Better Call Daddy

What happens when personal trauma intersects with a mission to advocate for justice?

In this powerful episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Ariella Goldberg-Kay, a survivor liaison for Zaakah, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence within the Jewish community.

Ariella Kay opens up about her deeply personal connection to this work, rooted in her aunt's tragic story of sexual assault and suicide  a loss that has profoundly shaped her life and advocacy.

Reena and Ariella explore the complexities of trauma recovery, the stigma surrounding mental health in religious communities, and the fight for justice for survivors of sexual abuse.

Ariella shares how her own experiences fueled her passion for advocacy, helping other survivors find their voice and pursue legal action against their abusers.

The conversation also unpacks the unique challenges Jewish survivors face from barriers to reporting abuse to inadequate institutional responses. Ariella explains how Zaakah is changing the landscape for survivors by empowering them to seek justice without needing rabbinical approval, and why a trauma-informed approach is essential to real healing.

If you or someone you know needs support, Zaakah's confidential hotline is available at 1-888-492-2524, or visit www.zaakah.org.

🎙️ What's in This Episode:

Ariella's personal connection to sexual violence advocacy

The impact of silence and stigma on mental health

Navigating the justice system as a sexual abuse survivor

Why community support is critical for healing

How Zaakah is transforming survivor support in the Jewish community

The power of sharing personal stories to build connection and understanding

💭 Memorable Quotes from Ariella:
"I don't want people to have to live with the aftermath of suicide or sexual abuse."

"Your relationship with God is between you and God, and no one else should dictate that."

"If an institution can't afford to pay restitution for the abuse that happened there, it doesn't deserve to exist anymore."

⏱️ Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction to Ariella K. and Zaakah
(05:15) The personal story behind Ariella's advocacy
(15:30) Challenges faced by survivors in the Jewish community
(25:00) The role of Zaakah in supporting legal justice
(35:45) Navigating trauma and mental health stigma
(45:00) Ariella's insights on community and healing

🔗 Connect with Zaakah:
Website: www.zaakah.org | Instagram
📞 Hotline: 1-888-492-2524

Outcry Podcast 

https://www.facebook.com/zaakah

🔗 Connect with Reena Friedman Watts:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

If you've ever wondered how trauma shapes our lives — and why advocacy and community support matter for survivors of sexual abuse — this episode of Better Call Daddy is a must-listen.

Need support? Zaakah's hotline: 1-888-492-2524 | www.zaakah.org

What draws us to true crime and what does it say about us?

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Jerry Matz, the mind behind the hit Instagram account ID Crime Vault, for an honest conversation about true crime, storytelling, and the family moments that shape who we become.

Jerry traces his love of true crime back to childhood watching shows like Joe Kenda and Hollywood Demons with family, and slowly realizing he didn't just want to consume these stories. He wanted to tell them.

Reena and Jerry dig into what makes crime narratives so compelling, how he built a loyal community one consistent post at a time, and why patience might be the most underrated skill in content creation.

The conversation also gets real about the darker side of the industry — the psychological toll reality TV takes on its participants, and the responsibility creators and media have to portray crime with accuracy and empathy.

🎙️ WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE:
- Jerry's origin story in the true crime world
- How family shapes the interests we carry into adulthood
- The psychology behind why crime stories grip us
- Empathy as a storytelling superpower
- Reality TV's hidden cost on its participants
- Growing a community around a shared passion

💭 MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM JERRY:
"Sometimes people like suspense. They like the mystery. It's like a mystery book."
"You never know what you're going to get out of it. Just try it and don't quit."

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Meet Jerry Matz true crime storyteller
(05:15) The family influences behind his passion
(15:30) The psychology of crime media
(25:00) Reality TV's darker realities
(35:45) Building community through shared obsession
(45:00) Grandpa's take on crime, media & responsibility

🔗 CONNECT WITH JERRY:
Instagram

🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

If you've ever found yourself three hours deep in a true crime rabbit hole and wondered why — this episode is for you.

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Jey Young, a mental health counselor and podcaster, to talk about holding grief and joy at once. Just weeks before welcoming his baby boy into the world, Jey lost his father to suicide.

Jey Young opens up about what it's like to process devastating loss while celebrating new life, sharing raw, unfiltered insight into that emotional whiplash. Together, Reena and Jey dig into the nuances of mental health, the power of open communication, and why community support matters most in moments of crisis.

The conversation traces how Jey's experiences have reshaped his understanding of fatherhood and mental health, offering listeners real takeaways on resilience, connection, and the importance of checking in on the people we love. Reena and Jey also reflect on their own stories, underscoring how vulnerability and authenticity are what make relationships meaningful.

It's also Men's Mental Health Month, and this episode is a reminder of why that matters: men are still far less likely to ask for help or talk about what they're carrying, even when it's costing them everything.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text, 24/7.

