People Jew Wanna Know

Welcome to People Jew Wanna Know, a podcast sharing stories of remarkable Jewish people! Hosted by Margarita Lyadova, each episode features conversations with interesting Jewish guests of today and historical figures who’ve shaped Jewish culture and identity. Together, we seek answers to today's essential questions facing the Jewish people.

New episodes every Wednesday.
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @peoplejewwannaknow for extras, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

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21 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes21

Newest first

Wednesday · 42 min
Transcending Hate w/Arno Michaelis (former white supremacist)
Arno Michaelis is a former Neo-Nazi turned activist, writer, and tremendous ally to the Jewish people. He was a founding member of a racist skinhead crew, lead singer of a hate metal band, reverend in a violently antisemitic church — and then he walked away, worn down by exhaustion and undone by the kindness of the people he was taught to hate. Today he's a Buddhist, an author, and a peer specialist at Parents for Peace who talks pissed-off young men out of the abyss for a living.In this episode, Arno explains why every extremist ideology, left or right, eventually converges on hating Jews. And why that's not a Jewish problem to solve. Follow Arno on Instagram @ArnoMichaelis and check out www.parents4peace.org Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 02:45 Storytelling and the work of Parents for Peace 07:30 The archetype of "Joe Pissed Off White Kid" 11:00 Arno's childhood, addiction, and the roller coaster of hate 18:00 The night his newborn daughter changed everything 22:00 Regret vs. remorse — the mechanism of real change 25:00 How white nationalism recruits today 31:00 Why every extremist ideology converges on Jew hatred 36:00 Whose problem antisemitism actually is 39:00 Arno's question to Margarita 41:00 Closing Remarks
July 29 · 48 min
Raheel Raza on Muslims and Jews in an Age of Tension
Raheel Raza is a Pakistani-Canadian author, journalist, and president of Muslims Facing Tomorrow. She'll help you understand everything you'd like to know about Radical Islam. She's testified at the UN, spoken at Harvard and Oxford, and visited Israel 14 times. She also happens to be one of the warmest humans you'll ever meet. This is the conversation where Margarita finally gets to ask the questions that feel too "icky" to ask — about dhimmitude, about why Western Muslim leaders skew extreme, and about how Jews and Muslims can actually still be friends. Raheel answers every single one with patience and zero PC filter. Learn more about Raheel's work at www.raheelraza.com Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 02:30 From Karachi to Canada — finding the Jewish world through Anne Frank 05:10 Why the Jewish-Muslim conflict isn't religious 07:40 Inside the Council of Muslims Against Antisemitism 11:00 Defeat radical Islamism, defeat antisemitism 15:30 Hadith-based Islam and the politics of extremism 20:00 What the Palestinian diaspora gets wrong, and the promise of the Abraham Accords 24:30 What Jews can actually do — Rabbi Sacks, samosas, and culinary diplomacy 32:00 Canada's "polite pogrom" and the Mamdani problem 38:00 Dhimmitude vs. reform Islam 44:00 Raheel's three-question litmus test for any Muslim you meet 49:00 Closing Remarks
July 22 · 27 min
Marina the Marathon Princess: All Miles, All Smiles
Marina the Marathon Princess has run 76 marathons, finished multiple Ironmans, and walked the entire length of Israel. Her running joke, pun intended, is that she's one of the slowest people doing some of the hardest races in the world. Marina is an activism trendsetter who printed "Stand With Israel" on a race shirt years before October 7th. What started as a couchsurfing trip to Tel Aviv with a giant backpack turned into a years-long love affair with Israel, the Hebrew language, and the runners who cheer her on at every kilometer. Learn from Marina about what it takes to do the hardest things with the biggest smile. Follow Marina on Instagram @marathon.princess Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 02:30 From investment banking to 76+ marathons 05:15 Willpower is overrated — systems and mental tricks for endurance 09:00 The Tinder match that turned into a love for Israel 12:45 Printing a "Stand With Israel" shirt and losing followers 15:30 Why people who visit Israel walk away changed 18:00 What people misunderstand about being Jewish 21:00 Reclaiming Zionism and reframing antisemitism as conspiracy theory 24:30 On Nice Jewish Runners 26:00 Closing Remarks
July 15 · 47 min
Brianna Wu - It's Time To Change The Left
Brianna Wu is the voice of reason on the left. The video game developer turned political commentator turned Democratic insider has spent her career being first to name what other people are too scared to say out loud — and she brings that same clarity to one of the most uncomfortable conversations on the American left right now. In this episode, Brianna talks about why democrat elites privately know better, why "respectability politics" are failing Jews, and what an actually effective information war would look like. Follow Brianna Wu on Instagram @BriannaWuSays Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow **What We Discuss:** 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 02:45 Mississippi, the Democratic Party, and the long project against Jews 08:20 The Jews who showed up when Brianna transitioned 12:10 Regrets about supercharging the progressive movement 18:30 No panacea for antisemitism (or Jew hatred) 24:15 Stop the conferences, start the information warfare 30:40 What's actually happening to the trans community right now 37:20 Why "as a Jew" isn't a credential 43:50 Brianna's question for Margarita 46:30 Closing Remarks
July 8 · 45 min
Everything Misunderstood About Iran - Shay Khatiri
Shay Khatiri grew up in an Iranian Communist household where his dad handed him Das Kapital at age 12 — and somehow ended up a neoconservative Persian researcher at CAMERA, fighting media bias against Israel. Shay knows more about Jewish life than most Jews, and will absolutely turn off your lights before leaving Shabbat dinner. Shay breaks down why Iranians were cheering on Israeli fighter jets from their rooftops, the 2,500-year friendship between Persians and Jews that started with Cyrus the Great, and what the future for Iran may entail. Follow Shay on X @ShayKhatiri Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 03:15 Growing up in a Communist household in Iran 08:20 How the West misunderstands a society at war 12:40 Why Iranians cheered for Israeli fighter jets 18:30 What it will actually take to topple the regime 22:15 The 2,500-year friendship between Persians and Jews 30:00 Iranians today: the most pro-Israel nation after Israel itself 34:20 How Americans can actually help the Iranian people 38:45 The "as a Jew" problem and rebellion against immigrant parents 44:10 Closing Remarks
July 1 · 39 min
The Office's Andy Buckley: On Comedy w/ Conscience
Andy Buckley is David Wallace. You know him. You love him. But before he was Steve Carell's perfectly straight-faced boss at Dunder Mifflin, he spent years as a Merrill Lynch wealth manager — which explains why his corporate deadpan hits so painfully right. He's also one of the most thoughtful and openly supportive non-Jewish allies the community has had since October 7th. Andy talks about the moment that gave him permission to speak up, the dinner-table education that came with marrying into a Jewish family, and why he thinks the loudest voices in Hollywood are often the least informed. Plus: the lost art of being a straight man, his audition origin story, and the surprising flight he took next to Ana Kasparian's husband. Follow Andy Buckley on Instagram @AndyBuckley2020 Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 03:00 From Stanford to Wall Street to David Wallace 09:30 The Underrated Power of the Straight Man 14:00 Trusting Your Voice as an Artist 18:30 Visiting Auschwitz, Marrying Into a Jewish Family, and Learning Slowly 22:00 What Amar'e Stoudemire's Post Unlocked 27:00 Why Hollywood Stays Quiet 32:00 Sitting Next to Ana Kasparian's Husband on a Plane 37:00 What Andy Wants from Hollywood (and What Margarita Doesn't) 39:00 Closing Remarks
June 24 · 24 min
Goy You Will Enjoy Returns | SOLO EPISODE
Margarita returns for a solo episode to catch you up on the comeback of the “Goy You Will Enjoy” season — dedicated to the allies showing up for the Jewish community — and the current state of Jinsta. She also reads a powerful letter from a listener about intermarriage that sparked one of the most thoughtful conversations we’ve had in a long time. Truly an incredible note. Follow People Jew Wanna Know on Instagram @peoplejewwannaknow Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow
June 17 · 53 min
The Art of Looking Like Yourself - Dr. Monasebian
