Best Depolarization Podcasts (2025)

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[In Good Faith] How a Palestinian and a Jewish Canadian are trying to depolarize the country 35:39

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14d ago35:39

35:39

This episode originally aired on The CJN's peace-building podcast, In Good Faith. To subscribe and hear more, visit thecjn.ca/faith. Mainstream Jews, who support Israel and consider themselves Zionists, feel like they are under attack. When they see people wearing keffiyehs and storefronts stamped with Palestinian flags, they hear an implicit attac…

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78. When AI Becomes the Most Persuasive Voice in the Room – Petter Törnberg 41:18

4d ago41:18

41:18

When AI Starts Shaping What We Believe We often blame social media algorithms for toxic polarization — for the outrage, the misinformation, the “us versus them” dynamic pulling society apart. But what if the real problem goes deeper than the algorithm? In this episode, University of Amsterdam researcher Petter Törnberg explains why social media is …

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From Gaza to America: Lessons We Can't Ignore - DTH Episode 293 with Nathan Stock 37:04

1d ago37:04

37:04

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Episode 293 with guest Nathan Stock In this episode, Wilk sits down with international conflict-resolution specialist Nathan Stock, a man with more than 20 years of experience working to reduce violence and strengthen democracy around the world. Nathan shares how his journey began as an English teacher in Gaza d…

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'Long Story Short' and the evolution of Jewish TV 42:21

9d ago42:21

42:21

The winter holiday season is upon us, which means binging TV shows and comfort movies is one of the only ways to pass the time while temperatures plummet outside. With this annual tradition, in the Jewish media world, come annual think pieces about Jewish onscreen representation. And while our rabbinic podcasters have delved into this subject alrea…

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BONUS - The America You Don’t See on the News – Adam Mizel 36:12

11d ago36:12

36:12

Most Americans are tired of the outrage — and hungry for something better. So how do we unite America when everything feels so divided? In this episode, we talk with Adam Mizel, co-founder and CEO of US United, a movement focused on ending toxic polarization through everyday actions anyone can take. After traveling the country in a purple pickup tr…

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The Perception Gap: Why We Misjudge Each Other and How to Fix It - DTH Episode 292 with James Coan 34:57

2d ago34:57

34:57

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Episode 292 — Correcting Misperceptions with James Coan of More Like US Misunderstanding each other is fueling a level of toxic polarization that’s tearing at our civic and social fabric. In this episode, Wilk is joined by James Coan, Co-Founder and Executive Director of More Like US, an organization that helps …

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Plumbing the Rabbinic Pipeline: What New Data Says About The Future of Jewish Leadership 48:37

15d ago48:37

48:37

A recent, landmark study of current and future rabbis was met simultaneously with celebration, skepticism, and concern by groups across the Jewish community. The survey by Atra – Center for Rabbinic Innovation, indicated significant upward trends in rabbis choosing community positions rather than leading congregations from the pulpit, rabbinical st…

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77. Issue Salience Polarization - Adrienne Kafka & Troy Campbell 30:33

19d ago30:33

30:33

Why We Disagree About What Matters We often assume political polarization is about beliefs or party loyalty—but what if it’s about which issues we think are worth caring about? In this episode, behavioral scientists Adrienne Kafka (Duke University) and Troy Campbell (On Your Feet, formerly Disney Imagineering and Netflix) unpack their research on i…

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Strengthening Our Civic Fabric, One Pocket Constitution at a Time - DTH Episode 291 with Joni Bryan 36:48

17d ago36:48

36:48

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Episode 291 – Featuring Joni Bryan of The 917 Society In this episode, Wilk sits down with Joni Bryan, Founder & Executive Director of The 917 Society, an organization dedicated to inspiring the next generation with a personal connection to the U.S. Constitution. Joni shares how a simple question — “Have you eve…

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Okay Boomer – Drowning in Digital Overwhelm - Craig Mattson 18:39

26d ago18:39

18:39

Digital Overwhelm: Talking Across Generations In a world that never stops pinging, how do we stay human—and stay connected across generations? Host David Beckemeyer talks with communication scholar Craig Mattson, author of Digital Overwhelm, about what happens when Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all try to navigate the same flood of digital…

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Grading Politicians on Collaboration–Not Party Lines - DTH Episode 290 with Brad Porteus 37:34

21d ago37:34

37:34

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Bridge Grades & the Fight Against Toxic Polarization This week, Wilk is joined by Brad Porteus, founder of BridgeGrades.org, to discuss the pervasive issue of toxic political polarization and identity politics in America. Brad shares his experience of returning to the U.S. after 14 years abroad, seeing a "stark"…

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Escape from New York? 33:46

26d ago33:46

33:46

In the lead-up to New York's mayoral election, many prominent Jewish New Yorkers came out against the eventual winner, Zohran Mamdani. Now that Mamdani has won, what do they do? How do they reconcile that a third of the city's Jews voted for someone who has spoken out against Israel? And how can they preach about unity when they already made clear …

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76. The Revolt Against the Experts – Hillary Shulman 28:08

1M ago28:08

28:08

Why People Stop Trusting Science Why do so many people reject science—even when the facts are clear? We are joined by Hillary Shulman, a communication scholar at Ohio State University, to learn about science populism—the growing belief that science is an elite enterprise disconnected from everyday life. They explore how distrust of experts, polariz…

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Can Americans Still Have Civil Discussions About Immigration? - DTH Episode 289 with Jim Robb 39:28

27d ago39:28

39:28

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Episode 289 | Guest: Jim Robb, Vice President of Alliances at Numbers USA Immigration is one of America’s most polarizing debates—but what happens when lifelong political opponents choose conversation over combat? Wilk Wilkinson sits down with Jim Robb of Numbers USA to discuss his organization’s collaboration w…

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Nobody wants this (but everyone wants to talk about it) 38:36

1M ago38:36

38:36

The hit Netflix rom-com Nobody Wants This is back, and with it are Jewish debates about intermarriage and onscreen representation in mainstream media. The show's first season tells the story of heartthrob Rabbi Noah (Adam Brody) and non-Jewish podcaster Joanne (Kirsten Bell) falling in love. It was an unexpected hit for Netflix last fall, topping i…

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Temporary Pleasure of Outrage–Long Term Cost of Division - DTH Episode 288 with Lura Forcum 39:14

1M ago39:14

39:14

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Lura Forcum: The Pleasure of Outrage vs. The Cost of Division Outrage is addictive—but understanding it may be our way out. Wilk Wilkinson welcomes Lura Forcum, president of The Independent Center and co-host of We Made This Political, for a fascinating conversation about political schadenfreude—the pleasure we …

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Challahween? How Jewish families navigate Halloween 38:28

1M ago38:28

38:28

This week, many Jewish schools will be participating in a hallowed end of October tradition: sending out letters discouraging families from celebrating Halloween. The prominence of Halloween in public has ballooned in recent decades, evolving into a full-blown seasonal phenomenon. But despite the celebratory spiders and inflatable pumpkins, Jews te…

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How Toxic Polarization Turns Deadly–What Columbia's Past Can Teach America's Future - DTH Episode 287 with Phelosha Collaros 40:06

2M ago40:06

40:06

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! 𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙇𝙖 𝙑𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖 𝙩𝙤 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙒𝙞𝙨𝙚: 𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 Wilk Wilkinson is joined by Phelosha Collaros, Vice President at St. John’s College and founder of DepolarWise.com. Her family’s story in Colombia’s La Violencia reveals what happens when political conflict becomes personal—and how humanity can still prevail.…

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75. The Hidden Power of the Politically Homeless - Lura Forcum 38:38

2M ago38:38

38:38

When the Center Becomes the Rebel Once, being radical meant picking a side—Rush Limbaugh on the right, Keith Olbermann on the left. But today, that kind of partisanship isn’t radical anymore—it’s predictable. In this episode, we explore a surprising idea: maybe the true radicals now are the independent thinkers—the bridge-builders—who refuse to be …

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Who’s afraid of Zohran Mamdani? 40:45

1M ago40:45

40:45

For months, Zohran Mamdani has held a double digit lead in the New York City mayoral race. The 34-year-old media-savvy firebrand burst onto the scene with a suite of fresh, progressive ideas—but his candidacy has forced a reckoning among the city’s significant Jewish community. Mamdani says he doesn’t use the slogan “Globalize the intifada” himself…

