Spiritually Hungry

Monica Berg and Michael Berg

About

Don’t miss this thought-provoking podcast series with authors Monica and Michael Berg. Together, they’ll answer your most pressing questions, offering sage advice for the modern world. Self-proclaimed Change Junkie, Monica Berg is an author and teacher who lectures internationally. Michael Berg is a rabbi and Aramaic scholar who has published almost 20 books on the teachings of Kabbalah. This husband and wife team has been sharing kabbalistic wisdom and relationship expertise with students for decades. Join them for a down-to-earth conversation about the big life questions that spark your curiosity the most.

Available on

Community

171 episodes

169. Balancing Act: A Conversation on Wellness with Jordan Younger, The Balanced Blonde

We all want to be healthy, but what happens if we go too far in our quest for wellness? True wellbeing comes from an alignment of the mind, body, and soul. Tune in as we welcome Jordan Younger, creator of The Balanced Blonde podcast, to discuss the importance of growing our intuition and maintaining balance in our approach to well-being.  “I learned how to give myself grace as I go through my wellness journey, and now I truly feel like I live a healthy life.” – Jordan Younger Further Readings: by Jordan Younger

1h 3m
Apr 02
168. Your Soul’s Desire: 3 Ways to Align Your Actions to Your Higher Purpose

We came into this world to reveal Light for the benefit of others. But how well are our daily actions aligned with this higher purpose? Join us for an episode of Spiritually Hungry that delves into the nuances of living out your true potential every single day. “If you really direct your life towards the pursuit of revealing your soul’s potential, there are less things that upset you and less things that distract you.” – Michael Berg

31m
Mar 26
167. Reigniting Connection Post Trauma: Nova Survivors, Liel Shitrit & Shoham Cohen

Liel Shitrit and Shoham Cohen survived the Hamas attack at the Nova Music Festival in Israel on October 7th. They now travel the world to share their story of resilience, love, and Light with others. Join us for a very special conversation about their experience and the miracles they now find in everyday moments. Content warning: This episode contains depictions of graphic violence that some may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. “I think connections are more important to me than money and work. I wake up every day and just smile because I woke up.” – Liel Shitrit

1h 16m
Mar 19
166. Mother of Mindfulness: A Conversation with Dr. Ellen Langer

How can mindfulness improve our mind and body wellness? And how do our thoughts impact the body? In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we speak with Dr. Ellen Langer to learn what four decades of mindfulness research has taught her about the relationship between mental attitude and physical health. “If we see mind and body as a single unit, then wherever you’re putting the mind, you’re necessarily putting the body, which gives us enormous control over our health.” – Dr. Langer   Further Readings: , by Ellen J. Langer

1h 18m
Mar 05
165. The Road to Repair: 3 Steps to Mend a Broken Relationship

Some of our most important relationships are also the most complicated. But all is not lost. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, listen as we discuss how to start difficult conversations that can guide you on the path to repairing a rift between you and your loved one. “The most powerful way to change is through relationships. The reason we want to have relationships is not because of what they give us, but because of the opportunities they bring us to change, to grow, and to give.” – Michael Berg

31m
Feb 20
164. Deep Healing: 4 Steps to Identify & Process Past Trauma

Over 17 million people in the United States experience the effects of PTSD. And many more of us will experience traumatic events in the future. Processing the traumatic event is essential for us to heal—body, mind, and soul. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss how to identify our own trauma and begin that journey so we can live securely without fear. “We are not taught what to do with negative feelings, especially the deepest wounds. It can seem counterintuitive to recount trauma in vivid detail, but that is a powerful tool in releasing trauma.” – Monica Berg Further Readings: by Bessel van der Kolk

32m
Feb 13
163. Emotional Intelligence: 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Emotional IQ

Emotional intelligence is understanding your inner world in great detail—seeing how experiences have shaped you as a person. But how do we increase this kind of awareness? In this episode, learn how to cultivate emotional IQ and strengthen your relationship with yourself and others. “You are the sum of your past. Learn to love and understand . Become intelligent there. From that strength, you can learn to love others.” – Monica Berg

