Boots on the Ground

How do you remember a war that hasn’t ended yet?

In this special Yom HaZikaron episode of Boots on the Ground, we confront that question head-on. Instead of trying to process the present while still living it, we look back, finding clarity, meaning, and strength in the stories that shaped Israel’s past and continue to define its present.

In Part I, Ari sits down with Michael Rabibbo, a lone soldier and combat veteran of the First Lebanon War, to tell the story of his childhood friend, Avi Grogan. Avi was more than a soldier, he was a medic who ran into artillery fire again and again to save others. After rescuing three comrades, he returned for a fourth, ultimately giving his life in the process. His final moments were not spent in fear, but in guiding others on how to save another wounded soldier.

But this episode is not just about how Avi fell. It’s about how he lived. From a small, tight-knit Jewish community in Phoenix to the battlefields of Lebanon, this conversation explores the values, upbringing, and sense of purpose that shaped a generation of fighters and what we must pass on to the next.

As Israel moves from Yom HaZikaron into Yom HaAtzmaut, this episode wrestles with the tension between grief and gratitude, loss and independence. It asks what it truly means to build a nation—and what it costs.

This is a story of friendship, sacrifice, faith, and the unbreakable link between those who fell and the future they helped secure.

Part II, featuring Mark Lavine, father of fallen lone soldier Michael Lavine, follows next.

Listen, reflect, and remember.

For Yom HaShoah, we step away from our usual conversations on war, politics, and identity to do something far more personal.

In this special episode, I sit down with my mother, Sharon Spira, to tell the story of my grandparents, Holocaust survivors whose lives shaped everything I understand about resilience, faith, and what it means to be part of the Jewish people.

We speak about my grandmother’s survival, from forced labor to a 470 kilometer death march where only a handful lived. We speak about my grandfather’s journey through Auschwitz, the impossible choices he was forced to make, and the quiet strength that defined the rest of his life.

But this is not only a story about the past. It is about what comes after. What it means to rebuild. What it means to raise children in the shadow of unimaginable trauma. And what it means for us, today, as a nation still fighting for our future.

This conversation is about memory, but more importantly, it is about continuity. About the responsibility to carry these stories forward. And about the unbreakable spirit of a people who refuse to disappear.

On this Yom HaShoah, we remember. And we continue.

In this special Pesach episode of Boots on the Ground, Ari takes aim at one of the most iconic parts of the Haggadah: Dayenu.

Step by step, he breaks down why the idea of “it would have been enough” doesn’t hold up—and what the song is really trying to teach us.

From leaving Egypt to entering the Land of Israel, the message is clear: stopping halfway is not redemption.

Applying this idea to modern Israel, Ari argues that a “Dayenu mindset” has led to decades of incomplete victories—whether in Gaza, Lebanon, or the broader struggle for Israel’s identity and mission.

As the nation stands at a crossroads, this episode is both a critique and a call to think bigger, aim higher, and finish the story.

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.

Alex shares what it’s really like to be “in the room” with decision-makers—from Prime Minister Netanyahu to President Trump—and unpacks how Israel’s strategic posture has transformed during the war. The conversation dives into media bias, the role of JNS in countering global narratives, and the growing influence of Israel on the world stage.

They explore bold ideas shaping the future of the Middle East, including regional alliances, energy corridors, and the potential for historic economic cooperation. Along the way, they tackle the internal culture war within Israel, the resilience of Israeli society, and why—despite the challenges—there’s real reason for optimism.

As Pesach approaches, the episode closes with a powerful message about strength, purpose, and the possibility of a new era of peace in Israel.

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 still falling on Israel, though at a noticeably slower pace.
They examine what this shift could mean for the next phase of the conflict, whether American ground troops could become involved, and the emotional and economic toll the war is taking on Israeli society.
As always, the episode ends with hope. Shaun and Ari reflect on Israel’s extraordinary resilience, the strength of its people, and why, despite the hardships of war, the future of Israel still looks incredibly bright.
Thanks to our partners at the Jerusalem Media Group and our sponsor bethereisrael.com.

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 conflict unfolds.

They explore the role of the United States and its strategic interests in the region, China’s reliance on cheap oil and its ambition to dominate global markets, and India’s emerging strength as it carefully positions itself between competing blocs while expanding its global influence.

The discussion looks at how the war could reshape global energy markets, alliances, and the future balance of power between East and West.

And just as they are discussing these global implications, the reality of the war hits home. The episode is suddenly interrupted by an incoming missile alert, bringing the geopolitical conversation crashing back to the immediate reality of life in Israel during wartime.

But despite the interruptions and uncertainty, Shaun and Ari end the conversation on a positive note, reflecting on Israel’s resilience and the broader opportunities that may emerge from this moment of upheaval.

Thanks to our partners at the Jerusalem Media Group and to our sponsors at bethereisrael.com.

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. 

In this special Purim episode, Ari sits down with Yaakov Zimmerman for a conversation that blends story, faith, and exceptional Israeli wine.
Yaakov shares his journey from Passaic, New Jersey to building a life in the hills of the Shomron.

Throughout the episode, Ari and Yaakov taste their way through several of his wines, using each glass as a gateway into a relaxed discussion about life, Zionism, and how a personal dream eventually became reality with the creation of his own winemaking in the Shomron.  

You can support Yaakov and learn more about his winery at
https://www.braha.co.il/⁠
Thanks to our partners and sponsors Jerusalem Media Group
and our Partners bethereisrael.com  

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 current landscape, mapping the rivalries, and ideological fault lines that define the political battlefield.

The discussion covers the full spectrum of the Knesset, from Likud under Benjamin Netanyahu and Yesh Atid led by Yair Lapid to National Unity under Benny Gantz. They also break down the influence of Otzma Yehudit and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Religious Zionist Party, Shas, United Torah Judaism, and Yisrael Beiteinu, alongside the roles of Hadash-Ta'al, Ra'am, and the left-wing "The Democrats" under Yair Golan.

Beyond the current players, Ari and Shaun assess potential new entrants and factions that have not yet formally declared their intentions, as well as the political wildcards who already have. 

They also offer a closer examination of Naftali Bennett and the strategic implications of his return to the fray. 

From leadership dynamics and coalition arithmetic to the future of the system itself, this episode provides a clear-eyed look at where Israeli politics is heading next.

Thanks to our partners at the Jerusalem Media Group and our sponsors at bethereisrael.com for making this episode possible

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 failure of governance, policing, culture, or politics? The two see both the root causes and the solutions very differently.

Next, they turn outward to the question looming over the region: a potential strike on Iran. Yes, no, maybe? What would such an attack actually achieve, and why does the prospect remain on the table?

Finally, the debate returns home with the ongoing battle over Haredi conscription. Is this an unsolvable societal fracture, or are the solutions more straightforward than politicians admit?

Despite sharp disagreements, the episode closes as always, with clarity, perspective, and a message of hope. Am Yisrael Chai.

This is not an episode to miss.

With thanks to our partners at the Jerusalem Media Group and our sponsors at BethereIsrael.com for making this episode possible.

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 moves quickly through their lives as they speak openly about military service, reserve duty, difficult decisions, and the impact on families.
They also look ahead to the future of Israel, discussing victory, resilience, and the enduring strength of Zionist identity.

They discuss Matan's latest book, a concise pro-Israel handbook full of facts and insights, and explore the challenges of Progressives.
Honest, sharp, and human, this episode balances serious reflection with energy and warmth.
With thanks to our partners at the Jerusalem Media Group and our sponsors, BethereIsrael.com, for making this episode possible.