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Boots on the Ground

SC MEDIA PRODUCTION JERUSALEM LTD

33 episodes

1 week ago

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 ongoing Haredi draft debate and Ben Gvir’s political threats, to the looming Knesset budget vote and the government’s paralysis on appointing an investigation committee into the failures of October 7th, we explore the pressures shaping Israel’s political fu...

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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 ongoing Haredi draft debate and Ben Gvir’s political threats, to the looming Knesset budget vote and the government’s paralysis on appointing an investigation committee into the failures of October 7th, we explore the pressures shaping Israel’s political fu...

Show more...

Episodes (20/33)

Boots on the Ground

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 ongoing Haredi draft debate and Ben Gvir’s political threats, to the looming Knesset budget vote and the government’s paralysis on appointing an investigation committee into the failures of October 7th, we explore the pressures shaping Israel’s political fu...

1 week ago

43 minutes

Boots on the Ground

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’s future. Together, they explore how Israel can rebuild unity, restore integrity in leadership, and shape a shared vision rooted in purpose and responsibility. 👉 Subscribe to Boots on the Ground for real, unfiltered conversations on Israel’s war, pol...

1 week ago

41 minutes

Boots on the Ground

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 brings a brief calm, uncertainty looms. Is this a step toward lasting peace or just another pause before the next challenge? Shaun and Ari reflect on the powerful contrast between devastation and celebration. And on President Trump’s visit and speech in ...

2 weeks ago

35 minutes

Boots on the Ground

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 could reshape the regional dynamic. We’ll close by looking at world opinion and why, despite the challenges, there are real reasons for optimism about Israel’s future. Plus Ari will be traveling and speaking in the U.S. soon. If you’d like to hear him...

4 weeks ago

41 minutes

Boots on the Ground

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 of continuing combat service as a reservist, discussing how commando training prepares soldiers for life after the army — and what we can expect from the next generation of warriors.

1 month ago

35 minutes

Boots on the Ground

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 together children with learning and mental disabilities and their mainstream peers, creating bonds of friendship, understanding, and acceptance. More than just fun and recreation, Aryeh Adventures is a place where barriers are broken, differences are embraced, ...

1 month ago

30 minutes

Boots on the Ground

A Commander’s Vision for Israel’s Future: A Conversation with Colonel Hezi Nehama - ep 009

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 IDF, including the Alexandroni Brigade and extensive combat experience in Gaza, Hezi shares hard-earned lessons about courage, sacrifice, and the spirit of Israel’s soldiers. Speaking with the candor of a seasoned commander, he praises the bravery of t...

2 months ago

37 minutes

Boots on the Ground

From Victory to Stalemate: Israel’s Tactical Brilliance, Strategic Failure - ep008

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 and leave Israel strategically stuck. They tackle the absence of vision at the top, the cynical politicization of the hostage protests, and the dangerous cost of leadership paralysis. Yet, even amid frustration and anger, they end with a call to ho...

2 months ago

34 minutes

Boots on the Ground

Beyond the Beef: Feeding Body, Fueling Spirit - ep007

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, protein for strength, and soul food that reminds soldiers they are cared for and never forgotten. Born out of the horrors of October 7, as a way to provide physical sustenance, has become a source of spiritual encouragement, transforming into a miss...

2 months ago

49 minutes

Boots on the Ground

Beyond the Uniform: Duty, Nation, Destiny, and the Journey Within - ep006

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 sense of responsibility that keeps them going again and again. From personal struggles to national purpose, they explore what it truly means to wear the uniform,not just on the outside, but deep within. This is a conversation about identity, resilience...

2 months ago

35 minutes

Boots on the Ground

War, Faith, and Aliyah: The Choice to Come Home - ep005

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 motivations behind moving to Israel in a time of war; balancing Zionist ideals, personal safety, family decisions, and practical realities. From the dreams that inspire Aliyah to powerful personal stories and the tough questions that follow, this episode ex...

3 months ago

49 minutes

Boots on the Ground

Drafted or Doomed? The Ultra-Orthodox, Israeli Politics, and the Leadership We Need - ep004

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 in a modern Jewish democracy? Can real integration be achieved, or are we stuck in a cycle of mutual resentment and political blackmail? More than that, we explore how this issue reveals a broader crisis: Israel’s leadership vacuum. For decades,...

3 months ago

40 minutes

Boots on the Ground

Coalition Cracks and Syrian Chaos: Israel’s Balancing Act - ep003

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 escalating crisis in Syria. Who are the Druze, and why is their fate so deeply intertwined with Israel’s strategic and moral concerns? From historical context to present-day dilemmas, boots on the ground explore Israel’s role in maintaining stability amid the gr...

3 months ago

32 minutes

Boots on the Ground

Deals, Deadlocks, and Draft Cards - ep002

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 the conflict, and the political calculus driving decisions behind the scenes. From high-stakes negotiations to the Knesset power plays and the looming Ultra-Orthodox draft crisis—this episode exposes the complex and often cynical intersection of war, politi...

3 months ago

35 minutes

Boots on the Ground

Relaunch as "Boots on the Ground Podcast" - ep001

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 challenges—from the conflict with Iran and tensions on the northern border, to the ongoing war in Gaza. They offer contrasting perspectives on the ceasefire with Iran and end with a hopeful message about the future of Israel. Honest, unfiltered, and deeply re...

4 months ago

41 minutes

Boots on the Ground

The Iranian Nuclear Question: Strike, Deal, or Delay? STRIKE......

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 mean for the region. Plus, Or shares why he still sees hope in Israel’s next generation.

4 months ago

34 minutes

Boots on the Ground

Hearts vs. Strategy: Israel's Hostage Dilemma

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 total victory, even if it means risking their lives? We will discuss and argue the military, moral, and political stakes of the current debate. Can Israel afford to negotiate with a terrorist organization? What are the long-term costs of a deal? And what i...

5 months ago

27 minutes

Boots on the Ground

Ari in America: Conversations That Matter

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 professionals and retirees, students on fire for Israel and others grappling with complex questions. Ari reflects on eye-opening conversations on college campuses, where shifting opinions and rising tensions are reshaping Jewish identity and connection to Isr...

5 months ago

37 minutes

Boots on the Ground

From Gaza to QatarGate: Netanyahu, Shin Bet, Independence and the Weight of War

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 abrupt firing of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar—a move that raises serious questions about Israel’s intelligence failures and political loyalties. With Memorial Day casting a somber shadow, the conversation turns to how Bar’s leadership faltered during a time of national...

6 months ago

34 minutes

Boots on the Ground

Looking Back, Looking Forward: Shaun & Ari on Israeli Politics, Gaza, Protests, and Bold Predictions

In this episode, Shaun and Ari dive into the most pressing political and social issues shaping Israel today. We examine the stability of Netanyahu’s government, the renewed war in Gaza, and the escalating protests over judicial reform—breaking down the key developments and their potential consequences. Finally, we make bold predictions for the months ahead—will there be New elections? A full-scale war in Gaza? More protests?A major political shake-up?Join us as we analyze the ...

7 months ago

39 minutes