On this brand new episode of Let’s Kvetch, Rabbi Leban and Howard Wedgle are joined by world-renowned matchmaker, dating coach, author, and Netflix Jewish Matchmaking star Aleeza Ben Shalom for a conversation about dating, relationships, and the fine line between venting and negativity.

From matchmaking networks and dating disasters to constructive criticism, lashon hara, and the people who simply cannot stop kvetching, the conversation explores what happens when complaints become someone’s entire personality. Along the way: behind-the-scenes Netflix stories, real matchmaking dilemmas, and why “human intelligence” may still beat AI when it comes to finding love.

Rabbi Leban and Howard Wedgle are back for a Passover edition that’s equal parts preparation and pure kvetching. Between tech hiccups, chametz strategy, and the delicate art of surviving family at the Seder table, they tackle the real questions—like how many trips to the Kosher Deli is too many, and whether anyone has ever made it through a Haggadah without asking, “when do we eat?”

It’s honest, a little chaotic, and surprisingly grounding… just like Pesach itself.

Car buying has a special way of bringing out the kvetch. In this episode of Let’s Kvetch, Rabbi Raphael Leban and Howard Wedgle are joined by automotive educator and auto broker Jesse Blum to talk trust, leasing vs. buying, Colorado driving, and the everyday frustrations that come with life on the road.

From icy mornings and stubborn traffic lights to electric cars and “good deals” that aren’t always so good, the conversation moves beyond complaint and into perspective. Practical, honest, and unexpectedly uplifting.

The lights are twinkling, the playlists are relentless, and somehow everyone knows the words except us. This seasonal episode of Let’s Kvetch welcomes special guest Howie Shapiro, longtime community member and expert-level kvetcher, to join Rabbi Leban and Howard Wedgle for a December-themed riff on awkward greetings, nonstop Christmas music, and that familiar feeling of being gracious… while slightly out of step. Gentle kvetching, great stories, and the comforting reminder that kvetching together still counts as community.

A Hanukkah special recorded over corned beef, latkes, and parve sour cream, where the oil flows freely and so do the kvetches. From cleaning menorahs to gift-card side-eye to the eternal question of how many K’s are in Hanukkah, this episode proves you can celebrate miracles and complain responsibly at the same time.

Kvetching in Cars Eating Pizza?!

In this very special episode, Howard and Rabbi Leban take the show on the road—literally—as they kvetch their way through Denver traffic on a quest for Brooklyn Pizza. Between debating sunglasses, gas mileage, and Colorado weather flexing on Boca, they dive into listener feedback on friendships, boundaries, and when (and how) to gracefully step back from a relationship… or offer honest feedback instead.

Kosher pizza, constructive criticism, and classic kvetching—what more could you want?🍕🚗

Listen now to Kvetching in Cars Eating Pizza: Let’s Kvetch Episode 16.

In this laugh-filled episode, Rabbi Raphael Leban and Howard Wedgle dive into Parshat Noach — kvetching about what it must’ve smelled like in the Ark, the endless rain, and those poor two worms. From there, they tackle a real listener's question: how do you politely step back from a friendship that just isn’t working anymore without hurting the other person’s feelings? The result is a mix of humor, honesty, and heartfelt insight about maintaining shalom — even when it’s a little, well, discordant.

After a High Holiday episode full of congregational kvetching, Rabbi Raphael Leban and Howard Wedgle head to BMH-BJ to hear the other side of the story — from the people who make synagogue life actually happen. Their guest, Executive Director Ilene Rosen, pulls back the curtain on the chaos, joy, and occasional coughing fits that come with hosting hundreds of Jews on the holiest days of the year. How do you keep smiling when everyone’s complaining about the temperature? Tune in for this special behind-the-scenes look at the art of staying gracious through the greatest of kvetches.