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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

Seth Siegel has a penchant for following his curiosity and doing the unexpected. As a serial entrepreneur, Seth seamlessly moves from one endeavor to the next. This agility led to a diverse range of experience, from practicing law to licensing trademarks, and from writing an award-winning book on the global water crisis to producing a Broadway show. This unconventional career trajectory may have made his stability-oriented father nervous, but Seth achieved wide success across industries, and is a shining example of forging one's own path.Join Gil as he queries Seth on his approach to business, investment in the arts, and why he believes the solution to the global water crisis can be found in Israel. 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

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

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

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

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

Ten days in Israel and an inherited passion for Indonesia were all Niruban Balachandran needed to dedicate his life to cultivating connections between unlikely cultures. Where others saw the likelihood of failure, Niruban saw opportunity. Believing that his global finance background would be instrumental in promoting peace, he leveraged his experience to transition into the field of international aid.In this storymark spotlight episode, Niruban shares how his grandfather and an Indonesian diplomat played a role in shaping his career. Meanwhile, Gil uncovers the profound impact of Niruban's initial trip to the Middle East.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

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