Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Barak Malkin, Ethan Lane-Miller, Rabbi David Young
  • 5.0 (18)
  • JUDAISM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. FEB 11

    Episode 100 - Opening Our Time Capsule

    February 11, 2026 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 100 - Opening Our Time Capsule Listen to what we found! Before we ever recorded our first episode, the three of us got together to test the audio. That footage was never released to the public… until now! Listen to us predict the future… I mean our present… from the past, but also about multiverse timelines. It’s not that confusing, we promise. We talk about the guests we hoped to have, the topics we thought we would cover, and our predictions for some of the more popular nerd franchises. Some of them were spot on! Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning, or joined us more recently, thank you for being part of our journey! This episode is for you.  Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-100-opening-our-time-capsule Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

    41 min

  2. JAN 28

    Episode 99 - The Torah League

    January 28, 2026 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 99 - The Torah League In this episode, we explore why the heroes from the Torah always seem to be told as a solo story. They have friends don’t they? Are they really the only “super” people at that time? As we contemplate and wish that someone would yell “assemble” we try and identify the groups of heroes from the Torah. We also decide which Torah heroes would be part of our Jewish Super Friends group. Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-99-the-torah-league Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

    35 min

  3. JAN 14

    Episode 98 - Something Phishy ...With Special Guests Rabbi Benjamin David, Rabbi Eric Linder, Rabbi Stephen Wise

    January 14, 2026 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 98 - Something Phishy… With Special Guests Rabbi Benjamin David, Rabbi Eric Linder, Rabbi Stephen Wise In this episode, we’re join by not one phish, not two phish, three phish (jew phish) guests! We dive into the world of the band Phish and the one-of-a-kind community that has grown around the band. Phrom the music to the culture, we explore what makes the Phish phandom so devoted, so joyphul, and so unlike any other phan base. We also reflect on what it means to belong to something bigger than yourselph and how community can turn concerts into connections. It’s also loaded with so many phish jokes, so there’s that. Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-98-something-phishy Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

    49 min

  4. 12/31/2025

    Episode 97 - Ted Blessings

    December 31, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 97 - Ted Blessings It should be said: Fun is serious business. In this episode, we look at the comedy and heart-filled series, Ted Lasso. We discuss the title character’s impact on the world around him and the Jewish practice that he may be unknowingly doing regularly. From character growth to internal gratitude, this episode is a nice reminder to slow down, recognize the good that surrounds you, and maybe say thank you a little more often. And we hope you do, because this episode is filled with sports ball jokes. So, you’ve been warned. Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-97-ted-blessings Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

    43 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    Episode 96 - Not Alone for Hallmark Hanukkah…With Special Guest Tamar Laddy

    December 17, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 96 - Not Alone for Hallmark Hanukkah…With Special Guest Tamar Laddy In this episode, we’re joined by special guest, Tamar Laddy, who helps us better view the less frequently made Hanukkah Hallmark movies. We explore assimilation, belonging, and choosing to stand out instead of blend in. And then, we do that again and again and again. Not because it’s a time loop, but because we loved this conversation! 00:03:38 Exodus 12:49 00:05:22 Jewish or Nerdy Cultural Assimilation 00:07:06 Unapologetically Jewish 00:09:50 Time Traveling Comic Book Nerds 00:11:48 When do we assimilate and when do we choose to be outwardly Jewish? 00:18:30 Jewish Hallmark Movies 00:19:49 Rudolph: The first Jewish superhero 00:21:12 That old joke about a tie shop 00:22:13 The Stranger in a Land of Hallmark Movies 00:25:21 Jews and Nerds together 00:26:23 A peek behind the scenes 00:32:26 Time Loop Movies 00:35:01 Are Jewish movies popular yet? Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-96-not-alone-for-hallmark-hanukkah Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

    44 min

  6. 12/03/2025

    Episode 95 - MagicHeart

    December 3, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 95 - MagicHeart The Torah says they no sorceress shall live, but what is its take on scientists? In this episode, we explore the tension between magic and science and the thin line that can exist between our understanding of both. Using a certain marvel metal hero, we dive into what counts as “magic” in the first place. From Shabbat science to Pharoah’s magicians, we examine faith’s role in magic and that sometimes the strongest force in the world isn’t magic or tech… it’s heart. 00:00:43 Exodus 22:17 00:06:55 Ironheart 00:08:50 The tension between magic and mythology 00:11:06 The science that’s allowed on Shabbat 00:15:39 Defining magic in Jewish text 00:20:44 Decisions around death 00:27:46 Rir’s decisions with science and magic 00:30:45 Sorceresses in Talmud and Firefly 00:33:46 The Pharaoh's sorcerors 00:37:40 Favorite moments from Ironheart Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-95-magicheart Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

    44 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    Episode 94 - The Cube of Babel ...With Guest Host Cantor Ross Wolman

    November 19, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 94 - The Cube of Babel …With Guest Host Cantor Ross Wolman In this episode, our guest host, Cantor Ross Wolman, helps us take a look back at the ambitious building of the Tower of Babel. We explore what happens when humanity’s drive causes their humanity to disappear. The answers to our questions may be revealed as we look up to the heavens, past the stars, and possibly where no man has gone before. 00:03:23 The Tower of Babel 00:09:23 The Borg 00:13:05 Seven-of-Nine and Assimilation 00:17:57 Dispersion and Disconnecting from the Collective 00:22:56 Assimilation in modernity 00:25:29 The Borg Queen’s Individuality 00:33:06 The Borg helped get Obama Elected Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-94-the-cube-of-babel Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

    42 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    Episode 93 - Um, Actually

    November 5, 2025 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 93 - Um, Actually With a world of fun facts all around us, we all sometimes get the irresistible urge to push up our glasses, tap that person on the shoulder, and say, “Um, actually…” In this week’s episode, we correct each other while reading Proverbs 16:16. We explore the differences between knowledge and wisdom, but you know that already. We debate when education turns toxic, which you already know. And why not everyone wants to hear your favorite obscure fact, except yours though. Your trivial knowledge is important though, we know that. In fact, you may not even learn anything new from this episode, but it couldn’t hurt to check it out just in case.  00:01:13 The new vibe 00:02:12 Proverbs 16:16 00:04:56 Trivia 00:06:15 Well, Actually 00:10:33 Other people don’t care about it as much as you 00:14:38 The line between education and toxic 00:18:43 Correcting in Judaism 00:21:43 Knowledge and Wisdom 00:29:01 Favorite Facts 00:32:53 Pub Trivia Team Names Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-93-um-actually Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

    37 min
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Barak Malkin, Ethan Lane-Miller, Rabbi David Young
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
  • Show Website
    Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews