Now that I think about it though, marijuana is much less harmful for the body than alcohol is and marijuana is now legal, so why not use weed? (00:45) School is always hard and I just don't know what to do. I used to be more of a louder student but this year I decided I wanted to do really well. Some teachers pick on me and it really bothers me when I know I'm not doing anything. What should I do? (28:34) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: My parents are always telling me that whatever I do will give me a reputation and will affect my shidduch later on in life. I don't really care about that, I just want to breathe and live without worrying or caring about this… (00:49) Why are Jews so sheltered? (10:17) I know the rules about having boyfriends (as in dating), but what about just guy friends? (20:18) Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode: I find that Shabbos is a really hard day for me. I don't even know how to say this but I do go on my phone sometimes in secret. How do I think about myself and any advice for me? (1:14) Why can't religious boys and girls just be friends? (18:54) I'm having a hard time with putting on tefillin every day. (28:59) Sometimes when I'm feeling sad or upset, I just want to drink to help myself feel better. How do I know if I'm addicted and what do I say to people at a farbrengen? (44:53)

Questions explored in this episode: How do I become more confident with myself in the way I look, dress, my values etc? How do I stop comparing myself to others? (0:51) How can I avoid getting badly influenced by friends? (27:38) What to do with my sister who is going through depression and anxiety and keeps pushing me away. I so badly want to help her. (34:33) Submit your anonymous question at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions in this episode: What is the Jewish approach on how one should make their decisions? (0:49) How do you deal when the people around you are all a lot less frum than you? (7:42) Why are frum teens not given sexual education? (14:00) Why can't I have a girlfriend? (20:03) Submit your anonymous question at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Exciting News! Jewish Teen Talk will be featuring alternating weeks for boys and girls. Shua will be spearheading the boys episodes, while Bashie will continue to interview the girls. Questions explored in this episode: Why should I continue to follow Judaism if there is other happiness I want to choose right now? If you know a fellow teenager is doing things in secret that they shouldn't be doing, what can you do? Submit your anonymous question at www.jewishteentalk.com!

Questions explored in this episode are: Why are people afraid of being real? Is ego synonymous with pain? How can we see Hashem in the places where we feel the most pain? Submit your anonymous question at www.jewishteentalk.com!

The questions explored in this episode are: I have no interest in even opening up a siddur. I only do it when my teachers force me to. Do you have any advice? After losing my mother, people told me she's in a better world and watching over me, but I am so angry at G-d. I don't daven because I feel like Hashem doesn't really exist. Can you give examples that Hashem exists? Submit your anonymous questions at www.jewishteentalk.com!