The Real Story Behind SoulCycle: Ruth Zukerman & the $90 Million Lesson

Why Are We So Afraid of Female Voices? | Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt

What does it take to be a woman with a loud voice in a world that keeps telling you to be quiet? In this episode, host Talia Mashiach sits down with Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt — journalist, rebbetzin, and co-founder of the Altneu Synagogue on Manhattan's Upper East Side — for a conversation about ambition, authenticity, and what it really means to lead. Avital's path has been anything but conventional. A Russian-born writer who published her first viral essay at 20, landed bylines in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Vogue, and Foreign Policy, and spent years as a features editor and news editor before pivoting to co-build one of New York City's fastest-growing Orthodox synagogues — all while navigating the deeply complex terrain of being a bold female voice in the frum community. This episode is about far more than one woman's story. It's a frank, urgent conversation about the cost of conformity, the crisis of female spiritual leadership in Orthodox communities, and why, if we don't change, we're going to lose an entire generation of women. Timestamps: * 2:39 — Avital's background: growing up Russian-speaking, a literary home, and big dreams * 5:34 — The power of teachers and mentors in igniting ambition * 6:37 — Being told her drive for ambition was a "yetzer hara" — and going for it anyway * 9:07 — Writing for Haaretz, personal essays, and finding her voice as a religious woman * 11:36 — The Forward years: breaking stories on the Orthodox community and navigating controversy * 12:52 — Going viral before going viral was a thing; the tznius essay at age 20 * 17:41 — Writing about her dating life and using authenticity as a filter * 20:28 — Freelancing and hitting her byline bucket list: NYT, The Atlantic, Vogue, and more * 21:08 — The reality of gatekeeping in journalism and being relentless despite rejection * 22:07 — "Winners always find a way to win" * 22:22 — Meeting her husband: the story, the promise she broke, and the NYT essay that brought them back together * 26:32 — Writing a book: 700 words a day and the unglamorous daily discipline * 29:13 — Why the digital world has flattened us — and why that's dangerous * 30:01 — On shidduchim, being yourself, and differentiation in dating * 31:37 — "It's gonna be really hard to build leaders — especially women — who aren't bold enough to be authentic" * 31:45 — Building genuine belonging vs. conformity in frum community life * 35:30 — The controversy and the courage: hate mail, threats, and choosing truth anyway * 36:09 — Post-October 7th: a shift in priorities and the luxury of community criticism * 36:49 — How the Altneue Synagogue was born — out of crisis, pregnancy, and 40 people in a living room * 38:27 — The convergence: how Avital's journalism career and community building came together * 42:32 — From a living room minyan to 600 people and the Pierre Ballroom * 45:28 — October 7th and the surge of young Jews searching for connection * 46:23 — Building real commitment: charging membership before they had a building * 47:33 — The shul as a product: finding the gap and doubling down on differentiation * 51:37 — "When you engage the women, you engage the whole family" * 51:40 — "We felt the hand of God in this" — 722 member families and counting * 59:30 — "There should be leadership on both sides of the mechitza" — Avital's defining statement * 1:02:03 — Women spiritually checking out vs. going "woke" — what Avital is actually worried about * 1:05:08 — Materialism as the symptom of women with no inner spiritual life * 1:08:14 — Halacha vs. Masorah: having the honest conversation * 1:12:14 — "If we don't change, we're going to lose" — what senior Rabbonim are actually saying * 1:15:09 — "We are so afraid of female voices" — the media we consume and the messages it sends * 1:18:45 — The JWE's mission and why this podcast exists * 1:19:25 — Modeling: the text from a young woman that Avital saved * 1:20:10 — Blurred girls' faces in magazine ads and the message sent to young women * 1:37:39 — Fast Five: controversial thing she's ever done, her superpower, and her final message About the Guest: Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt is a journalist, rebbetzin, and community builder based in Manhattan. A daughter of Russian-Jewish immigrants, she grew up in Highland Park, New Jersey, in a deeply literary home, and knew from childhood that she wanted to be a writer. She studied at Stern College for Women (Yeshiva University) and went on to build a distinguished career in journalism, with bylines in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Vogue, Foreign Policy, The New Republic, Glamour, Haaretz, and The Forward, where she served as features editor. She later served as news editor at The Real Deal, covering New York City politics and real estate. Avital is also the co-founder of the Altneu Synagogue, an Orthodox congregation on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, which she built alongside her husband, Rabbi Benji Goldschmidt. What began in 2020 as a living room minyan of 40 people has grown into a community of 722 member families — known for its intellectual rigor, inclusive spirit, and vibrant women's section. The shul has become a model for engaged, differentiated community building in the modern Orthodox world. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Avital is currently at work on her first book. She is passionate about female leadership in the frum community, the importance of authenticity, and helping women reconnect to a rich inner spiritual life. This episode was made possible by our friends at *Roth & Co., innovators in accounting and business advisory. We are grateful for their continued partnership in making these conversations possible.*

