In this episode of The None of Your Business Podcast, Michael and Ushy are joined by actor, podcaster, and Jewish advocate Jonah Platt for an open and thoughtful conversation about identity, purpose, and taking up space.
Jonah shares his journey from Broadway and Hollywood, including his time in Wicked and Jewish projects like Menorah in the Middle, to becoming the host of his own podcast, Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. He talks about how October 7th reshaped his focus, why staying quiet has never protected us, and why Jewish visibility, dignity, and self respect matter now more than ever.
The discussion touches on antisemitism in Hollywood and online, the pressure many Jews feel to keep their heads down, and the importance of unity across different levels of observance. Jonah also reflects on Jewish summer camp, intentional parenting, philanthropy, and what it means to live Jewishly in everyday life.
This episode blends humor, honesty, and uncomfortable truths into a conversation that goes far beyond fame or labels. It is about choosing meaning, leaning into identity, and being unapologetically authentic in a complicated world.
00:00 Welcome to The None of Your Business Podcast
02:15 Meeting Jonah Platt and why this conversation matters
05:30 Jewish leadership, philanthropy, and the work of the JDC
10:10 Hostages, visibility, and the cost of being thrust into the spotlight
13:30 From Hollywood to Broadway and landing Wicked
18:45 Fame, fulfillment, and being a “J list celebrity”
22:10 Menorah in the Middle and telling Jewish stories on screen
25:40 October 7th and the shift from reacting to leading
30:10 Launching Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
34:45 Creating a safe space to talk honestly about Jewish identity
39:30 Jewish summer camp and building identity early
43:50 Intentional parenting and raising the next generation Jewishly
47:30 Silence versus visibility and why keeping your head down does not work
52:10 Unity across observance and breaking down Jewish silos
56:40 “They don’t like us when we’re small or when we’re big”
59:50 Authenticity, self respect, and taking up space
1:03:30 Choosing meaning over applause
1:06:45 Final reflections on purpose, pride, and being unapologetically yourself
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