Daily Podcasts Video Research

People of the Pod

People of the Pod is a weekly podcast analyzing global affairs through a Jewish lens, brought to you by American Jewish Committee. Host Manya Brachear Pashman examines current events, the people driving them, and what it all means for America, Israel, and the Jewish people.
4 Sep 2025
Architects of Peace: Episode 2 - Behind the Breakthrough
The episode delves into the behind-the-scenes diplomacy that led to the Abraham Accords, focusing on the strategic decisions and key figures involved, like Ambassador David Friedman and General Miguel Correa. It highlights the shift from the long-held belief that Middle East peace was contingent on Israeli-Palestinian resolution to a new regional paradigm emphasized by the historic agreements with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco.
28 Aug 2025
Architects of Peace: Episode 1 - The Road to the Deal
AJC Chief of Policy and Political Affairs, Jason Isaacson, recounts the long and complex path leading to the signing of the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. He emphasizes the enduring efforts to build trust and counter the prevailing narratives that hindered Israeli-Arab relationships for decades.
15 Aug 2025
3 Ways Jewish College Students are Building Strength Amid Hate
Jewish college students globally are responding to rising antisemitism by establishing supportive communities on their campuses, evident in stories from Australia, Argentina, and the U.S. The speakers share personal experiences of activism, community building, and resilience in facing antisemitic challenges before and after the October 7 Hamas attacks.
7 Aug 2025
From the Amazon to Academia: Antisemitism, Zionism, and Indigenous Identity
Adam Louis-Klein discusses his anthropological research with the Desano tribe in the Amazon and how it led him to reconsider antisemitism and Jewish identity in the context of contemporary academia. He explores the existential challenges of Jewish peoplehood in the face of rising anti-Zionist sentiments that often distort historical fact and dialogue.
1 Aug 2025
War and Poetry: Owen Lewis on Being a Jewish Poet in a Time of Crisis
Acclaimed poet and professor Owen Lewis delves into the role of poetry in addressing trauma and grief following significant events such as the October 7th attacks. He discusses his experiences as a Jewish professor amid rising antisemitism on campus and the power of poetry to bridge divides in conflict-ridden times.
24 Jul 2025
An Orange Tie and A Grieving Crowd: Comedian Yohay Sponder on Jewish Resilience
Yohay Sponder, an Israeli comedian, shares how his work has evolved to offer resilience and connection through humor amidst adversity. During his tour, he uses comedy to both affirm his Jewish identity and challenge misconceptions, even in the face of protests and cancellations.
17 Jul 2025
From Broadway to Jewish Advocacy: Jonah Platt on Identity, Antisemitism, and Israel
Jonah Platt, known for his role in "Wicked," discusses his transition to Jewish advocacy following the escalation of Israel-Gaza tensions. He reflects on media misrepresentations of Israel, the nuances of Jewish identity, and previews his film "The Mensch," which aims to tell modern Jewish stories.
11 Jul 2025
Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War: The Dinah Project’s Quest to Hold Hamas Accountable
Ruth Halperin-Kaddari discusses The Dinah Project's efforts to document and hold Hamas accountable for using systematic sexual violence as a weapon of war during the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. The report compiled by The Dinah Project aggregates evidence and testimonies to substantiate these atroities, aiming for prosecution under international law.
3 Jul 2025
Journalist Matti Friedman Exposes Media Bias Against Israel
Journalist Matti Friedman critiques media coverage of Israel, highlighting biased narratives and activist journalism, particularly regarding Palestinian conflict reporting. He laments the decline of traditional journalism standards and emphasizes a need for new institutions focused on truth and comprehensive Jewish education to counter antisemitism.
26 Jun 2025
John Spencer’s Key Takeaways After the 12-Day War: Air Supremacy, Intelligence, and Deterrence
John Spencer analyzes Israel's successful air campaign against Iran, which dismantled Iran's nuclear infrastructure and decapitated its military leadership without sparking a wider regional conflict. He discusses the strategic impact of Israel's actions and the implications for future Israeli and U.S. military doctrines.
