Zero Dollars, 40 Countries — with Tal

Yehuda Lapian on Zionism, Tel Aviv, and Finding Yourself

This week on Restart with Debbie I had the joy of welcoming back my dear friend Yehuda Lapian, and my heart is still full. 🇮🇱 Yehuda was born in Manhattan like me, raised in Jerusalem, and today he lives here in Tel Aviv, bridging his traditional Zionist roots with modern Israeli life. He shared so much with me. He told me about serving 179 consecutive days of reserve duty in Gaza and Lebanon, about his wild passion for winter ice swimming in frozen lakes, and about the hardest part of coming home from war, which was learning to slow down, quiet his ego, and find joy again in the simple things. He told me a story about a young soldier named Nissim that brought me to tears. A boy who came from such a broken place and was given a second chance, and became the first from his base to reach an elite unit. Yehuda said something I will never forget. A good leader creates followers, but a great leader creates leaders. We talked about his beautiful work with Peace of Mind, helping combat soldiers heal, about his growing voice speaking up proudly for Israel around the world, and about our shared belief that food, faith, and human connection can still unite people, even now. 🕯️ This one is about identity, healing, hope, and the courage to start again. I hope it touches you the way it touched me. ❤️

Francisco Gil-White on Historical Lies and Global Conflicts

Get ready to have your reality completely challenged. In this breathtaking episode of ReStart, I sit down in my home with a truly brilliant mind and a dear friend, Dr. Francisco Gil-White. Francisco is a political anthropologist, historian, investigative journalist, and the founder of The Management of Reality. Honestly, I left this conversation in a total state of shock, and I think you will too. We dive deep into the hidden mechanics of global conflicts and explore some of the most erased parts of history. Francisco walks us through the shocking Nazi connections of the founding fathers of the Palestinian movement, the secret ties behind the rise of jihadi Iran, and why the mainstream narrative about Western democracies being Israel’s "best friends" is completely wrong. We also talk about the hidden traps inside modern democratic systems, the dangers of declaring "States of Emergency," and how powerful global elites manage what we perceive as truth through the media and universities. To lighten the mood, we close things out with a hilarious and razor-sharp lightning round called "Francisco in 60 Seconds"—including what he would do if he were stuck on a 14-hour flight between Donald Trump and the Supreme Leader of Iran! This episode is an absolute must-watch for anyone who wants to stop being manipulated and start understanding the historical forces shaping our world today. The full episode is available NOW on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Search for "Restart with Debbie Matzkin" or click the link in my bio to listen. Remember, don’t take our word for it—check out Francisco's footnoted evidence at managementofreality.com and do your own research. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Dudu Outmezgine: The Recipe for Success

What does it truly take to build an empire from scratch? 🥐✨ In the latest episode of my podcast, Restart, I sat down with the incredible Dudu Outmezgine for a conversation that touched my heart. Dudu shared how he started with nothing but a burning passion to bring the excellence of Paris to Israel. We talked about the struggles, the lack of support along the way, and why he stays true to the classics in a world obsessed with trends. As Dudu says: 'Classics always win.'

Restarting Jewish Leadership in the Diaspora with Danielle

This week on Restart with Debbie, I had the honor of welcoming Danielle Chetrit into my home in Israel, a powerful voice from San Francisco and the founder of Malca Productions. Danielle shared her journey growing up in a deeply Zionist home, and how everything changed after October 7. What began as a response to rising antisemitism in the diaspora became a movement bringing some of the strongest pro-Israel voices from online platforms into real-life rooms across America. We spoke about life for Jews in the Bay Area today, the challenges in schools and communities, and the courage it takes to keep showing up despite protests, threats, and misinformation. Danielle opened up about Malca’s mission: empowering Jews and allies with tools, truth, and connection and building something real at a time when silence is no longer an option. This conversation is about leadership, responsibility, unity, and light even in the darkest moments. I promise it will leave you inspired to stand stronger, speak louder, and remember why community matters now more than ever.

A Mishmash of Cultures with Esco

This week on Restart with Debbie, I sat down with a creator whose identity itself tells a powerful story - Esco! Born and raised in South Florida to parents from the Dominican Republic, my guest grew up at the intersection of cultures — Jewish roots, Latin heritage, and a deep connection to Israel. She described her identity as a “mishmash,” a blend that became her compass for everything she does today: connecting cultures, people, and perspectives — both online and in real life We spoke about what it’s like to show Israel to audiences who have never truly seen it — people who thought Israel was only deserts and camels, and were shocked by the reality she shared through her content. She reflected on arriving in Israel before the war in 2021, and how representation, storytelling, and visibility shape understanding far beyond politics. The conversation then turned deeply human. We talked about how leaders, diplomats, and public figures carry the weight of representing an entire country — and how rare it is for them to feel at home, relaxed, and seen simply as people. That’s where her idea comes in: creating intimate, human-to-human spaces — dinners, food, conversation — not as hosts or authorities, but as friends around a table This episode is a reminder that culture isn’t built through statements or speeches — it’s built through connection. Through food. Through presence. Through opening your home and saying: you belong here.