39m
Feb 06
162. Looking for a Sign: 3 Life-Altering Truths About Synchronicity

When we don’t know which path to take, we sometimes look for signs from the universe: directions telling us which way to go. The truth is, there are signs everywhere, all of the time! In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss how to spot messages from the Creator in our everyday lives.  “In order for us to live the life we are meant to live, with the blessings we are meant to have, we have to be constantly desiring and open to these messages. They are a map from the Creative Force of the Universe directing us to the right place.” – Michael Berg

37m
Jan 30
161. Discovery & Growth: 3 Ways to Turn Generational Trauma into Transformation

Our ancestors pass down more than physical traits or family stories. We can also inherit traumatic experiences that can impact us in ways we are not even conscious of. In this episode, we discuss generational trauma and how to turn challenging experiences in our family’s history into opportunities for deep personal growth. “It is very important to look back on the challenges that come to us from our generational trauma. It’s also very important to look at the positive things that are within us because of our ancestors and use them as an inspiration for what we can do with our lives.” – Michael Berg

39m
Jan 23
160. Sweet Little Lies: 3 Things to Think About Before You Tell a Lie

Our society upholds truth as a virtue, but as we strive to do the right thing in each moment, the question remains: is it ever okay to lie? In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, join us as we discuss the real truth when it comes to the lies we tell every day. “Before you choose to tell the truth, think of yourself as the other person. If you do not, you are probably going to do more damage in your truth-telling than any benefit you are hoping to have.” – Michael Berg

41m
Jan 16
159. A New Year in the Making: 4 Ideas for Rekindling Your Creative Spark

Many people do not consider themselves to be creative. Yet, creativity is a direct connection to the Light that can inspire all aspects of our lives—from baking and vacation planning to drawing and painting. Listen as we discuss how to remove the barrier between ourselves and our creative force while lighting the spark to live a fulfilling and joyful life. “The ego is the key barrier between ourselves and our creative force. If you want to live an inspired life… you better be diminishing your ego.” – Michael Berg

38m
Jan 02
158. Let it Go: 4 Ways to Embrace the Unexpected

We love to make plans. Especially at this time of year! Yet what happens when things don’t go according to plan? The truth is there is so little we can control in life. So, how do we let go of the need to have a hand in everything that unfolds? Join us for a conversation about embracing the unexpected and making space for miracles. “The true spiritual work is embracing the moments that were not part of your plan.” – Michael Berg

25m
Dec 19, 2023
157. Transforming Failure: 4 Ways to Embrace the Blessing of Mistakes

Mistakes can sometimes feel like you’re getting further away from your goals. Yet, that is far from true. Failure is meant to spark spiritual transformation that can help you manifest your deepest desires. Join us for a conversation about welcoming mistakes into your life to create meaningful change. “Envision the blessings you want in life with the understanding that they are waiting for you. The version of yourself that you are in now is not ready to receive them. You have to become a more evolved version of yourself in order to manifest those blessings. That understanding can drive your desire to change and allow you to embrace your failures.” – Michael Berg   Further Readings: , by Amy C. Edmondson & Kathe Mazur

36m
Dec 12, 2023
156. Limitless Abundance: 3 Ways to Take Control of Money Fears

The pressure to achieve your financial goals and be successful is greater than ever. We often put a tremendous amount of pressure on ourselves to tap into abundance, forgetting that the Light of the Creator is limitless. Listen to this episode of Spiritually Hungry as we outline how to release money fears and embrace endless blessings. “The energy of the universe is an energy of endless sharing. You have to know that. Which means there is no reason why any of us should be in a state of lack.” – Michael Berg

39m
Dec 05, 2023
155. Gather with Love: 3 Ideas for Joyful Family Holidays

Your family is the perfect place to practice and grow because your soul chose them for a reason. Which might be exactly why holiday gatherings require a generous helping of patience and boundaries. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we share tips to increase the joy and reduce the friction this holiday season. “None of us have enough appreciation for our parents. Of course, there are many things that you are not happy about. This holiday season, find ways to be more appreciative.” – Michael Berg Further Readings: , by Nedra Glover Tawwab

