• Joanne J-Bird Phillips TALKS The Arts & Journalism | JTWJE Jewish American Heritage Month Special #3
    May 14 2026
    I am very excited to launch a very special series for Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar. May is Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), which annually celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States.

    I am honored to welcome my dear friend and mentor, Joanne J-Bird Phillips, to the podcast. I first met J-Bird in New York City through our mutual friend and former guest, Beatrice Kimmel. She and I instantly bonded and became fast friends. I love her zest for life, and it was Beshert (Yiddish for “destiny”) that the stars finally aligned for her to come on the show for our third JAHM special.

    Born in The Bronx and raised on Long Island, NY, Joanne Phillips grew up in a family of professional drummers and band leaders. Having a natural rhythm since childhood, Joanne's father taught her to play drums with brushes when she was seven, and her first song was "Come Fly with Me" by Frank Sinatra. She grew up listening to Swing, Motown, Bossa Nova, and Rock 'n' Roll, and honed her drum skills on a full orange sparkle drum kit that her family bought for her. At age sixteen, Joanne was asked to join a local garage band of teenage boys who needed someone to play their cover of "Wipeout" by The Surfaris correctly. She stepped in and nailed it. Hence began Joanne's lifelong love of music and live performance.

    Fast forward to the late 70's, after Joanne had moved to Long Beach, NY, and raised two children of her own in the arts -- her son, an alumnus of Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in NYC, and one of the metro area's popular freelance Improv coaches, and her daughter, a SAG-AFTRA TV actress and comedian/comedy writer working in LA.

    Over the years, Joanne witnessed how many music and arts programs were evaporating and eventually terminated, due to a lack of funding and/or support from the government, as well as certain folks with no interest in keeping arts programs alive, resulting in the arts being put on the back burner in the education system. Joanne remained an avid supporter of an arts education platform for children. She saw how it created positive experiences for her own kids (and many other youths) and witnessed how even a basic arts education enriched lives of youths on many levels for years into their adulthood.

    In 2012, Joanne founded J-Bird Music for the Arts, Inc., with the vision of reviving arts programs by providing much-needed equipment, instruments, and resources to enrich the lives of youth through arts education. She wanted to bring that same joy, excitement, and creativity to youth everywhere, especially in underserved or underfunded areas. Through J-Bird Music for the Arts, Joanne brings her vision alive. From her tireless efforts as a brain tumor survivor with a second chance to live and continue on this mission, she has provided much-needed equipment and support to music and arts programs throughout New York State, including Still Waters In A Storm in Brooklyn, Long Beach High School in Long Island, and Goshen Central High School in Orange County, NY.

    On this edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Joanne spoke about her tenth anniversary of being associated with the US Press Association and revealed some of the J-Bird Music for the Arts’ top accomplishments.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Ethan Zohn RETURNS + TALKS ‘Survivor 50’ + Grassroot Soccer | JTWJE Jewish American Heritage Month Special 2
    May 11 2026
    I am very excited to launch a very special series for Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast. May is Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), which annually celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States.

    There are no words to describe how ecstatic I am to welcome back Ethan Zohn for a third time!

    Ethan became a household name when he first appeared on Survivor: Africa, the third season of the legendary US reality TV competition. He won seven challenges and the title of “Sole Survivor.” He appeared on Survivor: All-Stars, where he won four challenges but lasted only 21 days, and returned to compete in the milestone season Survivor: Winners at War, where he only won one challenge and lasted 35 days.

    Since Survivor, Ethan has become an influential social entrepreneur. With a portion of his Survivor: Africa winnings, he co-founded Grassroot Soccer (GRS). GRS is an adolescent health organization that harnesses the power of soccer to provide young people with the essential information, services, and mentorship they need to lead healthier lives. Since its inception, GRS has expanded to 60 countries in Africa and worldwide, has graduated 13 million youth, and has worked with scores of public—and private-sector partners.

    He also raised his voice to fight cancer. Cancer-free since 2012, Ethan Zohn has been a voice for fighters, survivors, and caregivers of all ages, even chronicling the gritty details of his entire cancer experience for People Magazine. While undergoing treatment, he ran and finished the New York City and Boston marathons to help spread messages of hope and resilience to the world. Ethan is a champion for investment in new medical research and technology. He is an advisor to numerous hospitals and foundations, such as Cancer Buddy, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Memorial Sloan Kettering.

    As demonstrated by his charitable work, tzedakah, and community involvement, Ethan believes that Jewish values can achieve a better and healthier world. His inspiration to help heal the world stems from being taught at an early age the importance of community, a connection to the Jewish faith, and the preservation of Israel. Ethan shares his deep bond to Judaism, his connection to the Jewish community, and his relationship with Israel by partnering with Jewish organizations that do critical work worldwide, such as BBYO, the Jewish National Fund, and Maccabi USA.

