Ashamed to Admit
It's everything you didn't get in Jewish Studies class and a lot you probably didn't know you needed.
Ashamed to Admit is the podcast for anyone who's ever nodded along in a conversation about Jewish history, culture, or current events while internally panicking.
Hosted by comedians Tami Sussman and Shoshana Gottlieb, each episode breaks down the big, chewy, occasionally ridiculous questions of Jewish life, identity and community, with warmth, wit, and zero judgment.
From ancient texts to antisemitism to whether you can use a vibrator on Shabbat, nothing is off limits.
Funny, irreverent, and genuinely educational. You don't have to be Jewish to love it. But it helps to have a sense of humour.
Episodes
85 episodes
Are Jews "Drinkers?"
Are Jews “drinkers?” What began as a throwaway comment in a previous episode, blew up and into an online debate. So Shoshana and Tami go back to the texts, to uncover what Judaism has to say about the topic. Plus, someone in a Jewish Faceboo...
"How do I talk to god?" and other questions.
What was the first Jewish temple-like-tent called and why was it erected? Why do folks froth over Rashi? Who’s that person in Synagogue who sings louder than everyone else? How does one talk to god? In this episode, Tami and Shoshana talk ta...
What is a golem? Jewish Mythology
Do you have no idea what a golem is? Are you ashamed to admit you've never seen The Lord of the Rings? Feeling like your Jewish Community might need some extra protection right now? Then this episode is for you. Plus, someone is distraught when...
Is it kosher?
Who decides what is and isn’t kosher? Will the next generation be able to keep to the laws of kashrut in a cost of living crisis? If you had the power to make McDonalds, KFC or Guzman y Gomez kosher, which one would you choose? Plus, welcome...
Jewish Afterlife, Naming Traditions, Modesty and Bisexual Anne Frank.
There’s something for everyone in this week’s episode as Tami puts listener questions into a hat and Shoshana answers them (and makes fun of Tami’s hat). Plus someone in a Jewish Facebook group tries to disguise sexual gloating with marital con...
Why is this episode different to all other episodes?
Because it's the Pesach Special ya'll. Why do secular Jews love Passover so much? Is there archeological proof that the red sea parted? What happened to the Israelites who stayed in Egypt instead of following Moshe and Miria...
What's the difference between Torah, Tanakh, Talmud, Mishnah, Gemara and Midrash?
Why are there so many Jewish books? What's the difference between Torah, Tanakh, Talmud, Mishnah, Gemara and Midrash? Will memes be added to the canon in the future? In this episode, Shoshana explains all to Tami who's ashamed to admit she had ...
The Jewish Wedding Special (Part 1)
What makes a Jewish wedding “Jewish?” The couple? The rituals? The contract? The person officiating? In this episode, Tami and Shoshana attempt to answer this question. Plus Shoshana reveals a very unpopular opinion regarding the breaking of th...
Being Jewish is a Spectrum
‘Being Jewish’ is a spectrum and Australian Jewry is not exempt. Our international listeners were curious to know what different branches of Judaism exist in Australia and as usual Shoshana & Tami are here for you. A note to our Aussie audi...
Adam did what? And other bonkers bible bits.
Adam did some things your Jewish Studies teachers weren’t allowed to tell you. Snakes had legs. And there’s a biblical reason why you’re not the preferred sibling. Sound a bit bonkers? Welcome to this episode of Ashamed to Admit. Th...
Farmer Wants a Wife: Purim explained, without the noise.
So there’s a King and Farmer Wants a Wife and his advisor wants to murder all the Jews and he has a funny hat and Esther becomes Queen and she’s Jewish and she has a cousin (or uncle?) who won’t bow down to … Ashamed to Admit you don't really r...
Slay, Gay, Pray. It's the LGBTQIA+ Special !
It’s Mardi Gras Festival in Sydney, Australia! Your co-hosts, Shoshana and Tami are here for you - asking those “anything gay” questions you’ve been too ashamed to ask. Plus, they discuss what Jewish foods would be best suited to go rainbow to ...
Lilith, Judith, Maimonides - who were these divas?
Maimonides, Yehudit, Lilith. You know these divas by name but you’ve forgotten what they did. Tami and Shoshana are here for you once again with a breakdown. Plus, a post in a Jewish Facebook group that made Shoshana lose her mind. ...
Why do Jewish people celebrate the Trees' birthday? Pray to the moon? Plus a shocking revelation about Jewish Valentine's Day.
Did you know that Jewish people celebrate the trees' birthday? And the moon? Is Jewish Valentine's day romantic or horrific? Tami & Shoshana are here for you as they discuss Rosh Chodesh, Tu B'av and Tu B'shevat aka. Tu Bishvat. Plus an ang...
Why do Jewish people get anxious about waste? Have a different calendar? Occasionally marry their in-law?
Why do Jewish people get anxious about waste? Have a different calendar? Occasionally marry their in-law? Tami & Shoshana are here for you; all will be answered in this week’s 'Rapid Fire' episode. Plus, a curious FB group member asks if it...
How did Jewish people end up living all over the world?
Welcome back to Season 4 of The Jewish Independent’s podcast ASHAMED TO ADMIT. In the first episode of the season, Tami Sussman asks BRAND NEW CO-HOST Shoshana Gottlieb Beker how Jews ended up in so many places around the world! Plus, ...
Israel, it's Time to Dream Again – a conversation with Sir Mick Davis and Mike Prashker
In this one-off interview, TJI's Editor-in-Chief Deborah Stone speaks with Sir Mick Davis and Mike Prashker, founders of The London Initiative—a global network connecting Jewish leaders across the diaspora. They discuss the threat of illiberali...
Season 3 finale: Secret Scandalous Family Histories
For this Season 3 finale, their very last episode as co-hosts, Tami and Dash balance the over/undersharing scale by delving into Dash’s secret and scandalous family history. They discover that there’s more than one way to define a “Jewish Famil...
Bearing Witness on October 7th with Nova Festival Survivor Natalie Sanandaji
On the second anniversary of October 7th, host Tami Sussman sits down with Nova Festival survivor Natalie Sanandaji, an Iranian-American Jewish woman who narrowly escaped the Hamas attacks. Natalie discusses her transformation from ...
Legacy, Leadership, and the Long Game: Rabbis Jeffrey Kamins and Jacqueline Ninio
At Australia's largest congregation, Emanuel Synagogue, a historic transition is underway as the High Holy Days approach. Longstanding Senior Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins has announced he is passing the metaphorical shofar to Rabbi Jacqueline Nino. Tam...
Ellie's Story: From Family Kitchen to Award-Winning Cookbook
Tami and Dash sit down with chef, author, influencer and newly minted award-winner Ellie Bouhadana. From the kitchen to the page, Ellie has been cooking up more than focaccia. Catch a glimpse of Ellie's table :)Articles relevant to to...
Wary Serenity: Deborah Conway & Ben Adler on Performing Music Post-October 7
In the middle of the upcoming Jewish High Holy Days, SHIR Australian Jewish Music Festival is returning to stages in Sydney and Melbourne. This year's theme, Songs of Strength, will see Jewish music ranging from musical theatre to pop, liturgic...
Beyond Survival: Sydney Jewish Museum's Bold New Chapter
After welcoming over one million visitors since opening its doors in 1992, the Sydney Jewish Museum is embarking on an ambitious and brave transformation that speaks directly to our tumultuous present moment.Senior Curator Shannon Bieder...
Dear Diary: Alexis Fishman's Theatrical Journey
Tami and Dash sit down with the incomparable Alexis Fishman: one of Australia’s most dynamic Jewish performers.Ahead of her upcoming performance in Anne Being Frank (presented by Monstrous Theatre, Neil Gooding Productions...
Bright, Bold & Beautiful; it's Aussie Legend Beck Feiner
In this episode, Tami sits down with illustrator, author and all-round creative powerhouse Beck Feiner for a conversation that’s equal parts Jewy, chewy and a little bit shamey. Tami and Beck cover the full spectrum: from having prou...