Jordan Rosenblum explores the profound symbolism of the pig in Jewish culture, highlighting how it's been used to affirm and challenge Jewish identity throughout history. His book "Forbidden" delves into the complexity of kashrut laws, showcasing the pig as a powerful metaphor for Jewish self-definition, resistance, and identity formation.

Cary Nelson discusses how universities have shifted from their foundational principles of free inquiry to embracing ideological conformity, driven partly by growing anti-Zionism. This trend has adversely affected Jewish students and faculty, highlighting the urgent need to restore academic freedom and intellectual debate on campus.

Cary Nelson discusses the ideological decline in universities, particularly how anti-Zionism has contributed to current campus climates of ideological conformity and antisemitism. He argues that comprehensive external oversight and diverse experiences outside academia are vital for restoring academic freedom and intellectual inquiry.

AJ Edelman, the first Orthodox Jewish athlete in the Winter Olympics, shares insights from the World Bobsled Championships and highlights the challenges faced by Israel's bobsled team in terms of funding, equipment, and recruitment. Despite the dangers and difficulty of the sport, Edelman's passion remains evident as he details both the technical aspects of bobsledding and the operational hurdles in managing the team.

Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz argues in favor of embracing dual loyalty for American Jews, advocating for simultaneous loyalty to both America and Israel as a harmonious concept. He discusses the historical context of dual loyalty, the post-October 7th Jewish identity crisis, and the societal differences between the potential acceptance of Jews in America and Europe.

Salvador Litvak, the "Accidental Talmudist," discusses his new film "Guns and Moses," about a small-town rabbi who becomes a gunslinger following an attack on his community. Litvak also shares his journey to observant Judaism and the challenges of accurately representing Jewish characters in media.

Ilya Shapiro discusses the legal grounds for Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation from the U.S., emphasizing that it's a matter of immigration law violations due to advocating for terrorist groups, not a free speech issue. The episode critiques the mismanagement of Khalil's case by the left and some Jewish organizations, highlighting their reluctance to support these legal immigration actions.

Journalist Eli Lake critiques Trump’s handling of Ukraine, highlighting missteps including potential appeasement towards Putin, while analyzing Israel’s strategic stance post-Hamas ceasefire. Discussions extend to ongoing Middle Eastern issues with a nuanced view of regional politics and individual nations' roles in current conflicts.

In this episode, the team discusses the new streaming show 'Kugel,' a prequel to the popular series 'Shtisel.' Actress Hadas Yaron shares insights on her role and the series' impact on Jewish culture.

Yehonatan Indursky returns with a new prequel to 'Shtisel' called 'Kugel,' highlighting the rich narrative of Libbi and her father Nuchem Shtisel in Antwerp. Hadas Yaron, playing Libbi, shares insights into this fresh portrayal and the relevance of diverse Jewish narratives, reflecting on the show's impact in strengthening Jewish identity.

Dara Horn discusses the challenging realities of modern antisemitism while encouraging optimism for the Jewish future, as highlighted by her latest children's graphic novel, "One Little Goat." The conversation critiques societal responses to antisemitism and emphasizes the importance of understanding Jewish identity beyond a religious framework.

Renowned author Dara Horn shares her insights on dealing with the anger and frustration from recent events affecting the Jewish community and discusses her new Passover-themed time-traveling graphic novel, "One Little Goat." The episode delves into historical patterns of internal Jewish conflict and resilience, offering a hopeful perspective on combating antisemitism.

Author Dara Horn discusses the collective anger of Jews following recent tragic events, offering insights into coping with antisemitism while maintaining hope through history. Her new Passover-themed graphic novel for children introduces innovative storytelling that integrates Jewish history and tradition through a fantastical journey, emphasizing resilience and hope.

Rabbi Irving Greenberg presents his thought-provoking theories on the evolution of Jewish theology and the possibility of reforming Orthodox Judaism to reflect modern values. He emphasizes human responsibility and agency in the contemporary era, especially in relation to historic and potentially contentious issues like the Holocaust and LGBTQ rights.

AJ Edelman, the first Orthodox Jew to compete in the Winter Olympics, discusses his journey as an athlete, the challenges faced by Jewish athletes, and his mission to promote Jewish involvement in sports. Despite cultural obstacles, Edelman is committed to fostering future Jewish athletic talent and proudly representing Israel on the global stage.

AJ Edelman, the first Orthodox Jew to compete in the Winter Olympics, discusses the challenges and triumphs of being an Israeli bobsledder and the cultural attitudes of Jews towards sports. He also delves into his ongoing efforts in Israeli sports advocacy, the practicalities of maintaining orthodox practices while competing, and his role in speaking out for Israel amid geopolitical tensions.

AJ Edelman, an Orthodox Jew and pilot of the Israeli bobsled team, discusses his journey to becoming a Winter Olympian and the challenges he faces in raising visibility and support for Jews in sports. He talks about the obstacles, cultural perceptions, and his commitment to representing Israel while also addressing recent events impacting the Israeli community.

Jennifer Sey discusses her journey from a national gymnastics champion to a CEO advocating for women's rights in sports, emphasizing the challenges she faced due to her controversial views on COVID-19 policies and trans athletes in women's sports. Her conversation sheds light on corporate America's shift towards 'woke capitalism' and the personal and professional fallout she experienced for standing by her beliefs.

Journalist and friendship expert Anna Goldfarb discusses the complexities of maintaining and building friendships in modern times, emphasizing the need for meaningful connections in one's social circles. Through the lens of Jewish cultural experiences, she explores how friendships can evolve due to shared interests and life changes, especially considering recent societal shifts affecting Jewish communities.

Anna Goldfarb explores the intricacies of modern friendship, emphasizing the need for clear and meaningful connections in a digitally-driven world. She discusses how social identity support and appropriate 'abouts' are essential for sustaining friendships, particularly across cultural and religious divides.