Best Adam Diament Podcasts (2025)

1
Das Kapital by Karl Marx (1867) 34:24

Play Pause

11h ago34:24

34:24

Money, machines, and the mechanics of power — welcome to the book that tried to decode the entire engine of capitalism. In this episode, we break open Karl Marx's Das Kapital, the 19th-century masterpiece that turned economics into revolution. Marx wasn't just counting coins — he was asking why the few grow rich while the many stay trapped in endle…

1
Indian Jews in 10 Minutes 10:43

4h ago10:43

10:43

Spices, silk, and synagogues by the sea—welcome to the story of India's Jews. In Indian Jews in 10 Minutes, we'll explore how Jewish communities took root on the subcontinent over two thousand years ago. From the ancient Cochin Jews who traded along the Malabar Coast, to the Bene Israel who kept Shabbat even after losing much of their Hebrew, to th…

1
Lecture 40: The Bill of Rights 23:43

5h ago23:43

23:43

What guarantees protect individual freedom in a new nation? In this episode, The Bill of Rights, we explore how fierce debate over the Constitution's ratification led to the first ten amendments. Anti-Federalists feared unchecked federal power, while Federalists sought to reassure them with explicit protections for liberty. The result was a documen…

1
Zhuangzi by Zhuang Zhou (4th to 3rd Century BCE) 30:07

8h ago30:07

30:07

What if wisdom meant laughing at the universe — and yourself? In this episode, we wander into Zhuangzi, the ancient Daoist classic that turns philosophy into play. Written over two thousand years ago, it's filled with talking trees, dreaming butterflies, and paradoxes that make even logic smile. Through humor and wonder, Zhuangzi teaches that freed…

1
The Kaifeng Chinese Jews in 10 Minutes 10:38

13h ago10:38

10:38

Silk Road traders, hidden synagogues, and a Jewish community in the heart of China—yes, really. In Kaifeng Chinese Jews in 10 Minutes, we'll explore the surprising history of the Jewish community that settled in Kaifeng nearly a thousand years ago. Likely arriving as merchants from Persia, these Jews built a synagogue, kept kosher, and maintained t…

1
Lecture 39: Ratification and the Federalist Papers 22:19

8h ago22:19

22:19

What happens when creating a Constitution is only half the battle? In this episode, Ratification and the Federalist Papers, we dive into the fierce debates of 1787–1788, as Americans argued over whether to accept the new framework of government. Supporters, the Federalists, championed the Constitution as the best way to secure unity and stability, …

1
Ladino in 10 Minutes 10:21

3h ago10:21

10:21

It's the soundtrack of Sephardic history—romantic, resilient, and rich with tradition. In Ladino in 10 Minutes, we'll explore the story of Judeo-Spanish, the language born when Jews lived in medieval Spain and carried with them after the 1492 expulsion. Mixing Old Spanish with Hebrew, Turkish, Greek, Arabic, and more, Ladino became the heartbeat of…

1
The Zohar by Moses de Leon (Attributed to Simeon Ben Yochai) 13th Century (Attributed to the 2nd Century) 31:30

6d ago31:30

31:30

Step into the shimmering heart of Jewish mysticism — a universe where every word of Torah hides infinite worlds of meaning. In this episode, we explore The Zohar, the 13th-century masterpiece that became the cornerstone of Kabbalah. Written in lyrical Aramaic and filled with symbols, secrets, and cosmic allegories, The Zohar reads like a spiritual …

1
Lecture 38: The Constitutional Convention 19:59

4h ago19:59

19:59

What do you do when your first government is falling apart? In this episode, The Constitutional Convention, we step into the summer of 1787, when delegates from across the states gathered in Philadelphia to fix the failing Articles of Confederation—and ended up designing an entirely new system. Behind closed doors, they debated fierce questions: bi…

1
Yiddish in 10 Minutes 10:27

7h ago10:27

10:27

It's the language of bagels, bubbes, and Broadway punchlines. In Yiddish in 10 Minutes, we'll explore how a mash-up of German, Hebrew, Aramaic, and a sprinkle of Slavic created a language that millions of Jews once spoke from shtetls to city streets. We'll trace its rise in medieval Europe, its golden age of literature and theater, and its echoes t…

1
Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche (1883-1885) 35:56

7h ago35:56

35:56

A prophet descends from the mountains — not with commandments, but with questions that shake the soul. In this episode, we journey through Friedrich Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra, the poetic and thunderous work that declared "God is dead" and challenged humanity to rise beyond itself. Part sermon, part riddle, part cosmic dare, Nietzsche's vis…

