Best Bad Orthodox Podcasts (2024)

1
Nutrition and Your Brain Part 3: Preventing Dementia and Alzheimer's 41:33

1h ago41:33

41:33

The current state of dementia and Alzeimer's is abysmal. The focus on eliminating amyloid plaques has led us down a blind alley, yielding paltry and questionable progress in treating this devastating condition. But what if we could change the trajectory of this disease without waiting for Big Pharma to save us? Recent research suggests that address…

1
Gavriel Bloom z"l: A Hero in a Land of Heroes (222) 49:19

1d ago49:19

49:19

Later this week we will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Day of Remembrance, Yom HaZikaron. According to Chazal, Hashem (so to speak) remembers us on this day for the good… and we, too, should look at those people who set sterling examples for us over the past year, and try to learn from their deeply meaningful lives. One of those people …

1
A Regular Adult Human Person (Shaun of the Dead - 2004) 51:01

8d ago51:01

51:01

It's a house divided as Juliet and Theresa celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Edgar Wright/Simon Pegg zom-com, Shaun of the Dead, a move that Theresa loves and Juliet...doesn't. Join them to explore their feelings about this film and the way it pokes at at toxic masculinity and zombie tropes. CW/TW: none for this episode Buy us a coffee! Become …

1
Reorganizing the Letters of Reality: A Mystical and Chassidic Approach to Prayer, with Rabbi Dovid'l Weinberg (221) 1:08:11

8d ago1:08:11

1:08:11

One of the beautiful aspects of Torah Judaism is its insistence on eilu v’eilu divrei Elokim chayim - that two different and even potentially contradictory approaches can both represent the words of the living God. Opening our minds to differing ways of seeing Torah - that, in the words of many ancient texts, there are seventy facets to the Torah, …

1
Self-Sacrifice is not Your Civic Duty 25:52

12d ago25:52

25:52

In this episode of Blasphemous Nutrition, Aimee warns listeners about the destructive impact of staying incessantly connected to the news cycle, particularly during high-stress periods like elections. Drawing from her experience as a nutritionist, Aimee illustrates how anxiety over political events can derail health goals and lead to unhealthy copi…

1
How Does Prayer Work? A Rationalist Approach to Tefilah, or What Larry David Got Wrong (220) 1:09:33

15d ago1:09:33

1:09:33

We stand in the middle of the month of Elul, and are moving quickly towards Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - days largely spent in the synagogue in prayer. Throughout those days as well as the rest of the Ten Days of Repentance, we ask that God grant us a year of life, goodness, and peace. While we have so much to be thankful for, we may be forgiven …

1
My Oura Ring Was Stolen! ... But Only In My Mind (Epictetus - Discourses 2.18-30) 21:43

16d ago21:43

21:43

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 21 minutes 25 seconds Synopsis: There's nothing like a real-world example to showcase Stoic principles. This incident that happened to me a couple of weeks ago illustrates one of the core ideas in Epictetus's teachings: the use of "impressions." Not only that, but it also exemplifie…

1
Hey Bestie! (Creep - 2024) 47:53

22d ago47:53

47:53

Largely improvised by a two-person cast, Creep is yet another take on the found footage subgenre. Join Juliet and Theresa to talk about why Aaron has zero disregard for his own personal safety, the real life perils of of Benadryl and more. CW/TW: brief mentions of rape and sexual assault Buy us a coffee! Become a Patron! Theme music: "Book of Shado…

1
"The Gamblification of Everything" - Gambling, Orthodox Jewish Adolescents, and the Big Problem That's Getting Worse (219) 51:04

22d ago51:04

51:04

Many people often talk about addiction and dependence; and in doing so, they may use those terms inexactly. When it comes to gambling, however, those words are, unfortunately, correct. Problem gambling is a growing problem in the United States - particularly online gambling, which has been growing exponentially since the Supreme Court decided, in 2…

1
Christ: the Artist and the Art

27d ago

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Fr. John Oliver reflects on the connection between Creation and the Cross.By Fr. John Oliver

