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<div class="span index">1</div> <span><a class="" data-remote="true" data-type="html" href="/series/travis-makes-money">Travis Makes Money</a></span>
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You can't save your way to your dream life anymore. The truth is, you’re gonna need to learn to make more money. The Travis Makes Money Podcast is not your typical personal finance show. Rather than shaming you for buying a Starbucks coffee or pressuring you to become a billionaire, we focus on empowering you to make more money so you can enjoy life today while preparing for your future. You don’t have to cut back so much that you miss out on the present, and you don’t need to become the next Jeff Bezos either. Hosted by veteran podcaster Travis Chappell, each daily episode features interviews with regular people just like you – yes, you – who have learned how to make more money in unique and unconventional ways. From turning side hustles into an extra six figures to building massive business empires, these conversations dive into the mindset shifts, hard-earned lessons, and simple strategies that helped these individuals succeed. With over 1,000 podcast episodes under his belt, Travis has developed a unique ability to pull out inspiring stories and practical advice you can apply to your own financial journey that you just won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you’re looking for strategies on side hustles, skill building, investing, building generational wealth, or just motivation to take your next steps, this podcast is your resource. Tune in daily for insights, actionable tips, and inspiration from some of the most successful and interesting money-makers on the planet.
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Inhalt bereitgestellt von JCast Network. Alle Podcast-Inhalte, einschließlich Episoden, Grafiken und Podcast-Beschreibungen, werden direkt von JCast Network oder seinem Podcast-Plattformpartner hochgeladen und bereitgestellt. Wenn Sie glauben, dass jemand Ihr urheberrechtlich geschütztes Werk ohne Ihre Erlaubnis nutzt, können Sie dem hier beschriebenen Verfahren folgen https://de.player.fm/legal.
Welcome to the JCast Network Total Feed. This podcast feed will provide you with ALL of the many different podcasts that JCast Network creates, all at once. No need to subscribe individually, because it will all come to you just by subscribing here. Are you ready for that much content?
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500 Episoden
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Manage series 1001238
Inhalt bereitgestellt von JCast Network. Alle Podcast-Inhalte, einschließlich Episoden, Grafiken und Podcast-Beschreibungen, werden direkt von JCast Network oder seinem Podcast-Plattformpartner hochgeladen und bereitgestellt. Wenn Sie glauben, dass jemand Ihr urheberrechtlich geschütztes Werk ohne Ihre Erlaubnis nutzt, können Sie dem hier beschriebenen Verfahren folgen https://de.player.fm/legal.
Welcome to the JCast Network Total Feed. This podcast feed will provide you with ALL of the many different podcasts that JCast Network creates, all at once. No need to subscribe individually, because it will all come to you just by subscribing here. Are you ready for that much content?
…
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500 Episoden
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What do we owe the past — and each other? In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky unpack ‘A Real Pain’, the poignant new film that follows two cousins on a journey through Poland, confronting history, family, and their own complicated relationship. Through the lens of Jewish tradition, we explore how grief, memory, and humor intertwine. Join us as we reflect on the power of confronting history, the pain of remembrance, and the many miracles that shape and impact our lives. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven are back at, trying to wade through (and remember!) the week’s major developments. They talk about Trump’s proposal for the US to take control of Gaza and empty it of its inhabitants and the positive response that this received from many on the “pro-Israel” side of the equation. They also talk about the gutting of USAID and the other havoc being wreaked on the federal government; finally they turn their attention to the upcoming SuperBowl. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
Brad and Steven are back at it this week, talking about the looming trade war with Canada and Mexico, the unempathetic president, the death of DEI and what that may mean for Jewish Heritage Month. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
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1 Knowing the ‘Complete Unknown’ 1:02:55
1:02:55
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Who is Bob Dylan, really? In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are joined by friend-of-the-pod Henry Bernstein to explore ‘A Complete Unknown’, the new biopic that takes us behind the enigmatic persona of one of music’s most influential figures. As we unpack Dylan’s journey of self-discovery and reinvention, we examine how his quest for identity mirrors some of the profound themes in Jewish tradition. From the Torah’s stories of transformation to the Talmud’s wisdom on authenticity, we explore what it means to be both true to yourself and constantly evolving. Tune in for a reflection on the tension between fame, self-expression, and the search for meaning in an ever-changing world. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Brad and Steven are back, talking about the first week of the new Trump administration — it’s hard to believe that we’re only five days in and the guys have already forgotten the number of truly awful things that are happening, The guys also talk about their recent dinner in freezing New York City, the curious hand gesture of Elon Musk and the strange reaction by the head of the ADL, and the importance of the number 15. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
Brad and Steven are back and talking about the incoming Trump administration, what their algorithms are serving them on social media, potential sponsors for the podcast, why they won’t go to see a Rolling Stones concert and Snoop Dogg playing at the inauguration. Have a listen and stay warm this week! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
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What can an undercover spy in a retirement home teach us about aging, purpose, and truly living? In this episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss ‘A Man on the Inside,’ the new Netflix comedy from show runner Michael Schur and star Ted Danson that finds meaning — and some mischief — in life’s later years. Through the lens of Jewish tradition, we explore how aging brings new opportunities for growth, and what it means to embrace every stage of life with curiosity and courage. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Brad and Steven are back for their first podcast of 2025. It may be a new year, but things seem to have picked up right where they left off in 2024. The guys discuss the car ramming attack in New Orleans and the Tesla blowing up in Las Vegas. They also talk about the documentary film “ The Bibi Files ,” which leads to an extensive discussion about the war in Israel/Gaza. It’s very Middle East heavy this week — please have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
