Boots on the Ground
Shaun and Ari Discuss Israel is proud to partner with the Jerusalem Media Group to relaunch as Boots on the Ground: Insights on Israel’s War, Politics, and Identity.
Episodes
52 episodes
Inside the Room: Media Wars, Global Power, and Israel’s Strategic Future with Alex Traiman ep 35
In this episode of Boots on the Ground, Ari sits down with Alex Traiman, CEO of the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), for a behind-the-scenes look at the media battlefield, Israel’s leadership, and the shifting global order since October 7th.
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34:39
Iran War Part 2: What Comes Next for Israel, Iran, and the US? ep34
In this episode of Shaun and Ari Discuss Israel, Shaun and Ari break down the latest developments in the ongoing war with Iran. As Israel and the United States deliver major blows to Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure, missiles are s...
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45:13
Beyond the Battlefield: The US, China, India and the Global Stakes of the Iran War ep33
In this episode, Shaun and Ari go beyond the battlefield to examine the Iran war from a broader geopolitical perspective. While missiles and airstrikes dominate the headlines, the deeper story may lie in how global powers are reacting as the co...
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42:13
Purim Special: 🍷Wine, Faith, and the Hills of the Shomron ep 32
This episode was recorded especially for Purim before the outbreak of the current war. As Ari and Shaun are both back on reserve duty, we hope to bring you a new episode discussing the current Iran war as soon as possible. ...
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28:40
Israel’s Political Battlefield: Parties, Personalities, and the Fight for the Next Government ep - 31
In this episode, Ari and Shaun take a structured, look at Israel’s political system, moving beyond the slogans to analyze the realities shaping the country today. Together, they examine the parties and personalities driving the curr...
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47:06
Restoring Order: Lawlessness in Arab Communities, Iran, and the Haredi Conscription Battle ep 30
In this more combative episode, Ari and Shaun take on three of the most volatile issues facing Israel today.First, they clash over the spiralling murder rate within Israel’s Arab communities. Why has lawlessness deepened? Is this a failu...
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50:10
Zionism, Jewish Identity, and Standing up for Israel with Matan Peleg ep29
In this lively, fast-paced episode, Ari and Matan Peleg, Zionist activist, author, and outspoken Israel advocate, trade questions and challenge assumptions in a dynamic conversation about Zionism and Jewish identity.The conversation mov...
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28:12
Reflecting the Life of Josh Boone, the Sheepdog from Idaho: Courage, Conviction, and Cost ep 28
In this emotional episode, we reflect on the life of Josh Boone, his philosophy of service, his sacrifice, and why he embraced the role of the “sheepdog”: the moral duty to protect others.Ari shares his experience of Josh’s loss, the ef...
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39:41
Wading Through History: From Tehran to Baghdad, Islam, Power, and the West’s Blind Spots ep27
Imagine a man who witnessed the 1979 Islamic Revolution from inside Iran, spent nearly 28 years advising multiple U.S. Secretaries of Defense, and later waded through chest-deep sewage in a bombed-out Baghdad basement to rescue the most importa...
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57:25
When Faith Demands Action: Moshe Glick’s Battle for Jewish Dignity ep 25
In this episode of Boots on the Ground, Ari speaks with Moshe Glick about the role of deep faith in Hashem during moments of profound challenge, and the antisemitic attack that forced him to step in and defend a fellow Jew. Moshe...
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56:30
Maduro Captured: Copying Israeli Success, Iran on Edge, and Israel’s Milk Protests ep25
In this week's episode:Ari breaks down the critical details of Maduro’s capture and what it reveals about Israel’s strategic value to the U.S.Then we look at Iran. Is it really on a knife-edge? Shaun shares his alternative perspective a...
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37:20
From Somaliland to New York: Israel’s Politics and Its Place on the World Stage – Ep. 24
Shaun and Ari debate Israel’s historic recognition of Somaliland and what it means for regional politics. They examine the challenges of lawlessness among the Negev Bedouin community and discuss potential solutions. The episode also takes a clo...
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37:31
When Leadership Fails: Blame, Lack of Responsibility, and Political Games ep - 023
In this episode, Shaun and Ari discuss the latest political maneuvering in the Knesset, where new proposals increasingly resemble political theatre, focused more on positioning and avoiding blame than on taking responsibility for the failures o...
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49:33
Never Too Late to Serve: Aron Schoenfeld’s Courageous Journey ep 22
In this episode of Boots on the Ground, Ari welcomes Aron Schoenfeld — a passionate Zionist, dedicated volunteer, and IDF reservist who made Aliyah during the height of COVID with his wife and children.Aron shares the formative experien...
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41:45
The sheep dog from Idaho protecting the Jewish people, with Josh Boone - Ep 21
In this powerful and personal episode of Boots on the Ground, host Ari Kalker sits down with Josh Boone, the “sheep dog from Idaho” whose journey has taken him from being the only Jewish kid in his high school in Boise to ...
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41:45
Judea and Samaria, Chareadi Draft and the postive side of war with Rabbi Ben Packer Ep 20
In this episode, Ari sits down with Rabbi Ben Packer for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about the critical role of the farms in Judea and Samaria in strengthening both security and prosperity throughout the region. Together, they exp...
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41:30
Hasbarah Is Not the Answer: Changing the Conversation on Israel- ep 19
For decades, Israel’s supporters have invested enormous effort into hasbarah, the attempt to “explain” Israel to the world. Yet time and again, this strategy achieves the opposite of what it intends. In this episode, Shaun and Ari explore why t...
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38:22
Political Indecision and Failures of Leadership with Chaim Brenner ep 18
In this episode of Boots on the Ground, host Ari Kalker sits down with Haim Brenner for a hard-hitting conversation on the failures of political leadership and the cost of indecision in Israel’s current security crisis.With the Rafiah t...
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21:36
Law, Morality, and the IDF: A Conversation with Lt. Col. (Res.) Maurice Hirsch Ep 17
In this episode of Boots on the Ground, host Ari Kalker is joined by Lt. Col. (Res.) Maurice Hirsch, former Military Advocate General of Judea and Samaria, for a discussion on the ongoing scandal surrounding Israel’s Military Advocate General.<...
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59:57
Ballots and Battles: Possibilities and Predictions for Israel’s Political Future. ep 16
In this special episode of Boots on the Ground, recorded from afar with Shaun still on reserve duty and Ari travelling in the U.S., we unpack the growing talk of new elections in Israel. What scenarios could actually trigger them? From the ongo...
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43:28
Free Speech, Service, and Israel’s Future with Brig. Gen. Dannny Van Buren (Res.) - ep 015
Host Ari Kalker sits down with Brigadier General (Res.) Danny Van Buren, founder of Nikra’im LaDegel (“Called to the Flag”), for a powerful and deeply inspiring conversation on free speech, democracy, and service — and what they mean for Israel...
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41:48
Home at Last: Celebration and Uncertainty - ep 014
Hope fills the air as hostages finally return home and families are reunited in scenes of profound relief and joy. Across Israel, there is a sense of celebration, songs, tears, and gratitude after months of anguish. Yet even as the ceasefire br...
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35:13
Israel on All Fronts: Borders, Diplomacy, and a Trump-Netanyahu Meeting - 012
In this episode, we break down the latest developments on Israel’s borders with Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. We also dive into the recent meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump,what it means, the possible outcomes, and how it...
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41:02
From Service to Reservist: How Combat Duty Shapes Professional and Personal Life in Israel – ep 011
Ari sits down with Master Sergeant (Res.) Haim Brenner to explore the realities of life as a combat soldier in the IDF and how military service shapes the professional and personal paths of young Israelis. They dive into the ongoing challenges ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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35:36
Aryeh Adventures: Honoring Legacy Through Inclusion and Resilience - ep 010
Ari sits down with Yoni Glatt to share the moving story of Aryeh Adventures, a camp founded in memory of Yoni’s uncle, who was tragically murdered in the 9/11 attacks.The camp’s mission is to make inclusion a lived reality by bringing toget...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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30:57