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Explore every episode of the podcast Wayward Children: Jewish Monsters, Magic, and the Stories We Tell

Dive into the complete episode list for Wayward Children: Jewish Monsters, Magic, and the Stories We Tell. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
The Curses We Yell13 Oct 202401:03:35

This week Jack and John throw curses around like it's nobody's business! Listen to Jack read off traditional Yiddish curses. Did you know we tried to curse Hitler? Check out the storied history of curse prevention, and watch as Jack puts John on the spot to make curses up just for you!

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The Giant Wars and Warring Giants16 Sep 202401:16:29

John and Jack delve into one of their favorite topics, THE GIANT WARS. This is an insane topic as it's rife throughout both the Tanakh and the Talmud. There is ample liturgical evidence of giants and the Jewish people fighting them. So let's delve into our biggest fans, be the Nephilim, Raphaim, or just Yao Ming. (To our knowledge, Yao Ming is not a being made of fire, nor is he a listener, but we could be wrong!)

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Wayward Unicorns05 Feb 202401:06:42

Did you know there were Jewish unicorns? Like several different types and styles of Jewish unicorns? And they aren't Jewish just because they like Challah and klezmer music! Join John as he gets educated by Jack on the vast lore of Jewish unicorns including how they are STILL represented today in Jewish culture and decor!

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Let's Talk About the Future That We See23 Jan 202401:03:47

In case you didn't guess from the convoluted title, this week we are talking about divination practices. (You really should have seen that coming.) What is it about knowing the future that gets us all hot and bothered? Why are there so many methods of divination when divination is ruled as an abomination in Dueteronomy? 

The only way to know for sure is to dive in with John and Jack!

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Biblically Not-So-Accurate Angels03 Jan 202401:03:13

As much as we love when you stick a bunch of googly eyes to a kitten and say it's a biblically accurate cat (and we do love that), biblically accurate angels aren't all that... well biblically accurate. Jack and John discuss angels in folklore, writing, and liturgy. 

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Jewish (Magical) Protective Services11 Dec 202301:14:30

This week John and Jack teach you how to protect yourself from the evils that infuse the world! From magical charms to keep demons away, burning incense, to actions you can take to put the kaibosh on evil spells from people, we got it all for you!

Don't forget to check out:

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Rolling to Jerusalem27 Nov 202301:36:24

This week Jack takes over the show to share his presentation "Rolling to Jerusalem" on Jewish customs and beliefs surrounding death.

You can catch the slides here.

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Magic Swords of Jewish Legend13 Nov 202301:07:31

Not every Jewish legend involves outsmarting opponents, sometimes a hero just has to pick up a sword and start swinging it about until all the demons leave you alone! Let's talk about magic swords, swords that become magic, and the swords of giants!

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Jewish Wise Women: Opshprekherkes16 Oct 202300:55:46

A special treat this week as Jack interviews the descendant of a Jewish wise woman and healer. We talk about the traditions of Jewish healing and more specifically, women's place in the rich tapestry of Jewish mysticism and sacred practice.

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Ashmandai - King of Demons25 Sep 202300:53:59

This week John and Jack discuss the king of Sheydim, Ashmandai. John has written books about this figure and the two basicly nerd-boy/fangirl out for the handsome (literal) devil.

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Ghosts!11 Sep 202300:56:20

This week Jack and John peer into the misty here-after to discuss the afterlife and those that want no part of it, ghosts! Hot topics include:

  • Cool Ghosts
  • Less Cool Ghosts
  • Ghosts vs Dybbukim
  • How to handle hauntings

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Jewish Letter Magic and the Sefer Yetzirah28 Aug 202300:53:24

This week Jack and John dive into actual Jewish ritual magic and touch on meditation, golems, spells and commanding angels to do supernatural tasks.

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Debonair Dybbukim05 Sep 202401:05:16

This week John and Jack meet up in person in sunny oppressive Austin, Texas to discuss which ghosts have the most in this episode of Dybbuk-Centric episode of Wayward Children.

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Leviathan: God's Kaiju14 Aug 202301:01:40

This week we dive into our the giant beasts that make up the Torah Cinematic Kaiju Universe. We argue about what is and isn't a kaiju, we wax romantic about what we would like to see, and most importantly, we discuss how we would eat these big lovable beasts!

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Blood Sucking Vampires31 Jul 202301:05:08

This week the boys get into it over Vampires. Of course, the term vampire could mean a lot of different things, we delve into what sort of blood drinking fun we can get into in a religion that is very strictly anti-drinking blood.

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Sheydim Part 117 Jul 202300:59:52

This week we discuss Sheydim! The first chapter in what will likely be a million-part saga. Jack and John discuss the legends surrounding the creation of Sheydim, some of the most popular creatures like Lillith and Na'ama, and of course stories as to why humans are afraid of them!

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Monster Hunting Kits10 Jul 202301:21:00

Welcome to our first episode! Jack and John discuss monster hunting kits. Not just what they might contain but the sorts of people who might carry them about! We discuss Baal Shems, Ibburim, Dybbukim, Black Weddings, Sheydim and so, so much more!

This episode's book recommendations:

We also mentioned two Jewish fiction book up for preorder:


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Chassidic Magic14 Aug 202401:20:26

An amazing special episode, we bring on a descendent of the Rebbe to discuss his storied and near-mythic family history,

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The Gnashing of Our Gnoshers08 Jul 202401:07:25

There are few things that bring a group of Jews together faster than and better than food. This episode Jack and John dive into the culinary traditions of Judaism is more specifically those traditions' place in mysticism.

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Sticks and Stones can Break a Sheyd's Bones28 Jun 202401:12:35

John and Jack talk about speaking quietly and carrying a big stick, while speaking very loudly.

This episode is all about canes, staffs, and staves, magic and meaningful throughout Jewish history and mythology!

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Messianic Manics: Cataclysmic and Prolific20 May 202401:30:19

Jack and John discuss messianic myths of Judaism as well as various messianic figures that have existed through our history.

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Pesach Myths and Drunken Jewish Santa23 Apr 202401:06:26

Happy Passover everyone! This week we cover myths and folklore surrounding the seder plate and legends of the Exodus from kaiju to angels!

a few extra links: 

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Five Finger Clay Punch - Golems08 Apr 202401:05:46

We're doing it, okay. You can stop yelling at us. We are finally covering the legend of the Golem on Wayward Children. All this really means is that Jack and John are going to yell and rant at each other for roughly an hour. But it's all in good fun... I promise.

A couple of extra links this week:

  • https://www.jmberlin.de/blog-en/2016/12/bread-and-golems/
  • https://ezrarose.itch.io/

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They Put a Spell on You25 Mar 202401:24:03

This week John and Jack discuss witches, but with the added super cool bonus of a full-fledged interview with New York-based cultural critic, playwright, and teacher of Everyday Ashkenazi Magic, Rokhl.

  • Aunt Taiblele Link https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/language-literature-culture/yiddish-translation/aunt-taibele
  • You can also get artist Marti's shirt based on this episode here: https://t.co/60Vw6wC1zj

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We Don't Need No Man, and Neither Does Lillith21 Oct 202400:52:44

This week we talk about the sexiest figure in Jewish mythology. The queen of demons, a woman who looked the archetypal man in the eyes and said. "No, I will not be subservient. I am woman, and I would rather be a queen of demons than serve anyone."

John may be really excited to delve into this one...

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Omens and Portents of Future Past07 Feb 202501:06:41

This week we talk about Omens!

Hilariously this episode was supposed to go up before Hannukah but John has been through the ringer. ALSO hilariously Jack talks about how its okay that John is not good about hitting posting deadlines. But here's your episode!

Do not take this as an Omen that John will miss the next episode deadline!

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I Wish the Goblin King Would Come and Take this Menorah!24 Dec 202401:02:16

This week we discuss CHANNUKAH! That's right, the reason for the season is latkes, dreidels, candles, and of course goblins!

But what are goblins in the Jewish tradition? Why are they involved in Channukah? Why is Channukah a punk rock and metal holiday? 

All this and more in this very special CHANNUKAH EPISODE of Wayward Children!

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Talking about Talking Animals11 Dec 202401:08:51

This week Jack and John try to take it a bit easy and then argue about animals! Listen as we describe a terrible frog, a clever ass, and of course how fables modern and ancient fit into the fabric of sacred mythology.

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Don't Go Chasing Water Demons16 May 202500:58:59

Jack and John are back in the water horse saddle again! Riding those Sheydim across the sunset and into the river! That's right this week we discuss WATER DEMONS! Well... not so much water demons as water AND demons. Demons in water? Look, here's the thing... bathrooms are dangerous y'all.

Here's a link to the rabbinic essays Jack talks about: https://t.co/CbdARQtbuQ

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Best Protect Yosef Lest You Wreck Yosef30 Jun 202501:13:50

This week the boys are back with some practical advice. Jews have been engaging in protective ritual since as long as we had things to protect. From hamsa to Mezuzah our practices know no limits, and in today's climate you can't be too careful! So gather round and learn how to protect yourself and your home today!

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