Explore every episode of the podcast Unholy: Two Jews on the News
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heartbroken | 05 Sep 2024 | 00:52:51 | |
In what may be the darkest week since October 7th, Israelis and Jews worldwide were left reeling by the tragic news of the execution by Hamas of six young Israeli hostages, none more than 40, after nearly a year in captivity. As protests sweep through Israel, demanding an immediate hostage deal, the way forward remains painfully unclear and progress ever more elusive as Benjamin Netanyahu insists on a new red line that cannot be crossed. In this episode, Yonit and Jonathan talk of grief and uncertainty - and look for consolation amidst the anguish. Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iemPbAK930o Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Conversations with Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Ayelet Levy Shachar | 29 Aug 2024 | 01:23:38 | |
Israel’s war on three fronts intensifies, with a preemptive strike on Hezbollah in the north, escalated operations in the West Bank, and a rescue operation of an Israeli hostage from the tunnels in Gaza. As headlines focus once again on the chances of a hostage deal, we felt it essential to re-air the deeply moving stories of two mothers caught in this harrowing reality. In their interviews on Unholy, Ayelet Levy Shachar and Rachel Goldberg-Polin share what it means to fight relentlessly for the return of their children from captivity. You can watch the interviews with Ayelet and Rachel on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGlvtS7As7WHh7YtmU5SMUQ --- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Dial E For Elections - with Ruth Elkrief | 05 Jul 2024 | 00:59:39 | |
They’ve voted in Britain, are about to vote in France and come November they’ll be voting in America - even if they’re not exactly sure who’s going to be on the ballot. Yonit and Jonathan break down the unfolding situations in both the UK and US and talk to one of France’s best known TV journalists, Ruth Elkrief about the dilemma Sunday’s vote poses for French Jews - and why she herself ‘came out’ as a Jew after October 7. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Special Guest Malcolm Gladwell | 18 Nov 2022 | 00:57:00 | |
In a time when Twitter is the main source of information for many people, Malcolm Gladwell remains on a near-celebrity status by doing the exact opposite: publishing lengthy, thought-provoking examinations of human behaviors and, most recently, historic events. His name is regularly etched in the New York Times best seller list, the podcast company he heads garners millions of listens, and theories from his books are often mentioned by politicians, academics and just regular readers. That includes our hosts, who are very honored to switch things up and have Gladwell on Unholy this week! The rockstar of American journalism (who is actually a UK-born Canadian), credited with the popularization of non-fiction, joins Yonit and Jonathan for a talk about, well, lots of things. How social media gave a platform to unhinged voices, which version of success complies with his Menonite upbringing, why humanity is actually more equipped to handle its problems than we think, and that one time he ruined a friendship over a song - tune in to hear all this, plus more anecdotes, impressions and even an analysis of ‘chutzpah’. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Trump’s Losses, Netanyahu’s Gains | 11 Nov 2022 | 00:42:04 | |
Benjamin Netanyahu may have coasted into a clear victory in the fifth Israeli election round last week, but for Israel’s closest ally, the United States, the midterms have been startlingly close, with control of both chambers of Congress remaining up in the air as of this morning. And although Democrats have been breathing a sigh of relief after avoiding the sweeping midterm losses that were forecasted, Republicans could still be edging toward a narrow majority in the House of Representatives. This week, Jonathan joins us from DC, to detail his take-aways from a few weeks following the campaign, where he hopped from one key state to another, attended political rallies of former Presidents and even ushered in Shabbat at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
In Israel, despite the aforementioned win on Netanyahu’s end, the road to forming a right-wing government isn’t exactly a smooth one, with demands from every faction of the bloc and a series of controversial statements from members of the Religious Zionist party. Yonit and Jonathan analyze the potential landmines of the apparent coalition, and the implications of the leftist parties’ downfall.
