Best Conundrum Podcasts (2025)

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Will Charedi Society Face Reality? Dayan Yehoshua Pfeffer on Work, Faith, and the Future of the Torah Community (254) 1:06:50

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2d ago1:06:50

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Is the Charedi community prepared to confront the demands of real life—economic, civic, and national—or has it built a worldview that prizes withdrawal over responsibility? In this provocative and thoughtful episode, Dayan Yehoshua Pfeffer joins Scott to explore what happens when religious ideology collides with practical reality. Drawing on his in…

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Episode 58 - The Roff House Possession Case: America's First Documented Spirit Takeover 50:19

5d ago50:19

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In this chilling deep dive, Jeremy and Traci unravel one of America’s strangest and most documented cases of spirit possession: the story of Lurancy Vennum and Mary Roff, known as the Watseka Wonder. We journey through the quiet streets of 19th-century Watseka, Illinois, into the lives of two families connected by tragedy, belief, and the beyond. F…

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Faith, Prayer, and the Impossible: Rabbi Shlomo Brody on Emunah, Miracles, Reality, and the Power of Tefillah (253) 59:39

9d ago59:39

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In the wake of Israel’s stunning victory over Iran—an event many have called miraculous—Jews around the world are reflecting on the nature of divine intervention and the power of prayer. Can we, and should we, pray for miracles? In this deeply thoughtful episode, Rabbi Shlomo Brody joins Scott to explore the halachic and emotional dimensions of tef…

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Emergency Episode: The U.S. Attacks Iran — What It Means for Israel, Hamas, and the Future of the War (252) 39:04

16d ago39:04

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When the United States bombed Iran’s nuclear sites this week, the Middle East—and the world—entered a new phase of conflict. In this urgent episode, Scott speaks once again with Yaakov Katz, former editor of The Jerusalem Post, about what these strikes mean for Israel’s war effort, the potential consequences of regime change in Iran, the risks of e…

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The New Face of American Antisemitism: Violence, Politics, and Denial (BONUS EPISODE) 1:00:20

20d ago1:00:20

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Two Israeli embassy staffers shot in Washington. Jewish activists burned in Boulder. A mayoral candidate in New York who refused to condemn the Holocaust gaining momentum. Antisemitism in the United States is no longer hiding in the shadows — it’s on the march, in broad daylight. In this urgent bonus episode of Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn speaks…

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Unscripted Reflections: Israel, Iran, and the Challenge of Faith in Wartime (251) 35:30

23d ago35:30

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In this spontaneous and unfiltered episode of Orthodox Conundrum, Scott shares heartfelt reflections on Israel’s war against Iran—not from a political or military perspective, but through personal experience and the lens of faith. What does it mean to believe in Divine providence during a time of fear and uncertainty? How should we grapple with the…

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Episode 57 - Bonus Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield | Total Conundrum x Dairyland Frights 1:15:08

26d ago1:15:08

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Episode Title: The Butcher of Plainfield: Ed Gein’s Twisted Legacy – with John from Dairyland Frights Episode Description: This week on Total Conundrum, we’re digging up one of the darkest and most disturbing tales in true crime history: the story of Ed Gein — the real-life inspiration behind horror icons like Norman Bates, Leatherface, and Buffalo…

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What Comes Next? Yaakov Katz on Israel’s War, Netanyahu’s Calculations, and the Search for an Endgame (250) 1:13:20

1M ago1:13:20

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Twenty months into the war with Hamas, many Israelis and supporters abroad are asking the same urgent question: how will this end? In this in-depth episode of Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn is joined by Yaakov Katz, one of Israel’s most respected journalists and author of While Israel Slept, to examine whether Israel’s military goals are still real…

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Episode 56 - Wanted for 18 Years: Unmasking John List 1:47:09

1M ago1:47:09

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He left the lights on, the radio playing hymns, and walked out of his New Jersey mansion like nothing happened. But inside that house? A scene so disturbing it shocked the nation.In this killer crossover with ZachSolved Mysteries, we unravel the chilling story of John List — the devout Lutheran who methodically murdered his entire family, disappear…

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Episode 55 - The Haunting of Fox Hollow Farm | Serial Killer Meets Haunted House 41:26

1M ago41:26

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What happens when a suburban dad turns serial killer… and his house refuses to forget?Welcome to Fox Hollow Farm — part true crime, part paranormal nightmare. In this spine-chilling episode of Total Conundrum, Traci and Jeremy dive into the dual life of Herb Baumeister, a respected businessman who hid a dark secret behind the doors of his Indiana m…

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The Launch 17:48

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We test, we launch.By The QA Files

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From Beit Lechem to the Royal Ball: Comparing and Contrasting the Book of Ruth and Cinderella, with Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman (249) 48:48

1M ago48:48

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Megilat Rut — the Book of Ruth — is one of the most beloved and widely read books in the Hebrew Bible. Because we read it annually on Shavuot, many people are familiar with its basic storyline. But its very familiarity can sometimes obscure its most powerful messages. In this episode, I’m joined by Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman of Bar Ilan University, wh…

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Episode 54 - THE BELL WITCH – AMERICA’S MOST TERRIFYING HAUNTING 36:12

2M ago36:12

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A ghost that talks. A curse that kills. A legend that refuses to die. In this episode, we dive deep into the terrifying true story of the Bell Witch—the entity that haunted a Tennessee family in the early 1800s, whispered their secrets, attacked them in their sleep, and may have even murdered John Bell Sr. We cover: The eerie beginnings – How the B…

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Quarter Notes 22: Jord Samolesky (Propagandhi) 1:35:54

2M ago1:35:54

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#quarternotes #JordSamolesky #propagandhi #AtPeaceYou want to talk about a bucket list guest…….well, this is a conversation I never thought I would have had in my lifetime…..Jord Samoleski from one of my all time favourite bands Propagandhi!!I was able to have a great one on one chat with the godfather or prog punk drumming the day before Propagand…

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Can Physics Demonstrate God's Existence? (248) 1:14:33

2M ago1:14:33

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Can science be a vehicle to get closer to God? The Rambam famously answered in the affirmative. In the second of the 1000 chapters of his Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah chapter 2, the Rambam writes, “What is the method towards loving and fearing God? At the moment that a person investigates His wondrous and massive actions and creations, an…

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Episode 53 - Cry Little Sister No More: G Tom Mac Unplugged & Unfiltered 1:06:24

2M ago1:06:24

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“Vampire Anthems & Rock Operas with G Tom Mac” Episode Summary: In this electrifying episode of Total Conundrum, we’re joined by the legendary G Tom Mac—the voice, the mind, and the creative force behind Cry Little Sister, the haunting anthem that defined The Lost Boys. But his story doesn’t stop there. From working with KISS and Roger Daltrey to b…

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Having “The Talk”: How Should Jewish Parents Talk to Kids About Sex? (Co-produced with Intimate Judaism) 1:04:18

2M ago1:04:18

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Please note that this episode discusses sensitive topics and uses explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. Today, the Orthodox Conundrum is releasing a new episode of Intimate Judaism that my Intimate Judaism co-host, Talli Rosenbaum, and I recorded with Yonina Rubinstein, where we explore how parents can approach conversations about sexu…

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The Pope, the Jews, and Israel: What to Anticipate From Pope Leo XIV, with Dr. Malka Simkovich (BONUS EPISODE) 21:54

2M ago21:54

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Last Thursday, Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago became Pope Leo XIV. While Jews may believe that this shouldn’t matter to us at all, this is most likely false. The pope commands the allegiance of well over a billion Roman Catholics worldwide, and his ability to help shape their opinions about the Jewish people and Israel should not be underestima…

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Episode 52 - The Lost Boy: Jamison Newlander Talks Blood, Bites & Behind-the-Scenes 2:35:40

2M ago2:35:40

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Total Conundrum x Jamison Newlander: The Frog Brother Files Episode Summary:This week, we sit down with the iconic Jamison Newlander, better known as Alan Frog from the cult classic The Lost Boys! Jamison gives us a peek behind the scenes of vampire hunting in the ‘80s, what it was like working alongside the Coreys, and how the film continues to in…

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"You Can't Suppress the Light": The Radical Messages of Rav Kook for Orthodox Jews Today, with Professor Marc Shapiro (247) 1:20:16

2M ago1:20:16

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The thought of Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, who died in 1935, remains extremely influential today in religious Zionist circles. Rav Kook’s ideology, particularly as interpreted by his son, Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook, in books like Orot, has helped to set the agenda for much of the dati leumi world. Over the past couple of decades, however, addition…

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Episode 51 - Sarah Goode: A Night Out Turned Nightmare 39:13