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DOCUMENTARY - The Manosphere: A Shadow Network of Influence – Havana Mohr-Ramirez 40:03

2M ago40:03

40:03

We take a closer look at the online world known as the manosphere—a loose network of communities including incels, Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW), men’s rights activists (MRAs), and pick-up artists (PUAs). These groups may look different on the surface, but they share a common core: resentment toward feminism, nostalgia for traditional masculinity…

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How Gun Owners Can Lead the Mental Health Conversation - DTH Episode 286 with Michael Sodini 46:13

2M ago46:13

46:13

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Episode 286 – Michael Sodini | Walk The Talk America In this episode, Wilk Wilkinson sits down with Michael Sodini, founder of Walk The Talk America (WTTA) — an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between mental health and responsible gun ownership. They discuss the stigma that keeps people from seeking h…

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74. When Polarized Communities Work Together – Kira Hamman 33:36

2M ago33:36

33:36

Why Talking Isn’t Enough to Bridge Divides What happens when people in deeply divided communities set aside differences to work on real problems together? In this episode, we hear from participants in Southern Oregon and from Urban Rural Action’s Senior Director of Programs about how building trust and taking action can bridge divides, create belon…

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Faith 250 – A Clergy-Led Celebration of our Shared Civic Story - DTH Episode 285 with Rabbi Michael Holzman & Pastor Becca Messman 40:30

2M ago40:30

40:30

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Faith 250 – A Clergy-Led Celebration of our Shared Civic Story What if the 250th anniversary of America’s founding became more than fireworks — what if it became a spiritual renewal of our shared civic story? In this episode, Wilk sits down with Rabbi Michael Holzman and Pastor Becca Messman to explore Faith 250…

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In Defense of Christian Patriotism – DTH Episode 284 with Daniel Darling 38:15

2M ago38:15

38:15

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! "In Defense of Christian Patriotism " – DTH Episode 284 with Daniel Darling What does it mean to love both God and country without falling into the trap of Christian nationalism? In this episode, Wilk is joined by author Daniel Darling to talk about his new book In Defense of Christian Patriotism. Together they …

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73. Rethinking Autism Advocacy – Ari Ne’eman 46:29

2M ago46:29

46:29

What If Inclusion, Not Normalization, Was the Goal? Too often, conversations about autism happen without autistic voices at the table. In this episode, we talk with Ari Ne’eman, Assistant Professor at Harvard and co-founder of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, about the real divides in autism advocacy and what a better path forward could look lik…

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Affirming Identity, Building Community, and Cultivating Leadership – DTH Episode 283 with Dr. Beverly Tatum 36:44

2M ago36:44

36:44

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Affirming Identity, Building Community, and Cultivating Leadership In this episode of Derate The Hate, Wilk Wilkinson sits down with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum—renowned psychologist, author, and president emerita of Spelman College—to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing higher education in today’s pola…

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Speaking Out With Courage When It Matters Most - DTH Episode 282 with Jennifer Sey 41:05

3M ago41:05

41:05

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Speaking Out With Courage When It Matters Most In this episode of Derate The Hate, Wilk Wilkinson sits down with Jennifer Sey — author, filmmaker, business executive, athlete, and outspoken advocate for children and women. Jen’s story spans from the highs of being a national champion gymnast to the lows of endur…

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Rosh Hashanah Roundup 39:31

3M ago39:31

39:31

Even for the least religiously involved Jews, the High Holidays are a high point—and sometimes the only point—of organized Jewish engagement. For many families, it may be the only time in a year they step inside a synagogue or participate in a prayer service. A time for re-upping their membership in the Jewish collective, returning to the same well…

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72. The Fight to Make Online Spaces Civil Again - Yevgeny Simkin 40:52

3M ago40:52

40:52

Why Owning Your Online Identity Matters More Than Ever Is it possible to fix social media? In this episode, I’m joined by Yevgeny Simkin, Co-Founder of Sez.us, a new social media platform built to encourage civility and healthier online spaces. We talk about why we need real alternatives to Facebook and Twitter, who controls online conversations to…

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Leadership Beyond the Checklist: How “Being” Leaders Create Value and Navigate Complexity – DTH Episode 281 with Ryan Gottfredson 36:06

3M ago36:06

36:06

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Leadership Beyond the Checklist: How “Being” Leaders Create Value and Navigate Complexity What does it really mean to become better—not just at what we do, but in who we are? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Ryan Gottfredson, a best-selling author and leadership professor whose work has transformed the way we …

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Binge eating through the High Holidays 37:23

3M ago37:23

37:23

Jews may joke about the High Holidays being a time for binge eating—overflowing tables of multiple meats, several courses, soups, sides and desserts—but for anyone suffering from an eating disorder, it's a dangerous time of year. That's how Ilana Zackon, a performer and writer, remembers coming home for the holidays in her early 20s. Privately, she…

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DOCUMENTARY - What’s Pulling Young Men to the Right? 34:28

3M ago34:28

34:28

Gen Z’s political gender gap is widening. Young women are trending left, while young men drift right—and it’s not just politics. In this episode, we explore the cultural, social, and economic pressures shaping young men’s identities, from the “manosphere” to societal expectations around masculinity and the pressure to be the breadwinner. We examine…

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Coaching Beyond the Game: Football as a Platform for Healing, Accountability & Social Progress - DTH Episode 280 with Coaches Jim Place & Al Powell 38:21

3M ago38:21

38:21

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Coaching Beyond the Game: Football as a Platform for Healing, Accountability & Social Progress This week, we kicked off the 2025 NFL season — and what better time to explore how youth football can be so much more than just a game? Host Wilk Wilkinson sits down with Coaches Jim Place and Al Powell, the co-founder…

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The state of Jewish education 37:19

3M ago37:19

37:19

School has returned—and with it, the annual anxiety of Jewish parents fretting over the cost, and results, of Jewish day school. What good is Hebrew knowledge if most Israelis speak English? What are the benchmarks for a successful Jewish education? Is it just about surrounding our kids with other Jewish kids, or is there something deeper in the bi…

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71. Do Facts Really Change Minds? – Nick Stagnaro 32:23

3M ago32:23

32:23

The Shift from Certainty to Nuance We’ve all heard the saying: facts don’t change minds. But new research challenges that idea. In this episode, David talks with social scientist Nick Stagnaro about what happens when people dive deep into the facts on divisive issues like gun control. The findings? Knowledge can soften extreme positions—shifting pe…

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Common Ground from the Ground Up: Humility, Healing & Rethinking Our Politics - DTH Episode 279 with Nathan Smolensky 37:21

3M ago37:21

37:21

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Common Ground from the Ground Up: Humility, Healing & Rethinking Our Politics In this episode of Derate The Hate, Wilk sits down with Nathan Smolensky—author of Common Ground from the Ground Up. Nathan brings a unique perspective shaped by his upbringing in a family of Soviet immigrants and his experience workin…

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Elul: High Holiday Foreplay 38:22

4M ago38:22

38:22

Buckle up, sports fans, it’s synagogue pre-season—a.k.a. Elul, the Hebrew month of spiritual preparation directly before the High Holidays. It's somehow both a marathon and a sprint for observant Jews and their leaders: synagogue staff, rabbis and cantors prepare to go into overdrive writing sermons, leading prayers, facilitating spiritual experien…

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From Rooftop to Roadwork: Faith, Dignity and the Walk Across America - DTH Episode 278 with Pastor Corey Brooks 35:15

4M ago35:15

35:15

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! From Rooftop to Roadwork: Faith, Dignity and the Walk Across America Pastor Corey Brooks — known to many as the Rooftop Pastor — is back on Derate The Hate with a story that’s nothing short of incredible. What began years ago with a bold stand on a rooftop has grown into Project Hood’s 90,000-square-foot communi…

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70. Is There Still Hope for the Internet? - Kristin Hansen 41:59

4M ago41:59

41:59

The Hidden Power of Social Norms Social media often gets blamed for fueling outrage and deepening political divides. But what if the very tools that spread division could be used to bridge it? In this episode, we talk with Kristin Hansen, Executive Director of Civic Health Project, about Normsy.ai—a groundbreaking initiative using human-plus-AI too…

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On the Road with US United: How Sheriffs Spark Community Connection - DTH Episode 277 with Adam Mizel 39:04

4M ago39:04

39:04

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! On the Road with US United: How Sheriffs Spark Community Connection In this episode of Derate The Hate, I’m joined by Adam Mizel, Co-Founder and CEO of Us United, for a conversation that gets right to the heart of how communities heal. Adam and his team are literally on the road, traveling across America to meet…

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How can anyone be certain of anything happening in Israel? 28:00

4M ago28:00

28:00

Depending on which side of the political spectrum you're on, and which media outlets you trust, you perspective of what's happening in Israel and Gaza will be extremely different. And chances are, regardless of which stance you take, you're missing critical pieces of information. For our rabbi podcasters, who have dedicated their lives to knowledge…

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BONUS - Teaching Civics in the Age of Outrage - June Klees 37:58

4M ago37:58

37:58

What Happens When Students Talk Across Generations? We sit down with with Dr. June Klees, a historian and educator at Bay College, about the Waging Dialogue initiative — a unique civics program designed to help students develop the confidence and skills to engage in dialogue across generational and ideological divides. Students are paired with olde…

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Bridging Divides Through Sacred, Selfish, and Shared Action - DTH Episode 276 with Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery 40:50

4M ago40:50

40:50

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Bridging Racial Divides Through Sacred, Selfish & Shared Action – DTH Episode 276 with Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of the Beloved Community — a vision of reconciliation, redemption, and shared humanity. This week, Wilk is joined by Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery (“Dr. TLC”),…

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Courageous Connections: Embracing Pluralism Amidst American Populism - DTH Bonus Episode with Ibrahim Anli & Will Harwood 1:03:36

4M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Courageous Connections: Embracing Pluralism Amidst American Populism In this Derate The Hate bonus episode, host Wilk Wilkinson sits down with fellow Braver Angels Ibrahim Anli and Will Harwood for a powerful discussion on cultural and religious pluralism in the face of American populism. They explore what it me…

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69. America’s Connection Opportunity - Kate Carney and Calista Small 34:10

4M ago34:10

34:10

The Connection Opportunity Report: Hope, Barriers, and the Path Forward How can we truly connect across political, racial, religious, and class divides? In this episode of Outrage Overload, host David Beckemeyer dives into the Connection Opportunity report from More in Common with guests Kate Carney and Calista Small. Discover: ✅ Why most Americans…

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Purpose Whispers, Division Shouts: Tune Out the Noise - DTH Episode 275 with Neil Ghosh 37:48

4M ago37:48

37:48

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! DTH Episode 275 with Neil Ghosh — Purpose, Empathy, and Engaged Citizenship This week, Wilk is joined by Neil Ghosh - author, executive, and social impact strategist, for a powerful conversation on purpose, empathy, and building a meaningful legacy. From the immigrant experience to small acts of micro-altruism, …

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The Jewish Angle: Is it ‘lashon hara’ to make fun of the Coldplay Jumbotron couple? 35:09

5M ago35:09

35:09

We're taking some time off to recharge this summer and prepare for new projects at The CJN. Instead of a new episode, we're bringing you another podcast from The CJN: The Jewish Angle, hosted by former Bonjour Chai host and current opinion editor at The CJN, Phoebe Maltz-Bovy. Avi Finegold is her guest. Not in Heaven will be back soon—stay tuned. T…

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Reigniting Purpose Through Gratitude & Legacy - DTH Episode 274 with Dean Taylor 34:38

5M ago34:38

34:38

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Episode 274: Reigniting Purpose Through Gratitude & Legacy with Dean Taylor In this episode, Wilk is joined by Dean Taylor for a powerful discussion on how gratitude, personal accountability, and intentional mindset shifts can transform your life. Dean opens up about rediscovering his purpose after years of feel…

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Brave Jew World: The future of Judaism and AI, feat. David Zvi Kalman 53:15

5M ago53:15

53:15

David Zvi Kalman, a research fellow at the Hartman Institute and Sinai and Synapses, is one of the foremost thinkers looking at the intersection of artificial intelligence and Jewish life. While many in the Jewish community worry about destruction of past traditions, Kalman looks to the future. He looks at what could be the next big transformation …