Rabbi Baruch Plotkin is the co-founder and co-director of the Liumi - Israel Center for Jewish Life. One of Rabbi Baruch’s great passions is shepherding groups of Jewish men on pilgrimage journeys to Israel to connect them to Jewish heritage, culture, and tradition. At the time this episode was recorded, I was scheduled to join Baruch for a men’s retreat to Israel in late October. This episode is a conversation about how the nation of Israel stands as an existential beacon that bridges Jews all over the world to an identity that is over 3000 years old.

Pam Feinberg-Rivkin founded her behavioral health concierge program, Feinberg Consulting, in 1996. Her organization provides services to individuals who have complex combinations of psychiatric, substance use and medical issues. Pam is widely regarded as an innovator in this model of care, having been among the first to provide services in this way. Pam is a registered nurse, health coach, and interventionist among several other health and behavioral health professional credentialed titles.

Jill is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, as well as a Certified Addictions Professional. In addition, she is a Certified Hypnotherapist, EMDR-Trauma Informed Therapist and Reiki Master. Jill's practice focuses greatly on trauma, addiction, family of origin issues, and inner child work. On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, Jill shares from personal experience, the importance of removing the stigma around suicide, as well as how she as a therapist navigates self-care for both her and her family.

John Hulick is the Palm Beach County Drug Czar. He was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners in 2018 following a year in which overdose deaths reached record numbers in Palm Beach County. On this episode of the podcast, John and I discuss the key elements of the county’s Opioid Response Plan, and the complexities of providing services to this high-risk population.

Robert Cloud North, Sr. is the Director of Development and Operations for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. On this episode of the podcast, Robert shares about his work building and running prevention programs for Native youth.