Best Cultural Arbiters Podcasts (2024)

1
Troubled Waters Revisited 29:46

4M ago29:46

29:46

In this episode of "In Jewish History," Emily Reuben discusses her documentary project Troubled Waters: The Integration of the Riviera Club. This project covers the Bates v. Riviera Club Inc. court case, in which Emily's father was an attorney who fought for African-Americans and Jews to gain admittance into a club that discriminated against racial…

1
From Fort Wayne to Jerusalem With Mark Lavie 1:34:54

5M ago1:34:54

1:34:54

In this episode of "In Jewish History", Mark Lavie reflects on his career as a journalist and his life in Israel. Lavie discusses Israeli politics and culture, meeting various Israeli politicians, and his experience moving from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Israel as a young man. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/injewishhi…

1
The Arbiter Ring & Whiting, Indiana: An Interview With Lou Kaplan 30:15

5M ago30:15

30:15

In this episode of "In Jewish History", Lou Kaplan talks about the Jewish community in Whiting, Indiana, his family's life in Whiting after they came to the United States from Russia, his childhood, the Arbiter Ring (Workmen's Circle), and the future of Jewish Whiting today. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/injewish…

1
The Indiana Synagogue Mapping Project 26:47

5M ago26:47

26:47

In this episode of "In Jewish History", Dr. Wendy Soltz, an Assistant Professor of History and the Director of the Public History Program at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, discusses the creation of the Indiana Synagogue Mapping Project, an interactive map featuring information about and images of Indiana synagogues from 1865 to 2015. Dr.…

1
Hoosier National: A Story of Orthodox Jews, Kosher Meat, and Sephardic Culture in Indianapolis 1:07:37

6M ago1:07:37

1:07:37

In this episode of "In Jewish History", Benjamin Franz discusses Jewish Sephardic culture in Indiana, his family's role in the Jewish and kosher cuisine of the area, Hebrew National, and the people and events of Etz Chaim Sephardic Congregation of Indianapolis. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/injewishhistory/suppor…

1
The Money Kings of Lafayette 44:32

6M ago44:32

44:32

In this episode, Daniel Schulman discusses his book, The Money Kings: The Epic Story of Jewish Immigrants Who Transformed Wall Street and Shaped Modern America. Focusing on the financial dynasties of Joseph Seligman, Solomon Loeb, and Marcus Goldman, Schulman talks about the journey of Kuhn & Loeb from Jewish immigrant peddler to shopkeeper to esta…

1
Early Jewish Egalitarianism on the Indiana Frontier 33:13

6M ago33:13

33:13

In this podcast episode, Dr. Shari Rabin, a scholar of modern Judaism and American religions and an Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies and Religion at Oberlin College in Ohio discusses Jewish culture and gender roles in Judaism during westward expansion in the United States, which in turn, also expanded American Jewish life in Indiana. --- Suppo…

1
Moving Bits and Pieces of Evansville's Jewish Past 1:08:10

6M ago1:08:10

1:08:10

In this episode, Dr. Alanna Cooper, a cultural anthropologist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Case Western University in Ohio, discusses her research on Bukharan Jews, Jewish life in Evansville, Indiana, and her interactive mapping project on Jewish Evansville, titled, "Moving Bits and Pieces", which can be view…

1
A Trip Down to the Old Jewish City of Lafayette 15:44

7M ago15:44

15:44

In this episode, Sean Lutes talks about his valiant and undaunted efforts to preserve Jewish buildings in the city of Lafayette, Indiana. Tune in to learn about the problems facing historic buildings in Lafayette today, why Sean is passionate about his work, and what can be done in the future to preserve Jewish Lafayette. --- Support this podcast: …

1
The Last Man Standing: Shapiro's Deli 1:13:32

7M ago1:13:32

1:13:32

In this episode, Brian Shapiro, the owner of Shapiro's Deli in Indianapolis, recounts tales of his family's journey from Czarist Russia to Indiana, their dedication to providing delicious food for the Indianapolis community and beyond, and their relentless endeavors to keep Jewish traditions alive through food. Shapiros Deli is the last remnant of …

1
T.J. MILLER 1:00:18

12M ago1:00:18

1:00:18

T.J. Miller is a standup comedian and actor who has appeared on Silicon Valley, Deadpool, Transformers, and numerous comedy specials. Although he’s had a taste of Hollywood success, lately he’s chosen a different path. Rather than chasing acting roles on the west coast, he’s made the conscious choice to live in New York City and continue to tireles…

1
TOM SACHS 1:00:46

12M ago1:00:46

1:00:46

Tom Sachs is an esteemed New York artist that makes handcrafted mixed media sculptures that are provocative and whimsical. His Chanel chainsaw, oversized painting of Krusty The Clown, and elaborate recreations of NASA spacecraft are mesmerizing. You can find his work in the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim and …