In this episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky dive into ‘Moana 2’, Disney’s follow-up to the beloved original. How does the sequel build on Moana’s journey of self-discovery and leadership? What new lessons does it offer about courage, identity, and the interconnectedness of generations? And how does this chapter deepen the story’s resonance with timeless values and challenges? Join us as we explore the beauty, depth, and waves of inspiration in ‘Moana 2’! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
It’s the last Amen Corner of 2025 and Brad and Steven are back from (another) week’s hiatus. This week, the guys are talking about the emerging rift in Trumpworld between MAGA and DOGE, old-school Italian restaurants, Florida, and plum torts. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Festivus, and Happy New Year! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
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1 The Good, The Bad, and The ‘Wicked’ 1:00:06
1:00:06
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What does it mean to be good? And who gets to decide? In this magical episode of PopTorah, we dive into the world of Wicked, the spellbinding prequel to The Wizard of Oz that flips the script on the nature of good and evil. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they explore how the tale of Elphaba and Glinda challenges our assumptions about morality, power, and friendship, all through the lens of Jewish wisdom. From Talmudic debates on justice to the Torah’s portrayal of misunderstood heroes, we uncover how Wicked invites us to question the stories we tell and the labels we assign. Listen now and embrace the complexities of life’s green-tinted shades of gray! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Unexpectedly, Brad and Steven are back this week due to a faulty airplane. The guys are talking the drones over New Jersey, Chris Christie, Chanukkah, and once again, about how old they are. Spoiler alert: right now, Steven is considerably older than his father-in-law was when Steven got married(!). Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
This week, Brad and Steven are back at it and they’re talking about rage rooms, the potential fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Christmas songs, Van Halen t-shirts, and Trump memorabilia. Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
In this episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss season 2 of the AppleTV+ hit, ‘ Shrinking ‘! After our first deep dive into the series, we couldn’t help but return to explore even more of the lessons it has to offer about therapy, grief, and the messiness of human connection. As we revisit the characters and their journeys, we ask: what’s changed? What’s still resonating? And how does this show continue to capture the complexity of life in a way that feels both funny and painfully real? Once more, with feeling — join us as we try Shrinking on for size… again! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
It’s the post-Thanksgiving episode and Brad and Steven are recapping their respective holidays. In addition to talking about how turkey (the food, not the country) is overrated, they also delve into Matt Gaetz, Madonna, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the need to prepare for the long battle ahead. Happy listening and happy holiday season! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
This week, Brad and Steven are back after another travel related hiatus. They survey how not much has changed over the past couple of weeks — it’s the calm before the storm. They take advantage of the relative quiet to talk about food choices in Saudi Arabia and Miami, the Yankees (and even the NY Giants), and of course, how they’re looking forward to Thanksgiving. Happy listening and Happy Thanksgiving to all of our listeners! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
In this episode, we dive into the rugged and ruthless world of “Yellowstone,” where questions of legacy, land, and loyalty play out against a stunning yet unforgiving backdrop. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky explore the show’s themes of justice, tradition, and the pursuit of power, asking what it means to protect — and even “make great”— a place or a way of life. How does “Yellowstone” reflect broader struggles over identity and belonging in America today, especially in light of the 2024 presidential election, which took place the day before this episode was recorded? Join us for an exploration of this modern Western’s deep moral undertones and cultural resonance. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven talk about, what else? The absolute drubbing that Kamala Harris suffered in the election. What more needs to be said, you might think, and you might be right, but the guys will walk you through their thoughts on this monumental election. They talk about their biggest fears from the new administration and the foreign policy changes that could have huge impacts on the world order. Have a listen. You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
In this episode, we explore the spellbinding new Marvel TV series “Agatha All Along” (streaming on Disney+), where the lines between power, control, and deception blur in thrilling ways. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky dive deep into the show’s themes, unpacking its clever take on leadership, hidden motives, change and the lengths people go to maintain control. What can we learn from Agatha’s manipulations, and how do they reflect larger questions about identity, community, and vulnerability? Join us as we break down the magic, mystery, and meaning behind “Agatha All Along.” Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven are back one last time before the election to talk about, what else? The Yankees and Van Halen. Seriously, while the guys do talk about the World series fiasco and Alex Van Halen’s new memoir, they spend most of the episode talking about the last days of the campaign, how unhinged Trump is getting, and their fears of potential violence. They also finally settled on their grift and this episode will be brought to you by Ivermectin. Have a listen and get out and vote! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
This week, Brad and Steven talk about the Yankees making it to the World Series and about the meaning of fandom (not to mention how much tickets are going for!). They also discuss the decision by the owner of the Washington Post not to endorse a candidate for president as well as the ultimate “bridge and tunnel” event — Trump’s fascist rally that will be held at Madison Square Garden. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
