Israel
Life in Israel, Israeli society, culture, and domestic affairs
#511: The Ticking Clock on Jerusalem's 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 Mid-Life Crisis
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: When 1950s Wiring Meets 2026 Life
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: Embassies That Run Like Startups
Discover how small nations like Fiji and Papua New Guinea are reinventing diplomacy in Jerusalem through ag-tech, rugby, and lean "startup" models.
#448: When the Safety Net Fits Only Employees
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: The Data Bottleneck Above: AI and Laser Comms in Orbit
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: When Your Landlord Ignores the Law
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: The Ghost Towers of Jerusalem: Luxury for Whom?
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.
#353: The Art of the Leak: Psyops and Military Censorship
Why would a military report its own weaknesses? Herman and Corn dive into strategic deception, reflexive control, and the secrets of the censor.
#326: Escaping the Gridlock: Israel’s Car-Free Revolution
Can Israel break its car addiction? Herman and Corn explore the shift from gridlock to a human-scale, transit-first society.
#315: The $5,000 "Yuck": Navigating Israel’s Defamation Laws
In Israel, a one-word review can cost thousands. Herman and Corn explore why reputation often outweighs truth in the Israeli legal system.
#307: Why Israel's Oligopolies Keep Prices High
Why is Israel one of the world's most expensive countries? Herman and Corn break down the monopolies and red tape driving up daily costs.
#301: The Invisible Customs Officer: How AI Scans Your Parcels Before They Arrive
Ever wonder how customs scans 350,000 packages a day? Discover the AI and X-ray tech managing the global avalanche of parcels.
#293: How Cainiao Broke Israel's Postal System
Why is shipping from China to Israel faster than local delivery? Herman and Corn decode the "smart logistics" behind the AliExpress phenomenon.