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SAPIR with David Wolpe · Thursday · 34 min

Power vs. Influence with Bret Stephens

Bret Stephens, SAPIR editor-in-chief, joins David Wolpe for a conversation about why having power doesn’t always mean you have influence. Bret makes the case that American Jews face a striking paradox: more power but less influence than at any point in his lifetime. They explore how that happened, and the lessons for anyone trying to change minds in a polarized era. They also discuss promising new ventures in media and publishing, as well as how to equip the next generation of Jewish leaders to thrive. You can read Bret Stephens' editor’s note, The Anxiety of (Waning) Jewish Influence, at https://sapirjournal.org/influence/2026/the-anxiety-of-waning-jewish-influence/ The IHRA definition of antisemitism, which was referenced in their conversation, can be found at https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism. Learn more about SAPIR and subscribe to the print journal at http://⁠www.sapirjournal.org⁠. Subscribe to the SAPIR Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sapir-with-david-wolpe/id1583771945 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JcLb3jkh60ybrtX7Awp0m Or wherever you get your podcasts: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/sapirpodcast/ Comments or questions? Get in touch at info@sapirjournal.org Theme music by Blue Dot Sessions: ⁠http://www.sessions.blue/⁠

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show notes

Bret Stephens, SAPIR editor-in-chief, joins David Wolpe for a conversation about why having power doesn’t always mean you have influence. Bret makes the case that American Jews face a striking paradox: more power but less influence than at any point in his lifetime. They explore how that happened, and the lessons for anyone trying to change minds in a polarized era. They also discuss promising new ventures in media and publishing, as well as how to equip the next generation of Jewish leaders to thrive. 

You can read Bret Stephens' editor’s note, The Anxiety of (Waning) Jewish Influence, at https://sapirjournal.org/influence/2026/the-anxiety-of-waning-jewish-influence/ 

The IHRA definition of antisemitism, which was referenced in their conversation, can be found at https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism. 

Learn more about SAPIR and subscribe to the print journal at http://⁠www.sapirjournal.org⁠.

Subscribe to the SAPIR Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sapir-with-david-wolpe/id1583771945

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JcLb3jkh60ybrtX7Awp0m 

Or wherever you get your podcasts: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/sapirpodcast/

Comments or questions? Get in touch at info@sapirjournal.org 

Theme music by Blue Dot Sessions: ⁠http://www.sessions.blue/⁠ 

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