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A Mandatory Listen

The Times of Israel
Israel
Hamas
Gaza
Iran
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism
Holocaust
United States
Hezbollah
Zionism
Gaza War
Humanitarian Aid
October 7th
Israel Defense Forces
Donald Trump
Gaza Strip
Jewish Identity
Judaism
Haredi Community
Judicial Reform

The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for A Mandatory Listen

Latest Episodes

Welcome to "A Mandatory Listen," a new weekly podcast in which The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people.

For this sixth episode in the new series, we speak with historian Sir S... more

YouTube

Welcome to "A Mandatory Listen," a new weekly podcast in which The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people.

For this fifth episode in the new series, we speak with author Yossi Kl... more

YouTube

Welcome to "A Mandatory Listen," a new weekly podcast in which The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people.

For this fourth episode in the new series, we speak with Prof. Nechumi ... more

YouTube

Welcome to "A Mandatory Listen," a new weekly podcast in which The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people.

For this third episode in the new series, we speak with The New York Ti... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Simon Schama
Historian, professor of art history and history, author and cultural essayist for The New Yorker
Columbia University
Episode: Sir Simon Schama: A howl against rising global antisemitism
Yossi Klein Halevi
Author and senior fellow at the Hartman Institute
Hartman Institute
Episode: Yossi Klein Halevi: Spiritually coping with this Israeli election
Nechumi Yaffe
Tenured senior lecturer at Tel Aviv University and co-director of the Haredi Research Group at UCLA
Tel Aviv University
Episode: Nechumi Yaffe: An insider's dire prognosis for the Haredi world - and its cure
Bret Stephens
Opinion columnist at The New York Times; editor of The Sapir Magazine
The New York Times; Sapir Journal
Episode: Bret Stephens: Israel regained deterrence. The US lost it
Micah Goodman
Author, public intellectual, podcast host of Mifleget HaMachshavot
Beit Avi Chai; author
Episode: Micah Goodman: The one issue that unites America's radical left and right
Haviv Rettig Gur
Senior Analyst at The Times of Israel, host of his own podcast
Times of Israel
Episode: Haviv Rettig Gur: Is the IDF justified in picking off Hamas terrorists?
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib
Head of Realign for Palestine, analyst focusing on pragmatic Palestinian state-building
Realign for Palestine (Atlantic Council project)
Episode: Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Hamas is to blame for October 7 and Gaza's ‘collateral damage’
Yohanan Plesner
Head of the Israel Democracy Institute
Israel Democracy Institute
Episode: Yohanan Plesner: 3 existential issues facing Israel’s voters
Jonathan Greenblatt
Head of the ADL (Anti-Defamation League)
ADL
Episode: Jonathan Greenblatt: Surging antisemitism brings ADL to a moment of reckoning

Hosts

Amanda Borschel-Dan
Host of What Matters Now; Senior journalist at The Times of Israel
Jessica Steinberg
Host of the episode, introducing and guiding the conversation; journalist

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 603 ratings
  • Fabulous new podcast

    Hard hitting, on target, with great guests. “A Mandatory Listen” is now on my mandatory listen list.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    swingmaster73
    United Statesa month ago
  • Couldn’t agree more

    …especially if you love Amanda B-D’s way with an interview! Kol hakavod, and keep up the great work 🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Killer Sudoku Fan
    Canadaa month ago
  • Love it

    Yay Amanda. Great new show

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mememem moimoi moi
    United Statesa month ago
  • Antizionist Comments in bad faith

    Ignore the bad ratings - it seems the antizionists tell whatever lies they can to libel Israel when the rest of us want to listen to podcasts such as this to be able to form our own opinions or better, just find out more without passing judgement. Well done ToI for a great podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    747461:+(£
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Great Journalism

    You really know how to ask the right questions. It takes skill to even negate or to present a differing opinion with kindness and respect like you do. It’s what makes me want to listen again and again. It’s not just the news but it’s how you dialogue and that is respectable.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Earth_alien
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the calm, nuanced interviewing style and rigorous questioning.
The show is described as a trusted lifeline for Israel-related news and analysis by many listeners.
Guest variety and depth are frequently praised, with insightful takes on current events.
Some comments note perceived bias from certain guests or topics, highlighting polarization in feedback.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#132
Argentina/News
Apple Podcasts
#237
Israel/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Yossi Klein Halevi: Spiritually coping with this Israeli election
Q: How are you emotionally, physically, metaphysically preparing yourself for these elections?
Halevi says he is trying to draw on indiscriminate love for the Jewish people, understand why people support the coalition, confront patterns of hatred and division, and use prayer to seek help with what he cannot control.
Yossi Klein Halevi: Spiritually coping with this Israeli election
Q: Faith in God. Do you think this is something that somebody can work towards or is it just a gift?
Halevi says he believes he always had faith, and that spiritual teachers and powerful experiences helped him recognize God as real and understand faith as a steady foundation in his life.
Sir Simon Schama: A howl against rising global antisemitism
Q: What do you say to Jews today to do? Should we bury our heads in the sand? Should we live our lives proudly and just try not to pay attention to these voices?
Schama says Jews should support one another while also working to educate non-Jewish audiences about the breadth and complexity of Jewish history. He sees education and practical collaboration, including efforts with schools and politicians, as alternatives to retreat and despair.
Sir Simon Schama: A howl against rising global antisemitism
Q: What was the impetus for you? How did you come about to write this?
A schoolboy's account of antisemitic harassment, along with other reports of Jewish children being targeted and feeling unable to show their identity, made Schama feel compelled to write. He also wanted to challenge claims that Israel caused antisemitism and show how ancient forms of hatred recur in new forms.
Nechumi Yaffe: An insider's dire prognosis for the Haredi world - and its cure
Q: What has changed in the army's approach to enabling Haredi men to serve while remaining observant?
Yaffe says the army has begun creating dedicated frameworks intended to protect recruits' religious identity. She argues this makes service more feasible for Haredi men and worries political leaders are responding to the resulting loss of control over young men.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About A Mandatory Listen

What is A Mandatory Listen about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The program consistently centers on high-stakes issues shaping Israel and the Jewish world, spanning security, politics, demographics, and cultural identity. Episodes frequently feature analysts, policymakers, and high-profile journalists who unpack complex dynamics—from community safety models and governance challenges to diaspora relationships, AI policy, and food as cultural diplomacy. A standout thread is thoughtful, in-depth dialogue that connects on-the-ground realities with broad societal implications, often highlighting resilience, ethical considerations, and pragmatic paths forward for communities under pressure. The show tends to favor nuanced perspectives, rigorous questioning, and expert guests who illuminate underexplored angle... more

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Which podcasts are similar to A Mandatory Listen?

These podcasts share a similar audience with A Mandatory Listen:

1. The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
2. Ask Haviv Anything
3. For Heaven's Sake
4. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
5. Unpacking Israeli History

How many episodes of A Mandatory Listen are there?

A Mandatory Listen launched 11 years ago and published 100 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 A Mandatory Listen?

Recent guests on A Mandatory Listen include:

1. Simon Schama
2. Yossi Klein Halevi
3. Nechumi Yaffe
4. Bret Stephens
5. Micah Goodman
6. Haviv Rettig Gur
7. Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib
8. Yohanan Plesner

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