J100 Podcast

The Algemeiner
  • 5.0 (7)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Host David M. Cohen is joined by leaders from academia, government, business, think tanks, and the arts for a thoughtful discussion on the most pressing politics, policy, and culture issues facing Israel and the Jewish people today.

  1. FEB 12

    The Costs of Conformity: Immigration, Ideology, Israel with Lionel Shriver

    Lionel Shriver joins J100 from Portugal for a sharp, wide-ranging conversation on faith, dogma, and dissent. She explains how her religious upbringing shaped her suspicion of imposed moral certainty, why the arts have become politically homogeneous, how she separates column-writing from novelistic truth, and why Israel’s confidence—and survival—matters in a West increasingly ashamed of itself. Chapters 0:00 — Immigration “standards” / distinctions 01:42 — Intro + who Lionel is / new book 06:45 — Religious upbringing + resisting dogma 09:33 — Parenting, belief, and agency 14:20 — Woke as religion (judgment without mercy) 15:55 — Leaving America: Israel, Belfast, independence 26:13 — Arts conformity + bias: columnist vs novelist 41:26 — Israel, national pride, meaning, and closing Q’s You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at  https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/the-costs-of-conformity-immigration?r=5m0oyd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.

    1 hr

  2. JAN 29

    Why Stories Still Matter: Zibby Owens on Books, Belonging, and Jewish Life

    What does it mean to live—and write—with urgency? Author, podcaster, founder of Zibby Media, and literary community-builder Zibby Owens joins J100 host David M. Cohen for a conversation about loss, Jewish identity, and the slow, intentional work of creating spaces where people feel seen. From her childhood in New York and early dreams of becoming a writer, to losing her best friend on 9/11 and building one of today’s most vibrant literary communities, Owens reflects on how tragedy reshapes meaning, why storytelling still matters, and what it takes to hold people together in an increasingly fragmented world. The episode also touches on antisemitism on college campuses, the emotional impact of October 7, and the promise—and limits—of AI in creative life. 00:00 — Identity, belonging, and the “blister” moment00:28 — Why stories build community03:56 — Campuses, safety, and Jewish life after Oct. 711:27 — Faith, calling, and becoming a rabbi13:23 — Becoming a writer: books, ambition, and influence19:18 — 9/11, loss, and the urgency of time31:47 — AI, creativity, and the human voice37:51 — Building community, one room at a time You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at  https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/why-stories-still-matter-zibby-owens?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.

    55 min

  3. JAN 15

    Britain Now: Protests, Policing, and the Line Between Speech and Incitement with Jonathan Sacerdoti

    As Britain grapples with mass protests, policing failures, and rising antisemitism, where does free speech end—and incitement begin? In this episode of J100, British journalist and Algemeiner contributor Jonathan Sacerdoti joins the show to examine how Western societies are responding to extremism in real time. From the collapse of debate at the Oxford Union to the everyday security realities facing Jews in the UK, this conversation explores protest culture, media responsibility, and the moral clarity liberal democracies need to defend themselves. Chapters 00:00 — Security & “alarmism” 00:27 — Intro: Britain Now / 2026 frame 03:24 — Jonathan’s background 07:07 — Family story / Holocaust legacy 11:19 — Why journalism 13:36 — British Jewry & community politics 18:01 — Oxford Union / debate breakdown 33:23 — Antisemitism now: speech, protests, policing 51:31 — U.S. vs. Europe / Trump & political swings 59:49 — Personal: pottery & creativity / closing You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at  Britain Now: Protests, Policing, and the Line Between Speech and Incitement This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.

    1h 4m

  4. 12/18/2025

    Why America Backs Israel: Interests, Not Illusions with Walter Russell Mead

    Historian. Strategist. Myth-buster. Walter Russell Mead joins the J100 Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on the real foundations of the U.S.–Israel relationship—and why both supporters and critics often misunderstand what actually drives it. Mead argues that familiar narratives are backward: Israel didn’t become powerful because of an American alliance; America aligned with Israel once Israel became a regional superpower—at the moment Middle East oil and global order grew central to U.S. interests. From Truman and Stalin to Nixon and the Yom Kippur War, he shows how domestic myths (including myths about “Jewish power”) flatten a far more complex historical record. The conversation also explores post–Oct. 7 geopolitics, the strategic meaning of weakening Iran’s regional project, Qatar’s survival logic, and why arguments about “America First” often boil down to whether Americans believe the U.S. has interests beyond its borders. Along the way: a surprising first trip to Israel involving Yasser Arafat, a childhood shaped by faith and civil rights activism, and what writing columns teaches you that books never will. Chapters 00:00 — Why America Aligns With Israel 06:48 — Why Mead Wrote the Book 09:07 — Myths: Pro-Israel vs. Anti-Israel 15:02 — Israel’s Power, Not Jewish “Influence” 17:53 — America First, Antisemitism, and National Interest 22:10 — Oil, Order, and Keeping One Power From Dominating 29:11 — October 7, Iran, and Netanyahu’s War Leadership 46:10 — Arafat, Faith, Writing, and What Jews Miss About America You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at  https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/why-america-backs-israel-interests?r=5m0oyd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin. Walter's recent WSJ Article: The Intifada Comes to Australia

    1h 1m

  5. 12/04/2025

    From Headlines to Courtrooms: How Narratives Become Lawfare with Natasha Hausdorff

    Barrister. Advocate. Relentless explainer of the law. London-based attorney Natasha Hausdorff joins the Algemeiner to unpack how international law and media narratives are weaponized against Israel — and what ordinary people can do about it. From elite London classrooms to Oxford law and Skadden, Hausdorff describes discovering how international law was being inverted to attack the Jewish state. She dissects the Al-Ahli hospital misreporting, the ICJ’s oft-misread provisional-measures order (“plausible rights,” not “plausible genocide”), and the ICC’s jurisdictional overreach. The conversation ranges from the UN’s structural bias to Israel’s judicial reform debate — and why refusing to engage legislatively breaks democracies. For listeners hungry to help, Hausdorff offers a practical brief: raise literacy in international law, challenge falsehoods, write, call, show up — and do it with confidence. This isn’t just Israel’s fight, she argues; it’s a defense of Western liberal values. Chapter Breakdown 00:00 – Modern Blood Libels & Lawfare 01:26 – Host Intro: Why This Conversation Now 04:40 – Meet Natasha & Her Algemeiner Connection 05:20 – London Upbringing, Israeli Roots & Discovering Lawfare 08:42 – The Only Zionist in School: UK Antisemitism & Ignorance 13:58 – How Ordinary People Can Fight Back with Law & Literacy 18:43 – Antisemitic Attack in DC & The “Death Cult” in the West 24:46 – Media War, Gaza Narratives & the Al-Ahli Hospital Lie 34:34 – ICJ Genocide Case, “Plausible Rights” & Legal Misrepresentation 42:59 – Lawfare, ICC, UN & the Battle for the Rule of Law 51:10 – Israel’s Judicial Reform, Democracy & Unity After Oct 7 58:13 – October 7th, “Both Hands Tied” & Renewed Resolve 1:04:27 – Life as a Barrister, Time Pressure & Personal Reflections You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at  https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/from-headlines-to-courtrooms-how?r=5m0oyd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueThis episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.

    1h 7m

  6. 11/13/2025

    US Ambassador to Israel on Politics, Pragmatism, and What Comes Next with Tom Nides

    Recorded live before a New York audience, in this special bonus episode, Ambassador Tom Nides—former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and current Blackstone executive—joins the J100 for a candid, unscripted conversation on Israel’s war with Hamas, the hostages, October 7th, the meaning of Zionism, and the politics of ending a war without abandoning core security goals. Nides argues Hamas is “150% responsible” for the catastrophe in Gaza, says the war must end and hostages must come home—now, and makes the case for redefining success so October 7th “never happens again.” He shares why he visited bereaved families across Israel as ambassador, how he kept friendships across political divides (from David Friedman to West Bank rabbi and settler Uri Pilichowski), what the world got wrong on the humanitarian narrative, and why bipartisan U.S. support still matters. Chapters 00:00 – Live Intro 03:26 – Blackstone Tragedy 05:12 – Duluth Roots & Zionism 08:34 – Leaving Post & October 7 21:36 – Talking Across Divides 27:20 – Hamas & Redefining Success 33:11 – Hostages & Humanity 38:10 – Lessons in Leadership You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at  https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/us-ambassador-to-israel-on-politics?r=5m0oyd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.

    1h 2m

  7. 11/06/2025

    The Eighth Front Is the Mind: Melanie Phillips on Britain, Zionism, and the Cognitive War Over Israel

    British journalist and author Melanie Phillips—Times of London columnist and author of The Builder’s Stone—joins David from Jerusalem to dissect the cultural and media forces shaping Israel’s fight. In this episode: Origins & worldview: A British Jewish upbringing, Oxford, two societies in one head—London and Jerusalem. From Left to outcast: The 1982 Lebanon War, double standards at The Guardian, and how “anti-racism” masked real racism. Journalism’s fall: Universities abandoned objective truth → media embraced “narratives” over facts. The cognitive war: Why Israel long ignored Hasbara, and what a serious strategy would require. Britain vs. America: Different publics, different levers—both persuadable with evidence and backbone… annnd hate, lies, and propaganda. Qatar & hostages: Why treating Doha as an honest broker fails. Campus reality: Safety first, solidarity second—and the need for intellectual tools and moral confidence. Candid, uncompromising, and urgent—this conversation exposes the “eighth front” in Israel’s war: the battle for truth itself. Chapters 00:00 — The Cognitive War 02:12 — Crisis of Truth 04:24 — From The Guardian to Heretic 10:18 — British Jewish Anxiety 13:41 — 1982 Lebanon Break 20:00 — Fear and Conformity 26:28 — Cognitive Dissonance 36:43 — Journalism’s Collapse 47:38 — The Eighth Front 55:58 — Britain vs. America 1:04:40 — Gaza & Education 1:07:55 — Qatar’s Role 1:12:30 — Message to Students 1:17:54 — Closing You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at  https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/the-eighth-front-is-the-mind-melanie?r=5m0oyd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.

    1h 18m

  8. 10/23/2025

    The Hebrew Hammer in Congress: Faith, Fearlessness, and the Fight Against Antisemitism with Rep. Randy Fine

    Congressman Randy Fine represents Florida’s 8th District — and a new kind of Jewish courage in American politics. Known to admirers and critics alike as “the Hebrew Hammer,” Fine has made national headlines for his unapologetic defense of Israel, his fierce opposition to campus antisemitism, and his proud decision to wear a kippah daily — including on the floor of Congress. In this episode, Fine opens up to David M. Cohen about: Growing up as the “Kentucky Fried Jew” in a hostile environment. Lessons learned from his blind father and his years at Harvard. Why he believes “truth is an absolute defense.” How his son inspired him to make his faith visible — and his politics fearless. His mission to bring moral clarity back to American leadership. A conversation about identity, integrity, and the courage to stand tall in an age of moral confusion. Chapters 00:00 – Meeting Trump, Reflections on Leadership 02:00 – Growing Up Jewish in Kentucky 05:00 – Lessons From His Father 06:00 – Harvard Years & Early Ambition 09:00 – Antisemitism on Campus Then and Now 14:00 – Business Success & Lessons in Drive 18:00 – How Common Core Pushed Him Into Politics 20:00 – Becoming More Jewish in Office 23:00 – The Kippah Decision and Its Symbolism 27:00 – Florida Politics and Fighting Antisemitism 31:00 – Trips to Israel & Spiritual Renewal 33:00 – Strategy, Priorities, and the Foreign Affairs Committee 36:00 – Immigration, Integration, and American Values 38:00 – Mission, Challenges, and Legacy You can find the condensed transcript & summary of this episode and more episodes at  https://open.substack.com/pub/thealgemeiner/p/the-hebrew-hammer-in-congress-faith?r=5m0oyd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true This episode of "The J100 Podcast" was produced by David Taragin.

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Host David M. Cohen is joined by leaders from academia, government, business, think tanks, and the arts for a thoughtful discussion on the most pressing politics, policy, and culture issues facing Israel and the Jewish people today.

Information

  • Creator
    The Algemeiner
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Algemeiner
  • Show Website
    J100 Podcast

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