PODCAST · society
Campfires and Color Wars
by Micah Hart
A podcast for those who may have left summer camp, but camp never left us.
Episodes
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Ep. #105: Jacob Kaplan
Comedian and screenwriter Jacob Kaplan joins us to talk about his experiences growing up at Camp YJ and trace his journey from then to writing and producing his new summer camp movie "Tiny Fugitives". We discuss his initial brush with going viral at camp, the greatest prank he ever pulled, the...
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Ep. #104: Talking Camp With Campers 2026
In what's become an annual tradition of sorts, I sat down with a bunch of campers this summer while teaching podcasting at Camp Ramah New England, and we tackled a number of interesting topics: their relationship to AI, the role camp plays in their lives, and whether they are feeling optimistic…
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Ep. #103: A Family Love Affair With Camp
Beth Orlansky went viral recently when during her appearance on Jeopardy(!) she gave a shout out to the Jewish summer camp in Mississippi where she met her partner, Steve Orlansky. As it turns out, all three Orlansky siblings can trace their marriages to that same camp, Henry S. Jacobs Camp in...
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Ep. #102: Efraim Yudewitz
On location at Crane Lake Camp this summer, I sat down with director Efraim Yudewitz for a fun conversation about the differences between camp when we were growing up versus camp now, as well as pranks, camp love, and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. #101 - Jack Schott
Camp expert and all-around good guy Jack Schott joins for our latest episode! We talk about the ability for camp counselors to influence our lives, the beauty of unstructured time, and much much more! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep: #100 - Ariel Elias
It's our 100th episode of Campfires and Color Wars! We're so glad to be joined by comedian Ariel Elias, as we talk about her journey through music camp and the difference between that and band camp plus many other topics. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. #99 - Talking To Campers At Ramah New England
For the second year in a row, I took the opportunity to discuss camp and teen issues with a group of campers at Ramah New England. We had great conversations about independence, technology, and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. #98: Heavyweights (featuring Benji Lovitt and Esther Kustanowitz)
Comedian Benji Lovitt and writer/culture critic Esther Kustanowitz join to breakdown the mid-90s summer camp movie "Heavyweights", featuring Ben Stiller and written by Judd Apatow. How realistic is their portrayal of camp? Listen in and find out!
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Ep. #97: Camp Couples, Volume 6
We celebrate Valentine's Day with our annual camp couples edition of the podcast! Noah and Rena Allen, Jeffrey and Tami Arnowitz, and Sandi and Alex Stern join to share their memories of camp love and revisit the paths they took to romance. One of our favorite episodes every year! Don't waste a...
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Ep. #96: Jeremy Enns
When someone makes a true-crime serial podcast about a scatalogical prank at summer camp, you know we're gonna have to get them on the podcast to talk about it. Jeremy Enns, the man behind Summer Camp: The Case of the Phantom Pooper, joins to share his favorite camp stories and shed some light on...
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Ep. #95: Talking To Campers At Ramah New England
Micah spends a few days teaching podcasting at Camp Ramah New England, and hosts a roundtable discussion with several campers to discuss some of the hot-button issues facing camps today from a teen's perspective. A really interesting conversation and a lot of fun!
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Ep. #94: Antonia Lassar
Comedian Antonia Lassar went to summer camp for almost the entirety of her childhood, and she enjoyed...actually not that much of it. Why was that? We dive into it in a hilarious conversation about anxiety, performing, twinning, and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. 93: Valentine's Camp Couple Special, Vol. 5 Part 2 w/Sam and Brian Isenstein
Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate with our annual camp couples special, featuring relationships that came together because of summer camp in one way or another! Part 2 features Samantha and Brian Isenstein, who share their story of an epic proposal taking place in the shadow of Mount Rushmore.…
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Ep. 93: Valentine's Camp Couple Special, Vol. 5 Part 3 w/Lisa and Benjamin David
Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate with our annual camp couples special, featuring relationships that came together because of summer camp in one way or another! Part 3 features Lisa and Benjamin David, who share their story of a long-standing friendship that slowly evolved into romance at Camp...
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Ep. 93: Valentine's Camp Couple Special, Vol. 5 Part 1 w/Judy and Ian Silver
Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate with our annual camp couples special, featuring relationships that came together because of summer camp in one way or another! Part 1 features Judy and Ian Silver, who share their story of a late-blossoming camp romance at Goldman Union Camp Institute. Don't waste…
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Ep. #92: Eric Glickman
Graphic novelist Eric Glickman joins to share his adventures growing up at camp and how they led him to create a graphic novel loosely based on them! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. #91: Kim Lindauer
It's a crossover episode as The Cocoon Podcast co-host Kim Lindauer joins to share her favorite memories of growing up at Jacobs Camp in Mississippi, including a syrup-chugging contest gone wrong, the joy of planning evening programs, and not being good at skits because of always breaking...
