Podcast host Jodie Brandman is in the hotseat
We ask her who she’s talking to and why
Interviewing a podcast host on Zoom is a bit like cooking for a chef. Surely I’m doing it all wrong and she should be the one asking the questions. But Jodie Brandman, host of What The Falafel, demonstrates immediately why she is so good at what she does – it felt like a chat with a friend and the conversation just flowed.
Jodie launched WTF (yes, that actually is the abbreviation!) nearly three years ago “because I wanted to find a space where it’s not just stereotypical Jews being presented on TV and not solely conversations around antisemitism and politics ”. Indeed she has had diverse conversations with the likes of comedian Yechiel Jacobs, fitness coach Golan Horesh, matchmaker Aleeza ben Shalom and travel content creator Nicky Kelvin, ensuring inspiring stories and a good sprinkling of Jewish joy.
A former psychology student and who then became a nutritionist, Jodie (37) is into personal growth, health and well-being and loves to have conversations around having a better life. Her aim is to bring that into the Jewish sphere.
Jodie was already running a women’s health podcast when October 7 happened. “Everything was shaken up for me, most especially my identity. I was always British and Jewish, but then everything flipped, and I felt I couldn’t just turn up on my podcast say, ‘today I’m eating carrots.’”
After a few negative comments on posts where she was making challah on social media she took off her Magen Dovid. “I was scared to be Jewish but then I saw other content creators like Ben Reback and Zach Margs being really proud to be Jewish, and I thought, well, if it’s okay for them, maybe it is okay. I started watching Johnny Daniels as well, and he said we have to speak up.”
Jodie felt she wanted to be around more Jewish people and have more Jewish conversations. She set up an Instagram page as an outlet for her Jewish content and then her husband Joel, a graphic designer, suggested a podcast. Jodie (who grew up in Bushey) and Joel live in Essex with their two boys aged eight and three. She records the podcast at a studio in Finchley.
Over the past three years there have been many memorable moments. “While researching Dov Foreman I found a clip of him singing on YouTube when he was little. So I suggested a game of Guess the Singer and Song, and I played him the clip. He found it really funny and he told me he used to sing to raise money for charity. Every step of that interview he blew me away as a person – he is an amazing human being.”
She’s chatted to Romy Kosher, Josh Halmer and Ben Rebuck, and we can expect more food-related content as Jodie is a foodie. “I love learning about different cultures through food, and I’d love to understand more of the Sephardic traditions and Ethiopian foods. There’s a Jewish woman who’s got an Ethiopian restaurant in New York who I would love to have on the show.”
Risque comedian Candy Gigi was a tough gig. “Usually I can match people and their energies but very early on in our chat I thought I can’t match this. However what emerged was really interesting – she didn’t feel like she fit in at school, and she turned it around. This is what I love – talking to people and finding out more.”
Jodie is always careful not to get too political so when Hen Mazzig came on she steered the conversation to his background and he complexities of being a gay Mizrahi. “That was one of my earliest episodes, so I’d love to have him back. He did promise me that I could come over for his mum’s home cooking – I haven’t had that invite yet!
“I really enjoyed hanging out with Emma Kingston. Sometimes the conversation flows so well I feel like I’m their friend, and then I remember I’m not! We had a hilarious conversation about whether it’s bagel or beigel, and I still watch that clip, because it’s so funny. It’s interesting to see the difference in people who are media trained and how they come across. I think Emma was a bit wary of being on a Jewish podcast – she’s experienced a bit of antisemitism and people making comments.”
Jodie is very spiritual and says she would love to get some rabbis and Kabbalistic teachers to come on. “I’m open to all conversations. If it feels right, then I go for it. If there are things that don’t feel quite right, it’s a no. I don’t ever want to take an interview just because someone has a big following or has been recommended. It has to feel aligned. That said, if Adam Sandler ever agreed to come on I’d feel like I’ve arrived.”
Jewish News has entered into an exclusive partnership agreement to lead the social media strategy and content distribution for the WTFalafel podcast. The partnership was facilitated by 8original, who serves as both the agency partner behind the collaboration and Jewish News’ social media partner, helping drive innovative audience growth and digital engagement initiatives.
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