Notes From a Jewish Newbie With Adina Shoshana

They Really Asked Me THIS… (Unfiltered Q&A)

Adina (aka Adriana) sits down for a heartfelt Q&A, answering your anonymous questions about her Jewish journey. From building a daily prayer routine, navigating labels like “modern Orthodox” or “Yeshivish,” to the emotional details of her mikvah and conversion day — nothing is off-limits. She also opens up about nanny life, mental health, dating questions, struggles, and what it really means to keep growing in Judaism. Whether you’re a fellow Jewish newbie, curious about conversion, or just looking for some inspiration on connecting with Hashem, this episode is for you. Send in your questions so Adina can answer it in future episodes: email : NJN@meaningfulminute.org [NJN@meaningfulminute.org] or send a voice note via: Speakpipe.com/meaningfulminute [http://speakpipe.com/meaningfulminute]  ___________________________ ► Meaningful Minute Plus Meaningful Minute is releasing its first-ever feature film: Homeless — a powerful story about exile, identity, and return. www.NJN.plus

“I’m Becoming a Jew” | This is Jacks Jewish Journey

In this week’s episode, Adina sits down with Jack, who is also known as @JacksJewishJourney on Instagram. Jack shares his background growing up on a dairy farm in rural Australia, living a simple and secular life, and later moving to Melbourne at age 17 to seek something more meaningful. He recalls feeling a spiritual pull he couldn’t yet name, and eventually encountering Judaism. His first experiences of Shabbat and Jewish holidays gave him an overwhelming sense of belonging and warmth, which sparked his gradual journey toward conversion. Throughout the conversation, Adriana and Jack discuss themes of faith, purpose, contrast between secular and Jewish life, and the deep fulfillment found in Torah study and Jewish community. They reflect on how Hashem guides people’s paths, often through small sparks and relationships, and the beauty of living a life filled with meaning, connection, and spiritual growth. Send in your questions so Adina can answer it in future episodes: email : NJN@meaningfulminute.org [NJN@meaningfulminute.org] or send a voice note via: Speakpipe.com/meaningfulminute [http://speakpipe.com/meaningfulminute]  You can find Jack on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jacksjewishjourney/   ___________________________ ► Meaningful Minute Plus Meaningful Minute Plus gives you access to exclusive video series, raw uncut podcast moments, behind-the-scenes with your favorite creators — plus original films, powerful documentaries, and live-streamed conversations you won’t see anywhere else. www.NJN.plus

My Family’s Reaction to My Conversion

In this heartfelt episode of Notes from a Jewish Newbie, Adina opens up about one of the most common questions she receives: “What does your family think about your conversion to Judaism?” From her mother’s surprising reaction to the bumps along the way, Adina shares stories of support, confusion, growth, and love.  Adina reflects on the lessons she’s learned from her mom, sister, grandmother, and even her nanny families, revealing how their acceptance and curiosity have shaped her journey. This episode is not just about conversion—it’s about family, faith, humility, and the power of unconditional love. Send in your questions so Adina can answer it in future episodes: email : NJN@meaningfulminute.org [NJN@meaningfulminute.org] or send a voice note via: Speakpipe.com/meaningfulminute [http://speakpipe.com/meaningfulminute]  ___________________________ ► Meaningful Minute Plus Meaningful Minute is releasing its first-ever feature film: Homeless — a powerful story about exile, identity, and return. www.NJN.plus

The TRUTH about being a Jewish Influencer | An Honest Conversation with Sarah Guigue (@hassidic.hipster.girl)

This episode of Notes from a Jewish Newbie is different. For the first time, Adriana (Adina) brings on a guest: her best friend Sarah Guigue, @Hassidic.Hipster.Girl. This is an unfiltered conversation about friendship, faith, struggle, and the quiet battles that shape who we become. They share how their friendship began during Adriana’s conversion journey and how it grew into a space of trust, honesty, and support. Sarah opens up about experiencing a stillbirth and postpartum grief, while Adriana talks about the hidden pain of going through conversion as a public figure. Both reflect on what it means to balance private struggles with public expectations, and the way social media can magnify both connection and criticism. This isn’t just a story about Judaism or influencer life. It’s about resilience, learning to set boundaries, and discovering that Hashem places the right people in our lives at the right time. It’s about finding holiness in ordinary moments and strength in vulnerability. If you’ve ever struggled with being “seen,” if you’ve ever felt the weight of keeping something private in a world that demands openness, or if you simply want to hear two friends speak honestly about growth, pain, and faith — this episode is for you. Send in your questions so Adina can answer it in future episodes: email : NJN@meaningfulminute.org [NJN@meaningfulminute.org] or send a voice note via: Speakpipe.com/meaningfulminute [http://speakpipe.com/meaningfulminute]  ___________________________ ► Meaningful Minute Plus Meaningful Minute is releasing its first-ever feature film: Homeless — a powerful story about exile, identity, and return. www.NJN.plus

My First Time in Shul: The Culture Shock I Never Expected

My First Time in Shul: A Culture Shock In this episode of Notes from a Jewish Newbie, Adina shares the full, unfiltered story of her very first time stepping into a shul. From believing she could complete her Orthodox conversion without ever attending services, to an unexpected invitation to sing in a conservative shul choir, Adina takes listeners through the moments of culture shock, the lessons learned, and the warm embrace of the community that ultimately became her spiritual home. She reflects on the subtle “tests” in the conversion process, the humor and surprises of shul life, and the prayer that moves her to tears every single Shabbos. ✨ In this episode: * The shul experience that didn’t go as planned * How her sponsoring rabbi’s community welcomed her in * The funny and surprising parts of shul life she never expected * The one prayer that defines her love for Judaism Send in your questions so Adina can answer it in future episodes: email : NJN@meaningfulminute.org [NJN@meaningfulminute.org] or send a voice note via: Speakpipe.com/meaningfulminute [http://speakpipe.com/meaningfulminute]  This episode was brought you in part by: ►PZ Deals Download The PZ Deals App and Never Pay Full Price Again https://app.pz.deals/install/soh ___________________________ ► Meaningful Minute Plus Meaningful Minute is releasing its first-ever feature film: Homeless — a powerful story about exile, identity, and return. www.NJN.plus