In this episode, we dive into the thought-provoking Netflix series “ Nobody Wants This ,” exploring its funny and sometimes cringey take on identity, community, and the challenges of belonging. Joined by special guest Rabbi Talia Kaplan of Congregation Beth Shalom in Overland Park, Kansas (whose hot take on the show recently went viral), Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss the show’s rich Jewish themes, including the search for love and meaning, the impact of communal expectations, and clergy ethics. Together, we’ll unravel why this series resonates deeply in our contemporary world and why you might just find yourself actually wanting whatever ‘This’ is! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, for the second week in a row, Brad and Steven are back! It’s the post-Yom Kippur episode and the guys discuss whether we’re living in a simulation, flooding in Florida, green salsa in New Mexico, and how everything in the US has become supersized, except for the size of airline seats. Have a listen and Happy New Year! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
After (another) week away, Brad and Steven are back and are talking about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish High Holidays and the length of time that services last. They also talk about the Trump bible, the Yankees in the playoffs, what to eat when you’re in the southwest, and the best Egyptian seafood restaurant in Queens. Happy listening and Happy New Year! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
In this episode, we dive into ‘ Between the Temples ‘, a quirky new indie comedy about a cantor grappling with a crisis of faith. Starring Jason Schwartzman as Ben, a grief-stricken cantor whose life takes an unexpected turn when his former grade school music teacher (Carol Kane) re-enters his life as an unlikely Bat Mitzvah student, this film blends humor, heartbreak, and Jewish identity in unique ways. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they explore the film’s portrayal of faith, loss, and the chaotic beauty of rediscovering purpose. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Brad and Steven are back this week for the second episode of the new season, and they’re talking about accountability (or the lack thereof). They start by looking at the state of the Yankees and go from there to accountability in public life and of course, among our elected officials. They also recap a bit of what has happened since the last podcast and wonder how it will all end. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The rabbis are back from break and ready to talk Torah! The summer of 2024 delivered epic superhero showdowns, headline-grabbing streaming series, and some family-friendly fare. As the summer heat fades, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky dive into the season’s biggest pop culture moments, exploring their deeper meanings and connecting the dots to Jewish values and stories. Tune in for a fun and thoughtful roundup of the movies and shows that had us talking all summer long! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Brad and Steven are back for the ninth season of the Amen Corner! In the first episode, they recap the momentous events of the past summer — President Biden’s disastrous debate, the attempted assassination of the former president, Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race, and the Yankees decision to remove Clay Holmes as their closer. Have a listen and welcome to the new season! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
‘ Inside Out 2 ’ is the sequel to the critically acclaimed and widely beloved 2015 Disney/Pixar animated film ‘Inside Out,” and is proving to be just as successful. By depicting the inner life of an adolescent girl, these films explore how our emotions shape us, for good and for ill. The sequel adds to this by examining the dynamic relationship between our feelings, especially anxiety, and our core beliefs and identities. Does Jewish tradition view our inner lives similarly or differently? Also, the story is intriguingly set when its protagonist, Riley, would become a Bat Mitzvah (if she were Jewish; the movie doesn’t say). What insights does Judaism have about the process and experience of coming of age from an emotional standpoint? Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they get into ‘Inside Out’! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Dune: Part 2 , now streaming on Max, continues the sprawling epic adapted from Frank Herbert’s legendary sci-fi series. Featuring an all-powerful psychotropic mineral, a race of space witches, personal force fields, giant sandworms, Dune explores themes such as power, greed, the nature of heroism, and intersectional liberation — topics about which Judaism also has a lot to say. Also: is riding sandworms akin to Bnai Mitzvah? Let’s find out, as Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky go back to Arrakis on another interstellar episode of PopTorah! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
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Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97 , now streaming on Disney+, is a reboot/sequel to the X-Men animated series that was beloved by older Millennials who grew up in the ‘90s. The sequel is smoother and shinier, but still possesses the same spirit that made the original series so popular: mutant melodrama and pulse-pounding action set-pieces, combined with thinly-veiled political commentary that surfaced complicated ethical issues — and an amazing theme song (which Rabbi Knopf tried, but failed, to incorporate into the episode). What did Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky think of the show? What would the Jewish tradition have to say about the X-Men? And what insights and issues do Professor Xavier’s gifted students and their antagonists raise that are worthy of Jewish consideration? Targets identified, Bub. Here come the X-Mensches! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven were actually together and recorded the final podcast of the season directly from the Amen Corner studios in NYC. To celebrate the end of the season, the guys first went to the happiest place on earth — Barney Greengrass — due to a torrential downpour, they found themselves unable to leave and decided that it was the best possible place for them to be stuck in. Happy listening and have a great summer! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
This week, in what is the penultimate episode of the season, Brad and Steven continue to discuss the campus wars. They also talk about the Washington Post and a recent disturbing article about Jewish power and perceived control over the mayor and police in NYC, bad coffee in the DC area, and what happens when conservatives make good points. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The third installment in PopTorah’s ongoing conversation about Taylor Swift, our resident rabbinic Swifties discuss her latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” Spoiler alert: the reviews were decidedly mixed, and prompted some spirited conversation. We suspect many of you have strong feelings as well. Was it poetry? Or was it torture? (Don’t say we didn’t, say we didn’t warn ya). Or perhaps somewhere in between? And what might Jewish tradition have to say about it all? Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky for hot takes, and even hotter Torah! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven talk (a bit) more about the campus protests and wonder out loud if seeing a non-Arab or a non-Muslim wearing a keffiyeh is triggering. They also ask if it’s cultural appropriation for non-Middle Easterners to wear a keffiyeh. They also talk a bit about New York sports, where the Knicks and Rangers are making relatively deep playoff runs. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
