Amichai Lau-Lavie, an openly gay Jewish leader, redefines Jewish spirituality by blending traditional practices with contemporary inclusivity through his creation, Lab/Shul. The podcast also explores his personal journey of reconciling his Orthodox background with his identity, and his role in Amos Gitai's documentary, Sabbath Queen.

Rabbi Aaron Rotenberg discusses how Jewish Renewal tradition integrates environmentalism as a central tenet of Judaism, emphasizing an Earth-based spiritual practice. Highlighting his journey from Conservative to Renewal Judaism, he illustrates how eco-spirituality and inclusive, innovative religious services can engage younger Jewish communities.

Dr. Robert Enright discusses the concept of forgiveness, emphasizing it as a powerful choice that can coexist with the pursuit of justice. He elaborates on the psychological and spiritual benefits of forgiveness, explaining how it can alleviate resentment and promote healing even in deeply divided communities.

Gary Topp revolutionized Toronto's cultural scene in the 1970s and 1980s, bringing countercultural acts to Canada and transforming venues like the Roxy Theatre into hubs for underground culture. His new book, 'He Hijacked My Brain,' documents his impact on the city's music scene and reflects on the shifts in community dynamics over the decades.

Nobu Adilman discusses the growth of Choir! Choir! Choir! from a humble living room gathering to a large-scale community singing event, emphasizing the power of music to create connection and community outside of traditional religious frameworks. Adilman reflects on the choir's emotional impact on participants and the potential for communal singing to fill the gap left by declining organized religious participation.

Playwright Mark Leiren-Young discusses his revival of Shylock and its relation to contemporary cancel culture, antisemitism, and the complexities of storytelling as a means of artistic expression. Collaborating with actor Saul Rubinek, he explores themes of identity, censorship, and the enduring impact of Shakespeare's controversial character Shylock on Jewish perceptions in a post-pandemic world.

Veteran filmmaker Allan Novak created "Crossing the River: From Poland to Paradise," a documentary about his family, the world's oldest living Holocaust survivor siblings who remarkably survived by being deported to Siberia. Novak shares the resilient and life-affirming story of his family, their survival without witnessing the atrocities of concentration camps, and their eventual thriving life in Canada.

Michael Coren, an Anglican priest with a complex spiritual journey from Judaism to various forms of Christianity, discusses the themes of forgiveness and moral responsibility outlined in his memoir. He reflects on his changing views, including past conservative stances and his more recent embrace of inclusivity, particularly concerning the LGBTQ community.

Eva Almos, a voice actress and daughter of Holocaust survivors, illuminates how her mother's positivity amidst trauma influenced her latest work on an audio drama about Holocaust zombies. Her candid discussion reveals the intersection of personal history, therapy, and storytelling in grappling with generational trauma and finding creative inspiration.

Artist Devon Spier discusses finding spiritual meaning and creative inspiration in the liminal spaces between suffering and peace, particularly through her experience with long COVID. Spier explores themes of wilderness, human connection, and personal struggle in her new exhibit, "18 Plus One," which weaves art, poetry, and spirituality.

Neshama Carlebach, daughter of the renowned Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, discusses her journey from musician to future rabbi, spurred by a realization of deep-rooted antisemitism. Emphasizing tikkun olam through tikkun hanefesh, she reflects on her father's legacy while embracing her identity and defying societal expectations within the Jewish community.

Neshama Carlebach reflects on her journey from growing up as the daughter of the renowned Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach to embracing her own path as a singer and soon-to-be rabbi. Amidst rising antisemitism, she discusses her aspiration to be a "rabbi who fights" while continuing her father's legacy through music and teaching.

In this episode, Jesse Brown discusses how his commitment to spotlighting antisemitism in Canada led to a backlash from his progressive supporters, resulting in a significant drop in support. Brown explores the challenges of maintaining journalistic objectivity amidst growing public polarization and the evolving role of media in contemporary society.

Jesse Brown, a prominent media critic, discusses the backlash he faced after highlighting antisemitic incidents in Canada, which led to a significant loss of his progressive supporters. He remains committed to reporting objectively on antisemitic attacks despite the controversy and challenges posed by the current media landscape.

Rabbi Victor Gross explores the concept of "deep ecumenism," emphasizing interfaith cooperation and the notion that all religions can contribute positive values to humanity. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of creating religious communities that are open and inclusive, while addressing the decline of traditional religious participation.

Rabbi Victor Gross in Boulder, CO, is fostering unity by reimagining traditional religious structures and embracing "deep ecumenism," a term denoting a higher level of interfaith work that prioritizes acceptance and collaboration among different religious communities. By forgoing a standalone building for his congregation and instead renting space from an open and affirming Lutheran church, Rabbi Gross exemplifies a path of tolerance and unity in a time when many synagogues are closing and congregations shrinking. On the podcast "Not That Kind of Rabbi," hosted by his former student Ralph Benmergui, Rabbi Gross discusses how rethinking religious practices can transform faith into a unifying rather than divisive force.

Mary Darling, a Canadian TV producer of Baha'i faith, reflects on the irony of the Baha'i headquarters in Haifa being close to potential conflict with Lebanon while advocating for unity among humankind. In discussions with Ralph Benmergui, she explores the potential for a global transition towards unity and peace, questioning the role of the United Nations in global governance. The conversation delves into whether such ideas are feasible or merely idealistic notions. Darling shares her perspective from Haifa, where she was visiting the Baha'i headquarters.

Mary Darling, a Canadian television producer and member of the Baha'i faith, discusses the Baha'i perspective on conflict and unity from the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa amidst ongoing tensions in Israel. Drawing from her faith's teachings, Darling emphasizes the potential of global unity and the challenges posed by nationalism and sectarianism.

Bernie Farber, former chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, discusses the organization's lack of response to the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and his subsequent resignation. The conversation explores the shifting dynamics of progressive activism and its stance on Jewish issues, specifically antisemitism and Zionism.

Bernie Farber reflects on his resignation from the Canadian Anti-Hate Network and the broader challenges that face progressive Jews amid rising antisemitism post-October 7th. He elaborates on the complexities within Canadian Jewish communities and their relationships within broader left-wing movements.