18 Jun 2025
Iran's Secret Nuclear Program and What Comes Next in the Iranian Regime vs. Israel War
Dr. Matthew Levitt discusses the ongoing military conflict between Israel and Iran, exploring Israel's efforts to dismantle Iran's nuclear program and the implications for regional stability. He emphasizes the critical role that Iran's network of terror proxies, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, play in maintaining its regional influence and the potential global consequences of Iran achieving nuclear capability.
13 Jun 2025
Why Israel Had No Choice: Inside the Defensive Strike That Shook Iran’s Nuclear Program
Israel launched Operation Rising Lion: preemptive military strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile sites, seen as essential for national security to prevent an imminent nuclear threat. The discussion covers why this move was deemed necessary despite international diplomatic efforts and anticipates potential regional consequences.
12 Jun 2025
What Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ State of the Jewish World Teaches Us Today
Revisiting Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks' 2014 address at the AJC Global Forum, this discussion highlights his timeless insights on Jewish celebration, resilience, and identity amidst antisemitism. Drawing from his diverse influence and moral foresight, Sacks advocated for embracing Jewish unity and dignity as both a global compass and an antidote to hate.
6 Jun 2025
“They Were Bridge Builders”: Remembering Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky
Tragically, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two members of the Israeli diplomatic community, were murdered after leaving an AJC event in Washington, D.C. This episode commemorates their impactful lives through colleagues' stories, highlighting Sarah's peacebuilding in Morocco and Yaron's efforts to strengthen Israel's regional ties.
29 May 2025
AJC’s CEO Ted Deutch: Messages That Moved Me After the D.C. Tragedy
AJC CEO Ted Deutch reflects on the murders of Israeli embassy employees Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim and emphasizes the need for creating a safer future for Jews worldwide. Amid rising antisemitism, Deutch highlights the importance of changing the public conversation around Jewish safety and addressing the root causes of such violence.
15 May 2025
Modern-Day Miriams: Jewish Women Shaping Global Diplomacy
Jewish women leaders are significantly influencing global diplomacy and conflict resolution through innovative approaches and by highlighting gender equality's role in peace processes. This discussion emphasizes the critical need to include women in decision-making at international tables, backed by data demonstrating more sustainable outcomes when women participate.
9 May 2025
A United Front: U.S. Colleges and AJC Commit to Fighting Campus Antisemitism
Amid escalating antisemitism on U.S. college campuses, over 1,600 institutions pledged reforms to create a safer environment for Jewish students, in partnership with the American Jewish Committee. This initiative aims to balance efforts against antisemitism with safeguarding academic freedom, highlighting the need for change in administrative practices and educational approaches.
23 Apr 2025
Why TikTok is the Place to Talk about Antisemitism: With Holocaust Survivor Tova Friedman
Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman shares her harrowing childhood experiences and discusses her mission to combat antisemitism using platforms like TikTok. Lisa Marlowe discusses educational initiatives and her family's history of rescuing Jews during the Holocaust.
22 Apr 2025
What Is Pope Francis' Legacy With the Jewish Community?
Rabbi Noam Marans reflects on Pope Francis' lasting impact on Catholic-Jewish relations, highlighting his alignment with Jews and Israel through symbolic acts, such as visiting Israel and condemning antisemitism. Nevertheless, recent tensions have emerged due to the Pope's comments following the Israel-Hamas conflict, questioning future interfaith dynamics.
11 Apr 2025
Inside the New U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks: What’s at Stake?
Jason Isaacson discusses the intricacies of current US-Iran nuclear negotiations, emphasizing the legacy of the 2015 Iran deal, Iran's uranium stockpiling, and the approaching deadline for UN sanctions. With the stakes incredibly high, the episode explores the challenges and potential outcomes of diplomatic talks, alongside the potential for military conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US.