Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

On the third anniversary of October 7th, Jonah delivers a powerful and deeply personal open letter to his non-Jewish friends, colleagues, and allies about what it means to stand with the Jewish people.



In this special solo episode of Being Jewish, Jonah reflects on the past three years of rising antisemitism, fractured friendships, and the growing isolation of Jewish communities. He addresses the dangerous normalization of anti-Jewish rhetoric, the misunderstanding of Zionism and Jewish identity, and the painful silence of those who have chosen to look away.

Why have so many Jews felt abandoned by people they once trusted? How did standing up against antisemitism become controversial? And what does meaningful allyship actually look like?

Through an honest, emotional, and urgent appeal, Jonah challenges listeners to confront uncomfortable truths, recognize the humanity behind the headlines, and understand why speaking up matters now more than ever.

This is an episode about friendship, courage, Jewish identity, and the responsibility we all share to stand against hate.

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:

Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.

To contact us & all things BJJP:

www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

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[email protected]

Merchandise

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Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:

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CREDITS:

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Supervising Producer: Alex Alcheh, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Production Intern: Tova Benarroch, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

Thanks to Birthright, the Presenting Title Sponsor of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt - Season 3 https://birthrightisrael.foundation/donate

On the third anniversary of October 7th, Jonah delivers a powerful and deeply personal open letter to his non-Jewish friends, colleagues, and allies about what it means to stand with the Jewish people.

In this special solo episode of Being Jewish, Jonah reflects on the past three years of rising antisemitism, fractured friendships, and the growing isolation of Jewish communities. He addresses the dangerous normalization of anti-Jewish rhetoric, the misunderstanding of Zionism and Jewish identity, and the painful silence of those who have chosen to look away.

Why have so many Jews felt abandoned by people they once trusted? How did standing up against antisemitism become controversial? And what does meaningful allyship actually look like?

Through an honest, emotional, and urgent appeal, Jonah challenges listeners to confront uncomfortable truths, recognize the humanity behind the headlines, and understand why speaking up matters now more than ever.

This is an episode about friendship, courage, Jewish identity, and the responsibility we all share to stand against hate.

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:

Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.

To contact us & all things BJJP:

www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:

[email protected]

Merchandise

https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch

Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:

Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast

TikTok - @BeingJewish

CREDITS:

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Supervising Producer: Alex Alcheh, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Production Intern: Tova Benarroch, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

Thanks to Birthright, the Presenting Title Sponsor of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt - Season 3 https://birthrightisrael.foundation/donate

Today we remember the 1,200 victims, the hostages, and the profound trauma of the October 7th terror attacks in Israel. We remember the loss of innocence and the incredible resilience of the Jewish people. We remember the hostages taken, the global reaction, the rise of anti-Jewish hate, and the enduring strength of the Jewish State. Join the conversation and share this message of remembrance and defiance.

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:

[email protected]

To contact us & all things BJJP:

www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:

Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast

TikTok - @BeingJewish

CREDITS:

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Supervising Producer: Alex Alcheh, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Production Intern: Tova Benarroch, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

What if the most dangerous lies about Jews are the ones we’ve been taught to believe?

Bestselling author Dara Horn returns to Being Jewish for a super-sized episode to discuss her new book The Final Solution to the Jewish Question and why she believes antisemitism is more than prejudice.

Dara describes antisemitism as a power-serving lie built around the idea that Jews are destroying what others value most. Dara explores how propaganda spreads, from the illusory truth effect and information laundering, to harassment campaigns and the manipulation of platforms like Reddit, Wikipedia, and AI platforms. 

Dara traces the evolution of modern anti-Zionism through Soviet and Islamist networks and the 2001 Durban Conference, while challenging empathy-only approaches to antisemitism that can erase Jewish difference. She also gives her opinions on Holocaust education, explains the myth of a “golden age” for American Jews, and shares a powerful story about Theodor Herzl’s grandfather. Dara answers the question of what it means to choose Jewish continuity.

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

Propaganda Game - Bad News

The Real Root of Antisemitism: Curiosity vs. Conformity

2:11

Antisemitism as a Lie Used to Gain Power

6:58

What Holocaust Education Gets Wrong

40:51

The Myth of America’s Jewish “Golden Age” & the Power of Jewish Agency

50:49

Zionism, the UN, Data Poisoning & the Battle Over History

1:01:24

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:

Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.

To contact us & all things BJJP:

www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:

[email protected]

Merchandise

https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch

Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:

Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast

TikTok - @BeingJewish

Learn more about Dara Horn:

Dara Horn on X

Dara Horn’s Website

Buy Dara’s Books on Amazon

CREDITS:

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Supervising Producer: Alex Alcheh, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Production Intern: Tova Benarroch, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

Thanks to Birthright, the Presenting Title Sponsor of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt - Season 3 https://birthrightisrael.foundation/donate

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Head to sapirjournal.org/beingjewish

What can a temporary hut teach us about living a meaningful life?

In this special Sukkot episode of Being Jewish, Jonah sits down with Rabbi Adam Greenwald to unpack one of Judaism’s most joyful, and perhaps most misunderstood holidays.

They explore Sukkot’s ancient origins as a harvest festival tied to the Land of Israel, why Jews shake the lulav and etrog in every direction (maybe like a certain dance we all know), and why the sukkah is intentionally built to be temporary and open to the stars.

Rabbi Greenwald also explains the beautiful tradition of ushpizin, inviting the presence of ancestors and loved ones into the sukkah, and shares how anyone can find meaning in Sukkot, even without a backyard or the ability to build a sukkah of their own.

But beneath all of these traditions lies a much bigger lesson: everything we build is temporary. In a world that can change in an instant, Sukkot asks us to stop trying to control the uncontrollable and instead gather with the people we love, appreciate what we have, and find meaning and joy in the present moment.

It’s a conversation about Jewish tradition, gratitude, nature, family, uncertainty – and learning how to live fully inside a fragile world.

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:

Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.

To contact us & all things BJJP:

www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:

[email protected]

Merchandise

https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch

Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:

Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast

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Learn more about Rabbi Adam Greenwald

AJU Page

Instagram

LinkedIn

Facebook



CREDITS:

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Supervising Producer: Alex Alcheh, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

Thanks to Birthright, the Presenting Title Sponsor of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt - Season 3 https://birthrightisrael.foundation/donate

What happens when the son of a Hamas founder becomes one of the terrorist organization’s biggest enemies?

Season 3 of Being Jewish kicks off with a powerful live conversation between Jonah Platt and Mosab Hassan Yousef, known as “The Green Prince,” recorded at the Jewish American Summit in Los Angeles.

The son of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef, Mosab shares the extraordinary story behind his book Son of Hamas and the documentary The Green Prince, and explains why he believes the fight against Hamas and jihadism is both crucial and existential.

Yousef passionately discusses everything from the Israel-Hamas war and the U.S.-Israel relationship, to social media, the Muslim Brotherhood and the growing divisions he sees across the West. He also speaks openly about his rejection of Islam and expresses extreme anti-Muslim views that Jonah makes clear he does not share.

It’s a raw, provocative conversation about Israel, Hamas, Islamism, America and what Yousef believes is at stake in the fight ahead.

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

3:25 - Meet The Green Prince

4:48 - Mosab’s Connection To The Middle East and Toxic Social Media

9:50 - Mosab’s Message To The World

17:00 - What It Would Take To Beat The Barbarians

22:00 - Division In America 

31:00 - Mosab’s Views On Islam

42:05 - Love Of America And Israel

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:

Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.

To contact us & all things BJJP:

www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:

[email protected]

Merchandise

https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch

Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:

Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast

TikTok - @BeingJewish

Learn more about Mossab Hassan Yousef:

Mosab’s Instagram

Mosab’s X

Where to buy Mosab’s books

CREDITS:

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Supervising Producer: Alex Alcheh, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

Thanks to Birthright, the Presenting Title Sponsor of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt - Season 3 https://birthrightisrael.foundation/donate

Israeli journalist Nadav Eyal joins Jonah to break down the upcoming Israeli elections and the fight for Benjamin Netanyahu's political future. Nadav lays out what a Netanyahu win would really signal about Israeli society, who is quietly considering leaving the country, and why the opposition still hasn't found the candidate to beat him.

Then the flip side: what actually happens if Netanyahu loses. Nadav explains the plea deal calculation working against the clock, the education crisis nobody outside Israel is talking about, and what a new government's first moves would mean for Jews in the diaspora.

If you want to go deeper beyond the podcast, join the Being Jewish Kehillah – our subscriber community that gives you access to exclusive bonus content, merch discounts, live office hours with Jonah, special community events, and more. Join the Kehillah today at http://beingjewishpodcast.com/join-kehillah 

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:

Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.

To contact us & all things BJJP:

www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:

[email protected]

Merchandise

https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch

Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:

Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast

TikTok - @BeingJewish

CREDITS

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Supervising Producer: Alex Alcheh, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild,  Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

What does it actually cost to tell the truth about Jews and Israel?

Erin Molan discusses Israel's controversial decision to withhold some of the most horrific October 7th footage, why a 30-second radio soundbite can shape public opinion more than a protest, and the letter from an Australian miner that changed how she measures impact.

Bernard-Henri Lévy draws on his reporting from Rwanda and Darfur to explain what genocide actually looks like, why he believes Hamas must be defeated militarily, and why he sees anti-Zionism as inseparable from the question of Israel’s existence.

Van Jones talks about the connection between the Jewish and Black communities, how the Palestinian cause has been hijacked by a bunch of Nazis, and the uncomfortable truth about who paid the price for the civil rights movement.

Dana Bash takes us inside the newsroom on October 7th, tells us about the harassment her and her family experienced, and what it means to find community with fellow Jewish journalists under pressure.

Jake Tapper opens up about protesters outside his home and why antisemitism on the right deserves just as much scrutiny as antisemitism on the left.

Five journalists. Five perspectives. One very delicate and nuanced topic.

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

1:18 - Erin Molan

8:04 - Bernard-Henri Lévy

15:02 - Van Jones

27:09 - Dana Bash

39:05 - Jake Tapper

Watch Erin Molan’s Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4zAynWP2II 

Watch Bernard-Henri Lévy’s Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4wcg28NEwQ 

Watch Van Jones’s Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR0qUIUGAKM 

Watch Dana Bash’s Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo5fFkBni-s 

Watch Jake Tapper’s Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtHLHgmfXt0 

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:

Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.

To contact us & all things BJJP:

www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:

[email protected]

Merchandise

https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch

Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:

Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast

TikTok - @BeingJewish

CREDITS

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Supervising Producer: Alex Alcheh, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

What does it mean to go “Full Jew?”

In this inspiring monologue, Jonah talks about what he’s learned from his engagement with thousands of Jews online, in Israel, and across the U.S. He shares three major revelations about Jewish identity, anxiety, and the hesitation many feel about leaning into their Jewishness aka “Going Full Jew.”

If you’ve wanted to be more proud of your Judaism and don’t know how to express it, this monologue is for you.

Watch the original monologue on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA3JDpww9VU

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:

Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.

To contact us & all things BJJP:

www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:

[email protected]

Merchandise

https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch

Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:

Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast

TikTok - @BeingJewish

CREDITS

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild,  Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Interns: Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

What do Israelis know about Israel that the rest of us don’t?

Noa Tishby discusses how she noticed the rise of antisemitism and anti-Zionism long before October 7th, why she focuses on reaching moderates, and shares a powerful story of a Pro-Palestine college student who changed her views on Israel after reading Noa’s book.

Einat Wilf describes what it means to belong to the Israeli collective, her hopes for universal civic service, and why arguing over what makes Israel “Jewish” is itself Jewish tradition.

Fleur Hassan-Nahoum breaks down the debate in Israel about ultra-Orthodox integration into work and service, how Jerusalem is the hub for building bridges between Jews and Arabs, and why Israelis don’t understand antisemitism the way diaspora Jews do. 

Tomer Peretz shares his firsthand experiences serving in the IDF, the shocking things he saw while volunteering with Zaka after the Nova massacre, and why he gave up bridge building with people who believe Israel shouldn’t exist. 

Finally, President Isaac Herzog explains Israel’s high-stakes elections, how he’s handling the rising antisemitism worldwide, and his goal to strengthen the Israeli-diaspora ties.

Five Israelis. One homeland. When Israelis talk about Israel, maybe we oughta be quiet and listen. 

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

1:07 - Noa Tishby

9:03 - Einat Wilf

19:30 - Fleur Hassan-Nahoum

26:29 - Tomer Perez

34:33 - President Isaac Herzog

Watch Noa Tishby’s Full Episode: 

https://youtu.be/HJm4X-5Y7Gg?si=N8z3e_BRLxjpxSJD 

Watch Einat Wilf’s Full Episode: 

https://youtu.be/tsHsAJtGAr8?si=DeDorfx3EmVqPPce 

Watch Fleur Hassan-Nahoum’s Full Episode: https://youtu.be/G_AB3aAEEyI?si=UR0Vqf_P6bIOl921 

Watch Tomer Peretz’s Full Episode:  

https://youtu.be/SiX2JFxgCKs?si=n1J3F4bIl5rgnt9Y 

Watch President Isaac Herzog’s Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQq0H6Aal4Q  

More Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:

Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.

To contact us & all things BJJP:

www.BeingJewishPodcast.com

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter

For Sponsorships, please email:

[email protected]

Merchandise

https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch

Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

X - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:

Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast

TikTok - @BeingJewish

CREDITS

Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Supervising Producer: Alex Alcheh Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild,  Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt