Jews in the Lou: Ron Zetcher & Emilie Brockman on Basketball and Family

Jews in the Lou: Ron Zetcher & Emilie Brockman on Basketball and Family

Host Alex Rich sit down with Emilie Brockman (Maccabi director at the J) and her father, Hall of Fame referee Ron Zetcher, for a wide-ranging conversation on Jewish identity, sports, and family. Ron shares stories of being adopted and raised Jewish in 1950s University City, playing sandlot ball alongside future big leaguers Art Shamsky and Kenny Holtzman, and his rise from a Baptist church rec league to officiating the Big Eight and Missouri Valley Conference. He recounts run-ins and friendships with coaching legends including Bobby Knight, Roy Williams, Bill Self, and Larry Brown, plus a wild story from Kemper Arena involving his daughter's boyfriend and a scalped ticket. The conversation closes on lessons from a career built on earning respect, and a nod to Ron's own podcast, "Then and Now."

Jews in the Lou: David Siteman Garland on Entrepreneurship, Community & Growing Your Judaism

In this episode of Jews in the Lou, we sit down with St. Louis entrepreneur, content creator, and community builder David Siteman for an engaging conversation about building something from nothing, Jewish identity, and what it means to give back to the community you love. From his early days promoting inline hockey leagues and hosting a radio show before podcasting was a thing, to creating one of the internet's most successful online course platforms, David shares how an exploratory mindset and a willingness to bet on himself shaped everything he's built. He also opens up about his deep connection to the St. Louis Jewish community — from carrying on the philanthropic legacy of his grandfather Alvin Siteman, to bringing Jewish families together through youth basketball with STL Maccabi. We discuss:  - Forging your own path when you don't have a plan  - Building an audience and a brand before the playbook existed  - The Siteman family's legacy of quiet, impactful philanthropy  - Strengthening the St. Louis Jewish community from the ground up  - Creating new traditions and deepening Jewish identity at home  - Why the next generation of young Jewish leaders needs to step up This episode is an inspiring look at entrepreneurship, legacy, and what it looks like to live your Judaism out loud — in your business, your family, and your community.

Jews in the Lou: Bruce Pearl on Faith, Leadership & Standing Proudly Jewish

In this episode of Jews in the Lou, we sit down with legendary Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl for a candid conversation about faith, identity, leadership, and the values that have shaped his life both on and off the court. From his Jewish upbringing and experiences with antisemitism to coaching on college basketball’s biggest stages, Bruce shares how his faith has influenced his approach to leadership, community, and personal responsibility. He reflects on the importance of Jewish pride, the impact of the Maccabi Games, raising the next generation, and why building bridges between people of different backgrounds matters now more than ever. We discuss: *  Growing up Jewish and navigating life in a predominantly non-Jewish world  *  Lessons learned from decades of coaching and leadership  *  The life-changing impact of coaching at the Maccabi Games  *  Jewish identity, antisemitism, and standing up for your beliefs  *  Finding common ground through faith, sports, and shared values  This episode offers a passionate and thought-provoking look at leadership, resilience, Jewish identity, and the responsibility of using your platform to make a difference.

Chaim Bloom on Jews in the Lou

In this episode of Jews in the Lou, we sit down with Chaim Bloom, President of Baseball Operations for the St. Louis Cardinals, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, culture, identity, and what it takes to build a winning organization in Major League Baseball. From growing up in a Jewish household in Philadelphia to leading one of baseball’s most iconic franchises, Chaim shares his journey through the game and the philosophy behind building long-term, sustainable success at the highest level. We discuss: * Balancing long-term planning with daily competitiveness * Leading in a passionate, tradition-rich sports city like St. Louis * The importance of honesty, accountability, and culture inside an organization * How tradition evolves in modern sports * And the mindset behind his philosophy: “paint the wall.” This episode offers a thoughtful and often humorous look at baseball leadership, personal identity, and the responsibility that comes with shaping a Major League Baseball organization.

Andy & Danny Babitz on Jews in the Lou (Full Episode)

Andy & Danny Babitz on Jews in the Lou (Full Episode)