Israel
Life in Israel, Israeli society, culture, and domestic affairs
#505: The Jerusalem Syndrome: When Sacred Spaces Break the Mind
Why do healthy tourists suddenly believe they are biblical prophets? Explore the fascinating psychology behind the world’s most famous holy city.
#501: The Split Embassy: When Diplomacy Needs Two Cities
Herman and Corn dive into the complex, fragmented world of U.S. diplomacy and why some embassies are split across multiple cities.
#499: Gentle Urbanism: Why Vienna Works and Jerusalem Struggles
From "whispering asphalt" to social housing, discover how Vienna creates a human-centric city while others struggle with noise and grit.
#496: Beyond the FDA: Why Small Nations Re-Review Medicine
If the FDA says a drug is safe, why wait? Explore the science, economics, and recent reforms behind local pharmaceutical approvals.
#490: The Day the Walls Fell: Erasing Jerusalem's City Line
Explore the chaotic, high-speed demolition of the walls that divided Jerusalem for nineteen years and the "temporal vertigo" of 1967.
#489: Tears of the Tree: The Secret History of Frankincense
Explore the biology, economics, and neuroscience of frankincense, from the ancient Incense Route to its psychoactive role in Temple worship.
#487: The Biblical Pantry: Dining in 700 BCE Jerusalem
Step back 2,700 years to discover why there were no tomatoes in ancient Jerusalem and how bread became the center of the universe.
#483: The Ottoman Empire's Hidden Blueprint
Explore how 400 years of Ottoman rule and 30 years of British mandate built the physical and legal foundations of the modern State of Israel.
#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.
#453: Why Your Brain Won't Let You Rest During a Crisis
Why does rest feel like betrayal in a crisis? Herman and Corn dive into the science of nervous system regulation and the art of self-preservation.
#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.