From selling luxury cars to shaping national policy, Senator Bernie Moreno’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this candid conversation with Rabbi Hillel Kapenstein, Moreno shares how his immigrant upbringing fueled his drive, how building one of America’s most successful auto empires shaped his leadership, and why he left the private sector to serve the people of Ohio in the U.S. Senate.

We dive into:

• 🚀 The resilience and grit behind his American Dream story
• 💼 Lessons from the business world that translate to political leadership
• 🇮🇱 His unwavering stance on Israel and America’s global role
• 💡 Why Washington needs more problem-solvers — and how he plans to be one
• 📈 His vision for Ohio’s future and the challenges ahead

If you value strong leadership and love a great success story, this episode will inspire you to lead with purpose — no matter your arena.

🎧 KOLOT with Rabbi Hillel Kapenstein — Real conversations. Extraordinary guests. Timeless lessons.

In this special live interview recorded at the Kollel for Young Professionals, we sit down with Dr. Luan Phan, Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University, for a powerful and personal conversation about mental health, trauma, and resilience.

Dr. Phan reflects on his journey from Vietnam to the U.S., growing up as the son of a war veteran, and how those early experiences shaped his career in psychiatry. He shares how treating war veterans helped him move from distrust to trust, and how that path led him to a deep understanding of resiliency — what it really means to recover and grow through adversity.

We explore:

• The core lessons of resilience and how to build it
• What to look for in Project SOAR, and why it matters
• How to prepare our children for when — not if — adversity comes
• Helping children manage their own mental health
• Simple, daily practices to strengthen emotional well-being
• Mental health and resilience in a post-October 7th world
• A moving story of hope that will stay with you long after the episode ends

🟦 This episode is sponsored by Brad and Holly Kastan — thank you for your generous support.

🙏 Special thanks to everyone who submitted questions in advance, including:

Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Coach Jim Tressel, Michael Milch (PGH), Rabbi Yitz Frank (CLE), Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-D 1st Distric), Howard Shear, Julie Tilson-Stanley (JewishColumbus), Sivan Rahav-Meir (Israel) — and many more!

Whether you’re a parent, professional, or simply someone trying to stay grounded in turbulent times, this conversation offers clarity, inspiration, and tools for a stronger tomorrow.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Rabbi Yoel Gold, the storyteller behind the viral videos that have touched millions across the Jewish world.

Raised in Williamsburg and known back then simply as “Yoile,” Rabbi Gold opens up about his parents’ divorce and how those early challenges unexpectedly led him to the Adelphia Yeshiva, where he formed a life-changing bond with Rabbi Dovid Trenk zt”l. That relationship set him on a path to becoming a rebbe, a leader, and eventually a visionary content creator.

He shares the moment a child’s advice pushed him to start his first video, and how that single decision snowballed into a movement of storytelling with soul. It was shortly afterwards Rabbi Gold founded Hashkifa.

We also get a sneak peek into his latest and boldest production yet — releasing this Tisha B’Av — about traveling to the Vatican in an emotional and daring effort to locate the Menorah from the Beis HaMikdash.

To wrap things up, Rabbi Gold plays along with a few rapid-fire questions for some light fun and personal insight.

Tune in for a powerful journey of resilience, vision, and emunah. To watch the trailer and purchase the video, visit www.hashkifa.com

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Apoorva Ramaswamy—physician, mother, and wife of Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy—to explore her remarkable journey from India to the United States, and from medical student to a leading surgeon at The Ohio State University.

Dr. Ramaswamy shares how her father’s professional challenges shaped her resilience, how he redid his residency in a new country, and why she felt called to medicine in the first place. She opens up about the deeply rewarding and humbling experience of helping cancer patients rebuild both physically and emotionally, and the critical role that balance plays in recovery.

We also discuss the path she and Vivek are navigating as they aim to become Ohio’s next Governor and First Lady. Dr. Ramaswamy speaks candidly about what it means to “do it all”—as a mother, doctor, and partner supporting a bold political vision—and how she’s raising her children with the values and work ethic to achieve their own and unique American dream.

Finally, we look ahead to her vision for national unity and the contributions she hopes to bring to Ohio and the country if she becomes First Lady.