Plus - which fast food restaurant chain offered a bargain this week that left a bad taste? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Special Edition: Israeli Election Results | 02 Nov 2022 | 00:37:36 | |
May three and a half years of political turmoil conclude with Israel’s fifth election - and the forming of the most right-wing government in its history? With the majority of the votes counted, Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be on a course for an even bigger victory than yesterday’s initial exit polls suggested, his bloc currently projected to win 65 seats in the Knesset. And with the leftist Meretz party laying below the election threshold, the other parties that form the current coalition are left wondering about the future of the Israeli left. In this special update, Yonit and Jonathan summarize up everything you need to know about Israeli politics at this point - and fill you in on what is expected to happen upon Bibi’s return to power. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Election Countdown | 28 Oct 2022 | 00:41:28 | |
Elections are supposed to be a special occasion, but Israelis already know the drill. Wake up on a Tuesday, proceed to the ballots, drop their selected note into the box, turn on the television at 10PM - and, if things go as usual, learn yet again that there is no conclusive outcome due to another deadlock. But as the clock ticks by, the candidates are making their final attempt to garner more votes - even on behalf of other parties in their bloc. Yonit and Jonathan discuss last-minute mishaps amongst the parties, and the unlikely scenarios that could tip the scales come election night.
But while next week’s elections may result in an Israeli prime minister exchange- at least Downing 10 is no longer vacant. After its former resident resigned with a mere forty four days spent in office, and a cat became its most permanent resident, the official home of the British leader this week was entered by Rishi Sunak, the UK’s third prime minister in two months.
Plus, whether you pronounce it Adi-das or A-didas, there’s no question if the sports retailer should have dropped Kanye West, adding to the list of affiliates who cut ties with the rapper after a series of antisemitic remarks. But while some attribute the rant to mental illness, it seems the intolerance in the US towards Jews may be more evident than ever. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| No Prime Minister | 21 Oct 2022 | 00:36:26 | |
Israeli politics nearing the finish line - 11 days to go till the country’s fifth election in three and a half years. But, political turmoil, it appears, is not exclusively Israeli: as many ask if Yair Lapid’s tenure as Prime Minister can be the the shortest in Israeli history, the U.K. raises the stakes - and in a breathtakingly rapid fall from power, Prime Minister Liz Truss resigns after only 44 days in office. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the non-stop political news from London and Tel Aviv. A week after Kanye West was removed from social media due to antisemitic remarks he since has doubled down on, yet another high level personality banned from social media - former US President Donald Trump - writes that American Jews “have to get their act together [...] before it is too late”, and despite the fallout between them in the past, former Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is there to defend him. Not one - but two Israeli politicians make our chutzpah award nominee list this week, and find out why Jonathan was compared to Mel Brooks! Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Hate, Truth and Denial - with Deborah Lipstadt | 14 Oct 2022 | 00:52:37 | |
Eighteen days to Israeli elections – recent polls show the far right Legislator Itamar Ben Gvir gaining momentum, at the expense of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party. We discuss the possible ramifications of Ben Gvir's ascension inside and outside Israel. And, on a lighter tone – Yonit is giving Jonathan a behind the scenes look at her preparations for the upcoming election night broadcast. Israel and Lebanon are on the verge of signing a maritime border agreement, and now that the political dust has settled - what is actually in the deal, and what does each side set to gain and lose. Our special guest this week is Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. She Joins Yonit and Jonathan for a conversation about ways to counter anti-Semitism - old and new, from the right and from the left, and shares her thoughts about Kanye West's anti-Semitic outburst. Finally, what country hits our chutzpah award list, and one courtroom in Connecticut that can restore your faith in the power of truth. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Too Big To Fail - Again? with Andrew Ross Sorkin | 07 Oct 2022 | 00:59:41 | |
