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Artwork for The Jewish Lives Podcast

The Jewish Lives Podcast

Jewish Lives
Judaism
Zionism
Philosophy
Léon Blum
Walter Benjamin
Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Dreyfus Affair
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Jewish Identity
Jacob
Socialism
Carole King
Ayn Rand
Abraham
Franz Boas
History
Jewish Tradition
Biblical Scholarship
Nazi Germany
Tapestry

The Jewish Lives Podcast is a monthly show that explores the lives of influential Jewish figures. Hosted by Alessandra Wollner, each episode includes an interview with an acclaimed Jewish Lives author. Jewish Lives is a prizewinning series of biography published by Yale University Press and the Leon D. Black Foundation. Join us as we explore the Jewish experience together.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes73Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityJudaismArtsBooks

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Artwork for The Jewish Lives Podcast

Latest Episodes

Edmond de Rothschild (1845–1934) was born into one of the wealthiest families in history, but his legacy lies beyond aristocratic privilege.

Join us with award-winning historian James McAuley, author of the new biography Edmond de Rothschild: Findin... more

Stephen Sondheim (1930–2021) was a towering figure in American musical theater.

Join us with Daniel Okrent, author of the new biography Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn’t Easy, as we explore the ways Sondheim’s music and lyrics express the inner life of on... more

Rabbi, writer, teacher, and thinker, Mordecai M. Kaplan (1881–1983) was one of the leading Jewish personalities of twentieth-century America. Founder of the Reconstructionist movement, he was a maverick who reshaped religious faith and practice, gene... more

Walter Benjamin (1892–1940) is widely considered one of the most creative cultural critics of the twentieth century.

Join us with Harvard University scholar Peter E. Gordon, author of the new biography Walter Benjamin: The Pearl Diver, as we look be... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

James McAuley
Author of Edmond de Rothschild, Finding Zion
Yale University Press (author collaboration)
Episode: EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
Daniel Okrent
Author of the Jewish Lives biography Stephen Sondheim, Art Isn't Easy
Author, Stephen Sondheim, Art Isn't Easy
Episode: STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Jenna Weissman Joselit
Author of Mordecai M. Kaplan Restless Soul
Yale University Press
Episode: MORDECAI M. KAPLAN
Peter E. Gordon
Critical theorist and historian of modern European philosophy
Harvard University
Episode: WALTER BENJAMIN
Anthony Gottlieb
Former executive editor of The Economist and author working on the history of ideas.
Yale University Press
Episode: LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN
Steven J. Zipperstein
Author of Philip Roth, Stung by Life and Daniel E. Koshlin Professor of Jewish Culture and History at Stanford University
Stanford University
Episode: PHILIP ROTH
Jane Eisner
Author and journalist, former editor-in-chief of The Forward
Jewish Lives
Episode: CAROLE KING
Noga Arikha
Philosopher, historian of ideas, and essayist.
European University Institute
Episode: FRANZ BOAS
Anthony Julius
Distinguished British attorney and scholar known for his expertise in defamation law, legal theory, and Jewish cultural history.
Episode: ABRAHAM

Host

Alessandra Wollner
Host of The Jewish Lives Podcast

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 159 ratings
  • Excellent

    This podcast is deeply satisfying all the while it presents many more questions than it answers. An Essential element for Jewish learning.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    In The Voice of Our Mothers
    United Statesa year ago
  • Want to like more

    I want to like these podcasts more but over produced for me. Too short and not enough depth.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Awesome driving hind
    United States2 years ago
  • Grateful

    I love learning the history of the lives of these influential people. Informative content.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BaKeeno
    United States2 years ago
  • Excellent!

    Each episode is a delicious appetizer, a taste of an individual volume from Jewish Lives, the outstanding series of biographies of influential Jews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    B. Kind 143
    United States3 years ago
  • Awesome podcast!

    Thanks so much for this wonderful program!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gabfanatico
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the deep dives into biographies and historical context, though some want more depth or different pacing.
A thoughtful, well-prepared host and insightful guests make the interviews engaging and book-promoting without feeling pushy.
Strongly praised for its scholarly yet accessible storytelling and high production quality.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
Q: What did you mean by writing history from above, and what do we gain or lose by telling Zionism through a figure of Rothschild's social position?
The author explains that history from above focuses on the elites to illuminate structural forces, but also acknowledges the need to incorporate other voices, such as settlers, to avoid a one-dimensional narrative of Zionism and to better understand the human consequences of Rothschild's grand plans.
EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD
Q: Would you start by reading us an excerpt from your new book?
McAuley reads an excerpt that frames Rothschild as a man of immense wealth and moral concern, moved by the plight of his Jewish kin, whose actions in Ottoman Palestine evolved into a large network of colonies and a lasting impact on Zionist development.
MORDECAI M. KAPLAN
Q: What do you think made him so unusually sensitive to the pressures facing American Jews at that time?
Joselit attributes Kaplan's sensitivity to a blend of Old World and New World influences, plus early experiences with conflicting cultural forces, which sharpened his awareness of how Jewish life could adapt to modern American society.
WALTER BENJAMIN
Q: Is there anything you wish you could ask Benjamin yourself?
I would like to know what Benjamin would have made of the reverence and aura surrounding his work today, which seems ironic given his belief that art should not be cloaked in an aura.
WALTER BENJAMIN
Q: What does Benjamin's courteous nature tell us about who he was?
Benjamin's courteous behavior under pressure indicates his upbringing as a well-bred child of Berlin's haute bourgeoisie, reflecting the formal manners of his time.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Jewish Lives Podcast

What is The Jewish Lives Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on in-depth biographical conversations with authors who illuminate notable Jewish figures. Each episode blends scholarly context with accessible storytelling, exploring how biographies shape understanding of Jewish history, culture, and identity. A consistent thread is the host's thoughtful interviewing style and a sponsorship ecosystem tied to academic publishers, yielding rich historical insights and strong book promotions. The format often highlights the subject's life, intellectual milieu, and lasting impact, making it appealing to readers and history buffs seeking well-researched, book-backed narratives.

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How many listeners does The Jewish Lives Podcast get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Jewish Lives 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 The Jewish Lives Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Jewish Lives Podcast:

1. Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
2. For Heaven's Sake
3. Unholy: Two Jews on the News
4. SAPIR Conversations
5. Haaretz Podcast

How many episodes of The Jewish Lives Podcast are there?

The Jewish Lives Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 73 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 Jewish Lives Podcast?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Jewish Lives Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Jewish Lives Podcast?

Recent guests on The Jewish Lives Podcast include:

1. James McAuley
2. Daniel Okrent
3. Jenna Weissman Joselit
4. Peter E. Gordon
5. Anthony Gottlieb
6. Steven J. Zipperstein
7. Jane Eisner
8. Noga Arikha

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.

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