Rephonic
Artwork for Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism

Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism

Geoffrey Stern
Israel
Exodus
Judaism
Deuteronomy
Shabbat
Isaiah
Christianity
Techelet
Genesis
Yom Kippur
Torah Study
Abraham
Federalism
Passover
Image Of God
Purim
Smicha
Blessings
Moses
Hanukkah

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes298Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
JudaismHistoryReligion & Spirituality

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism

Latest Episodes

On Yom Kippur, we lovingly honor our parents' memories during Yizkor—so why does the climax of the confession force us to stand up and blame them for our sins?

On Yom Kippur, we strike our own chests—but confess the sins of people who are no longer... more

Why did the Rabbis tell the Exodus through the words of a farmer—and leave Mount Sinai out of the story?

What if the Torah's shortest version of the Exodus leaves out the most important moment?

The story of the Exodus without using the Book of Ex... more

Isaiah didn't just offer passive comfort to a broken nation—he hijacked the oldest stories in the Book of Genesis to force them to survive.

What do you do when there is no reason to sing?

Isaiah answers with a startling command:

Rani akarah lo ... more

YouTube

We usually associate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with judgment and fear, but a closer look at the texts reveals a completely different, shocking command: rejoice.

Wake up. Shake off the dust. Put on your finest clothes—and rejoice!

The haftarah ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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.

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

Geoffrey Stern
Host with deep Torah knowledge and broad cultural perspective; appears frequently across episodes.
Adam Mintz
Rabbi and co-host, provides rabbinic and legal interpretation; engages with hosts on ethical and practical questions.

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.

Audience appreciates historical context and practical implications for daily life.
Insights into Jewish philosophy presented with clarity and modern relevance.
High-quality, dense content that rewards thoughtful listening.
Listeners praise the host's ability to bridge secular and religious perspectives.

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

A thoughtful, scholarly discussion on Torah study that blends traditional text with contemporary insights. Episodes typically feature two co-hosts debating ethics, philosophy, and historical context, then applying ideas to modern life, culture, and leadership. Sponsorship plugs appear between segments, but the core remains close textual analysis, cross-disciplinary references, and practical takeaways for readers seeking rigorous yet accessible Jewish thought. Notably, the show often treats Torah as a living conversation—connecting parshiyot to current events, politics, and broader cultural questions, while maintaining a welcoming, intergenerational voice that appeals to both clergy and lay readers.

Potential listeners who crave deep commen... more

Where can I find podcast stats for this podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for this podcast. 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 this podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does this podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for this podcast, 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 this podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for this podcast, 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 this podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers this podcast 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 this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. What Matters Now
2. Matan: One on One Parsha Podcast
3. Haaretz Podcast
4. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
5. Unholy: Two Jews on the News

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 10 years ago and published 298 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 this podcast?

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 this podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for this podcast 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 this podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of this podcast. 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 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

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