1
Lecture 37: Shays' Rebellion and the Crisis of the 1780s 19:36

13h ago19:36

19:36

What happens when the promises of liberty collide with economic hardship? In this episode, Shays' Rebellion and the Crisis of the 1780s, we uncover how debt-ridden farmers in Massachusetts, many of them veterans of the Revolution, rose up against foreclosures, taxes, and a government they felt had abandoned them. Led by Daniel Shays, their protests…

1
The Shema in 10 Minutes 8:41

4d ago8:41

8:41

Hear, O Israel—it's the most famous line in all of Jewish prayer. In The Shema in 10 Minutes, we'll dive into why these six words—"Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad"—have been recited daily for thousands of years. We'll explore its origins in the Torah, what it means to declare God's unity, and why Jews traditionally cover their eyes whe…

1
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (1597) 27:46

5h ago27:46

27:46

Two teenagers fall in love — and the world falls apart. Romeo and Juliet isn't just Shakespeare's most famous love story; it's the ultimate tragedy of youth colliding with old grudges. In this episode, we dive into Verona's feud between the Montagues and Capulets, where secret vows and impulsive choices turn passion into catastrophe. From balcony w…

1
Lecture 36: The Articles of Confederation 23:56

16h ago23:56

23:56

What happens when a brand-new nation tries to govern itself with too little power at the center? In this episode, The Articles of Confederation, we look at America's first attempt at self-government after independence. Designed to protect liberty and avoid another monarchy, the Articles left Congress weak—unable to tax, enforce laws, or regulate tr…

1
Jewish Daily Prayer Services in 10 Minutes 10:33

12d ago10:33

10:33

Morning, afternoon, and night—Judaism has a prayer service for every part of the day. In Jewish Daily Prayer Services in 10 Minutes, we'll take a whirlwind tour through Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv, the three pillars of Jewish daily prayer. We'll explore where they come from—patriarchs, Temple sacrifices, or maybe both—and what they look like toda…

1
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (1915) 35:25

6d ago35:25

35:25

One morning, Gregor Samsa wakes up to find he's turned into a giant insect — and somehow, that's the least shocking part. In this surreal masterpiece by Franz Kafka, we explore what happens when ordinary life collapses into absurdity. As Gregor's family recoils in horror, his slow isolation becomes a mirror of modern alienation — a world where prod…

1
Tefillin 10 Minutes 8:32

11d ago8:32

8:32

Leather boxes, long straps, and a whole lot of meaning. In Tefillin in 10 Minutes, we'll unwrap one of Judaism's most striking rituals. Worn during weekday morning prayers, tefillin contain handwritten scrolls of Torah verses and are bound on the arm and head as a physical reminder to connect thought, action, and heart to God. We'll explore their b…

1
Lecture 35: African Americans and the Struggle for Freedom 20:38

14d ago20:38

20:38

What did freedom mean in a nation built on slavery? In this episode, African Americans and the Struggle for Freedom, we examine how the Revolutionary War opened both opportunities and contradictions. Enslaved people seized moments to escape, enlist, or negotiate their way toward liberty, while free Black communities pushed the ideals of independenc…

1
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (1890) 32:08

15d ago32:08

32:08

What if your reflection carried all your sins — while you stayed young and beautiful forever? In this haunting tale of vanity and corruption, Oscar Wilde paints a world where art, temptation, and morality collide. Dorian Gray begins as an innocent aristocrat, until a mysterious portrait becomes the mirror of his soul — aging, decaying, and revealin…

1
Lecture 34: Loyalists, Natives, and Women in the Revolution 26:11

14d ago26:11

26:11

Who else's story was unfolding while patriots and redcoats clashed? In this episode, Loyalists, Natives, and Women in the Revolution, we uncover the perspectives often left out of the spotlight. For Loyalists, the war meant persecution, exile, and divided families as neighbors turned against each other. For Native nations, it was a struggle for sur…

1
The Mezuzah in 10 Minutes 10:51

3h ago10:51

10:51

It's not just door décor—it's a Jewish welcome sign with deep meaning. In The Mezuzah in 10 Minutes, we'll explore why Jews place a small case with sacred scrolls on their doorposts and what it represents. From the Torah command in the Shema—"write these words on the doorposts of your house"—to centuries of tradition, the mezuzah is both a spiritua…

1
The Upanishads 32:03

25m ago32:03

32:03

Before science, before philosophy as we know it, there were the Upanishads — ancient whispers from India asking the biggest questions humans have ever faced. Who am I? What is the universe? What happens when we die? In this episode, we journey into the spiritual heart of the Vedas, where sages sitting beneath banyan trees explored consciousness, re…

1
Lecture 33: The Treaty of Paris and International Consequences 18:20

18h ago18:20

18:20

What does it mean to win a war—and what comes after? In this episode, Treaty of Paris and International Consequences, we explore how the 1783 treaty ended the Revolutionary War and redrew the map of North America. Britain recognized American independence, France savored a victory over its old rival, and Spain gained territory—but the global balance…