The holiday season is no excuse for the news cycle to stop turning, and boy - did it turn! From the maritime talks between Israel and Lebanon that are causing a skirmish, through protests on the streets of Iran, to a new political autobiography on bookshop shelves - there’s a lot to catch up on, and luckily we’re here to fill you in. Our special guest this week is financial columnist for the New York Times, anchor for CNBC and Emmy award winner Andrew Ross Sorkin. He joins Yonit and Jonathan for a conversation about the global economic crisis and will it develop into a total crash in the markets, the sustainability of the high cost living in Israel and the U.K., and of course - Jewish mothers, because no guest on this podcast gets a waver from that question. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| The Burden and The Gift - with Nicole Krauss | 30 Sep 2022 | 00:40:20 | |
These are days of reflectiveness, between the Jewish New Year - Rosh Hashanah, and the holiest day of the Jewish calendar- Yom Kippur. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by acclaimed author Nicole Krauss, for a discussion about Judaism that reverberates throughout her work, writing in the voice of a woman and a of a man, the place of Israel in her works and in her life, and what has changed in the literary world since she wrote her first novel at the age of 25. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Unholy Live: Diplomatic Salon | 23 Sep 2022 | 00:59:42 | |
Rosh Hashanah is right around the corner, and like almost every new Hebrew year lately, the upcoming one already has an Israeli election set in its calendar. The fifth round in three and a half years raises a lot of questions, the salient one being: will it be the last? That’s why we partnered up with The Center for Jewish Impact, to host a live event in which Yonit and Jonathan answer questions sent in by foreign diplomats and Jewish organizations from all around the world. Plus, we talk about the speech that made headlines even before it was even uttered in the UN general assembly, and the leader who just keeps ending up as the recipient of our Chutzpah award. So, whether you’re ironing your white shirt or setting the dinner table for the holiday, we humbly suggest you let the sound of our special episode accompany you - and of course wish those celebrating a happy, and politically stable, new year. Shana Tova! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Earth, King and Fire - with David Wallace-Wells | 16 Sep 2022 | 01:05:36 | |
While coverage of the Queen's death continues to dominate British news outlets, Yonit and Jonathan dive into the relationship between the Royal Family and the Jewish community - which may see the taking of a long-awaited step with a new king on the block.
-- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Divided Israel, Divided America - with Van Jones | 28 Jun 2024 | 01:07:43 | |
With the Supreme Court delivering a landmark ruling that could spell the end of Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, new polling shows who might take his place. Plus, as a leading Israel critic loses an election in New York, and Jews at a Los Angeles synagogue come under attack from Gaza protesters, Yonit and Jonathan talk to Van Jones - CNN commentator, former Obama official and one of Black America's leading voices. They discuss rising antisemitism, the rift between Jews and the progressive left and the future of the Black-Jewish relationship. Plus a mensch award from the north of Israel, and chutzpah nominees that stretch from the pinnacle of the US media to the English south coast. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| The Elizabethan Era | 09 Sep 2022 | 00:51:07 | |
For seven decades, Queen Elizabeth II was a symbol of stability not only in the commonwealth but on the world stage as well, helping to navigate her country through a series of shifts that rattled Britain in the twentieth and twenty first centuries, and placing the royal family as a fortress of reassurance in a time of upheaval. Yonit and Jonathan speak about the end of an era in the UK - from the announcement from Buckingham Palace that every news outlet in Britain braced for - but dreaded having to bear - to the late Queen’s influence on her subjects and on modern history. Plus, Haaretz Military Correspondent Amos Harel joins our hosts to discuss the IDF’s investigation into the death of Palestinian journalist Shireeb Abu Akleh, and about whether it affects the relationship between Jerusalem and Washington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Under Construction - with David Remnick | 02 Sep 2022 | 00:52:34 | |
August has come to an end, schools have reopened and Jonathan has landed safely from vacation - which means Unholy is back! If you chose to spend your summer break in Israel, you might have met two issues - the first being the high price tags, and the second the extensive construction all around. We also hope you weren’t too bothered by the political situation here - which took quite a few turns while we were away. But don’t fret -if you missed out or spent your vacation elsewhere, we’re here to update you on all of the above. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Conversations We Love: Mayim Bialik | 26 Aug 2022 | 00:30:07 | |
What better way to spend the last days of summer break than by soaking up the sun… and listening to a rerun of a conversation we love? While our beloved British co-host is still away, he and Yonit made sure our listeners are reminded of some of our favorite conversations, before they return for a brand new season next week. For the last week of August, Yonit and Jonathan revisit a conversation with a sitcom star who recently made her debut as film director. Here’s a clue: Famous Jewish actress and gameshow host for $500. And if you haven’t guessed it: Who is Mayim Bialik? Jeopardy’s frontwoman opens up on being a Zionist in Hollywood and on how she intergrated Jewish grief rituals into her movie, plus settles the age-old question: are our hosts geeks - or nerds? Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Conversations We Love: Scott Galloway | 19 Aug 2022 | 00:37:52 | |
We truly hope that by the time you’re reading this, you’re on a beach somewhere, or sipping an alcoholic drink in a European city. We can tell you that our own host, Jonathan Freedland, is probably doing one of the aforementioned activities - but only after he and Yonit made sure our listeners won’t miss out every Friday. For the third week of August, our hosts reminisced on their episode with Professor Scott Galloway, marketing guru and bestselling author. Tune in (again), to hear on issues spanning from the war in Ukraine to how big tech promotes polarization via algorithms, plus tips on "pod-distance" relationships. Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Special Update: Flare-up in Gaza | 08 Aug 2022 | 00:35:32 | |
Following Operation Breaking Dawn, Yonit and Jonathan are back from break with an emergency episode to speak on the recent conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip. After nearly seventy hours of clashes, a ceasefire was announced - and while it holds, for now, both sides know that it may only be a matter of time before the situation escalates again. Listen to hear our hosts summarize this recent round, with points including tactical aspects, the world's response, and the political aftermath of an operation during election season. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Conversations We Love: David Remnick | 05 Aug 2022 | 00:45:58 | |
Jonathan may be away, sitting on a lounge chair positioned on a sandy beach somewhere, but it doesn’t mean Unholy listeners will be deprived of their weekly podcast fix. This summer break, we’re taking you back to some of our favorite conversations with outstanding guests. In this episode, Yonit and Jonathan revisit their discussion with one of America’s most accomplished journalists, David Remnick. Recorded on the eve of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the editor of The New Yorker reflects on being a correspondent in Moscow during the last days of the Soviet Union and shares his thoughts on why nobody really knows what goes on in Putin’s head. Plus, no podcast hosted by Jews can really be concluded without discussing Jewish identity - nor without a session on Leonard Cohen. Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Why It Failed - with Shimrit Meir | 29 Jul 2022 | 01:11:59 | |
Last episode of the season - and before we pack our suitcases and bring out the bathing suits, we're closing off with an extra long episode. But don't worry - although we'll officially be back in September, we've got some surprises that will keep you entertained all through August.And for this episode: his predecessor may have maintained warm relations with Russia - but the man who now holds the top job at both the Prime Minister’s office and the Foreign Ministry, Yair Lapid, can’t quite maintain the affections of the Kremlin. As a Russian court considers a lawsuit to liquidate the Jewish Agency in the country, Yonit and Jonathan speak to Shimrit Meir, former advisor to Naftali Bennett - on what may signal a decline in ties between Jerusalem and Moscow. Meir also speaks out on what went wrong for the coalition - and why she thinks Bennett hasn't said the last word. And what does she have to say about the Iranian threat? -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| If You Can't Stand The Heat - with Walter Russell Mead | 22 Jul 2022 | 00:49:54 | |
Israelis usually flee to Europe during hot summers to experience European weather - but this week’s heatwave made the blistering temperatures here seem normal. But whether or not the countries are well equipped with air conditioning, it seems none are particularly ready with a plan for the effects of climate change.
-- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| When Yonit Met Joe | 15 Jul 2022 | 00:34:39 | |
Armed vehicles, numerous flags and even a presidential menu - after much preparation, President Joe Biden landed in Israel this Wednesday, kicking off his Middle East visit with a jam-packed schedule in the Holyland. But a moment before leaving for Jerusalem, Biden sat down with our host, Yonit Levi, for a one-on-one, exclusive televised interview - the first ever for a foreign network. In this week's special edition of Unholy, Yonit gives Jonathan - and you listeners - the juiciest behind-the-scenes details from the interview, including the one question she didn't have time to ask - and the moment the leader of the free world serenaded her with "Happy Birthday". Listen to the full interview: https://mobile.mako.co.il/news-world/2022_q3/Article-e01937823a10281026.htm Find us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Hello Biden, Bye Bye Boris - with Peter Baker | 08 Jul 2022 | 00:50:31 | |
