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Highly Jewish

Highly Jewish

Highly Jewish is a podcast hosted by Tanya, filmed on the move in the car as Tanya drives around LA with guests for candid, wide-ranging conversations.

Each episode unfolds on the road, creating a spontaneous, unfiltered space where real talk happens in real time. From navigating Jewish identity and life in the LGBTQ+ community to politics, food, culture, and everything in between, Tanya steers conversations that are honest, curious, and unapologetically real.

Highly Jewish brings together a diverse mix of guests shaping today’s conversations. Expect raw stories, sharp perspectives, laughs, disagreements, and moments of connection.

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  • 17 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 42 min
  • English

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  • S1 · E16
    Sunday · 16 min

    The kids are alright! Gabe Einhorn leading the next generation.

    We’re pleased to welcome Gabe Einhorn to the Highly Jewish podcast with Tanya. Gabe is a young Jewish-American entrepreneur, social media creator and passionate advocate for Jewish identity. A graduate of Yeshiva University and co-founder of real estate technology company Nessoo, Gabe has also used his growing platform to speak openly about faith, Israel, antisemitism and the importance of being proudly Jewish. In this episode, Tanya sits down with Gabe to discuss his journey, his Jewish identity, entrepreneurship, social media and what it means to stand up and be proudly Jewish today. Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E15
    August 30 · 28 min

    How I Survived A Soviet Prison - Natan Sharansky's story.

    Natan Sharansky is a Soviet-born Israeli politician, human rights activist and former political prisoner who became one of the world’s most prominent voices for freedom and democracy. A refusenik in the Soviet Union, Sharansky was arrested in 1977 and sentenced to 13 years in prison for alleged espionage after campaigning for the right of Soviet Jews to emigrate to Israel. He spent years in Soviet prisons and labour camps before being released in a 1986 prisoner exchange. After arriving in Israel, he entered politics, served as a government minister and became Chairman of the Jewish Agency. His story is one of courage, resilience and the belief that freedom is worth fighting for — making him an important figure in both Jewish history and the global human rights movement. Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E14
    August 16 · 26 min

    What happened to American Jews? with Shabbos Kestenbaum

    🎙️ Shabbos Kestenbaum joins Tanya on the Highly Jewish Podcast Shabbos Kestenbaum is one of the most recognisable young voices in Jewish activism today. In this episode of Highly Jewish, he joins Tanya for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about Jewish identity, antisemitism, campus activism, Israel, standing up for what you believe in and what it means to be proudly Jewish in today’s world. They discuss Shabbos’ journey, the experiences that shaped his activism, the backlash that comes with speaking out, and why he believes the Jewish community needs more people willing to use their voices. It's an open, candid and at times challenging conversation about being Highly Jewish in a world where being visibly Jewish can feel more complicated than ever. Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E13
    August 3 · 54 min

    The Last Lesbian Zionists with Eve Barlow

    Eve Barlow rose to prominence as a celebrated music journalist, writing for some of the world's most prestigious magazines and championing progressive causes. Between 2009-2012, Eve edited some of the biggest entertainment magazines in the UK including Q Magazine, MOJO, Empire, FHM, and Kerrang! In 2012, Eve was invited to become the Deputy Editor of the NME, then the biggest weekly print music title in Europe. As an antisemitism and social justice warrior, Eve is a prominent figure in media outlets today, promoting equality, inclusivity and a push for a non-bias media. She joined Tanya in the latest episode of Highly Jewish where nothing was off the table! Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E11
    July 5 · 40 min

    Pride for Israel: living who we are - Yuval David

    In this episode Emmy Award-winning actor, filmmaker, journalist, and political advisor Yuval David joins Tanya as they drive around LA. He is widely recognized for his advocacy for Jewish, Israeli, and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as his performances in television shows like Madam Secretary and What Would You Do?. Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E10
    June 8 · 34 min

    Cooking and Judaism; Unpacking Jewish food & identify with Sivan's Kitchen

    Tanya is joined by the incredible Sivan of Sivan's Kitchen. Listen to this episode where they talk all things Jewish food and identity. Guaranteed to leave you feeling hungry. Sivan’s Kitchen is the brand and online platform of Sivan Kobi, a popular Israeli-American recipe developer, food influencer, and content creator known for her viral kosher and traditional Jewish recipes. Based in Los Angeles, Sivan was born in Israel and raised in a family deeply rooted in the food industry. Her father and grandparents were bakers who owned well-known bakeries (such as Sherman's Bakery) in the LA area. She rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic when, at her daughter's suggestion, she began sharing her family's traditional Iraqi and Ashkenazi recipes, Shabbat meal prep, and daily cooking videos on social media. Today, she has built a massive community across Instagram and her official Sivan's Kitchen Website, where she shares approachable comfort food, baked goods, and tablescaping ideas. You can follow her cooking journey and find her recipes directly on the Sivan's Kitchen Instagram Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E9
    May 17 · 49 min

    We're proud Soviet Jews, here's why...

    In this episode of Highly Jewish we have Stella Inger Escobedo, an American television news anchor and reporter who works at One America News Network. She was formerly at KFMB, the CBS affiliate in San Diego where she was the morning and afternoon anchor. Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E8
    May 4 · 45 min

    Steve Hilton breaks down his plan for California.

    Steve Hilton shares his vision for California 🇺🇸 From economic reform to rebuilding opportunity, he lays out what he’d change if elected. Big ideas. Big ambitions. What do you think? 👇 Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E7
    April 12 · 54 min

    Honest Journalism: No spin, No agenda. Just the truth with Jacki Karsh

    Jacki Karsh is an American media personality and activist. In 2025, she launched the Karsh Journalism Fellowship, a fellowship created with the stated goal of helping Israel win an "information war. Watch and listen to her story in full with Tanya. Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E6
    March 25 · 38 min

    Extremism, Freedom, and Pride. Matthew Nouriel’s story Part 2

    Part two of this powerful and deeply personal conversation. In this episode Matthew Nouriel shares his journey from growing up around extremist ideology to discovering his own voice, freedom, and identity. His story explores the difficult path of challenging beliefs, breaking away from harmful narratives, and finding the courage to live authentically. Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E6
    March 17 · 45 min

    Extremism, Freedom, and Pride. Matthew Nouriel’s story Part 1

    In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Matthew Nouriel shares his journey from growing up around extremist ideology to discovering his own voice, freedom, and identity. His story explores the difficult path of challenging beliefs, breaking away from harmful narratives, and finding the courage to live authentically. Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E5
    March 1 · 53 min

    Big Time Jewish: James Maslow on Fame, Faith & Fighting Antisemitism

    What happens when pop stardom meets unapologetic Jewish identity? In this powerful episode of Big Time Jewish, James Maslow joins Tanya on the Highly Jewish podcast for an honest conversation about fame, faith, and standing up to antisemitism. Best known for his breakout role in Big Time Rush, James opens up about life in the spotlight, navigating Hollywood as a proud Jew, and why speaking out has never felt more important. From global tours and teen idol status to rediscovering his spiritual roots, James shares how Judaism shapes his values, resilience, and sense of responsibility. He and Tanya dive into the rise of antisemitism, the importance of using your platform with purpose, and what it really means to live proudly and visibly Jewish in today’s world. This episode is raw, inspiring, and deeply relevant — a conversation about identity, courage, and owning your story. 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with bold Jewish voices. 💬 Comment your thoughts and let us know what resonated most. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. Support the show

  • S1 · E4
    February 15 · 50 min

    Jonah Platt on Israel, Being Jewish in America, Politics & the “Weed Club” Conversation

    What does it really mean to stand up for Israel, speak openly about being Jewish in America, challenge politics — and yes… talk about a weed club? In this raw and honest conversation, Jonah Platt holds nothing back. 🇮🇱 Identity. Courage. Culture. Free speech. It’s all on the table. Watch the full episode now. 🎙️🔥 Support the show

  • S1 · E3
    February 7 · 1 hr 8 min

    Conservative In a Woke State: My California Reality - Episode 3 with Elizabeth Barcohana

    In Episode 3, I sit down with Elizabeth Barcohana to talk candidly about navigating life, work, and identity in one of the most politically progressive states in the U.S. From social pressure and self-censorship to finding your voice when it feels unpopular, this conversation cuts through the noise and gets real about what “living red in a blue state” really looks like. No talking points. No outrage bait. Just an honest discussion about values, culture, and the cost of speaking up — even when it’s uncomfortable. Whether you agree, disagree, or are just curious, this episode offers a perspective you don’t often hear. Support the show

  • S1 · E2
    January 31 · 1 hr

    What It's Like Being an Openly Gay Iranian Right Now: Reza Farahan

    In this episode, I sit down with Reza Farahan to talk about something very few people are willing to discuss honestly: being an open gay Iranian, what's happening inside Iran right now, and how that collides with Israel, identity, and freedom. Support the show

  • S1 · E1
    January 23 · 34 min

    Raising Jewish Kids Now: Amanda Markowitz

    In our first episode of this brand new Highly Jewish podcast, presenter Tanya invites long term friend Amanda Markowitz for a drive around LA. In this podcast they talk about being proud Jews in today's world, having grandparents that survived the Holocaust, raising Jewish kids, going to LGBTQ events as a Jew and how crazy Tanya's Starbucks order was. Support the show

Showing 1–17 of 17 episodes