The East Valley JCC has launched a new podcast, “Conversation with the Rabbi,” which is hosted by Rabbi Michael Beyo, EVJCC CEO, and anthropologist Dr. Adrian McIntyre. The podcast, which launched at the end of March, aims to engage people from different backgrounds and beliefs in conversation to understand and appreciate the wondrous diversity of humanity.
From interfaith dialogues to discussions with business and nonprofit leaders, this podcast shines a spotlight on the different ways we can learn to live, work and worship together in a contentious and conflicted world.
“As human beings, we are multifaceted, and we should never stop learning and inquiring about ourselves,” says Rabbi Beyo. “And one way to learn more about ourselves and become better human beings is by learning from others through conversation.”
The hosts of the “Conversation with the Rabbi” podcast are Adrian McIntyre, left, and Rabbi Michael Beyo.
The first episode introduces the podcast and the hosts; the second episode features Azra Hussain of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona; the third episode is a conversation with certified Auschwitz educator Jerzy Wójcik about the Auschwitz Virtual Tour. The idea for the podcast stemmed from a free series hosted by the EVJCC in 2019-2020 that featured Rabbi Beyo having live, in-person conversations with local faith leaders. The series was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic and developed into this new podcast.
Upcoming episodes will feature Pastor Dan Hoeger of the All Saints Lutheran Church; Daphne Lazar Price with the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance; Carlos Galindo-Elvira with Chicanos Por La Causa; Doron Krakow with the JCC Association of North America; opera singer David Serero; Peggy and David Schlesinger of the Baha’i Faith; Craig Cardon of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; crimnal justice reformer Glenn Martin; and other guests with diverse perspectives on the world we all share.
On each episode, the co-hosts interview special guests, such as certified Auschwitz educator Jerzy Wojcik, pictured here.
Conversation with the Rabbi is a project of the East Valley Jewish Community Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, neighborhood organization that has served individuals and families inclusive of all races, religions and cultures since 1972.
The show is recorded and produced at PHX.fm, an online radio station and podcast studio in Phoenix.
Rabbi Michael Beyo, CEO of the EVJCC since 2015, was born in Milan, Italy, and has lived in Italy, England, France, Israel and the United States. He brings over 25 years of professional, entrepreneurial and nonprofit experience in education, cultural, humanitarian, social and religious sectors.
Dr. Adrian McIntyre is a cultural anthropologist who has lived and worked in over 30 countries. He spent nearly a decade in the Middle East and Africa as a researcher, journalist and media spokesperson for humanitarian relief agencies. Today he advises and trains entrepreneurs, executives and corporate teams on effective communication and the power of personal storytelling.
Listen to the podcast and read the transcripts at www.conversationwiththerabbi.com or with a smartphone app such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Overcast, or Pocket Casts.