We conclude this conversation by paying tribute to Vivek's grandmother, Thankam Ammai, who passed away nearly a week after celebrating her 100th birthday. She was surrounded by her family members who all cherished her and will always carry her in their hearts - remembering the value of each other. This episode is a testament to perseverance, purpose, and the power of family.

Upcoming episodes will feature Rabbi Yoel Gold followed by Dr. Luan Phan. Stay tuned!!

We would like to thank our sponsors:

Lead Sponsor:

Roderick C. White Jr. and Radha Lachman KashiKonar

Contributing Sponsor:

Snow White Cleaners:

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In this powerful episode, we sit down with Ohio Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, for a wide-ranging conversation that spans battlefield grit, public service, and strengthening democracy.

LaRose shares his extraordinary journey—from training with the Israeli Defense Forces and serving in the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets), to his rise through the Ohio State Senate and ultimately becoming Secretary of State. With firsthand experience in both military discipline and civic responsibility, he offers unique insight into the intersection of national security and election integrity.

We dive into his guiding principle: making it easy to vote and hard to cheat. He walks us through Ohio’s transparent voting system, where bipartisan oversight ensures that every vote is counted fairly and every outcome is trusted—so winners know they’ve won, and losers know they’ve lost.

The Secretary also speaks passionately about America’s enduring bond with Israel, its strategic brilliance, and the shared fight against a common enemy.

We wrap up with a rapid-fire round to get to know the man behind the title—and what has him most excited about Ohio’s future.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about service, leadership, and the vital institutions that uphold our freedoms.

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Michael Mordechai Milch shares deep insights drawn from his work in the addiction and behavioral health industry, addressing the common myths and challenges surrounding recovery—especially within the Jewish community. He reflects on the lasting impact and wisdom of Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, z'', who his family had a relationship for decades.

The discussion then turns to communal responsibility and political advocacy, emphasizing how respect for elected officials and learning from seasoned askonim (lay leaders) can elevate our voice and influence—both locally and globally. Milch offers thoughtful guidance on how to engage constructively, even across personal political divides, for the greater good for Israel and the Jewish people.

In the shadow of October 7th, Milch calls for renewed strength in Torah learning, tefillah, and achdus (unity). He shares practical advice for individuals at every level on how to make a meaningful impact—whether through action, connection, or a simple phone call.

This episode is a call for action and communal empowerment—don’t miss it.

On March 19th, the Columbus Community Kollel held its annual Friends of the Kollel raffle and matching campaign celebration. The event took place at Schottenstein Corporations and was graciously hosted by Jonathan and Nicole Schottenstein.

The evening’s headliner was none other than former Ohio State football coach and newly appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, Jim Tressel. He joined Rabbi Hillel Kapenstein—Director of the Kollel and host of the KOLOT podcast—for a special fireside chat.

During their conversation, Coach Tressel shared insights from his legendary coaching career, offering practical lessons on leadership, teamwork, and personal growth—wisdom we can all apply to our everyday lives.

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In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with the Silver Spring Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky Shlita, for a deep and insightful conversation.

We explore the essence of mesorah, how to properly choose a Rebbe or Rov, and the distinction between psak halacha and hadracha. The conversation then turns to one of the most frequently misunderstood concepts in the Torah world: Da’as Torah. Rabbi Lopiansky clarifies what it truly means, what it does not mean, and how it should be applied in our daily lives.

We also discuss real-world applications, including contemporary issues like the WZO, Kol Koreis, and the role of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. Rabbi Lopiansky’s wisdom and clarity offer invaluable guidance for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of these crucial topics.

Sponsor Message:

This episode is sponsored by Michael Milch and Diamond & Denim Recruiting. If you own or operate a business in healthcare (nursing homes, drug rehab, ABA therapy, home health, urgent care), skilled trades (electric, roofing, construction), or professional services (accounting, law), Diamond & Denim Recruiting can help you find top-tier talent at competitive rates.

To get in touch, email mm@diamonddenimrecruiting.com or call 412-874-8157.

Kolot is a project of the Columbus Community Kollel, a full-time learning center in Bexley. Ever Since 1995, boy, girls, men and women of all backgrounds and affiliations have found learning opportunities at the Kollel. Whether it's a study partner, engaging lesson or a program, the Kollel is your one-stop-shop for all your Jewish learning. To learn more, visit www.thekollel.org and forever be inspired!