In this fun and insightful episode, ending the recent series on Jewish history, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with inspirational speaker and Kosher rapper Zechariya Levine aka L'Chaim OG. They discuss practical Torah as a lifestyle, making Aliyah to Israel and how to pursue one's goals in spite of the odds. This inspiring episode will make you laugh as well as reflect on what's really important in life. Take a listen and share!
Jan 21, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this episode of Leading By History, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul continues his dialogue with historian and colleague Dr. Adam Ewing about Marcus Garvey and Black Spirituality. Discussing Garvey's influence on religious movements in the Americas, the duo discuss their views of Garvey and the power of his movement to spark the flame of critical thinking about Blackness and spirituality.
Jan 02, 2025•32 min
In this episode of Leading By History, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul engages in a dialogue with historian and colleague Dr. Adam Ewing about Marcus Garvey and Black Spirituality. Discussing Garvey's influence on religious movements in the Americas, the duo discuss their views of Garvey and the power of his movement to spark the flame of critical thinking about Blackness and spirituality. This is just part 1!
Jan 02, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Michael Miller to discuss Jewish Mysticism and African Hebrew Israelite Theodicy. Are you interested in the seemingly elusive mysterious ideas of "inner Judaism"? From Kabbala to Zohar to Masonry, this long-awaited episode is set to provide great insight for the listener. Welcome back to LBH!
Sep 17, 2024•57 min
In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Micha Perry from the University of Haifa in Israel to discuss the Medieval world and the impact of literacy and writing on religious communities. Covering topics like Eldad the Danite, the Babylonian Talmud and the Book of Eli film, this episode is a nice teaser for the newly initiated into this area of history. Have you ever wondered if religious texts have been edited over time or whether religious ideas have changed over time? This e...
Feb 06, 2024•55 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Rachel McMillian to discuss her work in Black education and critical prison studies. In this dialogue they discuss their personal experiences with those in prison and address a broken criminal system of punishment that leads to recidivism and not progressive change. It is important to remember those who are trapped behind bars and to advocate for the acknowledgement of their humanity in a society that has long discounted them as positiv...
Jan 16, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 2
In this first episode of the season, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Lauren Henley at the University of Richmond to discuss the little known but highly interesting story of Sarah Rector. Dubbed "The Richest Black Girl in America", Rector's story is one of blessing, fear, courage and resilience. Rector was the daughter of Black farmers whose ancestors had been enslaved by the Creek tribe in Oklahoma. Because of this, the family was allotted free land by the federal government as a form...
Dec 22, 2023•41 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Michael Robison to discuss his book, " The Lost White Tribe ". In his text, Robinson traces the rise and fall of "the Hamitic Hypothesis." In addition to recounting Stanley's "discovery," Robinson shows how it influenced encounters with the Ainu in Japan; Vilhjalmur Stefansson's tribe of "blond Eskimos" in the Arctic; and the "white Indians" of Panama. Delving deeply into 19th and early 20th century ideas of racial supremacy and racial ...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this episode of Leading By History Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down for a talk with author and mental health advocate Andrea "Drea" Williams in order to discuss suicide prevention. Drea is a survivor of multiple suicide attempts and has dedicated herself to the mission of helping and supporting those struggling with ideas of death and suicidal ideations. Drea is a firm believer that the more we listen to, learn from and support those struggling with ideas of suicide-the more opportunities we wil...
May 30, 2023•1 hr
In this episode of Leading By History, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Ms. Jeannine Cook to discuss her journey from street vendor to brick n' mortar business woman and the power of literacy to transform a city. The conversation is engaging, insightful and inspiring. The Philadelphia Citizen rated Jeannine as one of the city’s most dynamic change-makers. If you want to hear a story of resilience and the power of education and community-this is an episode that you do not want to miss. You ...
Mar 20, 2023•32 min
In this episode, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Lucas Morel to discuss his persuasive work of intellectual history. Morel argues that the most important influence on Abraham Lincoln’s political thought and practice was what he learned from the leading figures of and documents from the birth of the United States. In this discussion Morel and Isra-Ul discuss how Lincoln can be understood through an examination of the American founding.
Feb 06, 2023•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 9
In this episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Battalora to discuss her research on the origins of racially-based hierarchies in America, starting with the first Virginia Colony. This is a DEEP DIVE into the origin of race in the American colonies and how "catch-all" terms were invented in order to separate and discriminate privilege access among residents of the early colonies. Dr. Battalora ties today's racial classification of "white" to the aftermath...
Jan 03, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this long awaited episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down for a chat with Dr. Evyn Le Espiritu Gandhi. In this dialogue there is a discussion of Dr. Gandhi's book (read free here-> Archipelago of Resettlement Vietnamese Refugee Settlers and Decolonization across Guam and Israel-Palestine - PROMO 13W0801 in discount coupon when ordering from University of California Press ) and the idea of displacement and unjust dispossession of lands and refugee settler conditions. Th...
Jan 03, 2023•34 min•Season 4Ep. 7
In this episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul speaks by phone with 52 Blocks Farisi (instructor) Daniel Marks. This is a rare interview as Farisi Marks does not regularly communicate with outside media about this art. Having its roots centuries old Africa, this indigenous warrior art was adapted for inner-city survival. Making its modern home in Brooklyn, New York, this form of fighting is a blend of traditional boxing cadence, footwork and movement with a high powered methodology o...
Sep 06, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 6
This is a brief introduction to our series on Indigenous Warrior Arts. In this series we will speak with three teachers and masters of their specific art and hear about how they started, their personal philosophies and how we, as the audience, can draw knowledge and understanding from their respective practices. You don't have to be a Bruce Lee fan to enjoy this! Let's get started!
Sep 06, 2022•11 min•Season 4Ep. 6
In this episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Vince Bantu to discuss his research into ancient African Christian liturgical languages and his perspectives on Christianity for African Americans today. While LBH is not a religious podcast, this show seeks to transcend dogmatic religious views in favor of discovering a rich African religious culture steeped in some of the earliest forms of Christianity. This episode shows the reach of Africana and its all encompassin...
Jun 29, 2022•56 min•Season 4Ep. 5
In this discussion, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Christina Proenza-Coles to discuss the process and products of history and the development and defense of New World settlements by Black people who "undermined slavery, and championed freedom throughout the hemisphere". While conventional history tends to reduce the roles of African Americans to antebellum slavery and the civil rights movement - the truth is that African people were forerunners of American founding (all three Americas) l...
Jun 29, 2022•59 min•Season 4Ep. 4
In this episode, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with astrophysicist Dr. Gibor Basri to discuss AstroPhysics, Religion and the Universe. The discussion is candid, intriguing and notable. From discussing the beginning of the universe and the creation of the moon to the Nation of Islam and the Dogon of Mali, this conversation is chock-full of interesting niche musings. It is the duty of every person to learn and grow their potential and this conversation is one worth listening to for that purpose. D...
May 04, 2022•1 hr 38 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In this episode of Leading By History, host Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul speaks with Hemp farmer and co-owner of Virginia Hemp Commodities. Bill speaks with Ma'asehyahu about his work with Hemp and explains the difference between this plant and the often confused Cannabis Sativa. From daily uses of Hemp fibers to medicinal properties in the plant, this conversation enlightens those looking to understand this special plant. It is important to understand its proper use and improper use and how the current ...
Mar 27, 2022•55 min•Season 4Ep. 2
In this long anticipated new season of LBH, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul kicks off the new season with Mo Peach from #WhatWeWatch to discuss the purpose and power of movie review and reflection. In the first half of the show they tackle heavy content like ethnocentrism and marginalization in film. In the second half of the show they show clips from their Top 4 favorite films while walking the audience through critiques and reflections which support self-awareness and the assessing of the human condition....
Feb 27, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In this final episode of Season 3, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul retraces the steps of season 3 and prepares the listener for SEASON 4! There has been a lot going on this year and we have been able to make history with some of our most recent episodes. Be sure to go back and listen to any episodes you missed by listening to the episode numbers and descriptions. We are excited for you and thank you for your support as we enter our 4th season!
Feb 27, 2022•27 min•Season 3Ep. 14
In this episode of the Leading By History podcast, host Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul speaks with public historian and Executive Director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation - Christy Coleman. The discussion is centered in Living History and the complicated role that historical reenactments play in historical education. Should classroom simulations address the historical realities of slavery and racism or should it be left "to the professionals" (in that space)? What exactly is a historical reenactment a...
Dec 29, 2021•48 min•Season 3Ep. 13
In this new episode, host Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down for a conversation with an intriguing and important man - Rabbi Capers Funnye. Not only is he First Lady Michelle Obama's first cousin but also the rabbi and spiritual leader of Chicago's oldest extant synagogue (Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation). The history of African American Jews in Chicago and throughout the United States is a history of rejection, commitment, perseverance, and determination. In this discussion we ...
Dec 01, 2021•57 min
In this brief episode of the Leading By History podcast, host Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul does a "Check in" with Deijha Gordon who was with us on Season 3 Ep. 5. If you want to find out what Deijha has been doing since she set up shop in Ghana, this episode will bring you up to speed. From Egypt to Tanzania, Deijha recounts her visits, her challenges and her aspirations. Come along for the journey! *To support Deijha in her business and travels, send a Cash App donation directly to $DeijhaGordon
Oct 24, 2021•33 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In this long awaited episode of the Leading By History podcast, host Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul talks with Professor Cyndi Parker about the power and purpose of geography for unravelling historical mysteries and disputes. Were the Egyptians white Europeans? Is Egypt in Africa or the Middle East? How can we know the location of ancient events? Is religion developed within a geographical context? These questions and others like them will be points of interest within this dialogue. If you never thought th...
Oct 03, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this long awaited episode of the Leading By History podcast, host Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul delves deep into the work of Dr. Jessica Marie Johnson to discuss enslavement era constructs of race and beauty in the Atlantic world. We can't say enough about this discussion. The host made a decision to forgo a commercial break in this episode in order to maximize the time with the guest. If you are looking for a conversation about ideas of gender, sexuality and racism based in the concrete world of slave...
Aug 13, 2021•49 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode we speak with Latin Americanist and transatlantic slavery scholar Dr. Mary Hicks about the history of free and enslaved people of African descent in Brazil. This discussion dives deeply into the perceived reality of African people in Brazil and their unique journey to preserve their Africanness and their identities while carving out meta-realities of freedom and liberation in a racially oppressive and colonialistic environment. From African mariners and traders to enslaved Africa...
Jun 29, 2021•48 min
In this episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul talks with educational journalist Jill Barshay to dig into some of her recent articles and the state of bias in K-12 classrooms. This discussion is one that will show the importance of anti-racist and anti-bias education and how even our most vulnerable students (those in K-2 education) can be in danger when teachers are not trained in culturally responsible approaches to instruction. If you want to make a change in our current state of ...
May 25, 2021•34 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this episode of the Leading By History podcast, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul talks with Dr. Tiffany Florvil about the work of Black women in the cause of Black liberation in Germany. Many may not be familiar with the history of the Black struggle in Germany and this discussion will surely center this history in this episode. You can read more about Dr. Florvil's research in her book Mobilizing Black Germany. This is a thoughtful, transparent, eye-opening episode for us all!...
May 05, 2021•56 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul speaks via Google Meet with Deijha Gordon of Deijha's Views about her journey of repatriation to Ghana. From leaving the United States before covid-19, to opening a food business in Ghana and then having to return during the surge, Deijha details her successes and challenges with her attempt to repatriate to Ghana. Driven by a conviction that Africans in America should return to Africa, Deijha looks to help build a new society in which Africans from the Diaspo...
Apr 07, 2021•41 min•Season 3Ep. 5
