Ask a Jew

Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman [https://scottbarrykaufman.com/] is a cognitive scientist, podcaster, mentalist and author of 11 (!!) books. We had him on to talk about his latest “Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential [https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Above-Overcome-Yourself-Potential/dp/0593715160/], and were diagnosed with Vulnerable Narcissm (Yael) and being a Neurotic Jew (CL). We also mocked our negative self-talk, evaluated the usefuleness of self-deprecating humor, and learned about Dr. Scott’s attempt to bring peace [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/us/college-campuses-gaza-conversations.html]to the Columbia campus where he teaches. Read his book, and sign up for his newsletter right here on Substack! [https://www.beautifulminds-newsletter.com/] Thanks for reading Good for the Jews! This post is public so feel free to share it. Also covered: * Rabbi feel-good * Who’s going to read a book that says your’re the problem? (the answer: Jews) * Negative self talk is for losers * You are not your thoughts * Women love mind-reading * Opera sucks * Collective anxiety and pain * Making sense of teaching at Columbia [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/us/college-campuses-gaza-conversations.html] Did we tell you to buy the book? Buy the book! Good for the Jews is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe [https://askajew.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Bethany Mandel [https://x.com/bethanyshondark] is the co-author of the bestseller “Stolen Youth [https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Youth-Progressives-Replacing-Radicalism/dp/1956007083]” (with former guest Karol Markowicz [https://substack.com/profile/1810885-karol-markowicz]!) and blogger/podcaster at The Mom Wars [https://x.com/TheMomWars]. We recorded this one a little while ago (there’s been an entire war in between) so excuse our tardiness. We talk conversion, birthing 6 kids at home (well, one in a car), homeschooling and much more. Enjoy! Also: * How Bethany chose Judaism at the ripe age of seven. Matza ball, books and no Jesus? I’m in. * The bad, bad Rabbi [https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/01/03/washington-dc-peeping-rabbi-barry-freundel-voyeurism-case/]that converted Bethany. * Bethany’s oldest daughter is a settler-in-training. * Give me your most modest swimsuit, please. * John Podhoretz has strong feelings about epidurals * Having a baby, much like flying a plane, doesn’t make any sense. Check out “The Mom Wars” right here on Substack If we don’t see you, happy 4th of July! Go America! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe [https://askajew.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Chaya Leah is back from Israel, and boy does she have a story to tell! It has everything: bombs, planes, boats, sandwiches, and horny birthright kids. We’re so happy she’s home safe, and hope that her grandchildren will retell her story to the next generations. You can also read her testimony in this Times of Israel piece. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/all-part-of-the-birthright-tour-groups-stranded-in-israel-hunker-down-amid-missile-fire/] As promised, here is a link to the Chabad in Cyprus [https://app.comeunity.me/lard/f/5367/] and the Chabad in Germany [https://chabadoffenbach.de/donation/], if you want to pay them back for all the food, and in general just thank them for their kindness. Want photos and videos to go with this episode? Go to askajew.substack.com and check out our latest post! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe [https://askajew.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Since Chaya Leah is lost at sea somewhere between Cyprus and Natanz, I was joined by Jewish Insider’s Lahav Harkov [https://jewishinsider.com/authors/lahav-harkov/], formerly a senior contributing editor, diplomatic reporter and knesset Reporter for The Jerusalem Post, and of course former Ask A Jew guest. We talked Iran, Israel, Trump, Bibi, sexy war planes, and what it’s like raising a family in war. You can follow Lahav on X [https://x.com/LahavHarkov] and sign up for her newsletter on Substack [https://lahav.substack.com/] of course. If you’re a substack subscriber, you caught this live and got to ask your questions - so thank you for joining! Make sure to become a subscriber so you can watch the video, get more alerts and join us next time. Askajew.substack.com From our sister podcast edJEWcation [https://substack.com/profile/211269114-edjewcation], consider helping out the Chabad of Cyprus [https://edjewcationpod.substack.com/p/chabad-of-cyprus-steps-up], which became a temporary shelter for a bunch of stranded, hungover and horny Birthright students who were evacuated from Israel. . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe [https://askajew.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Thank you to Andrew Fox [https://substack.com/profile/58826329-andrew-fox] for jumping on our live Substack video to talk about Israel, Iran, and answer your questions. Send your prayers to the IDF, the people of Israel, and the people of Iran. Good for the Jews is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe [https://askajew.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]