Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
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
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 change, to repair, and to not be wholly defined by your past?
In this episode, we look at some truly marvelous characters wrestling with their pasts and the people they want to become....
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 Four: First Steps, with a look at this tale of sacrifice, testing, and trust. From cosmic children with unimaginable power to the silence of those around them, we explore how stories can...
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 resilience are just as much a part of Jewish life as they are of gaming culture. From gratitude and kindness to perseverance and play, we unpack what it means to keep going even after listing...
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 prohibition against mixing species. We inspect it and how it shows up in a tale from a long, long time ago, of a squad of soldiers unlike any other. What does Jewish tradition say about...
July 30, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 86 - Pirkei Avigilante
Time to suit up as we take a daring dive into Pirkei Avot 1:10. From the streets to the courtroom, we unpack some of the tensions between working within the system or outside of it. We also discuss a certain red vigilante’s path and how it sometimes struggles when faced by its towering opposing force. If this topic gets too heated, it may be time...
July 16, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 85 - Worse Than Leprosy
This week, we look at what may possibly be the least favorite torah portion: parsha metzorah. It’s tedious, it’s a bit gross, and spoiler alert - it’s not even about leprosy! We clean up our act and take a look at why the portion has such a bad rap. What other Jewish texts are disliked? Can we discover why this bad writing has survived so long i...
July 2, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 84 - Pixar’s Paradigm Shift
In this episode, we explore the theory that suggests that all Pixar films exist within a single shared universe. Or perhaps they don’t and they’re just individually made entertaining movies. Or maybe the director once knew someone named Andy and liked the way he treated his toys. We’ll discuss how literal or interpretive we believe the Pixar ...
June 18, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 83 - Monsters and Angels
Remember the story in the Tanakh about flaming serpents? What about the one about unicorns?
This week, the mystical co-hosts of Wayward Children: Jewish Monsters, Magic, and the Stories We Tell help us summon the wild, weird, and fantastical creatures hiding in the pages of Torah. We explore the line between monsters and angels. Honestly, w...
June 4, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 82 - This Andor That
In this episode, Ethan guides us on a conversation to a galaxy far, far away to explore the rich themes and surprising Jewish connections within Andor, the newest series in the Star Wars universe. We dive into the blurred lines between science fiction and our own realities, we explore the sacrifices made in the name of hope, and we ask the question ...
May 21, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 81 - 3rd Anniversary Special - Dungeons & Dreidels
A year has passed since the goblins were driven from the village and the light of Hanukkah was saved by the hero called Hershel… or so everyone thought. Now, on the final night of the town’s Hanukkah celebration, the wind howls and dark clouds gather above. Join the village’s unlikely heroes—a blacksm...
May 7, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 80 - Putting the Pieces Together
Samson apparently loved Delilah and word puzzles. In today’s world, before he attacked the philistines, he probably would have finished that morning’s Wordle. With so many types of puzzles in the world today, we try to piece together an episode with the clues given on the box. Would you consider that to be cheating though? ...
April 23, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 79 - Let’s Get Together: Live In Austin!
Barak, Ethan, and RDY were finally in the same zip code together, for the first time ever! So they decided to record an episode with the locals! When these nerds get together they play board games, watch superhero movies, visit comic book shops, go to escape rooms, and tell wonderfully terrible jokes. So what hap...
April 9, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 78 - New Games, Old Wisdom
In this episode, we dice into the world of reboots, remastering, and retelling, both in the sacred and the pixelated. Ethan begins by sharing his love for the remastered version of one of his favorite games, Star Wars: Dark Forces, and what changed in its recent rerelease. We discuss movie reboots, and why it’s sometimes okay f...
March 26, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 77 - God Plans, Man Laughs
There’s a new episode of Torah Smash! Yes, and… the Jewish tie in is a story from Genesis! Yes, and… the hosts find more ways to comment about muppets. With a topic like improv, anything can happen! Let’s talk about laughter and where it can be found in the world and in our work as Jewish professionals. We also explore how lau...
March 12, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 76 - Separating the Nerdy from the Mundane
After last episode’s connection to Shabbat, there was only one logical topic for the next conversation: havdalah! We learn about the ritual objects of havdalah and the meaning behind this short, weekly celebration. We discuss when we keep our nerdy parts of our lives separate, we find some sweetness in nerd cul...
February 26, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 75 - Shabbat: There’s A Nap For That
Shabbat is a way for us to reflect on the week and reset ourselves. We power ourselves down and find ways of interacting with our loved ones and our community in ways that can really nourish our soul. So, this is a reminder to download that special app on your smartphone that will help you appreciate and recognize...
February 12, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 74 - JudAIsm
Artificial intelligence is everywhere—even in the clergy world! In this episode, we welcome Rabbi Josh Fixler, who was recently featured in The New York Times for his insights on how religious leaders are using AI. Join us as we explore the intersection of faith and technology, discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presents to cler...
January 29, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 73 - Kosher or Not Kosher?
It’s time for everyone’s favorite game show when it comes to Jewish food… Kosher! Or! Not! Kosher?! Join us as we explore some fantasy foods, science fiction foods, and some soon-to-not-be so science fiction food based questions when it comes to keeping kosher. Do we think the Klingons follow similar laws when making their r...
January 15, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 72 – Leviticus All Along …With Special Guest Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner
We are thrilled to welcome the first character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to join us on Torah Smash, Rabbi Levin, played by real life clergy, Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner. She shares about her journey into the MCU, we discuss our thoughts of the newest Jewish charact...
January 1, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 71 - The Wheel of New Years
The Wheel of Time turns, and we return with another episode for you. Did you know that Judaism celebrates four different new years? So, that means that American Jews celebrate 5 different New Years! And if you’re stuck in a time loop, the number is much higher than that! Join us as we celebrate and mark this time on our cale...
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