Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

October 21, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 118 - Chevruta Vs. ACME

In this episode, Ethan leads the charge as we explore the Jewish idea of chevruta, where learning happens through partnership. After all, two minds are better than one, especially when you're trying to figure out something complicated. I wonder though what happens when your learning partner is constantly trying to outsmart you? Or your plans keep (literally) blowing up in your face? Or if your discussion has metaphorically just run straight off a cliff? Listen as we discover that sometimes the best way forward isn't to keep chasing the same answer, but to find someone willing to challenge the way you think.
No ACME products required.

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October 07, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 117 - A New Quest

The best “Star Trek movie” of 1999 is coming back around to teach us a good lesson about Simchat Torah. Never give up. Never surrender. And know that the words stay the same, but it's you that changes.

Also, Barak is starting a new quest of his own. Learn more about his upcoming adventure by visiting http://www.thetreasuredrealm.com. But, what does it mean for the podcast? Listen to find out!

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September 23, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 116 - Hi-Torah-Deedo, Neighorino

In this episode, Ethan has us take a look back at Homer’s good-hearted next-door neighbor, Ned Flanders, and the surprising change he experienced under our very eyes. Okily dokily, we know he’s super friendly and over nice, but did you know that he wasn’t always so… Flanders-y? We’ve seen other characters face this over-dramatization of their personalities, but have we experienced it in Judaism? Well, gosh-diddly-darn-it. Put on your best green sweater and join us, won’t you neighborino?

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September 09, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 115 - Spiderman: Brand Jew Day

Barak seems to have a lot of issues with the newest Spider-Man movie. Maybe he shouldn’t have spent so much time thinking about it by himself. We’re social creatures and shouldn’t be isolated. It’s not good to be alone and who we are is shaped by the people around us. Ohh… I see, just like Spider-Man, right? He was alone, too. Jews don’t think people should be isolated and alone. Will Spider-Man learn his lesson? Or was this movie just a stepping stone for a different franchise?

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August 26, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 114 - Project Hail Neighbor

In this episode, RDY helps us travel across the stars as we discuss Project Hail Mary (mostly the movie, but a little of the book as well). We explore the unexpected relationship at the heart of the story between Ryan Gosling’s astronaut, Grace, and his surprise neighbor, Rocky. What begins with two strangers who can’t even communicate, turns into a story of curiosity, trust, and figuring out just how far you’re willing to go for someone else. It’s a story of doing something nice for someone else, and learning that a good neighbor is someone who is willing to watch you sleep. Amaze. Amaze. Amaze.

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August 12, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 113 - As Jew Wish …With Special Guest Joel Swedlove

If you’re not feeling well, you should curl up to this nice podcast (in my day, they were called books)! We adventure into the topic of gemilut chasadim, which are acts of loving kindness. Whether you visit the sick to read them a story or fetch a pitcher for them, these acts can really show someone that you love them. And when you find that love, twue wuv, that’s something worth fighting for! So, if you ask us to do an act of kindness for you? Of course. As you wish.

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July 29, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 112 - But That's How We've Always Played ...With Guest Host Lexi Kohanski

Judaism's history and laws have been passed down through the generations. In the earliest days, this was passed down by word of mouth until it was written down. How do we know which rules and laws we should follow or change? Should we? Our guest host, Lexi Kohanski, joins us as we realize that it's exactly that kind of thinking that gets us things like Monopoly's "free parking jackpot" of the more recent "usage dice" in Dungeons & Dragons. Did we make these rules up? And if we did, is that really so bad?

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Lexi Kohanski - lexi@thetorahstudio.org
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kohanski/worlds-to-come

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July 15, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 111 - Feeling TORn

Ethan was saddened by news that was shared recently that hit close to home for him and it got us thinking about how we react when things that we love change. When temples change homes, when programs alter and they are not what we remember, when we fear our childhood memories won’t be shared by the next generation. And, yeah of course, we talk about some nerdy stuff too. Nerd stuff changes all the time, and that’s also a bummer.

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July 1, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 110 - Again and Again and Amen

In this episode, RDY guides us on the topic of liturgy. These are the familiar prayers and words that guide our worship services and we talk about why we return to them again and again. You know the lines, you know what comes next, and yet, you keep coming back. Because sometimes, the words, the songs, and the emotional moments are worth experiencing again and again. Repeat?

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June 17, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 109 - The Next Generation Remembers …With Guest Host Lou Feldstein

In this episode, our guest host Lou Feldstein reminds us of his favorite episode of ST:TNG titled “The Inner Light” in which Captain Picard finds himself settled on a strange planet with a name and life unknown to him. He shows us, over the span of decades, that it’s not always about the life that you lead, but that sometimes it’s important to reflect on the lives that are lived by others. Oh, and RDY thinks Lou has the exact perfect voice for himself.

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June 3, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 108 - Yesh, And!

In this episode, RDY helps us explore the world of Jewish folktales and the surprisingly familiar rules that have guided storytellers for generations. With unique characters and surprising stories, we learn that listening to each other and embracing the unexpected is what makes the stories so great! After all, every good story starts when someone accepts the premise and asks, “what happens next?”

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May 20, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 107 - 4th Anniversary Special - Welcome to Chelm

A brand-new group of adventurers come across a strange village in the middle of the woods: the land of Chelm. The town is facing a terrible problem: a dangerous monster is stealing townsfolk and scaring away the stars.

Can our heroes solve Chelm’s many urgent problems before the sun sets and the monster returns once more? Can they place all the cakes on top of the bakery roof? Can they find the proper hats for all the lamp posts? Have you ever heard such ridiculous questions asked? You can expect even more ridiculousness, because in this town and this podcast, everything makes sense.

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Character Information:

S.A.M (played by Ethan Lane-Miller) - 5’6’’ Silver and Metallic Robot

Fungle, Friend of the Many Teeth (played by RDY) - Goblin Druid

Pella (played by Rabbi Emma Gottlieb) - A 7 ft Loxodon with Light Gray Skin, a Silvery Sheen, and Accents of Pink.

Oysher (played by Cantor Ross Wolman) An Elf Bard, “babe.”

Dungeon Master (Barak Malkin) Narrator, Ruleskeeper, and Every Resident of Chelm.

May 6, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 106 - Mislabeled Things ...With Guest Host Micol Zimmerman

In this episode, we’re joined by guest host, Micol Zimmerman, who promises a fun smash for Stranger Things. Really, she came on to talk about Stranger Things and so we absolutely talk about Stranger Things. No secret motive or hidden agenda. Hey, speaking of Stranger Things, do you wanna talk about the latest season? How about that ending?!

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April 22, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 105 - Pokemon: Blue and White

Good Eevee-ning, pokemon fans. In this episode, we catch all the connections between Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen. Some of them may be a bit Onix-pected, but we’re sure you’ll enjoy it as much as a Magikarp-et ride. You should have no Fearow about our conversation, because we Exeggcute this episode perfectly. If you weren’t a fan before, this will Seel the deal. You won’t believe what comes out of our Meowths.

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April 8, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 104 - Captain Gideon

In this episode, we dive into the book of Judges and the unlikely rise of a hesitant leader called to something greater. Gideon struggles and doubts himself with taking on the mantle of leadership, but he gets the courage to step up and lead. We explore this ancient story of courage and transformation and the marvel superhero whose character faces similar doubts about leadership and who shares a strategic mindset.

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March 25, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 103 - Wonder-Name

What’s in a name?

In this episode, we explore the story from Genesis when Jacob’s name is changed to Israel. We look at a recent superhero show in which the characters discover new versions of themselves, and that is often accompanied by some new type of recognition. From the stories of our ancestors to the stories of today’s superheroes, we explore how these groundbreaking moments in our lives define us.

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March 11, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 102 - SMASHBALLS: The Podcast

The story of Purim is often told as a parody. A tongue-in-cheek retelling of survival. But is the original story that great to begin with? This episode is a great one for your father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former roommate! It’s not a great podcast episode, or even a spectacular podcast episode, please please… it’s just a plain old podcast episode. But the kids love this one.

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February 25, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 101 - TS101 A Lesson in Basics

In our 101st episode, we go back to the fundamentals, the level 101 we need to know about Judaism. Are there really only ten commandments? What rules do we have to know for Star Trek? What are the lessons we need to know for board games? What are the basics when it comes to comic books? You should explore new ideas and hobbies, but before you do you'll need to know the core rules.

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February 11, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 100 - Opening Our Time Capsule

Listen to what we found!

Before we ever recorded our first episode, the three of us got together to test the audio. That footage was never released to the public… until now! Listen to us predict the future… I mean our present… from the past, but also about multiverse timelines. It’s not that confusing, we promise. We talk about the guests we hoped to have, the topics we thought we would cover, and our predictions for some of the more popular nerd franchises. Some of them were spot on!

Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning, or joined us more recently, thank you for being part of our journey! This episode is for you.

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January 28, 2026

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 99 - The Torah League

In this episode, we explore why the heroes from the Torah always seem to be told as a solo story. They have friends don’t they? Are they really the only “super” people at that time? As we contemplate and wish that someone would yell “assemble” we try and identify the groups of heroes from the Torah. We also decide which Torah heroes would be part of our Jewish Super Friends group.

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