Best Mark Trencher Podcasts (2025)

1
(35) Yoetzet Halacha and Community Scholar – Ruthie Braffman Shulman 20:35

7d ago20:35

20:35

Ruthie Braffman Shulman is passionate about the importance of women’s roles in Torah Leadership positions, and she currently serves as the Director of Women's Torah Leadership at Micah Philanthropies, where she develops and supports women in Torah leadership positions at shuls. Simultaneously, she is the Yoetzet Halacha and community scholar at You…

1
(34) “In-Town” vs. “Out-of-Town” Living … with Rabbi Dr. Noam Weinberg 30:08

16d ago30:08

30:08

Rabbi Weinberg is a distinguished Jewish educator, relationship coach, and speaker, renowned for his expertise in fostering healthy relationships and guiding personal development. He received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshiva University, he holds a master's degrees in marriage and family therapy, secondary education, and school administration;…

1
(33) The Evolution of Orthodoxy… With Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff 28:03

28d ago28:03

28:03

In this episode, our wide-ranging discussion covers the size of the Orthodox and Modern Orthodox community, how and why the Orthodox have become a minority, the cost and standards of living of Orthodoxy, some under-valued benefits, and even some sport trivia! Our guest, Rabbi Zev Eleff received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University and M.A. from Teach…

1
(32) A Peek Into the Hasidic World … with Frieda Vizel 25:15

2M ago25:15

25:15

Frieda Vizel was raised in the Satmar Hasidic community. At age 25, she left that community and pursued higher education, culminating in a master’s degree at Sarah Lawrence College. Since 2013, she has been offering walking tours of Hasidic Williamsburg. Her tours provide insights into the community's traditions and daily life, and are noted for th…

1
(31) Orthodox Divorces: Why? Why? Why? … with Betzalel Rothstein 32:01

2M ago32:01

32:01

Betzalel Rothstein is a Certified Divorce Coach and Mediator who is highly regarded and has been involved in hundreds of divorce cases over the past 10 years either as Mediator, Coach, Parenting Coordinator or Consultant. He has extensive experience in dealing with difficult topics such as parental alienation, blended families, relocation, and what…

1
(30) Rabbi Steven Gotlib: A Thoughtful and Bold Voice for Our Complicated Times 29:47

3M ago29:47

29:47

In this episode, we have a wide-ranging discussion, touching on such topics as: • Significant differences between US and Canadian Jewry/Orthodoxy • Interactions and public conversations across among various denominations • The evolving role of women in Modern Orthodoxy • Has politics become a “Jewish issue” (and/or divisive), including attitudes to…

1
(29) Aliza Bulow: Empowering Orthodox Jewish Women & Strengthening Our Homes 29:38

3M ago29:38

29:38

Aliza Bulow is an author, educator and mentor to Jewish women around the world, who founded CORE, an organization that empowers and connects Orthdox Jewish women. Core connects, develops and sustains women who engage in klal (the collective community) work. Core supports women in three main ways: 1) MMC (Mashpia-Mentor-Counselor) Program: Core offe…

1
(28) Moish’s Believe It or Not! Bet you didn’t know that about Orthodoxy ... 28:21

4M ago28:21

28:21

In this episode we present some surprising facts about Modern Orthodoxy and the Orthodox community as a whole, based upon Nishma Research surveys between 2016 and 2024. We explore the size and growth of the community, religious beliefs and practices, political views, the finances of living an Orthodox Jewish life, the role of women in Modern Orthod…

1
(27) Haredi Expert, Researcher and Founder of Mispar.com, Dina Goldman 25:40

5M ago25:40

25:40

Dina Goldman is at the frontier of researching and understanding the Chasidish and Yeshivish communities. She has spent over a decade working in marketing and advertising within the Orthodox Jewish community. Seeing how many businesses really lack solid information that they need, she founded Mispar – The Jewish Community, a Story of Numbers, a com…

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(26) The First-Ever Community Middot Report Card 37:09

5M ago37:09

37:09

Middot (and we’re talking mainly about interpersonal behaviors) are so important, especially in these stressful days. So we are pleased to present this as a dual-platform episode, being released on both Orthonomics and The Franciska Show … both covering important issues in the Orthodox Jewish world, and both available at all podcast platforms. Much…

1
(25) Author, Educator, Coach, Speaker … Ruchi Koval 26:19

6M ago26:19

26:19

Ruchi Koval is a parenting coach and motivational speaker who has inspired personal transformation in thousands of people. She is the co-founder and Associate Director of JFX (Jewish Family Experience), an innovative community in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been a Jewish educator for two decades, leading self-development groups for adults and teens, a…

1
(24) Interview with an Orthodox therapist, Dr. Chaya Lieba Kobernick 26:16

7M ago26:16

26:16

Dr. Chaya Lieba Kobernick is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Founder and Director of The CBT/DBY Center (https://www.thecbtdbtcenter.com/ … email [email protected]), with clientele in both Israel and the U.S. She received her doctorate at Long Island University, and also trained at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Northwell Health, an…

1
(23) The Issues We Raise; the Questions We Ask … with Halachah Headlines Author and Podcaster Dovid Lichtenstein 25:33

10M ago25:33

25:33

Dovid Lichtenstein is the founder and host of the Halacha Headlines podcast, an amazing and very popular podcast with a huge listenership that is indeed "The most listened to Torah Program in the world.” Halacha Headlines delves into contemporary issues and current events through the lens of Torah and Halacha (Jewish law). Each episode features dis…

1
(22) Prolific Commentator Joseph Kaplan … Modern Orthodox and Feminist 30:42

1y ago30:42

30:42

Joseph Kaplan is perhaps the most prolific writer anywhere on topics relating to Modern Orthodoxy. He has written hundreds of articles in The Baltimore Jewish Times, The Jewish Week, Edah Journal, Sh’ma Magazine, New Jersey Jewish Standard, and the Times of Israel. He has written many letters-to-the editor of many publications including 19 that wer…

1
(21) Rabbi Yehuda Albin … Melding Torah Teaching and Personal Coaching 23:44

1y ago23:44

23:44

Rabbi Yehuda Albin grew up as a Reform Jew in Scarsdale, NY. He was exposed to Judaism and his father ran several secular Jewish camps for youth. He became religious in Jerusalem, after graduating Bowdoin College with the highest honors. Then he studied the Torah and the Talmud for nearly a decade in Jerusalem, before returning to the states, and m…

1
(20)Jacob Kornbluh – Senior Political Reporter at The Forward; and Member of the Brooklyn Hasidic Community 25:50

1y ago25:50

25:50

Jacob Kornbluh is the senior political reporter for the Forward. Kornbluh, a member of the Hasidic community in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, covers politics with a Jewish angle and regularly interviews government officials, political commentators and security experts on issues that matter to the broader Jewish American community. He p…

1
S2-EP 024 . The Future of Healthcare, COP28 Consensus and Climate Leadership - A Conversation with Sonia Roschnik 30:17

1+ y ago30:17

30:17

Send us a text There are a number of reasons why we have to halt the climate crisis. One of them is public health. In this episode we discuss these important questions: How do we rethink the future of healthcare when tackling climate change is only one of many challenges? What impacts will the COP28 UAE Consensus make on climate actions in reducing…

1
S2-EP 023 . Is 100% Renewable Energy System Closer to Us? – A Conversation with Mark Jacobson (Rebroadcasting S2-EP 014) 33:50

1+ y ago33:50

33:50

Send us a text To achieve a 100% renewable energy system worldwide by 2050 affordable or not? Apart from the maturing technology, like solar PV and wind power, are we too late to develop some alternative technologies such as carbon capture and storage, direct air capture, geoengineering, and small modular nuclear reactor? With the tightening time w…

1
(19) Baruch Lytle – African-American Convert, Satmar Hasid, and Award-Winning Jewish World Journalist 33:14

1+ y ago33:14

33:14

Baruch Lytle is an African American Orthodox Jew from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and he identifies as a Satmar Chasid. He describes his conversion to Judaism as the defining moment of his life and greatest accomplishment. He is also an award-winning journalist, having written nearly 200 articles for the largest Jewish newspaper in America, The Jewish …

1
S2-EP 022 . Upscaling Production, Improving Efficiency, and Offsetting Emissions: Deciphering the Oil Majors’ Climate Strategies – A Conversation with Greg Trencher 37:18

1+ y ago37:18

37:18

Send us a text Since 2020, not only some national governments but also many large multinational companies have announced their climate pledges - reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Among them are some oil and natural gas giants, such as BP, Shell, Chevron and ExxonMobil, which are the majors in the industry and the top contributors of the carbon e…

