May
Israel’s Role at the UN and Tensions at Columbia: A Week of Global and Campus Unrest
This week’s show features Daniel Meron, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, discussing why Israel should remain in the UN. And Rawan Osman, a Syrian-born, Lebanon-raised Muslim who converted to Judaism, sheds light on antisemitic attitudes and the state of education in the Middle East.
Iran's Nuclear Weapons Threat and Harvard's Report on Campus Antisemitism
Mike and Laureen are joined by Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Fellow and Iran Program Senior Director with Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Maya Sulkin, a reporter with The Free Press, describes troubling findings in Harvard University’s 311-page report detailing Jewish students’ and staff members’ experiences with antisemitism, stereotyping and discrimination. The hosts also debate whether the federal government has the right - or responsibility – to dictate universities’ academic programs.
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April
Remembering Pope Francis and Testimony from a Nonagenarian Auschwitz Survivor
As the world reflects on the passing of Pope Francis, Laureen and Mike debate whether he was ultimately a friend or foe to the global Jewish community. Marking the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, 95-year-old Holocaust survivor Rachel Levy shares her harrowing escape from the gas chambers. Plus, Mike reads a compelling essay suggesting that Jewish success hasn’t occurred in spite of antisemitism—but because of it.
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Curbing Antisemitism on College Campuses & Does IHRA Definition of Antisemitism Suppress Free Speech?
This week, the show features ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt’s testimony before the House Ways & Means Committee on efforts to curb antisemitism on college campuses. We also hear from Ken Stern, one of the original drafters of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, who raises concerns about its use in ways that may restrict free speech.
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Deportations of Visa and Green Card Holders and Limiting Iran's Nuclear Capabilities
This week, Mike and Laureen debate whether the U.S. government has the authority to deport visa or green card holders for anti-Israel or antisemitic remarks, or for supporting Hamas. Additionally, former CIA Political Analyst Brad Gordon discusses efforts by the U.S. and Israel to curb Iran's nuclear capabilities.
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Media Distortions and Foreign Student Deportations
This week on the program, Mike and Laureen unpack how media misinformation has shaped coverage of the Israel–Hamas war. They also break down MSNBC’s The Weekend interview, exploring the debate over revoking student visas and the legal implications of detaining individuals without adjudication.
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Protests in Gaza and Limits of Campus Free Speech
On this week's program, Mike and Laureen explore Palestinian protests against Hamas in Gaza and the deportations of foreign college students expressing support for Hamas. Plus Honest Reporting's Jackie Alexander weighs in on the balance between college students' First Amendment rights and incitement to violence.
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March
Ceasefire Controversy and US Colleges May Lose Funding
On this week's program, Mike and Laureen discuss the controversy behind the end of Israel’s ceasefire and renewed attacks in Gaza. And they look at updates on the effects of funding being withheld from Columbia University and other colleges.
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Deportations and False Claims of Genocide Against Israel
On this week's program, Mike and Laureen discuss the current administration's efforts to deport people for acting against the best interests of the country. Is it legal? Our hosts have very different opinions! You'll also hear from author Edwin Black on why claims of genocide against Israel are baseless and the facts illustrate the opposite.
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The Arab Response to Trump's Israel Plan and No Power in Gaza
This week, Mike and Laureen share their different views on President Trump's plan to end the war in Israel and you'll also hear the pros and cons of cutting off electricity to Gaza. It's a high-energy debate on this episode of the Third Opinion Podcast!
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Yair Lapid on the Tunnels and Gaza After the War
On this week's program, you'll hear an interview with former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid to get his thoughts on the tunnels built by the Hamas terrorists in Gaza. You'll also hear from Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about what the future holds for Gaza once the war comes to an end.
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February 2025
What's Next for Gaza and Living the 1930s All Over Again
This week, Mike and Laureen will speak with Blaise Misztal, VP for Policy at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), about what might happen in Gaza once the war has concluded. You'll also hear from Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois about why he believes we're seeing shades of the 1930s right here in the United States and around the world.
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Palestinians Weigh In on Trump and More on Musk
On this week's episode, Mike and Laureen continue their debate on where Elon stands with respect to Israel and the Jewish community. You'll also hear from some Palestinians that have no problem sharing their thoughts on US President Donald Trump and his strategy to end the war with Hamas. All this and more awaits you on this week's program.
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The Hostage Experience and Hillel Fuld on the War In Israel
Laureen and Mike have a jam-packed show for you this week! You'll hear horrific accounts of what it's like to be a Hamas hostage and we're bringing you an interview with Israel's "top marketer", Hillel Fuld, where he'll share his insights on the ongoing war in Israel. All this and more awaits you on the next Third Opinion Podcast.
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More Israeli Hostages Released and Antisemitism at Cornell
We are pleased that the ceasefire is holding, and more hostages have been released by Hamas -- but at what cost? Laureen and Mike will also report on continuing antisemitic activity at Cornell University. All this and more awaits you on this week's Third Opinion Podcast.
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January 2025
Israel's Wikipedia Page and an IDF Soldier from Tampa
On this week's program, Mike and Laureen discuss the problematic Wikipedia page for the State of Israel. You'll also hear an interview with IDF soldier Jesse Davidson, a native of Tampa, Florida, who shares his recollections from the war and his thoughts on what's ahead. All this and more awaits you on the latest Third Opinion Podcast.
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Update on the Ceasefire and Revisiting the Atrocities in Amsterdam
On this week's show, Mike and Laureen share the latest on the proposed ceasefire. You'll also hear new perspectives on growing antisemitism and a recap on the Jew hate that recently occurred in Amsterdam.
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Tracking Down Terrorists and a Potential Peace Deal
On this week's Third Opinion Podcast, Laureen and Mike discuss the lengths Israel went to to track down and take out the architect of the October 7th terrorist attack. They'll also get into the incredible antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam as well as a potential peace deal with Hamas to include release of more hostages. All this and more awaits you on the latest episode. Thank you for listening, subscribing, and sharing the program!
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Calling Out the United Nations and the Houthis
On this week's episode, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations doesn't hold back on calling out its indefensible bias against Israel and emphasizing Israel's right and obligation to ensure the safety and security of its people. We'll also hear again from journalist Douglas Murray who proves once again that those who speak out most strongly against Israel have few facts to back up their positions and resort to lies and misinformation to spread their propaganda. All this and more awaits you on the Third Opinion Podcast.
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The Houthi Threat and the Depths of Ignorance
On this week's episode, Mike and Laureen discuss the ongoing Houthi threat and how the US and Israel are dealing with it. Also, you'll hear a debate that clearly illustrates that the most vocal anti-Israel spokespeople are simply ignorant and/or choose to express what they know to be lies and misinformation. All this and more awaits you on this week's Third Opinion Podcast.