Roll the red carpet and get the cameras ready - in less than a week, the leader of the free world will make his way to Israel, only to be greeted by a freshly-appointed Prime Minister of a caretaker government. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by the New York Times’ Chief White House correspondent, Peter Baker, to discuss the objectives of the visit, the upcoming midterms and the American relations with Saudi Arabia. And, it seems our British friends got a bit jealous of Israel hogging all the political drama - and decided to take a shot at it, with the announcement of Boris Johnson (Br)exiting office. But as the United Kingdom is left prime minister-less, one issue troubles our co-host most - who will replace Johnson, the star of more than one of Jonathan’s columns?! Plus - here’s a scoop: this ice cream manufacturer is losing cone-trol (okay, we’re done with the gelato puns) over a battle on selling their products in the settlements. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Bibi's House of Cards - with Rivka Ravitz | 21 Jun 2024 | 01:01:18 | |
As rifts widen within Israel’s ruling coalition - and between Benjamin Netanyahu and both the White House and his own military, Yonit and Jonathan discuss whether the current government can hold together till the crucial deadline of July 28. And they talk to Rivka Ravitz, former chief of staff to an Israeli president and one of the ultra-orthodox community’s leading voices about the Haredi exemption from military service - and why the rest of Israel should accept it. Plus: an especially deserving pair of chutzpah and mensch award winners. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Prime Time Minister - with Micah Goodman | 01 Jul 2022 | 01:03:30 | |
The term Prime Minister Yair Lapid may take some getting used to - but don’t take too long, as it’s paired with “interim”. After dissolving the Knesset and bidding farewell to his coalition partner, Naftali Bennett, Lapid embarked on his spell as head of a caretaker government - but all heads are turned to the fifth election round, which will determine whether the late-night host turned premier will be more than just another anecdote in a continuous political narrative.
Yonit and Jonathan aren’t scientists (yet), it's safe to say this political experiment didn’t quite go according to plan. Joined by author and unofficial philosopher to the coalition, Micah Goodman, our co-hosts discuss whether the results should really be seen as a failure, what the lab conditions to shrink the conflict are - and also, why Israelis are both closer, and further than ever.
And - for many, the United States Supreme Court ruling abolishing women’s right for abortions reflects the capacity conservatives have to turn the wheel backwards while imposing their beliefs on the public. But with protesters marching daily through D.C., concerns on the extent of these perceptions are heard as far as Israel - where some view the ruling as a warning sign of what may occur here under a more conservative leadership - and an unyielding American influence.
Plus - what Jewish ritual did the chutzpah recipients of this week make profitable? -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Election Nation - with Amit Segal | 24 Jun 2022 | 00:45:58 | |
If you look up the words “Israel” and “Elections” in any search engine at any given time during these last three years, chances are you either saw articles about upcoming ballots - or results of a recent round. That’s why this week’s results won’t come as a surprise. This week, Bennet and Lapid themselves hammered the final nail into the coalition’s coffin - sending Israelis to vote yet again. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Channel 12 political analyst Amit Segal, to chat about the open questions - from Lapid, the caretaker government’s appointed caretaker, to his failed coalition’s legacy, and to the odds that an Arab party will fit into a governmental puzzle again. But, even though the Holy Land seems to hold first prize - topsy-turvy politics aren’t exclusively Israeli. French President Emmanuel Macron lost his absolute majority in Parliament by a wide margin this week, in a political blow that complicates his leadership - with far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s party coming in with a strong showing that exceeded expectations. Plus, coming to shelves soon - gefilte fish hot dogs?! Yonit and Jonathan try and stomach the news of this culinary crossover that probably won’t become a bestseller at ball games. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| The Escape Artist - with Jonathan Freedland! | 17 Jun 2022 | 00:59:57 | |
This week's guest is someone Unholy listeners are quite familiar with - our very own co-host (and bestselling author) Jonathan Freedland! In this episode, Yonit gives him the tried and tested interviewee treatment as they discuss his new book, The Escape Artist, which details the all but unknown story of Rudolf Vrba. Vrba is one of only four Jews to escape Auschwitz, and is credited with publishing a detailed report on the atrocities being perpetrated behind barbed wire, a report which led to halting the deportations of Hungarian Jews, ultimately saving tens of thousands of lives. In other matters - is an Unholy episode ever complete without Israeli political drama? We continue to follow the slow-motion train wreck that is the Bennett coalition - who might not hold on to the reigns long enough to greet President Joe Biden when he arrives in Israel in less than a month. Plus, these two prime ministers have seen their fair share of courtrooms, but now they meet in the same one, head to head, and it's the best show in town. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Last Man Standing | 10 Jun 2022 | 00:37:23 | |
