Rephonic
Artwork for The Curious Middle

The Curious Middle

Polina & Yelena
Mental Health
Israel
Narcissism
Judaism
Education
Antisemitism
Jewish Identity
Online Entrepreneurship
Workplace Behavior
Femtech
Women's Health
Personal Development
College Campuses
Tough Titties
Decluttering
Parenting
Activism
Zionism
Ethnic Studies
Women Empowerment

We're two San Francisco moms who got tired of pretending the obvious isn't obvious. Top 1.5% of podcasts globally not because we play it safe. We ask the questions people are thinking but won't say out loud, on the topics that actually shape how we live: media, politics, culture, parenting, careers and what it means to defend common sense in a state that often ignores reality. We're two women who'... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes194Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureNewsNews Commentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Curious Middle

Latest Episodes

Danielle Haas spent 14 years inside Human Rights Watch editing their reports before she quit and helped found Eightrights.org, an insider-led group holding the human rights sector accountable. In this episode, she walks us through how Amnesty, Human ... more

Germania Rodriguez was 11 years old when her family fled Venezuela . Her mother, one of the regime's most aggressive journalist critics, had just been falsely accused by Hugo Chávez's government. Two decades later, sitting in NYU lecture halls, Germa... more

James Lindsay returns for a two-hour deep dive: his own journey from lifelong Democrat to Trump voter, how Trump Derangement Syndrome became what he calls one of the most wide-ranging psychological operations in modern history, the 130-year throughli... more

Alyssa Rosenheck was one of the only Jewish kids in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when a classmate stood up in class, pointed at her, and said, "The Jew took it." She pushed the girl down. Her dad's response: "My daughter has my permission to deck anyone who offe... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Ask Haviv Anything
Ask Haviv AnythingHaviv Rettig Gur
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Being Jewish with Jonah PlattJonah Platt // Jewish Identity, Culture, and Current Events

Recent Guests

Alyssa Rosenheck
Architectural and interior photographer, author, and advocate
Independent photographer and author
Episode: A Book Title and a Label that Will Get You Cancelled: White, Blonde, Jew.
James Lindsay
Mathematician turned writer and political commentator; co-founder of New Discourses
New Discourses
Episode: James Lindsay: How to Spot Woke Left and Woke Right Psyop Tactics
Dr. Joseph Moore
Best-selling author, historian, investor
Author of How to Get Rich in American History
Episode: Historian Joseph Moore Wants You to Know It's Never Been Easier to Get Ahead in America
Liza Libes
Founder and CEO of Advictus Prep; writer and educator
Pens and Poison
Episode: Liza Libes Shares How Academia Turned Jane Austen Into a Colonizer (and Buried Tolstoy's Best Lessons)
Benedict Beckeld
Writer, philosopher; author of Western Self-Contempt, Oikophobia and the Decline of Civilizations
Independent writer and philosopher
Episode: Oikophobia: Why Successful Societies Turn Against Themselves with Benedict Beckeld, philosopher and author of Western Self-Contempt
Adam Louis Klein
Writer, anthropologist, philosopher; founder of the movement against anti-Zionism
Movement Against Anti-Zionism
Episode: Why Antizionism Is a War on Jewish Existence | Adam Louis Klein
Daniel Lapin
Rabbi, author and founder/CEO of the American Alliance of Jews and Christians
American Alliance of Jews and Christians
Episode: Family, Finance, Friendship, Fitness, Faith — Rabbi Daniel Lapin's Case for Getting All Five Right
Matt Nuclear
Independent thinker known for online debates
Episode: Reading Before You Speak: How Mat Nuclear Debates the Issues Most People Won't Touch
Ashley Rindsberg
Investigative journalist and author focused on media malfeasance, information warfare, and public discourse
Author of The Gray Lady Winked
Episode: All the News That's Fit to Spin with Ashley Rindsberg

Hosts

Polina
Host of The Curious Middle, co-presenting with Yelena; focuses on inquiry, challenging assumptions, and practical civics.
Yelena
Co-host who engages guests in thorough, balanced dialogues on culture, politics, and media.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 126 ratings
  • Keeping It Real With Courageous Conversations

    Polina and Yelena are not only curious, but also an intelligent and courageous team hosting changemakers who share their focus on fierce morality, honest conversations, freedom, love, and setting the record straight on our skewed cultural, educational and political climate. I learn so much about history and current events from these worldly and wise women - 2 terrific moderators who are invested in future generations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    24Dena
    United States2 months ago
  • Wonderful podcast

    I adore listening to these two bright curious women talk to fascinating guests about all sorts of relevant and new information. It’s always a pleasure to discover new ways to think about and consider topics weekly to inspire and grow my thinking. Fabulous content and my weekly must listen treat on my walk

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Karenoia
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love this podcast

    Polina & Yelena bring the most interesting guests, and their conversations are both captivating and enlightening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yard526
    United Statesa year ago
  • A Good Listen for Anyone Who Cares About the Future

    This podcast is great in that it’s filled with real conversations and authentic questions. There’s are elements of vulnerability and practicality that make it stand out and make the episodes motivating in different ways.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lindseycormack
    United States2 years ago
  • Three Brilliant Interviewers

    Meant for It feels like the female version of the hip Smartless! These woman banter a bit like sophisticated drive time radio and set an irresistible tone to their upcoming subject matter and interviewee. Their topics are broad and they have done their research! I was honored to be on the show and have done many podcasts and must say these girls got it “going on”! Highly recommended!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stilllightpoond
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Polina and Yelena are curious, intelligent, and courageous interviewers who bring out thoughtful insights from changemakers.
The format is described as inspiring, with guests who provide practical takeaways for life and work.
Listeners praise the engaging, intelligent banter and the broad range of guest expertise.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#212
Brazil/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Venezuela Was a Top-5 Economy. Then Came Socialism.
Q: What is the key difference between social democracy and socialism as you see it?
Social democracy uses robust welfare programs within a market-based economy, while socialism involves moving toward state control of key means of production; confusing the two leads to misinterpretations about what reforms actually involve and their potential consequences.
Historian Joseph Moore Wants You to Know It's Never Been Easier to Get Ahead in America
Q: Where do you start when someone asks how to get rich?
Historically, wealth builds by solving real needs, taking calculated risks, moving to opportunity, and investing in self-improvement and practical execution, not just saving for decades in hopes of compounding.
Liza Libes Shares How Academia Turned Jane Austen Into a Colonizer (and Buried Tolstoy's Best Lessons)
Q: Why should people read more, particularly fiction?
Reading fiction offers more than empathy; it provides universal lessons about how to live, offering a map of human behavior and the enduring value of beauty and meaning in life.
Why Antizionism Is a War on Jewish Existence | Adam Louis Klein
Q: What is the main distinction between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism, and why is it important to articulate it clearly?
Anti-Zionism is presented as a political or ideological stance toward Israel, but the discussion emphasizes that it can function as a form of bigotry that targets Jews as a people, not just as supporters of a state. The guest argues that recognizing anti-Zionism as its own harmful construct helps prevent the erasure of Jewish identity and counters the claim that opposing Zionism equates to opposing Jews.
When Education Turns Into One-Sided Activism with Marissa Streit CEO of PragerU
Q: What do you say to those who believe the DEI agenda is about teaching compassion?
Marissa argues that it can lead to inappropriate discussions in schools and that educators prioritize activism over foundational learning.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Curious Middle

What is The Curious Middle about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two San Francisco moms host a thoughtful interview show that tackles media, culture, politics, parenting, and career with a curious, middle-ground stance. Episodes feature conversations with prominent writers, educators, journalists, and thinkers who challenge conventional wisdom, explore civic issues, and unpack how ideology shapes public discourse. Listeners can expect deep dives into pressing topics like education, media integrity, Jewish identity and antisemitism, civil discourse, and the limits of cultural critiques, all through candid, personality-driven conversations. The show stands out for its open-ended, sometimes provocative exchanges, willingness to change minds on air, and emphasis on practical relevance for everyday life and d... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Curious Middle?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Curious Middle. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Curious Middle and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Curious Middle get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Curious Middle, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Curious Middle?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Curious Middle, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Curious Middle have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Curious Middle has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Curious Middle?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Curious Middle:

1. Conversations with Coleman
2. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
3. Ask Haviv Anything
4. Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
5. Unpacking Israeli History

How many episodes of The Curious Middle are there?

The Curious Middle launched 11 years ago and published 194 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Curious Middle?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Curious Middle?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Curious Middle from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Curious Middle?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Curious Middle. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Curious Middle?

Recent guests on The Curious Middle include:

1. Alyssa Rosenheck
2. James Lindsay
3. Dr. Joseph Moore
4. Liza Libes
5. Benedict Beckeld
6. Adam Louis Klein
7. Daniel Lapin
8. Matt Nuclear

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days