What Came After

Manya Marcus

Stories of how people's lives changed on and after October 7, 2023

Creator: Manya Marcus
Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick
Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman
Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Visit us at whatcameafter.com

Play

Open in

20 episodes
weekly
Avg 41 min
English

Episodes 20

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

S6 · E1
September 28 · 1 hr 1 min
These Days I'm Grateful
Support our work ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! WCA Media relies on your support to bring you episodes like this one. This past June, I sat down in Tel Aviv with Rita Yedid. Before October 7th, Rita's friends called her "Wonder Rita." Now the nickname is also the title of a ⁠documentary film⁠about what she lived through at the Nova Festival, and the process of intense self-discovery that's taken place since. Rita and her husband survived the Nova massacre together, but they didn't experience it the same way. Rita speaks about the strain that those differences put on their marriage. The couple had a second child after Nova, but at the time of this interview, they had separated. Rita speaks about the immense toll that October 7th has taken on her life. But she also talks about something surprising, something built into a name she'd given herself even before the catastrophe: wonder. Wonder at the mystery of suffering. Wonder at the winding road of her own recovery. Wonder that October 7th, of all things, has come to illuminate her sense of purpose. Wonder at being alive. To learn more about Wonder Rita and her film, see the film link above, and learn more⁠ here.⁠ Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Content Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "חי בים" | Noam Banai and Anat Malamud Listen on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple Music⁠
S5 · E17
September 23 · 42 min
People Who Are Willing To Do What It Takes
Welcome back to What Came After. In this episode, Joseph Gitler welcomed me into his home—we recorded in March of 2026. Fortunately, our conversation wasn't interrupted by a missile attack but Israel's war with the Iranian regime was still very much raging. Joseph is the founder of Leket Israel, the organization that rescues cooked meals and agricultural surplus from across Israel to feed over 470,000 Israelis every week. He and I spoke about the enormous numbers of international volunteers who came — as quickly as they could enter the country after October 7 — to step into the breach for farmers who'd lost nearly everything, including the workers they'd depended on. We also spoke about a very painful personal loss Joseph experienced during the war. Throughout it all, he ponders this question: given the Jewish people's long history of near-collapse, and our equally long history of improbable survival — is there any calamity the Jewish people face that can truly be described as "existential"? On another note — I want to apologize for our long hiatus. Here's our big announcement: What Came After is no longer a standalone podcast. It's now a production of WCA Media, our new nonprofit audio studio. WCA Media will keep bringing you What Came After, and we have several other projects in the works. Please stay tuned — and if you're able, consider supporting us so we can keep this work going. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Content Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "Where We Go - Instrumental Version" | Elijah Aaron Listen on Spotify or Apple Music
S5 · E16
August 11 · 52 min
Your Students Carried Us
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. For months, Yoni Heilman and I kept missing each other. When I was in Israel, Yoni was serving in reserve duty. When Yoni was available for an interview in Israel, I was back in America. Finally, this past April, we were both in New York City and managed to sit down for this conversation. Yoni is an American-Israeli reservist and the CEO of TAMID Group, a nonprofit that fosters relationships between Israeli businesses and bright, motivated college students, as well as other emerging business leaders around the world. We talked about the many roles Yoni has found himself playing since October 7th — as an American, an Israeli, a reservist, a CEO, a parent, a partner, and someone deeply invested in the relationship between young people and Israel. He shared why TAMID Group is so intentional about creating meaningful relationships between young people and Israel that transcend religion and politics, and what he has learned from serving in his particular reserve unit, where he has witnessed some of the very best of humanity. I hope you enjoy this conversation. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Content Editors: Keren Glicksman and Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "Not Over" | Israel Wasserman Listen on Spotify or Apple Music
S5 · E15
August 3 · 53 min
Cancer Doesn’t Stop—Even In A War
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. On March 18th of this year, I'd been back in America for a few days after getting stuck in Israel during the war with Iran. I still felt scattered, jet-lagged and wrung out. So I decided to treat myself to the ultimate comfort food: an authentic bagel. I ran into a friend at (the kosher and delicious) Emma's Bagels in Skokie. She was sitting with a table of women I didn't know. After I explained why I looked so bedraggled, I learned they all worked for Sharsheret, an organization supporting Jewish women facing breast and ovarian cancer. One of them, Elana Silber, turned out to be the CEO — and that night, it happened, was Sharsheret's annual gala. She invited me on the spot. I decided to push past that not-quite-myself feeling and attend. I saw an art installation by a breast cancer survivor, heard several incredible speakers, and got a chance to hear about Sharsheret's work, which is now reaching Israel also. Elana and I decided to meet a few months later in New York for an interview. As you'll hear, she's learned a lot about building in the aftermath of a crisis. I hope you enjoy this episode. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Content Editors: Keren Glicksman and Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "נקייה" | Anat Malamud Listen on Spotify or Apple Music
