What the Falafel is the podcast that brings BIG Jewish energy, hilarious and heartfelt conversations and a sprinkle of chutzpah to your life!
Created and hosted by Jodie Brandman, in partnership with The Jewish News this podcast is where Jewish culture, identity, humour and personal growth collide!
Expect interviews with comedians, creators, chefs, activists and more... all Jewish, all amazing, all here to share their stories in a way that's REAL!
We're here to show all the different, wild parts of being Jewish so hit subscribe and join the FUN!!
What a Jewish Photographer Learned About Life and Purpose | Blake Ezra
On this episode of What The Falafel, Jewish photographer Blake Ezra reflects on life, identity, purpose and the events that shape who we become!
Blake was on a gap year in Israel during the second intifada when a terrorist attack happened nearby. That moment changed the course of his life. In the aftermath, he began asking himself a very simple but profound question: if we only get one life, what do we actually want to do with it?
That question has followed him through an extraordinary career as a photographer, taking him from news photography and the Middle East to photographing royalty, celebrities, weddings, Holocaust survivors and some of the most intimate moments in people’s lives.
But this conversation goes far beyond photography. We talk about fear, uncertainty, following your gut, and building a meaningful life!
Subscribe to What The Falafel for more conversations about Jewish life, identity, resilience and finding joy!
→ Podcast Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/
→ Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/
→ Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/
→ Find Blake on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakeezraphoto/?hl=en
Sponsors:
→ Pukush: https://pukush.com/
Chapters:
00:00 What got Blake started
05:33 Sponsored Advert: Pukush
11:00 Gap year in Israel
14:30 Photography
23:00 Legacy
26:00 Becoming a Coach
32:40 Capturing emotions
43:00 Diverse Living
51:00 Marriage + Music Videos
59:00 Creativity
14 Oct 2026
A TikTok Exec’s Secret to Finding Meaning When Success Isn't Enough | Michal Oshman
Michal Oshman’s grandmother survived the Nazis by jumping off a train, and her hyperawareness thereafter taught Michal that she needed to try and be in control of everything in her life.
She climbed the corporate ladder (Head of Culture at TikTok and Meta), married, had kids and did all the things she was “supposed to”, yet she still carried around a level of anxiety that no therapy or cultural practice could shift… that is until she stumbled on scientific papers linking happiness to Judaism.
From then on, she uncovered ancient Jewish teachings that changed her life.
In this episode of What The Falafel, Michal shares her story, and tells us why nourishing the soul and taking a digital detox for 25 hours every week is vital in this modern world.
→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/
→ Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/
→ Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/
→ Find Michal on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaloshman→
Visit Michal's website: https://www.michaloshman.com
Sponsors:
→ Phone and Learn:
https://www.phoneandlearn.org/jewishwoman
Chapters:00:00 Dating08:04 Who is Michal?The book14:28 Letting go of control21:46 Jewish wisdom24:00 Finding meaning in Judaism30:00 The Tanya34:00 Shabbat34:18 Sponsor Advert: Phone & Learn42:00 Community48:00 ShabbatCode: 1ZOUIIDKKIWW7318Code: MCWGFPQJRSY2KBTU
1 Oct 2026
Hollywood Producer Shuts Down The Worst Jewish Conspiracy Theories | Leo Pearlman
In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Hollywood producer and writer, Leo Pearlman.
We chat about how he built a TV empire from a basement with 3 other Jewish guys; The Hollywood silence (and antisemitism) the last few years; why he’s speaking out as a proud Zionist Jew; and most importantly… why herring is absolutely NOT allowed in his office!
It’s a brilliant inspiring, funny and insightful episode so make sure you tune in...
→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/
→ Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/
→ Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/
Code: 1ZOUIIDKKIWW7318Code: YMGLC0RBKQREDG5S
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Contact What The Falafel
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Books guests
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