Judaism

People Jew Wanna Know

Welcome to People Jew Wanna Know, a podcast sharing stories of remarkable Jewish people! Hosted by Margarita Lyadova, each episode features conversations with interesting Jewish guests of today and historical figures who’ve shaped Jewish culture and identity. Together, we seek answers to today’s essential questions facing the Jewish people.

New episodes every Wednesday.
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @peoplejewwannaknow for extras, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Support our work here: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

Latest Episodes:

VOTE FOR MARGE FOR Z3 BRIDGE BUILDER! Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

This is a PSA to vote for Margarita, who has been nominated for the Z3 Bridge Builder Award!

The Z3 Bridge Builder Award recognizes individuals who are working to bridge divides within the Jewish people—between communities, across ideologies, between the Diaspora and Israel and more.

If Margarita wins, she will use the funds to create, for the first time, video podcast episodes! Your People Jew Wanna Know experience is about to get that much better!

VOTE HERE: https://a.cstmapp.com/gallery/999958/280732/757203924?lc=en-us

Thanks so much!

When Allah Meets Adonai - Dan Khan Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

U.S. Army Veteran and Muslim American, Dan Khan, joins the Goy You Will Enjoy season to share his powerful story of building bridges between Muslim and Jewish communities.

Together, we explore big questions: Has Islam been hijacked? When is it worth forming coalitions with people you fundamentally disagree with? And what does it really take to create understanding across deep divides?

Follow Dan on Instagram: @its_dankhan

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:27 On Dan's upbringing, career & interfaith marriage

12:03 Has Islam been hijacked?

16:26 Dan's experience serving in the U.S. Army

23:10 What is American Peace Committee? How do we build bridges with non-Jews?

30:15 Some people are just lost causes

31:38 Demoralization of society & positive reinforcement

35:35 Building coalitions with those you don't agree with

41:08 Dan's question to Margarita about anything Jewish

48:11 Closing Remarks

The History We Teach - Is It Enough? Melissa Mott Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

Melissa Mott, Executive VP of Education Strategy & Programs at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, joins Goy You Will Enjoy for a candid and powerful conversation on the state of antisemitism, Holocaust education, and Jewish identity today.

With a decade at the ADL, and a career rooted in truth-telling and impact, Mel brings clarity, urgency, and no BS to her episode. This is the one Jew need to hear.

Check out the Simon Wiesenthal center at www.wiesenthal.org and follow them on Instagram @simonwiesenthalcenter

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:10 Mel's journey to become an educator & Holocaust expert

08:45 Non-Jews raised around Jewish communities often develop more positive views of Jews

12:50 How Margarita met her first Asian person

14:24 What is the work of the Simon Wiesenthal Center?

16:09 What is and is not working in combatting antisemitism?

24:30 Will Jewish orgs ever figure it out or should we assume "it's not coming?"

26:59 Has Mel been able to change hearts & minds?

30:10 What is it like for Mel to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community?

31:58 Mel's experiences in Israel

33:26 What has resonated with Mel from Jewish culture?

36:33 Mel's question to Margarita about anything Jewish

45:04 Closing Remarks

"Hey Jewish people!" - Chris Caresnone (aka The Babka King) Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

Iconic content creator, Chris Caresnone (The Babka King), joins us on the Goy You Will Enjoy season to discuss building bridges through his love of culture, food, and humor.

In this conversation, Margarita and Chris discuss his career, his POV on the current rise of Jew hatred, and the importance of having positive energy.

Follow Chris on Instagram @chriscaresnone and check out his website www.caresnone.com

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:20 How did Chris get into content creation?

06:10 Chris' response to antisemitic remarks on his videos

19:35 Chris' experience with Jewish people & his POV on energy

24:31 "I can create my own narratives, and I had to work through that idea myself."

26:25 Discussing Anti-Zionism

30:29 "If every single person stopped going to MAGA rallies, would it exist?"

34:45 On the importance on seeing positivity vs. negativity

39:35 Chris' question to Margarita about anything Jewish

42:52 Closing Remarks

The Gazan Peacebuilder - Hamza Howidy Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Gaza-born peace and human rights activist, Hamza Howidy, joins the Goy You Will Enjoy season to share his incredible story and commitment to fostering peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

In this episode, we hear the crazy, unfathomable stories of Hamza's escape from Hamas imprisonment and torture, how his family discovered a Hamas tunnel under their house, and much more.

Follow Hamza on X @HowidyHamza and on Instagram @hamzahowidyy

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:56 Hamza's Gaza upbringing & the path to deradicalization

07:30 "I was an antisemite"

09:00 What is the current sentiment of Palestinians? Are polls accurate?

15:38 How was Hamza released after being imprisoned by Hamas?

16:40 How can Palestinians stand up to Hamas?

21:40 Hamza's recommended Pro-Palestinian organizations to support

23:03 Advice to Jewish people from Hamza

24:30 How has Hamza's perception of Jews change over time?

25:21 Margarita's experience at Israel Day Parade

30:00 Has Hamza been inside a Hamas tunnel?

32:54 Why did many Jews not support the second ceasefire deal?

35:40 Qatar's role in releasing Edan Alexander

38:00 Hamza's question to Margarita about anything Jewish

46:12 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

Jonathan Elkhoury - That Gay Goy Guy Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

People Jew Wanna Know welcomes popular Christian-Lebanese activist, Jonathan Elkhoury, on the pod. We learn about his remarkable story and his take on the current situation in Israel since he lives there.

Jon reflects on his years of activism, what he wishes he knew sooner, and offers useful tips for how to create allies.

Follow Jon on Instagram @Jon_Elk and on X @Jonathan_Elk

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:45 How Jon ended up in Israel & his advocacy work

07:50 Why did Jon go into activism & his life post-Oct 7

17:26 How has Jon's perception of Jews & Israel changed?

20:56 Our story is being rewritten - how can we tell the true story to non-Jews?

29:20 What does Jon wish he knew sooner about Israel activism?

38:45 What does Jon connect to in Jewish culture?

40:21 Jon's question to Margarita about anything Jewish

45:50 Closing Remarks

Mer Hersam vs. Misinformation Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Margarita interviews Mer Hersam - an influencer education and advocacy expert living in Washington DC. Mer is an ally who has done tremendous work to combat antisemitism and harmful anti-Israel rhetoric online, as well as being involved in the restoration and preservation of TikTok. In this episode, Mer talks about her background, why she felt compelled to speak up for the Jewish people, her trip to Israel post-Oct 7th, and much more.

Follow Mer on Instagram @merhersam and on TikTok @mer.money

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

03:43 From modeling to activism - Mer's path

07:15 On saving TikTok & working on the presidential campaign

11:51 Mer's experience with the Jewish community & visiting Israel post-Oct 7

18:30 Has Mer witnessed antisemitism?

21:00 What has worked for changing people's minds?

27:21 Has Mer's perception of Israel/the Jewish people changed?

30:55 What resonates with Mer from Jewish culture?

32:55 Can we combat antisemitism in a major way in the next 4 years?

34:46 Margarita's question for Mer & Mer's question for Margarita

41:42 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

And Here's Leo - Leo Veiga Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

Leo Veiga, Modi Rosenfeld's producer, manager, and husband, joins People Jew Wanna Know for the "Goy You Will Enjoy" Season!

Leo has raised the bar in entertainment, producing incredible comedy shows all over the world. In this episode, Margarita and Leo discuss his philosophy on allyship, Jinsta (Jewish Insta), and how his perception of the Jewish community has changed over time.

Follow Leo on Instagram @leo_veiga_ and check out his website www.leoveiga.com

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

04:29 Who is Leo Veiga & what is he up to?

10:29 What was Leo's perception of the Jewish community before he met Modi?

11:35 How is Leo feeling post Oct 7th supporting a Jewish comic?

14:38 JINSTA

23:52 On Hannah Einbeinder

29:34 The "reasonable person" principle

30:25 Has Leo been able to break through to other non-Jews?

36:55 Has Leo's perception of the Jewish community changed over time?

46:00 Leo's question to Margarita about anything Jewish

51:29 Closing Remarks

King of the Mitzvahs - Kareem "K.W.O.E." Wells Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Kareem “K.W.O.E.” Wells—entrepreneur, entertainer, and longtime bridge-builder between Black and Jewish communities—joins us for a powerful conversation in this episode of Goy You Will Enjoy.

Kareem shares his extraordinary journey from the streets to the C-Suites, and how he turned a bold vision into Flow Entertainment, the go-to events company with a three-year waitlist for bar/bat mitzvahs. Crowned the “King of the Mitzvahs,” Kareem reflects on the intersections of culture, community, and allyship—and what it means to show up for others with heart and hustle.

Follow Kareem on Instagram @kwoe and check out his work on www.kwoegroup.com

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

06:00 How Kareem went "from the streets to the C-suites"

13:00 Kareem's entertainment business & becoming "King of the Mitzvahs"

20:00 On building bridges - "I was doing this work before Oct 7th. Our children are watching."

23:04 "I'm trying to right my wrongs" - the importance of giving back

26:04 Visiting LA's Museum of Tolerance & the Nova Exhibit

28:00 How does Kareem respond to antisemitism in the industry?

31:45 Kareem's advice to Jewish people

39:05 Kareem's question to Margarita about anything Jewish

44:01 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

The Woman Behind The Largest Pro-Israel Group In America - Destiny Albritton Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Destiny Albritton, who is the Senior Director of Next Gen at Christians United for Israel (CUFI) and a social media activist, joins People Jew Wanna Know podcast to share her wisdom on how to get non-Jews to support Israel. CUFI is the largest pro-Israel group in America with 10 million members.

In this warm and somewhat theological discussion, Destiny and Margarita bond over their travels to Israel and Destiny offers countless pieces of advice for how to create allies. They also discuss the difficult climate on college campuses and Destiny's experience supporting Jewish and non-Jewish students.

Follow Destiny on Instagram @destinythewonderful and check out CUFI at www.my.cufi.org

Support our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknow

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda

02:41 Destiny's upbringing & how it led to her career

04:20 What is CUFI?

06:40 Margarita's trip to Israel visiting Christian sites

13:33 How Destiny became a Zionist

16:50 A very good rant about antisemitism on campus - "do you know that's such a low bar?"

26:00 How can Jews build bridges with non-Jews?

32:53 Has Destiny's perception of Jewish people changed over the years?

34:32 Things Destiny loves about Jewish life!