39m
Nov 28, 2023
154. You Are Limitless: 4 teachings to Help You Reach Your Potential

We often tell ourselves a false tale of our limitations, which prevent us from even attempting to achieve great things. The truth is our potential is more vast than we can imagine. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss how to reveal the infinite Light within each of us. “If we are honest, I think most of us would admit that even on our best days, our best thoughts of our potential in our lives in all areas are still limited. As long as we still tell ourselves the story of limitation, there is no way we can even begin to live a life we are meant to live.” – Michael Berg Further Readings: , by Simon Sinek

50m
Nov 21, 2023
153. Growing Together: 3 Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship

When was the last time you invited your partner in? It is true that couples are either growing together or growing apart. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss how to bring spirituality into a relationship so your partner can become a part of the personal growth that fortifies a relationship. “We are strong now because we learned what it is to be in a partnership—not just through the highs, but really through being vulnerable in the most difficult times when we leaned in towards each other.” - Monica Berg

40m
Nov 14, 2023
152. Looking for a Sign?: 4 Ways to Uncover Messages from the Creator

Have you ever asked the Universe to send you a sign? Most of us look for signs when we seek answers. The truth is the Creator sends us messages all the time. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss how to tune in to the voice of the Creator every single day and strengthen our innate intuition. “Your soul is processing all of the messages you are receiving all of the time. The goal is to bridge the gap between the unconscious mind and the conscious mind, between the soul and the brain, so that they start forming our direction in life.” – Michael Berg Further Readings: , by Laura Lynne Jackson

43m
Nov 07, 2023
151. Deepest Desire: 4 Ways to Open Up to Limitless Possibilities

How do you know when to push harder for what you want and when to sit back and let things unfold as they will? Kabbalah teaches that being open to what the Creator has in store for us is the best approach. Join us for a conversation about intuition, desire, and trust in the Light as you strive for your deepest desires. “We are so powerful when we use our intuition. That’s how we connect to the soul and connect to the Creator. In that way, you can’t really make a mistake in how you move forward.” – Monica Berg

36m
Oct 31, 2023
150. People Are Better Than You Think: 4 Ways to Awaken Generosity

The Light of the Creator is the source of all blessings and a model of the selfless energy with which we can aspire to give. But how do we tune into this kind of generosity so we can give without hesitation or restraint? In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss the importance of whole-hearted generosity.  “Not only do I have a choice about which part of me I will live my life directed towards—the altruistic or selfish part of me—how I view the world, how I interact with people, and how I try to uplift people is very much my responsibility, as well.” – Michael Berg Further Readings: by Yochai Benkler by Marcel Mauss and W. D. Halls

38m
Oct 24, 2023
149. How to Keep Going in Challenging Times: 5 Thoughts on Perseverance

When we encounter challenges on our way to achieving our goals, we can get discouraged and feel the impulse to give up. The truth is the middle is often messy, and the process never really ends. Join us as we discuss how perseverance shapes us into the people we are ultimately meant to be. “The natural trajectory of the human experience is to become more pessimistic over time. The reality of living longer is seeing more negativity. So we have to nurture a growing optimistic view of our lives.” – Michael Berg

41m
Oct 17, 2023
148. Who Do You Want to Be?: 3 Understandings for Living Your Purpose

In this season of reflection, we often revisit the question of who we are meant to be in this lifetime. This episode of Spiritually Hungry was recorded live during Rosh Hashanah. Listen as we discuss the art of living your purpose in the New Kabbalistic Year. “Simply being a good person is not even close to what our souls are meant to do in this world. Only when we consistently remember this point can the potential of who we are actually meant to be, become reality.” – Michael Berg

59m
Sep 26, 2023
147. How Do I Make Things Right?: 3 Key Points to Forgiveness

In the window of time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we have the opportunity to return to our past and set things right. In this mini-episode, we discuss the act of t’shuvah, and how we can make amends and reconnect to the Light at this powerful time of year. “There is no experience that we go through in which we don’t see through our own lens first and foremost. It is an added step, a conscious effort, to ask, ‘How did that person feel when I did this?’” – Monica Berg

19m
Sep 19, 2023
146. What Makes You Insecure?: 3 Ideas to Reframe Insecurity

Life is too short to spend energy worrying about what other people think. Yet, a vast majority of society places value on the opinions of others. In a world where ideas and thoughts are shared freely, how do we guard ourselves against negative influences? Listen to this mini-episode of Spiritually Hungry as we discuss how to use insecurity as an opportunity to learn about ourselves. “The only thing that should matter is what you think of yourself.” — Michael Berg Further Readings: “Why Does Everyone Feel So Insecure All the Time?” NYT Article by Astra Taylor

17m
Sep 12, 2023
145. Is Somebody Watching Me?: 3 Important Insights About the Creator

Who’s with you wherever you go—ever present, even when you can’t see them? The Creator. Just like your shadow, the Creator watches every action. And each action influences the unique relationship you have with the Creator. In this mini episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss the importance of consciousness as you foster a positive connection with your source.   “As I behave, so the Light of the Creator must behave with me.” – Michael Berg

21m
Aug 29, 2023
144. The Desire for More: 4 Tools to Fulfill Your Potential

In the quest to achieve our dreams, we can get stuck in thoughts about yesterday and tomorrow. Kabbalists teach that the key to reaching our potential is living for today with gusto. Join Monica and Michael in this mini-episode as they explore key ingredients for fulfilling our greatest desires in life. “Understanding potential means there is a duality of thought—on the one hand, who I am, what I am, and where I am is perfect. On the other hand, my desire of who I am meant to be is endlessly greater than where I am right now.” – Michael Berg

21m
Aug 22, 2023
143. What’s Your Name?: 3 Surprising Truths About Names

Whether you are naming a business, a child, or a new pet, you are likely to pour a good deal of thought into choosing a name. And for good reason—names are the conduits or channels through which the Light of the Creator flows into our lives. In this mini episode, Michael and Monica explore fascinating kabbalistic teachings around the significance of a name. “Imagine we are born with the outline of our name, and every day we are filling it in with life through actions of sharing, transformation, and growth.” – Michael Berg

26m
Aug 15, 2023
142. What Do They Remember?: 4 Tools for Modeling Kindness to Children

We often assume our children are blocking us out. Our words of wisdom seem to go unacknowledged. However, they are listening more intently than we think. In this mini-episode, we discuss the importance of modeling the kind of humans we want our children to become because they are paying attention, even when it doesn’t seem like it. “How you deal with positive things and how you deal with life’s challenges is going to be the model upon which they begin to create their own personality and their own life.” – Michael Berg

18m
Aug 01, 2023
141. Why am I Holding On?: 5 Truths About Letting Go and Seeing the Good

There is so much goodness in store for us. But we often waste time and energy worrying, ruminating, and second-guessing ourselves. In this mini-episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss how to surrender to the process and trust in the Creator so we are free to spend our energy pursuing passions and living in the moment. “Holding onto things, like anger or resentment, actually stops the Light of the Creator with its positive intentions from entering into the situation. Not letting go, not training ourselves persistently to actively let go, actually precludes many positive benefits and blessings from entering into our life.” – Michael Berg Further Readings: by John Tierney & Roy F. Baumeister

16m
Jul 26, 2023
140. What is Real?: 3 Ways to Rethink What Your Eyes See

Only a fraction of what we see is based on input from our eyes. Everything else is filled in by connection in other parts of the brain. Meaning the way to change the negativity we experience in our lives is not by changing the world around you. It’s by changing your mind. In this summer mini-episode of Spiritually Hungry, we talk about how to embrace radical optimism for the most fulfilling life. “If you’re experiencing negativity in your life right now, the way to change it is not by changing the outside world. It’s by changing your mind.” – Michael Berg Further Readings: , by Beau Lotto

15m
Jul 18, 2023