This week, Brad and Steven are back after (another) week off for travel. They spend the entire episode discussing the nationwide campus protests. They talk about the meaning behind the slogans that are being chanted around the country and wonder how much the protestors understand what it is that they’re saying. They also talk about how these slogans are heard by Jews on campus and off. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The new film, ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,’ a sequel to the ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ is a thing that exists. But should it? Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky have feelings. Is there something strange in the neighborhood? Are we ‘ready to believe’? Or is it just a matter of “If there’s a steady paycheck in it, I’ll believe anything you say”? And the big question: is the proper terminology “requel” or “legasequel?” Fortunately, for these rabbis, no job is too big. No fee is too big. Grab your Ecto Cooler, strap on your proton pack, and answer the call, because something’s weird, and it don’t look good. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven return from their various travels and find that the Passover Seder season is upon us. They talk about Germany, lunch in Athens, the Yankees and Knicks, and they wonder if the Amen Corner will reach the magical 33 episodes of the season. Can they do it? Tune in to find out. You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The new AppleTV+ series ‘Manhunt’, adapted from James L. Swanson’s eponymous book, follows the 12 day search for Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. As the hunt for Booth unfolds, it exposes a deeper conspiracy — one aimed at restoring white men to political dominance, despite the South losing the war. In this episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky talk about how we continue to experience the consequences of this history, underscoring the Jewish imperative to uphold truth and pursue justice, and how we navigate affirming those values when they seem to be in tension with the demands of peace. Spoiler alert: Booth dies. But is justice done, delayed, or denied? And what does that mean for us today? Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven follow up on their discussion of the Trump bible and talk about religious groups like Mormons and Chabad. They also talk about how Jews are becoming less welcome on college campuses and what happens when Jews are removed (or remove themselves) from public forums. Put on some headphones and have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
Brad and Steven are back this week after a brief hiatus with another episode of your favorite podcast. The guys catch up on some of the things they missed, like the passing of Joe Lieberman and Louis Gossett, Jr and Trump’s decision to start selling bibles. They also talk about Covid, hand washing, and staying in hotels. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The 96th Academy Awards are behind us, and Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are here to talk about the Torah of this year’s nominees. In this special episode, we discuss Oppenheimer, Barbie, Poor Things, The Zone of Interest, and more! Who won, who lost, who was snubbed, who stirred controversy, and who got the coveted “PopTorah Bump”? And, most importantly, which movie has the deepest Torah? Join us and find out! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven conjure up the memory of Steven’s late father, Michael Cook, to talk about how to avoid being screwed over. They’re back to talking about junk fees on auto rentals, the advantages of having lawyers and doctors in the family, and finally about a situation with Con Edison that can only be solved by calling Seven on Your Side. Have a listen and enjpy! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
Jon Stewart’s back, baby! The influential Jewish comic who made ‘The Daily Show’ a cultural juggernaut before leaving in 2015 has returned, for a limited time, to his old seat. Does he have what it takes to make the show, and basic cable, relevant again? Is he the political savior we’ve been waiting for, who will bring us back from the edge of the abyss? Or is everyone just out of new ideas? “The Best Freakin’ Rabbinic Team on the Planet,” Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky, talk about the inherent Jewishness of political comedy, ‘The Daily Show’s place in the pop cultural pantheon, and what Stewart’s return says about where we are — and where we might be going — as a Jewish community and as a society. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven talk about the State of the Union address, junk fees, disgraced former politicians, President Buden’s age (as if we needed more people talking about this), and wonder about pronouns. Have a listen while you enjoy the extra hour of daylight! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
This week, Brad and Steven are back, talking about the soon to be released Alex Van Halen autobiography, the departure of Mitch McConnell, Steven’s turn to the right, what should and should not go into scones, and just for good measure, a little about their beloved Yankees. Have a listen and enjoy! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
HBO’s long-running comedy series, Curb Your Enthusiasm, starring legendary comedian and ‘Seinfeld’ co-creator Larry David as a slightly fictionalized version of himself, is coming to an end with its 12th and final season. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky take a look back at the hilarious highs and cringe-worthy lows of Larry’s many exploits, and discuss the Jewishness of it all — including what makes us kvel and kvetch about having such a successful show that is so self-consciously Jewish. Join us for this pretty, pretty…pretty good episode of PopTorah! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven talk about their daughters and college (spoiler alert: it involves ED and happy endings), IVF and Alabama, South Carolina, the hypocrisy of Trump supporters (we know, shocking!), and yet more about pizza. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
In this week’s better late than never episode, Brad and Steven are going all in on pizza again, this time, while reminiscing about the long winter days in between football and baseball season of their childhoods. They also talk about Trump’s gold sneakers, the lame NBA All Star Game (and all star games in general), and Matisyahu. Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The new Netflix film ‘Good Grief,’ written, directed, and produced by star Daniel Levy, explores how we pick up the pieces in the wake of tragic loss, especially when we discover things about our loved ones after their death that complicate their legacy and our memories of them. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss what emerges when the film is brought into conversation with Jewish tradition, which has its own rich tradition of wisdom and practice around loss and the grieving process. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Much of this week’s episode is devoted to a discussion about National Pizza Day. Brad and Steven talk about the merits of New York-area pizza and the outsized importance it has on people who grew up in the area. They also talk about make-you-own-pizza and how to define what makes something “pizza.” All in all, it’s an episode that might make you think, but will definitely make you hungry. Grab a slice and have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
