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Better Call Daddy - 341. The Vow, A Love Story And The Holocaust: Michael Ruskin

341. The Vow, A Love Story And The Holocaust: Michael Ruskin

Explicit content warning

12/07/23 • 60 min

12 Listeners

Better Call Daddy

Did you want to explore and be free before marriage? Did your parents expect you to get married? Before penning a best-selling book chronicling the experiences of his Holocaust survivor parents from Lithuania, Michael Ruskin led a diverse life rooted in swing and country music. Now, his primary focus is on his book and its legacy.

Today's episode is a spiritual journey through faith, family, and the forging of a personal identity in the face of adversity. Hosts Reena Friedman Watts and Wayne Friedman are joined by the inspiring Michael Ruskin to discuss the somber history of the Holocaust and the nuances of Jewish life and spirituality.
Michael takes us on an emotional ride, reflecting on his personal struggles with his Jewish heritage, his relationship with his mother, and his deep connection with his faith.

His story is one of contrast—between the smothering love of his family and his own quest for love and freedom, between the darkness of the Holocaust and the light of the human spirit.

In today's episode, Michael shares insights from his own life experience—washing dishes for Passover, engaging in self-reflection, and embracing an active lifestyle.

His candid storytelling resonates with a universal longing for authenticity and a better understanding of our spiritual existence, including beliefs in reincarnation and astrology.

Michael's legacy is vital not just for him but for the Jewish community, as we learn about his book "The Vow, A Love Story and The Holocaust" and his lifetimestories.net project.

This episode is rich with history, from the tragedies of World War II to the incredible story of his parents—survivors of concentration camps and death marches—whose profound love and faith bore witness to unspeakable horrors.

So join us as we explore the strength derived from ancestry, the complexities of identity, and the undeniable power of storytelling with Michael Ruskin. This is an episode you won't want to miss, and it's all right here on Better Call Daddy: The Safe Space for Controversy.

Michael Ruskin (born Meyer Ruksen), was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the beautiful city of Perth Amboy, New Jersey (central New Jersey). He is the youngest son of David and Dora Ruskin and the younger brother of the late Allen Ruskin. A graduate from Kent State University in Ohio, he received a B.A.

in Political Science and Psychology. Michael spent most of his 40-year career in corporate Human Resources and private consulting. Mr. Ruskin, now retired, lives a very active lifestyle which includes traveling, tennis, dancing, hiking. He is a student of spirituality, world history, and an avid researcher. He has one niece and enjoys spending time with friends and making new ones. Michael is the last surviving member of his immediate family. The Vow: A Love Story and the Holocaust is Mr. Ruskin's first book, but not his last. He currently resides in Roswell, Georgia.

Connect with Michael

https://www.facebook.com/rusk7777

Connect with Reena

bettercalldaddy.com

linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts

twitter.com/reenareena

instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts

instagram.com/bettercalldaddypodcast

Me and my dad would love to hear from you, Drop us a review, reviews help more people find the show, and let us know what you like and what you'd like us to change, Please share the show with one friend who you think would be helped by the show

ratethispodcast.com/bettercalldaddy

podchaser.com/bettercalldaddy

Castmagic is the AI tool I use for show notes and podcast title ideas, it has helped save me tons of time. I talked about it in this episode. Please use my affiliate link if you sign up.

https://get.castmagic.io/bettercalldaddy

Are you a popular podcaster or a rising influencer? Or do you have a great idea for an online business? Then you should know that every great website starts with an awesome domain name. Namecheap offers hundreds of domain extensions, from the traditional dot com to creative extensions for podcasters like dot fm, dot live, or dot space. Namecheap is the world’s 2nd largest domain registrar, with nearly 17 million domains under management and a top web service provider for everything you need to launch an amazing website. Namecheap offers hundreds of domain extens...

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Did you want to explore and be free before marriage? Did your parents expect you to get married? Before penning a best-selling book chronicling the experiences of his Holocaust survivor parents from Lithuania, Michael Ruskin led a diverse life rooted in swing and country music. Now, his primary focus is on his book and its legacy.

Today's episode is a spiritual journey through faith, family, and the forging of a personal identity in the face of adversity. Hosts Reena Friedman Watts and Wayne Friedman are joined by the inspiring Michael Ruskin to discuss the somber history of the Holocaust and the nuances of Jewish life and spirituality.
Michael takes us on an emotional ride, reflecting on his personal struggles with his Jewish heritage, his relationship with his mother, and his deep connection with his faith.

His story is one of contrast—between the smothering love of his family and his own quest for love and freedom, between the darkness of the Holocaust and the light of the human spirit.

