Boots on the Ground

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 efforts to have him officially recognized as a fallen soldier, and what that recognition represents.
Yet, it was denied, his friends and family still ensured he was laid to rest with the honor and dignity he earned.

The episode includes references to our previous interview with Josh, giving listeners a chance to hear his own words.
🎧 Listen to the interview: https://youtu.be/W_puAChCv14?si=kO9CdUQtxdathAWA

To support the Joshua Boone Memorial fund, donations can be made here - https://givebutter.com/Help-for-josh

With thanks to our partners at Jerusalem Media Group and our sponsors bethereisrael.com.

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 important collection of Iraqi Jewish history in existence.

That man is Dr. Harold Rhode
.
In this extraordinary episode, Ari interviews one of the most unique minds with a deep understanding of the Middle East from inside the system.
 Drawing on decades of first-hand experience, Dr. Rhode offers a rare and unfiltered perspective on how Islam, culture, language, and history are consistently misunderstood in Western policymaking, with profound and lasting consequences.
The episode opens with Dr. Rhode’s breathtaking, step-by-step account of rescuing the Iraqi Jewish Archive under active war conditions. 
From there, he explains why Western concepts of “Peace” fail when applied to Islamic political and strategic culture, and how linguistic and cultural blind spots have distorted decision-making for decades
.
Dr. Rhode also shares his unique insights into Iran, past, present, and future. Grounded in his first-hand experience during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He assesses how that pivotal moment shaped the regime’s worldview and what it means for Iran, the region, and the West today.

Dr. Rhode holds a PhD in Islamic History from Columbia University and is fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian (Farsi), and Turkish.

This is an episode not to be missed.

 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 recounts how that incident escalated into a broader legal battle, shedding light on the ingrained antisemitism he believes exists within the system meant to deliver justice. The conversation explores the tension between moral responsibility and legal consequence, the price of standing up for Jewish dignity, and the strength required to confront hostility—both on the street and within institutions. This episode is a powerful reflection on faith, courage, and the ongoing fight against antisemitism. 


Link to the legal defense fund - https://israel365charity.com/drglickfightingforjusticeforalljews/

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 and explains how to spot early signs of shifting dynamics. 

Plus, an update on local Israeli politics and protests: is another internal constitutional crisis on the horizon, and what’s happening with the last holdouts of socialism in Israel?

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 close look at the Trump–Netanyahu relationship and its impact on Israeli politics. Finally, they confront the harsh realities of a new New York mayor whose policies and rhetoric are openly hostile toward Israel and the Jewish community.

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 of October 7.

They then discuss the government’s efforts to establish a new commission of inquiry in order to circumvent existing law that requires a court appointed investigation into those failures. The conversation addresses the legal, moral, and institutional consequences of delaying or weakening genuine accountability.

Stay tuned for the final minutes of the episode, where Shaun and Ari discuss what real leadership should mean in moments of national failure, and why accepting responsibility is a defining test of those in power.

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 experiences and education that shaped his deep commitment to Israel and the Jewish people, and how that foundation ultimately inspired him to create “Smiles for the Kids.” What began as an effort to support the families of reservists quickly expanded: first to helping Jewish refugees at the outbreak of the war, and now to a mission of uplifting and assisting Jews everywhere who need support, strength, and — true to its name — a smile.

Aron also opens up about his extraordinary decision to enlist in the IDF at age 44, serving as part of a logistics team and contributing directly to Israel’s war effort with determination and humility.

Donate Here to Smiles for The Kids - https://smilesforthekids.com/
Donate here to the helping Israel Fund - https://helpingisraelfund.com/

Together, Ari and Aron explore what the future holds, the challenges ahead, and the unwavering optimism that fuels Aron’s work and outlook.

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 serving as an IDF sniper and dedicating his life to defending the Jewish people.

Josh shares how growing up as a minority in rural America forced him to fight for his identity, and how that upbringing shaped his resolve. The transition to Israel brought new challenges, even needing to prove his Jewish heritage. Yet through it all, his unwavering faith in God has guided him.

Through his experiences on the front lines, Josh describes his transformation from a kid fighting for respect to a soldier fighting for survival and ultimately to a guardian committed to protecting Jewish lives everywhere.

Join us for a deeply moving conversation about faith, identity, sacrifice, and the quiet determination that drives a man to defend his people no matter the odds.

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 explore how agricultural presence shapes strategic realities, the challenges faced on the ground, and the broader national implications.

Ari also presses Rabbi Packer on one of the most contentious issues in Israeli society today — the Chareidi draft — pushing for a practical, values-driven solution. The discussion closes with a look at some of the unexpected positive developments emerging from the current war and what they may mean for Israel’s future.

An insightful, unfiltered conversation on security, society, and the evolving character of the Jewish state.

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 the hasbarah approach fails, how it keeps Israel on the defensive, and why true strength begins with refusing to justify one’s existence.

They examine the deeper issues behind Israel’s communication, how insecurity and guilt shape the way Israel presents itself, and argue the real question: why does Israel feel the need to explain itself at all?

Instead of endless explanation, they call for a confident, values-driven conversation that reflects Israel’s reality, resilience, and moral clarity. A call to speak with pride, purpose, and self-respect.