1
LISA ANDERSEN 46:49

1y ago46:49

46:49

Lisa Andersen is a Surfing Hall of Fame inductee and a 4 time consecutive world champion. As a teenager, she left behind a troubled home life in Florida to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional surfer. By 25, she was ranked the best female surfer on the planet. With her aggressive yet elegant style, she helped transform the entire perception…

1
TONY HAWK 48:09

1y ago48:09

48:09

Tony Hawk is the most recognizable skateboarder on the planet. This episode, we discuss his experiences with Jackass, the joys and challenges of fatherhood, and how dominating contests as a teenage skateboarder left him feeling like an outsider amongst his peers. We also chat about Tony's documentary film "Until The Wheels Fall Off” which chronicle…

1
JEFF AMENT 44:28

1y ago44:28

44:28

Jeff Ament plays bass in Pearl Jam and is a founding member of the band. He’s also been an avid skateboarding since he was a teenager. He's self-financed the construction of over 27 skate parks across his home state of Montana. It’s a source of immense gratification for him, and he often visits these parks in person to sweep the concrete, skate wit…

1
JONATHAN MANNION 1:06:38

1y ago1:06:38

1:06:38

Jonathan Mannion is a music and portrait photographer who has shot an astounding 300 album covers. He’s worked with virtually every prominent name in hip-hop from Jay Z to DMX, Eminem to Nas. His portrait of DMX dripping in crimson blood stands as one of the most iconic images ever taken of the late rapper. In this episode we discuss how to keep th…

1
DANTE ROSS 45:24

1y ago45:24

45:24

Dante Ross is a music producer and pioneering hip-hop A&R executive. During his time at Tommy Boy and Elektra Records he played a pivotal role in the success of acts such as De La Soul, Brand Nubian, Busta Rhymes, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, MF Doom, Everlast, and Old Dirty Bastard. In his new autobiography titled "Son of The City," he recounts with viv…

1
ROY WOOD JR. 36:34

1y ago36:34

36:34

Roy Wood Jr. is a multi-talented comedian who’s not afraid to tackle sensitive issues relating to race or social class. He’s appeared on The Daily Show, hosted the prestigious White House Correspondents dinner, and has garnered critical acclaim for his numerous standup specials. His Comedy Central special Imperfect Messenger is masterclass on how h…

1
The Rebirth of the Jewish Fraternity with Sidney Dunn 59:57

1+ y ago59:57

59:57

Sidney Dunn. Executive VP Emeritus at Alpha Epsilon Pi discusses his time at the helm of the AEPI Jewish Fraternity and its story of rebounding after a period of decline and what this story can tell other Jewish Non-Profits about how understanding historical shifts and trends can help them recover in the Post-Pandemic landscape; Sidney also discuss…

1
DICK CAVETT 1:16:24

1+ y ago1:16:24

1:16:24

Dick Cavett is a trailblazing tv host who played a defining role in shaping the talk format during the late 1960s. His show eventually became the favored place for legends like Ali, Lennon, Brando and Hendrix to a sit down for a compelling long-form conversation rarely seen on television today. This week we sit down to find out how a humble small t…

1
Jews in the Labor Movement's of Gary Indiana 1:12:15

1+ y ago1:12:15

1:12:15

We join long-time Jewish community member and community organizer Robin Rich who discusses how she discovered a resilient, forward-thinking Jewish community in Gary, Indiana, while working in the Steel industry in Gary, Indiana. Robin also discusses different Jewish individuals who participated in various Labor Movements in Northwest Indiana. We al…

1
A Jewish Hoosier Enters the Ring 35:04

1+ y ago35:04

35:04

Jews, since the time of Jacob from the Biblical text, have been described as those who wrestle with the divine its in that vein that Scott Romer shares his story of covering boxing and wrestling matches and working as a photographer for both the local Indianapolis Jewish Community but also for significant figures around the world and discusses his …

1
DEVENDRA BANHART 1:02:30

1+ y ago1:02:30

1:02:30

Devendra Banhart is a prolific artist and musician who has earned a reputation for his genre-defying sound. Drawing from an incredibly diverse range of influences, he’s released 10 studio albums and cultivated a loyal fanbase spanning from Santiago to Silverlake. In this episode we sit down for a chat with this Texas-born, Venezuela-raised, and San…

1
Dr. David Silverstein:Growing up in Gary 1:30:10

1+ y ago1:30:10

1:30:10

Over 20 years ago, Dr. David Silverstein was part of a groundbreaking documentary, "Trembling Before G-d," A film that describes itselfas "about gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews trying to reconcile their sexuality with their faith." On the Podcast, Dr. David Silverstein discusses his childhood in the 1960s and 1970s growing up in a tradition-oriented …