1
Nutrition and Your Brain: Part 2 - What to Eat to Ease Depression and Anxiety 51:51

27d ago51:51

51:51

Ever wondered what to eat to keep your brain happy and calm? In this episode of Blasphemous Nutrition, Aimee dives deep into how specific foods can help manage depression and anxiety, breaking down the findings from groundbreaking studies like the SMILES trial, which found that a Mediterranean diet helped 31% of participants achieve remission from …

1
Don't Be Shocked By Evil (Aurelius - Meditations 7:1) 14:23

29d ago14:23

14:23

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 14 minutes 6 seconds Synopsis: In an effort to jumpstart weekly TSJ episodes, I've decided to start from the beginning of Meditations Book 7 and work my way through. Chapter 1 is very reminiscent of Koheles ... or is it? You can be the judge of that. Sources: - Aurelius, Meditations…

1
Teaching Our Students to be Zionists Rather than "Pro-Israel": A Conversation with Dr. Noam Weissman (218) 1:02:47

28d ago1:02:47

1:02:47

Scott recorded this interview with Dr. Noam Weissman on Monday afternoon, the day after we learned about the terrible execution of six hostages soon before they were discovered by the IDF, presumably in order to make sure that they did not make it back home alive. And today, Hamas continued its psychological torture by saying that it will release v…

1
Nutrition and Your Brain: Part 1 - Diet and Mental Health 36:14

1M ago36:14

36:14

Could what you eat be messing with your mind? In this episode, Aimee dives deep into how nutrition affects mental well-being, revealing the hidden connections between what’s on your plate and what’s on your mind. She highlights how hydration, blood sugar balance, and anti-inflammatory foods play critical roles in brain health. Aimee also discusses …

1
The Car Repair Saga of Summer 2024 (Epictetus - Enchiridion 1:1) 14:27

1M ago14:27

14:27

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 14 minutes 9 seconds Synopsis: On July 19th, while I was in Seattle for the summer, my car - which I had been renting to a talmid - was rear-ended. What followed was a rollercoaster of bureaucratic insurance annoyances accompanied by anxiety from afar. The saga ended on August 23rd,…

1
The Worst Batman (Lair of the White Worm - 1988) 54:38

1M ago54:38

54:38

Starring a young Hugh Grant and a pre-Dr. Who Peter Capaldi, The Lair of the White Worm is a movie loosely based on a Bram Stoker novel loosely based on an old English myth. Join Juliet and Theresa to talk about the movie's confusing worm lore, why Lord James had the potential to be Batman but failed miserably and the strangest party food ever. CW/…

1
The Ongoing War, and a Potential Mental Health Crisis in Israel and the Diaspora (217) 1:18:09

1M ago1:18:09

1:18:09

This podcast is being released less than a day after the Israeli army preemptively struck thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers in Lebanon, doing so just fifteen minutes before those launchers were supposed to fire hundreds of missiles into northern and central Israel. Thank God that as of now, Israel clearly won this exchange. We don’t know what…

1
How Dehydration Hijacks Your Health: Symptoms to Watch For and Hydration Tips to Keep You At Your Best 19:16

1M ago19:16

19:16

Could dehydration be the root cause of you feeling old, tired, and less than your best? In this episode, Aimee uncovers the subtle signs of dehydration that often fly under the radar. We dive into why hydration isn’t just about drinking water—it's about balancing electrolytes too. Aimee shares how to determine exactly how much water your body needs…

1
Is Israel a Light Unto the Nations... And Should It Even Bother Trying? A Conversation with Yossi Klein Halevi (216) 55:31

1M ago55:31

55:31

The October 7th massacre, and the subsequent war against Hamas, other Iranian proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis, and Iran itself, have caused many people throughout the Jewish world to reconsider what Israel means to them, and what kind of society Israel should create. Many continually return to the idea that Israel should be a light unto the …

1
Below the Summit of Pride

2M ago

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Fr. John Oliver reflects on pride and humility.By Fr. John Oliver

1
A Turtle Is a Choice (Beddua: The Curse - 2018) 37:53

2M ago37:53

37:53

Juliet and Theresa take on their first Turkish horror film with Beddua: The Curse. Join them for a discussion of this movie's surprising story, witch women in world cultures and why we need more turtles in film. CW/TW: none for this episode Buy us a coffee! Become a Patron! Theme music: "Book of Shadows" by Houseghost (Rad Girlfriend Records) Hoste…

1
Tisha B'Av and Bad Theology: A New View of Megillat Eicha with Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman (CLASSIC EPISODE) 1:10:39

2M ago1:10:39

1:10:39

“What does Eichah have in common with climate change deniers, anti-vaxxers, Holocaust deniers and those that claim that the 2020 presidential elections were stolen?” Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman sent this to Scott, who was intrigued and immediately invited him back onto this podcast to discuss what he meant. More than anything else, we need a way to rel…

1
The Freedom to Be in Bondage

2M ago

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Fr. John Oliver reflects on the true meaning of freedom.By Fr. John Oliver

1
Hidden Causes of Chronic Joint Pain: Discover the Unexpected Triggers that Debilitate You 26:47

2M ago26:47

26:47

Are you tired of living with chronic joint pain and searching for real solutions? In this eye-opening episode, Aimee reveals the often-overlooked root causes of joint discomfort and offer practical tips to help you reduce or resolve your chronic pain. Discover how specific dietary changes can significantly reduce your joint pain and improve your ov…

1
The Stoic Jew Shiur #07: Existential Procrastination (Meditations 2:4) 59:23

2M ago59:23

59:23

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 59 minutes Synopsis: This evening (8/7/24), in our final Stoic Jew Shiur of this summer, we learned the fourth entry in Marcus Aurelius's journal. This, too, is a self-reminder to keep his principles at the forefront of his mind - but this is the first time in the Meditations that M…

1
Special Announcement: Ancient Faith Men's Retreat

2M ago

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The Ancient Faith Men's Retreat runs August 22-25, 2024.By Fr. John Oliver

1
Ikar HaDin, Chumra, and Minhag: The Phenomenon of Greater Stringency in the Orthodox World, with Rabbi Shaya Karlinsky (215) 59:37

2M ago59:37

59:37

Sometimes it’s called a move to the right. Other times it is seen as a rejection of lax religiosity. Some people think of it as an admirable commitment to serving God as best as possible. Others decry it as representing an unacceptable change from traditional Jewish practice. All these and more are reactions to the unquestionably real phenomenon of…

1
What's Your Town?

2M ago

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Fr. John Oliver reflects on the boundaries within our hearts.By Fr. John Oliver

1
Can You Stress Your Way Into Diabetes? 40:03

2M ago40:03

40:03

Stressed out and feeling like it's taking a toll on more than just your mood? You aren't wrong! In this episode of Blasphemous Nutrition, you'll find out how being stressed all the time messes with your sugar control, and may even hike up your risk of diabetes. It's a two-way street where stress affects blood sugar, and erratic blood sugar can ramp…

1
The Stoic Jew Shiur #06: How Stoics and Jews React to the Deaths of the Wicked (Meditations 2.1) 1:28:39

2M ago1:28:39

1:28:39

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 1 hour 28 minutes Synopsis: This evening (7/31/24), in our Stoic Jew Shiur, we deviated from our sequential learn-through of Meditations and took up a timely question: What do Stoicism and Judaism have to say about the double-assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbolla…

1
Arrests and Mob Violence at Sdei Teiman: What Happened, What It Means, and Why It Matters (BONUS EPISODE) 40:08

2M ago40:08

40:08

This is a rush-release bonus episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, to help us all get to the bottom of what happened yesterday at the military detention center at Sdei Teiman. We will learn what the nine arrested soldiers were accused of, the manner that they were arrested, and the reason for the protests of numerous right-wing members of Knesset. Wha…

1
Bad Boy Brilliance (The Faculty - 1998) 50:47

2M ago50:47

50:47

For Juliet and Theresa, The Faculty is a comfort film. Join them in revisiting this 1998 teen horror classic and its classic 90s tropes of the nerdy girl glow up, bad boy brilliance and curiously absent parents. CW/TW: sexual assault, bullying Support us on Patreon! Theme music: "Book of Shadows" by Houseghost (Rad Girlfriend Records) Hosted on Aca…

1
Can the Glass Ceiling Be Broken? Women's Leadership and Its Limits, with Joanne Greenaway (214) 54:39

2M ago54:39

54:39

One of the most difficult issues facing Modern or Centrist Orthodox Jews today is the question of how to increase and encourage the participation of more women in leadership roles, while also working within the halachic parameters that set limits on how extensive those leadership roles are allowed to be. When we add two thousand years of socializat…

1
Even the Devil is a Servant of God

2M ago

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Fr. John Oliver reflects on the role evil and suffering plays in drawing us closer to God.By Fr. John Oliver

1
Prevent Health Setbacks and Weight Gain From Summer Traveling 34:07

2M ago34:07

34:07

Ever returned from a trip feeling bloated, sluggish, or heavier than when you left? In this episode of Blasphemous Nutrition, Aimee, our unapologetically candid host and double-degreed nutritionist, dives deep into practical strategies to prevent weight gain and health setbacks while traveling. Whether you're jet-setting across the globe, road-trip…

1
The Stoic Jew Shiur #05: Marcus Aurelius, Rambam, and Kuzari on "Gam Zu l'Tovah!" (Meditations 2:3) 1:18:55

2M ago1:18:55

1:18:55

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 1 hour 19 minutes Synopsis: This evening (7/24/24), in our Stoic Jew Shiur, we learned the third entry in Meditations Book II, which deals with some weighty topics: God, the universe, hashgachah (providence), and theodicy (the question of evil in the world). We began by underscoring…

1
When Reverence Becomes Pseudo-Idolatry: The Phenomenon of Gadol Worship, with Rav Yitzchak Shurin (213) 1:03:41

2M ago1:03:41

1:03:41

For the past two thousand years, Torah observant Jews have acknowledged that our greatest scholars deserve respect, and have an extraordinarily deep and broad understanding of the vast sea of the Torah sheba’al peh, the Oral Law. In recent times, however, proper respect for talmidei chachamim has often morphed into a pseudo-idolatry of gedolim, whe…

1
A City Dump Becomes the Village Church

3M ago

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Fr. John Oliver shares the story of the reclamation of a church after the end of the Soviet era, reminding us that "we walk by faith, and not by sight."By Fr. John Oliver

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The Stoic Jew Shiur #04: Self-Talk About Your True Self (Meditations 2:2) 1:28:00

3M ago1:28:00

1:28:00

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 1 hour 28 minutes Synopsis: This evening (7/17/24), in our Stoic Jew Shiur, we learned and discussed the second chapter in Book II, which had a markedly different tone than the first chapter. Here we see Marcus reminding - or rebuking himself - in order not to lose sight of who he r…

1
Three Years of Gratitude, Even for Insomnia! 15:49

3M ago15:49

15:49

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 15 minutes 31 seconds Synopsis: I can't believe it, but this past Friday marked three YEARS of gratitude journaling! In this episode, as I usually do in these "gratitude milestone episodes," I recap my gratitude journal practice and identify the benefit or level-up that currently st…

1
The Importance of Nutrition on Overall Health as We Age with Tina Stinson 49:02

3M ago49:02

49:02

Episode Summary: Ever wondered how the food you eat and the lifestyle you lead impact your health, especially as you age? Join Aimee, a double-degreed nutritionist with 20 years of experience, as she dives deep into this topic on the Soul Aligned Self Care Podcast with host Tina Stinson. In this episode, Aimee shares her journey from vegetarianism …

1
Auspicious, Suspicious...All of the 'Spicious (Nightmare - 1981) 52:46

3M ago52:46

52:46

Also known as Nightmares in a Damaged Brain, 1981's Nightmare is a splatter-slasher that occupies a special place on the infamous Video Nasties list. Join Juliet and Theresa to talk about this low budget classic, it's under-celebrated lead actor and why sometimes you don't need a super fancy restoration of every film. Further Reading: [Butcher Bloc…

1
Nepotism, Greed, Power, and Politics: The Tragic Self-Inflicted Fate of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate (212) 1:04:40

3M ago1:04:40

1:04:40

68 years ago, Rav Soloveitchik zt'l identified the timidity of Orthodox Jews as representing a failure to respond to the miracle of renewed Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel. Today, tragically, we seem to have the opposite problem. In 2024, Israel has a religious establishment which has completely lost its sense of shame, and is not only inv…

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