Documentary Filmmaker, Air Guitar Legend
Interested in the origin stories of the guys who invented the original superheroes? Then check out episode five of The Kibitz featuring a conversation on that very subject between Jonathan Lethem (Motherless Brooklyn, Fortress of Solitude) Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers) and Rabbi Sharon Brous.
Plus Moshe Kasher and David Kasher, Ronna, nana and more!
Sure, some journalists travel to war-torn countries or expose pernicious political scandals, but I opted for the arduous task of finding the best tea in London.
(Sorry if this is behind a paywall, but high-minded journalism of this sort — much like afternoon tea — comes at a price).
Episode 3 of The Kibitz is an action-packed Valentine’s Day episode all about love. We’ve got an excerpt from Israel Story (the “Israeli This American Life”) hosted by Mishy Harman, brothers Rabbi David Kasher and comedian Moshe Kasher, Larry Smith of the Six Word Memoir Project, Ronna (of Ronna & Beverly), and my 95-year old nana telling jokes.
And if that weren’t enough to get you kvelling, Jeff Goldblum plays some jazz and banters about jewish holidays.
You don’t have to be Jewish to listen, but it wouldn’t hurt…
The second episode of The Kibitz includes interviews with Transparent producers Zackary Drucker (who reveals how the Berlin 1933 storyline from season 2 was partially inspired by true events in her family), and Micah Fitzerman-Blue—who talks about what it’s like being a cisgender male in the writer’s room, and growing up as the son of a rabbi in Oklahoma.
Also featured are brothers Rabbi David Kasher and comedian Moshe Kasher, Mishy Harman from the great podcast Israel Story, and my 95-year old nana telling jokes!
And, Christopher Noxon tells a hilarious and harrowing story of his conversion—including the adult circumcision ritual!
Download Episode 2 at The Kibitz or better, subscribe on iTunes.
You don’t have to be Jewish to listen to The Kibitz…but it helps! Our debut episode is all about Hanukkah and features Moshe Kasher & brother David Kasher, Ronna & Beverly, the Sklar Brothers, chef Micah Wexler (of Wexler’s Deli) and others!
If you’ve never had a kardemummabulle, you simply haven’t lived. I did the grueling legwork of finding the best cardamom buns in Stockholm so you wouldn’t have to. You’re welcome!
When Instagram Culture Ruins a Vacation
The downside of finding an idyllic beach in Mallorca: The selfie-stick-equipped hordes were already there.
I spent over a year documenting Yuval Sharon and company’s process of writing and producing Hopscotch, an opera that will take place inside 24 limousines in and around Los Angeles. Check out the story in California Sunday Magazine.
My favorite time of year is always the end of August, when air guitarists from around the globe make a sojourn to Oulu, Finland, to compete in the Air Guitar World Championships.
I’ve been the official Master of Airemonies since 2008, an honor I can’t even imagine how I deserve. Every year gets better, and the people I meet are the biggest-hearted, warmest, most amazing people in the world, who all come to Oulu to bond over their love for rock n’ roll. This year’s title went to the talented and hilarious Russian known as, “Your Daddy.”
Stories can come from the most unexpected places. The origin of this one goes back to a night out drinking with international air guitar legend, Zac Monro. Zac told me about a community currency called The Brixton Pound, and then pulled out an amazing looking note graced by David Bowie. And thus, this piece in the Times was born.
I wrote a piece in the NY Times Sunday Styles section attempting to answer the age old question: Should a dog be allowed to sleep on the bed? The American Kennel Club, Cesar Millan, Dr. Stanley Coren and several others weighed in. Turns out my shrink had the answer all along…
I drove by this store in Echo Park every day for months, and then finally decided to check it out. Then I wrote about it for the New York Times / T Magazine. It’s a bit like a Portlandia sketch, but with cacti instead of things with birds printed on them. They have a crazy array of cacti to choose from. Not cheap, but worth just checking out.
I’ve spent many years traveling to Finland to both compete, and host, the Air Guitar World Championships in Oulu. Lately, thanks to the new Swedish friends I’ve made thanks to Airbnb, I’ve been heading to Stockholm before/after my Finnish sojourn.
This is a short piece I wrote for Rhapsody Magazine (United Airlines first class magazine – a magazine I’ll never be able to afford to read) about the new restaurant scene in Stockholm, featuring the restaurants Ekstedt, Green Rabbit Bakery and Matstudio. (PDF Version)
After reading that Neil Armstrong’s widow discovered some artifacts from Apollo 11, and coincidentally, after listening to the amazing Song Exploder podcast (ep. 28 – The Long Winters), I was inspired to write this story for Slate.
