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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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.<...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

In this powerful episode, Ari sits down with Colonel Hezi Nehama, a legendary IDF commander whose service began in Sayeret Matkal, the army’s most elite unit. From his early days in Israel’s top special forces to commanding positions across the...

Ari and Shaun pull no punches in dissecting the gap between Israel’s brave soldiers, who continue to dominate tactically on the battlefield in Gaza, and the failures of senior military brass and political leaders, who squander these victories a...

In this uplifting episode, Ari speaks with Etan and Malkie about a unique and powerful way of supporting Israeli soldiers in the field: Beef jerky!. Far beyond a simple food item, these packages offer true nourishment for both body and soul, pr...

In this heartfelt episode of Boots on the Ground, Ari and Shaun reflect on their ongoing reserve duty, moving between borders and battlefronts. They speak openly about the physical and emotional toll, the moments of fear and pride, and the deep...

Ari sits down with Marc Rosenberg, Vice President of Diaspora Partnerships at Nefesh B’Nefesh, for a powerful conversation about Aliyah during one of the most challenging and rapidly changing periods in Israel’s history.They explore the...

Shaun and Ari dive into one of the most contentious debates in Israeli society: the ultra-Orthodox draft. But this isn’t just about military service—it's about the deeper fractures shaping the country. What role should the Haredi community play...

Shaun and Ari discuss the political tremors shaking Israel’s government as the ultra-Orthodox parties exit the coalition, leaving Netanyahu with a fragile grip on power, and what could come next?They also turn their attention to the esc...

Following Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump, Shaun and Ari go head-to-head over the limits of any possible hostage deal. What are the short-term gains—and what are the long-term pitfalls?They debate Israel’s red lines, the zero-sum nature of t...

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.In this premiere episode, Shaun and Ari dive into Israel’s most urgent chal...

Ari talks with Or Yissachar (IDSF) about the ticking clock on Iran’s nuclear program. Can diplomacy stop it—or is a strike inevitable? They cover U.S.-Israel coordination, Gulf state fears, campus protests, and what Iran’s ambitions really m...

While the IDF continues battling Hamas in Gaza, there are constant rumblings about an imminent ceasefire and hostage deal. Shaun and Ari tackle ask the issue: Should Israel strike a deal with Hamas to bring the hostages home—or press on to tota...

In this episode: Ari returns from a whirlwind speaking tour across the United States and shares powerful stories from the road. From synagogues to student centers, he met Jews of all ages and backgrounds—Orthodox and secular, young ...

As the Gaza war drags on and Netanyahu faces yet another scandal, Shaun and Ari break down a week of reckoning. They dive into the QatarGate controversy, exploring alleged Qatari connections within Netanyahu’s inner circle, and the abr...