The Art of Monetizing Your Talent | Elizabeth Sutton

What does it take to go from Upper East Side housewife to seven-figure entrepreneur? In this episode, host Talia Meshiach sits down with award-winning artist and designer Elizabeth Sutton for a raw, inspiring, and deeply honest conversation about building a creative empire — from scratch, on her own terms. Elizabeth opens up about losing everything, navigating divorce while pregnant with no money, the tragic loss of close friends, and how desperation — not confidence — became the catalyst for one of the most fearless entrepreneurial journeys you'll ever hear. She shares her hard-won wisdom on turning creativity into a business, the systems every artist needs, and why standing up for her values after 10/7 — even when it cost her $300K in contracts — was the best thing she ever did. Whether you're an artist trying to monetize your talent, a woman rebuilding after loss, or an entrepreneur questioning your path, Elizabeth's story will leave you fired up and ready to move. Topics covered: monetizing art, licensing deals, pricing your work, building systems, social media branding, financial independence, faith, mental health, and alignment over everything. Timestamps: 0:00 – Cold open & intro 0:35 – Introducing Elizabeth Sutton: artist, designer, single mom 1:45 – Turning creativity into a business — the "starving artist" myth 3:40 – How to price your artwork (costs, margins, and your hourly rate) 6:10 – Seven figures and still just getting started 6:45 – Why IP is an undervalued asset class 10:30 – What artists get wrong about inventory and systems 17:45 – Certificates of authenticity — how to create your own 18:25 – Limited vs. open edition prints: maximizing your art revenue 27:00 – How Elizabeth built her social media brand from Instagram 28:00 – Her story: housewife, loss, divorce, and starting over 31:20 – Pregnant, broke, and filing for divorce — finding the courage 34:00 – "Pure fear and desperation" — the real source of her drive 37:30 – The car accident that changed everything 43:00 – The moment she almost lost her faith in God 46:00 – Don't attach worth to money — attach it to alignment 50:00 – Why she walked away from investors after 10/7 55:00 – Losing $300K–$400K in contracts after standing up for Israel 1:01:00 – The ChatGPT conversations that unlocked her capital strategy 1:04:00 – When you wanna do something, you get it done 1:11:00 – Faith, mental health, and nervous system regulation 1:17:00 – Breathwork, dancing, painting as therapy 1:25:00 – Rejecting the victim mentality after trauma 1:28:00 – If I die today, did I chase my dreams? About Our Guest — Elizabeth Sutton: Elizabeth Sutton is a self-taught, award-winning artist, designer, and entrepreneur based in New York City. A sixth-generation New York Jew and single mother of two, Elizabeth built her creative business from the ground up after her marriage ended and her family's finances collapsed overnight. Today she runs a multi-faceted brand that spans luxury fine art commissions, tile and rug collections, fashion accessories, a dinnerware line, and her first-ever retail store on the Upper East Side (897 First Avenue, NYC). Known for her bold, colorful aesthetic and even bolder voice, Elizabeth has partnered with brands like Tile Bar, Bloomingdale's, Eden Roc Saint Barts, and One&Only Hotels. She hit her first seven-figure year, self-funded a Chesed mission to Israel after 10/7, and is currently building toward her first capital raise to scale her IP catalog. Follow Elizabeth: 📸 Instagram: @ElizabethSuttonCollection | @ElizabethSuttonHome 🛍️ Shop: elizabethsutton.com Inspired to Lead is made possible by our friends at Roth & Co. — innovators in accounting and business advisory. Enjoyed this episode? Rate us wherever you listen, and watch the full conversation on YouTube. Like, subscribe, and share to help us reach more incredible women like you. Until next time — stay inspired to lead.