1
The Tallit in 10 Minutes 9:29

19d ago9:29

9:29

It's not just a prayer shawl—it's a wearable reminder of mitzvot. In The Tallit in 10 Minutes, we'll unwrap the story behind one of Judaism's most iconic garments. From the Torah's command to wear fringes (tzitzit) as a daily spiritual reminder, to the tallit's evolution into the white-and-blue shawl seen in synagogues today, this simple cloth carr…

1
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1869) 30:00

18h ago30:00

30:00

Love, destiny, and cannon fire collide in one of the greatest epics ever written. War and Peace isn't just about battles — it's about what it means to live when history itself is exploding around you. In this episode, we journey through Tolstoy's Russia, where aristocrats dance under chandeliers while Napoleon's armies march closer every day. We'll…

1
On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin (1859) 33:00

3d ago33:00

33:00

What if the story of life on Earth wasn't fixed, but a constant process of change? In On the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin revolutionized science by unveiling the theory of evolution through natural selection. With careful observations of finches, fossils, and the struggle for survival, Darwin showed that species aren't static—they adapt, compe…

1
Lecture 32: War in the South and Yorktown 25:35

3d ago25:35

25:35

What happens when the revolution's fate shifts to the South? In this episode, War in the South and Yorktown, we follow the brutal campaigns that swept through the Carolinas and Georgia, where guerrilla fighters like Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," kept the resistance alive against British advances. But the real climax came at Yorktown in 1781, whe…

1
The Kippah in 10 Minutes 8:59

10d ago8:59

8:59

Small hat, big meaning. In The Kippah in 10 Minutes, we'll explore why Jews wear that little head covering and what it symbolizes. From Talmudic debates about showing respect before God, to medieval rabbis making it a standard practice, to today's wide variety of styles—black velvet, knitted rainbow, sports team logos, or the emergency napkin fold—…

1
The Second Jewish Temple and Its Destruction 10:30

21d ago10:30

10:30

Rome, rebellion, and ruins—the saga of the Second Temple is one of the most dramatic in Jewish history. In The Second Jewish Temple and Its Destruction in 10 Minutes, we'll trace how the Temple, first rebuilt after the Babylonian exile, became the beating heart of Jewish life for centuries. Expanded into a wonder of the ancient world by King Herod,…

1
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (1719) 29:20

6d ago29:20

29:20

What would you do if you washed up alone on a deserted island with nothing but your wits? Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is the original survival story, following one man's fight to build a life from scratch after being shipwrecked. With only the bare essentials, Crusoe learns to hunt, farm, and create shelter—transforming isolation into resilienc…

1
Lecture 31: Saratoga, Valley Forge, and French Alliance 25:21

7d ago25:21

25:21

What turns the tide of a revolution—victory, endurance, or allies? In this episode, Saratoga, Valley Forge, and the French Alliance, we trace three defining moments of the American Revolution. At Saratoga, a stunning American triumph convinced the world the rebels had a real chance. At Valley Forge, Washington's army endured a brutal winter, forgin…

1
The First Jewish Temple and Its Destruction 9:42

10d ago9:42

9:42

Gold, glory, prophets, and rubble—welcome to the story of the First Jewish Temple. In The First Jewish Temple and Its Destruction in 10 Minutes, we'll travel back to the days of King Solomon, who built a magnificent house for God in Jerusalem that became the spiritual center of Jewish life. We'll explore how the Temple worked—sacrifices, festivals,…

1
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith (1776) 31:22

8d ago31:22

31:22

What makes nations rich, and why do some economies thrive while others falter? In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith lays the foundation for modern economics, exploring how trade, labor, and self-interest shape prosperity. Far from a dry textbook, it's a groundbreaking vision of how markets work—introducing ideas like the "invisible hand" that still…

1
The 10 Commandments in 10 Minutes 8:37

25d ago8:37

8:37

They weren't just carved in stone—they were carved into Jewish identity. In The 10 Commandments in 10 Minutes, we'll take a fast but meaningful look at the most famous set of divine instructions ever given. From "don't steal" and "honor your parents" to the big ones about God, idols, and Sabbath, we'll explore what these commandments meant in their…

1
MacBeth by William Shakespeare (1606) 28:21

29d ago28:21

28:21

What happens when unchecked ambition takes control of the soul? Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a dark, gripping tragedy about a Scottish nobleman who, spurred on by prophecy and his ruthless wife, murders his way to the throne. But power gained through blood comes at a terrible cost—haunting visions, unraveling sanity, and a kingdom plunged into…

