Best Rabbi Raphael Leban Podcasts (2026)

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Let's Kvetch Episode 18: ’Tis the Season to Kvetch - Fa la la la la… sigh 18:16

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4d ago18:16

18:16

The lights are twinkling, the playlists are relentless, and somehow everyone knows the words except us. This seasonal episode of Let’s Kvetch welcomes special guest Howie Shapiro, longtime community member and expert-level kvetcher, to join Rabbi Leban and Howard Wedgle for a December-themed riff on awkward greetings, nonstop Christmas music, and t…

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Let's Kvetch Episode 17: Kvetching by Candlelight (and Corned Beef) 21:01

29d ago21:01

21:01

A Hanukkah special recorded over corned beef, latkes, and parve sour cream, where the oil flows freely and so do the kvetches. From cleaning menorahs to gift-card side-eye to the eternal question of how many K’s are in Hanukkah, this episode proves you can celebrate miracles and complain responsibly at the same time.…

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Kvetching in Cars Eating Pizza: Let's Kvetch Episode 16 17:56

2M ago17:56

17:56

Kvetching in Cars Eating Pizza?! In this very special episode, Howard and Rabbi Leban take the show on the road—literally—as they kvetch their way through Denver traffic on a quest for Brooklyn Pizza. Between debating sunglasses, gas mileage, and Colorado weather flexing on Boca, they dive into listener feedback on friendships, boundaries, and when…

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Let's Kvetch Episode 15: Let’s Kvetch About Noah (and Awkward Friend Breakups) 25:01

2M ago25:01

25:01

In this laugh-filled episode, Rabbi Raphael Leban and Howard Wedgle dive into Parshat Noach — kvetching about what it must’ve smelled like in the Ark, the endless rain, and those poor two worms. From there, they tackle a real listener's question: how do you politely step back from a friendship that just isn’t working anymore without hurting the oth…

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Let's Kvetch Episode 14: The Other Side of the Kvetch with Ilene Rosen 17:40

3M ago17:40

17:40

After a High Holiday episode full of congregational kvetching, Rabbi Raphael Leban and Howard Wedgle head to BMH-BJ to hear the other side of the story — from the people who make synagogue life actually happen. Their guest, Executive Director Ilene Rosen, pulls back the curtain on the chaos, joy, and occasional coughing fits that come with hosting …

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Let's Kvetch Episode 13: High Holiday Kvetching 19:46

4M ago19:46

19:46

Rosh Hashanah is around the corner—Rabbi Raphael Leban and Howard Wedgle dive into the ultimate holiday kvetching session: temperature wars, synagogue seating drama, fashion critiques, marathon sermons, shofar bloopers, and more. With humor and heart, they remind us the Days of Awe are about blessings, not complaints.…

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Let's Kvetch Episode 12: When Your Barber Becomes Your Therapist (with Abo Simonov) 25:23

4M ago25:23

25:23

This week Rabbi Leban & Howard sit down with Denver’s own barber, community leader, and Shabbat House founder Abo Simonov. From hysterical moments at the Wine & Cheese Gala (priceless, but not that priceless), to the unique challenges of navigating politics, personal kvetches, and respect in the barbershop chair—this episode is full of laughter, st…

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Let's Kvetch Episode 11: Kvetching with Purpose 24:14

4M ago24:14

24:14

In this special episode of Let’s Kvetch, Rabbi Raphael Leban and Howard Wedgle welcome Avi Abelow, CEO of the Twelve Tribe Films Foundation and host of Pulse of Israel. From his life in Israel to his daily mission of peeling back headlines, Avi shares why he believes the Jewish people are living in times of redemption, how to balance respectful dia…

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Let's Kvetch Episode 10: From Kvetch to Kvell 19:59

5M ago19:59

19:59

This week on Let’s Kvetch, Rabbi Leban and Howard flip the script: instead of kvetching, they’re kvelling! What does it mean to kvell? Can you kvell about a stranger’s success? Is there such a thing as too much kvelling? The hosts explore the origins of the word, its uniquely Jewish meaning, and more. Along the way, they tackle questions of modesty…