S5 · E14
July 21 · 32 min
This Project Is A Gift
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. When I first met with our guest, Dekkel Bachar, at the end of 2025, we talked about Shesek, an initiative of the Israel ParaSport Center. Shesek was designed to help rebuild the lives of Israelis. Nearly three years later, many in Israel are still grappling with its impact. Tens of thousands-- and likely many more-- are struggling with PTSD. Since this recording, I've learned that the Israel ParaSport Center has been working even harder to provide essential support for those who are struggling with post-trauma. The Center was recently selected as one of eight organizations to lead a national rehabilitation initiative, expanding its programming to target the invisible wounds of war.. Program details will be on their website soon, and you can support their work at IsraelParaSport.org. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Content Editor: Keren Glicksman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "Homebound" | Elijah Aaron Listen on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple Music⁠
#34
July 7 · 51 min
You Need To Trust Both Love And Evil
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. In March, I was in Israel when war broke out with the Iranian regime. Since I couldn't leave the country, I wanted to make the most of the time, A mutual friend suggested I meet with Orit Gidali between missile alarms. Orit is a renowned poet and children's author. She spent an afternoon with me, against the backdrop of an active war, talking about what it means to make art in the aftermath of trauma, both personal and collective. Orit's work is riveting. You can find it at ⁠oritgidali.com⁠. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Content Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "סתיו" | Anat Malamud Listen on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple Music⁠
#33
June 30 · 34 min
The Ink Hotel: Hezzy, Dima, and Ira
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. This is my first time back in Israel since the war with the Iranian regime. Things feel different now — and that old line about an hour being a long time in the Middle East has never felt truer. I wanted to release more of the recordings I made during the war, and being back here felt like the right moment. We've put them together into a series called Between Sirens. In this episode, you'll hear from three employees of the Ink Hotel — where I was staying when the war started. If you're in Tel Aviv, consider staying with them. They were fantastic. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Content Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar
S5 · E12
June 22 · 37 min
The Pool Is Our Heart
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. Last November, I spent nearly ten hours at Einot Bar, otherwise known as Ripples of Healing, which many of you may have learned about through various interviews on this show. While I was there, I met a young woman named Ellah Gotman. She was spending her day leading thirty first responders from October 7th through sound healing rituals. She had a peaceful, grounding, almost ethereal quality that she weaves beautifully into her work with Israelis who are experiencing trauma. After our conversation, I walked the grounds of Einot Bar. I did my best with my audio equipment to bring you along. I think you'll agree: this is a very powerful place. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Content Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "כלים" | Anat Malamud Listen on Spotify or Apple Music
S5 · E11
June 17 · 50 min
I Couldn’t Lose Myself
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. I sat down with Samantha Robinson in Jerusalem in February 2026 — weeks before any of us knew that a second war with the Iranian regime was on the horizon. Sam is the Director of Community Resilience and Development at the Jewish Agency, where she’s part of JReady⁠, the Agency's global initiative for emergency preparedness and community rehabilitation. It was a role she held before October 7th — and one that became even more critical afterward. We spoke about what that work looks like from the inside, about life as the wife of a reservist who has spent hundreds of days on the battlefield while she holds down her rigorous job and as well as the homefront, complete with her four children. Sam and I also talked about the neighborhood pub and concert venue she and her husband spearheaded during Covid — and why they continued to operate it in the aftermath of October 7th. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Content Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "EVERGREEN" | Ziv Moran Listen on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple Music⁠
S5 · E10
June 8 · 33 min
You Know Why, And You Continue
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. In November 2025, I sat down with Israeli military photographer Oren Cohen in Jerusalem. Oren's book, 06:29 — named for the moment the Hamas onslaught began — is the most powerful photojournalism collection I've seen on October 7th and its aftermath. His images are unflinching: A computer screen glowing white with dental records, needed to identify remains. A funeral for a military dog killed in service. A mother picnicking at her late husband's grave, their newborn baby beside her. A morgue, overflowing. Hear why Oren believes it's so important to accurately capture the brutality of October 7th, and how his camera functions as both his sword and his shield. You can find a copy of 06:29 ⁠here⁠⁠.⁠ Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Content Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "No Fear" | Aaron Holder Listen on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple Music⁠
S5 · E9
June 1 · 28 min
Young People Are The Heroes Of This War
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. I met Shelly (who asked that her last name not be shared) in a shelter in central Israel in March during Israel's war with the Iranian regime. Shelly was 21, confident, radiant and articulate. I gravitated towards her immediately. When she mentioned she was an officer in the army training to be a combat physician, I knew she'd have important things to say. Once we were out of the shelter, we sat down and talked — and I learned more than I expected. I hope you enjoy this episode. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "לפני השינה" | Anat Malamud Listen on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple Music⁠
#32
May 24 · 37 min
There Is No After
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. This past November, I sat down with Amanda Borschel-Dan, Deputy Editor of The Times of Israel. Ever since the war began, it's been her voice on the Times of Israel Daily Briefing that has kept me — and so many of us in the English-speaking diaspora — feeling oriented and sane. She is one of my heroes of journalism: someone who has reported on October 7th and the subsequent wars with extraordinary rigor and clarity while being, as an Israeli, completely inside the story herself. In our conversation, Amanda spoke about what it means to do that work — how it can function as therapy, a kind of anchor in a crisis with no end. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Sound Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "Yamim Shel Sheket" | Tandu Listen on ⁠YouTube⁠
S5 · E7
May 17 · 44 min
The Labor Room Is The Holy Of Holies
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. I learned about Channi Rabinovitz through her husband, Itzhik. Itzhik appeared in an earlier episode — ⁠"A Tsunami of PTSD Is Coming" ⁠— where he spoke about the mental health journey of one of his sons, who found healing through a hydrotherapy-based trauma treatment clinic in Israel called Ripples of Healing, also known as Einot Bar. It was Itzhik who told me about Channi. Channi has worked as a midwife — before October 7, and after. She has shown up to work with mothers whose husbands have been killed, or who return home from war in body but not in spirit. Despite the heaviness, Channi goes to work with enthusiasm and joy. To Channi, the labor and delivery room is "the holy of holies." When I finally met her late last year, I understood immediately that Itzhik was right. Channi is a force. She has boundless energy and unshakeable devotion — to life, to her people, to the work that she does, and to the land of Israel. Just before we began the interview, I learned that Channi donated a kidney to a stranger when she was already in her early sixties. That's who she is. My relationship with Channi became very significant this past March, when I found myself stranded in Israel during its most recent war with the Iranian regime. Channi and Itzhik took me in. They fed me home-cooked meals daily. They kept me laughing through middle-of-the-night runs to the bomb shelter. They hosted me for Purim and Shabbat, at a time when celebrating felt really hard. And they worked hard to help me secure an airline ticket (not a small feat!) so that I could make it home safely to my family. I don't use the word formidable lightly. But there is no other word for Channi. I hope you enjoy this episode. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "Love Unfolding" | Elijah Aaron Listen on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple Music
S5 · E6
May 10 · 49 min
Connecting The Children Of Abraham
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. On March 11th, I sat down with Alyssa Annis, a native of Manchester, England, now living in Israel. Several years ago, while working closely with Holocaust survivors, Alyssa promised them that their stories would not be forgotten. This promise has become the defining mission of her life. Today she works with ⁠Sharaka⁠, bringing Holocaust education to Muslim leaders in the Arab nations that are signatories to the Abraham Accords, places where that history is either deeply misunderstood or deliberately obscured. I met Alyssa on the last day of what was supposed to be a two-week trip to Israel — one that extended after I found myself stranded in the middle of the war with the Iranian regime. A mutual friend, Rabbi Joe Wolfson of Tel Aviv, put out a call asking if anyone in his community would speak on a podcast about life after October 7th. Alyssa raised her hand. You can tell exactly where we are in history by listening. We were literally dodging missiles — pausing as we entered her building to wait out a siren. And yet Alyssa radiates optimism, including genuine hope that the war would bring about regime change in Iran. As of this writing on May 1st, 2026, there is a fragile ceasefire in place and the regime has not yet fallen. I'm posting this conversation two weeks after my episode with Danesh Malmir. Danesh, an Iranian man, spoke about his awakening upon discovering Holocaust history — forbidden and denied in his country. Alyssa speaks about the urgency of bringing that same truth to others. Together, Danesh and Alyssa make a convincing case for the power of Holocaust education in the Middle East. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "FAITH" | Nuriel Listen on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple Music⁠
S5 · E5
April 26 · 1 hr 15 min
It’s 47 Years That They Are Killing People
