# From Stress to Serenity ft. Simon Baum

From **Shtark Tank with Yaakov Wolff** by Yaakov Wolff.

- **Published:** Mon, 09 Jun 2025 04:15:00 GMT
- **Duration:** 00:46:40
- **Audio:** https://anchor.fm/s/e45c8048/podcast/play/103838541/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-5-8%2F401799492-44100-2-d4ed6273ca2d8.m4a
- **Page:** https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/yaakov-wolff/episodes/From-Stress-to-Serenity-ft--Simon-Baum-e33vdcd
- **TorahApp:** https://torahapp.org/share/p/3P_shtark_tank/e/0ffd1b84-8cbb-4f84-a4c2-549e846a6adc

<p>Simon Baum is a seasoned lawyer, a Daf Yomi maggid shiur (twice daily!), and a thoughtful voice on what it means to live an integrated Torah life while fully immersed in the workforce. But his real story begins not with success, but with a breakdown.</p><p>In this moving and practical conversation, Simon opens up about:</p><ul><li><p>Hitting rock bottom <em>after</em> closing a billion-dollar deal</p></li><li><p>Reframing his relationship with Hashem from stress to serenity</p></li><li><p>Giving a Daf Yomi shiur as a path to deeper learning and community</p></li><li><p>The relationship between professional success and spiritual growth</p></li></ul><p>Simon shares his high-powered legal career, his weekly flights between London and Israel, and the moment of inner collapse that made him question everything—even at the peak of outward success.</p><p>Real growth came not from switching jobs—but from changing his view of what it means to live with Hashem. Guilt-based Yiddishkeit gave way to an honest, intimate relationship with the Ribbono Shel Olam.</p><p>Simon moved to a Tel Aviv law firm, enabling a less frantic schedule and new consistency in his learning. His twice-daily Daf Yomi shiur has grown into a tight-knit chevra with shared values and simchas.</p><p>Work isn’t just a B’dieved. Simon explains how his law career actually deepened his Torah—offering insights, challenges, and identity shifts he couldn&#39;t have experienced elsewhere.</p><p>Simon explores how to grow spiritually without falling into toxic introspection, and how healthier self-worth leads to healthier avodah, relationships, and responses to stress.</p><ul><li><p><em>Olam HaYedidus</em> by Rav Shlomo Wolbe</p></li><li><p><em>Bikshu M’sham</em> and <em>K’savim</em> by Rav Soloveitchik</p></li><li><p><em>Crossing the Unknown Sea</em> by David Whyte</p></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Money Quote: “Real relationships have closeness and distance. You don’t do Avodas Hashem just to tick boxes—you do it because it’s real, and you want to live it.”</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p><br></p><p>00:00 Intro and Early Life</p><p>04:17 The Turning Point: Realizing the Need for Change</p><p>10:02 Transforming Life: Practical Changes and New Perspectives</p><p>17:00 Integrating Faith and Daily Life: A New Approach</p><p>21:59 The Pilgrimage of Identity in Work</p><p>23:50 Crisis and Self-Discovery</p><p>27:19 Managing Stress and Relationships</p><p>31:17 Navigating Self-Reflection and Growth</p><p>35:39 Seeking Professional Help vs. Self-Help</p><p>41:50 Future Aspirations</p><p>44:00 Lightning Round </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>