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When deciding which professional path to pursue, Tzipi Livni defied the expectations set by her politically active parents and initially chose a career in law. But sometimes a calling transcends pragmatism, and when Israel found itself split down the middle and rife with tension Tzipi was compelled to change direction and run for office.Tzipi amassed an impressive array of political roles, most famously, Israel’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Justice. Each position was accompanied by a chorus of both praise and criticism for the policies she upheld and decisions she made. Reflecting on significant moments during her tenure, Tzipi concedes that the strategic implementation could have been better. Nonetheless, she affirms her decisions, which were all informed by an unwavering commitment to achieve equity and peace.Join Gil and 100 itrek participants in this captivating live conversation, where Tzipi’s indomitable spirit and steadfast determination truly shine, cementing her as an undeniable force to be reckoned with.More about storymarkTMstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura Hassner intentionally sought out educational experiences in unfamiliar environments so she could stretch herself personally and intellectually. From opting into a multilingual school setting, to embarking on foreign exchange experiences in Chile and England, Laura truly considers the world her classroom. Eager to introduce a global mindset to students, Laura landed her dream job at Berkeley as builder of an entrepreneurship program called The Berkeley Changemaker®. The program empowers students to develop their leadership skills, and to utilize their education and talent to create positive change both locally and globally.Be inspired as Gil and Laura recount her leadership journey and the personal loss that clarified her purpose.More about storymarkTMstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Cohen's love for music has deep roots that can be traced back to his childhood home, where he and his parents listened to a wide variety of genres without judgment. This impartiality would prove invaluable as Tom later developed his own sound. As the founder and head conductor of the Jerusalem Orchestra East and West, Tom creates a new, integrated musical experience that blends sounds from the East and West, old and new. His innovative approach transcends pre-existing limitations in Israeli classical music and allows audiences to overlook cultural and political conflicts — if only for a few hours.Enjoy Gil and Tom’s repartee about the gift of music, labor justice, and how even small acts of change can have worldwide impact.More about storymark™storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alma and Daniel Hernandez are a dynamic brother-sister duo; each with a powerful story to tell. Raised in a loving Mexican-American home, they harnessed their family’s love and support as a springboard to forge their own paths.During their adolescence, Alma and Daniel each faced unexpected traumas that could have derailed their plans. Instead, they chose to use their healing experiences to help others and turn their struggles into a driving force for service and advocacy.Their journeys eventually led them to the Arizona House of Representatives, where they each championed unique identity-focused causes. Daniel became a vocal advocate for LGBTQ issues, drawing from his own experiences as a gay man. Alma focused on Holocaust awareness and education, inspired by the discovery of her Jewish heritage.Listen in as Gil uncovers Daniel and Alma’s incredible stories of resilience and how they shifted their focus outward to heal themselves and help their communities. More about storymarkTMstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Felipe Neves takes nothing for granted. Growing up in Brazil, his mother worked tirelessly to provide Felipe with a private education. After graduating from law school in Brazil and working at a law firm for several years, Felipe developed a burning desire to share what he learned about his country’s government and political infrastructure with young Brazilian public school students. This would become Felipe’s modus operandi; learn, grow, share.Felipe is currently the Head of Google Workspace for Education in Latin America — his achievements and accolades speak for themselves, but he humbly measures his success by the happiness and impact he brings to those around him.In this storymark spotlight episode, Felipe recounts his participation in a U.S. State Department program which led him to Stanford University. These experiences allowed him to pursue a law degree and lean into his entrepreneurial ambitions.More about storymarkTMstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve heard of failing upwards and there’s a reason for that. Today’s guest is best-known for inventing the widely used USB memory flash drive. But perhaps Dov Moran should also be revered as an entrepreneur who isn’t afraid to fail, and isn’t afraid to admit it.As a child, Dov had the characteristics of an entrepreneur; curiosity, aptitude for technology, and perhaps most importantly, the influence of his grandfather — himself a successful entrepreneur. Dov's grandfather exposed him to crucial concepts such as mechanics and money, but also instilled in him a mindset that would prove vital for an innovative life.Listen closely as Gil discovers the surprising moments Dov considers failures — events that would be considered successful by nearly everyone’s standards. Dov's humble demeanor only enhances his credibility and provides a more holistic view of his entrepreneurial journey.More about storymarkTMstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For The New York Times best-selling author, Adeena Sussman, cookbooks aren’t just a collection of recipes — they’re love letters.At just nine years old, Adeena was tackling complicated recipes in her family’s kosher home. Yet, she was more interested in fostering connections than mastering recipes. Adeena relished the shared stories and camaraderie that occurred when family, friends, and guests gathered together for meals. Adeena’s early success writing articles for Gourmet Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and