Alexander Payne’s newest film, ‘The Holdovers,’ stars Paul Giamatti as a prickly, demanding teacher at an elite northeastern boarding school who gets stuck supervising the one student left on campus during winter break. Set as the 60’s become the 70s, what ensues is emotional, funny, and ultimately uplifting — a coming-of-age story for student and teacher alike that explores issues like race, class, the purpose of education, and the meaning of growing up. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they look at ‘The Holdovers’ through a Jewish lens.Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven talk about how they’re well on their way to being crotchety old men, and the elderly life that they envision for themselves doesn’t seem so far-fetched. They also talk about the recent judgement against the former resident of the White House and about the corrupt Supreme Court. Have a listen and enjoy! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
This week, Brad and Steven talk about the right-wing grift that they’re going to run, the lack of discussion around Trump’s cognitive decline, the ongoing war in Gaza, and flight delays. Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The new musical ‘Wonka,’ a prequel of sorts to the beloved Roald Dahl novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and the classic Gene Wilder film based on it, is a celebration of imagination, lovingkindness, and, of course, chocolate. Grab your golden tickets and go on a tour of the factory — watch out for that chocolate river and don’t steal any Fizzy Lifting Drinks — with Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky, who discuss the movie’s messages about good and evil, the importance of dreams, and the timeless struggle between the greedy versus the needy. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven discuss college — the cost, the value, the job prospects, and the purpose. Unsurprisingly, they compare the process today to how it was back in the “old days,” when they were going through it themselves. They also touch on the Israel-Palestine conflict and how it was supposed to be over by now. Have a listen and enjoy! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
This week’s episode is coming to you a bit later in the week than usual, but we’re trying to keep to our New Year’s resolution and doing the podcast as often as possible. We talk about flight delays, perception versus reality and what’s more important in today’s political climate, and of all things, Tulsa. Happy Listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
It’s been an interesting and somewhat challenging year for superhero movies, with the once seemingly invincible Marvel Studios showing signs of wear and tear. For example, the studio’s latest tentpole team-up film (and one of its best in years), ’The Marvels,’ is now widely regarded as its first-ever commercial flop, and the actor Jonathan Majors, whose character Kang the Conqueror was supposed to be the Big Bad of Marvel’s latest saga, was just dropped by the studio after being convicted of domestic abuse. Is this the end of the superhero movie boom, a moment of truth for Marvel, or the beginning of a new era? And what, if anything, does the Jewish tradition have to say about it. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they go “higher, further, faster,” discussing ‘The Marvels’ and the future of the MCU. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
It’s the final episode of 2023 and this week Brad and Steven are talking about the year ahead and the one that just passed. For better or worse, the guys’ New Year’s resolution is to continue to do the Amen Corner, hopefully more regularly. At any rate, have a listen and here’s to a better 2024! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
This week, Brad and Steven are back after a brief hiatus. Their moods, however, continue to be “meh” in the extreme as they still try to make sense of what’s happening all around us. Adding injury to insult, both of them had to deal with emergency rooms over the past few days, but each had a completely different experience. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The new sports comedy ‘Next Goal Wins,’ directed by Taika Waititi, is based on the true story of American Samoa’s soccer team as it attempts to overcome its embarrassing status as the worst team in the sport’s history. The film stars Michael Fassbender as Dutch-American coach Thomas Rongen, who has the unenviable task of helping prepare American Samoa for a World Cup qualifying match, even as he seeks his own redemption. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are suckers for a good underdog story — you might say that Judaism itself is an undergod story — and find that ‘Next Goal Wins’ touches on a number of important Jewish concepts and themes. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Much of this week’s episode is devoted to a discussion between Brad and Steven about the 45-minute video compiled and screened by the government of Israel that documents the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7. The video contains footage from body cameras of the Hamas attackers, closed-circuit footage, video from victims’ cellphones and from first responders at the scene of the attacks. Steven watched the footage earlier this week and shares his impressions with Brad and their listeners. You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The new miniseries on Netflix, ‘ The Fall of the House of Usher ,’ is many things all at once: a love letter to Edgar Allen Poe, a gothic horror masterpiece, and a biting social commentary reminiscent of HBO’s ’Succession.’ Loosely based on a Poe story of the same name — and brimming with references to other Poe masterpieces — ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ follows the demise of a wealthy family that had built its fortune on human suffering. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky get right to the “tell-tale heart” of the matter, discussing the morality of wealth, the dangers of privilege, the persistence of guilt and grief, and the possibilities and limitations of repentance. “Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe” and enjoy this deliciously dark conversation. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven talk about their Thanksgivings and wonder if there’s such a sting as too many kinds of pie. They also discuss New York City doormen, how important they are in the daily lives of the people in their buildings, and why we should tip them. TOf course, they also talk about the ongoing war in Israel and the importance of hearing the stories about what happened on October 7. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
This week, Brad and Steven try to talk about subjects other than the war in Gaza. They discuss the latest Yankees woes and a little bit about Thanksgiving, but come back to the elephant in the room and, once again, the Middle East takes center stage in the conversation. Have a listen, remember our shared humanity and Happy Thanksgiving. You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
