Podcast · Devotional & Spiritual

18Forty Podcast

by 18Forty · English · Devotional & Spiritual

Helping you find meaning in life through the exploration of Jewish thought and ideas. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support .

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 32 min
Latest: 7 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 39 min

Elliot Kaufman: October 7 and What Came After

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Elliot Kaufman, a member of The Wall Street Journal 's editorial board and co-author of In the War Room: The Inside Story of Israel's Fight Against Hamas and the Iranian Axis , about what happened inside Israel's war room after October 7 and how Israel came to lose the battle over its own story. In this episode we discuss: —Was October 7th part of a larger plan to destroy Israel? —How did the anti-Israel narrative take hold in the West so quickly? —What is the vision for the Jewish state once the security threats recede? Interview begins at…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

29 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 32 min
Seforim Chatter x 18Forty: How Jewish History Changes the Way We Learn Torah
In this episode, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin and Nachi Weinstein discuss Jewish history, reading, publishing, podcasting, and the ideas behind Bashevkin’s book I Read This Over Shabbos. They explore how accessible writing and serious historical study can deepen Jewish knowledge while preserving intellectual depth, historical honesty, and the centrality of Shabbos. In this episode we discuss: —How can Jewish history can deepen our understanding of the Jewish present? —Why is serious reading and careful sourcing matter for Jewish intellectual life? —How does I Read This Over Shabbos seek to make…
22 Sep 2026 · 49 min
Liel Leibovitz: Why the Talmud Is So Hard To Love—and Worth Loving
Today, we're sharing one of our episodes from our new program Talmud Daily, featuring our dear friend Liel Leibovitz. You can sign up for Talmud Daily at talmuddaily.org , and you can subscribe in your podcast app by searching Talmud Daily . In this episode, Liel reflects on falling in love with the Talmud precisely because it is so difficult—and on how its questions, frustrations, and intricate details can transform the way we live. This episode was sponsored by Daniel and Jessica Courtney in memory of Dr. Stuart A. Courtney. Become a supporter of this podcast:…
15 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 51 min
YY Jacobson: The Teshuva of Coming Back to Yourself
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Rabbi YY Jacobson, one of the foremost online teachers of Torah, about how each of us can experience redemptive consciousness by feeling Hashem's infinite love and presence in this moment. In this episode we discuss: —Why has there been a shift in the way we approach publicly sharing Torah? —What is the nature of the Torah approach to vulnerability? —What are we trying to achieve with our own teshuva? Interview begins at 5:02. Tune in to hear a conversation about the pain of existing…
8 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 57 min
Etan Epstein: New Journeys in Torah Learning
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar. Join Talmud Daily! A new free program from 18Forty. Ten-minute episodes a day (video + audio). Plain English. No prior knowledge assumed. No Hebrew required. Join here: Talmuddaily.org In this episode of the 18Forty Podcas t, we talk to Rabbi Etan Epstein, the founder of The 300 Club, a program of committing to learning Torah for five minutes a day. We also speak with two participants in the program, Richard Weissberg and Susan Sorosky. In this episode we discuss: —How does one begin a path of Torah learning? —How can we avoid burning out…
1 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 37 min
Tania Friedlander: Teshuva and Becoming Capable of More
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar. Join Talmud Daily! A new free program from 18Forty. Ten-minute episodes a day (video + audio). Plain English. No prior knowledge assumed. No Hebrew required. Join here: Talmuddaily.org In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Tania Friedlander, leadership-and-performance coach, attorney by training, and former champion athlete, about how her husband’s Parkinson’s diagnosis challenged her expectations and taught her to become capable of more. In this episode we discuss: —What does it mean to make our expectations a central focus…
25 Aug 2026 · 2 hr 11 min
Ben and Yael de Toledo: Baalei Teshuva Building Community in Israel
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar. Join Talmud Daily! A new free program from 18Forty. Ten-minute episodes a day (video + audio). Plain English. No prior knowledge assumed. No Hebrew required. Join here: Talmuddaily.org . In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Ben and Yael de Toledo, founders of Pnima Jerusalem, a soulful community in Jerusalem, about doing teshuva by returning to community. In this episode we discuss: —What are the ingredients necessary for finding and building a community? —How does one emotionally handle integrating into the Torah world…
19 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
Shlomo Pill: When a Rabbi Doctor Struggles With Addiction
This series is sponsored by Mira and Daniel Stokar. Join Talmud Daily! A new free program from 18Forty. Ten-minute episodes a day (video + audio). Plain English. No prior knowledge assumed. No Hebrew required. Begins August 24, 2026. Join here: Talmuddaily.org In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to rabbi, attorney, and professor Shlomo Pill about how Torah and teshuva have helped him handle his struggle with addiction. In this episode we discuss: —How do we bring ourselves to do teshuva when things outwardly appear to be going well? —How can we give our children Jewish tools for…
13 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 48 min
Mendel Horowitz: A Good Enough Elul
Join Talmud Daily! A new free program from 18Forty. Ten-minute episodes a day (video + audio). Plain English. No prior knowledge assumed. No Hebrew required. Begins August 24, 2026. Join here: Talmuddaily.org In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we return to the topic of teshuva by talking to Mendel Horowitz, a Jerusalem-based psychotherapist, researcher, and author who introduces us to the notion of having a Good Enough Elul. You can learn more about the Good Enough Elul initiative here and read Mendel's article on psychodynamic therapy here . In this episode we discuss: —What is the…
5 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 45 min
Berel Leib Epstein: Why Be a Believer?
This episode is sponsored by Dina and Daniel Heiss, in honor of the 10th yahrzeit of Dina’s father, Zev Yehudah ben HaRav Yisrael Michel. May his neshama have an aliya. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to author and theoretical physicist Berel Leib Epstein about rational reasons to choose to believe in Judaism and live a Jewish life. In this episode we discuss: —In a time without clear and open revelation and miracles, how do we find God in the modern world? —How is Kabbalah like quantum mechanics? —Why is it worth discussing reasons to believe in God in the first place?…
28 Jul 2026 · 55 min
YY Jacobson: 'Jews were chosen to hold onto the frequency of redemptive consciousness' [18 Questions, 40 Mystics]
While we await the next installment of the 18Forty Podcast , we invite you to enjoy this episode from our serires 18 Questions, 40 Mystics . In this insightful conversation, Rabbi YY Jacobson presents Jewish mysticism as a dynamic framework for consciousness and connection rather than abstract theology. He passionately and clearly illustrates how faith and, ultimately, surrender can redefine how we see ourselves, our pain, and the world around us. Before the Lubavitcher Rabbi’s passing, Rabbi Jacobson served as one of his oral scribes. As a close disciple of the Rabbi, he developed a strong…
21 Jul 2026 · 2 hr 22 min
Shalom Rosner and Sara Zimbalist: Loss, Faith, and Gratitude
In our annual Tisha B'Av episode of the 18Forty Podcast on the theme of loss, we speak with Rabbi Shalom Rosner, who delivered a widely shared eulogy for Eliyahu Moshe ("Eli Mo") Zimbalist, who was killed early in the Gaza war. We also speak with Eli Mo's mother, Sara Zimbalist. In this episode we discuss: —How do we hold the personal experience of loss together with the larger national narrative? —How does the experience of loss change with the passing of time? —What is the significance of this time in Jewish history? Interview with Rabbi Rosner begins at 27:09. Interview with Sara…
14 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 33 min
Carmi Schwartz: The Road That Got Us Here [American Jewish History 4/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Jewish communal executive Carmi Schwartz about lessons he’s learned in his 90-plus years as a member and leader of the Jewish community. In this episode we discuss: —What draws a professional to Jewish communal work rather than business pursuits or Torah scholarship? —How does one imbue organizational and Zionist work with religious Jewish content? —What has it been like to directly witness the Jewish community’s tensions around driving on Shabbat, patrilineal descent, and recognition of non-Orthodox conversions? Interview begins at 10:20.…
7 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 27 min
Jenna Weissman Joselit: Being Jewish in America [American Jewish History 3/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Jenna Weissman Joselit, a professor of Jewish studies and history, about the everyday expressions of Judaism that reinforce the identity and distinctiveness of the Jewish People. In this episode we discuss: —What consequential institutional decisions shaped the trajectory of American Judaism? —What overlooked personalities and phenomena contributed to the development of American Judaism? —What is the role of the tallis in American Jewish aesthetics? Interview begins at 10:42. Tune in to hear a retrospective reflection on modern Jewish life…
30 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 27 min
Zev Eleff: 250 Years of American Judaism [American Jewish History 2/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to historian Zev Eleff about what 250 years of Jewish life in America can teach us about religion, identity, and the future of American Judaism. In this episode we discuss: —Why did colonial Jews support the American Revolution despite knowing the dangers of opposing those in power? —How did Jewish denominations and institutions as we know them emerge in America, and what roles did Zionism and U.S. immigration policy play in this? —Where are we headed on our American Jewish journey, and what have we learned along the way? Tune in to hear a…