2M ago39:13

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Episode Description: In the quiet town of Medford, New York, 21-year-old Sarah Goode was a devoted young mother, full of laughter, promise, and love. When she disappeared after a night out in June of 2014, her friends and family knew something was wrong. What followed was a desperate search, a devastating discovery, and a heartbreaking trial that w…

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Inside the Real Rules of War: Colonel John Spencer vs. Media Myths About Israel and Hamas (246) 1:04:56

2M ago1:04:56

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Colonel John Spencer, one of the world's leading experts on urban warfare, joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about Israel’s war against Hamas. We dive deep into the realities of modern combat, the strict standards of international law, and the false accusations of "genocide" being leveled against Israel. Colonel Spencer also shares insights …

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Episode 50 - Island of the Dolls 45:10

3M ago45:10

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Episode Description: Deep in the ancient canals of Xochimilco, Mexico, lies a place unlike any other. Trees filled with hundreds—if not thousands—of decaying, glassy-eyed dolls sway in the breeze. Their cracked faces stare into nothing… or maybe right into your soul. This isn’t the set of a horror film. It’s real. And the story behind it is even mo…

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OTD, Datlash, and the Religious Spectrum: When Orthodox Jews Leave Orthodoxy with Rabbi Alex Israel (CLASSIC EPISODE) 1:20:13

3M ago1:20:13

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The Orthodox Conundrum Podcast is off this week, and we'll be back next week with a brand new episode. In the meantime, enjoy this classic episode about Orthodox Jews who leave Orthodoxy. There’s a phenomenon in the Orthodox world which is called by various names, though most commonly “Off the Derech” or OTD, and “Datlash,” short for “Dati Leshe’av…

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Episode 49 - The Denver Spiderman: Theodore Edward Coneys’ Secret Life of Horror 41:32

3M ago41:32

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Episode Description:You’ve heard of Spider-Man—but this isn’t a story about a hero. This is the disturbing true tale of Theodore Edward Coneys, a man who became known as “The Denver Spiderman” after committing a grisly murder and secretly living in his victim’s attic for months without detection.Why did he do it? How did no one know he was there? A…

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Episode 48 - Waverly Hills Sanatorium: The Most Haunted Place in America 47:06

3M ago47:06

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Episode Description:Step inside the decaying halls of Waverly Hills Sanatorium, one of the most infamous haunted locations in America. From its origins as a state-of-the-art tuberculosis hospital to the dark urban legends that grew after its closure, Waverly Hills has a history steeped in suffering, death, and mystery.What really went on inside tho…

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The ConunDRUM 33: Aaron Young (The Silver Tongued Devils + Tattoo Artist) 1:38:55

3M ago1:38:55

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#aaronyoung #tattoos #thesilvertongueddevils Here we go again, back into The ConunDRUM, with one of my dearest and oldest friends, the big WOP himself…..Aaron Young!! The term chosen family comes up now and again, and this guy has been my brother since the day we met while I was skateboarding in the Irving gas station parking lot. Just two young te…

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Celebrating Pesach in Challenging Times: Haggadah Insights from Eight Teachers of Torah (245) 1:17:26

3M ago1:17:26

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I’m doing something a little different this week. Instead of discussing an issue in the Jewish world, I want to offer some inspirational words about the Seder as we enter the final week before the beginning of Pesach. To that end, I invited several of my podcast guests from the past year to present ideas that they find meaningful, with the hope tha…

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Episode 47 - Harold Shipman: The Doctor of Death 37:37

3M ago37:37

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Harold Shipman: The Doctor of Death Episode Description:He took an oath to heal—but instead, he became one of the most prolific serial killers in history. In this chilling episode, we explore the life and crimes of Dr. Harold Shipman, a trusted family physician who used his position to silently murder over 200 patients.How did he get away with it f…

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"There Are No Shortcuts to a Healthy Jewish Education": Empowering Growth Without Guilt or Fear, with Rabbi Dr. Judah and Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg (244) 1:40:09

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We are now less than two weeks away from the night of the Seder, which is almost certainly the most widely practiced example of Jewish education in action. And that raises the issue of how we should define healthy Jewish education in general, and how best we can achieve it. These questions are doubly important because while there are many wonderful…

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Episode 46 - Haunted History of Trevena Castle 52:23