On the same night and only twenty minutes apart, members of parliament from two different countries cast votes which would determine the fate of their current head of government. On one end, lawmakers voted against a bill that represented their opinions just to wound the coalition, and on the other - a Prime Minister rejoiced even though nearly half of his party voted in favor of outing him. Sounds crazy, right? Well - for our Israeli and British co-hosts, respectively, that’s just called internal politics. And- "Fight like a girl" may have been an insult once, but now, for young women in the IDF, it’s becoming more and more of a reality. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the Israeli military’s latest promise for a gender based revolution - and how, despite the strict conditions for recruitment and prolonged timetable for implementation - this decision to integrate more women into combat units still counts as a victory. Plus - being named mensch once doesn’t guarantee you won’t be brought up again - even if it’s the opposite category. Find out which former world leader (and former Mensch) landed herself in the Chutzpah slot. Follow us on Instagram @unholypodcast | Facebook: Unholy Podcast Get Jonathan's book, The Escape Artist: https://www.amazon.com/Escape-Artist-Broke-Auschwitz-World/dp/0063112337 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Our Diamond Jubilee - with Ira Glass | 03 Jun 2022 | 01:01:04 | |
We’re celebrating - and you’re all invited! After all, it only took sixty episodes of Unholy - and seventy years on the throne - to convince Jonathan to discuss the monarchy favorably. This week’s special guest, Ira Glass, set the gold standard for podcasts with his award winning "This American Life", he is the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize - but if you ask him, he doesn’t really consider himself a celebrity. Glass talks with Yonit and Jonathan about being the non-traditional voice that reinvented radio, about journalism losing its grip on the truth, and- naturally- about letting down his Jewish parents by deciding to not be a doctor. Plus, in the Chutzpah category - they say Bat Mitzvahs are the rite to adulthood, but these invitees may have taken that too literally. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Guns, Pride and Power | 27 May 2022 | 00:36:30 | |
In the aftermath of the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, Yonit and Jonathan discuss how Israel, compared to the U.S. is both well-armed and at the same time well- regulated when it comes to guns. This week's episode also features a discussion about the reality television episode of "Married at First Sight" that made LGBTQ history, with two men under the Jewish wedding canopy, shattering the glass (both literally and metaphorically). Plus, if you're a "Jewish-looking" actor - we suggest you tune into our award session at the end of our program, as Jonathan and Yonit may have found you a job on the small screen. Follow us on Instagram @unholypodcast | Facebook: Unholy Podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Coalition Crisis, AIPAC and an Interview with Mayim Bialik | 20 May 2022 | 01:03:39 | |
Israel's PM Naftali Bennett hoped to silence his government’s swan song - but the music is getting louder by the moment, with a surprising exit stage left of the coalition, possibly giving Netanyahu the one-up he needed. We discuss the great replacement theory, how the world viewed one funeral in Jerusalem, and why everyone is talking about AIPAC. And this week we are joined by special guest Mayim Bialik, actress and host of "Jeopardy!", who tells us how Jewish mourning rituals influenced her directorial debut, the film "As They Made Us"; shares her experiences as a pro-Israel actress in Hollywood; plus - helps us determine once and for all: is Jonathan Freedland a geek or a nerd? -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Stuck | 13 May 2022 | 00:38:27 | |
The death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during an IDF raid in the Palestinian city of Jenin has shifted the international spotlight back on Israel. Yonit and Jonathan discuss the contradicting narratives and the implications of this tragedy for both sides. In the meantime, the Bennett-Lapid coalition is keeping its head above water for now, but the answer to whether it makes it to safe shores or drowns is still pending. For dessert, we hope you don’t mind a dish served cold - as our mensch of the week award is an excuse for a bit of revenge against a certain English co-host.... Follow us on Instagram @unholypodcast | Facebook: Unholy Podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Field Commander Cohen – with Matti Friedman | 06 May 2022 | 01:00:09 | |
