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Artwork for Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism

Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism

Geoffrey Stern
Israel
Exodus
Judaism
Deuteronomy
Shabbat
Christianity
Techelet
Torah Study
Abraham
Federalism
Passover
Image Of God
Purim
Smicha
Blessings
Moses
Hanukkah
LGBTQ Orthodox Judaism
Deuteronomy 22
Language

The Malcolm Gladwell of the Torah -- That's how listeners describe Madlik™ – where sharp insight meets sacred text. With the curiosity of a cultural critic and the soul of a yeshiva bochur, Madlik ignites Jewish thought from a post-orthodox perspective. Each weekly episode explores the Torah with fresh eyes — drawing unexpected connections, challenging assumptions, and offering a heterodox yet dee... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes292Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
JudaismReligion & SpiritualityHistory

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Artwork for Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism

Latest Episodes

If you think your flaws and failures automatically make you a better, more "authentic" leader, you've completely misunderstood the lesson of Moses.

Most civilizations turned their founders into saints. The Hebrew Bible does the opposite. Abraham fa... more

What if the greatest cure for our distracted, scroll-addicted minds was written over 3,000 years ago? Deuteronomy isn't just repeating the Torah. It's teaching us how to pay attention.

The fifth book of the Torah—Deuteronomy (Mishneh Torah)—is ofte... more

YouTube

From the ancient words of the Torah to the modern frontlines, a hidden shift is taking place that will redefine what it means to be an Israeli.

Is the Haredi draft crisis really about military service—or about the future of the Jewish people?

As... more

What if the Founding Fathers didn't invent American democracy, but actually lifted its most crucial laws directly from the Torah?

Did the Founding Fathers borrow from the Torah?

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Madlik explores one of ... more

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Recent Guests

Yehoshua Pfeffer
Rabbi, head of the Haredi division of the Tikva Fund; founder of the Iyun Institute
Tikva Fund / Iyun Institute
Episode: Yehoshua Pfeffer and the Haredi
Pamela Peled
Author, educator and commentator on storytelling, media, religion and Israeli society
Aragoh Fellows Program for Leadership and Diplomacy at Reichman University; Jerusalem Post columnist
Episode: Hasbara - Inside and Out
Michael Broyde
Professor of Law, Emory University; author of Splitting Hairs
Emory University
Episode: Splitting Hairs
Elit Azuleh
Israeli artist who creates works inspired by objects with historical stories
Independent artist
Episode: When Homes Are Torn Open
Eran Yarkoni
CEO of Shitim Institute
Shitim Institute
Episode: The Haggadah After October 7
Anton Marks
Representative at Shitim Institute; involved with the Haggadot project
Shitim Institute
Episode: The Haggadah After October 7
Josh Berman
Professor; scholar who integrates ancient Near Eastern context with Biblical law
Episode: From Freedom to Slavery
Eli Sharabi
Author of Hostage, focusing on gratitude and survival under duress
Author
Episode: Blessed are the Survivors
Ilana Kurshan
Author of If All the Seas Were Ink; scholar
Author and Scholar
Episode: Reading the Torah like a Child

Hosts

Jeffrey Stern
Host with a provocative, cross-disciplinary approach to Torah, blending textual analysis with cultural critique.
Adam Mintz
Co-host and rabbi, provides scholarly and pastoral perspectives to discussions.
Geoffrey Stern
Occasional host with a deep, historical lens on Torah and Jewish thought (often appearing as a co-host in earlier episodes).

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 22 ratings
  • Madlik Podcast - 6 stars

    Madlik podcast lights the way to a deeper and richer understanding of Judaism, Judaic practices and its relation to the greater world. The host with the most, Geoffrey Stern, is a deep thinker with a unique background who can effortlessly straddle the secular, religious, Israely and philanthropic worlds to provide the listener with an experience impossible to receive elsewhere. Forget those other ”same old” podcasts and start tuning in. Am Yisrael Chai!

    Moshe

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MLandau08
    United States2 years ago
  • The best weekly Torah

    Distributive Torah is just the beginning of what this podcast adds to my life. Each week listening to Geoffrey and Rabbi Mintz discussing the weekly portion brings new approach and ideas to the known test. It’s the best part of the week and great beginning to shabbat.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    starbro
    United States5 years ago
  • Madlik

    I am biased. Geoffrey is my cousin.

    But he is a learned man with a passion for Torah study and an unusual background and perspective. He opens up an appreciation of the humaneness and twists and turns of the Text.

    He is a great teacher and I always come away with some spark of enlightenment. Thank you Geoffrey for creating Madlik

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    oldmanyoungtechie
    United States5 years ago
  • Interesting podcast even for non-jews.

    This podcast is interesting even for a Gentile!

    Content and perspective relating to the challenges of applying and adapting tradition and Torah text to modern changes / evolution in culture are especially interesting — like the latest episode on inter-marriage.

    Some of the thoughts on dealing and adapting are relevant across the board in multiple contexts: religion / life / business.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rwkennedy
    United States10 years ago
  • Preach

    Love this podcast!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HiphopABS
    United States10 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Fresh perspectives that connect ancient sources to contemporary life.
Accessible but deeply informed—great for scholars and lay readers alike.
Engaging hosts who balance tradition with modern critique.
Thoughtful, rigorous exploration of Jewish texts and ideas.
High-quality guests and meaningful discussions that stay on topic.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Yehoshua Pfeffer and the Haredi
Q: What is the role of the Haredi community in Israel's future, and how can unity be achieved without erasing differences?
Unity must rest on a deep, shared denominator and a willingness to engage in conversation, while recognizing differences and preserving brotherhood, so that all communities can contribute to the national project without dissolving their distinct identities.
Yehoshua Pfeffer and the Haredi
Q: Could you bring us up to date on what's going on with the first readings on the law in Israel and draft exemptions for yeshiva students?
The discussion is less about immediate headlines and more about a long-running process of reconciling Torah study with national obligations, with Basic Law Torah Study aiming to codify the state's core value of Torah study and its balance with other values, though implementation and political support remain contested.
Creation and Re-Creation
Q: What is the central tension discussed about creation in this episode?
The hosts explore whether creation can be genuinely new or if creation is a perpetual renewal of what already exists, and how rabbinic and philosophical authorities reconcile miracles with natural law.
Hasbara - Inside and Out
Q: How do you see Hasbara beginning at home and within our own hearts?
Pam argues that Hasbara starts with internal dialogue and self-critique, so that the messaging outward is grounded in authentic understanding rather than defensiveness.
Hasbara - Inside and Out
Q: What do those verses mean to you, Pam?
Pam shares that the spies' report is less about the content and more about the fear and perception shaping the message, urging a nuanced reading that considers the implications of trusted leadership and collective memory.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Fresh, provocative Torah thinking that blends rigorous textual analysis with cultural critique and modern relevance. Episodes span biblical law, Jewish philosophy, ritual practice, and contemporary ethics, often pairing classical commentators with contemporary context to reframe familiar texts in surprising ways. A notable strength is the ability to connect deep traditional sources to current issues, producing thoughtful, heterodox-yet-rooted discussions that appeal to listeners who want rigorous ideas presented with accessibility and wit. The show frequently features expert guests and archival context, creating a dynamic, idea-forward listening experience that can inform academic, religious, and media audiences alike.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
2. Ask Haviv Anything
3. The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
4. Conversations with Coleman
5. The Daily

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 10 years ago and published 292 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Yehoshua Pfeffer
2. Pamela Peled
3. Michael Broyde
4. Elit Azuleh
5. Eran Yarkoni
6. Anton Marks
7. Josh Berman
8. Eli Sharabi

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