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Ep. #90: Emma Carlson Berne
Author Emma Carlson Berne joins to talk about her summer camp-set book Shabbat Sabotage as well as her experiences at a variety of camps growing up. We talk about Amish camp, adventures in leg-shaving, and much much more! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. #89: Caroline Rothstein
Poet, writer, and performer Caroline Rothstein joins the podcast to revisit her time growing up at Camp Walden in Maine, and discusses her transformation from quiet, shy kid to loud, boisterous show lead. Plus we discuss first kisses, going to camp far from home, and much much more. Don't waste a...
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Ep. #88: Rebecca Kling
Educator, performer, and activist Rebecca Kling joins to share her memories of growing up at a variety of day camps in the Chicago area as well as her involvement with Camp Aranu'Tiq, a traditional sleepaway camp for trans youths. We have a great conversation about the evolving attitudes of camp...
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Ep. #87: Sarah Lefton
Sarah Lefton joins the podcast to talk about her experiences (good and bad) at summer camps throughout her childhood and adulthood, including the time she got left behind at an amusement park(!) and the time while working at camp she created the iconic "Yo Semite!" t-shirt. Don't waste a minute,...
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Ep. #86: Brenden Gallagher
Writer-director Brenden Gallagher joins to discuss his time going to theatre camp and his list of the most appealing fictional summer camps in pop culture. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. #85: Eric Schaar
Eric Schaar, writer for the Disney show Bunk'd joins the podcast to talk about working on a summer-camp themed show and how his own experiences have played a role in what he does for a living. Plus we talk about homesickness, the "crying tree", and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a...
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Ep. #84: Rogue Shul
The amazing and talented women behind Rogue Shul, Caroline Dorn and Ellie Klein Goldman join the podcast to share their stories of summer camp and how it shaped their wit and creativity with their popular Twitter account and thriving consulting practice. We discuss creativity in camp punishments,...
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Ep. #83: Camp Movie Night - Meatballs
It's another Camp Movie Night as Micah is joined by Arielle Nissenblatt, Shira Moskowitz, and Michael Wormser to discuss the 1979 camp movie Meatballs, Bill Murray's first big starring role. How does it hold up after 40+ years? Is there enough coverage of the campers? How old are these people...
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Ep. #82: Jonah Platt
Multi-talented performer Jonah Platt is part of a large, multigenerational camp family and joins to share some hilarious stories of his time growing up at Ramah Ojai, including a prank so good a national publication did an oral history of it! Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. #81: Jacey Naccarella and Jessica Dollin
The hosts of the Pray For Us podcast Jacey Naccarella and Jessica Dollin join to share their memories of camp growing up, including stories about mascot flirtations, dino nuggets, and underwear humiliation. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. #80: Mark Young
Mark Young joins the podcast to share stories of growing up at Camp Wise and how the lessons he learned there contributed to his current work helping organizations respond to crises. Plus we talk songleading and remember the days when we had no idea what was going on the world outside of camp....
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Ep. 79: Lana Schwartz
Writer and author Lana Schwartz joins the podcast to share stories of summer camp including winning a very important beet-eating contest, a not-well-thought-out insane asylum prank on a cabin of 7-year olds, and the perfection that is the movie Wet Hot American Summer. Don't waste a minute, take…
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Ep. #78: Pamela Schuller
Hilarious comedian Pamela Schuller joins us for a brand-new episode to talk about her time at summer camp and how much things have changed over the years to make camp more inclusive for campers with different needs. She shares an incredible story of getting kidnapped by her unit, how she got her...
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Ep. #77: Congressman Ted Deutch
Florida Congressman Ted Deutch joins to talk about his time growing up at Ramah Poconos and the impact that had on him and his approach to politics. We talk about evening programs that impacted our worldview, the key to spending time with someone before it's time to go back to your cabins, and…
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Ep. #76: Rabbi Denise Eger
Advocate and pioneer Rabbi Denise Eger joins the podcast to discuss the transformation of camp for the LGBTQ community and her memories of growing up at Jacobs Camp in the summer heat of Mississippi. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. #75: Sara Beth Berman
Sara Beth Berman, aka SBB, noted Jewish Geography Zoom Racing celeb, joins the podcast this week to talk summer camps, and more specifically her experiences at a multitude of them! It's possible she's worked at more camps than any previous guest, or at least we're going to make that claim without...
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Ep. #74: Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz
This week we are joined by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz, owners of Gefilteria and the creators of the Great Big Jewish Food Fest, to talk food, tradition, and camp! Come for the discussion of which camp foods are the best, stay for the breakdown of how to make bank as a camp entrepreneur and...
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Ep. #73: Crip Camp with Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham
Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham are the directors of Crip Camp, an incredible documentary streaming on Netflix about Camp Jened, a remarkable summer camp in the 1970s that proved to be a breeding ground for several of the leaders of the movement to gain rights and equal treatment under the law…
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Ep. #72: Jamie Beth Cohen and Sam Schindler
Jamie Beth Cohen and Sam Schindler are a camp couple - that is to say, they both went to camp growing up, but had vastly different experiences. How has that shaped their view of summer camp, and what does it mean for their kids and where they go some day? Don't waste a minute, take a listen and...
