Israel
Life in Israel, Israeli society, culture, and domestic affairs
#626: Inside the Interrogation Room: The Psychology of Shin Bet
Explore the chilling contrast of high-stakes interrogations, where psychological mastery and the "illusion of knowing" replace physical force.
#618: The Orange Sky: Bedouin Tech and the Biology of Dust
As Jerusalem turns orange under a massive dust storm, Herman and Corn explore how Bedouin traditions and human biology adapt to a world of sand.
#611: Jerusalem’s Light Rail: Public Transit or Private Power?
Corn and Herman explore the aggressive "enforcement theater" on Jerusalem’s light rail and how residents can organize against systemic harassment.
#602: Seismic Shifts: Can Israel Withstand the Big One?
Are Israel's old buildings ready for the Big One? Explore the engineering of Tama 38 and how safe rooms provide a hidden seismic spine.
#601: The Engineering of Survival: Inside Israel's Safe Rooms
How do you survive a missile strike? Corn and Herman dive into the structural secrets of MAMADs, stairwells, and underground bunkers.
#585: The Citizen-Soldier: How the IDF Manages a Hybrid Army
How does a nation turn software engineers into tank commanders in 48 hours? Herman and Corn explore the IDF’s unique hybrid military model.
#579: Iron Beam: The Science of Israel’s Megawatt Laser
Discover how the Iron Beam laser is changing warfare with $2 interceptions and megawatt power. A deep dive into the future of defense technology.
#548: Guns vs. Butter: The High Price of Israel’s Security
Can Israel balance national security with social needs? Herman and Corn dive into the staggering math of the country’s defense budget.
#547: Jerusalem’s Thirst Tax: The Fight for Public Water
Why is it so hard to find a drink in Jerusalem? Herman and Corn explore the history, economics, and public health of urban water access.
#514: Cracking the Code of the Israeli Mortgage System
Herman and Corn dive into the complex world of the Israeli Mashkanta, exploring why the system is unique and how to navigate its many risks.
#512: The OPEC of Dirt: Why Israel Owns 93% of Its Land
Why does the Israeli state own 93% of the land? Herman and Corn explore the history and the impact of this unique monopoly on the housing market.
#511: Who Owns Jerusalem? The Hidden Power of Church Land
Explore how ancient church deeds and expiring 99-year leases create real estate chaos and diplomatic minefields in modern Jerusalem.
#508: Israel's Solar Revolution: Can the Sun Power the Future?
Israel led the world in solar water heaters, but why is it lagging in electricity? Herman and Corn explore the future of the Israeli grid.
#475: Why Is Israel’s Air Dirtier Than London and New York?
Why is Israel’s air quality worse than London’s? Herman and Corn explore the science of smog and how DIY tech can help us breathe.
#460: Mastering the Israeli Salary Talk: Negotiating with Chutzpah
Navigate the "shuk" of Israeli salary talks. Learn to use chutzpah and market data to secure the tech compensation you deserve in 2026.
#454: Breaking the 16-Amp Ceiling: Israeli Electrical Secrets
Tired of the power tripping when you make toast? Herman and Corn explain the "16-amp ceiling" and how to modernize Israeli apartment wiring.
#452: Boutique Diplomacy: Inside Jerusalem’s Startup Embassies
Discover how small nations like Fiji and Papua New Guinea are reinventing diplomacy in Jerusalem through ag-tech, rugby, and lean "startup" models.
#448: The Freelancer’s Dilemma: Rethinking the Global Safety Net
Why does the "Start-up Nation" struggle to support its solo entrepreneurs? Herman and Corn explore global models for a better freelance future.
#444: How to Spot a Real Estate Money Pit: The Property Triage
Learn how to distinguish between "good bones" and expensive structural failures when touring potential fixer-upper properties.
#432: Israel's Space Surprises: AI on Steroids and Laser Comms
How do you process millions of kilometers of satellite data in real-time? Explore the future of orbital AI and laser communications.
#430: Jerusalem’s Ghost Consulates: Diplomacy in Limbo
Discover why some Jerusalem consulates ignore the state they’re in and how 400-year-old treaties still shape the city’s bizarre diplomatic map.
#398: The Rental Jungle: Surviving Mold and Bad Landlords
Is your home making you sick? Herman and Corn dive into the legal and health realities of dealing with severe mold and negligent landlords.
#382: The Wolves of Tel Aviv: Unmasking a Global Scam
Discover the dark side of the Startup Nation as Herman and Corn dive into the billion-dollar binary options industry that targeted victims worldwide.
#361: The Dual Economy: Israel's Tech Boom and Social Bust
Israel’s tech success hides a growing economic divide. Herman and Corn discuss the shift from socialism to a "dual economy" and the housing crisis.
#360: Vertical Safety Deposit Boxes: Jerusalem’s Ghost Apartments
Why are luxury towers rising in Israel's poorest city? Herman and Corn dive into the "ghost apartment" crisis and the future of urban housing.