Chosen Links by Boaz - The Podcast!
Welcome to the audio podcast of Boaz's YouTube Channel, now available for your on-the-go listening pleasure! An interview like nothing you've experienced. A fun, informative conversation over Zoom, which feels like a digital Shabbat meal with friends. Boaz gathers 5-14 guests at a time, and each episode is loose, fun, and discusses not only important topics, but also personal projects. Published on the Jewish Journal website, emailed to their subscribers, and posted by Boaz on all social media platforms. Why? Because this world is too full of people talking, but not listening. The show's mission is to help break down our political echo chambers. Men, women, Jewish and non-Jewish, are gathered by Boaz - but most importantly, there are always a mixture of people on the left and right. It isn't a debate, it's a focus on the things that we have in common. Everyone is pro-Jewish, pro-Israel, and pro-discussion. Boaz Hepner, who works as a Los Angeles Registered Nurse, leads a 2 plus hour recorded Zoom, where everyone can speak freely, and are encouraged to talk, listen, and even interrupt each other, just as if they were at a Shabbat table. The themes of each episode can vary, from Actors and Musicians, to Journalists and Politicians, from the Abraham Accords and University Protests, to Organ Donation and Disability Awareness. "Chosen Links" is featured on his social media profiles and has its own section in the Jewish Journal. Please like, subscribe, and follow him online! To read more about Boaz, he was profiled here: https://voyagela.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-boaz-hepner-of-los-angeles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
(EDITOR NOTE – This episode was filmed on 04/02/25. During this time, Boaz Hepner was sleeping at UCLA hospital, during a 13 day hospitalization of his child. Running home to do this episode was surreal, though a welcome break)
"Resilient" is an award-winning documentary that explores the widespread PTSD in Israel following October 7th. Boaz speaks with 13 guests—including filmmaker Chava Floryn, participants of the film, and ex...
(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 02/19/25. Tragically, on 04/20/25, guest Christian Gribneau died unexpectedly.)
After a 3-part series on the diversity of the Jewish population, Boaz Hepner spoke to a panel of Wikipedia experts. A wide array of investigative journalists, Wikipedia editors, and more, this conversation was about the assumed role of Wikipedia's neutrality, and how far it appears to have veered from that pa...
(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 01/05/25)
As a natural follow-up to the conversation with Black Jews, Boaz Hepner and Nate Looney gathered 14 Jews of color from a variety of different backgrounds, and had a conversation about their lived experiences. Not everyone labeled themselves the same way, and not everyone even wants to be labeled. A great conversation, showing just how eclectic and diverse the Jewish community a...
(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 12/01/24)
An essential conversation with leaders of the Black Jewish community. My second time with Nate Looney as co-moderator, as we sat with 7 amazing people, some of whom would call themselves Black Jews, and some of whom would avoid the label altogether. The 7 of them had a fantastic conversation with us, as we described their lived experiences and identities.
Join us as we spoke...
David Bowie sang, "We can be heroes, just for one day." But imagine being a hero every day. For an act that costs you no money, and just a little time. Organ donation. It's something we don't think about enough, but why?
Did you know you could donate stem cells or bone marrow and be back to work the next day? Did you know you could donate just a part of your liver, and it will grow back? Did you know that if you donate one of yo...
(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 10/10/24)
Some say that the Jewish and Black communities share such a deep history that their bond is unbreakable. We marched together during the Civil Rights Movement, but where are we today?
For the first time, I had the pleasure of filming with a co-moderator—Nate Looney, who kept me on track and guided the conversation brilliantly.
Enjoy the discussion with these 12 powerful Bl...
(EDITOR NOTE - This episode was filmed on 8/21/24)
Truthiness. A word made famous by Stephen Colbert. But the TRUTH is, that what I see as fact, someone else sees as fiction. And vice versa. How do we navigate our news, especially in this digital world, with any confidence?
I had the pleasure of speaking to these 6 people, who continue to contribute their expertise to the world of fact versus fiction.
No doubt, I will be criticized by left-wing, anti-Israel people for having Palestinian guests who don't walk the usual anti-Israel and frequently pro-Hamas line. I will also be criticized by right wing, pro-Israel people for giving a voice to Palestinians who also have criticisms and complaints about Israel.
But this is how we move forward, this is how we make progress, and these brave Palestinians have my respect and gratitude...
Boaz speaks to 12 former "Survivor" players about topics that cover Israel, the war, antisemitism around the world, and more.
And for fans of the show, don't you worry, there's certainly some discussion of the show included!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apparently I CAN put an entire episode together in 24 hours. With a little help from my friends.
Michael Sinensky contacted me Wednesday morning, "WE NEED TO HELP DEFEAT THE ANTISEMITIC SQUAD!" I fully agreed, but it takes me weeks to months to create my episodes. I told him there's no story if we don't have a candidate to talk to. And it won't be a commercial; it's a conversation about antisemitism in American politics. He agre...
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
Boaz Hepner's "Chosen Links" section (as published in the Jewish Journal) has its 2nd episode, and it's a big one. About 35 students from different universities speak about their experiences as Jews and Zionists over the past few years - especially since October 7th.
This is divided into 3 very different chapters:
Part 1 - Game Show - Tune in and watch as Boaz reads off statements submitted by the students, and see which school w...
On this first official Chosen Links Round Table, Boaz starts by gathering some influential people who are using comedy to promote education about Israel and antisemitism.
Tiffany Haddish, Judy Gold, Avi Liberman, Shawn Eni, Ryan from The Daily Brine, LE Staiman (plus an appearance by Lyle), discuss, and moderated by Boaz Hepner.
As seen in video form here:
https://youtu.be/d9cEt9oHdI4
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.