In this episode of Passages Pulse, Sebastian and Josiah catch up on the biggest headlines shaping Israel, Iran, and the Middle East—and why, even with major developments, it still feels like the war isn’t over.

With all Israeli hostages finally home, the war clock has stopped—but the questions are just beginning. What comes next for Gaza? Can Hamas be forced to disarm? And why does the region still feel on edge despite Israel’s enemies being significantly weakened?

The conversation then turns to Iran, where protests have been brutally crushed, internet blackouts have obscured the truth, and the regime has escalated with missile tests, drone harassment of U.S. naval forces, and rising tensions with Washington. As negotiations loom, Sebastian and Josiah unpack what’s really happening inside Iran, how the U.S. is responding, and what’s at stake if red lines are crossed.

This episode explores:

-The significance of the last hostage returning home

-Gaza’s “day after” and the challenges ahead

-Israel’s weakened enemies—and why peace still feels distant

-Iran’s crackdown on protesters and global implications

-U.S.–Iran tensions, missile tests, and naval encounters

-What the next phase of the Middle East conflict could look like

Whether you’ve been following every headline or feel like you’ve missed a lot, this episode brings the full picture into focus.

📌 Drop your questions in the comments—what should we cover next?

🎧 Check out our other podcast, Discover Your Roots: https://discover-your-roots.captivate.fm/

Disclaimer: Individual views are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Want to learn more about Passages? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Sebastian sits down with political strategist and media expert Aaron Evans to expose how foreign money, bot farms, lobbying networks, and media influence campaigns are driving division inside the United States.

From fake social media accounts posing as voices inside war zones, to foreign-funded university programs and PR firms shaping public opinion, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the difference between organic outrage and manufactured narratives.

The discussion explores:

-How bot farms and AI-generated content amplify propaganda

-Why certain stories dominate the media while others disappear

-The role of foreign lobbying, universities, and PR firms in shaping American discourse

-How anti-Israel and antisemitic narratives are being fueled from abroad

-Why Christians should care about truth, discernment, and narrative warfare

This episode challenges listeners—especially Christians—to step back, follow the money, and ask harder questions about who is influencing America and why.

🎧 Listen. Discern. Stay rooted in truth.

Disclaimer: Individual views are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Want to learn more about Passages? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.

Welcome to Passages Pulse Episode 41 (Part 2) — recorded in Jerusalem with a breathtaking view of the Old City from the roof of the Austrian Hospice. In this second half of our on-location “hot seat” conversation, Josiah McGee is joined again by Olivia Layne to tackle the next round of difficult, emotionally charged, and often misunderstood questions about Israel — especially those facing Gen Z in today’s digital media landscape.

This episode dives deeper into the moral, geopolitical, and theological arguments surrounding Israel, while also addressing viral claims, misinformation, and how Christians can think clearly and compassionately about an incredibly complex conflict.

In this episode, we cover:

-Why it matters for Gen Z — and Christians — to support Israel

-The moral vs. geopolitical case for U.S. support of Israel

-Does Israel “drag” the United States into war?

-How to think logically and compassionately about genocide claims

-What war really looks like in the modern Middle East

-Empathy, suffering, and truth in the fog of war

-Does “those who bless Israel will be blessed” apply today?

-Is the Israel of the Bible the same as the Israel of today?

-How to spot credible sources in an age of social media and AI misinformation

Recommended books, podcasts, and resources for learning about Israel:

Honest Reporting: https://honestreporting.com/

Local Sources of Israel News: Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post, etc..

Israel by Daniel Gordis: https://www.amazon.com/Israel-Concise-History-Nation-Reborn/dp/0062368745

Israel Unpacked Podcast

Olivia’s Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HL9B5NWf9t1MDF6OE5PXODmLD9YdlEiWZiFUtfxsxFs/edit?usp=sharing

Disclaimer: Individual views are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages. Want to learn more about Passages?

Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.