The Journey with Gabi Koyenov - The Official Podcast of The Men's Therapy Studio

Gabi Koyenov
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Philosophy
  • Updated Weekly

A therapist having conversations about meaning, growth, culture, and responsibility. (Previously The Gabi Koyenov Podcast)

  1. Aug 14

    Why This Israeli Rabbi Left—and Now Calls His Yeshiva a Cult

    What happens when a rabbi begins questioning the religious system, political ideology, and life he once believed in? In this episode, Gabi sits down with Shalom Tzvi Shore, a former rabbi who studied and served in Israel before undergoing a profound process of religious and ideological deconstruction. Shalom opens up about life inside an intense yeshiva, the burden of religious rules, his experience with OCD, and why he now describes the form of Judaism he practiced as a cult. Using Steven Hassan’s BITE Model—behavior, information, thought, and emotional control—they examine how high-control environments shape identity, discourage questions, and influence the way people understand truth. Shalom explains why divorce became a turning point in his deconstruction and how leaving forced him to rebuild his morality, identity, and inner compass. The conversation also moves into difficult and timely territory as Shalom discusses his evolving relationship with Zionism after October 7 and makes his case for a one-state democracy. Gabi responds with her own perspective as they explore disagreement, collective identity, moral injury, and the possibility of recognizing shared humanity across deeply divided communities. Later, Shalom shares the freedom he experienced after leaving, his approach to trauma healing, and his experiences with psychedelics, hypnosis, and Existential Kink. They also discuss psychedelic risks, dosage, set and setting, antinatalism, obligation, and the search for meaning after certainty falls away. This is a candid conversation about religious deconstruction, high-control groups, Israel and Palestine, trauma, moral responsibility, and what it takes to build a life beyond inherited beliefs. Connect with Shalom Tzvi! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shalomshore?igsh=bTd2cjFvZXd4djd5 Hypnotherapy https://navyahypnosis.com/landing-page/work-with-shalom/ Freidom fighter https://freidomfighter.com/category/freidom-favorites/ Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7yWbv1wSD5FwQuSBhbPksF?si=6oAFbgwtQEKdgZAv_MtvfA&utm_source=copy-link&sci=spotify%3Acard-config%3A4WRGpYzoPb38oiU8Afd0sh Connect with Gabi! Youtube - www.youtube.com/@gabikoyenov Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqNskaV9wOra0Yh6Z3?ssssid1891df9a822414c Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/ Book a session! The Men's Therapy Studio https://themenstherapystudio.com/ 00:00 Meet the Ex Rabbi 00:47 Rabbinic Studies Reality Check 02:37 Inside an Intense Yeshiva 05:25 Army Service and Aish Hesder 13:39 Deconstructing Zionism After Oct 7 18:35 One State Democracy Argument 19:50 Host Responds and Shared Humanity 27:27 Was Yeshiva a Cult 29:03 BITE Model Explained 31:40 Aish as Personal Growth Cult 32:19 OCD and Rule Burden 33:51 Truth Claims and Question Shutdowns 36:25 Divorce Trigger and Deconstruction 47:10 Moral Injury and Inner Compass 01:00:58 Freedom After Leaving 01:06:51 Trauma Healing and Psychedelics 01:11:47 Risks Doses and Set Setting 01:18:37 Antinatalism and Obligation 01:21:15 Healing Tools and Existential Kink 01:26:50 Hypnosis Method and Closing Advice This episode includes personal accounts and discussion of psychedelics. It is intended for education and conversation, not medical advice. Psychedelic substances can carry serious psychological, medical, and legal risks; consult an appropriately qualified professional before making decisions about treatment. If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe and share it with someone exploring religious deconstruction, identity, trauma recovery, or life after a high-control community. #ReligiousDeconstruction #ExRabbi #LeavingReligion

  2. Aug 6

    She Left Lakewood’s Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Community—and It Cost Her Everything | Suri's Recovery

