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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

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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38:32

Episode 84 - Pixar's Paradigm Shift

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/07/02

July 2, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 84 - Pixar’s Paradigm Shift In this episode, we explore the theory that suggests that all Pixar films exist within a single shared universe. Or perhaps they don’t and they’re just individually made entertaining movies. Or maybe the director once knew someone named Andy and liked the way he treated his toys. We’ll discuss how literal or interpretive we believe the Pixar universe to be and we dig into some other pop culture conspira...

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52:48

Episode 83 - Monsters and Angels

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/06/18

June 18, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 83 - Monsters and Angels Remember the story in the Tanakh about flaming serpents? What about the one about unicorns? This week, the mystical co-hosts of Wayward Children: Jewish Monsters, Magic, and the Stories We Tell help us summon the wild, weird, and fantastical creatures hiding in the pages of Torah. We explore the line between monsters and angels. Honestly, we didn’t know we could fit this many Jewish creatures into one e...

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44:57

Episode 82 - This Andor That

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/06/04

June 4, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 82 - This Andor That In this episode, Ethan guides us on a conversation to a galaxy far, far away to explore the rich themes and surprising Jewish connections within Andor, the newest series in the Star Wars universe. We dive into the blurred lines between science fiction and our own realities, we explore the sacrifices made in the name of hope, and we ask the question no one else dares: Is Syril’s mom Jewish? Put on your nicest G...

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149:49

Episode 81 - 3rd Anniversary Special: Dungeons &...

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/05/21

May 21, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 81 - 3rd Anniversary Special - Dungeons & Dreidels A year has passed since the goblins were driven from the village and the light of Hanukkah was saved by the hero called Hershel… or so everyone thought. Now, on the final night of the town’s Hanukkah celebration, the wind howls and dark clouds gather above. Join the village’s unlikely heroes—a blacksmith, a tailor, a butcher, and a teacher—as they defend their home, unravel a m...

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48:35

Episode 80 - Putting the Pieces Together

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/05/07

May 7, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 80 - Putting the Pieces Together Samson apparently loved Delilah and word puzzles. In today’s world, before he attacked the philistines, he probably would have finished that morning’s Wordle. With so many types of puzzles in the world today, we try to piece together an episode with the clues given on the box. Would you consider that to be cheating though? If you’re confused, perhaps you should listen to figure this one out with us. ...

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69:49

Episode 79 - Let's Get Together: Live in Austin!

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/04/23

April 23, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 79 - Let’s Get Together: Live In Austin! Barak, Ethan, and RDY were finally in the same zip code together, for the first time ever! So they decided to record an episode with the locals! When these nerds get together they play board games, watch superhero movies, visit comic book shops, go to escape rooms, and tell wonderfully terrible jokes. So what happens when you put them together in a room full of Jews? It turns out, you end ...

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35:10

Episode 78 - New Games, Old Wisdom

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/04/09

April 9, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 78 - New Games, Old Wisdom In this episode, we dice into the world of reboots, remastering, and retelling, both in the sacred and the pixelated. Ethan begins by sharing his love for the remastered version of one of his favorite games, Star Wars: Dark Forces, and what changed in its recent rerelease. We discuss movie reboots, and why it’s sometimes okay for things to change. And while some properties struggle with an updated versio...

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39:03

Episode 77 - God Plans, Man Laughs

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/03/26

March 26, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 77 - God Plans, Man Laughs There’s a new episode of Torah Smash! Yes, and… the Jewish tie in is a story from Genesis! Yes, and… the hosts find more ways to comment about muppets. With a topic like improv, anything can happen! Let’s talk about laughter and where it can be found in the world and in our work as Jewish professionals. We also explore how laughter is utilized in Jewish holidays, even in the darkest of times. 00:02:40 ...

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39:34

Episode 76 - Separating the Nerdy from the Mundane

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/03/12

March 12, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 76 - Separating the Nerdy from the Mundane After last episode’s connection to Shabbat, there was only one logical topic for the next conversation: havdalah! We learn about the ritual objects of havdalah and the meaning behind this short, weekly celebration. We discuss when we keep our nerdy parts of our lives separate, we find some sweetness in nerd culture, and we also talk about the bad body odor of gamers, for some reason. Onc...

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41:54

Episode 75 - Shabbat: There's A Nap For That

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/02/26

February 26, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 75 - Shabbat: There’s A Nap For That Shabbat is a way for us to reflect on the week and reset ourselves. We power ourselves down and find ways of interacting with our loved ones and our community in ways that can really nourish our soul. So, this is a reminder to download that special app on your smartphone that will help you appreciate and recognize shabbat. And, while you’re at it, don’t forget to organize your apps and dele...

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54:29

Episode 74 - JudAIsm ...With Special Guest Rabbi Josh...

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/02/12

February 12, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 74 - JudAIsm Artificial intelligence is everywhere—even in the clergy world! In this episode, we welcome Rabbi Josh Fixler, who was recently featured in The New York Times for his insights on how religious leaders are using AI. Join us as we explore the intersection of faith and technology, discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presents to clergy, and maybe even ask the big question: If a chatbot gives a sermon, does it ...

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44:15

Episode 73 - Kosher or Not Kosher?

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/01/29

January 29, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 73 - Kosher or Not Kosher?It’s time for everyone’s favorite game show when it comes to Jewish food… Kosher! Or! Not! Kosher?! Join us as we explore some fantasy foods, science fiction foods, and some soon-to-not-be so science fiction food based questions when it comes to keeping kosher. Do we think the Klingons follow similar laws when making their ritual wines? How about Dungeons & Dragons characters? What about your video ga...

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49:03

Episode 72 - Leviticus All Along ...With Special...

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/01/15

January 15, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 72 – Leviticus All Along …With Special Guest Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-WeinerWe are thrilled to welcome the first character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to join us on Torah Smash, Rabbi Levin, played by real life clergy, Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner. She shares about her journey into the MCU, we discuss our thoughts of the newest Jewish character to be portrayed in this world, and we share some of our favorite parts of the s...

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46:47

Episode 71 - The Wheel of New Years

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews ·

2025/01/01

January 1, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 71 - The Wheel of New YearsThe Wheel of Time turns, and we return with another episode for you. Did you know that Judaism celebrates four different new years? So, that means that American Jews celebrate 5 different New Years! And if you’re stuck in a time loop, the number is much higher than that! Join us as we celebrate and mark this time on our calendars. We share why time was invented, how we decide to mark time, and question th...

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