Best Mark Trencher Podcasts (2024)

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

2M 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

3M 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

4M 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

6M ago30:17

30:17

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 carbon emissio…

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

7M ago33:50

33:50

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 window to contro…

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

8M 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

8M ago37:18

37:18

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 emissions across…

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

9M ago33:33

33:33

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 cooperation becomes t…

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

10M 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…

1
S2-EP 020 . Can Africa Leapfrog in Mitigating Climate Change? – A Conversation with Jean-Benoit Fournier 31:26

10M ago31:26

31:26

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 episode, Jean-…

1
S2-EP 019 . How Can E.U. De-risk the Critical Minerals Supply: A Conversation with Patrick Schröder 30:48

11M ago30:48

30:48

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 to the productio…

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

1y 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…

1
S2-EP 018 . Restructuring Supply Chains of Critical Minerals vs. Accelerating Clean Energy Transition: A Conversation with Marina Zhang 32:05

1y ago32:05

32:05

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 hold back the l…

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

1y 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…

1
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

1y ago37:05

37:05

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 cooperation experience i…

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

1y ago32:24

32:24

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, are still bui…

1
(15) A Conversation with Journalist, Author, Podcast Host, Religious Explorer, Magician, Film Critic, and Albert Einstein Avatar – Benyamin Cohen 29:03

1y 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…

1
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

1y ago37:10

37:10

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 institutions. In other…

1
(14) Fertility, Mortality, Life Expectancy, Changes in Self-Identification, and Orthodox Population Growth – with Demographic Expert Dr. Daniel Staetsky 37:14

1+ y 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

1+ y ago33:50

33:50

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 window to contro…

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

1+ y ago20:58

20:58

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 uncertainties, how…

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

1+ 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…

1
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

1+ y ago26:26

26:26

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 uncertainties, how can…

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

1+ y ago31:44

31:44

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 crisis, and supply…

1
(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

1+ 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…

1
S2-EP 010 . Is CCS a Game Changer for Climate Mitigation? - A Conversation with Professor Xu Yuan (Rebroadcasting S1-EP 061) 36:03

1+ y ago36:03

36:03

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 by both produci…

1
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

1+ y ago39:40

39:40

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, the global suppl…

1
S2-EP 008 . How Relevant Is California’s Emissions Trading Experience for China: A Conversation with Professor Alex Wang 36:44

1+ y ago36:44

36:44

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, contextual institutions …

1
S2-EP 007 . Japan's Economic and Geopolitical Challenges on Energy Transition: A Conversation with Professor Jusen Asuka 30:14

1+ y ago30:14

30:14

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 University in J…

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

1+ y ago31:44

31:44

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, supply chain r…

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

1+ y ago25:14

25:14

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 change mean to Aust…

1
(11) Health Challenges Affecting Orthodox Women and their Families – with Elana Silber of Sharsheret 35:48

1+ 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…

1
S2-EP 004 . The Complex Role of Hydropower in Addressing Climate Crisis in China: A Conversation with Prof. Darrin Magee 24:42

1+ y ago24:42

24:42

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 Colleges in America sh…

1
(10) The “Haredi Moment,” The Making of Kiryas Joel, and the New Haredi Research Group – with David Myers 36:13

2y 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)…

1
S2-EP 003 . Will America be the Next Leader of Energy Transition? – A Conversation with Noah Lerner 30:49

2y ago30:49

30:49

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-profit and governmen…

1
S2-EP 002 . From Climate Commitment to Climate Law: A Conversation with Prof. David Driesen 28:21

2y ago28:21

28:21

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 West Virginia vs.…

1
S2-EP 001 . How Geostrategy and Energy Crisis Influence Climate Relationship: A Conversation with Dr. Patrick Schroeder 27:25

2y ago27:25

27:25

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 cooperation among the th…

1
(9) The World of Today’s Orthodox Jewish Teenagers – with Rabbi Shimmy Trencher 34:47

2y ago34:47

34:47

In this episode, we speak with Rabbi Shimmy Trencher, MSW, who has been an Orthodox Jewish high school dean of students and principal for the past 15 years, has had leadership positions at NCSY, and is the founder of a Jewish high school student self-development program that has positively affected the lives of hundreds of teens. Many of the Orthod…

1
(8) Hearing the Voice of the Kehila (Community)... co-hosted with Franciska Kosman 42:14

2y ago42:14

42:14

In this episode we explore key issues that intrigue us, with an emphasis on hearing what people think in their own words. Let's turn the microphone over to you, our listeners! We will hear people’s thoughts on such questions as: What are the things in your Orthodox community that most bother you … the “pain points”? Is there someone you go to for s…

