Sacred Realms: Exploring the Nexus of Jewish Wisdom, Science Fiction and Fantasy

by Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone and Rabbi Lindsey Healey-Pollack

Explore the intersection of science fiction, fantasy, and Jewish wisdom with Rabbis Lindsey Healey-Pollack and Andrew Pepperstone. Together, they tackle life's big questions while navigating the depths of spirituality and imagination. Join them on a journey through Israel’s Scriptures, rabbinic commentary, and beloved sci-fi/fantasy tales from various media.

Cover art generated by Dall-E (

  ...  Read more
Science Fiction
Judaism
Listen on ...

Podcast episodes

  • Season 2

  • Sacred Realms: Canon and Creativity - The Parallels of Midrash and Fan Fiction

    Sacred Realms: Canon and Creativity - The Parallels of Midrash and Fan Fiction

    S02 E02
    01:15:37

    We are back after a post-Passover break with our first full episode this year! We hope you will enjoy it, and tell your friends about it! In this episode of Sacred Realms, Canon and Creativity - The Parallels of Midrash and Fan Fiction, Rabbis Andrew and Lindsey talk about the human drive to embrace canons of myths and narratives and then to creatively develop and expand those worlds. We begin with this month’s She’lah / The Question of the Month: If you could write fan fiction in any sci-fi or fantasy realm, which one would you choose? Then on to what we have been watching or reading lately. Then we delve into this episode’s main topic: Canon and Creativity, the parallels between fan-created fiction and rabbinic midrash (creative filling of biblical narrative or expanding those narratives). Lastly, we pull out an old favorite From the Genzia, talking about Dreamworks’ The Prince of Egypt. Contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions at sacredrealmspodcast@gmail.com Episode Chapters: Introduction (0:00) She’elah / The Question of the Month (0:01:05) What we have been reading/watching lately (0:07:38) Our Main Topic: Canon and Creativity (0:18:23) From the Geniza 01:10:33) Conclusion (1:14:50)

  • Sacred Realms: Looking Back Over One Year and Reframing the Next

    Bonus

    Sacred Realms: Looking Back Over One Year and Reframing the Next

    S02
    19:39
    Bonus

    In this special episode of Sacred Realms, Rabbis Andrew and Lindsey talk about one year since the beginning of this podcast. They look over its beginnings, the original intent, and where things have organically taken the podcast up to now and into the next year. You can contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions (general, suggestions for a She'elah / Question of the Month, or episode theme) at sacredrealmspodcast@gmail.com

  • Season 1

  • Sacred Realms: From Sarah to Sarah Connor - Heroines in Tanakh, Sci-Fi and Fantasy

    Sacred Realms: From Sarah to Sarah Connor - Heroines in Tanakh, Sci-Fi and Fantasy

    S01 E12
    01:13:58

    In this twelfth episode of Sacred Realms, “From Sarah to Sarah Connor - Heroines in Tanakh, Sci-Fi and Fantasy.” Rabbis Andrew and Lindsey talk about female characters in the Hebrew Bible, Science Fiction and Fantasy. We begin with this month’s She’lah / The Question of the Month: “Who is your favorite heroine?” Then on to what we have been watching or reading lately. Then we delve into this episode’s main topic. Lastly, we pull out some material From the Genzia, talking about the sci-fi show “Fringe.” You can contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions at sacredrealmspodcast@gmail.com Segments of this episode: Introduction (0:00) She’elah / The Question of the Month (0:00:49) What we have been reading/watching lately (0:07:44) Our Main Topic: From Sarah to Sarah Connor (0:20:26) From the Geniza (1:08:31) Conclusion (1:13:10)

  • Sacred Realms: Just My Type

    Sacred Realms: Just My Type

    S01 E11
    01:15:34

    In this eleventh episode of Sacred Realms, “Just My Type,” Rabbis Andrew and Lindsey talk about competing and conflicting narratives in Sci-fi, Fantasy and Judaism. We begin with this month’s She’lah / The Question of the Week: “When have you felt like you were living a scene from the Tanakh?” Then on to what we have been watching or reading lately. Then we delve into this episode’s main topic: “Just My Type.” Lastly, we pull out some material From the Genzia, talking about the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander and the new Wonka movie. You can contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions at sacredrealmspodcast@gmail.com Segments of this episode: Introduction (0:00) She’elah / The Question of the Month (0:00:47) What we have been reading/watching lately (0:05:22) Our Main Topic: Just My Type (0:23:50) From the Geniza (1:07:05) Conclusion (1:15:26)

  • Sacred Realms: Clash of the Narratives

    Sacred Realms: Clash of the Narratives

    S01 E10
    01:06:14

    In this tenth episode of Sacred Realms, “Clash of the Narratives,” Rabbis Andrew and Lindsey talk about competing and conflicting narratives in Sc-fi, Fantasy and Judaism. We begin with this month’s She’lah / The Question of the Week: “How did you negotiate among conflicting narratives?” Then on to what we have been watching or reading lately. Then we delve into this episode’s main topic: “Clash of the Narratives.” Lastly, we pull out some material From the Genzia, talking about the 1983 Sci-fi/Fantasy cult classic Krull. You can contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions at sacredrealmspodcast@gmail.com Segments of this episode: Introduction (0:00) She’elah / The Question of the Month (0:00:53) What we have been reading/watching lately (0:07:48) Our Main Topic: Clash of the Narratives (0:19:13) From the Geniza (1:02:32) Conclusion (1:05:26)