Live The Land

Pottery, Prayer, and Life on an Itamar Hilltop with Batya Erdstein

Batya Erdstein lives on a hilltop near Itamar, where she creates pottery inspired by the Land of Israel itself. In this episode, Franny Waisman discuses Batya’s ceramic studio, Mud on the Mountain, to explore how clay, prayer, motherhood, birth, war, and the rugged beauty of Judea and Samaria all come together in her work. Timestamps: 00:00 Why Itamar Hilltop 05:22 Daily Life and Prayer 08:56 Land-Inspired Ceramics 19:02 Pottery and Ancient Roots 24:35 Potter Metaphor in Faith 35:25 The Torah of Pottery 41:21 Jeremiah Potter Lesson 44:22 Becoming Vessels of Light ---------------- Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

The Biblical Plants Coming Back to Life in Israel | Guy Erlich

Reviving biblical plants in the Judean Desert, Guy Erlich is bringing the Balm of Gilead, frankincense, myrrh, and ancient perfume plants back to life. This episode explores why so many Tanach-era spices feel almost mythical today, how their plants and growing knowledge disappeared from the Land of Israel, and what it means to revive them in the very region where they once grew. Guy Erlich is a farmer in Almog, who has spent 17 years rebuilding a living collection of biblical medicinal and perfume plants, including Balm of Gilead, frankincense, and myrrh. Together, they discuss the mystery of the ancient balsam, the connection to ketoret and the Beit Hamikdash, desert agriculture, healing oils, Ein Gedi’s lost secrets, and the deeper spiritual idea of resurrection in nature. 00:00 Mythic Bible Spices 01:10 Lost Balm of Gilead 01:52 Meet Guy Erlich 02:27 Farm of Frankincense 04:50 Balsam Identity Mystery 07:04 How Revival Began 11:05 Building a Plant Collection 13:52 Healing Oils and Covid 17:56 Smell, Soul, and Temple 21:20 Miracles in Desert Farming 24:50 Past, Future, and Temple Talk 29:33 Funding, Support, and Visits 33:19 Rapid Fire Wrap-Up 37:06 Resurrection and Prophecy ---------------- Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

What Trauma Does to the Body (And How to Start Healing) with Nava Fuchs

What happens when fear, stress, and trauma don’t get processed—especially in a reality shaped by ongoing war? In this episode of Live the Land, host Franny Waisman shares her experience at a weeklong somatic healing retreat and sits down with Jackie “Nava” Fuchs, a yoga therapist and somatic healer based in Tekoa. Together, they explore how the body holds onto unprocessed experiences—and what it actually looks like to begin releasing them. From practical grounding tools (like breathwork, yoga nidra, and vagus nerve regulation) to deeper ideas about connection, vulnerability, and healing through the land itself, this conversation bridges somatic therapy with the lived reality of Israel today. They also connect these ideas to timeless TaNaK narratives—offering a powerful lens on disconnection, transformation, and what it means to truly return to oneself. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or constantly “on edge,” this episode offers a grounded, honest look at what healing can look like—without bypassing the pain. Timestamps 00:00 Somatic Retreat Awakening 00:34 How Unprocessed Stress Lives in the Body 02:21 Meet Nava Fuchs 04:35 Tekoa’s Landscape & Healing Environment 14:02 Meditation & Releasing Inner Constriction 19:23 Three Daily Grounding Practices 21:39 What Is Somatic Healing, Really? 23:54 Trauma-Sensitive Yoga for Resilience 32:00 Why Healing Requires Connection 33:26 The Human Need for Connection 35:08 Understanding the Vagus Nerve 35:32 5-Minute Tools to Calm the Body 37:07 Healing Through Connection to the Land 46:55 Healing as “Returning” 48:42 The Torah of Healing: The Root of Disconnection

