Why do you believe THAT? Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:05:38 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2528463 en-us © 2026 Why do you believe THAT? yes e16f4804-d20c-5ccd-8b48-a1ea589d31e2 Hannah Douglas episodic false This is an interview-based podcast allowing the host to explore different world viewpoints. Centering on political and religious thought, this podcast is meant for listeners who are truly seeking truth.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Hannah Douglas https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ic04n7dtp70nztlnjrdf7g0r2tek?.jpg Why do you believe THAT? Judaism: a religion, people, or a community? Judaism: a religion, people, or a community? In this interview, I sit down with Theodore "Teddy" Schneiderman on what it means to be Jewish, and what the Jewish people teach about the meaning of life, the character of Jesus, and the significance of a religious identity.


Schneiderman is a Junior at the George Washington University studying Political Science and Judaic Studies. Originally hailing from the suburbs of Los Angeles, Teddy has been involved in Jewish life for as long as he can remember. Schneiderman is the President and former Recruitment Director of AEPi (Jewish Frat) at GW, the Former Regional Godol [Guh-dohl] (President) of Pacific Western Region BBYO, and the Head Counselor at Jewish Sleepaway Camp, Camp Alonim, in Simi Valley, CA. 

]]> In this interview, I sit down with Theodore "Teddy" Schneiderman on what it means to be Jewish, and what the Jewish people teach about the meaning of life, the character of Jesus, and the significance of a religious identity.


Schneiderman is a Junior at the George Washington University studying Political Science and Judaic Studies. Originally hailing from the suburbs of Los Angeles, Teddy has been involved in Jewish life for as long as he can remember. Schneiderman is the President and former Recruitment Director of AEPi (Jewish Frat) at GW, the Former Regional Godol [Guh-dohl] (President) of Pacific Western Region BBYO, and the Head Counselor at Jewish Sleepaway Camp, Camp Alonim, in Simi Valley, CA. 

]]> Hannah Douglas Buzzsprout-19067343 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0500 2600 1 7 full false Why do you practice Hinduism? (An interview with Aarushi Garg) Why do you practice Hinduism? (An interview with Aarushi Garg) Hannah Douglas sits down with Aarushi Garg for a thoughtful conversation exploring the many dimensions of Hinduism. From the beliefs that ground her faith to its deities, core texts, and central tenets, Aarushi walks listeners through both the sociological and the spiritual aspects of Hindu practice.

A practicing Hindu, Aarushi lived in India for 10 years before moving to the United States. She is now a third-year student at UT Austin with a deep commitment to civic engagement, public service, and global security. With experience in policy research, cybersecurity, and international development, she focuses her academic work on how technology shapes geopolitics and national security. Fluent in six languages, Aarushi currently serves as the Newsletter Chair for the Texas Journal of International Affairs, the Service Chair for Women in Global Affairs, a Texas Cybersecurity Clinic Fellow, and an Undergraduate Research Fellow at the Clements Center for National Security.

]]> Hannah Douglas sits down with Aarushi Garg for a thoughtful conversation exploring the many dimensions of Hinduism. From the beliefs that ground her faith to its deities, core texts, and central tenets, Aarushi walks listeners through both the sociological and the spiritual aspects of Hindu practice.

A practicing Hindu, Aarushi lived in India for 10 years before moving to the United States. She is now a third-year student at UT Austin with a deep commitment to civic engagement, public service, and global security. With experience in policy research, cybersecurity, and international development, she focuses her academic work on how technology shapes geopolitics and national security. Fluent in six languages, Aarushi currently serves as the Newsletter Chair for the Texas Journal of International Affairs, the Service Chair for Women in Global Affairs, a Texas Cybersecurity Clinic Fellow, and an Undergraduate Research Fellow at the Clements Center for National Security.

]]> Hannah Douglas Buzzsprout-18241394 Mon, 24 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600 1692 1 6 full false Why Patriotism is Progressivism (An Interview with William He, Founder and CEO of Dream For America) Why Patriotism is Progressivism (An Interview with William He, Founder and CEO of Dream For America) William He is a freshman majoring in Government and a Jefferson Scholar at the University of Texas at Austin. 

At 16-years-old, William became the Founder & CEO of Dream for America, a national youth movement dedicated to identifying, educating, & empowering students to promote liberal values. Powered by 19,000 grassroots donors, a 1,500 person volunteer network spanning all 50 states, and a social media presence with over 750,000 followers and nearly a billion impressions -- Dream for America is the fastest-growing liberal youth activist organization in the country. DFA also recently hosted its inaugural national conference, featuring messages from Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Andy Beshear, Sen. Mark Kelly, and dozens of other elected officials and industry leaders. 

William was the youngest organization leader at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. William has since been interviewed by over five-dozen podcasts, newspapers, & cable shows, has been quoted in news outlets including POLITICO & the Associated Press, and was also the subject of a documentary by DW News on the future of youth in politics.  

In 2023, William briefly served as a U.S. Senate Page for Sen. John Cornyn, representing his home state of Texas. William also served as senior class president and chaired his hometown’s youth advisory council and served on other local advisory committees. 