    What happens when leaving is no longer a choice—but something you must do to survive? In this episode, Gabi sits down with Suri, founder of After the Burn, for an honest conversation about religious trauma, burnout, shame, autonomy, and the painful cost of leaving a high-control religious environment. Suri shares her experience leaving the Ultra Orthodox community of Lakewood, New Jersey, of going from therapist to patient, entering residential treatment, and gradually recognizing the abuse and control surrounding her. She discusses the stigma that keeps people silent, the impact of shunning on families, and why leaving a religious community is often far more complicated than outsiders understand. Together, Suri and Gabi explore the difficult process of rebuilding an identity after leaving, questioning long-held beliefs, navigating spirituality and mental health, and reclaiming personal autonomy. They also discuss psychedelic-assisted healing, including ketamine, as well as parenting, criticism, shame exposure, and what recovery can look like after religious burnout. This conversation is for anyone who has questioned their faith, experienced religious trauma, left a high-control community, or struggled to rediscover who they are outside of inherited expectations. CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Suri and Gabi 00:35 Therapist Turned Patient 02:33 Why She Had to Leave 05:15 Stigma and Silence 06:14 Religious Abuse Example 09:16 Women and Burnout 13:47 Truman Show Reality 18:56 Truth Seeking and Labels 23:53 The Cost of Leaving 28:33 Faith and Mental Health 33:59 Autonomy and Control 35:23 Shunning and Family 40:01 How Leaving Unfolded 42:08 Leaving to Survive 43:35 The Reality of Residential Treatment 44:17 Seeing the Abuse Clearly 45:56 Rebuilding Identity and Beliefs 47:12 Why People Really Leave 50:03 Spirituality After Leaving 58:22 Ketamine and Psychedelic Healing 1:02:37 Religious Trauma and After the Burn 1:09:01 Shame, Exposure, and Freedom 1:16:43 Handling Criticism and Parenting 1:22:06 Suri’s Rooftop Message on Burnout If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who may need to hear it and subscribe for more honest discussions about identity, mental health, faith, healing, and personal freedom. Connect with Suri! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aftertheburnco? Website aftertheburn.co Connect with Gabi! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqNskaV9wOra0Yh6Z3?si=d1891df9a822414c Book a session! The Men's Therapy Studio https://themenstherapystudio.com/ #ReligiousTrauma #Burnout #FaithDeconstruction

  3. Jul 30

    Rabbi Tovia Singer on What the Bible Really Says About Jesus

    In this incredible conversation Gabi Koyenov interviews Rabbi Tovia Singer on his lifelong work countering Christian missionary efforts and helping Jews who converted to Christianity return to Judaism. Rabbi Singer explains how growing up after the Holocaust and encountering groups like Jews for Jesus pushed him to study primary Christian sources, the New Testament, church councils, and Tanakh, concluding Christianity misquotes Hebrew scripture and contains anti-Jewish themes. He discusses why Jews convert—typically due to limited Jewish education, alienation, low self-esteem, and personal crises—plus the social pull of evangelical communities, and says education can “inoculate” Jews against missionaries. Singer emphasizes he aims to strengthen faith, not create atheists, highlighting Tanakh’s message of teshuvah and God’s accessibility, contrasting it with Christian doctrines of sin and salvation. He closes urging people to return to original sources and shares outreachjudaism.com and his YouTube channel. Connect with Rabbi Tovia Singer Help us combat aggressive Jewish evangelism in Israel: https://outreachjudaism.org/partners/ Let’s Get Biblical Study Guide (Volume 1 & 2) https://outreachjudaism.org/shop/lets-get-biblical-expanded-2-volume-study-guide/ Website https://outreachjudaism.org/ Connect with Gabi! Youtube www.youtube.com/@gabikoyenov Book a session! The Men's Therapy Studio https://themenstherapystudio.com/ 00:00 Meet Rabbi Singer 00:45 Why He Started 05:02 Studying Primary Sources 08:58 Understanding Christian Belief 15:03 Why Jews Convert 18:29 Psychology and Community Pull 25:49 Trauma and Alienation Factors 30:18 Ethics of Deconversion Work 34:39 Tanakh as Healing Framework 40:54 Advice for Seekers in Transition 42:02 Why Jews Reject Jesus 44:15 Christian Antisemitism Roots 49:56 Who Was Historical Jesus 52:32 Jewish Messianic Guardrails 55:38 Denominations and Doctrine Drift 59:09 Why Religions Clash 01:06:37 Starting Point Tanakh 01:10:16 Why Jews Convert 01:16:47 Prophecy and Modern Israel 01:20:21 Education Over Assimilation 01:22:53 Final Message Original Sources

  4. Jan 8

    The Future of Therapy: Pschedelics, AI, and more with Keith Kurlander

    In this intellectually rich episode of The Journey with Gabi Koyenov, I’m joined by Keith Kurlander, co-founder of the Integrative Psychiatric Institute (IPI), for a deep and enlightening conversation about the future of mental health and the transformative role of psychedelic therapy. Keith shares the story behind founding IPI and offers expert insight into how trauma, the nervous system, and altered states of consciousness are shaping the next frontier of healing. We dive into the use of ketamine as a legal psychedelic, explore personal and professional experiences with plant medicine, and unpack the healing potential for intergenerational trauma. Keith also discusses the spiritual side of therapy, from the intersection of yoga and mental health to the power—and pitfalls—of spiritual practice. Along the way, we reflect on yeshiva culture, emotional repression, and what authentic spiritual commitment looks like. As we wrap up, we look to the future—exploring how AI and technology may intersect with therapy and human consciousness. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersection of psychedelics, spirituality, neuroscience, and the evolution of healing. Connect with Keith! Email - Keith@PsychiatryInstitute.com Website - PsychiatryInstitute.com New Book! Psychedelic Therapy: A Revolutionary Approach to Restoring Your Mental Health and Reclaiming Your Life - https://a.co/d/93gdzkc Connect with Gabi! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqNskaV9wOra0Yh6Z3?si=d1891df9a822414c Book a session! The Men's Therapy Studio https://themenstherapystudio.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:41 Founding the Integrative Psychiatric Institute 01:57 The Mental Health Crisis and Psychedelic Therapy 03:12 Understanding Trauma and Psychedelics 07:26 Ketamine: The Legal Psychedelic 14:22 Personal Experiences with Psychedelics 35:12 Intergenerational Trauma and Healing 43:10 Yoga, Spirituality, and Mental Health 48:20 Exploring the Nervous System and Trauma Release 49:22 The Power and Pitfalls of Spiritual Practice 52:45 Yeshiva Culture and Spiritual Commitment 57:27 The Future of Therapy and AI 01:02:04 Technological Evolution and Human Consciousness 01:13:35 Psychedelics and Altered States of Consciousness 01:16:16 Closing Thoughts and Future of Therapy

  5. 11/10/2025

    Two Mental Health Pros Get Real with Sony Perlman

    In this special collaboration episode, I sat down with my friend, mentor, and fellow therapist-podcaster Sony Perlman for a long, soulful, and expansive conversation—recorded at Sony’s studio and released on both of our platforms. We explored everything from the challenges of podcasting with purpose to what it means to show up authentically—as therapists, as creatives, and as people navigating a noisy world. We touched on community, leadership, emotional safety, and the delicate art of self-expression. Along the way, we also dove into some of our favorite topics—like marketing in private practice, building something meaningful, and the deep philosophical questions behind meditation, psychedelics, and even the mystery of consciousness itself. This episode is honest, unfiltered, and packed with moments of insight, vulnerability, humor, and depth. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like when two therapists get real about the work, the mission, and the mess of being human—this one’s for you. And make sure to check out Sony’s podcast Brainstorm with Sony Perlman for more incredible conversations like this. Connect with GabiYoutube -    / @gabikoyenov  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqN...Instagram -   / journey_with_gabi  Website - https://themenstherapystudio.com/ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------https://wig-guru.com - Use Code 'Brainstorm' For 10% Offhttps://ourvillageny.org-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For more Brainstorm go to...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aPCiuz...Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Youtube:    / @brainstormwithsony  Instagram:   / brainstormwithsony

  6. 10/19/2025

    Magic, Shamanism, and Scholarship with Dr. Angela Puca

    In this intellectually rich episode of The Gabi Koyenov Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Angela Puca—scholar, content creator, and expert on magic, shamanism, and esoteric traditions. We dive into her academic journey and groundbreaking fieldwork, exploring the complex relationship between magic, spirituality, and psychological healing.Dr. Puca breaks down the nuances of the scholar-practitioner debate, the role of psychedelics in shamanic work, and how magical practices intersect with therapeutic frameworks. We examine the cultural significance of shamanic journeys, the practice of Italian witchcraft, and the deeper purpose of magic as both a personal and communal tool for meaning-making.Our conversation also touches on hot-button issues like cultural appropriation, syncretism, and political polarization in online spaces. Plus, we explore how Jewish traditions, yeshiva learning, and mysticism connect with broader esoteric currents. Tune in for a thought-provoking dialogue on magic, identity, and the mystical edges of academia.BIOGRAPHYDr Angela Puca is a university lecturer at Leeds Trinity University and holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in philosophy. In 2021, the University of Leeds awarded her a PhD in Religious Studies, published by Brill with the title “Italian Witchcraft and Shamanism”.Her research focuses on magic, witchcraft, Paganism, esotericism, shamanism, and related currents. Author of several peer-reviewed publications and co-editor ‘Pagan Religions in five Minutes’ for Equinox, she hopes to bridge the gap between academia and the communities of magic practitioners by delivering related scholarly content on her YouTube Channel and social media ‘Angela’s Symposium.’SUPPORT Dr Puca’s work on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/angelapuca or Paypal https://paypal.me/angelasymposiumFOLLOW Dr Puca: YouTube (Angela’s Symposium)  https://www.youtube.com/@drangelapuca TikTok (drangelapuca), Instagram (drangelapuca), Twitter (@angelapuca11)All of Dr Puca’s links: https://linktr.ee/angela_symposiumConnect with Gabi!Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqNskaV9wOra0Yh6Z3?si=d1891df9a822414cBook a session!The Men's Therapy Studiohttps://themenstherapystudio.com/

  7. 09/22/2025

    The Truth About Jews That Nobody's Talking About with Natan Badalov

    In this bold and insightful episode of The Gabi Koyenov Podcast, I’m joined by Natan Badalov—a rising Bukharian Jewish comedian—whose unique voice tackles comedy, culture, and community head-on. We dive into his journey as a Bukharian navigating the world of stand-up, the lack of authentic Jewish representation in media, and the racism and classism he’s encountered even within Jewish spaces.Natan doesn’t shy away from tough conversations. We explore generational nihilism, the challenges of modern Jewish dating, class warfare, and the use of media distraction to avoid deeper issues. He also reflects on the comedic grind, dating a rabbi during COVID, and the power of using humor to make sense of identity, politics, and pain.The episode wraps with personal reflections on faith, parenting, healing, and the responsibility of artists to speak truth and empower youth. Whether you’re drawn to comedy, cultural commentary, or conversations that push boundaries, this episode brings laughter, depth, and plenty of real talk.Connect with Natan!Youtube -  @natanbadalov  Watch his Comedy Special - https://youtu.be/j4_As3F37Kw?si=bwxgeb0TsCY0fVYuInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/natanbadalov/#Connect with Gabi!Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqNskaV9wOra0Yh6Z3?si=d1891df9a822414cBook a session!The Men's Therapy Studiohttps://themenstherapystudio.com/00:00 Introduction and The Unique Journey of a Bukharian Comedian01:43 Challenges of Jewish Representation in Media04:52 Experiences of Racism and Classism in Jewish Communities10:59 The Struggles of Jewish Dating19:00 Generational Perspectives and Nihilism26:29 Political Opinions and Social Commentary33:18 The Trans Issue Debate34:00 Occupy Wall Street and Media Distraction35:31 Class Warfare and Distraction Tactics38:48 The Struggle of the Middle Class39:56 Dating a Rabbi During COVID43:25 The Challenges of Stand-Up Comedy48:37 The Journey to Becoming a Comedian01:03:02 Struggles in Comedy01:03:52 A Community of Comedians01:04:34 Teaching and Encouraging Youth01:05:44 Religious Observations and Critiques01:08:01 Cultural and Religious Identity01:12:34 Generational Differences and Parenting01:25:12 Personal Reflections and Healing01:30:11 Upcoming Shows and Final Thoughts

  8. 09/10/2025

    Let's Talk About Porn with Dr. Trish Leigh

    In this deeply informative episode of The Gabi Koyenov Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Trish Leigh, a cognitive neuroscientist and educator, for a raw and science-backed conversation about the neurological and emotional impact of pornography. We start by discussing her experience filming with Jubilee and quickly dive into the science behind porn addiction, early exposure, and how compulsion rewires the brain.Dr. Leigh breaks down the benefits of neurofeedback, how to support children in the digital age, and why self-regulation is essential for mental health. We also explore tough but important topics like how pornography affects relationships, masturbation’s role in intimacy, and the parenting strategies needed to guide teens through a hypersexualized online world.This episode offers a balanced, practical approach to screen addiction, adolescent exposure, and emotional resilience. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or someone navigating your own journey, this is an essential conversation about neuroscience, healing, and living with purpose.Connect with Dr. Trish LeighYoutube -  @DrTrishLeigh  Website - drtrishleigh.comBook on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.trishleighprnbrainrewire/list/24C3Q6UC9ZIWE?ref_=aipsflistConnect with Gabi!Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2SoydqNskaV9wOra0Yh6Z3?si=d1891df9a822414cBook a session!The Men's Therapy Studiohttps://themenstherapystudio.com/00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Dr. Trish Le00:27 Discussing the Jubilee Experience01:41 The Science Behind Pornography03:56 Personal Stories and Experiences05:32 Understanding Compulsion and Addiction11:18 The Impact of Early Exposure to Pornography13:29 Challenges in Addressing Pornography in Schools33:37 Neurofeedback and Its Benefits39:12 The Journey to Finding Purpose49:05 Managing Emotions and Self-Regulation50:37 The Role of Masturbation in Relationships52:29 The Impact of Pornography on Mental Health57:33 Addressing Adolescent Exposure to Explicit Content59:25 Parenting Strategies for Digital Natives01:01:08 Balancing Screen Time and Real Life01:02:55 The Importance of Self-Regulation in Children01:06:52 Systemic Solutions to Screen and Porn Addiction01:19:05 Creating a Staycation Lifestyle01:22:01 Final Thoughts and Resources

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A therapist having conversations about meaning, growth, culture, and responsibility. (Previously The Gabi Koyenov Podcast)

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