In today's episode, Michael shares insights from his own life experience—washing dishes for Passover, engaging in self-reflection, and embracing an active lifestyle.

His candid storytelling resonates with a universal longing for authenticity and a better understanding of our spiritual existence, including beliefs in reincarnation and astrology.

Michael's legacy is vital not just for him but for the Jewish community, as we learn about his book "The Vow, A Love Story and The Holocaust" and his lifetimestories.net project.

This episode is rich with history, from the tragedies of World War II to the incredible story of his parents—survivors of concentration camps and death marches—whose profound love and faith bore witness to unspeakable horrors.

So join us as we explore the strength derived from ancestry, the complexities of identity, and the undeniable power of storytelling with Michael Ruskin. This is an episode you won't want to miss, and it's all right here on Better Call Daddy: The Safe Space for Controversy.

Michael Ruskin (born Meyer Ruksen), was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the beautiful city of Perth Amboy, New Jersey (central New Jersey). He is the youngest son of David and Dora Ruskin and the younger brother of the late Allen Ruskin. A graduate from Kent State University in Ohio, he received a B.A.

in Political Science and Psychology. Michael spent most of his 40-year career in corporate Human Resources and private consulting. Mr. Ruskin, now retired, lives a very active lifestyle which includes traveling, tennis, dancing, hiking. He is a student of spirituality, world history, and an avid researcher. He has one niece and enjoys spending time with friends and making new ones. Michael is the last surviving member of his immediate family. The Vow: A Love Story and the Holocaust is Mr. Ruskin's first book, but not his last. He currently resides in Roswell, Georgia.

Connect with Michael

https://www.facebook.com/rusk7777

Connect with Reena

bettercalldaddy.com

linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts

twitter.com/reenareena

instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts

instagram.com/bettercalldaddypodcast

Me and my dad would love to hear from you, Drop us a review, reviews help more people find the show, and let us know what you like and what you'd like us to change, Please share the show with one friend who you think would be helped by the show

ratethispodcast.com/bettercalldaddy

podchaser.com/bettercalldaddy

Castmagic is the AI tool I use for show notes and podcast title ideas, it has helped save me tons of time. I talked about it in this episode. Please use my affiliate link if you sign up.

https://get.castmagic.io/bettercalldaddy

Are you a popular podcaster or a rising influencer? Or do you have a great idea for an online business? Then you should know that every great website starts with an awesome domain name. Namecheap offers hundreds of domain extensions, from the traditional dot com to creative extensions for podcasters like dot fm, dot live, or dot space. Namecheap is the world’s 2nd largest domain registrar, with nearly 17 million domains under management and a top web service provider for everything you need to launch an amazing website. Namecheap offers hundreds of domain extens...

Previous Episode

undefined - 340. From Hollywood Production to a Heartfelt Reinvention: Jonathan Bogner

340. From Hollywood Production to a Heartfelt Reinvention: Jonathan Bogner

5 Recommendations

Life can change in a flash, focus on what gives you meaning! We are all producers of our own story. Jonathan Bogner went from selling Hollywood films to a heart transplant, a man whose resilience and reinvention offer powerful lessons on embracing life's fragility.

Jonathan's journey will take us from the bustling floor of his pre-to-post-production office, housing a team of 30, through a heart-wrenching battle with English and intonation after a stroke, to the heights of E television, where he and his son's show idea comes to life, revealing years of reality show success.

In a tale that seems scripted for the silver screen, Jonathan shares his life-altering experience of heart failure, the rush to the hospital with pulmonary edema, and the miraculous gift of a heart transplant, complete with its complex emotional and physical aftermath.

Dealing with a donor's preexisting condition, significant weight loss, and muscle atrophy, he is supported by his wife, who transitions from a legal career to becoming his full-time caregiver.

Amidst these personal trials, Jonathan's perspective on life takes a profound turn. He meditates on the daily impact of living with a new heart and the importance of mentorship and imparting wisdom to future generations. He emphasizes the power of support, the significance of a loving upbringing, and the essential nature of building a global community of kindness, even in a world that's often in turmoil.

As Jonathan recounts the heartwarming stories from his Hollywood career, finding emotional fulfillment in family and sports movies, and producing a deeply affecting show about addicts and animals, we hear echoes of the show's theme - love, family, and meaningful living. We'll examine the delicate balance between work and home life, the categorization of friendships, and the ongoing personal evolution one must undertake.

Crucial to his story is the maintenance of health through regular exercise, the avoidance of substance abuse, and cherishing each moment of life itself. Jonathan also shares his future aspirations, such as his desire to positively shape his community by eyeing a park commissioner role.