**This episode was recorded before the terror attack in central Israel** On Israel's Independence Day, Yonit and Jonathan talk to award winning author Matti Friedman about his new book, "Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai", in which he details the extraordinary episode of Cohen's musical tour during the Yom Kippur war. In the shadow of the Roe v. Wade row in the U.S. - how do Judaism and Israel view abortions. Why Israel in practice is more liberal on abortions than the U.S. Plus – we discuss Israel's slowly shifting its position on Ukraine, and which country (yes, a whole country!) receives the mensch award of the week? -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Supernova - with Ronan Farrow | 29 Apr 2022 | 01:01:41 | |
Yonit and Jonathan are back from Passover break and seder with a lot on their plate – We tackle Israeli PM Naftali Bennett's huge takeout bill, the results of the French Presidential election through the eyes of French Jews and French expats in Israel, and our mutual addiction to the series WeCrashed about Israeli entrepreneur Adam Neumann. We're joined by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ronan Farrow to discuss his recent piece for The New Yorker on NSO group, his groundbreaking reporting on the Harvey Weinstein case, his experiences in Jerusalem, and what it’s like to be a college student at age of 11. We also discuss Jonathan's new book coming out in June, "The Escape Artist" – the story of the man who broke out of Auschwitz to warn the world. You can pre order the book here: https://linktr.ee/JonathanFreedland -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Big Fires Everywhere - with Amos Harel | 14 Jun 2024 | 01:02:04 | |
The week began with a daring hostage rescue operation that brought four Israeli captives home, but the relief did not last long. Hezbollah rocket fire from the north is growing ever more intense, while Israel’s war cabinet saw the long-awaited exit of Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot – and all while Benjamin Netanyahu and the Supreme Court remain on a collision course over the ultra-orthodox exemption from military service. Yonit and Jonathan break it all down with award-winning Haaretz military analyst Amos Harel. Plus: far right gains in Europe, street protests turn nasty in New York – and Hollywood stumbles over its founding Jewish fathers. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Conversations We Love: Kara Swisher | 22 Apr 2022 | 00:36:01 | |
Just before they return from Passover break, Yonit and Jonathan revisit their conversation with Kara Swisher, the most influential tech journalist in the world. They discuss the big tech companies and their accountability (or lack thereof), U.S. politics, the success of Israeli tech companies, and tips on how to co-host a podcast… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Conversations We Love: Yuval Noah Harari | 15 Apr 2022 | 00:57:51 | |
For Passover, Yonit and Jonathan revisit their conversation with intellectual icon Yuval Noah Harari. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| The Beginning of the End - with Amit Segal | 08 Apr 2022 | 00:49:00 | |
**This episode was recorded before the terror attack in Tel Aviv** -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| New Wave of Terror - with Former Israeli PM Ehud Barak | 01 Apr 2022 | 00:54:40 | |
As Israel faces a new wave of terror attacks, Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Ehud Barak, former Israeli Prime Minister. He shares his insights: what can be done to break the cycle of violence, and why he is still optimistic about peace even though the signs point in the opposite direction. We discuss Israel's moral ambiguity on Ukraine, and what Barak Thinks should be the global plan to prevent a nuclear Iran. And for the mensch award of the week we go to the Oscars but make a surprising pick… -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| A Special Place in Hell | 25 Mar 2022 | 00:35:01 | |
Yonit and Jonathan discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's speech to the Israeli parliament: he thought lawmakers weren't doing enough, they thought he said too much. Why the whole world should be concerned about the influence ISIS has on one terrorist in Be'er Sheva, and is this week's deadly attack a precursor to a new Intifada. In the mensch category we'll say goodbye to a venerated diplomat and trailblazer; our chutzpah nominee goes to someone who's won it so often we might name the award in his honor. And the most ancient Hebrew tablet excavated doesn’t include too many nice words… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Safe Haven - with Oliver Bullough | 18 Mar 2022 | 00:42:23 | |
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stepping up his mediation efforts between Russia and Ukraine; the Biden Administration intensifying its crackdown on Oligarchs; and the internal debate in Israel rages on the issue of accepting Ukrainian refugees. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by journalist and author Oliver Bullough, an expert on financial crime, to discuss Russian Oligarchs in Israel. We have a double mensch award and an attempt-- even under the shadow of a war in Europe – to celebrate Purim -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| "We Have to Win This War" - with Anne Applebaum | 11 Mar 2022 | 00:43:16 | |
As the war in Ukraine intensifies, Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Pulitzer Prize winning author Anne Applebaum to discuss Zelenskyy, Putin, Bennett and the high stakes everyone is playing for. In this episode we also give a nod to Israel and Turkey's old-new bromance; we go to great depths to give a mensch award; and a chutzpah award you probably weren't expecting… -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Special Guest Scott Galloway | 04 Mar 2022 | 00:55:25 | |
Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Professor Scott Galloway, marketing guru and bestselling author, to talk Ukraine and Russia, U.S. and Israel, angry young men and big tech. And, as Jonathan braves a covid diagnosis, our chutzpah and mensch nominees this week are inevitably tied to Ukraine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Clash of a Titan | 25 Feb 2022 | 00:35:37 | |
Following the Russian onslaught in Ukraine- Yonit and Jonathan talk about the price of intervention and the price of non intervention, What is left of the new world order, Russian oligarchs around the world and Israel's tightrope act becoming increasingly challenging. And how all this affects the nuclear talks still taking place in Vienna, with the U.S. and Russia on the same side. On the lighter side- Chutzpah award from the newspaper business and one of our co-hosts has a birthday… Email us Unholy@keshet-tv.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| The View from the New Yorker - with David Remnick | 18 Feb 2022 | 00:48:40 | |
For the latest edition of Unholy, Yonit and Jonathan are joined by one of America's most admired journalists, David Remnick. The editor of the New Yorker draws on a long career, including a spell in Moscow reporting on the last days of the Soviet Union, to reflect on everything from possible war in Ukraine to the state of Israeli society, from the threat of Donald Trump to Remnick's own Jewish identity...and the joys of conversation with Leonard Cohen.
-- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| No Quiet On The Northern Front - with “Nas Daily” | 07 Jun 2024 | 01:05:51 | |
With the war in Gaza now eight months old, fears turn to the possibility of an all-out confrontation in the north - against a Hezbollah force far mightier than Hamas. Plus: Yonit and Jonathan talk to the man behind Nas Daily, the YouTuber with an audience of 70 million - on why he now defines himself not as a Palestinian-Israeli but an Israeli-Palestinian. And a conversation on how the literary world is increasingly shutting the door on Israel - and anyone connected to it. All that, plus a repeat winner of our chutzpah award - and a hearteningly crowded field in the mensch category. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| The Man at the Center of the Storm: An Interview with the CEO of NSO | 11 Feb 2022 | 00:49:11 | |
In an exclusive interview, Yonit and Jonathan question Shalev Hulio, the CEO of the NSO Group, the Israeli company that has become one of the most controversial in the world. NSO sells spyware to governments across the globe for use, it says, against criminals and terrorists. But media organisations and human rights groups say Pegasus hacking software has been deployed against dissidents, journalists and activists. Hulio answers those allegations, tells us what explains the US government blacklisting of his company and sets out his view that the failure of the NSO could open the door to a more dangerous world. For this week's chutzpah award, Yonit pursues a culinary theme - nominating the US Congresswoman who confused soup with stormtroopers. While Jonathan's choice for mensch stays much closer to home.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Unhealthy: Whoopi Goldberg, Amnesty and a Jewdle Showdown | 04 Feb 2022 | 00:40:35 | |
Despite suffering from Covid and with the help of chicken soup, Yonit throws herself into spirited discussion with Jonathan about Whoopi Goldberg's inflammatory remarks on the Holocaust, and Amnesty International's labelling of Israel as an apartheid state. They also talk about how Israel's largest circulation newspaper has switched its support from Benjamin Netanyahu to Naftali Bennett. And for the mensch award Jonathan nominates (and inflicts) his new word-based obsession upon Yonit. While her chutzpah award goes to a leading Israeli politican who has been campaigning for the poor from his luxury hotel in Switzerland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Partygate, Putin, and Snow in Jerusalem | 28 Jan 2022 | 00:32:50 | |
As Yonit enjoys the novelty of a heavy snowfall (by Middle Eastern standards) in Jerusalem, Jonathan is captivated by the political drama in London with scandal and cake simultaneously ambushing Prime Minister Boris Johnson. They also contemplate how Israel is walking a diplomatic tightrope in trying not to offend either the US or Russia as the danger of war looms in Ukraine. Also on Holocaust Memorial Day, Yonit and Jonathan reflect on the memory and meaning of the Shoah for Jews and non-Jews. And finally, our chutzpah and mensch awards range from America's highest court to the supermarket checkout. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||