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Ep. #71: Indigo Girls with Rabbi Sari Laufer and Leah Tennen
Indigo Girls have been a staple of summer camp since bursting onto the scene in the mid-80s. Why is that? We break down how the iconic musical duo became so ingrained in the experience of camp for so many girls (and some boys) and why they still have such a deep connection with their fans all…
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Ep. #70: Iris Krasnow
Author Iris Krasnow joins to discuss her new memoir "Camp Girls" and how her time at Camp Agawak created lasting friendships that continue to this day. Plus we discuss the allure of the horse stables, taking the train to camp as a young child, and much much more. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. #69: Expedition Nai w/ Roey Kruvi and Abby Eisen
We're all trying to make the best of it during quarantine. With Expedition Nai, Roey Kruvi and Abby Eisen are part of the team that has put together the world's largest virtual Color Wars competition, where participants around the globe can win prizes, find community, and try to have some fun…
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Ep. #68: Camp Song Exploder With Rabbi Larry Milder
Wherever you go, there's always someone Jewish. It's a true statement, and it's also an incredibly popular summer camp song. In our latest episode we dive into the creation of the ubiquitous ditty with its author, longtime songleader and songwriter Rabbi Larry Milder, who walks us through how the...
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Ep. #67: Tamar Anitai
If we ever needed to transport ourselves to our happy places, that time is now. Tamar Anitai joins the podcast to talk about her experiences at Kutz Camp, the joys of going to camp exclusively for teenagers, and we talk (of course) about the impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on us all.…
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Ep. #66: Ben Lieberman
With all the talk of camp nostalgia, what's it like to be on staff at camp today? Ben Lieberman, who is currently a staff member at Camp Gilboa in Big Bear, California, joins to dish on modern camping, what's changed and what's the same from our childhoods, and more. Don't waste a minute, take a...
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Ep: #65: Valentine's Camp Couple Special Vol. 4
It's Valentine's Day, which means love is in the air, and we're back for the fourth straight year with delightful tales of camp love. Join us as we talk with couples Janet and Adam Guy and Mimi and Marc Yoskowitz about how their relationships connect to their summer camp experiences. It may be…
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Ep: #64: Carine Warsawski
We all miss our days of yesteryear at summer camp. But what if...you could go back? Like right now? That's what Trybal Gatherings is all about, and Carine Warsawski joins to discuss the camp experiences she is creating for adults as well as share her own amazing stories from growing up at Camp...
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Ep. #63: Tom Rosenberg
President of the American Camp Association Tom Rosenberg has had a long and varied career in camping, and he joins to share some of his favorite memories while shedding light on why camping today is more important than ever. Don't waste a minute, take a listen!
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Ep. #62: Macy B and Anna B
Jacobs Camp has been around for 50 years, and we bookend the camp's existence by sitting down with Macy B and Anna B, the camp's founding and current directors, to talk about their experiences at camp and the wonderful 50th reunion weekend held recently in New Orleans.
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Ep. 61: Guster's Ryan Miller
Songleaders are the ultimate camp rock stars, so what must it be like to go from camp to being an actual rock star? We talk to Guster's Ryan Miller, who spent a decade at Greene Family Camp in Bruceville, Texas, before going on to front one of the more popular touring bands of the last 25 years....
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Ep. #60: Mac Schwerin
Everyone loves summer camp, right? Apparently not! Writer Mac Schwerin joins to discuss his recent article for Vox entitled "The Case Against Summer Camp" so we can debate the merits of his piece and see if we can't convince him to change his mind. Did we succeed? Take a listen and find out!
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Ep. #59: Dave Cutler
Dave Cutler spent many summers at Ramah Palmer in Massachusetts, and made many amazing memories during his time there. Perhaps his greatest moment, however, was helping Palmer break a 10-year basketball losing streak to their archnemesis, Ramah Berkshires. We dive into the details of this...
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Ep. #58: Geraldine DeRuiter
Geraldine DeRuiter - that's James Beard nominee Geraldine DeRuiter - had a camp experience that seems ripped from the pages of a coming-of-age teen romance novel. Full of betrayal, revenge, and an almost-too-good-to-be-true happy ending, you'll definitely want to listen to this one. Don't waste a...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Campfires and Color Wars have?
Campfires and Color Wars currently has 105 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Campfires and Color Wars about?
A podcast for those who may have left summer camp, but camp never left us.
How often does Campfires and Color Wars release new episodes?
Campfires and Color Wars publishes regularly with 105 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Campfires and Color Wars?
You can listen to Campfires and Color Wars on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Campfires and Color Wars?
Campfires and Color Wars is created and hosted by Micah Hart.
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