    On this edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Ethan Zohn gave his take on Survivor 50, previews Grassroot Soccer’s 25th anniversary, and how Grassroot Soccer is going to play a role with the World Cup coming to North America.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
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    35 mins
  • Beatrice Levine TALKS Culture Quota & Love for Timothee + Wendy | JTWJE Jewish Heritage Month Special 1
    May 7 2026
    I am very excited to launch a very special series for Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast. May is Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), which annually celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States.

    Throughout the month, I will welcome some incredible content creators, podcast hosts, performers, a Reality TV Legend, and a dear mentor who are making an impact on the entertainment industry.

    To kick things off, I am welcoming my friend and fellow Kansas Citian, Beatrice Levine, to the podcast! Beatrice is an art historian, culture writer, and digital creator blending high-low aesthetics with a distinctly smart, funny voice. Since 2016, she has built Culture Quota, a highly engaged global community of college-aged and professional women who come to me for content that’s equal parts educational, irreverent, and always visually sharp. From museum deep-dives to viral reels, her work lives at the intersection of culture, commentary, and connection.

    Beatrice has worked with various brands, including The Academic Writer’s Space, Diet Coke, Jerry Gogosian, the Leo Baeck Institute, and YSL Beauty. In addition to Culture Quota, she works as a Social Media Associate at 70 Faces Media and as a Content Manager at Betches Media.

    In this edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Beatrice Levine shared Culture Quota’s origin story, her love for Timothée Chalamet and Wendy Williams, how to counter antisemitism in the Reality TV world, and what Jewish heritage means to her.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
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    56 mins
  • Matt DeAngelis RETURNS & PREVIEWS Janice Jam 2026 | JTWJE EXCLUSIVE 23
    May 3 2026
    A Note from Jacob: Since my conversation with Matt, the 2026 Janice Jam at Sony Hall is OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT!

    I am thrilled to welcome back my friend, actor Matt DeAngelis, to Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar for an exclusive conversation!

    Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Matt grew up on showtunes and Boston sports. Matt studied theatre at the University of Southern Maine and The Boston Conservatory before heading down Route 95 to NYC in 2004. In June 2009, Matt got the call to make his Broadway debut in the Tony-winning production of HAIR with Tony Award winner Diane Paulus at the helm. Matt continued with that production, “Across the Atlantic Sea,” to the West End in the role of “Woof,” then launched the first national US Tour of HAIR, and was seen back on Broadway in the “Summer of Love” revival of HAIR. Following his time with the hippies, Matt launched the first national tour of Green Day’s AMERICAN IDIOT as the “Representative from Jingletown”. Matt’s cross-country adventures continued in 2014 with the first national tour of ONCE, where he played “Svec” and five instruments. Over the last five years, Matt has been a veteran of almost 2,000 performances.

    Thankfully, Matt returned home to Broadway (again with Diane Paulus) in the hit musical WAITRESS, where he starred opposite Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller, two-time Grammy winner Jason Mraz, and seven-time Grammy nominee and the show’s composer, Sara Bareilles. He then toured the country with the WAITRESS National Tour as Earl opposite his real-life wife, Christine Dwyer, as Jenna. Upon returning from the road, Matt was a part of developing the World Premiere of The Secret Life of Bees at The Atlantic Theatre Company, directed by Tony Award winner Sam Gold. He also appeared in Orpheus Descending at Theatre for a New Audience.

    Matt DeAngelis also started the Janice Jam in memory of his mother, Janice, who passed from metastatic breast cancer in 2022. This annual event channels the magic of Broadway to honor those we’ve lost, uplift those fighting, and fund critical research. This event serves as a yearly celebration of Janice, her love for theater, and raising money for those affected by metastatic breast cancer. An all-star group of performers is joining Matt and his wife, Christine Dwyer, this year. Ari Axelrod, Ashley Loren, Carrie St. Louis, Cassadee Pope, Derek Klena, Donald Webber Jr., Eric Michael Krop, Justin Matthew Sargent, Kara Lindsay, Laurie Hernandez, and Norm Lewis are all expected to participate in the show.

    On this exclusive edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Matt DeAngelis spoke about how Janice Jam partnered with Masquerade and previewed the sold-out event.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
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    27 mins
  • Tony Kieraldo TALKS Postmodern Jukebox & James Bond | EP 428
    Apr 27 2026
    It is a pleasure to welcome Tony Kieraldo to the Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.

    Tony is a world-renowned pianist, composer, and musical director, known for his work with Postmodern Jukebox, musical director for Celebrate the Beat in Colorado, and a music teaching artist with the National Dance Institute in New York. In August 2025, he released Golden Keys. This project reimagined James Bond’s iconic music for ragtime piano and voice. The album features collaborations with singers with whom he collaborated during his time with Postmodern Jukebox. He toured the album’s first iteration in the United Kingdom last year and will continue expanding the project this year.

    His album, Hudson Ragtime Piano Suite, written during the pandemic, showcased Tony Kieraldo’s original compositions and the history of Hudson, New York’s five main streets. He regularly collaborates with tap dance sensation Demi Remick, releasing arrangements that range from Taylor Swift to The Wizard of Oz.

    In 2017, Tony conducted the critically acclaimed opera The Mother of Us All, which received reviews in both The New Yorker and The New York Times. He also performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and twice at the Obama White House. He also performed at iconic venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Sydney Opera House, the London Palladium, Town Hall, and the Ryman Auditorium.

    On the latest episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Tony Kieraldo spoke about his time with Postmodern Jukebox and performing at legendary venues, including the White House and the Sydney Opera House. He also shared about the Golden Keys’ recording process, including his collaborations with Casey Abrams (“Live and Let Die”), Effie Passero (“From Russia with Love”), and Tia Simone (“Goldeneye”).

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
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    38 mins
  • Grammy-nominated Alvin Garrett TALKS Songwriting & ‘Talk to Her Like This’ | JTWJE EP 427
    Apr 23 2026
    It is a privilege to welcome Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Alvin Garrett to the Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.

    Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, the Grammy-nominated Alvin Garrett is commanding the attention of hearts and minds with his transcendent artistry. With a 25-year career defined by musical brilliance, lyrical depth, and cultural impact, he unveils the next chapter in his evolution with the release of his electrifying new single, "Roll Slide Roll." With this song, Alvin taps into his Southern Roots to deliver a dance floor/skating, rink/backyard cookout-ready anthem that is Roll Slide Rolling up the charts! As an award-winning songwriter, his credits include artists such as Joe, Kelly Rowland, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Deitrick Haddon, Trin-1-Tee 5:7, and more!

    Most recently, he was nominated for the Stellar Awards' "Song of the Year" for "Clap My Way" by gospel artist Micah Lee. As an R&B artist, Garret's highest charting single, ‘"Til I Get Back To You," soared to #15 on the Billboard R&B charts in 2023.

    With five albums under his belt, he has plenty of amazing music for new fans to discover. Alvin Garrett is currently promoting a soulful live experience called "Songs in the Key of AG." In this one-of-a-kind performance, Garrett honors the timeless music of Al Green while seamlessly infusing his own amazing original songs. In addition to sharing the same initials as Al Green, he delivers that same defining sound of Southern R&B-music rooted in soul, gospel, and blues wrapped in authentic storytelling.

    In 2024, he received one of the nation's highest civilian honors - the Presidential Medal of Honor - awarded by President Joe Biden in recognition of his transformative contributions to music and social justice through his community-based initiative, The Write Life. This innovative songwriting therapy program, implemented in partnership with the nationally acclaimed nonprofit The Dannon Project, teaches justice-involved and at-risk youth to "write" their lives through positive planning and goal-oriented mindsets. Whether on stage, in the studio, or in the heart of underserved communities, he is the embodiment of artistic integrity and purpose-driven impact. With his voice as his instrument and his mission as his compass, Garrett is not just making music - he's making an impact.

    On the latest episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Alvin Garrett spoke about the first time that he heard Fantasia, Joe, Kelly Rowland, and Ruben Studdard sing the songs that he co-wrote, and talked about his latest project, Talk to Her Like This.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
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    31 mins
  • Vi City TALKS Hundreds Entertainment, Music & Spotify | JTWJE Ep 426
    Apr 20 2026
    It is a privilege to welcome Chicago-born producer, rapper, singer, and songwriter Vi City to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.

    He got his start at the Midwest city’s storied Wild Hundreds, a proving ground that shaped his raw, reflective sound and entrepreneurial mindset. Blending lived truth with elevated ambition, Vi’s music captures both the weight of his origins and the clarity of an artist who built his own lane. Vi City’s catalog has quietly amassed significant independent momentum. His latest project has generated over 2.8 million streams, with singles charting number 21 on the iTunes Hip-Hop chart, while his breakout record “U Deserve” peaked at number 55 on the iTunes R&B chart. His audience continues to expand globally, now reaching 97K monthly Spotify listeners, over 7 million YouTube views, and over 228K Instagram followers.

    He first entered the industry working with Mathaus Ent. and Chilly of 1st & 15th (Lupe Fiasco), before partnering with DJ Skee to release a mixtape through Skeeters TV. He later co-penned Nelly’s “Country N*** Fly (CNF)” and secured a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group.

    As a writer, producer, and collaborator, Vi has worked across hip-hop’s mainstream and underground, including writing and featuring on Sir Michael Rocks ft. Twista’s “Some Ish” from the number one debut album Banco, and collaborating with hitmaking duo Da Internz (Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, and Nas). His music has also been featured on FOX’s hit series Empire and HBO’s Entourage. Recent collaborations include Moneybagg Yo, Tee Grizzley, and Lil Poppa, further cementing his relevance across generations of hip-hop.

    Beyond his own artistry, Vi City is the founder of Hundreds Entertainment, a music and film production company dedicated to developing emerging talent and expanding independent creative ownership.

    On the latest episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Vi City shared Hundreds Entertainment’s origin story, his reaction when Empire and Entourage inserted his music into their shows, and some of the stories behind his most-streamed Spotify songs.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
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    21 mins
  • Marcus J. Anthony RETURNS + TALKS ‘Pokémon Next Gen’ + The Elite-Verse | EP 425!
    Apr 13 2026
    A Note from Jacob: Welcome to the 425th episode of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast! When I started this platform back in November 2019, I did not know that this journey would take me to interview authors, Emmy-winning actors and journalists, Grammy-winning producers, independent recording artists, my fellow podcasters, Reality TV legends, and social media influencers. Thank you to all my guests and their respective media teams for taking time out of your schedules to trust me and my platform! Also, a special shoutout to my family and friends who encouraged me throughout my journey! Finally, I want to say “Thank You” to everyone who has listened to or watched an episode! I appreciate your continuing support! I am thrilled to welcome back my friend, author, and content creator Marcus J. Anthony, to Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar! The Dublin native is an upcoming author who previously published Love of Sacrifice, then rebooted it as The World of Antheric. Some who have known Marcus from school found the news of his book a surprise, as Marcus struggled through school dealing with dyslexia and social anxiety. Marcus lacked focus in his studies and would spend most of his time daydreaming about flying on dragons or waving a wand to cast a spell. Fantasy fueled Marcus’s mind. However, it caused him to fall behind in school. He would be exempt from Irish language studies, which was disheartening for him, as he could not translate his country's original language. When Marcus was ten, he suffered from sleep anxiety. So, he decided to use his strong imagination to create ‘movies’ in his head that would help him sleep. That was when some of the characters in this novel were created. In the years that followed, the movies in his head developed into a magical world that Marcus could not resist writing about. Creative writing became his passion, and Marcus would not allow his dyslexia to stop him from achieving. He spent most of his teenage years (staying home on weekends) writing and learning until he found his writing style. Marcus has a great love for animals and supports charities. He is vocal about awareness of animal abuse, which is expressed in the story through Jenin’s past experiences. Marcus has four cats: Summer, Junior, Littler, and Leia. In 2017, Marcus fell into a dark spell of generalized anxiety and depression, which delayed the release of his book. The Black Grawth came from his experience with anxiety and panic attacks. And Gaul – the Dark Lord- represented the darkness of depression. With the help of treatment, family, and meditation, Marcus found strength and happiness again and continues to write, drawing inspiration from the world around him. Since 2024, Marcus J. Anthony has established EliteMJ TV, which started with the original fan fiction series, Pokémon Next Generation. Set 10 years after Ash Ketchum won the Pokémon World Championship, the series follows Johto native Marc Masters, who hero-worships Ash, and travels across Kanto with his friends, Rachel Oak-Stone and Anthony Green. So far, Marc has earned five gym badges from Forrest (Brock’s youngest brother), Rain (Misty’s cousin), Sgt. Sara (Lt. Surge’s daughter), Skorcha (Blaine’s granddaughter), and Erika. The trio also battled foes in the form of Nastina, Earl, and Blurt, and Team Justice. In addition to earning gym badges, Marc uncovered a threat that could destroy the Pokémon world: this threat’s name is Mew-Z. This Pokémon is unlike any creature that inhabits this world; it is pure evil. This monstrosity was the brainchild of Team Rocket leader Giovanni and brought to life by the sinister Dr. Yung and Evice, using genes from Mew, Mewtwo, Zygarde, and unknown factors. While it is powerful, Mew-Z has not reached its final form. According to Looker, for Mew-Z to reach its full potential, it must absorb both Mew and Mewtwo in one hour. The creature has begun hunting down mythical and legendary Pokémon, as well as Zygarde cells, to boost its power. Both Jirachi and Tapu Koko have fallen victim to this monstrosity. He is also growing a following and assisting him with his misdeeds are Evice and a mysterious, red-haired woman named Commander, who kidnapped both Ash Ketchum and Pikachu at the series’ beginning. On the 425th edition of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar, Marcus J. Anthony spoke about the upcoming Pokémon: The Next Champion, introduced Pokémon NG Chronicles, and previewed the developments of Tales of Old Galar and Tales of War. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
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    1 hr and 4 mins