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Artwork for Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Barak Malkin, Ethan Lane-Miller, Rabbi David Young
Judaism
The Fifth Element
Star Wars
Israel
Bluey
Dungeons & Dragons
Love
Hope
MCU Fan Culture
Antisemitism
Death
Galaxy's Edge
Kaia
Grief
Very Special Episodes
Comic Books
Messiah
Christianity
Nerd Culture
Deadpool

Where our lives of Jewish learning collide with our love of Nerd Culture. Join us as we explore Jewish texts, history, and values and the apparent and invisible connections to your favorite movies, characters, and hobbies. www.torahsmash.com

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes91Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityJudaism

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Latest Episodes

September 25, 2025

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 90 - Brave New Mindset

As we reflect during this High Holy Day season, we’re diving into the Jewish concept of teshuva—turning, returning, and transforming. What does it mean to ch... more

YouTube

September 10, 2025

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 89 - Fantastic Four: First Tests

Finally, there was pretty strong Jewish representation in a Marvel movie!

In this episode, we venture through Marvel’s newest movie, Fantastic Fou... more

YouTube

August 27, 2025

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 88 - The Game Over People

In video games, a “game over” isn’t the end, it’s just another chance to start again. In this episode, we explore how failing, restarting, and building resil... more

YouTube

August 13, 2025

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 87 - Clone Force Kilayim

Let’s talk genetics. Yes, let’s talk genetics. Is there an echo in here? Yes, there is now.

In this episode, we take a closer look at Kilayim, the Torah’s pr... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Rabbi Josh Fixler
Rabbi at Congregation Emmanuel in Houston, TX, and proprietor of the Golem Museum, he explores Jewish themes through a modern lens.
Congregation Emmanuel
Episode: Episode 74 - JudAIsm ...With Special Guest Rabbi Josh Fixler
Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner
Rabbi serving Temple Beth Tikvah, involved in Jewish education and Marvel TV series Agatha All Along
Temple Beth Tikvah
Episode: Episode 72 - Leviticus All Along ...With Special Guest Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner
Arnon Shorr
Filmmaker, screenwriter, and author of comics, graphic novels, and novels.
Episode: Episode 69 - Die Hard Is A Chanukah Movie ...With Special Guest Arnon Shorr
Sparkle Peters
Dedicated high school teacher specializing in special education and computer science; passionate gamer and podcaster.
Game Life Chronicles Podcast
Episode: Episode 68 - Super Mitzvot Bros. ...With Special Guest Sparkle Peters
Dr. Betsy Stone
Retired psychologist and speaker with experience in Jewish education
Episode: Episode 67 - Grief, Loss, and Lifesabers
Sasha Kaplan
Comic book historian, Jewish representation expert, and pop culture commentator
Episode: Episode 65 - Sabra: The Hero Not The Hummus ...With Special Guest Sasha Kaplan
Dr. Linda Maizels
Independent scholar and researcher on antisemitism
Spurtus Institute
Episode: Episode 64 - The Good, The Bad, and The Antisemitic ...With Special Guest Dr. Linda Maizels
Melissa Raub
Voice actor and educator focusing on B. Mitzvah students.
M3, Mitzvahs, Mazels, and Memories
Episode: Episode 60 - All Nerds Think About Is Sects ...With Special Guest Melissa Raub
Joel Swedlove
Director of Maccabi Sports Camp, passionate about non-profit Jewish work and an avid nerd
Maccabi Sports Camp
Episode: Episode 58 - X-Men Again Again ...with Guest Host Joel Swedlove

Hosts

RDY
Host of discussions that merge Jewish learning with nerd culture, providing engaging insights on various topics.
Barak Malkin
Co-host known for exploring the intersection of Jewish tradition and contemporary culture, often highlighting humor and personal anecdotes.
Ethan Lane Miller
Co-host who leads discussions on Jewish texts and their connections to nerd culture, providing unique perspectives and thoughtful analysis.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 30 ratings
  • Super fun and super Jewy

    I’m a proud nerd (math major, middle school math teacher, lover of superhero movies, and board games of all kinds) and rebbitzin so this podcast is perfect for me! Highly recommend!! Big shout out to RDY who I used to call Dave at Camp Livingston. :)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MrsBloom21
    United States2 years ago
  • Excellent Torah…and geekiness

    I can’t overstate how much I love this podcast. Transparency: I’m friendly with all 3 hosts. And that definitely contributes. But, honestly, it’s Super Enjoyable (pun intended). Thoughtful conversation, interesting commentary, and many laughs. Wether you are a geek or a nerd…and/or Jewish, I think you’ll enjoy this podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Player815
    United States3 years ago
  • This podcast is exactly what I was looking for!

    This combination of nerdiness and Jewish conversation feels like the first time I watched the avengers fight each other or when the muppets create their version of a classic movie. It’s pretty darn perfect! Love the variety of topics and the hosts have fun banter with each other. Definitely subscribing!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RealBarak
    United States3 years ago
  • Great Podcast!

    Insightful AND fun; a great combo that makes for very entertaining listening. I learn and I laugh and frankly I’m enjoying it far more than I thought I would (not being a comic book fan). Highly recommend ~ easy to listen to, with personable hosts who are well versed in both Judaism and the geek/nerd culture. Definitely following this one!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BarbaraHaimov
    United States3 years ago
  • Entertaining and thought provoking

    The hosts’ casual conversational demeanor melds perfectly with their passion for the subject matter. They clearly have a live for both “nerd culture” and Jewish culture, and weave the two together in artful, entertaining ways.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cookiemonster1219
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Reviewers highlight the quality of discussions and the relatability of the hosts, who lead through personal stories and experiences.
Listeners appreciate the engaging blend of humor and seriousness that the hosts present, effectively intertwining Jewish themes with nerd culture.
Audience members enjoy how the podcast makes Jewish teachings accessible and relevant to modern life, especially through the lens of popular media.
Feedback indicates a strong sense of community, with listeners feeling included in the discussions and often relating their own lives to the themes explored.
The podcast is often described as insightful and entertaining, suitable for both Jewish audiences and those interested in nerd culture.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 67 - Grief, Loss, and Lifesabers
Q: What is the difference between grief and loss?
Loss is practical and involves tasks that need to be completed while grief is about the emotional impact of those losses.
Episode 69 - Die Hard Is A Chanukah Movie ...With Special Guest Arnon Shorr
Q: What is the value of Die Hard being a Chanukah movie?
It's an interesting exercise to explore how Chanukah themes may intersect with pop culture, even in unexpected films like Die Hard.
Episode 72 - Leviticus All Along ...With Special Guest Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner
Q: What is the next Jewish depiction that we want to see done well in the MCU?
The conversation highlights a desire for authentic portrayals of Jewish characters and practices in Marvel films and series.
Episode 72 - Leviticus All Along ...With Special Guest Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner
Q: Did they choose you based on an audition or did they just like your synagogue or what was the process?
Rabbi Shuval-Weiner shares how she was involved in an audition process for her role in the show, leading to her selection based on her synagogue's beautiful sanctuary.
Episode 72 - Leviticus All Along ...With Special Guest Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner
Q: Can you explain for my friend Jason, who is not Jewish, what is this Torah portion about?
Rabbi Shuval-Weiner explains that the portion is about Aaron and his sons' tragic event during a sacred ceremony.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

What is Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews about and what kind of topics does it cover?

An engaging podcast that intertwines Jewish learning with elements of nerd culture, exploring a wide range of topics from Jewish texts and values to popular movies, video games, and comic books. Each episode invites listeners to discover the connections between their favorite aspects of nerd culture and Jewish traditions, encouraging a vibrant dialogue that highlights the significance of these intersections in modern life. Unique for its blend of humor, thoughtful discussion, and personal anecdotes, this podcast offers a space for listeners who are both invested in their Jewish heritage and passionate about various facets of geek culture, such as gaming, comics, and film.

The hosts deliver lively conversations that often include guests fro... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews:

1. Chutzpod!
2. The Daily
3. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
4. The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott
5. Handsome

How many episodes of Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews are there?

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews launched 3 years ago and published 91 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 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews?

Recent guests on Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews include:

1. Rabbi Josh Fixler
2. Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner
3. Arnon Shorr
4. Sparkle Peters
5. Dr. Betsy Stone
6. Sasha Kaplan
7. Dr. Linda Maizels
8. Melissa Raub

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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