1
Lecture 30: Revolution in the North 28:27

10d ago28:27

28:27

What happens when the fight for independence moves from protest to battlefield? In this episode, Revolution in the North, we explore the early campaigns of the Revolutionary War, from the siege of Boston to the stunning American victory at Saratoga. The North became the proving ground where untrained militias clashed with the might of the British a…

1
An Overview of Jewish Denominations in 10 Minutes 8:48

1M ago8:48

8:48

Why are there so many kinds of Jews, and how do they all fit together? In Overview of Jewish Denominations in 10 Minutes, we'll take a whirlwind tour through the major branches of modern Judaism—Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and beyond. We'll break down what each emphasizes, from strict halakhic observance to a more flexible, e…

1
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (1846) 33:36

26d ago33:36

33:36

What would you do if everything you loved was stolen from you—and you were given a chance to take it all back? The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is the ultimate tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption. Wrongfully imprisoned, Edmond Dantès escapes and reinvents himself as the mysterious Count, using his cunning and newfound fortune to o…

1
Lecture 29: Declaration of Independence 23:46

14d ago23:46

23:46

What turns rebellion into a nation's birth? In this episode, The Declaration of Independence, we dive into the summer of 1776, when Thomas Jefferson's words transformed colonial anger into a bold statement of freedom. With lines about "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," the document didn't just list grievances against King George—it anno…

1
The Holocaust in 10 Minutes 10:52

1M ago10:52

10:52

Some stories are too important to ever forget. In The Holocaust in 10 Minutes, we'll look at the darkest chapter in modern Jewish history—when six million Jews were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. In just ten minutes, we'll trace how centuries of antisemitism escalated into state-sponsored genocide, from ghettos and deportations to c…

1
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1850) 34:18

28d ago34:18

34:18

What does it take to grow from a struggling child into the author of your own destiny? David Copperfield by Charles Dickens is a sweeping tale of hardship, ambition, love, and resilience. From his turbulent childhood filled with cruelty and loss to his encounters with unforgettable characters—both wicked and kind—David's journey is a mirror of the …

1
The Spanish Inquisition in 10 Minutes 9:46

1M ago9:46

9:46

Dark robes, whispered confessions, and a chapter of Jewish history that still chills today. In The Spanish Inquisition in 10 Minutes, we'll unpack how a mix of politics, religion, and paranoia led to centuries of persecution for Jews in Spain. From forced conversions and secret "conversos" practicing Judaism in basements, to the infamous tribunals …

1
Lecture 28: Paine's Common Sense and the Spirit of Independence 24:22

27d ago24:22

24:22

What if one pamphlet could spark a revolution? In this episode, Paine's Common Sense and the Spirit of Independence, we explore how Thomas Paine's fiery words in 1776 cut through the confusion and lit a fire in the hearts of ordinary colonists. With plain language and bold arguments, Paine made the case that monarchy was corrupt, independence was n…

1
Beowulf (~1000 CE) 28:35

1M ago28:35

28:35

What makes a hero—strength, courage, or the legacy left behind? Beowulf, one of the oldest surviving epics in the English language, plunges us into a world of monsters, mead halls, and legendary battles. From his fearless fight with the savage Grendel to his fiery clash with a dragon in old age, Beowulf's story is both larger-than-life and deeply h…

1
The Robots Are Coming...to Help You Patent! The Patent Office's New Pilot Program for AI Patent Searches: Ep.161 10:44

1M ago10:44

10:44

What happens when the USPTO lets artificial intelligence join the patent process? In this episode, I breaks down the brand-new Automated Search Pilot Program, a six-month experiment where AI runs a pre-exam prior art search before a human examiner even touches your application. I explains what it is, how to join, who it helps (and who it doesn't), …

1
King David in 10 Minutes 8:34

1M ago8:34

8:34

Shepherd, poet, warrior, and king—David's story has it all. In King David in 10 Minutes, we'll sprint through the epic life of Israel's most famous monarch. From slinging a stone at Goliath to strumming psalms on his harp, from leading armies to ruling a united kingdom, David was both larger-than-life hero and deeply flawed human. We'll explore his…

1
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemmingway (1929) 30:30

20d ago30:30

30:30

What does it mean to search for love in the middle of chaos? In A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway tells the story of an American ambulance driver in World War I who falls in love with a British nurse against the backdrop of mud, blood, and uncertainty. Their romance burns brightly even as the war grinds on, reminding us how fragile joy can be wh…

1
Lecture 27: Lexington and Concord 24:43

1M ago24:43

24:43

What happens when a midnight ride and a few gunshots change the course of history? In this episode, Lexington and Concord, we follow the tense standoff of April 1775, when British troops marched to seize colonial weapons—and found themselves face-to-face with determined militiamen. The "shot heard 'round the world" turned protest into open war, as …