Bon Appetit, positioned her to co-author cookbooks with over a dozen high-profile personalities, most notably, Chrissy Teigen. Eventually, Adeena would re-discover her unique voice and create two cookbooks of her own — a journey that led her to Israel where she used food to navigate a new way of life.Have a seat at the table as Gil and Adeena explore the cultural dynamics and personal passions that inspire Adeena’s culinary pursuits.More about storymarkTMstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to his middle school yearbook, Matti Friedman wanted to be a journalist when he grew up. The only problem? He didn’t really know what that meant. But Matti knew that writing was the best way to make sense of a very complicated world. As his career progressed, Matti allowed his life experiences to influence the formation of his work. From his early days in Israel living on a kibbutz, to his first gig as a reporter at The Jerusalem Post, he wrote stories that tackled complex moments in history and his own life. To date, the Canadian-Israeli writer has published four lauded books, and his headlines have appeared in top outlets like The New York Times and The Atlantic. Listen in as Gil and Matti travel back in time, wading through memories that take Matti from Canada to various parts of the Middle East, which Matti believes are the key to seeing Israel with new eyes.More about storymarkTMstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Adi Altschuler, “inclusion” and “safe spaces” have been a way of life since childhood. More than performative buzzwords, she embodies both by truly seeing and hearing those who are different.At the age of 16, Adi successfully established Krembo Wings, a social movement for all youth with and without disabilities. The idea blossomed from a beautiful friendship she had with a young boy with cerebral palsy. She would later tackle the Israeli school system, using her skills and connections from her corporate role at Google to create a program that champions inclusivity in the classroom.Join Gil as he discovers the remarkable ways Adi continues to leave a more kind and equitable mark on the world.More about storymarkTMstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymark Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an effort to become more comfortable in her own skin, literally, Siqu Mou utilized her joint MBA/MPA degree from Harvard and Stanford to find new solutions to age-old skincare problems. Relying on new technology and her entrepreneurial upbringing she founded HelloAva, the first online smart-skin consultant.Gil gets a peek into Siqi’s early years where creativity and achievement were modeled first by her parents and later by her first boss at Morgan Stanley. She draws inspiration from both in her own role as a founder and CEO. Gil and Siqi also reminisce about her Israel Trek and its lasting impact on her life.More about storymarkTMstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Traffic: most of us tense up just thinking about it, but not today’s guest! He studied and obsessed over it — believing there had to be a solution to this aggravating byproduct of modern civilization. He was right. Uri Levine co-founded Waze; the first crowd-sourced, real-time, traffic app. While he didn’t eliminate traffic altogether, he successfully changed the navigation game entirely. Uri’s entrepreneurial success didn’t stop there. He went on to invest, coach, and lead other start-ups, eventually writing a book that aptly reflects his approach to business: Fall in Love with the Problem.Ride along with Gil and Uri as they travel down memory lane, to learn how and where Uri developed the necessary traits for life as a serial entrepreneur.You can learn more about Uri on his website: https://urilevine.com/More about storymarkTMstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At her very first judo class in the mid-1970’s, Yael Arad was the only girl. The youngest of four, she was used to being a tagalong, but in this class she led the pack. What followed was an unexpected journey that opened up her world and laid the foundation for her future career.  Yael Arad took to the sport instantly, not only because of her natural athletic aptitude, but for the mental agility and fortitude it required. And it almost goes without saying that eight-year-old Yael enjoyed sending her peers flying through the air.Yael walks Gil through her triumphant performance at the 1992 Olympics, and how she knew when it was time to retire. Gil discovers Yael’s moves are strategic and inspiring both on and off the mat.More about storymark™storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long Israel Treks to experience Israel’s innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Patrick Emile. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi. Special thanks to the itrek marketing team.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an environment defined by physical strength and hyper-masculinity, Miri Eisin deployed a leadership style which pushed gender boundaries and expectations. Often the only woman in the male dominated IDF upper ranks, Miri constantly considered when and how to integrate her femininity into the job. From whether or not to wear make up, to the tone of her voice, every decision she made was intentional.Miri’s impressive climb to the top, like most ascensions, was not without struggle and Gil discovers how she combated those obstacles to rise to such positions as the Prime Minister- appointed position of foreign media advisor.  