Trust the Process: Elisheva Chase on Risking It All and Building Her Own Legacy

What does it take to walk away from a 3-generation family business with just $7,000, rebuild it under your own name, raise six kids, design jewelry for the red carpet, and become an elected voice in a global Zionist party — all at the same time? In this episode, host Talia Mashiach sits down with Elisheva Chase, president and owner of Reiss Diamonds in Chicago. Elisheva is a third-generation jeweler who transformed a wholesale diamond house into a full-service custom jewelry studio — designing pieces by hand, sourcing ethically, and building a fiercely loyal clientele from scratch. After October 7th, Elisheva channeled her platform into action: coordinating gear for IDF soldiers, going viral with her hand-drawn Israel map jewelry, and earning a seat on the board of the World Zionist Organization (WZO). This is a conversation about legacy, reinvention, the real cost of building something, and trusting the process even when the path isn't clear. Guest: Elisheva Chase is the president and owner of Reiss Diamonds, a Chicago-based custom jewelry studio and diamond house. A third-generation jeweler Elisheva designs one-of-a-kind pieces and distributes diamonds to retailers nationwide. She is an educator at the JCK Jewelry Show, an activist for Israel, and an elected board member of the World Zionist Organization. She is a mother of six and a passionate advocate for women in business. 📍 Chicago, IL | 📸 Instagram: @reissdiamonds.co [https://www.instagram.com/reissdiamonds.co/] 🎙️ Episode Timestamps 0:58 — Welcome & Intro: Meet Ellie Chase, president of Reese Diamonds 3:45 — Growing up in a diamond house: 3rd generation jeweler origins 5:15 — How the diamond supply chain works: mines to retail, explained 18:20 — The first custom design: a green emerald and a pivotal client 26:45 — Balancing motherhood & career: 6 kids, long commutes, and the Sunday cook 30:43 — Practical tips for working moms: family systems that actually work 36:25 — Going independent: Starting Reese Diamonds with $7,000 52:25 — Opening the retail store: Growing fast without a loan 59:21 — October 7th changes everything: From jeweler to accidental activist 1:01:15 — Moving to Israel at 16: How early hardship built her resilience 1:04:22 — The viral Israel map jewelry & partnering with PK Heart 1:09:15 — Rapid fire Q&A: Biggest mistakes, unseen sacrifices & scariest risks 1:14:02 — What she knows now: "Trust the process. Keep going." 1:16:09 — Final message to women everywhere 💛 Support the JWE Conference Scholarship Fund The JWE Conference powered by Her is coming April 27th in Newark, NJ. Help us put more women in the room — donate to the scholarship fund: https://thejewishwomanentrepreneur.app.neoncrm.com/forms/jwescholarship [https://thejewishwomanentrepreneur.app.neoncrm.com/forms/jwescholarship] Buy your ticket to the JWE Conference thejwe.com/conference [https://thejwe.com/conference] This episode is sponsored by Roth & Co — Innovators in accounting and business advisory. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen. Watch on YouTube and share with a woman who needs to hear this today.