1
S2-EP 021 . Industrial Policy vs. Carbon Pricing, Which Can Deliver? – A Conversation with David Driesen 33:33

1+ y ago33:33

33:33

Send us a text There are two major economic measures to reduce carbon emissions of energy system, carbon pricing and industrial policy. Which one is better to deliver climate targets? What do the historical experiences of both emission trading systems and industrial policy in the E.U., China and the U.S. tell us? When competition rather than cooper…

1
(18) A Conversation with Orthodox World Pundit… and “The Man in the Middle”… Michael Feldstein 36:27

1+ y ago36:27

36:27

Michael Feldstein is a keen observer and commentator on all aspects of the Orthodox Jewish community, and his weekly columns in the Jewish Link newspaper draws an enthusiastic readership. His upcoming (January 2024) book, "Meet Me in the Middle," is a collection of 75 of his essays and, in this episode, we discuss five of them: • Prayer, Politics a…

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S2-EP 020 . Can Africa Leapfrog in Mitigating Climate Change? – A Conversation with Jean-Benoit Fournier 31:26

1+ y ago31:26

31:26

Send us a text With both population and economy growing, Africa shall pursue a leapfrogging strategy in achieving the net zero energy system in the next three decades. However, some significant factors need to be addressed, like upscaled investment, accelerated deployment of low carbon energy technology, and international financial support. In this…

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S2-EP 019 . How Can E.U. De-risk the Critical Minerals Supply: A Conversation with Patrick Schröder 30:48

2y ago30:48

30:48

Send us a text For years China has dominated in the global supply chains of critical minerals, which are crucial to deploying low carbon energy technology and accelerating the global energy transition. Particularly, China's dominance is very apparent in the global supplies of rare earth, graphite, manganese and cobalt. These minerals are critical t…

1
(17) Starting a Conversation: A Pioneering Survey of Those Who Have Left the Orthodox Community 40:46

2y ago40:46

40:46

This episode is an exploration of a pioneering study of people who have left the Orthodox community, as we examing journeys, practices, beliefs, identity, community and relationships, across Chasidic, Yeshivish and Modern Orthodox segments of the population. In this episode, we review many highlights of this study, including: 1. Why People Leave Or…

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S2-EP 018 . Restructuring Supply Chains of Critical Minerals vs. Accelerating Clean Energy Transition: A Conversation with Marina Zhang 32:05

2y ago32:05

32:05

Send us a text While the world enters a de-globalization era and the relationship between China and the U.S. turns from bad to worse, policy makers from many high-income countries prioritize de-risking the supply chains and diversifying trading activities, such as increasing the security of the critical minerals supply. Will this big policy change …

1
(16) Covid – Micro and Macro Experiences, with Rabbi Tuvia Brander and Dr. Daniel Staetsky 47:30

2y ago47:30

47:30

In this episode, we first look at how Covid affected a shul and community, and we discuss with Rabbi Brander the creativity, innovations, and possible lasting changes that took place. We then discuss with a leading demographer the impact that Covid had on the Jewish community in terms of actual mortality and death statistics. While we are typically…

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S2-EP 017 . How to Update the International Climate and Energy Cooperation Strategy Based on China’s Experience: A Conversation with Joanna Lewis 37:05

2y ago37:05

37:05

Send us a text U.S. – China climate cooperation is a crucial issue when we talk about tackling climate crisis. However, the bilateral relationship has been declining in the recent years, particularly since 2020. Under such a difficult situation, where will the U.S.-China climate and clean energy collaboration go? What lessons can the past cooperati…

1
S2-EP 016 . Understanding the Impacts of Phasing out American Nuclear Power Generation - A Conversation with Lyssa Freese 32:24

2y ago32:24

32:24

Send us a text Nuclear power plays an important role in the energy system in many big economies around the world. There are many debates related to this energy source, from energy security to addressing climate change to environmental and social justice. While some countries, like Germany, shut down the last nuclear power plants, others, like China…

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(15) A Conversation with Journalist, Author, Podcast Host, Religious Explorer, Magician, Film Critic, and Albert Einstein Avatar – Benyamin Cohen 29:03

2y ago29:03

29:03

In this episode, we speak with Benyamin Cohen, news director at The Forward, author of “My Jesus Year: A Rabbi’s Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith,” named one of the best books of the year by Publishers Weekly, “The Einstein Effect: How the World's Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds,” and a man of di…

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S2-EP 015 . U.S.’s Institutional Dynamics to Address Public Crisis: From Environmental Pollution to Global Pandemic to Climate Change - A Conversation with Peter Orris 37:10

2y ago37:10

37:10

Send us a text How to address public crisis implies a nation’s complicated institutional setting of economic, political, and cultural preferences and tolerance. A society’s resilience in mitigating the crisis, from environmental pollution disasters to global pandemics to climate change, depends on the interaction between crisis and evolving institu…

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(14) Fertility, Mortality, Life Expectancy, Changes in Self-Identification, and Orthodox Population Growth – with Demographic Expert Dr. Daniel Staetsky 37:14

2y ago37:14

37:14

In this episode, we speak with the noted Jewish world demographer Dr. Daniel Staetsky about population trends, particularly in the Haredi world. Dr. Staetsky is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (London), and has published widely on Jewish, Israeli and European demography and social statistics. He has written many…

1
S2-EP 014 . Is 100% Renewable Energy System Closer to Us? – A Conversation with Mark Jacobson 33:50

2y ago33:50

33:50

Send us a text To achieve a 100% renewable energy system worldwide by 2050 affordable or not? Apart from the maturing technology, like solar PV and wind power, are we too late to develop some alternative technologies such as carbon capture and storage, direct air capture, geoengineering, and small modular nuclear reactor? With the tightening time w…

1
S2-EP 013. A Historic and Personal View on the Impacts of American Social Evolution on Climate Action: A Conversation with Bill McKibben (Part 2) 20:58

2y ago20:58

20:58

Send us a text The intense rivalry between the U.S. and China, the ongoing brutal war between Russia and Ukraine, and the potential geopolitical conflict risk in the South China Sea remain the big challenges to addressing the climate crisis via productive international cooperation. Under the complicated domestic and international situations and unc…

1
(13) The Stories of Those Who Have Left the Fold – with Naomi Seidman, Professor, Author and Host of the Heretic in the House Podcast. 36:45

2+ y ago36:45

36:45

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Naomi Seidman about people leaving Orthodoxy and the related stories, experiences and misconceptions. She shares what she personally learned in leaving her Haredi community, as well as the insights of many others. We also draw upon the 2016 study “Starting a Conversation: A Pioneering Survey of Those Who Have Le…

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S2-EP 012 . A Historic and Personal View on the Impacts of American Social Evolution on Climate Action: A Conversation with Bill McKibben (Part 1) 26:26

2+ y ago26:26

26:26

Send us a text The intense rivalry between U.S. and China, the ongoing brutal war between Russia and Ukraine, and the potential geopolitical conflict risk in the South China Sea remain the big challenges to addressing the climate crisis via productive international cooperation. Under the complicated domestic and international situations and uncerta…

1
S2-EP 011 . Decarbonizing Indian Road Transport: A Conversation with Aditya Ramji (Rebroadcasting S2-EP 006) 31:44

2+ y ago31:44

31:44

Send us a text Indian Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) adventure plays a significant role in both providing sustainable mobility services and materializing its long-term national carbon neutrality goal. What does the road transport decarbonization in the past ten years inform its future ambition? Under the various challenges, from the global energy cri…

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(12) Approaches to Address the Plight of Agunot – with Keshet Starr, Esq., Executive Director of ORA, the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot 34:25

2+ y ago34:25

34:25

In this episode, we speak with Keshet Starr about the agunah (“chained wife”) problem and what is being done to resolve it. Hot off the press (from a large-scale survey that had not yet been released as we recorded this episode), we have new data on the agunah situation and some fascinating verbatim comments from women and men about their divorce d…

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S2-EP 010 . Is CCS a Game Changer for Climate Mitigation? - A Conversation with Professor Xu Yuan (Rebroadcasting S1-EP 061) 36:03

2+ y ago36:03

36:03

Send us a text Despite the high expectation in decarbonizing the fossil fuels sectors for years, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has not been scaled up. In the next 5-10 years, will comprehensive technology be a game changer in global climate mitigations? Can the oil and gas giants in the Middle East countries sustain their business in the future …

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S2-EP 009 . Reviewing Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Development from Industrial Competition, Supply Chain Security, and Hydrogen Strategy: A Conversation with Professor Gregory Trencher 39:40

2+ y ago39:40

39:40

Send us a text Compared to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) have lagged during the electrification of the road transport sector across the world in the past ten years. Under the new context related to technological competition among economic powers, the energy crisis enhanced by the Russia-Ukraine war in Europe, t…

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S2-EP 008 . How Relevant Is California’s Emissions Trading Experience for China: A Conversation with Professor Alex Wang 36:44

2+ y ago36:44

36:44

Send us a text Enacted in 2021, China’s National Carbon Market based on tradable performance standard, was promoted as a new effort to engage with international climate policy. It’s too early to assess the emissions reduction impact of the so-called biggest carbon market in the world. Despite of the essential differences of market design, contextua…

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S2-EP 007 . Japan's Economic and Geopolitical Challenges on Energy Transition: A Conversation with Professor Jusen Asuka 30:14

2+ y ago30:14

30:14

Send us a text Japan's Green Transformation Plan is the latest national strategy in pursuit of energy transition and carbon neutrality by 2050. As a major economy with probably the highest energy efficiency standard and greatest dependency on fossil fuels import around the world, Japan faces a range of challenges. Professor Jusen Asuka from Tohoku …

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S2-EP 006 . Decarbonizing Indian Road Transport: A Conversation with Aditya Ramji 31:44

2+ y ago31:44

31:44

Send us a text Indian Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) adventure plays a significant role in both providing sustainable mobility services and materializing its long-term national carbon neutrality goal. What does the road transport decarbonization in the past ten years inform its future ambition? Under the various challenges, from global energy crisis,…

1
S2-EP 005 . The Dramatic Australia-China Collaboration on Low Carbon Technology: A Conversation with Diarmuid Cooney-O'Donoghue 25:14

2+ y ago25:14

25:14

Send us a text The mutual benefits of economic growth between China and Australia had pushed the bilateral cooperation on science and technology, particularly the climate related technology, to a new level until a few years ago. However, the relationship has been deteriorating since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. What does the dramatic chan…

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(11) Health Challenges Affecting Orthodox Women and their Families – with Elana Silber of Sharsheret 35:48

2+ y ago35:48

35:48

Elana Silber is CEO of Sharsheret (https://sharsheret.org), a national non-profit organization that improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer, through personalized support and educational outreach. We address such issues as: which Orthodox groups are at higher risk, what ad…

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S2-EP 004 . The Complex Role of Hydropower in Addressing Climate Crisis in China: A Conversation with Prof. Darrin Magee 24:42

2+ y ago24:42

24:42

Send us a text In 1980-2015, China experienced one of the longest economic expansion in the modern era. While playing a significant role in supplying affordable and reliable electricity, hydropower has also caused undisputed and large negative impacts on social, ecological and cultural aspects. Dr. Darrin Magee from Hobart and William Smith College…

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(10) The “Haredi Moment,” The Making of Kiryas Joel, and the New Haredi Research Group – with David Myers 36:13

2+ y ago36:13

36:13

In this episode, we speak with Prof. David Myers, co-author (with his wife) of the fascinating book "American Shtetl: The Making of Kiryas Joel, a Hasidic Village in Upstate New York,” and founder of the new Haredi Research Group, a multi-disciplinary group that is aiming to help us all better understand the American Haredi (Chasidic and Yeshivish)…

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S2-EP 003 . Will America be the Next Leader of Energy Transition? – A Conversation with Noah Lerner 30:49

2+ y ago30:49

30:49

Send us a text Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the first climate bill by U.S. federal government, will bring fundamental changes to American energy sector in terms of speeding up the penetration of low carbon technologies and clean power generation. Mr. Noah Lerner, who have gained working experience on energy decarbonization from private, non-profi…

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S2-EP 002 . From Climate Commitment to Climate Law: A Conversation with Prof. David Driesen 28:21

2+ y ago28:21

28:21

Send us a text What’s the beauty of Inflation Reduction Act? Why is it hard, if not impossible, for Republican Party to do something in undermining the law? How can the first American climate law advance the international climate policy and energy transition? Is there any tension between the climate law and the recent supreme court ruling on the We…

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S2-EP 001 . How Geostrategy and Energy Crisis Influence Climate Relationship: A Conversation with Dr. Patrick Schroeder 27:25

3y ago27:25

27:25

Send us a text International climate policy faces a range of challenges such as high energy costs and the deteriorating relationship between China and America. How will both domestic and international situations influence the near to medium-term climate actions of the three major actors, China, the U.S., and the EU? What could the climate cooperati…

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Mark Trencher Podcasts

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