Taylor Swift’s long-awaited “Eras” tour was not only the pop cultural event of 2023, it was one of the most successful concert tours in music history. Each night Taylor took fans on an epic three hour tour of her career. And she has followed up on that success by releasing a film version of her live show, which is currently playing to more sold-out crowds in theaters everywhere. We don’t know about you, but Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are feeling 22 as they talk about why this show was so important to them as Swifties and as spiritual and communal leaders, and explore the Torah we can learn from Taylor Swift’s music as well as from the artist herself. Join us, whatever your “era”! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven continue to talk about the war in Israel and Gaza and its impact on Jews around the world. They talk about a number of physical altercations that have taken place on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and return to the subject of antisemitism and anti-Zionism on campus. Have a listen. You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
You know that Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are lifelong friends, but did you know that they met as teenagers on a youth group summer trip to Israel? And did you know that they lived down the street from one another in Jerusalem for a year? Now, Israel is a central and inseparable part of their friendship, their Jewish identities, and their rabbinates. How are they navigating this moment of deep crisis in Israel, and in the larger Jewish world? Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky talk Torah when pop culture is the news. What about when the news is pop culture? What Torah do they look to, or have to share, in this complex time of sadness, fear, anger, and uncertainty? Have a listen to their important, challenging, and ultimately hopeful conversation in this special episode. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven continue to talk about the situation in Israel and Gaza and the repercussions that are being felt around the US, particularly on college campuses. They also talk about the new Speaker of the US House of Representatives as well as the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. Please have a listen. You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
This week, Brad and Steven talk about the spillover effects of Israel’s war in Gaza — from the frontlines to the academy to the streets of Paterson. Have a listen. You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .
Disney and Pixar’s latest animated feature, Elemental , became a sleeper hit at the box office this summer. Using the interaction of various elements as an extended metaphor for the immigrant experience and striking the balance between honoring one’s past while charting their own future, the movie has a lot of resonance with Jewish history and tradition. Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss the movie’s powerful meaning and message, celebrating the fact that its recent release on Disney+ will it deservedly enable the movie to rise even higher in popularity. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven talk about the horrific Hamas terrorist attack against Israel. You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .
This week, Brad and Steven talk about the flooding that hit New York, the normalizing of the abnormal and whether or not rabbis should talk about politics in their Yom Kippur services. Have a listen and enjoy! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
Back in May, film and television writers went on strike. Actors joined them on the picket lines in July, leading to the longest strike in Hollywood history (the WGA recently ended it’s strike when it struck a new deal with the studios, and it is expected that SAG-AFTRA will follow suit shortly). In this very special episode, WGA member (and friend of the pod) Erica Wachs and WGA/SAG member Johnathan McClain take a break from the picket lines to join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky for a discussion about the Jewish values at stake in these labor disputes, and how the strikes might shape the way Jewish pop culture fans think about the media they consume moving forward. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Brad and Steven are back with the first episode of Season Eight of the Corner. They’re back to their usual banter about the Jewish High Holidays, the best food for breaking the fast, Lauren Boebert, and the lack of accountability in our society. All in all, it’s like they’ve never been gone — have a listen and enjoy! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
‘ The Mandalorian ,’ whose third season is now streaming on Disney+, is one of the most critically and commercially successful offerings of Disney-era Star Wars. Noted Star Wars nerds Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky discuss the show’s very Jewish themes, its relationship to Torah and Midrash, and the relative value of complex mythology in modern pop culture. Do they feel ’The Mandalorian’ is “The Way”? Or is the third season just so much bantha fodder? Join them and find out! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, it’s The Coronation Day Episode, where Brad and Steven spend as little time as possible talking about the British monarchy. Instead, they talk about Twitter vs. TV news, Clarence Thomas’ shameless corruption, the killing of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway car this week and how it relates to the national homeless crisis. Have a listen! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
After a two-week hiatus, Brad and Steven are back at it. In this week’s episode, the talk about the ongoing protests in Israel which Brad attended last weekend, the future of Israel’s democracy, the prospect of being a stranger in a country that’s not one’s own, and old school Chinese restaurants. Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
Mario, Luigi, Toadstool, Princess Peach, and Bowser are back — this time in the cleverly-titled blockbuster animated comedy ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie.’ Is it super? Or is it the film equivalent of hitting a banana peel on Rainbow Road? What does it say about the state of entertainment and society? And what does it have to teach about Jewish life and community in the 21st century? Join super rabbinic smash bros. Rabbis Michael Mario and Jesse Mario for the conversation their whole lives have been building up to. “Let’sa go!”Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
‘ Shrinking ,’ the new series streaming on AppleTV+ boasts some big names (have you heard of this guy Harrison Ford? We think he’s got a promising future in showbiz…) and a big premise: what would happen if therapists got more involved in their patients’ lives, and let their patients get more involved in their own lives? The result is at times hilarious and at times cringeworthy, and raises some important questions about professional boundaries, the role of mental health care providers, and the goals of therapy. As professionals sometimes called upon to provide pastoral or spiritual care, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky have a lot of thoughts about what the show says and doesn’t say, and what it gets right and wrong, about helping people thrive. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. DESCRIPTION How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
