Rabbi Ari Hart, spiritual leader of Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob, takes us on his journey from Evanston to Iowa and Israel and back to his hometown where he has reinvigorated a congregation rich in history with his unique style. Topics discussed include music theory, women’s roles in shul and activism. Also, Yoel’s question of the day bombs for the …

Joined by special guest host Doni Garden, the boys discuss Jordan, Josh and Doni's recent trip to Israel, where they met soldiers and families and saw sites impacted by the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, and (some of them) helped out a local farmer by picking cabbages.

Lincolnwood resident Dr. Naftali Brenner joins the pod to discuss how he managed to overcome traumatic experiences in the Brooklyn yeshiva system, his PSD from losing a disposable camera on 9/11, and learning basic education in college before attending the allegedly first dental school in the world.

Yoel, Jordan, and guest host Jon Blumberg sit down with healthcare executive Moshe Blonder to discuss his Brooklyn upbringing, what brought him to Chicago, his love of (and willingness to travel far and wide for) good food, and the time he picked up a severed head off the street as a member of Hatzalah.…

After Yoel recounts his recent experience in Israel, Shahram Kohananoo joins the pod to discuss his upbringing in Iran, memories of the Revolution and the life he built in Chicago as a Persian immigrant.

Ross Gordon of Skokie drops in to chat about his entrepreneurial career, including his current and former ventures, and his religious and spiritual journeys.

Former Director of Judaic Studies at Hillel Torah, Tamar Friedman takes us through her career at the elementary school, where she spent 38 years as a teacher and administrator before retiring in 2021. She also discusses her upbringing in Israel, where she lived during the Six-Day War as a young child, as well as numerous occasions when her family l…

Following a multi-episode hiatus, Yoel returns as co-host. Jordan recaps the March for Israel, which he attended in DC, before the pod is joined by his brother-in-law, IDF veteran Nachum Meyers, who takes us through his time in the army, including a riveting look into an infamous mission he participated in.…

Influencer Alyssa Goldwater sits down to discuss her impressive following on Instagram and TikTok, how she became Orthodox, and the correct pronunciation of "Louisville", and Josh sets the world record for longest question of all time.

Jordan, Josh and producer Aaron return from a brief hiatus for the first episode of season 2. They recap their respective summers, offer a preview of what's to come in the second season, and discuss the elephant in the room.

In the final episode of Season 1, we explore the life and legacy of Rabbi Meyer Juzint (1924-2001) by bringing on students throughout his 53 years of chinuch in Chicago to understand his personality, story and the mystique surrounding him. 0:00 - Introduction w/ Jordan7:20 - Stephen Landes42:17 - Rabbi Louis Lazovsky1:02:20 - Rabbi Elisha Prero1:20…

In the penultimate episode of Season 1, the pod welcomes Chicago criminal defense attorney Hal M. Garfinkel, who started out on the prosecution side, has been involved in numerous high-profile cases and represented many infamous clients. He takes us through some career highlights, and touches on his religious journey as well.…

For the first time ever, Mordechai Shaul Eisenbach, better known to many as Charles ORD, tells his story of going from a healthy young softball mashing man to being diagnosed with cancer, struggling through lengthy surgery, rounds of chemo, and grueling rehab, and coming out the other side ORD STRONG.…

In the pod's first-ever guest couple, Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah Soroka take the hosts through their early married years in St. Louis and subsequent move to Chicago, where Rabbi Soroka entered the political realm as the Agudah's director of government affairs, while Devorah relocated her thriving sheitel business.…

J3 gets together with their esteemed producer at an undisclosed location somewhere between Lake Michigan and the Pacific Ocean to vent about recent frustrations, go over summer plans, and engage in a seemingly endless discussion on favorite summer activities.

J3 welcomes Harry Friedman to discuss his feeding and sheltering the community over the years - from the Milk Pail to Champion Roofing.