Miri ultimately learned that being a woman in her field was both an advantage, and an identity which made her inherently vulnerable — wisdom she now imparts to her daughters and women who have come up after her in the military and the workforce.More about storymarkstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long treks in Israel to experience its innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is a country — even a new one, without a guiding set of rules and beliefs? Legal scholar and former politician Uriel Reichman believed Israel’s constitution was overdue. So, he spent six years drafting a proposal for an Israeli constitution. Reichman applied that same tenacity to education where he went on to found the country’s first non-profit, private University which would eventually bear his name — Reichman University (formerly IDC Herzliya). Empowerment through education has always motivated Reichman, even during times of unbearable grief. He tells Gil about the moment he had to choose between continuing his doctorate in Chicago, or remaining with his grieving family following the loss of his brother during the Yom Kippur War. More about storymarkstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long treks in Israel to experience its innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode isn’t a fairy tale, but it does feature a knight. Sir Ronald Cohen was one of the very first to bring venture capital to the UK — and he was knighted for his contribution. For Cohen though, the best part of making money through investing wasn’t the money itself, but the good that could be done with it.Often called the “Father of Social Investment,” Cohen tackles complex problems head on with strategic investments. But his story starts long before earning that moniker; it begins in Egypt when seemingly overnight, his family had to pack their bags and head to Britain.More about storymarkstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long treks in Israel to experience its innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s more than one way to be a philanthropist, and Sylvan Adams’ way, is quite possibly the most fun.Before becoming Israel’s unofficial “hype-man,” Sylvan Adams had an extraordinarily successful career as a real estate developer. After making Aliyah from Canada, Sylvan was determined to make Israel famous for more than the conflict and controversial headlines. From Madonna concerts to European bike tours, Adams tells Gil how he longs to show the world a new side of Israel. With his signature passion and enthusiasm, Sylvan is relentless in his desire to connect people and build bridges.More about storymarkstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long treks in Israel to experience its innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yaron Galai is the Co-Founder and CEO of Outbrain, and one of the most respected visionaries in tech. Would it surprise you to learn that he is also proud to be called the most boring person in the world?He rode the wave of the dot com bubble, happily partnering with tech giants like Yahoo and AOL. Yaron’s first company, Quigo, was eventually acquired by Microsoft. He continued innovating in a rapidly developing space when it occurred to him that he was inventing the same thing all along. On the heels of the dot com bubble burst, Yaron had to try something new in order to get funding. He tells Gil what kept him going during these uncertain times, and reveals the crazy things he did in the time before Israel became known as the Start-Up Nation.More about storymarkstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long treks in Israel to experience its innovation, diversity, and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burned out from a taxing career in law enforcement, today’s guest found freedom on a bike and quickly made incredible strides as a competitive cyclist. Then it all — quite literally, came crashing down. Lucky for her, she wasn’t afraid of an uphill battle.Leah Goldstein is best known for being the first woman to win the overall solo division of the Race Across America. But it’s what came before and after her success, that reveals what she is truly made of. Gil is on the edge of his seat as Leah recounts her experiences as a bullied little girl, the events that motivated her to pursue competitive sports, a dangerous career as an Israeli Commando instructor, and ultimately, what keeps her riding to this day.More about storymarkstorymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long treks in Israel to experience its innovation, diversity and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world where people are inclined to hide inside their echo chambers, David Blumberg deliberately remains on the outside. He’s a tech investor with a vision for bilateral innovation between the United States and Israel. He is also a bit of an enigma. David’s politics transcend party lines and he invites vulnerability from others by living authentically himself. This becomes evident throughout his conversation with Gil as he uncovered discoveries from David's time at the United Nations which guided him out of public service and into the private sector. Perhaps most importantly, David reveals the cost and courage required to live one’s truth.storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long treks in Israel to experience its innovation, diversity, and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many articulate a desire for peace in the Middle East, but few have demonstrated a life-long commitment to the cause quite like today’s guest, social entrepreneur Yadin Kaufmann.After graduating from Harvard Law, Yadin spent a couple of years in the Israeli Supreme Court, then joined Israel’s very first venture capital firm, Athena. Yadin was an early investor in high-tech and ultimately realized that this was the vehicle he could use to navigate a historical problem. He also decided that the best thing he could do with his hard-won knowledge was share it — with Israelis and Palestinians alike.storymark is brought to you by itrek studios. itrek is a non-profit that inspires tomorrow’s leaders through peer-led, week-long treks in Israel to experience its innovation, diversity, and complex reality firsthand. For more on itrek’s mission, visit itrek.org.storymark is hosted by Gil Galanos. Our Producer is Elie Bleier. Our Associate Producer is Rebekah Sebastian. Our Editor is Zev Levi.Connect with storymarkWant to continue the story?Sign up for the storymark newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on show news and future guests: storymarkpodcast.orgDid you enjoy this episode?Help us spread the storymark word!Please rate and review storymark on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Want to see the faces behind the voices? Follow us on Instagram: @storymarkWant to say hello or recommend a guest?Drop us a note: storymark@itrek.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.