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The JCast Network Total Feed
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This week, Brad and Steve talk about some of the things that they actually don’t agree on. There’s not a lot but they did manage to come up with something: Diversity Equity and Inclusion, also known as DEI, and college admissions. The guys talk about their experiences with their respective children’s admissions processes and find that while there are some things they do agree on, in the end, they have different attitudes and approaches to this issue. Happy Passover, Happy Easter, Ramadan Kareem, and Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
In this week’s episode, Brad and Steven talk about the two HUGE legal decisions that were handed down this week. One is historical and precedent-setting, the other is the indictment of a former president whose name shall not be mentioned by a New York grand jury. The first case, of course, is the Gwyneth Paltrow trial, and Brad and Steven talk about this momentous decision. Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
It finally happened! The sequel to Mel Brooks’ 1981 classic ‘History of the World: Part I’ that nearly every Jew of a certain age has been waiting for is here at last. Was it worth the wait? Is it the greatest sequel in ‘ The History of the World: Part II ’? Or is it more of an auto de fe (something Brooks oughtn’t have done, but he did anyway)? Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky have thoughts! Join us as we dig deep into ‘The History of the World: Part II’, the legacy of Mel Brooks, and the Torah of Jewish humor, aging gracefully, evolving over time, and passing on traditions from generation to generation. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Due to popular demand (ok, Producer Darone and one other person asked for it), this week Brad and Steven tell the story of how they first met and became friends. In what should be no surprise to Amen Corner listeners, the story involves the Yankees, the Middle East, and Plainview/Plainfield. Enjoy our stroll down memory lane! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
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The JCast Network Total Feed
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The guys are back this week to talk about Muhammad Ali and Colin Kaeprnick, Sylvester Stallone and Tony Danza, expensive restaurants and a big disappointment. Have a listen and enjoy! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The 95th Academy Awards are fast approaching, and Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky are here to talk about the Torah of this year’s Best Picture nominees. In this special episode, we discuss Avatar, Elvis, Top Gun, The Fabelmans, and more! Who should walk away with this year’s top prize? Who will win? And, most importantly, which movie has the deepest Torah? Join us and find out! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
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After a prolonged hiatus, Brad and Steven are back with the news that nearly three years into the pandemic, Steven finally got Covid, leaving Brad as the last man standing. Steven dry coughs his way through his description of what happened to him before the guys turn their attention to discussing Dominion Voting Systems vs. Fox “News,” the CPAC conference, and the ongoing protests in Israel. Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The new HBO series, ‘ The Last of Us ,’ based on the acclaimed video game of the same name, explores what life might look like 20 years after a pandemic decimates the world. The show features plenty of terrifying zombies (especially if you’re freaked out by fungus), but more importantly explores what remains — love and loss, kindness and cruelty — after the end of the world. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they explore the Torah of the Zombie Apocalypse. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
It’s the Little Bit of Everything Episode this week; Brad and Steven talk about some of the feedback that they got from last week’s episode and then go back to their roots and talk about parenting, Van Halen, and this weekend’s Super Bowl. They even mention Popeye’s. On a serious note, they also talked about this week’s tragic earthquake in Turkey. Here are some places to donate to help survivors: https://www.karamfoundation. org/ , https://www.akut.org.tr/en/ donation , https://ahbap.org/disasters- turkey You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The new Netflix film ‘ You People ,’ starring Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill, is a romantic comedy in the mold of ‘Meet the Parents.’ The twist, however, is that this time, the parents are African American members of the Nation of Islam, and the prospective son-in-law is a white Jew from West LA. While the movie itself may have been uneven, it raises provocative questions about Black-Jewish relations, the intersection of racism and antisemitism, and the role of racial and religious identity in today’s society. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Michael Paul Williams joins Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky for this important and timely conversation. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky seem like they would be the target audience for Adam Sandler’s new Netflix movie, You’re So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah . But while the film covers some explicitly Jewish subject matter, the rabbis had mixed feelings about it — as an Adam Sandler comedy, and as a piece of Jewish art. Join us as we discuss the meaning of becoming B’nei Mitzvah, what the movie tells us about the state of American Judaism today, and what the Jewish tradition would have to say in response to this movie. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
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1 The Summer of Barbenheimer 1:07:14
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It’s official — ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ are this summer’s unlikely “it” couple! This summer, we’re all obsessed with the World’s Most Famous doll taking on the patriarchy and wrestling with mortality, and the Father of the Atomic Bomb struggling with his conscience and (maybe) starting a chain reaction that will destroy the world. It all may herald the end of the world as we know it, but Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky feel “closer to fine” about it all. What does it all mean, and what can it all teach? Join us as we dig into the meanings and messages of the biggest movies (and meme-machines) of Summer 2023. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
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The Bear , whose first two seasons are currently streaming on Hulu, follows Carmy Berzatto, a rising superstar in the culinary world, as he seeks to revitalize his brother Mikey’s Chicago dive following Mikey’s suicide. The show masterfully explores very Jewish themes, like honoring difficult parents, carrying on a legacy, dealing with grief and guilt, the ethics of running a business, and the spirituality of what we eat and how we welcome others. Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they say “Yes, Chef!” To The Bear . Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
Indiana Jones is back! The dashing, swashbuckling, fedora-wearing, bullwhip-cracking, Nazi-punching archaeologist is literally racing against time in his fifth and, by all accounts, last, crusade. But did Disney choose wisely with this one, or does this iconic franchise belong in a museum? Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky to hear “just what the Hebrews thought” about the movie, and what it has to say about our relationship with history, nostalgia, and time itself. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This is it, the season finale of the Amen Corner. This week, Brad and Steven talk about the heat (without using the word “schvitzing” even once!), the antisemitic comments of Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the fascist group Moms for Liberty, isolationists and appeasers, and Jews Behaving Badly. Happy listening and enjoy the summer! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
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‘ The Flash ’ was supposed to be an exciting reset for the beleaguered DCEU, even heralded by some Hollywood luminaries as one of the greatest superhero films of all time. Instead, it was at least as much of a mess as many of its predecessors, and doubly burdened with instability at Warner Bros. (the parent company of DC Comics) and many allegations surrounding the off-camera behavior of the movie’s star, Ezra Miller. What wisdom and moral guidance does the Jewish tradition have to offer about how we approach a movie like ‘The Flash’? And what Jewish lessons can we learn from what ended up on screen, as well as what happened behind the scenes? Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they try to keep up with the Scarlet Speedster’s multiversal hijinks and real-world ethical quandaries. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, summer is here and Brad and Steven are coming to the end of the podcast season. The guys lament the state of the New York Yankees and of New York sports in general. They also discuss the 40th(!) anniversary of Trading Places , the mysterious coup in Russia, the lost submarine, and why Texas and Florida should be allowed to secede from the Union. Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse’ is the sequel to the hit 2018 animated adventure ‘Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse,’ and the second part of a planned trilogy following Miles Morales as the titular wall-crawler, along with hundreds of other spider-people. Our friendly neighborhood web-heads, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky, want to talk about the high-flying, wise-cracking, multiverse spanning escapades, but ever since they were bit by those radioactive rabbis, all they want to do is talk about issues like free-will vs. predestination, the divinity of diversity, accepting people for who they are, and the meaning of the multiverse. Lucky for us all, ’Spider-Man’ has all this — and more! Watch out, here comes PopTorah! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, after three plus years of flying below the radar, Brad finally got Covid. The guys talk about the dreaded “C word’ before pivoting to discuss the rise in antisemitic incidents in the Montgomery County, Maryland school system. Steven is trying to figure out an appropriate response — Amen Corner listeners are invited to chime in. Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
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The JCast Network Total Feed
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This week, Brad and Steven welcome a special guest to the Amen Corner, Catherine Herrold, associate professor of public administration and international affairs at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and Loyal Amen Corner Listener. Catherine talks about free speech on campus and DEI. It’s a thoughtful and important discussion, one not to be missed. You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The hit HBO series Succession , currently in its final season, is deceptively complex. On the surface, it’s about members of a wealthy family vying for control of their father’s media empire. But while most similar shows would either glorify or revile wealth and power, Succession deals in shades of grey that are truer to life and closer to home than many of us would care to admit, forcing us to grapple with our own relationship to things like money, power, legacy, and family. Is family our highest value? Should it be? What can and can’t money buy? What ultimately lasts, and what should we prioritize in life? Join Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky as they unpack the moral messiness of Succession . Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven are back at it, talking about members of Israel’s government getting into trouble on the streets of NYC. The guys spend much of the episode discussing an article from the Atlantic about CNN head, Chris Licht. Here’s a link to the piece , which you may want to check out before listening to the podcast (you don’t have to read it first, though). Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
The MCU has been in a bit of a rough patch lately, but ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3’ gets things back on track. The final chapter of James Gunn’s trilogy about this wisecracking gang of galactic misfits has jokes, action, and lots of heart. In this episode, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky argue that the Guardians may be the most Jewish superhero ensemble, with this latest offering exploring deeply Jewish themes such as adopted family, the challenges of perfecting the world, the ethical treatment of animals, and the centrality of memory. Are the Guardians of the Galaxy Jewish? Are Jews guardians of the galaxy? Join us and find out! Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture. How do you listen to PopTorah? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes , Spotify , Google Play , Stitcher , RSS , it’s your choice!…
This week, Brad and Steven are talking again about an old favorite subject of theirs: hagbah . With Steven in Georgia for a family Bat Mitzvah, the pressure is on for him to lift a special Torah that was rescued from the Nazis. They also talk about what to eat in Georgia and the elections in Turkey. Happy listening! You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
It’s Mother’s Day this week and Brad and Steven discuss the day’s merits and its potential impact on gifts for Steven. They also talk about the disgraceful CNN broadcast of Trump’s town hall last week and wonder how the media will cover a presidential campaign that promises to be like none other before it. Spoiler alert: they’re not overly optimistic. Happy listening and Happy Mother’s Day only to those who celebrate. You can listen to The Amen Corner in lots of ways. On iTunes , Spotify , Stitcher , Google Play , or your favorite RSS aggregator .…
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