Send us Fan Mail Letters for Life: Levi Y. Shmotkin on Rebbe’s Guidance for Emotional Health From the Inside Out In this episode of From The Inside Out with Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein, we interview Levi Shmotkin, author of Letters for Life, a practical guide to emotional health based on the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s letters, recorded in honor of Gimmel Tammuz. Shmotkin shares how his own teen experience of heaviness and apathy led him to the Rebbe’s counseling, emphasizing gratitude, humility, and shifting focus outward through giving and responsibility. He contrasts popular self-help’s self-focus with the Rebbe’s “third way” that validates feelings while expanding the mind toward Hashem and others, including examples from education. He discusses tools like structure and productivity, trust to counter anxiety, hesech hadas (redirecting attention), loneliness as eased through awareness of Divine providence, Torah and halacha as the enduring path to spirituality, discovering purpose, and the Rebbe’s message that “nothing stands in the way of the will.” EPISODE SPONSORS Swimply This episode is powered by Swimply — and with summer here, the timing couldn't be better. Swimply lets you rent a beautiful private pool by the hour, right in your own city. No crowds, no chaos — just your family or friends in your own space. With over 15,000 private pools across the US, Canada, and Australia, you can browse by size, style, and location and find exactly what you're looking for. For those of us who value privacy and modesty, this is truly a game-changer: a luxurious, secluded swim experience without having to travel far from home. 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Their Pushka (Charity Box) App makes it easy to turn inspiration into action with simple daily giving—small “micro-donations” that add up to real impact over time. To join thousands of daily givers, download the Pushka App on iOS or Android and start giving today: https://pushkapp.cc/Inside Discover and donate to Colel Chabad here: https://colelchabad.org/ OkClarity.Com Finding the right therapist or coach can be one of the most challenging parts of seeking help — even with a great referral, the person isn't always the right fit. That's where OkClarity comes in. OkClarity is an online platform featuring hundreds of Jewish therapists, psychiatrists, coaches, nutritionists, and support groups, where you actually get to meet the person through videos and introductions before deciding whether to move forward with a first session. More than 10,000 people have already benefited from OkClarity, and it's not just a directory for those seeking help — if you're a mental health practitioner, therapist, or coach, you can list yourself on the platform too, so the people who need you can find you. Visit okclarity.com to find the right fit for you. GUEST BIO Levi Y. Shmotkin Levi Y. Shmotkin is a Chassidic scholar and author based in Los Angeles, California. His debut book, Letters for Life: Guidance for Emotional Wellness from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, was born from a deeply personal journey — as a teenager, Levi found himself grappling with heaviness, apathy, and a loss of inner spark. It was the Rebbe's letters that became his lifeline, and what began as a private notebook of insights eventually became a book that has resonated with thousands across all walks of Jewish life. A member of Generation Z who never met the Rebbe in person, Levi brings a fresh, relatable voice to timeless wisdom — showing that truth, as he says, is eternal, and the Rebbe's guidance speaks as powerfully today as ever. You can purchase the Letters For Life book here: https://a.co/d/040r8ezR CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 04:05 Meet Levi Shmotkin 16:03 Gen Z Connection to Rebbe 17:50 Modern Self Help vs Rebbe 19:27 A Third Way 27:47 Healing Through Others 41:17 Spiritual Not Religious 42:11 Psychedelics And Torah 46:45 Channeling Spiritual Desire 48:11 Finding Your Purpose 53:29 Loneliness And Providence 59:31 Solitude Versus Isolation 01:08:13 Changing From Within 01:08:42 Speak To Yourself 01:14:48 Anxiety And Trust 01:23:25 Hesech Hadas Explained 01:25:19 Action Without Rumination 01:28:39 Marriage and Subconscious 01:35:16 Suicidal Student Letter 01:41:27 Leap Beyond Status Quo 01:45:09 Willpower and Soul Energy 01:49:12 Closing Quote and Farewell COMMUNITY Join the Community! 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