This week, we have a new segment with contributors Matt Ruby and Charles Gould in which they read passages from the Torah and attempt to connect the text to things going on in both the world today and in their own lives. Among the topics covered in this inaugural edition are Noah, the flood, Pat Robertson, hurricanes, Jewish grandmas, righteousness, and many more. We’re also joined by Jacqueline Soller and Charles Hinshaw for a special expanded discussion of the recently released movie, Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, with plenty of discussion of the original 1982 movie as well. Along the way, we’ll also hear from Radio Dispatch’s Molly Knefel with her thoughts on President Trump’s attack on birth control coverage in health insurance plans; we’ll hear from a woman named Phoebe about the ups and downs of pursuing a career as a singer, including the time she auditioned for The Voice; and we’ll take an exclusive early listen to a performance by indie rock outfit Sloppy Heads from an episode of BTR Live Studio set to be released next week.

Music composed by and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.

00:00 - Intro

01:13 - START /// Torah Talk w/ Matt Ruby + Charles Gould

03:35 - “Let’s read some Torah!” / Noah:flood :: Pat Robertson:hurricanes

06:29 - Is socialism in the Torah?

07:59 - 613 laws: impossible to follow them all, but all are followable

10:05 - Charles’ audition

13:38 - God is like a Jewish grandma / Noah’s righteousness / climate change

19:04 - Scientology / Mormonism

22:24 - Noah’s sons: Shem, Ham, Japheth (enumerated by wisdom)

23:50 - Matt’s wisdom / ayahuasca as a gateway drug to Judaism

28:26 - Charles told everyone at summer camp he wasn’t Jewish; God smote him

31:40 - What makes the Torah amazing / the Torah writers room

33:41 - Reviewing what we learned /// END

37:24 - 1st Person: Phoebe // Pursuing A Singing Career

40:47 - Movie Review: ‘Blade Runner 2049’ w/ Jacqueline Soller

42:32 - Movie Review: ‘Blade Runner 2049’ w/ Charles Hinshaw

43:56 - Movie Chat: ‘Blade Runner 2049’ (spoiler alert)

77:20 - Molly Knefel // Trump Attacks Birth Control

79:39 - “Plane To See” (BTR Live Studio, 2017) - Sloppy Heads

84:20 - Outro / Credits

85:06 - Finish.