This week on Schmuckboys, Libby and Marla give you their post-Passover recaps they then welcome their guest, Brian Spivak, who founded Barzel Media, a company focused on helping Jewish content creators partner with businesses for brand deals.

We get into Brian's unexpectedly thriving Miami dating era, his Modern Orthodox New Jersey upbringing, and how his relationship to Judaism evolved from routine to real intention. He shares how October 7th completely shifted his career path, leading him from the tech world into building the Hostage Forum's influencer program from the ground up.

Brian takes us behind the scenes of powerful campaigns like "Recipes for Return" and "Reels for Return," explaining how food, fitness, and everyday lifestyle content became surprisingly effective tools for hostage awareness. He opens up about the social media fatigue surrounding war content, why relatable storytelling matters, and how strategic creativity can break through the scroll.

The conversation dives deep into the harsh reality many pro-Israel influencers faced after speaking out — including losing brand partnerships and financial stability — and why Brian founded Barzel Media to help create real economic infrastructure for creators who chose advocacy over silence. He also addresses the criticism around influencers getting paid to advocate, making the case for why sustainable activism requires actual support, especially for mid-level creators who are often overlooked.

Marla and Libby also talk with Brian about the difference between nonprofit and for-profit partnerships, what brands are actually willing to support, and how influencer marketing can serve as both advocacy and business strategy. They unpack creator burnout, the exhausting pressure of the algorithm, and Brian's vision for building systems that give creators more support, resources, and maybe even the occasional mental health break.

Of course, because this is Schmuckboys, they also cover dating while working in media and activism, public perception, social intimidation, and how being visible online doesn't always translate into romantic success.

The episode closes with a surprisingly deep conversation about AI, technology, and the future of human connection, with Brian sharing why he believes Shabbat, digital detox, sports, and in-person community may become even more essential as society becomes increasingly online.

And in true Schmuckboys fashion, Brian defines a Schmuckboy as: "A guy who gives advice on things he knows nothing about, always has a story for everything, and definitely knows a guy with a rooftop."

Instagram: @brianspivak / @barzel.media
Website: barzelmedia.com

This week on Schmuckboys, Libby and Marla catch you up on their personal lives before bringing on their amazing guest, Sarri Singer, founder and director of Strength to Strength. She shares her journey from growing up in Lakewood, New Jersey, to surviving a devastating bus bombing in Jerusalem and dedicating her life to supporting other victims of terrorism. She reflects on her early connection to Israel, narrowly missing multiple attacks before 2003, and the lasting impact of those experiences on her decision to move abroad and work with trauma survivors.

After returning to the United States and finding little long-term support for survivors, she began connecting with others who had lived through similar attacks and ultimately founded Strength to Strength—a global, volunteer-run network that now partners with organizations in 16 countries.

The conversation explores what survivors need most in the months and years following an attack, emphasizing the importance of peer support, the risks of forcing victims to share their stories too soon, and why her organization requires a one-year waiting period before new survivors attend retreats. Sarri also discusses how the October 7 attacks reignited trauma within the survivor community, increased demand for services, and strengthened bonds between members worldwide.

She reflects on how terrorism trauma affects relationships, noting generational differences in how survivors and their partners navigate mental health and recovery. The episode closes with Sarri's perspective on how communities can better prepare for and respond to attacks—by building support systems in advance, involving survivors in planning, and ensuring help remains available long after public attention fades

You can learn more at https://www.stosglobal.org/.

Marla and Libby kick things off with life updates after a brief scheduling delay, including Marla getting snowed in on the East Coast and unexpectedly staying long enough to celebrate her sister's engagement party. Marla shares details about helping to plan her sister's surprise proposal, the fun of her whole family being together and what she knows so far about the upcoming wedding timeline.

Libby reflects on nearly one year of working for herself and opens up about her recent experiences with TikTok, including being invited to Jewish American Heritage Night. She talks about attending creator events, speaking on a panel about Judaism and social media, and what it meant to feel genuine support for Jewish creators in person.

The conversation turns reflective as Marla and Libby discuss the emotional weight of recent events in the Jewish community, the relief of having all hostages home, and the importance of continuing to share stories while also making space for Jewish joy.

They lighten things up with Valentine's Day plans, Marla shares plans for a weekend getaways. The episode wraps with a thank-you to listeners and a teaser for a special upcoming conversation with Tav Gross focused on Jewish culture, food, and matchmaking.

Marla and Libby sit down with Tav Hariri, a registered dietitian and familiar face from Jewish Matchmaking, to talk love, food, faith, and finding "your person" in unexpected ways. Tav shares how a casual coffee with matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom led to her appearing on the show — and how the series ultimately played a role in meeting her now-husband.

Tav walks through her real-life love story, from long-distance FaceTiming to him flying to Israel for their first in-person date, a fast-paced engagement, and planning a wedding in just a few months. She opens up about married life, relocating, and the sense of security that comes with commitment.

The conversation expands into what it's been like being visibly Jewish online, navigating virality, antisemitism, and finding confidence in sharing Jewish identity post-October 7. Tav also dives into her career journey, explaining why she founded Nourish Neshama, her approach to nutrition, and how food, culture, and family dynamics intersect — especially in Jewish households.

The episode wraps with advice around food guilt, wedding pressure, parenting and eating habits, a round of "cute or cringe" dating and food scenarios, and Tav's definition of a true "schmuckboy."

You can follow schmuckboys @schmuckboysofficial on Instagram and submit your questions or stories there or email us at schmuckboys@jewishjournal.com You can find more information about Tav's business at https://www.nourishneshama.com/.