🎙️ WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE:

Jey's experience with grief alongside the birth of his son

Holding space for loss and new life at the same time

Navigating mental health conversations, especially among men

Why reaching out and showing up for each other matters

Building real connection through vulnerability

What podcasting has taught Jey about sharing stories

💭 MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM JEY:

"Life is a lot emptier. My phone feels a lot heavier, and my call log feels empty."

"Just to check on people, just to ask how they're doing, just to be there for them, just to show up for them."

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Introduction to Jey Young
(05:15) Jey's journey through grief and fatherhood
(15:30) Why mental health conversations matter
(25:00) Supporting loved ones through difficult times
(35:45) Vulnerability and the power of storytelling
(45:00) Wisdom from Reena's dad on parenting and connection

🔗 CONNECT WITH JEY YOUNG:
Instagram | Website

🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Join us for this heartfelt conversation about sharing our stories and showing up for one another through life's hardest and most beautiful moments.

What happens when deep grief meets the journey of healing, honesty, and vulnerability?

In this heartfelt episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts reconnects with Malisa Hepner grief expert and host of Emotionally Unavailable who has faced unimaginable loss.

Malisa shares her profound journey through the heartache of losing her child, revealing the layers of grief that come with such a loss and how it has shaped her understanding of emotional availability.

Malisa opens up about her experiences with loss, including the passing of her parents and her child, and how these events have reshaped her perspective on vulnerability and connection. Reena and Malisa dive deep into authentic communication, the discomfort that often accompanies grief, and the necessity of allowing yourself to feel every emotion without judgment.

They also talk honestly about the adjustments that come with major life changes how grief forces you to rebuild your sense of normal, and what that process actually looks like day to day.

They discuss how societal expectations often lead to dismissive responses to grief, the importance of creating safe spaces for those who are mourning, and the power of vulnerability and community support.

Sharing one's story, they explore, can be a healing act not just for the person grieving, but for everyone who hears it.

🎙️ WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE:

Malisa's journey through grief and loss

The impact of emotional availability on relationships

Strategies for coping with loss and fostering connection

The importance of authentic communication in healing

How to support someone who is grieving

Navigating the adjustments and changes that come with major life shifts

The role of community and nourishment in the grieving process

Navigating vulnerability and fear in conversations about grief

💭 MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM MALISA:
"If we can't have an authentic conversation, I'd rather us just pass each other, not say a word."
"The only shift really has become more of, like, yeah, me too."
"I just want to connect with people. Whatever we're talking about, I want to connect."
"I can't do anything that doesn't just give me light or is part of my life force."

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Introduction to Malisa Hepner
(05:15) Malisa's experiences with loss and grief
(15:30) The importance of vulnerability in communication
(25:00) How to support someone in mourning
(35:45) The healing power of sharing stories
(45:00) Reena's reflections on grief and connection

🔗 CONNECT WITH MALISA HEPNER:
Instagram | Linktree

🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS:
YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram

Join us for this enlightening conversation that reminds us of the power of connection, empathy, and the importance of sharing our stories in the face of tragedy.

Reena goes on the other side of the mic and brings it back home.

This one's a flip of the script. Robert Plank — podcaster, interviewer, and WordPress wizard who's sat across from over a thousand guests — turns the tables and interviews Reena on his own show. Then Wayne tunes in, weighs in, and Reena wraps it with a custom intro just for the Better Call Daddy family.

The conversation covers what happens when you spend years behind the mic before you ever step in front of it: how early experiences in entertainment shaped Reena's approach to storytelling, why vulnerability is the through-line of every great interview, and what it actually takes to find your voice as a podcaster. Robert brings the craft perspective — Reena brings the heart — and Wayne brings the commentary only a dad can.

🎙 HOW THIS EPISODE WORKS:
Robert Plank's show interviews Reena → Wayne listens and weighs in → Reena adds a custom BCD intro

🔑 WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE:
• What shaped Reena's storytelling instincts — and where the Better Call Daddy concept actually came from
• Why vulnerability is the non-negotiable ingredient in any interview that sticks
• Blending education with entertainment — lessons from 1,000+ interviews on Robert's end
• How to research guests, find your voice, and actually connect with your audience
• The evolution of Better Call Daddy — from concept to community
• Networking, relationship-building, and why the conversations you have off-mic matter just as much

⏱ TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Reena's custom intro for the BCD audience
(05:15) Robert's background and how he got to 1,000+ interviews
(15:30) Making podcasts fun without sacrificing substance
(25:00) Reena's time in entertainment and what it taught her
(35:45) Practical advice for aspiring podcasters
(45:00) Wayne weighs in — dad's take on the whole thing

🔗 CONNECT WITH ROBERT PLANK:
https://robertplank.com/

🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube