

Unholy: Two Jews on the News
Unholy Media
Yonit Levi of Israel's Channel 12 News and Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian are two of the most prominent journalists in the world today. They are also Jews. Each week, join what MSNBC's Rachel Maddow calls "two great, smart smart smart hosts" as they dissect and debate current events shaping Israel, Jewish life - and the wider world.
Their blend of nuanced discussion and sparkling conversation, featuring a dazzling range of guests, is why New Yorker editor David Remnick calls himself a “proud, avid listener," why Ira Glass says he "completely enjoys this show" and why Malcolm Gladwell calls it an "incredibly fun podcast".
For a weekly fix of globally informed talk – including nominations for the greatest act of chutzpah and outstanding mensch of the previous seven days – there’s only one destination. Make every Friday morning Unholy.
Contact us via: unholy@unholy-media.com
Their blend of nuanced discussion and sparkling conversation, featuring a dazzling range of guests, is why New Yorker editor David Remnick calls himself a “proud, avid listener," why Ira Glass says he "completely enjoys this show" and why Malcolm Gladwell calls it an "incredibly fun podcast".
For a weekly fix of globally informed talk – including nominations for the greatest act of chutzpah and outstanding mensch of the previous seven days – there’s only one destination. Make every Friday morning Unholy.
Contact us via: unholy@unholy-media.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 26, 2022 • 30min
Conversations We Love: Mayim Bialik
What better way to spend the last days of summer break than by soaking up the sun… and listening to a rerun of a conversation we love? While our beloved British co-host is still away, he and Yonit made sure our listeners are reminded of some of our favorite conversations, before they return for a brand new season next week. For the last week of August, Yonit and Jonathan revisit a conversation with a sitcom star who recently made her debut as film director. Here’s a clue: Famous Jewish actress and gameshow host for $500. And if you haven’t guessed it: Who is Mayim Bialik? Jeopardy’s frontwoman opens up on being a Zionist in Hollywood and on how she intergrated Jewish grief rituals into her movie, plus settles the age-old question: are our hosts geeks - or nerds? Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 19, 2022 • 38min
Conversations We Love: Scott Galloway
We truly hope that by the time you’re reading this, you’re on a beach somewhere, or sipping an alcoholic drink in a European city. We can tell you that our own host, Jonathan Freedland, is probably doing one of the aforementioned activities - but only after he and Yonit made sure our listeners won’t miss out every Friday. For the third week of August, our hosts reminisced on their episode with Professor Scott Galloway, marketing guru and bestselling author. Tune in (again), to hear on issues spanning from the war in Ukraine to how big tech promotes polarization via algorithms, plus tips on "pod-distance" relationships. Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 8, 2022 • 36min
Special Update: Flare-up in Gaza
Following Operation Breaking Dawn, Yonit and Jonathan are back from break with an emergency episode to speak on the recent conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip. After nearly seventy hours of clashes, a ceasefire was announced - and while it holds, for now, both sides know that it may only be a matter of time before the situation escalates again. Listen to hear our hosts summarize this recent round, with points including tactical aspects, the world's response, and the political aftermath of an operation during election season. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 5, 2022 • 46min
Conversations We Love: David Remnick
Jonathan may be away, sitting on a lounge chair positioned on a sandy beach somewhere, but it doesn’t mean Unholy listeners will be deprived of their weekly podcast fix. This summer break, we’re taking you back to some of our favorite conversations with outstanding guests. In this episode, Yonit and Jonathan revisit their discussion with one of America’s most accomplished journalists, David Remnick. Recorded on the eve of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the editor of The New Yorker reflects on being a correspondent in Moscow during the last days of the Soviet Union and shares his thoughts on why nobody really knows what goes on in Putin’s head. Plus, no podcast hosted by Jews can really be concluded without discussing Jewish identity - nor without a session on Leonard Cohen. Follow us on Facebook + Instagram: Unholy Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 29, 2022 • 1h 12min
Why It Failed - with Shimrit Meir
Last episode of the season - and before we pack our suitcases and bring out the bathing suits, we're closing off with an extra long episode. But don't worry - although we'll officially be back in September, we've got some surprises that will keep you entertained all through August.And for this episode: his predecessor may have maintained warm relations with Russia - but the man who now holds the top job at both the Prime Minister’s office and the Foreign Ministry, Yair Lapid, can’t quite maintain the affections of the Kremlin. As a Russian court considers a lawsuit to liquidate the Jewish Agency in the country, Yonit and Jonathan speak to Shimrit Meir, former advisor to Naftali Bennett - on what may signal a decline in ties between Jerusalem and Moscow. Meir also speaks out on what went wrong for the coalition - and why she thinks Bennett hasn't said the last word. And what does she have to say about the Iranian threat?Plus: election season is upon Brits and Israelis alike, but before the votes are cast - our hosts introduce the political players from each home field. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 22, 2022 • 50min
If You Can't Stand The Heat - with Walter Russell Mead
Israelis usually flee to Europe during hot summers to experience European weather - but this week’s heatwave made the blistering temperatures here seem normal. But whether or not the countries are well equipped with air conditioning, it seems none are particularly ready with a plan for the effects of climate change. And to another hot topic- the U.S involvement in the Middle East and Israel, in particular, we speak to historian and foreign policy luminary Walter Russell Mead on his new book, which inquires into the historical roots of America’s support for Israel, and the misconceptions about the strength of the Jewish state that led to him writing it. Plus - a story involving a cat and an Israeli MK gets mentioned in both our award categories. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 15, 2022 • 35min
When Yonit Met Joe
Armed vehicles, numerous flags and even a presidential menu - after much preparation, President Joe Biden landed in Israel this Wednesday, kicking off his Middle East visit with a jam-packed schedule in the Holyland. But a moment before leaving for Jerusalem, Biden sat down with our host, Yonit Levi, for a one-on-one, exclusive televised interview - the first ever for a foreign network. In this week's special edition of Unholy, Yonit gives Jonathan - and you listeners - the juiciest behind-the-scenes details from the interview, including the one question she didn't have time to ask - and the moment the leader of the free world serenaded her with "Happy Birthday". Listen to the full interview: https://mobile.mako.co.il/news-world/2022_q3/Article-e01937823a10281026.htm Find us on Facebook and Instagram: Unholy Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 8, 2022 • 51min
Hello Biden, Bye Bye Boris - with Peter Baker
Roll the red carpet and get the cameras ready - in less than a week, the leader of the free world will make his way to Israel, only to be greeted by a freshly-appointed Prime Minister of a caretaker government. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by the New York Times’ Chief White House correspondent, Peter Baker, to discuss the objectives of the visit, the upcoming midterms and the American relations with Saudi Arabia. And, it seems our British friends got a bit jealous of Israel hogging all the political drama - and decided to take a shot at it, with the announcement of Boris Johnson (Br)exiting office. But as the United Kingdom is left prime minister-less, one issue troubles our co-host most - who will replace Johnson, the star of more than one of Jonathan’s columns?! Plus - here’s a scoop: this ice cream manufacturer is losing cone-trol (okay, we’re done with the gelato puns) over a battle on selling their products in the settlements. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 1, 2022 • 1h 4min
Prime Time Minister - with Micah Goodman
The term Prime Minister Yair Lapid may take some getting used to - but don’t take too long, as it’s paired with “interim”. After dissolving the Knesset and bidding farewell to his coalition partner, Naftali Bennett, Lapid embarked on his spell as head of a caretaker government - but all heads are turned to the fifth election round, which will determine whether the late-night host turned premier will be more than just another anecdote in a continuous political narrative. Yonit and Jonathan aren’t scientists (yet), it's safe to say this political experiment didn’t quite go according to plan. Joined by author and unofficial philosopher to the coalition, Micah Goodman, our co-hosts discuss whether the results should really be seen as a failure, what the lab conditions to shrink the conflict are - and also, why Israelis are both closer, and further than ever. And - for many, the United States Supreme Court ruling abolishing women’s right for abortions reflects the capacity conservatives have to turn the wheel backwards while imposing their beliefs on the public. But with protesters marching daily through D.C., concerns on the extent of these perceptions are heard as far as Israel - where some view the ruling as a warning sign of what may occur here under a more conservative leadership - and an unyielding American influence. Plus - what Jewish ritual did the chutzpah recipients of this week make profitable? -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 24, 2022 • 46min
Election Nation - with Amit Segal
If you look up the words “Israel” and “Elections” in any search engine at any given time during these last three years, chances are you either saw articles about upcoming ballots - or results of a recent round. That’s why this week’s results won’t come as a surprise. This week, Bennet and Lapid themselves hammered the final nail into the coalition’s coffin - sending Israelis to vote yet again. Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Channel 12 political analyst Amit Segal, to chat about the open questions - from Lapid, the caretaker government’s appointed caretaker, to his failed coalition’s legacy, and to the odds that an Arab party will fit into a governmental puzzle again. But, even though the Holy Land seems to hold first prize - topsy-turvy politics aren’t exclusively Israeli. French President Emmanuel Macron lost his absolute majority in Parliament by a wide margin this week, in a political blow that complicates his leadership - with far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s party coming in with a strong showing that exceeded expectations. Plus, coming to shelves soon - gefilte fish hot dogs?! Yonit and Jonathan try and stomach the news of this culinary crossover that probably won’t become a bestseller at ball games. -- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unholypodcast/and X: https://x.com/2jewsonthenewsJoin our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150578065793142 Subscribe to our blog: https://unholypodcast.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