1
DAVID PEREZ-SHADI 49:37

1+ y ago49:37

49:37

David Perez-Shadi directed the iconic music videos for House of Pain's "Jump Around”, The Beastie Boys' "Gratitude”, and he’s collaborated with streetwear brands like Supreme, Stussy, and Billionaire Boys Club. For over three decades, David has been a prominent figure in downtown New York, documenting hip-hop, skateboarding, and graffiti for over t…

1
Memories of Meeting Soviet Refuseniks with Rabbi Jonathan Stein 38:48

1+ y ago38:48

38:48

Rabbi Jonathan Stein, a former Rabbi at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, shares his memories of the Free Soviet Jewry Movement and what he brought with him on his trips to meet Soviet Jewish Refuseniks trapped inside the Iron Curtain. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/injewishhistory/support…

1
TINKER HATFIELD 53:56

1+ y ago53:56

53:56

Tinker Hatfield is widely considered to be one of the most influential sneaker designers of all time. During his time at Nike, he's collaborated with legendary athletes like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant to create some of the most iconic and beloved sneakers of all time, from the Air Jordan to the Air Max. He is quite literally the Michael Jordan of…

1
Small -Town Jewish Life in Indiana 57:28

1+ y ago57:28

57:28

Small-town Jewish life is essential to understanding the Hoosier States Jewish Past. We meet Lee Shai Weissbach z”l, the foremost expert on small-town Jewish life and History in the Midwest and South, and discuss the pull factors that encouraged Jews to move to small American Towns. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/…

1
NATHAN FLORENCE 55:14

1+ y ago55:14

55:14

Nathan Florence is a big-wave charger from the North Shore and brother to 2X world champion surfer John John Florence. In the past few years, Nathan has made a name for himself by tackling some of the biggest and most consequential waves on the planet. But it's not just his surfing that's earned him a following. He’s also known for his compelling s…

1
Kurt Simon: A South Bend Story 31:05

1+ y ago31:05

31:05

Few people make contributions that transcend generations and change the landscape of a Community Kurt Simon was one such person. We sit down to talk to Kurt Simon's Biographer, Dr. Gabrielle Robinson, who elegantly writes about A legendary philanthropist who is little known outside of South Bend; Kurt Simon's acts of kindness and instrumental givin…

1
The Jewish Community of Indianapolis:A History Revisited 38:15

1+ y ago38:15

38:15

Judith Endelman joins us on the Podcast to discuss historical research processes and memories of her seminal 1984 work on the History of the Jewish Community of Indianapolis. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/injewishhistory/support

1
A History of the Jewish Community of Kokomo 41:01

1+ y ago41:01

41:01

Rabbi David Gerber joins us to discuss his time in Kokomo, Indiana, writing a History of the Jewish Community of Kokomo going back to its founding in 1942 as a student Rabbi working with Temple B'nai Israel and the local Prison population. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/injewishhistory/support…

1
From Gary Indiana To Nobel Prize: A Interview with Joseph Stiglitz 17:27

1+ y ago17:27

17:27

Listen to Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel Prize winner in Economics, discuss growing up in Gary, Indiana, and his family's Jewish life. Joseph discusses what inspired his passion for Civil Rights and his thoughts about the economic futures of Rust Belt Cities like Gary, Indiana. Pictured: Temple Beth El in Gary, where Joseph Stiglitz attended Synagogue as…

1
DANNY CLINCH 1:03:00

1+ y ago1:03:00

1:03:00

Danny Clinch is one of the most sought after music photographers in the business. He’s shot iconic photos of music royalty from Tupac to Springsteen to Johnny Cash. This episode we discuss what it takes to get consistently compelling photos out of extremely famous people. We also hear what Willie Nelson and Merl Haggard do on the back of their tour…

1
PAT O'CONNELL 1:01:02

1+ y ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Pat O’Connell starred in the classic surf film Endless Summer 2 and competed on the world tour. He eventually transitioned into executive leadership positions at Hurley, the World Surf League, and he is currently president of John John Florence’s brand Florence Marine X. Needless to say, Pat has a unique perspective on the culture and the business …

1
DAMON WAY 51:30

2y ago51:30

51:30

Damon Way is a designer, brand marketer, and the co-founder of DC Shoes. With the help of his brother, pioneering skateboarder Danny Way, DC become one of the most sought after skate brands of the 90’s. Under Way’s guidance, DC was one of the first streetwear brands to successfully implement artist collaborations and limited edition releases into t…

1
CHRIS SHIFLETT 59:22

2y ago59:22

59:22

Chris Shiflett plays guitar in the Foo Fighters and hosts the podcast Walking The Floor. This episode, we sit down for our second in-depth conversation with the Santa Barbara native. It’s been a year of extreme highs and lows for him - he got inducted into the Rock and Roll of Hall of Fame, but also had to endure the tragic death of close friend an…

1
ALEX CORPORAN 50:54

2y ago50:54

50:54

Alex Corporan was the manager for original Supreme store in NYC from 1996-2004. This episode, we sit down for some behind the scenes stories about what actually went down in the legendary back-room of the store as we go for a deep dive on the history of the brand. We also discuss his close relationship with the late great Jake Burton, and hear abou…

1
MC SERCH 1:01:48

2y ago1:01:48

1:01:48

MC Serch made his mark in the rap duo 3rd Bass with classic hits such as The Gas Face, Brooklyn Queens, and Pop Goes The Weasel. In 1994, he executive produced the iconic debut album Illmatic by Nas. Since then, he has continued to be a major force behind the scenes in the music industry. Listen in as we hear about his insane encounters as a young …

1
RYAN McGINNESS 44:46

2y ago44:46

44:46

Ryan McGinness is a critically acclaimed artist with works in the permanent collection of the MOMA. He uses icons, logos and public symbols to explore the power and influence they have on our visual language. Tune in as we discuss how he once destroyed his studio with pigmented fish oil for a conceptual party, and how he got 50 naked people to show…

1
BONUS EP - JASPER JAY 30:41

2y ago30:41

30:41

Special Fathers Day episode - Jasper Jay is a bright and inquisitive 1st grader with an extremely mature grasp of language, and a deep appreciation for humor. He’s been forced to endure a lot over the past few years, but throughout the disruptions of a global pandemic, persistent mask wearing, active shooter drills and the death of a grandparent, h…

1
TREVOR ANDREW 39:49

2y ago39:49

39:49

Trevor "Trouble" Andrew is a professional snowboarder, musician and the artist behind the wildly successful Gucci Ghost motif. This episode we discuss how Trevor appropriated the logo from one of the most recognizable luxury brands in the world, and instead of receiving a cease and desist order, he was instead offered an official collaboration with…

1
SAM JONES 55:28

2y ago55:28

55:28

Sam Jones is the director of the critically acclaimed documentary Until The Wheels Fall Off about the life of legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk... But his path to success as an accomplished still photographer and film director took many divergent turns along the way. This episode we sit down to discuss what makes a compelling documentary, we hear so…

1
LEO FITZPATRICK 51:17

2+ y ago51:17

51:17

Leo Fitzpatrick is a New York City based actor and gallery owner. in 1995 he starred in the movie KIDS with an ensemble cast of first-time actors from the downtown skate scene. The explicit sex and drug use in the film was over the top, but it felt eerily verite and disturbing. The fallout from his role in the movie was harsh. Since then, he’s appe…

1
TONY HAWK 47:09

2+ y ago47:09

47:09

Tony Hawk is undoubtedly the most famous skateboarder in history. This week we sit down to discuss Jackass, fatherhood, and how his experiences of dominating contests as a young skateboarder left him feeling like an outcast amongst outcasts. We’ll also chat about his new awe-inspiring documentary film Until The Wheels Fall Off. Drop in for the Seas…

1
From South Bend to Ukraine: Exploring Jewish Ukrainian Folklore with Eric Kimmel 41:39

2+ y ago41:39

41:39

Noted author Eric Kimmel shares his passion and inspiration as a Jewish writer, his experiences in Indiana, and exploring his Ukrainian Jewish Heritage. Eric wrote such beloved books as "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins." --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/injewishhistory/support…

1
A Hebrew Prayer Heard Around the World 58:17

2+ y ago58:17

58:17

In this episode of IN Jewish History, we have a guest whose service to the United States is incredible. Rear Adm Rabbi Harold Robinson was Rabbi of Temple Israel of Gary, Indiana, 1974-1977. A true innovator and trailblazer, Rabbi Robinson was the first Rabbi and non-Protestant to serve as chair of the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed F…

1
The Pioneering Hoosier Rabbis 56:25

2+ y ago56:25

56:25

We are joined by Rabbi Dr. Gary Zola, Executive Director of the American Jewish Archives, as we discuss how some of Indiana's early Rabbis were trailblazers who shaped the future of American Judaism. Pictured Rabbi Bernhard Felsenthal --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/injewishhistory/support…

1
LP 39:40

2+ y ago39:40

39:40

LP is gifted singer and songwriter with over 2 billion streams to her name. In addition to performing her own material, she's written hit songs for some of the biggest artists on the planet including Cher, Celine Dion, Rita Ora and Rihanna. This week we sit down for a conversation to discuss her new album Churches and talk about what it's like when…

1
To be a Jew at Wabash College 1:00:24

2+ y ago1:00:24

1:00:24

Warren Rosenberg, Professor Emeritus from Wabash College, discusses what it was like being one of the few Jews in a small Indiana Town and how being a Professor at an All-Male College with few Jews informed many of his ideas about Jewish Masculinity and the role of the Jew in American pop culture. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotif…

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