Rabbi Eliezer Dimarsky recounts his upbringing in Soviet-occupied Ukraine, becoming a refusenik and his fascinating journey that brought him to Chicago where he founded and leads the Russian-speaking community and Heritage. Also, the hosts would like you to send in mailbag questions! Email us at J3amateurhour@gmail.com!…

Dr. Jonathan Rich reminisces on his youthful indiscretions while growing up with Yoel and Josh, before taking us through his medical and teaching career, including his time as an expert witness for the prosecution in the trial over George Floyd’s death. Jon and Yoel trade stories about their time on the ICJA Aces basketball team, and Jon provides i…

Jordan calls for an emergency meeting with Yoel, producer Aaron, and a very triggered and sleep deprived Josh, in order to review their respective Pesach experiences and consider the latest disappointing Bulls season. Also, Aaron relates a distressing interaction.

Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky joins the pod in a wide-ranging episode to discuss his passion for education, his leadership of K.I.N.S., Chicago’s modern orthodoxy and religious Zionism past and present, and being an interim principal of Ida Crown for years.

J3 welcome very special guest Rivkie Esformes to talk about her Ladino roots, raising her children, her music career, her quest to build an eruv in Evanston, and her famous father, Rabbi Morris Esformes.

After a short hiatus, Yoel rejoins the pod to share his thoughts on the Sheldon Kane interview, before the boys introduce the new podcast name, break down Josh's special gift to an Australian Bulls fan he met on Twitter, discuss Pesach plans and end with a discussion on Waco.

Sheldon Kane, who owned and operated Kosher dairy restaurant Slice of Life in Skokie for 35+ years, as well as the fleishig Hy Life Bistro next door, takes us through his life and career, and divulges the previously untold story behind Slice's closing. This also marks the first 'sode sans Yoel, who was out of the country at the time of taping.…

On this special Purim episode, the boys + producer Aaron break down what Purim was like growing up, their current holiday habits and reminisce on their favorite costumes through the years, while Josh extends an invitation to the listeners.

Back in Chicago after a recent move to the Sunshine State, Elevate Care CEO Meir Meystel sits down to reminisce on growing up the 11th of 12 kids, starting his career in business at age 15, growing his empire, overcoming personal struggles and generously giving his time to help people get back on their feet.…

Legendary Chicago businessman Rickey Rothner joins the pod to discuss his childhood influences, business career, going B.R.O.K.E. and bouncing back, his seemingly unlimited philanthropic endeavors, and the current state and needs of Chicago's Jewish community.

With producer Aaron sitting in on a special Super Bowl episode, the boys recall past Super Bowl parties, Josh firmly states that he would never share deodorant, and Yoel explains why hockey is not a real sport.

On a *work* travel installment of Hard Talk, the boys review their packing habits, discuss wild incidents they've experienced on the road, and the episode is nearly derailed when one of the hosts is notified that his wife was in a mild car accident.

ENT-otolaryngologist Dr. Jonathan Ida comes on the show to talk about living through Katrina, choosing an Orthodox lifestyle later in life and moving into Chicago’s community, attending Phish shows with Josh and brewing his own beer.

History is made when the Hard Talk podcast is joined by their first ever female guest, Alder Debra Silverstein of the 50th Ward, who discusses her Memphis upbringing, early years as a CPA, and thoughts on her beloved neighborhood. Jordan surprises the alder with a new bit of information on her family history, and Josh's unique habit of bringing a b…

Nesanel Davis joins the pod to discuss his foreign-to-us yeshivish upbringing, transitioning to adulthood, and whether or not his more subdued sense of humor is due to aging, or weight loss.

The guys discuss their recent family winter vacations, restaurant etiquette and preferences, and what their vacations were like growing up.

The guys return from winter break to welcome the legend himself, Rabbi Doug Zelden, who joins the show to discuss his trailblazing career and journey in the rabbinate, radio and TV.

WRP native Yoni Lipshitz joins the 'cast to discuss his roundabout journey through Chicago's Jewish schools, maturing as an adult, and somehow Yoel's basketball career is adjudicated.

Danny Altschul discusses pivotal moments of his basketball career at ICJA, his time as a vendor at Chicago sporting events, and becoming a dedicated follower of the Lubavitch Chabad movement.

Film producer-director-writer and ICJA expellee Aaron Wertheimer joins the show to discuss his life, friendship with Josh and Yoel, the Hard Talk saga and his career.

The inaugural episode - meet the hosts, learn how they know each other, understand their psyches and stay for the therapy session and why they are embarking on this journey.