Your Unhinged Is My Success — CEO of Lifeway, Julie Smolyansky episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 18, 2026 · 45 MIN

Your Unhinged Is My Success — CEO of Lifeway, Julie Smolyansky

from People Jew Wanna Know · host People Jew Wanna Know

Julie Smolyansky is the immigrant founder and CEO of Lifeway Kefir, who turned a family business into a category-defining wellness brand—and did a some truly unhinged things along the way to make it work. In this episode, we talk about our shared Russian-speaking Jewish heritage, grit, raising kids while scaling a company, and how Julie thinks about Jewish leadership and antisemitism today. Follow Julie Smolyansky on Instagram @juliesmolyansky and check out Lifeway Kefir wherever you buy your groceries! Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknowWhat We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda02:49 Immigrating to America & creation of Lifeway 15:14 Unhinged things Julie did to grow business & what she's learned31:06 What are Julie's kids up to? 35:00 On antisemitism 37:20 How did Julie find her mentors? 39:32 Julie's message to Jewish people44:08 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Julie Smolyansky is the immigrant founder and CEO of Lifeway Kefir, who turned a family business into a category-defining wellness brand—and did a some truly unhinged things along the way to make it work. In this episode, we talk about our shared Russian-speaking Jewish heritage, grit, raising kids while scaling a company, and how Julie thinks about Jewish leadership and antisemitism today. Follow Julie Smolyansky on Instagram @juliesmolyansky and check out Lifeway Kefir wherever you buy your groceries! Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknowWhat We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda02:49 Immigrating to America & creation of Lifeway 15:14 Unhinged things Julie did to grow business & what she's learned31:06 What are Julie's kids up to? 35:00 On antisemitism 37:20 How did Julie find her mentors? 39:32 Julie's message to Jewish people44:08 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

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Your Unhinged Is My Success — CEO of Lifeway, Julie Smolyansky

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This episode was published on February 18, 2026.

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Julie Smolyansky is the immigrant founder and CEO of Lifeway Kefir, who turned a family business into a category-defining wellness brand—and did a some truly unhinged things along the way to make it work. In this episode, we talk about our shared...

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