So, grab your headphones and prepare to be inspired by Jonathan's wit, wisdom, and undying positivity. It's time to discover how the power of a good family, strong friendships, and a tenacious spirit can redefine the fabric of life. Let's find out what happens when life calls—and you better call daddy!

Jonathan Bogner is a remarkable individual with a heroic and inspirational life story. He was a successful reality TV and feature film producer, and an entrepreneur with multiple businesses www.bognerentertainmentinc.com. In 2008 he suffered heart failure, two massive strokes, and lost the ability to speak (a condition referred to as aphasia). Jonathan's resilience and determination helped him recover along with a cardio defibrillator (ICD) implanted in his chest. That at a moment's notice will SHOCK him back to life all the while producing reality shows and movies. But the journey didn't stop there; for, he had to face another life-altering moment in 2022 when he had a heart transplant. His tenacity and sense of humor carried him through these extraordinary experiences. Join us as we delve into Jonathan's story--from the impact on his mental health to his amazing journey of rehabilitation and reinventing—and his philosophy about surviving life when all seems hopeless and his positive outlook shines through on www.personalstories.net.

Connect with Reena

bettercalldaddy.com

linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts

twitter.com/reenareena

instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts

instagram.com/bettercalldaddypodcast

Me and my dad would love to hear from you, Drop us a review, reviews help more people find the show, and let us know what you like and what you'd like us to change, Please share the show with one friend who you think would be helped by the show

ratethispodcast.com/bettercalldaddy

podchaser.com/bettercalldaddy

Castmagic is the AI tool I use for show notes and podcast title ideas, it has helped save me tons of time. I talked about it in this episode. Please use my affiliate link if you sign up.

https://get.castmagic.io/bettercalldaddy

Are you a popular podcaster or a rising influencer? Or do you h...

Next Episode

undefined - 342. From Coast Guard to Creative Writer: Tamara Miller Davis Despite the Buzz

342. From Coast Guard to Creative Writer: Tamara Miller Davis Despite the Buzz

7 Recommendations

Today's episode features a remarkable guest, Tamara Miller Davis, who embodies the fusion of service, technology, and creativity. Hailing from a quaint town in rural Michigan, Tamara's upbringing without cell phones and modern tech painted a childhood rich with natural connection and simpler times. Now as a mother, veteran, indie author, and an advocate for intentional living, she shares a fascinating journey from joining the Coast Guard at 18 to becoming the accomplished writer of "Despite the Buzz."
Delving into her multimedia novel, we explore how technology shapes our lives, behaviors, and relationships across generations. Tamara gets personal, discussing her road trips back to Michigan, her powerful dedication to service, and how her love for the Coast Guard has interwoven with her family values and creativity.
Her insights into the importance of writing as a therapeutic outlet, setting technology boundaries for her children, and her passion for cultivating their artistic and musical talents, provide a rich dialogue that's both enlightening and heartening.
As we traverse through memories, mentorship, and the undying spirit of community, Tamara stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and its pivotal role in our lives. So tune in for an inspiring conversation about legacy, service, the dance of life, and the wonder that lies within "Despite the Buzz."
Get ready for a dose of wisdom, wit, and wonder with Tamara Miller Davis on this episode of Better Call Daddy: The Safe Space For Controversy.

Tamara Miller Davis is an author, fire wife, mother, substitute teacher, parent club volunteer, and U.S. Coast Guard veteran. Tamara grew up in Michigan and resides in California. Once upon a time, she performed on stage via USA Today’s Storytellers Project. Tamara is a member of the Writers and Publishers Network, Women's National Book Association, and Ventura County Mom Collective. Her realistic novel, Despite the Buzz, won awards for contemporary romance and literary fiction at thebookfest.com.

Connect with Tamara

Website: https://www.despitethebuzz.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/despitethebuzz (professional)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tami.davis.169 (personal, for tagging purposes)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamaramillerdavis

Instagram: #despitethebuzz

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58341719-despite-the-buzz

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-davis-094499238

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/tamara-miller-davis_2021

Despite the Buzz

Connect with Reena

bettercalldaddy.com

linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts

twitter.com/reenareena

instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts

instagram.com/bettercalldaddypodcast

Me and my dad would love to hear from you, Drop us a review, reviews help more people find the show, and let us know what you like and what you'd like us to change, Please share the show with one friend who you think would be helped by the show

ratethispodcast.com/bettercalldaddy

podchaser.com/bettercalldaddy

Castmagic is the AI tool I use...

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