24 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 36 min
Elana Moskowitz: In Appreciation of My American Jewish Childhood [American Jewish History 1/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Elana Moskowitz, an educator at Michlelet Mevasseret Yerushalayim, about how her American Jewish upbringing shaped her life and worldview. Moskowitz grew up Orthodox in America in the 1990s—alongside her brother David Bashevkin—before moving to Israel and joining a Haredi community in Jerusalem. In this episode we discuss: —What is the unique new contribution of American Judaism to the Jewish story? —What have been the successes and failures of Judaism on American shores? —How do familial and institutional influences shape the lives we…
16 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Finance Debate: Larry Rothwachs and Leslie Ginsparg Klein
In this annual debate episode of the 18Forty Podcast , David Bashevkin moderates a discussion on finances within the Orthodox Jewish community. The specific resolution is: The current state of semachot in our community and the level of spending on them, as well as extravagance in lifestyle in general, is problematically excessive and should be significantly curtailed. Rabbi Larry Rothwachs defends the affirmative, while Dr. Leslie Ginsparg Klein argues the negative. In this episode we discuss: —Are extravagant weddings a detriment to the Jewish community, or do the benefits outweigh the…
9 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
Listener Feedback with David Bashevkin
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin responds to listeners’ feedback and comments, in conversation with Denah Emerson. In this episode we discuss: —Should every Jew be Orthodox? —Is the gap year in Israel “just a business”? —How does one develop their own Jewish identity at a phase in life when it’s no longer mediated by institutions? Tune in to hear what the 18Forty community has been thinking about regarding the conversations we’ve shared. Voicemails begin at 9:40. David Bashevkin is the founder and host of 18Forty. He is also the Clinical Assistant Professor of Jewish…
26 May 2026 · 1 hr 28 min
David Bashevkin: ‘We are meant to teach the world how to embrace unchosen identity’ [18 Questions, 40 Mystics]
Ahead of the next episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we invite you to hear David Bashevkin's appearance on 18 Questions, 40 Mystics . What does it mean to live a Judaism that fits into our lives? David Bashevkin explores the meeting point of mysticism and modernity. The founder of 18Forty, Rabbi Dr. David Bashevkin is the director of education at NCSY as well as an instructor at Yeshiva University. He is the author of four books, and has been rejected from many prestigious fellowships and awards. Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism…
19 May 2026 · 1 hr 21 min
Agunah Revisited: How To Avoid High Conflict Divorce
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we revisit the topic of agunot by talking to Sarah Nissel and Yona Elishis, who run the Jewish Divorce Assistance Center of Los Angeles. We’re also joined by Keshet Starr, CEO of Shalom Task Force. In this episode we discuss: How do potentially amicable divorces escalate to being high-conflict? Why does adversarial divorce seem to be increasingly common in the Jewish community? What do experts in the area of agunot think of the related social-media movements? Tune in to hear a conversation about the integrity of our marriages in the Jewish community.…
12 May 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
Adam Ferziger: Agents of Change [Israel & Diaspora II 4/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Adam Ferziger, a historian of modern Jewish movements, about how American Jews have helped shape the evolution of Israeli Judaism. In this episode we discuss: —Why are Jewish religious boundaries in Israel often “more porous” than those in America? —Why did McDonald’s succeed in Israel while Starbucks failed? —What can Israelis take from the thick communal culture of American Judaism? Tune in to hear a conversation about Religious Zionism, American aliyah , and the emergence of a distinctly Israeli Judaism shaped by sovereignty, Hebrew…
5 May 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Alana Newhouse: Why is the Whole World Fighting About Zionism? [Israel & Diaspora II 3/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcas t, we talk to Alana Newhouse, the founder and editor-in-chief of Tablet Magazine, about why seemingly everyone is arguing about Zionism. In this episode we discuss: —What causes spikes in antisemitism? —What is the role of rapid technological change in flattening the differences between people? —What makes Israel a model for a nation that other countries should consider following? Tune in to hear a conversation about how we can bring redemption through the Jewish People to the entire world. Interview begins at 10:00. Alana Newhouse is the founder and…
28 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
Michael Olshin: Reimagining the Gap Year in Israel [Israel & Diaspora II 2/4]
This episode is sponsored by Brett and Susan Nadritch, who support creative initiatives that strengthen our love for and connection to the People and Land of Israel, in honor of all the lone soldiers in the most recent Hesder draft, the class of Nisan 5786. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Michael Olshin, educational director of Yeshivat Torat Shraga in Jerusalem, about the purpose of the gap year in Israel. In this episode we discuss: —What should our hopes and expectations be for the gap year in Israel? —How can we improve students’ Hebrew proficiency? —Is it time to…
18 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Michael Eisenberg: Iran, USA, Israel: What Comes Next [Israel & Diaspora II 1/4]
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Michael Eisenberg—a venture capitalist and Torah scholar—about the state of the Jewish People in Israel and the diaspora. In this episode we discuss: —What lies ahead for the Jewish People amid the war with Iran? —What can Israel and America teach one another about Jewish innovation? —What should be the religious vision for “secular” Jews in Israel? Tune in to hear a conversation about where we hope to go together, and how we can get there. Interview begins at 6:13. Michael Eisenberg is Co-Founder and General Partner at Aleph, an…
30 Mar 2026 · 2 hr 17 min
When a Parent Becomes Estranged [Divergence VI 4/4]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to a father and daughter who were estranged and then reunited. We also speak with Adam Pollock, the estrangement specialist who inspired them to reconcile. In this episode we discuss: Are there specific struggles that lead to estrangement in the Orthodox Jewish world? How do we handle the tension between the need to heal and the need to be right? How do we avoid regression once family members have been reunited? Tune in to hear a conversation about our…
24 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
David & Sydney Magerman: When a Child Makes Aliyah [Divergence VI 3/4]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to philanthropist David Magerman and his daughter Sydney, who decided to make aliyah while on her gap year in Israel. In this episode we discuss: What should we do with the freedom we’ve been given? What is it like to make the journey toward Orthodoxy as a family? What is it like to make aliyah when one’s family is in America? Tune in for a conversation about building bridges and pipelines across generations and geography. Interview begins at 11:57.…
17 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 32 min
Shaanan Gelman & His Son: When a Child Becomes Addicted [Divergence VI 2/4]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Rabbi Shaanan Gelman and his son Ziggy about the persistence of a parent-child relationship when the latter faces addiction. In this episode we discuss: How does habitual drug use evolve into addiction? How does a parent help a child struggling with substance abuse? How do such a parent and child manage the expectations and perceptions of the outside world? Tune in for a conversation about how a parent-child relationship survives and emerges…
10 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Yakov Danishefsky: Transmitting the Jewish Story with Emotional Health [Divergence VI 1/4]
Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we talk to Yakov Danishefsky—a licensed clinical social worker and the author of The Attached Haggadah —about the imperfect ways in which we transmit the Jewish story. In this episode we discuss: How do we deal with the lived reality that the Passover Seder isn’t a perfect transmission of our foundational beliefs? Why do some people try to leave Yiddishkeit while others stay in the community? What is the deeper significance of chametz and matza? Tune in for a…
1 Mar 2026 · 37 min
What Garry Shandling's Jewish Comedy Teaches About Purim
This week of learning is sponsored by Zachary Schreiber in honor of Tova Bashevkin, because behind every great man is an even greater woman. In this special Purim episode of the 18Forty Podcast , David Bashevkin speaks about the late, great comedian Garry Shandling in honor of his 10th yahrzeit, which is this Purim. In this episode we discuss: What does pop culture tell us about the Torah of our time? What can Garry Shalndling teach us about Purim? What does it mean to see divinity and significance within one another? Tune in for a conversation about how we find joy and inspiration in this…
24 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 53 min
Yehuda Geberer: What's the History of the American Yeshiva World? [American Yeshiva World 3/3]
This month of learning is sponsored by our dear friends Matt and Mollie Landes of Riverdale for the neshama of Dovid Yehonatan ben Yitzchak Yehuda. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast , we speak with Yehuda Geberer—a researcher, educator, and tour guide—about the history of the yeshiva world. In this episode we discuss: How did we get from the start of the Lithuanian yeshiva movement to the American yeshiva world of today? What were the premodern precursors to yeshivas? What effect did the Vietnam War have on the development of the American yeshiva world? Tune in for a conversation about…

About 18Forty Podcast

Helping you find meaning in life through the exploration of Jewish thought and ideas. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support .

18Forty Podcast is a English devotional & spiritual podcast from 18Forty. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: 18Forty
Language: English
Category: Devotional & Spiritual
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 32 min
Latest episode: 7 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1509495701
Rights: Copyright 18Forty

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