Dr. Monasebian is a board-certified plastic surgeon, and the man Margarita personally trusts with her own face. A Forest Hills native, Brandeis graduate, and proud half-Sephardic, half-Ashkenazi Jew, Dr. Monasebian has built a reputation not just for exceptional results, but for telling patients the truth. In an industry full of hype, he’s refreshingly candid about what procedures are worth considering, which ones are overhyped, and why credentials matter more than ever. In this conversation, we discuss everything from the evolution of rhinoplasty among Jewish patients to the rise of non-surgical treatments, body dysmorphia, aging gracefully, and the biggest misconceptions about plastic surgery. We also explore how he approaches these conversations with his own children—and the procedures he'd never recommend.Follow Dr. Monasebian on Instagram: @parkaveplasticsurgeryListeners get a complimentary consultation — just mention People Jew Wanna Know. Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 03:00 Dr. Monasebian's Jewish upbringing 09:30 Why credentials matter (and what can go wrong) 14:00 How rhinoplasty culture has shifted for Jewish patients 17:30 Surgical vs. non-surgical: how to choose 24:00 Aging well after a procedure 29:00 Talking to his own kids about cosmetic work 33:00 Saying no: unrealistic requests and body dysmorphia 38:00 Lightning round — most underrated, most overrated, biggest pet peeves 46:30 CoolSculpting, Kybella, etc. 50:00 A message to Jewish New Yorkers 53:00 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
June 10 · 28 min
Rebecca Brooks — PR, Presence & Power
Rebecca Brooks is the dark horse behind some of the biggest food and lifestyle personalities you know — Rachael Ray, Andrew Zimmern, Guy Fieri, Jacques Torres, Robert Irvine. She founded the Brooks Group at 25 out of her husband's family office in New York, and basically helped invent the "lifestyle of food" category before Food Network was a household name. Margarita talks to Rebecca about what actually happens behind the curtain — how to fix a PR crisis, how to say no without burning the bridge, and why the best clients lead with story, not product. Plus a tangent on what Judaism actually says about psychics, mediums, and the woo-woo of it all. Follow Rebecca on Instagram @Rebecca_BrooksPR and ⁨@BrooksGroupPR⁩ and check out her website brookspr.com Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 06:11 Growing up Jewish on Long Island 10:30 Starting the Brooks Group at 25 14:00 Pioneering storytelling in beauty PR 17:45 Advising Jewish clients on speaking out 20:30 Owning mistakes and the art of the apology 23:15 How to say no without burning bridges 25:40 Joe Dispenza, Reiki, and reading energy 28:30 Message to the Jewish people & Guest Nomination
June 5 · 37 min
Ari’el Stachel - Playing the Other
Ariel Stachel—Tony winner for The Band's Visit—gets brutally honest about learning to “act” by hiding parts of himself, and what it took to finally stop. We get into his solo show Other, the identity whiplash growing up post 9/11, and why he’s willing to say the uncomfortable things—about activism, platforming, and how Jews should be portrayed in media right now. Margarita and Ariel compare notes and bond over being children of immigrants. Connect with Ariel on Instagram @ArielStachel Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 1:42 "My acting training was pretending to be other people" 8:38 How has the show Other been received? 11:27 On the experience of having immigrant parents 19:30 Ariel's activism & message to Mamdani 23:46 How should we tell stories about Jews today? 29:50 On "platforming" people you disagree with 33:44 What's next for Ariel? 36:12 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
May 27 · 40 min
Neil Friedman: Hollywood's Quiet Powerhouse
Neil Friedman is the quiet powerhouse behind some of the most important Jewish cinema of the last two decades. As founder of Menemsha Films and ChaiFlicks — the world's largest Jewish streaming platform — he's racked up five consecutive Oscar-nominated films, championed hidden gems from six continents, and turned Bad Shabbos into a $1.5 million theatrical juggernaut at a moment when nobody goes to the movies anymore. Neil's story is one of Jewish ingenuity, resilience, and work ethic. **Special Promo to get an annual subscription to ChaiFlicks for only $36 for People Jew Wanna Know listeners!**Redemption link: http://www.chaiflicks.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase?code=people36&plan=yearly Redemption code: PEOPLE36Follow Menemsha Films on IG @Menemshafilms and learn more at menemshafilms.com Follow ChaiFlicks on IG @chaiflicks and learn more at chaiflicks.com Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 03:15 From Park Avenue lawyer to Hollywood independent 08:40 Why Jewish art house — and trusting his parents' taste 12:20 Launching ChaiFlicks the first week of the pandemic 17:10 Why *Bad Shabbos* worked when *Nobody Wants This* didn't 24:30 The Florida-to-New York release strategy 29:15 Films every young Jew should see 34:50 Israeli TV is the best in the world, pound for pound 38:20 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
May 20 · 44 min
The Mayor’s Jewish Guy - Moshe Davis
Moshe Davis was Mayor Eric Adams' Jewish liaison and architect of NYC's first-ever Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism — until he found out via tweet that the Mamdani administration was replacing him. He's the guy who handled everything from synagogue security to the "Israel Bombs Way" street sign vandalism. Moshe has dealt with the good, the bad, and the ugly of Jewish life in NYC post October 7th. Margarita and Moshe sit down to discuss Moshe's experience and where he thinks Jewish life in NYC is headed. Plus: why antisemitism is less a prejudice and more the world's oldest conspiracy theory — and what that means for how we fight it. Follow Moshe Davis on X @_moshedavis Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 03:13 From MJE to City Hall 07:00 What a Jewish Liaison Actually Does 12:30 Building MOCA and the Final Report 18:45 Getting Replaced by a Tweet 24:00 Israel Bombs Way and the Whack-a-Mole Job 29:30 Should Jewish New Yorkers Be Worried 33:00 Why the Orthodox World Isn't Phased 37:30 Antisemitism as a Conspiracy Theory, Not Just Racism 42:00 What's Next & Get Off Social Media, Get Into Politics 44:26 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
May 13 · 49 min
What Comes After Nova - Shye Klein
Shye Klein was just weeks into his new life in Israel when he drove into the Nova festival at 2 a.m. on October 7th. Before noon, he was back in Tel Aviv — alive, with five friends and a roll of film of people he might never see again. A Canadian-Israeli photographer who'd never owned a Hillel sweatshirt or set foot on a Birthright trip, Shai walked out of that field and walked straight into 200 speaking engagements, years of therapy, and one of the most clear-eyed accounts of Nova & what resilience actually looks like. This conversation goes where most October 7th coverage won't: the bureaucratic nightmare of qualifying for Israeli government aid, the survivors who can't return to their old jobs, and the Band-Aid pizza parties masquerading as mental health support. Shai also names exactly where the diaspora should be sending money — and why. Follow Shye Klein on Instagram @ShyeKlein Check out Shye’s work www.shyeklein.com/october7story Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 05:30 Making Aliyah three weeks before Nova 09:45 Shye's account of Nova 27:30 Finding the 54 people in Shye's photographs 32:00 Speaking tour burnout and avoidance 37:00 Why the aid system fails Nova survivors 42:30 Where the diaspora should actually donate 46:30 Beyond the Supernova photo project 49:00 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
May 6 · 37 min
L'Chaim Motherf*ckers with Jill Kargman
Jill Kargman is a New York Times bestselling author of 12 books, creator of Odd Mom Out, and a "shtetl chic" Manhattan Jewess. Margarita and Jill talk wig life, vaginal lasers, antisemitism in middle school, and why Jewish joy is the whole point. Jill found her voice the moment she stopped hiding behind characters and just told the truth. She's excited to share her new film - Influenced (in theaters May 8th). Follow Jill on IG @jillkargman and @influenced.movie Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 02:12 Sephardic mom, Ashkenazi dad, free-range NYC childhood 06:30 Pulling her son out of school after an antisemitic incident 10:15 Why every story she tells comes back to family 14:20 Making *Influenced* and hiding the meat in the pasta 18:45 Celebrity cameos, blonde wigs, and being a "Sicilian widow" in real life 24:30 Re-virginization is real and Jill did it 27:10 Jewish storytelling needs comedy too 30:00 Margarita's life as a child pop star in Ukraine 34:20 Jewish joy, Mamdani, and L'chaim motherf*ckers 36:44 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
April 29 · 50 min
Antisemitism Is a Virus. Here's How It Spreads — Vlad Khaykin
Vlad Khaykin is the Head of North American Advocacy for the Simon Wiesenthal Center (and a former ADL veteran). He approaches antisemitism the way a scientist approaches a virus: studying its architecture, its mutations, and why it keeps infecting new hosts across centuries. This is an episode where you'll learn a tremendous amount about antisemitism's latest "mutation" - Anti-Zionism. Anti-Zionism isn't an abstract debate — it's an ideology with a body count, and millions of living Jews can tell you exactly what it looks like when it wins. Vlad also makes the case that internalized antisemitism is one of the most pressing problems facing the Jews today. Connect with Vlad Khaykin on LinkedIn or Instagram @vkhaykin , and learn about the instrumental work of Simon Wiesenthal Center at https://wiesenthal.org/ Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 03:45 Vlad's path from Soviet refugee to advocacy leader 07:20 What anti-Zionism actually did to Jewish communities 12:15 How the Soviets weaponized antisemitism 18:30 Antisemitism as an explanatory model, not a prejudice 24:10 There is no panacea for antisemitism 31:00 The Zionism terminology wars 36:45 Internalized antisemitism and the doll test parallel 44:20 The cost vs. value of being Jewish 49:30 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