]]> William He is a freshman majoring in Government and a Jefferson Scholar at the University of Texas at Austin. 

At 16-years-old, William became the Founder & CEO of Dream for America, a national youth movement dedicated to identifying, educating, & empowering students to promote liberal values. Powered by 19,000 grassroots donors, a 1,500 person volunteer network spanning all 50 states, and a social media presence with over 750,000 followers and nearly a billion impressions -- Dream for America is the fastest-growing liberal youth activist organization in the country. DFA also recently hosted its inaugural national conference, featuring messages from Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Andy Beshear, Sen. Mark Kelly, and dozens of other elected officials and industry leaders. 

William was the youngest organization leader at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. William has since been interviewed by over five-dozen podcasts, newspapers, & cable shows, has been quoted in news outlets including POLITICO & the Associated Press, and was also the subject of a documentary by DW News on the future of youth in politics.  

In 2023, William briefly served as a U.S. Senate Page for Sen. John Cornyn, representing his home state of Texas. William also served as senior class president and chaired his hometown’s youth advisory council and served on other local advisory committees. 

]]> Hannah Douglas Buzzsprout-18142522 Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600 2620 1 5 full false What is the correlation between a Zionist and Jewish identity? (An interview with Barri Seitz) What is the correlation between a Zionist and Jewish identity? (An interview with Barri Seitz) This week, Hannah interviews Barri Seitz, a UT student who is heavily involved with the Zionist movement. Barri has served as the Chair of Jewish National Fund’s High School and College Summits at national conventions, as well as the Co-Chair of Texas Hillel’s Israel Block Party. She co-founded Longhorn Students for Israel at UT Austin and has firsthand experience fighting Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism on- and off- campuses.  

]]> This week, Hannah interviews Barri Seitz, a UT student who is heavily involved with the Zionist movement. Barri has served as the Chair of Jewish National Fund’s High School and College Summits at national conventions, as well as the Co-Chair of Texas Hillel’s Israel Block Party. She co-founded Longhorn Students for Israel at UT Austin and has firsthand experience fighting Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism on- and off- campuses.  

]]> Hannah Douglas Buzzsprout-18081304 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500 2221 1 4 full false Pursuing Peace, A Palestinian American on the War in Gaza (An interview with Jadd Hashem Pursuing Peace, A Palestinian American on the War in Gaza (An interview with Jadd Hashem We're joined by Jadd Hashem, a Palestinian-American student at UT Austin and Vice President of Atidna International- a grassroots initiative uniting Palestinians, Arabs, Jews, and Israelis as one family: cousins, not enemies. 

Founded at UT in 2022, Atidna has already grown to 15+ chapters nationwide, creating spaces for dialogue and peace events across communities.

Tune in to hear Jadd's story, his work building bridges, and what's next for Atidna.

]]> We're joined by Jadd Hashem, a Palestinian-American student at UT Austin and Vice President of Atidna International- a grassroots initiative uniting Palestinians, Arabs, Jews, and Israelis as one family: cousins, not enemies. 

Founded at UT in 2022, Atidna has already grown to 15+ chapters nationwide, creating spaces for dialogue and peace events across communities.

Tune in to hear Jadd's story, his work building bridges, and what's next for Atidna.

]]> Hannah Douglas Buzzsprout-18002649 Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2894 1 3 full false What role should women play in the political sphere? (An interview with Nina Raich) What role should women play in the political sphere? (An interview with Nina Raich) Raised under the influence of generations of strong Serbian women, Nina, a first-generation American, is emerging as a rising political leader in Texas. In this episode, she reflects on balancing cultural expectations with women’s natural instincts and tendencies and shares her perspective on the vital role women can play in shaping modern politics.

]]> Raised under the influence of generations of strong Serbian women, Nina, a first-generation American, is emerging as a rising political leader in Texas. In this episode, she reflects on balancing cultural expectations with women’s natural instincts and tendencies and shares her perspective on the vital role women can play in shaping modern politics.

]]> Hannah Douglas Buzzsprout-17924228 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2294 1 2 full false The University: A Place for the Cultivation of Souls? What does it look like to be a Christian Philosopher at a secular school? The University: A Place for the Cultivation of Souls? What does it look like to be a Christian Philosopher at a secular school? In this episode of Why Do You Believe THAT?, I sit down with Zach Lacy, a Christian philosophy student at the University of Texas at Austin. We talk about how studying the great philosophers led him back to deism and ultimately to Christianity, and what it’s like to defend his faith in the classroom. Our conversation also explores the decline of the liberal arts in America’s capitalistic education system—and how this loss affects both the mind and the soul.

]]> In this episode of Why Do You Believe THAT?, I sit down with Zach Lacy, a Christian philosophy student at the University of Texas at Austin. We talk about how studying the great philosophers led him back to deism and ultimately to Christianity, and what it’s like to defend his faith in the classroom. Our conversation also explores the decline of the liberal arts in America’s capitalistic education system—and how this loss affects both the mind and the soul.

]]> Hannah Douglas Buzzsprout-17813159 Mon, 08 Sep 2025 23:00:00 -0500 2341 full false