From Family Legacy to Fashion Empire: Malka Katzav on Building Big Drop NYC

In this episode of Inspire to Lead, host Talia Mashiach sits down with Malka Katzav, owner of Big Drop NYC — a 35-year-old fashion retail brand — in sunny Miami. Malka shares her incredible journey of taking over her family's business at just 22 years old with no fashion or business degree, surviving the collapse of brick-and-mortar retail, navigating COVID, and rebuilding into a thriving brand known for making women feel celebrated and confident. Timestamps: 2:19 – Meet Malka: Background & Family Story 2:52 – The Origin of Big Drop & How It Got Its Name 4:28 – Growing Up with Two Entrepreneur Parents 7:25 – Big Drop's Philosophy: It's Not What You Sell, It's How You Make Women Feel 9:45 – Practical Tips for Creating the "Magic Sauce" in Retail 12:17 – Team Commission Structure That Changes Everything 18:07 – Leadership Lesson: Hire Right So You Don't Micromanage 20:59 – Building a Brand Identity Through Digital & Social 26:03 – The Moment Malka Chose Big Drop Over Her Dream Career 28:09 – The Hardest Years: Taking Over at 22 with No Experience 31:46 – Letting Go of the Old Team & Starting from Scratch 38:11 – Biggest Lessons & Why There Are No Mistakes, Only Building Blocks 40:35 – Trusting Your Gut vs. Fear: How to Tell the Difference 44:56 – Surviving COVID: From Zero Revenue to Launching Online 48:28 – The $5,000 Order She Thought Was Fraud 51:26 – Getting Out of a 30-Year Lease: The Power of Honesty 55:21 – How COVID Became the Best Thing for Her Career 60:00 – Finding Her Social Media Manager by Divine Coincidence 66:27 – Closing New York & Going All-In on Miami 69:13 – The Future of Retail: Experiential Shopping 71:08 – How to Get Brands Into Your Store 73:17 – How Motherhood Changed Her Leadership 74:49 – Legacy: What She Wants to Leave Behind 77:53 – Fast Five: Advice to Her 22-Year-Old Self 78:49 – Superpower: Empathy as a Leadership Tool 79:51 – The Sacrifices No One Sees 81:06 – Most Exciting Moment: The 35th Anniversary Celebration 84:12 – Final Message: "Color the World with Your Own Colors" Guest Summary: Malka Katzav is a 32-year-old entrepreneur, first-generation on both sides , who took over Big Drop NYC from her father in 2015. What started as an overstock operation in a New York studio apartment in 1990 has evolved into a celebrated specialty boutique in Miami with a growing online presence. Malka is known for her empathy-driven leadership and her mission to make every woman who walks through her doors feel seen and celebrated.

The Real Story Behind SoulCycle: Ruth Zukerman & the $90 Million Lesson

In this episode of Inspired to Lead, host Talia Mashiach sits down with Ruth Zukerman — co-founder of SoulCycle and founder of Flywheel Sports — for a raw and powerful conversation about building two iconic fitness brands, being pushed out of the company she created, and finding the strength to start over at 52. Ruth shares how she went from aspiring dancer to accidental fitness pioneer, how a painful divorce led her to discover spin, and the devastating partnership betrayal that cost her everything she built — while her former partners walked away with $90 million each. She also opens up about the personal growth, therapy, and resilience that carried her through each reinvention. Timestamps: 1:22 – Meet Ruth Zukerman 2:24 – Ruth's early dream of becoming a professional dancer 4:37 – Getting married and putting career aside 8:42 – Divorce and discovering spin at the Reebok Club 11:49 – Becoming a spin instructor and building a following 13:08 – Innovating with music and personal recognition 15:53 – The idea to open a standalone spin studio 17:57 – The three co-founders come together 20:48 – Choosing partners: lessons on friendship vs. business 24:19 – Opening SoulCycle: the hole-in-the-wall on 72nd Street 27:07 – Business explodes — the Hamptons barn 30:10 – Word of mouth, no advertising, no signage 33:08 – Scaling to the Upper East Side 36:07 – No operating agreement: a costly mistake 38:24 – The partnership unravels — Ruth is pushed out 42:20 – Going back to teach at SoulCycle as an employee 44:40 – The birth of Flywheel Sports at age 52 46:55 – What Ruth did differently the second time 49:58 – Flywheel grows to 42 locations and gets acquired 51:31 – SoulCycle sells — each partner makes $90 million 53:58 – The emotional toll and how Ruth processed the loss 55:18 – Resilience, reinvention & life's biggest lessons 59:37 – Advice on partnerships, contracts & knowing yourself 1:15:37 – Closing thoughts & sponsor message Guest Description: Ruth Zukerman is an entrepreneur, author, and keynote speaker best known as a co-founder of SoulCycle and the founder of Flywheel Sports. A former dancer turned fitness industry pioneer, Ruth helped create the boutique fitness movement and grew Flywheel to 42 locations before its acquisition. She is the author of a memoir and business book sharing the life lessons behind her journey. Ruth is the keynote speaker at the upcoming JWE (Jewish Women Entrepreneurs) conference. Come meet Ruth live at the JWE Powered by HER Conference and in person on April 27, 2026 in Newark NJ. Spots are limited. By your ticket today at thejwe.com/conference [https://thejwe.com/conference] and use code PODCAST to save $10 off your ticket . This episode is sponsored by Roth and Co., innovators in accounting and business advisory.