What The Falafel
What The Falafel
What The Falafel
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!!
The Truth About Growing Up In A Religious Jewish Community | Chaya of London
In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Jewish content creator and mum of 3, Chaya of London, for a fun and heartfelt conversation!From her life in London and LA to her Chabad upbringing Chaya talks about the key moments in her life.We cover everything from religious marital pressures to building her Jewish home with her kids. This episode will have you feeling proud and inspired!→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/ → Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/→ Find Chaya: https://www.instagram.com/chayaoflondon/→ Shop the Jewellery: https://www.instagram.com/ellayaofficial/Sponsors:→ Menachems Kosher Butcher: https://www.instagram.com/menachems_glatt_butchers/https://menachems.co.uk/→ Phone and Learn https://www.phoneandlearn.org/https://www.instagram.com/phoneandlearn/→ Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/. Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/
Jul 20
57 min
The Man Who Created Nova: A Story of Survival, Community and Hope | Ofir Amir
In the most powerful episode to date, Jodie Brandman sits down with Ofir Amir, Co-founder, producer, and survivor of the Nova Festival.Before October 7th, Ofir was building an incredible community alongside music festivals, all promoting connection and kindness at the core. At 6.29am on October 7th, everything changed. Fleeing from the Nova massacre, Ofir was shot by terrorists and had to watch one of his best friends die next to him, all the while trying to protect his pregnant wife at home who hiding in a bomb shelter. Ofir shows us what it means to be resilient. He has gone on to create the Nova Exhibition (which is in London until June 15th), and the Tribe of Nova, an entire community supporting survivors and their families. This episode needs to be watched by everyone.A massive thank you to Ofir for sharing his story. Please donate to The Tribe of Nova to help continue his incredible work: http://bit.ly/4eUFnRt→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/ → Partnered with The Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews→ https://novaexhibition.com/london-exhibition→ https://www.tribeofnova.com/
Jun 24
1 hr 31 min
How The Kosher Food Scene is Going Viral | Romy Kosher
In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Romy Kosher for a food filled chat! From discussing how Romy went Kosher in Israel to what excites her about kosher London restaurants, you do NOT want to watch this when you’re hungry!! We also find out all about Romy’s life supporting families with dementia, and her plans for travelling the world eating! → Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Find Jodie: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/ → Find Romy: https://www.instagram.com/romykosher/Dementia care:→ https://mindkeepers.co.uk/Sponsors:Discover: This episode is sponsored by:→ Datekin - https://datekin.co.uk/→ Kosher Kingdom - 7 Russell Gardens, Golders Green Rd, London NW11 9NN→ Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/. Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/Chapters:00:00 Eating & Best Restaurants 03:10 Sponsor: Datekin03:44 Getting started14:00 Home life 18:10 Travel 21:40 Going kosher 27:48 Food delivery 35:40 Going to Israel 35:57 Sponsor: Kosher Kingdom39:30 Content creation 43:43 Dementia 51:12 Social Media
May 7
1 hr 1 min
How Jewish Comedian Fell In Love, Had an Orthodox Conversion and Then a Bris! | Max Olesker
In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with writer, comedian and author, Max Olesker.In this laugh-out-loud conversation, Max shares how falling in love led to an Orthodox Jewish conversion complete with moving into a religious family's home in Hendon and a bris at the age of 36!We cover his gruelling journey with the Beth Din, his pro-wrestling and comedic career, and his brand NEW book aptly titled “Making The Cut: An Unorthodox Love Story”.→ What The Falafel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/ → Find Max Olesker: https://www.instagram.com/maxolesker/Sponsor:→ Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/. Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/
Apr 22
59 min
How West End Rejection Led to Viral TikTok Success | Candy Gigi
In this hilarious episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Jewish comedian and content creator Candy Gigi for a whole hour of laughter!We cover everything from feeling like a misfit in school, to auditioning for West End shows and spitting out vegetables during a live comedy performance. This one you do NOT want to miss!→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/ → Find Candy Gigi: https://www.instagram.com/candy_gigi/?hl=enSponsor:→ Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/. Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/
Mar 30
1 hr
Why Kosher Restaurant Owner Swapped Skinny Jeans For A Sheitel | Cat Young
In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Cat Young from Balagan to chat about everything from going frum to starting a kosher restaurant!Cat had no idea she was going to be a podcast guest until about 3 minutes before filming when she was put on the sofa with a mic! Hear how she threw away her skinny jeans in favour of a sheitel and how her husband was bundled off to Yeshiva before setting up multiple restaurants.It’s a great episode, make sure you check it out, subscribe, and go visit Balagan (https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/)! Just say you saw this episode and they’ll give you 10% off the bill.→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Jodie: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/ → Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/.
Mar 11
25 min
World's #1 Jewish Wedding Expert Reveals The Secret To A Strong Jewish Identity | Karen Cinnamon
In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Karen Cinnamon, founder of Smashing The Glass and Your Jewish Life. We cover everything from how and why she set up her incredible businesses (from wedding blogs to Jewish Joy Journals), why rituals and values are so important, and why she believes inclusivity has been the deal breaker in her work. Karen is so passionate about everyone being themselves and living an authentic life, from wedding decor to everyday food choices, and Jewish rituals they may or may not choose to take on. 🎧Tune in for massive amounts of Jewish pride! → Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/ → In collaboration with: https://www.instagram.com/joiceglobal/ → Your Jewish Life: https://www.instagram.com/yourjewishlife/→ Your Jewish Life: https://yourjewishlife.co/→ Smashing The Glass: https://www.smashingtheglass.com/→ Jewish self- care prompts: https://luxejewishlife.com/selfcare→ Jewish Joy Journals: https://luxejewishlife.com/shop/ - Use code WTF18 for 18% offSponsor:Israel Blessing: https://www.israelblessing.com/ code: WTF15 https://www.instagram.com/israel_blessing→ Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/. Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/Chapters:00:00 Intro 4:00 Exiting Fight Mode 7:00 Rituals + Wedding 11:07 Smashing the glass 27:00 Being Jewish 33:50 Food 38:47 Sponsor40:00 Family 48:00 Jewish Joy and values 1:00:00 Interfaith marriage 01:09:00 What’s Next?
Feb 16
1 hr 13 min
How a Jewish Entrepreneur Turned His Anger Into Viral Comedy | Yechiel Jacobs
In this hilarious episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with comedian Yechiel Jacobs for a chat that covers SO much ground!From his time in yeshiva, to turning his political anger into humour, Yechiel shows us how you can make the world a better place and spread light even in the darkest of times.🎧 Tune in for truth, strength, and a reminder that we all have a voice that matters…→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/ → In collaboration with: https://www.instagram.com/joiceglobal/ → Find Yechiel Jacobs: https://www.instagram.com/jacobsyechiel→ Sponsor: Israel Blessinghttps://www.israelblessing.com/ code: WTF15 https://www.instagram.com/israel_blessing→ Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/. Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/Chapters:00:00 Intro 8:33 On stage 14:48 King Julien 17:44 School transformation 21:16 Yeshiva + Moving around ** Antisemitism 28:00 Moshiach 31:00 Being a content creator 41:00 Antisemitism + The War 49:00 Food ** Accents52:57 Sponsor 59:39 Hashem + Religion 1:06:36 The Future
Jan 11
1 hr 9 min
The personal trainer who went viral, nearly died and is now stronger than ever | Golan Horesh
In this intense and POWERFUL episode, Jodie Brandman sits down with Golan Horesh, a fitness coach who went viral after confronting an anti-Israel protest and later survived a deadly heart attack!We talk about why you should NEVER be afraid, and the shocking moment that changed his life forever. From a shocking heart attack that left him unconscious, to waking up 2 weeks later and re-thinking his entire life from family to fitness, nutrition and faith!This episode is unmissable, so get stuck in and prepare to be massively inspired!🎧 Tune in for truth, strength, and a reminder that we all have a voice that matters…CONNECT WITH WHAT THE FALAFEL→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/ → In collaboration with: https://www.instagram.com/joiceglobal/ → Find Golan: https://www.instagram.com/golanofc/?hl=en→ Row. Beat. Breathe - Golan's 43k rowing challenge. Donate now: https://gofund.me/93906c64a→ Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/. Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3K2gPueSpotify: https://bit.ly/48hGLLCYoutube Music: https://bit.ly/4nYNtLmCHAPTERS:00:00 Going viral9:27 Jewish pride 7:21 Being unafraid 26:40 Society today 31:30 Fitness & heart attack 48:45 Israel Blessing Sponsor51:16 Nutrition 1:07:30 Food delivery 1:10:50 Fundraising + Mum 1:18:00 Typical day of eating
Dec 14, 2025
1 hr 23 min
The Chef Behind the Dumb B*tch Apron and How He Went Viral | Falmer
This week on What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman is joined by the unbelievably talented Josh Halmer AKA Falmer! Chef, DJ, artist, basically everything… and the man who once got death threats… for making a schnitzel!We get into his entire journey: how he he got the name "Falmer", going from DJ'ing to cooking for Premier League footballers, why he trained as a chef purely to travel the world for free, and the wild story behind the viral schnitzel that gained him up to 10,000 followers in 5 days!We talk food (a lot), creativity, and identity… you’re going to love it!CONNECT WITH WHAT THE FALAFEL→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/ → In collaboration with: https://www.instagram.com/joiceglobal/ → Find Falmer: https://www.instagram.com/falmer.uk/→ Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/. Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/CHAPTERS:00:00 Who’s Falmer? 7:12 Cooking 14.39 Hobbies 21:20 Food Tasting 30.24 DJ’ing 42:00 Food love 46:00 Jewish Identity 53:00 DJ Chef combo 1:00:40 Body Image
Nov 30, 2025
1 hr 7 min
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