1
S1-Conclusion Remarks 3:09

2y ago3:09

3:09

Since the first episode came out in September 2020, our team have produced over 60 episodes. Our discussions cover a variety of topics, from global climate negotiations to energy crisis, from decarbonization in healthcare sector to carbon pricing, from electric vehicles growth to China’s carbon neutrality strategy. As an independent think in China,…

1
S1-EP 061 . CCS: A Game Changer for Climate Mitigation? 36:03

2y ago36:03

36:03

Despite of 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 the comprehensive technology be a game changer in the global climate mitigations? Can the oil and gas giants in the middle east countries sustain their business in the future by b…

1
(7) The Evolving Orthodox and Haredi Worlds – Who is “Sliding” and In What Direction – with Professor Samuel C. Heilman 30:22

2y ago30:22

30:22

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Sam Heilman, who has been studying all sectors of Orthodoxy for almost 50 years. We talk about major shifts that have been taking place and speculate about future directions. Voice of the Kehilla – Tell us what you think about key issues facing Orthodoxy. We will be doing a joint podcast with The Franciska Show …

1
S1-Hong Kong’s Climate Actions: Warming Up or Catching Up? (Ep. 40 Rebroadcast) 39:24

2y ago39:24

39:24

As one of the most developed metropolitan areas, Hong Kong is a latecomer in the climate action arena in the region. By committing to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 last year, Hong Kong is catching up with other peer cities such as Tokyo and Seoul. In her annual policy address on October 6th 2021, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced some specifi…

1
S1-EP 060 . For a Non-toxic China: Talk with Dr. Mao from Shenzhen Zero Waste 37:49

2y ago37:49

37:49

We invited Dr. Mao Da, Director of Shenzhen Zero Waste (an environmental campaign group), to our program. He has over 18 years’ experiences in environmental field China/overseas and a well-known public figure on waste issues in China. Shenzhen Zero Waste has a very focused target, namely to reduce the toxic chemicals in consumer products on the maj…

1
(6) Orthodox Day School Trends, Financing, Impact of Covid, and Female Organizational and Spiritual Leadership … with Ann Pava of Prizmah 35:23

2y ago35:23

35:23

By Mark Trencher

1
S1-EP 059 . China's 2022 Economic Stimulus Packages: Implications on Energy Transition and Climate Policy 31:01

2y ago31:01

31:01

Right before the ease of Shanghai's two-month lock-down, China State Council has been intensively convened and formulating a package of measures to stimulate economic activities, in order to get the economy back on track and keep major economic indicators within an appropriate range. This episode firstly discussed the logics behind this stimulus pl…

1
S1-EP 058 . China‘s 2025 New Energy Vehicle Targets: Improvements and Realization Pathways 28:55

2y ago28:55

28:55

The “New Energy Vehicles Industry Development Plan (2021-2035)”, launched on November 2nd, 2020, sets a target of an approximately 20% share for new energy vehicles (NEVs) in new vehicle sales by 2025. The annual market penetration rate of electric vehicles exceeds 13% in 2021, it’s therefore possible to achieve the 2025 target ahead of schedule. W…

1
(5) The Lives of Orthodox Jewish Singles; Women in Orthodoxy; and Haredi vs. Modern Orthodox Growth Rates, with Professor Sylvia Barack Fishman 32:30

2y ago32:30

32:30

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Sylvia Barack Fishman about her wealth of research in the Orthodox community, and especially her just-released report: “Responding to the Realities of Single Modern Orthodox Jews”; as well as a new survey of 300+ Orthodox (Modern and Haredi) singles, exploring various aspects of their lives. What do you want to …

1
S1-EP 057 . Advancing International Climate and Health Actions: the WHO Platform and China's Opportunities 28:21

2y ago28:21

28:21

In April 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) and England’s public healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, to help the two organizations cooperate on activities to promote and facilitate the decarbonization of healthcare systems around the world. A similar Memorandum was signed between t…

1
S1-EP 056 . The New Russia-China Natural Gas Deal: It's Impacts on China's Energy Transition 30:17

2y ago30:17

30:17

In Feb 2022, Russia and China signed a new gas deal to supply 10 bcm of pipeline gas per annum to China, starting around 2025 for over 30 years from Russia’s Far East. This contract is in addition to an agreement signed in 2014 to provide 38 bcm over 30 years, and bringing the combined annual gas deliveries of Russian gas to China to 48 bcm per ann…

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