Passages Pulse

In this week’s Passages Pulse, Josiah McGee is joined by Passages CEO Zach Bauer for a sobering conversation following the antisemitic terror attack during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. How did a holiday gathering turn into one of the deadliest terror attacks in Australia’s modern history? And what does this tragedy reveal about the global rise of antisemitism and radicalization? We...

In this week’s Passages Pulse, Sebastian and Josiah tackle two developments already reshaping the conversation about Israel in America: President Trump’s brand-new National Security Strategy and the wave of pro-Qatar messaging emerging from the Doha Forum. What does the NSS really signal about the Middle East? And why is Qatar working so hard to rebrand itself right now — with Tucker Carlson front...

In this week’s Passages Pulse, Sebastian and Josiah break down one of the most unexpected twists in Israeli politics: Prime Minister Netanyahu asking for a presidential pardon while still on trial. What does that even mean? Is it political strategy, legal chaos, or something deeper? We unpack: 🇮🇱 How Israel’s political system works (and why it’s so different from the U.S.) ⚖️ What this pardon requ...

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Josiah McGee sits down with Johnnie Moore, former U.S. Commissioner for International Religious Freedom and expert in Middle East studies, for a thought-provoking conversation on faith, policy, and education. They dive into why understanding the Middle East is essential for Christians, how foreign and domestic policy are deeply interconnected, and the challenges...

In this episode, Sebastian Parra and Josiah McGee break down one of the most surprising geopolitical moments of the year: back-to-back visits from Syrian President Al Jelani and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to Washington D.C. Why now? What does it mean for U.S. strategy, Israel’s security, military cooperation, and the future of the region? Sebastian and Josiah dive into the high-s...

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Sebastian Parra and Josiah McGee unpack one of the most surprising political moments of the year — the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s new mayor. How did the most Jewish city in America choose a leader accused of anti-Israel bias? The hosts dive deep into Mamdani’s background, his political ideology, and the reactions stirring across Jewish and Chri...

In this episode of Passages Pulse, hosts Sebastian Parra and Josiah McGee delve into the controversial interview between Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, a known white supremacist. They discuss the implications of this interview for conservatism, the response from the Heritage Foundation, and the intertwining of anti-Semitism and political discourse. The conversation emphasizes the need for Christ...

In this episode of Passages Pulse, hosts Sebastian Parra and Josiah McGee delve into the complex geopolitical situation in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. They explore the historical context of the West Bank, the implications of Israeli settlements, and the legal and ethical considerations surrounding occupation. The conversation also covers the arguments for and against the annexation of the West B...

In this episode of Passengers Pulse, hosts Sebastian Parra and Josiah McGee discuss the recent developments in the Gaza Strip following the release of hostages. They analyze Hamas's actions, the implications of the Trump administration's plans, and the ongoing challenges in the region. The conversation emphasizes the need for moral clarity and compassion towards victims on both sides, while also a...

In this episode, hosts Sebastian Parra and Josiah McGee discuss the historic return of hostages from Gaza, reflecting on the emotional reunions and the complex nature of the deal that facilitated their release. They explore the military pressure that led to this moment, the ongoing conflict, and the future implications for peace in the region. The conversation highlights the importance of prayer a...

It’s been two years since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and the tragedy of this event continue to be felt in Israel and around the world. In this episode Josiah McGee and Sebastian Parra discuss the events of that day and how it changed Israel forever. Hadar and Itay Berdichesky, 30: Killed protecting their babies https://www.timesofisrael.com/hadar-and-itay-berdichevsky-30-killed-protecting-...

In this episode, hosts Sebastian Parra and Josiah McGee discuss the recent 20-point plan proposed by President Trump for a permanent end to the war in Gaza. They unpack the details of the plan, its diplomatic implications, and the challenges it faces, particularly regarding Hamas's potential acceptance. The conversation also explores the broader geopolitical context, including the roles of various...

In this episode of Passages Pulse, hosts Sebastian Parra and Josiah McGee discuss the recent recognition of Palestine as a state by several countries, reflecting on its implications for international relations, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel. They explore the historical context of these recognitions, the conditions under which they were made, and the criteria for statehood according to inte...

In this episode, Josiah McGee and special guest Elliott Abrams discuss the complexities surrounding the recognition of a Palestinian state, the flawed logic behind current international approaches, and the challenges posed by Palestinian leadership and nationalism. They explore the impact of Western influence on Palestinian statehood, consider alternatives to a traditional state model, and reflect...

In this episode, hosts Sebastian Parra and Josiah McGee reflect on the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, exploring the various reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. They discuss Kirk's legacy, his commitment to free speech, and the implications of his murder on American political discourse. The conversation delves into the historical context of political violence, the role of social med...

This special episode features a live conversation from Passages’ Washington, D.C. event, where CEO Zach Bauer sat down with Will Scharf, Staff Secretary at the White House. Their discussion covers the rise of antisemitism, its historical roots, and its resurgence in modern society. Will shares personal experiences and underscores the importance of addressing antisemitism in educational institution...

In this episode of Passages Pulse, hosts Sebastian Parra and Josiah McGee discuss the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East, focusing on Israel's airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. They analyze the motivations behind the airstrike, the implications of its success or failure, and the broader context of ongoing conflicts in the region. The conversation also touches on the timing...

In this week's episode of Passages Pulse, Resident Scholar Josiah McGee and Vice President of Advocacy & Strategy Sebastian Parra discuss Palestinian public opinion of the war, Hamas, and the impacts of propaganda. Please note: This episode has discussion of violence and sexual assault and may not be suitable for all listeners. Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research Poll https://pcp...

In this week’s episode of Passages Pulse, Resident Scholar Josiah McGee and Vice President of Advocacy and Strategy, Sebastian Parra, discuss an IDF strike on a hospital in Gaza, what this means for the war, and how Christians should respond. They analyze the context of the strike, Israel's military obligations under international law, and the complexities surrounding the presence of journalists i...

In this week’s episode of Passages Pulse, Resident Scholar Josiah McGee and Vice President of Advocacy and Strategy Sebastian Parra, discuss the future of the war in Israel, humanitarian aid in Gaza, the hostages and organizations fighting to bring them home, and answer a few listeners’ questions. Check out the following links for more resources discussed in today’s episode: https://youtu.be/ZyrkD...

In this special edition of Passages Pulse, recorded live during our DC Experience in Washington, D.C., Dany Berdichevsky shares his unique perspective on the ongoing conflict in Israel, particularly focusing on his experiences in the military and the impact of the October 7 conflict. He discusses his background as a medical instructor and his role in the Gaza Medical Unit, highlighting the complex...

In this conversation, Sebastian and David Blease explore the phrase 'Christ is King' and its implications in the context of antisemitism and Christian theology. They discuss the historical and theological significance of Jesus as the King of Israel, the misuse of the phrase by extremists, and the need for Christians to understand and embrace their Jewish roots. The dialogue emphasizes the importan...

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Sebastian and Josiah discuss the recent developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, focusing on the recognition of a Palestinian state by several countries and Israel's military strategy in Gaza. They explore the implications of these actions, the humanitarian crisis, and the complexities of negotiating peace. The conversation also touches on the historical...

This week, we welcome special guest Serene Hudson for a conversation about Christian Zionism, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and how Christians respond to such suffering. They discuss the accusations against Christian Zionists regarding their support for Israel and the fine line between constructive criticism and anti-Semitism. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding...

In this episode, Sebastian and Josiah discuss the recent conflict involving the Druze community in Syria, Israel's military response, and the complex dynamics at play in the region. They explore the historical context of the Druze, the implications of Israel's actions, and the moral responsibilities of Christians in light of these events. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness, prayer,...