In this episode of Jews in the Lou, we sit down with legendary Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl for a candid conversation about faith, identity, leadership, and the values that have shaped his life both on and off the court.

From his Jewish upbringing and experiences with antisemitism to coaching on college basketball’s biggest stages, Bruce shares how his faith has influenced his approach to leadership, community, and personal responsibility. He reflects on the importance of Jewish pride, the impact of the Maccabi Games, raising the next generation, and why building bridges between people of different backgrounds matters now more than ever.

We discuss:

• Growing up Jewish and navigating life in a predominantly non-Jewish world
• Lessons learned from decades of coaching and leadership
• The life-changing impact of coaching at the Maccabi Games
• Jewish identity, antisemitism, and standing up for your beliefs
• Finding common ground through faith, sports, and shared values

This episode offers a passionate and thought-provoking look at leadership, resilience, Jewish identity, and the responsibility of using your platform to make a difference.

In this episode of Jews in the Lou, we sit down with Chaim Bloom, President of Baseball Operations for the St. Louis Cardinals, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, culture, identity, and what it takes to build a winning organization in Major League Baseball.

From growing up in a Jewish household in Philadelphia to leading one of baseball’s most iconic franchises, Chaim shares his journey through the game and the philosophy behind building long-term, sustainable success at the highest level.

We discuss:

• Balancing long-term planning with daily competitiveness
• Leading in a passionate, tradition-rich sports city like St. Louis
• The importance of honesty, accountability, and culture inside an organization
• How tradition evolves in modern sports
• And the mindset behind his philosophy: “paint the wall.”

This episode offers a thoughtful and often humorous look at baseball leadership, personal identity, and the responsibility that comes with shaping a Major League Baseball organization.

Andy & Danny Babitz on Jews in the Lou (Full Episode)