Rephonic
Artwork for FIDF Live
Israel
Iran
Hamas
IDF
Hezbollah
Gaza
United States
Lebanon
Israel Defense Forces
Syria
PTSD
October 7th Attacks
Gaza Strip
Middle East
Ballistic Missiles
Israeli Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
Iron Dome
Yom Hazikaron
Nuclear Weapons

Moving stories, exclusive base visits, donor spotlights. Bringing the men and women of the IDF directly to you.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes163Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for FIDF Live

Latest Episodes

Lara Krinsky opens this IDF Live briefing with Shalom Ben Hanan, a nearly three-decade Shin Bet veteran who returned from retirement after October 7th to help interrogate captured Hamas terrorists, for a discussion about the threats Israel sees—and t... more

Lara Krinsky opens this special briefing with Rachel Lester, author and former digital media specialist in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, to explore the psychological toll nearly three years of war has taken on Israel’s soldiers and reservists. Lester ... more

Lara Krinsky opens the briefing by saying the war has not ended but shifted, with the U.S. striking Iran again, Iran retaliating, sanctions tightening around Tehran, and Hezbollah adapting into smaller guerrilla formations. Jonathan Schanzer says the... more

Lara Krinsky opens the briefing by introducing Dr. Mordechai Kedar as a veteran Israeli military intelligence expert whose focus is understanding the cultures, ideologies, rivalries, and psychology behind Middle Eastern actors, not just their surface... more

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Recent Guests

Shalom Ben Hanan
Former senior Shin Bet executive with nearly three decades of counterterrorism and intelligence experience
Shin Bet
Episode: FIDF LIVE BRIEFING: Shalom Ben Hanan, Former Senior Executive of the Shin Bet - October 18, 2026
Rachel Lester
Former IDF Spokesperson's Unit member and lone soldier
IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Episode: FIDF LIVE SPECIAL BRIEFING: Rachel Lester, Former IDF Digital Media Specialist - 9.18.2026
Jonathan Schanzer
Executive Director, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Episode: FIDF SPECIAL BRIEFING - Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director, Foundation for Defense of Democracies - 9.6.2026
Mordechai Kedar
Lieutenant Colonel Dr.; Vice President of Newsrael
Newsrael
Episode: FIDF LIVE BRIEFING: Dr. Mordechai Kedar, Vice President of Newsrael - Auguest 23, 2026
Jonny Daniels
Journalist, geopolitical analyst, founder of From the Depths; former senior advisor to Israel's Deputy Minister of Defense
From the Depths / Former Deputy Minister of Defense advisor
Episode: FIDF LIVE BRIEFING: Jonny Daniels, Activist, Former Senior Advisor to Deputy Ministry of Defense - 8.9.26
Or Horvitz
Lieutenant Colonel, former head of Hezbollah and Lebanon branch in Israeli military intelligence; current head of strategy at El-Site; senior research fellow at Jewish People Policy Institute
El-Site; Jewish People Policy Institute
Episode: FIDF LIVE BRIEFING: LTC. (Ret.) Or Horvitz, National Security Expert - July 26, 2026
Elad Edri
Brigadier General, Homefront Command Chief of Staff
Israeli Defense Forces - Homefront Command
Episode: FIDF LIVE BRIEFING Brig. Gen. Elad Edri, Homefront Command Chief of Staff - July 12, 2026
Gadi Ezra
Former Director of Israel's National Public Diplomacy Unit; author of 11 Days in Gaza
Former Israeli public diplomacy official
Episode: FIDF LIVE BRIEFING: Gadi Ezra, Former Director, Israel's National Public Diplomacy Unit - June 28, 2026
Kelly Kabbani
Sergeant First Class, IDF Spokesperson's Unit
IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Episode: FIDF LIVE BRIEFING: SFC. Kelly Odes, IDF Head of Strategy & Messaging - May 31, 2026

Hosts

Lara Krinsky
Host of FIDF Live briefing and related segments; long-time host with strong donor-focused framing.
Jonathan Schanzer
Executive Director, Foundation for Defense of Democracies; policy/ national security analyst.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 30 ratings
  • Friends of the IDF..

    soso… Apple is Supporting War criminals by allowing their podcasts on here

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    M.kruger
    Germany2 years ago
  • Trust the IDF. They would never lie about anything!

    This podcast is a joke, right? Is this parody? If you haven’t listened, it’s all about how all the humanitarian aid organizations and human rights groups are lying to you, all non pro Israel news reports are lies and probably antisemetic and the IDF is the “most ethical army on Earth.” Just make sure to ignore all those videos that IDF soldiers are posting of themselves committing war crimes, looting Palestinian homes, beating civilians, mocking Palestinians with racist tropes and so much more. ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    A Sacasa
    United States2 years ago
  • Great show

    Wonderfully informative podcast. Would only say that Steve should get a proper mic. Sounds like he’s underwater. Luckily he doesn’t talk much! 🤣

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PurplePianoCat
    Canada2 years ago
  • Really interesting!!

    A really interesting show!! Thank you for bringing the voices of the IDF to us!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    אפליקציה מעולה!!!
    Israel4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value the high-level insights and real-time security context.
Some listeners express strong partisan views and opposition to the host's perspective.
Guests with frontline and policy experience are frequently highlighted as a strength.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

FIDF LIVE BRIEFING: Shalom Ben Hanan, Former Senior Executive of the Shin Bet - October 18, 2026
Q: How much would you say that Israel's intelligence advantage comes down to human beings versus technology?
He calls human intelligence the queen of the battlefield and says the October 7 intelligence failure included a lack of human sources. Informants, interrogations, and observations from people near a target can reveal warning signs that technology may miss.
FIDF LIVE BRIEFING: Shalom Ben Hanan, Former Senior Executive of the Shin Bet - October 18, 2026
Q: Do you think we're approaching another round with Iran, or are both sides still trying to avoid one?
Ben Hanan says that if Iran refuses to abandon its nuclear ambitions, another confrontation may be unavoidable. He believes the regime sees giving up the nuclear program as surrender and argues the issue must be resolved for future generations.
FIDF LIVE SPECIAL BRIEFING: Rachel Lester, Former IDF Digital Media Specialist - 9.18.2026
Q: How did your experience with exposing tunnels during Operation Northern Shield influence your understanding of global audiences and the importance of explaining context to viewers?
I learned that many people outside Israel don't know who groups like Hamas or leaders are, so when producing content for an international audience I had to start from basics, explaining who they are and what they stand for to build understanding from the ground up.
FIDF LIVE SPECIAL BRIEFING: Rachel Lester, Former IDF Digital Media Specialist - 9.18.2026
Q: What role did your mother play in helping you seek treatment, and what finally convinced you to get help?
My mom's persistent involvement and care, including convincing me to enter an inpatient program even though it wasn't the right fit, helped me acknowledge I needed real, lasting help and pushed me toward appropriate treatment and therapy.
FIDF LIVE SPECIAL BRIEFING: Rachel Lester, Former IDF Digital Media Specialist - 9.18.2026
Q: Rachel, before we get to your incredible story, can you tell us about what your work on and after October 7th was like, and what it did to your well-being?
I archived and cataloged footage of atrocities published by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, watched graphic content repeatedly to convey severity, and the relentless exposure led to recurring nightmares and a significant toll on my motivation and ability to work, highlighting the need for mental health support.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About FIDF Live

What is FIDF Live about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program concentrates on Middle East security, regional diplomacy, and current conflicts with a pro-Israel perspective. Episodes feature high-level briefings and analysis from former military officers, diplomats, and think-tank experts, often tied to donor communications and nonprofit defense-focused messaging. Notable threads include Iran's strategic posture, regional deterrence, public diplomacy, and humanitarian considerations on the home front, with conversations designed to inform supporters and partners about security dynamics and policy options. The show often pairs on-the-ground leadership stories with strategic forecasting, giving potential guests and sponsors a clear sense of its audience—professionals interested in security, ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to FIDF Live?

These podcasts share a similar audience with FIDF Live:

1. FDD Morning Brief
2. IDSF Daily Israel Briefing
3. A Mandatory Listen
4. The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
5. Ask Haviv Anything

How many episodes of FIDF Live are there?

FIDF Live launched 5 years ago and published 163 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on FIDF Live?

Recent guests on FIDF Live include:

1. Shalom Ben Hanan
2. Rachel Lester
3. Jonathan Schanzer
4. Mordechai Kedar
5. Jonny Daniels
6. Or Horvitz
7. Elad Edri
8. Gadi Ezra

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