April 22 · 10 min
Ham The Underwear Man
Sometimes you run into a guy in his underwear on the streets of NYC and do a mini pod with him! Ham is an artist best known for standing in his underwear & talking to strangers! Learn more about his art on Instagram @sweatpantcity Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow
April 15 · 37 min
@Qveenjulia - Say It With Your Chest
This episode is NOT a joke ;). Julia Ain, also known as @qveenjulia, is a funny Jewish girl with big boobs who will make you laugh and blush at the same time. A viral content creator with over 1M followers online, she sits down with Margarita to share her story and reflect on being a proudly Jewish content creator in this crazy time. This episode is for our boobers and boober lovers! Follow Julia on all platforms @qveenjulia Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 02:19 How an aspiring lawyer went to FanFix 04:33 What has Julia learned? 06:35 On securing the talent visa 07:50 On selling bikini pics & marketing yourself 11:50 On how Julia uses her platform to advocate for Jews 15:22 What is Milk Mansion? 20:40 Something Julia is sharing for the first time 32:55 What would Julia tell her younger self? 34:39 We thought we were done with the episode... but we were not 35:37 How Julia's family receives her work
April 8 · 43 min
Winning in the Court of Public Opinion — Scott Piro
Scott Piro is a communications strategist and Jewish advocate who has spent years shaping messaging around antisemitism, Israel, and Jewish communal response. After October 7, he went viral for sharing the moment he walked out of a recovery meeting when the conversation turned into the demonization of Jews and Israel. In this episode, we discuss what it takes to make messaging that resonates, why the goal isn’t to “dunk on the haters” but to persuade the silent lurkers, and how to think more clearly about anti-Zionism in this moment. Follow Scott on IG @ScottPiro and TikTok @SoberScottySupport our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 01:48 Going from comms/PR expert to Jewish activist 04:05 What happened to Scott on October 7th 10:37 How to handle the haters & impact the "lurkers" 14:10 How Scott retained his Jewish/Israeli pride 22:14 Advice for speaking up! 25:39 What actually works for combatting antisemitism? 32:17 The diaspora was "predestined" 33:20 On Anti-Zionism 38:28 Scott's message to the Jewish people 40:25 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
April 1 · 54 min
Art From The Multiverse - Marc Dennis
Artist, Holocaust scholar, teacher, and devoted single dad, Marc Dennis joins People Jew Wanna Know with stories that sound almost unbelievable—from robberies to life on a Native American reservation and how it all led him to create hyper-realistic art. Follow Marc on Instagram @darcmennis and check out his art at marcdennis.com . Marc's art will be on display on April 18th in Los Angeles. What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 02:17 Marc's "Juban" upbringing & path to Holocaust art 16:38 Marc's troubled teen years 26:14 Living on a Native American reservation 27:30 What inspires Marc's art? 32:31 Marc's message to the Jewish people 40:41 How Margarita visited Marc's gallery opening 46:27 The origin of the Puma tracksuit 50:27 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination
March 25 · 48 min
What Brings Jews Back, And What Pushes Them Away - Rabbi Mark Wildes
Rabbi Mark Wildes of Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE) joins Margarita to reflect on the debate from the People Jew Wanna Know 2 Year Anniversary Party, talk all things Kiruv, and discuss how young adults make sense of Judaism. Check out MJE at www.jewishexperience.org and follow them on Instagram @mjexperience and @rabbiwildes . Buy Rabbi Wildes' book The Jewish Experience Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda 05:03 How MJE came about 07:44 On Kiruv 18:52 On the debate Rabbi & Margarita did together 33:32 The Jewish Experience - Rabbi's new book 40:22 How has MJE changed post Oct 7th? 44:00 Rabbi's message to the Jewish people 46:40 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination