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PODCAST

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Barak Malkin, Ethan Lane-Miller, Rabbi David Young

Where our lives of Jewish learning collide with our love of Nerd Culture. Join us as we explore Jewish texts, history, and values and the apparent and invisible connections to your favorite movies, characters, and hobbies. www.torahsmash.com

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

35:51

Episode 104 - Captain Gideon

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2026/04/08

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 min...

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39:06

Episode 103 - Wonder-Name

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2026/03/25

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.&nbs...

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35:47

Episode 102 - SMASHBALLS: The Podcast

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2026/03/11

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. Share this epis...

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52:08

Episode 101 - TS101 A Lesson in Basics

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2026/02/25

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. Share this e...

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40:50

Episode 100 - Opening Our Time Capsule

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2026/02/11

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,...

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35:00

Episode 99 - The Torah League

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2026/01/28

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. Share this episode wit...

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48:38

Episode 98 - Something Phishy ...With Special Guests...

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2026/01/14

January 14, 2026 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 98 - Something Phishy… With Special Guests Rabbi Benjamin David, Rabbi Eric Linder, Rabbi Stephen Wise In this episode, we’re join by not one phish, not two phish, three phish (jew phish) guests! We dive into the world of the band Phish and the one-of-a-kind community that has grown around the band. Phrom the music to the culture, we explore what makes the Phish phandom so devoted, so joyphul, and so unlike any other phan base...

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42:33

Episode 97 - Ted Blessings

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/12/31

December 31, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 97 - Ted Blessings It should be said: Fun is serious business. In this episode, we look at the comedy and heart-filled series, Ted Lasso. We discuss the title character’s impact on the world around him and the Jewish practice that he may be unknowingly doing regularly. From character growth to internal gratitude, this episode is a nice reminder to slow down, recognize the good that surrounds you, and maybe say thank you a l...

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43:48

Episode 96 - Not Alone for Hallmark Hanukkah…With...

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/12/17

December 17, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 96 - Not Alone for Hallmark Hanukkah…With Special Guest Tamar Laddy In this episode, we’re joined by special guest, Tamar Laddy, who helps us better view the less frequently made Hanukkah Hallmark movies. We explore assimilation, belonging, and choosing to stand out instead of blend in. And then, we do that again and again and again. Not because it’s a time loop, but because we loved this conversation! 00:03:38 Exodus 12:49...

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43:39

Episode 95 - MagicHeart

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/12/03

December 3, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 95 - MagicHeart The Torah says they no sorceress shall live, but what is its take on scientists? In this episode, we explore the tension between magic and science and the thin line that can exist between our understanding of both. Using a certain marvel metal hero, we dive into what counts as “magic” in the first place. From Shabbat science to Pharoah’s magicians, we examine faith’s role in magic and that sometimes the stron...

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42:22

Episode 94 - The Cube of Babel ...With Guest Host...

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/11/19

November 19, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 94 - The Cube of Babel …With Guest Host Cantor Ross Wolman In this episode, our guest host, Cantor Ross Wolman, helps us take a look back at the ambitious building of the Tower of Babel. We explore what happens when humanity’s drive causes their humanity to disappear. The answers to our questions may be revealed as we look up to the heavens, past the stars, and possibly where no man has gone before. 00:03:23 The Tower of Babe...

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36:36

Episode 93 - Um, Actually

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/11/05

November 5, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 93 - Um, Actually With a world of fun facts all around us, we all sometimes get the irresistible urge to push up our glasses, tap that person on the shoulder, and say, “Um, actually…” In this week’s episode, we correct each other while reading Proverbs 16:16. We explore the differences between knowledge and wisdom, but you know that already. We debate when education turns toxic, which you already know. And why not everyone w...

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46:38

Episode 92 - Huntrix, Honmoon, and Holy Scrolls

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/10/22

October 22, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 92 - Huntrix, Honmoon, and Holy Scrolls This episode takes us to the Honmoon protected world of the K-Pop Demon Hunters movie. We explore the protection spell cast by Huntrix and find similarities with Jewish cultural symbols that could possibly have the same effect? We discuss what it means to create a barrier that keeps something out and what does that also then keep contained inside? Turns out physical and spiritual boundar...

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38:11

Episode 91 - Not Heroes. Not Alone. ...With Guest...

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/10/08

October 8, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 91 - Not Heroes. Not Alone. Psalm 23 talks about walking through the shadow of death. Let’s walk into it together. In this episode, we dive into one of the newer Marvel movies to hit the big screen through the lens of one of the most popular Psalm versus. We explore fear, trust, and the power of being alone. But the people who will guide us through this conversation are not heroes… far from it. 00:03:06 Psalm 23 00:06:11 Th...

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34:58

Episode 90 - Brave New Mindset

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/09/25

September 25, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 90 - Brave New Mindset As we reflect during this High Holy Day season, we’re diving into the Jewish concept of teshuva—turning, returning, and transforming. What does it mean to change, to repair, and to not be wholly defined by your past? In this episode, we look at some truly marvelous characters wrestling with their pasts and the people they want to become. Along the way, we’ll apologize, we’ll grow, and then—depending ...

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39:05

Episode 89 - Fantastic Four: First Tests

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/09/10

September 10, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 89 - Fantastic Four: First Tests Finally, there was pretty strong Jewish representation in a Marvel movie! In this episode, we venture through Marvel’s newest movie, Fantastic Four: First Steps, with a look at this tale of sacrifice, testing, and trust. From cosmic children with unimaginable power to the silence of those around them, we explore how stories can sometimes wrestle with what it means to be called to give up wh...

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40:35

Episode 88 - The Game Over People

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/08/27

August 27, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 88 - The Game Over People In video games, a “game over” isn’t the end, it’s just another chance to start again. In this episode, we explore how failing, restarting, and building resilience are just as much a part of Jewish life as they are of gaming culture. From gratitude and kindness to perseverance and play, we unpack what it means to keep going even after listing a level (or three). After all, sometimes the best prize of wi...

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39:19

Episode 87 - Clone Force Kilayim

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/08/12

August 13, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 87 - Clone Force Kilayim Let’s talk genetics. Yes, let’s talk genetics. Is there an echo in here? Yes, there is now. In this episode, we take a closer look at Kilayim, the Torah’s prohibition against mixing species. We inspect it and how it shows up in a tale from a long, long time ago, of a squad of soldiers unlike any other. What does Jewish tradition say about rewriting the building blocks of life? What happens when fictio...

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47:11

Episode 86 - Pirkei Avigilante

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/07/30

July 30, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 86 - Pirkei Avigilante Time to suit up as we take a daring dive into Pirkei Avot 1:10. From the streets to the courtroom, we unpack some of the tensions between working within the system or outside of it. We also discuss a certain red vigilante’s path and how it sometimes struggles when faced by its towering opposing force. If this topic gets too heated, it may be time you left the streets of the kitchen. 00:01:46 Pirkei ...

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28:27

Episode 85 - Worse Than Leprosy

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/07/16

July 16, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 85 - Worse Than Leprosy This week, we look at what may possibly be the least favorite torah portion: parsha metzorah. It’s tedious, it’s a bit gross, and spoiler alert - it’s not even about leprosy! We clean up our act and take a look at why the portion has such a bad rap. What other Jewish texts are disliked? Can we discover why this bad writing has survived so long into today’s world? We all know stories that we don’t like, but...

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