How Museums and Artifacts Bring the World of Tanach to Life | Nachliel Selevan

How do museums, maps, and ancient artifacts change the way we read Tanach? In this episode, Franny Waisman sits down with Nachliel Selevan to explore how historical context, geography, and material culture can bring the biblical world back to life in a way that feels real, grounded, and deeply relevant. Key Questions Explored in the Episode: How can artifacts and museums help us better understand Tanach? What was daily life actually like in the biblical world? Why does geography matter so much when learning Torah? How does life on Israel’s desert frontier echo ancient realities? What can modern visitors do to experience the land with more context and depth? Franny opens with reflections on the recent ceasefire with Iran and frames the episode around a central idea: Tanach becomes clearer when read through the realities of its own world. Nachliel Selevan, a Tanach and history teacher, shares how archaeology, museum collections, and historical artifacts help students understand the economic, agricultural, and physical realities behind biblical stories. The conversation moves from Babylonian artifacts and Judean silver weights to life in Pnei Kedem, where desert living, farming, shepherding, and security concerns create a strong connection to the rhythms of ancient Israel. Together, they explore how land, climate, and geography shape Torah, and why visiting museums and engaging with material culture can restore depth and context to the biblical text. About The Guest: Nachliel Selevan is a Tanach and history teacher known for bringing the biblical world to life through archaeology, museum artifacts, maps, and historical context. Drawing from both scholarship and lived experience on Israel’s Judean frontier, he helps students connect Torah to the physical realities of the land, its history, and its culture. Time Stamps: 00:00 Welcome and War Update 00:30 Why Context Matters 01:40 Ancient Israel Daily Life 02:59 Meet Nachliel Selevan 04:33 Teaching Through Artifacts 18:36 Life in Pnei Kedem 23:49 Shepherds, Farmers, and Security 28:21 Two Worlds, One Life 30:31 Why Homeschooling Works 31:09 Schools in a Changing World 35:36 Caves and Survival Geography 38:41 Continuum of Biblical Life 39:52 Travel Tips Rapid Fire 41:47 Artifacts and Favorite Figures 46:28 Restoring Torah Context 47:23 Egypt vs. Israel Dependence 50:59 Farmer vs. Shepherd Mindset Ready to experience Tanach with fresh eyes and deeper context? Tune in to the full episode for valuable insights. ---------------- Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.

Cheeseburgers and wine | Settlers Winery with AY Katsof

What does real redemption actually look like—not in theory, but in real life? In this final episode of the four-part winery series, we explore a place where music, wine, and human connection come together to reveal a deeper vision of what it means to truly become a people. In this episode, Franny Waisman visits Settler Winery and sits down with AY Katsof to explore a space that is far more than just wine. Through music, atmosphere, and intentional community-building, the winery has become a hub for connection, healing, and even relationships that lead to marriage. The conversation weaves together themes from Tanach—particularly the vineyards of Shiloh following the chaos at the end of Judges—with the modern reality of life in Samaria. AY shares his vision of creating a place for the next generation to connect in a meaningful, grounded way, while Franny reflects on how this environment embodies the fourth stage of redemption: becoming a people. About The Guest: AY Katsof is the founder of Settler Winery, a unique wine and music venue located in the hills of Samaria. Originally from Los Angeles, he moved to Israel as a teenager and helped build a thriving hilltop community. Beyond winemaking, AY is an entrepreneur, community builder, and passionate advocate for connection through culture, music, and shared experiences. Key Takeaways: Redemption isn’t just leaving exile—it’s learning how to live together as a unified people Wine has a unique power to bring people together and reveal deeper connection Creating environments for authentic connection can impact generations Ancient biblical themes are not just history—they’re actively unfolding today Unity is built through shared experiences, not just ideology Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Fourth Cup and Final Episode 02:30 Entering Settler Winery: The Unique Atmosphere 06:45 The Origin Story of the Winery 12:10 Building a Community Through Music and Wine 18:40 Life on the Hilltop in Samaria 25:30 Wine as Connection and “Liquid Prophecy” 32:00 The Meaning Behind the Name “Settler Winery” 38:20 The Social Power of Wine and Gathering 45:10 Stories from the Winery: Healing and Relationships 52:30 Rapid Fire Questions 58:00 What Does Redemption Really Look Like? 01:05:00 Biblical Parallels: Vineyards of Shiloh 01:12:00 The Fifth Cup and Ongoing Redemption Ready to experience what redemption looks like in real life? Tune in to the full episode for powerful insights—and maybe even start planning your visit. ---------------- Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.