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. This episode features Danesh Malmir, who was born in Iran and later came to the United States as an asylum seeker. Introduced to host Manya Marcus through a mutual connection, Danesh shares the story of his activism against the Iranian regime and the personal cost of that work. He was shot during an anti-government protest, witnessed the IRGC kill a close friend, and was ultimately forced to flee Iran, leaving his family behind. Unlike most guests on the show, Danesh is not Jewish. He describes himself as both an anti-regime activist and a peace-seeker, committed to the vision of a freer Iran. That same conviction informs his support for the recent military campaign against the regime—an operation that was ongoing at the time of the interview. As of this writing, a fragile ceasefire is in place. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "Motorchi (Dayeh Dayeh)" | Reza Saghaei Listen on Spotify or Apple Music
#31
April 1 · 28 min
How Do We Rebuild Our Country?
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. When the What Came After team traveled to Israel this past February, we arrived with a plan: a slate of interviews, a full itinerary, and a clear sense of direction. But when war with the Iranian regime began on February 28th, everything changed. In the days that followed, we continued searching for voices that could help make sense of the moment. One of them was Netta Hultqvist, whom host Manya Marcus met in the underground bomb shelter of Tel Aviv’s Ink Hotel. Raised between Sweden and Israel, Netta describes a dramatic shift in her life after October 7th—moving from a career in finance and economics into the study of warfare, human nature, and defense technology. A veteran of the IDF, she reflects on the forces that drive violence, the possibilities for limiting harm to civilians, and why, as a secular person, she found herself turning to religious music in the aftermath of October 7th—and again now. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Managing Producer: Eli Akselrod Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor: Keren Glicksman Editor: Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "אמן" | Tandu Listen on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple Music⁠
#30
March 25 · 12 min
What Came After: Live From Israel - Chapter 9: What’s So Funny?
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. Recorded during the first days of Israel’s second war with the Iranian regime, this chapter explores the role of dark humor in moments of crisis. From bomb shelters to everyday interactions, laughter emerges as a powerful way to cope with fear, uncertainty, and life under fire. Learn more about our podcast at https://www.whatcameafter.com/
S5 · E4
March 22 · 1 hr
We Are A PTSD Nation
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. Professional para-athlete Asael Shabo lost his leg in a terror attack at the age of nine—an attack that also took the lives of several members of his family. In this episode, he shares a personal update from wartime Israel, reflects on his journey to wheelchair basketball, and speaks about trauma, resilience, and the long path to recovery. To support the Israel ParaSport Center- which played a critical role in Asael's recovery and continues to do so for thousands of Israelis with disabilities- please click here: https://israelparasport.org/donate/ Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Managing Producer: Eli Akselrod Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor: Keren Glicksman Editors: Eli Akselrod and Alexandra Yelderman Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Outro Music: "כלים" | Anat Malamud Listen on Spotify or Apple Music
S5 · E3
March 18 · 31 min
As An Artist, You Need To Tell The Truth
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. In this episode, Manya Marcus speaks with award-winning Israeli screenwriter Eden Gurion about his latest film, called Remnants in English The film follows a teenage girl whose older sister was killed at the Nova music festival during the massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023, and offers several intimate portraits of grief. In their conversation, Eden reflects on the many faces of grief and on why much of his work focuses on stories about Israeli identity - particularly in moments of national trauma and upheaval. Eden and Manya also discuss the unexpected international reception of Remnants, which has received awards and critical acclaim abroad even as many Israeli artists are navigating boycotts and growing cultural isolation. Credits: Host and Creator: Manya Marcus Managing Producer: Eli Akselrod Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick Associate Editor: Keren Glicksman Editor 2: Eli Akselrod Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar Music: עד שהלילה נעלם Until the Night Is Gone Composition & Lyrics: Ilai Chapman (composer, lyrics), Eylon Sasson (composer, lyrics), Lidor Sultan (arranger, composer, lyrics) Production & Engineering: Lidor Sultan (producer) Singing: Anna Steffanie Listen here Learn more about our podcast at https://www.whatcameafter.com/
#29
March 17 · 12 min
What Came After: Live From Israel - Chapter 8: Leaving and Believing
Please Support What Came After Media: Donate here. Your donations make this work possible. Hi, this is Manya Marcus. It’s March 16th, 2026, and I’m recording this from not Israel. I was able to fly home last week and arrived back in Chicago just a few hours before Shabbat began. What you’re about to hear are reflections from several people about how they left Israel during the war - and what those departures meant to them. During my unexpected 13 days in Israel at the start of the war, I was able to record so many conversations with people living through those moments in real time. We’ll have more chapters here for you soon. Learn more about our podcast at https://www.whatcameafter.com/

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes