Episodes
Wednesday Apr 06, 2022
Episode 145: J. Dana Trent!!!
Wednesday Apr 06, 2022
Wednesday Apr 06, 2022
Need we say more?!? Oh, apparently, we do. We couldn’t wait for Episode 150, so J. Dana Trent joins the podcast to discuss her latest book, Vermillion: A Memoir of Regret, Redemption, and Repair in Fly-over Country, based on her exceptional podcast, Breaking Good. Her podcast is powerful. (Also, check out her other podcast, Array of Faith.) And the rumor is the book is published by a random penguin! We strongly suggest that in the meantime you read all books by J. Dana Trent. To skip our opening mishigas, start at the 7:48 mark, though you’ll miss some high-quality JDT banter.
Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
Episode 144: Standing in the Rain with Job
Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
Luke (Cool Hand, not the Apostle): “Dyin’? Boy, he can have this little life any time he wants to. Do you hear that? Are ya hearin’ it? Come on. You’re welcome to it, ol’ timer. Let me know you’re up there. Come on. Love me, hate me, kill me, anything. Just let me know it. I’m just standin’ in the rain talkin’ to myself.”
In our late(st) episode (144 if you’re counting), we revisit the book of Job as we did not have the Ampersand of Reason last time we discussed this book. We explore themes in the book of Job and how they speak to our experiences with God and grief. To skip our opening mishigas start listening at the 15:03 mark. Know that you will miss our discussion of hand pies.
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
G-d at Play
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Episode 142: Of Cigars and Kabbalah
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Episode 142 “Of Cigars and Kabbalah” finds 2/3rds of us, sorry this is an Ampersand-free episode, in conversation with our friend Felix Assouline. Turns out, he knows about more than just cigars! Felix and The Jew share some of their favorite concepts, stories, and beliefs from Kabbalah and other Jewish mystic traditions while the Gentile tries to keep up. To skip our opening mishigas start listening at the 13:05 mark. And be sure to visit Felix Assouline’s website and order some great cigars.
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Episode 141: Hunting Jewish Monsters
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
In episode 141, the intrepid trio are joined by Jack Zaientz (a.k.a. Adne Sadeh, Jewish Monster Hunter) to talk all things Jewish magic, monsters and mayhem. We even talk about Jewish exorcism, which is really more like psychotherapy for dybbuks. Check out Jack’s blog and add him to your Twitter feed. To skip our opening mishigas, start listening at the 13:08 mark. If you skip ahead you miss out on a recap of the Jew and the Ampersand at the Renaissance Fair. (So many double entendres.) So, be a mensch and give this episode a listen.
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
EPISODE 140: KOHELET
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven, and this is the season for a new episode. While wisdom is superior to folly, you should listen to episode 140 anyway as we start with the futility of the first two books then turn, turn, turn that existential dread into the only worthwhile thing there is: to enjoy ourselves and do what is goodin our lifetime. Or at least in this episode. Be a mensch and give it a listen.
Monday Nov 15, 2021
EPISODE 139: IF SAUL WAS SCHIZOPHRENIC, DAVID WAS DEFINITELY BI-POLAR.
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Monday Nov 15, 2021
In the episode we find our intrepid Trio at the Wild Goose Festivaldiscussing the fine line between religious ecstasy and mental illness. The Jew, The Gentile, and The Ampersand of Reason read through Psalms as they use King David as a template for discussing mental health in a religious context.
Sunday Aug 01, 2021
Episode 138: The Word as Nomad with Phil Wyman
Sunday Aug 01, 2021
Sunday Aug 01, 2021
In Episode 138, The Jew, The Gentile, and The Ampersand of Reason join The Welsh Troubadour, Phil “Freaking” Wyman (we’re not worthy, we’re not worthy), in wandering and wondering what it means to perceive the the Word as Nomad. How does the Word “move”? How do we “move” with The Word? What happens if the Word becomes static and “domesticated”? Phil proposes these and other “moving” questions on the eve of his moving to Wales. Check out Phil’s Patreon Site and his YouTube Channel. And be a mensch and follow him on Facebook and Twitter. While you’re at it, visit his website and check out his podcast “Wild Theology.” To skip our opening mishigas start listening at the 19:20 mark. You’ll still get to hear Phil’s original song, “Corona Virus Boogie.” However, by skipping ahead you’ll miss no-context-hastags like “onelongash” or “thehandwashappy.” You also will miss our discussion of Muppet tofu, our naming the official cigar of the podcast, and what Phil “Freaking” Wyman is the patron saint of…
Sunday Jul 04, 2021
Episode 137: Talking Cigars with Felix Assouline
Sunday Jul 04, 2021
Sunday Jul 04, 2021
to, surprisingly, our first cigar creator and blender, Felix Assouline. Felix shares about his cigar creation process through interesting stories. We feel that even if you are not a cigar aficionado you’ll enjoy this episode and, if you’re not careful, you may learn something. And give Felix Assouline some love by visiting his site maybe you purchase a box or two. Also be sure to follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Felix first started out in the cigar business in 1997 on the retail side. His first store in Dania Beach, Florida sold all the premium brands and launched him into 3 additional stores in South Florida over a 6 year span. During that time he also ran a successful wholesale cigar business. Felix’s passion for a great smoking cigar drove him to try every cigar he possible could and as he did, he developed an intricate knowledge of cigar construction and how different leaves affected the flavor of the cigar.
With that insight, Felix opened his own factory in Danli, Honduras in 2004 and began making his own cigars. Felix introduced 2 successful brands, one of which being the original EGO, which received a 90 rating in Smoke Magazine in the September 2006 issue.
In 2007, Felix decided to sell everything and focus all his attention on his greatest love, his family. After enjoying incredible family moments for 6 years, he decided it was time to get back into the cigar business. This time, Felix wanted to focus all his efforts on fulfilling a dream of creating his own blends to achieve one goal: create the best premium cigars on the market…
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
Episode 136: Gay with God
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
Wednesday Jun 23, 2021
Episode 136 of a Jew & a Gentile Walk into a Bar…Mitzvah the Podcast welcomes Midge Noble. Midge describes herself as a professional hummingbird; using all of her gifts for the highest and best needs of the clients she serves. Midge received her Master’s degree in Counselor Education at Appalachian State University and became licensed in the state of NC as an LPC. She has worked professionally in the school setting, mental health and later at a private practice. Currently, she has her own business; Empowering Awakened Hearts, LLC. She specializes in healing hurts from painful life events and guiding her clients to live their best authentic life. Midge has written and self published two children’s books, helped build a church in India and is trained in ThetaHealing & Animal Communication. Midge shares about her journey to accepting her authentic self. Her story is one of those “I’m not crying you are” stories. It is as powerful as it is personal. And she is launching a Podcast!
Midge on Midge: “Growing up in the South…the Bible Belt…had its challenges once I owned the fact that I AM gay. It took me so many years to own my sexual orientation because of the messages I grew up with from my church and society. It has been a long and sometimes painful journey. How did I get through it? That is what this community/ podcast is all about….GAY with GOD! is a safe place to tell your faith journey story and hear that… “You are Okay and beloved by God; even if you are GAY!”
To skip our opening mishigas start listening at the 14 minute mark.