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Let's Kvetch Episode 9: Kvetching with Dignity: Lessons from Rabbi Abraham Cooper 31:29

5M ago31:29

31:29

This week's episode seves up a hearty helping of wisdom with a side of humor as Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center joins the table. From Yeshive University parking battles to high-stakes meetings with presidents, Rabbi Cooper shares how kvetching-done right-can build bridges, teach values, and even open diplomatic doors. Tune in fo…

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Let's Kvetch Episode 8: My Back Hurts Just Thinking About it: Medical Kvetching with Dr. Shimi Blau 23:25

5M ago23:25

23:25

Is it aging or just bad posture? We're kvetching about aches, pain and the real struggle of getting older (or just surviving a kid's soccer game.) Dr. Shimi Blau joins us for a hilarious and heartfelt episode on chronic pain, medical empathy, and how to redirect a long-winded kvetch - doctor style.By Rabbi Raphael Leban

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Let's Kvetch Episode 7: A Kvetch of Biblical Proportions 26:23

5M ago26:23

26:23

This week, Howard shares a tech support nightmare of 'biblical proportions' after attempting to upgrade his home internet. From a no-show bucket truck to a technician who didn't want to do his job, Howard's kvetch takes us on a frustrating journey. But the story's happy ending leads Rabbi Leban to connect the experience to the deeper meaning of Tis…

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Let's Kvetch Episode 6: Kvetching at the Deli: Serving up Feedback with Shua Horowitz 23:13

6M ago23:13

23:13

In this mouthwatering episode - our very first on location - the Kvetch crew sets up shop at the iconic East Side Kosher Deli. Special guest (and deli owner) Shua Horowitz joins Rabbi Raphael and Howard Wedgle to dish out wisdom on how to handle kvetching from the other side of the counter. Shua shares how thick skin, validation, and a side of empa…

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Let's Kvetch Episode 5: The Psychology of a Good Kvetch (feat. Dr. Evelyn Male) 27:17

6M ago27:17

27:17

In this episode of Let's Kvetch, Rabbi Raphael and Howard welcome their first ever guest: Dr. Evelyn Male, a licensed psychologist with deep insights-and great jokes-about the power of kvetching. Together they explore the fine line between kvetching, complaining, and whining, and dive into when it helps, when it bonds and when it just makes things …

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Let's Kvetch Episode 4: Kvetch Now or Forever Hold Your Peace 16:13

6M ago16:13

16:13

Let's Kvetch Episode 4: Kvetch Now or Forever Hold Your Peace Is there a right time to kvetch—or does timing make all the difference? In this episode, Rabbi Raphael Leban and Howard Wedgle take on travel woes, airline etiquette, and the eternal question: who really controls the airplane window shade? Along the way, they explore the deeper value of …

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Let's Kvetch: Episode 3: Is kvetching really worth it? 19:12

6M ago19:12

19:12

Is kvetching really worth it? What does it actually do for the person doing the kvetching? In Episode 3 of Let’s Kvetch, Rabbi Raphael Leban and Howard Wedgle unpack the emotional payoff behind a good complaint. Is it cathartic? Destructive? Tune in as they explore when kvetching helps—and when it might be time to zip it. Now streaming on all major…

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Let's Kvetch Episode 2: When is Enough, Enough? 15:48

6M ago15:48

15:48

Rabbi Raphael Leban and Howard Wedgle discuss when the level of kvetching becomes too much. At what level does the kvetching listener put their foot down? Disclaimer: Rabbi Leban and Howard Wedgle stand with Israel in the struggle for the continued liberation of the hostages, the end of Hamas' reign of terror and to defend the nation. We mourn with…

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Let's Kvetch: Episode One: Kvetch, what does it mean? 26:35

7M ago26:35

26:35

Introducing Let’s Kvetch — a new Clean Speech podcast where Rabbi Raphael Leban and Howard Wedgle tackle the ups and nu’s of daily life with humor, heart, and a touch of chutzpah. Each episode explores the art of speaking kindly (even when you're kvetching). Tune in for real talk, Jewish wisdom, and plenty of laughs. In this first episode, Rabbi Le…