3M ago52:23

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The Haunting of Trevena Castle Episode Description:A castle on the edge of the sea… a family desperate for peace… and a darkness that refused to stay buried.In this chilling episode, we unravel the true haunting of Trevena Castle, where explorer Thomas Graves hoped to restore a gothic ruin—but instead unleashed a storm of demonic possession, ghostl…

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Quarter Notes 21: Danny Thompson (Face to Face + The Music Factory) 1:28:24

3M ago1:28:24

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#QuarterNotes #DannyThompson #facetoface #TheMusicFactory Here we go with another BIG episode!! This week I got to sit down with Danny Thompson - the drummer from Face to Face, one of my favourite punk rock bands of all time! Danny is not just your typical drummer, he is also a savvy businessman and the owner/co-founder of The Music Factory School …

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A Moral Voice for Religious Zionism: The Profound (and Profoundly Human) Thought of Rav Yehuda Amital, with Rabbi Moshe Taragin (243) 1:14:41

4M ago1:14:41

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This conversation with Rabbi Moshe Taragin presents an introduction to the profound - and profoundly human - religious philosophy of Rav Yehuda Amital zt'l, the founding rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion. Rav Amital's ideas fill a unique niche in the Religious Zionist world today, and in many ways stand as a corrective to some of the ideology tha…

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Episode 45 - Inside the Mind of Jeffrey Dahmer The Milwaukee Cannibal 40:14

4M ago40:14

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Episode Description:Step into the chilling mind of one of America’s most notorious serial killers—Jeffrey Dahmer. A man whose gruesome crimes shocked the world, Dahmer lured victims into his apartment, where he carried out unspeakable horrors. How did he evade capture for so long? What drove his insatiable need to kill? And what really went on insi…

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Chutzpah - and Illegal Activity - in the Service of Dodging the Draft, with Sam Sokol (242) 1:08:28

4M ago1:08:28

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When hundreds of students enthusiastically sing and dance about dodging the draft, while thousands of others protect those same students by spending more and more time in the IDF because of a manpower shortage... something has gone seriously wrong. When institutions that receive millions of shekels of government money actively undermine the State o…

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Winchester Mystery House: Cursed Mansion or Haunted Legend 39:46

4M ago39:46

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Step into one of the most mysterious and haunted locations in America—the Winchester Mystery House. A mansion built under the guidance of spirits, with doors leading to nowhere, staircases twisting into oblivion, and a history drenched in paranormal encounters. Was Sarah Winchester truly haunted by the ghosts of those killed by her family’s rifles,…

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Quarter Notes 20: John Wright (Dead Bob + Nomeansno + Hanson Brothers) 1:30:52

4M ago1:30:52

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#QuarterNotes #JohnWright #DeadBob #NoMeansNo This is a BIG ONE!! For all you punk rock elites out there….my guest is one of Canada’s pioneer punk rock drummers…John Wright! In 1979, John formed (with his brother Rob) one of the most iconic punk bands from the Canadian West coast…Nomeansno. Together they created a unique sound that continues to inf…

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The Mainstreaming of Meir Kahane: A Halachic, Moral, and Theological Mistake, with Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Sinensky (241) 1:00:32

4M ago1:00:32

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Several recent articles have raised a troubling question: Is Rabbi Meir Kahane making a comeback? In the wake of the horrific murder of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, some influential pro-Israel voices have turned to Kahane’s ideas, reviving a debate that many thought was long settled. In this episode, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Sinensky and I dive deep into wh…

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Episode 43 - Ed Gein: The Killer Who Inspired Hollywood’s Most Terrifying Villains 39:43

4M ago39:43

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Episode Description: Step into one of the most horrifying true crime stories in history as we uncover the twisted life and crimes of Ed Gein—the grave robber and murderer who turned his farmhouse into a real-life house of horrors. From his isolated childhood under the rule of his fanatical mother to his disturbing obsession with human remains, we’r…

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The Abuser’s Tool Box: Domestic Abuse in the Orthodox Community, with Keshet Starr (240) 1:05:57

4M ago1:05:57

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Domestic abuse is one of those topics that, sometimes, we simply wish would go away. It’s certainly among the very worst experiences that a person can have, yet it brings forward feelings of shame and failure, such that people are often reluctant to acknowledge that they are victims. Sometimes, they can’t even name it - either because they don’t re…

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Episode - 42 Bobby Mackey’s: The Most Haunted Nightclub in America 38:22

4M ago38:22

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New Episode Alert: The Haunting of Bobby Mackey’s Music World! Welcome to the most haunted honky-tonk in America—where the music plays, the whiskey flows, and the spirits? Well… they do more than just linger. This week on Total Conundrum, we’re taking you inside Bobby Mackey’s Music World, a country bar with a terrifying past. From a blood-soaked s…

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Quarter Notes 19: Tommy-Lee Metcalfe (Dammit Goldie + The Anti-Queens) 1:12:30

4M ago1:12:30

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#QuarterNotes #DammitGoldie #TheAntiQueensJust like that another episode of Quarter Notes is upon us…in this episode I got to meet and chat with Tommy-Lee Metcalfe - drummer for Dammit Goldie and The Anti-Queens.Tommy is a well respected top tier drummer based out of the GTA. He’s been in and around the music world throughout his formative years an…

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The Vanishing Art of Jewish Conversation (and What To Do About It), with Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble (239) 1:20:13

5M ago1:20:13

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The act of talking - dignified and informative conversation, where people connect on a serious level with one another - is essential to the Jewish experience. This goes back to the very creation of Adam; the Torah describes God as breathing a breath of life into Adam, after which he became a nefesh chaya - a living soul. Targum Onkelos famously tra…

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Episode 41 - Ted Bundy - Story of a Murderer 39:25

5M ago39:25

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New Episode Alert! This week on Total Conundrum, we’re diving into the chilling, twisted mind of Ted Bundy—one of America’s most notorious serial killers. From his charming facade to the horrifying crimes that shocked the nation, we’re peeling back the layers of his story like a true crime thriller you won’t believe. What We Cover: ⚠️ Bundy’s eerie…

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Religious Jews and Dishonesty: Tax Fraud, Zoning Violations, Downplaying Risk, and More, with Rabbi Jeremy Wieder (238) 1:03:12

5M ago1:03:12

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The Torah is very clear that theft is forbidden; no one doubts that this is true. It is, accordingly, very disturbing that religious Jews as a community don’t seem to be more ethical in these matters than people who don’t see the Torah as their guide to life. I am not suggesting that Orthodox Jews are worse than anyone else in these matters; I cann…

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Episode 40 - Haunted History of Tonopah 40:10

5M ago40:10

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Total Conundrum Podcast – Show Notes Episode Title: The Haunted History of Tonopah Episode Description: Welcome to Total Conundrum, where we explore the weird, the eerie, and the downright bizarre! In this episode, we’re diving into Tonopah, Nevada—a town built on silver but haunted by its tragic past. From mine disasters to mystery plagues, haunte…

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The ConunDRUM 32: PJ Dunphy (Which Witch is Which + IRON GIANT + The Monoxides) 1:26:26

5M ago1:26:26

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#pjdunphy #whichwitchinwhich #irongiant #themonoxides Welcome back!! This is an “Iron Giant” of an episode…see what I did there?? This is the return of the ConunDRUM with the final piece of my Which Witch is Which collection, my guest is none other than PJ Dunphy!! I’ve got them all!!! Muahah-haha-ha-ha-haaaaaa!!!!!!! PJ is one of the most respecte…

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The Ethics of Population Transfers & Prisoner Swaps, Defining "Innocent Civilians," and Other Urgent Ethical Dilemmas, with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody (237) 51:02

5M ago51:02

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Ever since President Trump presented his plan (or his idea, as it’s unclear how planned out this really is) about resettling the Arab population of Gaza, the Jewish world has been in an uproar. Very loud voices on both sides of the issue have been talking not so much about its feasibility - many are extremely skeptical that this could ever come to …

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Episode 39 John Wayne Gacy - The Killer Clown 36:23

5M ago36:23

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Welcome to Total Conundrum, where we delve deep into the darkest corners of true crime history. In today’s episode, we’re exploring the horrifying legacy of John Wayne Gacy, also known as the Killer Clown. Strap in; this journey through the mind of one of America’s most notorious serial killers is not for the faint of heart. Segment 1: The Descent …

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When the Doctor Becomes the Patient: A Conversation with Dr. Avi Rockoff (236) 1:04:39

5M ago1:04:39

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What is it like for a doctor, who has spent his life treating patients, to become a patient himself? That was the experience of Dr. Avi Rockoff when he learned that he had a very serious form of prostate cancer, and which he chronicles in his new book, When the Doctor Becomes the Patient. He was exposed to what he terms “the medical industrial comp…