Best FDD Podcasts (2025)

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What happens when MBS comes to town? | feat. Sarah Zaaimi 20:35

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1h ago20:35

20:35

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MBS COMES TO TOWN? HEADLINE 1: The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on over two dozen targets that support Iran’s ballistic missile and drone production networks. HEADLINE 2: U.S. Central Command provided an update on operational activity in Syria. HEADLINE 3: Israeli forces dismantled a Hamas network in the West Bank. -…

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No Country for Old Mullahs 1:14:59

3h ago1:14:59

1:14:59

📺: Watch this episode on YouTube here. Before new episodes of The Iran Breakdown return (soon!), we’re bringing you a riveting discussion from our sister podcast, Foreign Podicy, featuring FDD's Behnam Ben Taleblu in dialogue with Dr. Ali Ansari — one of the world’s foremost scholars of modern Iran. In a sweeping, incisive discussion, they trace th…

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Back to Iraq 46:29

3d ago46:29

46:29

📺: Watch this episode on YouTube here. Filmmaker Michael Pack joins host Cliff May to tell the extraordinary story of The Last 600 Meters, his gripping documentary on the battles of Fallujah and Najaf. Though the film was finished in 2007, it sat on a shelf for 17 years before PBS finally aired it this Veterans Day. From young Americans fighting al…

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Israel's reckoning after October 7 | feat. Seth Frantzman 26:38

2d ago26:38

26:38

HEADLINE 1: French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. HEADLINE 2: The Houthis might be hitting pause on their attacks against Israel and Red Sea shipping. HEADLINE 3: Iran said it dismantled a spy network linked to Israel and the United States. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situa…

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Is another Israel-Iran war looming? | feat. Ilan Berman 26:01

2h ago26:01

26:01

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ilan Berman, Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/By FDD

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Pool Service Franchise Deep Dive: Puddle Pools' Recurring Revenue Model | Franchise Investment Review 46:49

6h ago46:49

46:49

Send us a text Pool service franchise meets tech-driven recurring revenue. Discover how Puddle Pools built a scalable pool cleaning franchise across the U.S. and Canada with predictable cash flow, lean overhead, and margins that attract both operators and private equity. The Pool Maintenance Franchise Business Model We sit down with Puddle Pools fo…

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No Country for Old Mullahs 1:15:03

14h ago1:15:03

1:15:03

Guest host and Senior Director of FDD’s Iran Program Behnam Ben Taleblu sits down with historian Ali Ansari to explore why the Islamic Republic is rewriting Iran’s past to justify its present, how Iranians are reclaiming their identity from the regime, and what the nation’s search for identity reveals about the Islamic Republic’s fading future.…

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Which historical lessons must shape Gaza’s future? | feat. Netta Barak-Corren 24:37

1h ago24:37

24:37

WHAT HISTORICAL LESSONS MUST SHAPE GAZA'S FUTURE? HEADLINE 1: Israel is at its wit’s end with the porous Egyptian border. HEADLINE 2: Israel and Greece wrapped up joint military exercises this week. HEADLINE 3: Turkey held a terrorist summit in Istanbul on Wednesday. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and ana…

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The dangers of the Muslim Brotherhood | feat. Mariam Wahba 24:07

1d ago24:07

24:07

HEADLINE 1: Oman’s foreign minister called on countries in the Gulf to engage with…wait for it… Iran. HEADLINE 2: The U.S. sent a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for the implementation of an International Stabilization Force, or “ISF,” which would operate in Gaza until 2027. HEADLINE 3: On Monday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun …

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50 years of UN hostility toward Israel | feat. David May 24:16

6d ago24:16

24:16

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Research Manager David May. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbriefBy FDD

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Chuck Runyon: Co-Founder of Anytime Fitness on how technology and empathy helped build Anytime Fitness 47:25

13d ago47:25

47:25

Send us a text A small-town key and a big idea changed fitness forever. We’re sitting with Chuck Runyon, Co-Founder of Anytime Fitness and Purpose Brands, to trace the leap from oversized racquetball clubs to tech-enabled, 24/7 gyms that actually match how people train today. Chuck opens up about building with empathy for small business owners, why…

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Trump’s Orient Express 49:47

6d ago49:47

49:47

President Trump just returned from a whirlwind week in Asia closing trade and investment deals and strengthening security alliances. Host Cliff May sits down with FDD’s Craig Singleton to discuss what Trump accomplished, as well as the challenges – and threats – that remain.By FDD

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Hamas is testing the waters | feat. Jonathan Conricus 30:00

6d ago30:00

30:00

HAMAS IS TESTING THE WATERS -- FDD Senior Fellow Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Gadi Ezra, former director of Israel's National Public Diplomacy Unit. Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief -- Featured FDD Pieces: "Is Trump Getting Played by Xi?" - Matt Pottinger, …

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What's it like living under Hamas rule? | feat. Joseph Braude 27:51

8d ago27:51

27:51

HEADLINE 1: Israeli forces eliminated three terrorists during a counterterrorism operation in a village called Kafr Qud. HEADLINE 2: The Trump administration announced a new aid package for minorities in Syria. HEADLINE 3: Turkish prosecutors filed new charges against Istanbul’s mayor. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situatio…

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Factual reporting in Gaza ends where Hamas begins | feat. Robert Satloff 25:41

10d ago25:41

25:41

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Robert Satloff, the Segal Executive Director of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/By FDD

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Mariam Wahba on the Muslim Brotherhood’s Media Empire 46:08

24d ago46:08

46:08

Watch this episode on YouTube here. For two years, Israel has been fighting a war on multiple fronts. And although it has delivered blows to Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas on the ground, it’s losing another fight: the information war, a campaign of slander and blood libels fueled by a media empire built by the Muslim Brotherhood. To expose where — from…

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With friends like Qatar, who needs enemies? | feat. Eitan Fischberger 18:41

13d ago18:41

18:41

WITH FRIENDS LIKE QATAR, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES? HEADLINE 1: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrapped up his tour of the Gulf with a trip to Oman. HEADLINE 2: The warring Hamas and Fatah factions convened for discussions in Egypt yesterday to talk unity. HEADLINE 3: Back to Turkey, where the country has renewed military deployment mandates for Leb…

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Wheel of Jihad 38:25

15d ago38:25

38:25

Will the next phase of the Long War erupt inside a nuclear-armed state? The Taliban, a monster Islamabad built but can’t control, is waging a war against Pakistan — and it shouldn’t surprise anyone. After decades of Islamabad playing both arsonist and firefighter — nurturing the Taliban, harboring al Qaeda, and weaponizing jihad against India — Bil…

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How stable is the Gaza ceasefire? | feat. Ghaith al-Omari 26:04

15d ago26:04

26:04

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ghaith Al-Omari, senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy who previously held various positions within the Palestinian Authority. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/ -- HEADLINE 1: Hamas’s base …

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Josh York CEO GymGuyz How Mindset, Accountability, And Grit Turn A Small Idea Into A Global Fitness Brand 46:47

28d ago46:47

46:47

Send us a text We sit down with GymGuyz founder Josh York to unpack how a mobile fitness brand scaled to seven countries by pairing accountability with convenience and culture. We talk mindset, unit economics, trainer retention, recovery, cash flow, and the power of relentless consistency. • bringing the workout to clients anywhere with fully equip…

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What's up with Friday prayers in Iran? 36:00

17d ago36:00

36:00

Guest host Behnam Ben Taleblu and FDD’s Janatan Sayeh delve into the complexities of Iran's internal politics, implications of the recent 12-day war, and ongoing discussions surrounding the truth about the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions. They unpack the regime's strategies, the impact of social media on public perception, and the challenges f…

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FDD Morning Brief | feat. Michael Rubin (Oct. 20) 24:37

20d ago24:37

24:37

WHAT ARE THE TALKING POINTS OF THE NEW REGIME IN SYRIA? FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Michael Rubin, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief…

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Three Voices From the Front Lines in Ukraine 51:05

20d ago51:05

51:05

Host Cliff May is joined by retired Ukrainian Admiral Ihor Voronchenko, the former inspector general of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and former commander of the Naval Forces of Ukraine; along with retired U.S. Marine Colonel Andy Bain, executive director and co-founder of the Ukrainian Freedom Fund; and FDD's retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgom…

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FDD Morning Brief | feat. Bridget Toomey (Oct. 17) 18:31

1M ago18:31

18:31

DO THE HOUTHIS STILL POSE A CONSIDERABLE THREAT TO ISRAEL AND THE REGION? HEADLINE 1: The Houthis announced the untimely passing of their military chief of staff, Muhammed al-Ghamari. HEADLINE 2: Iranian oil tankers briefly came back online this week. HEADLINE 3: Iran convicted two French citizens of espionage. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanze…

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Unfinished Business 58:09

22d ago58:09

58:09

There’s a ceasefire in Gaza — not a peace deal. Hamas won’t disarm, the Houthis won’t quit, and Iran’s already rebuilding. Bill Roggio and Edmund Fitton-Brown unpack the unfinished wars still burning from Yemen to Tehran and trace the next fronts in this Long War.By FDD's Long War Journal

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FDD Morning Brief | feat. Nadav Eyal (Oct. 15) 31:25

25d ago31:25

31:25

IS THE GAZA WAR OVER? -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Nadav Eyal, an award-winning Israeli journalist affiliated with Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynetnews. Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbriefBy FDD

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How Two First-Time Franchisees Built a Thriving Roofing Business — With Zero Construction Experience 50:32

28d ago50:32

50:32

Send us a text How Two First-Time Franchisees Built a Thriving Roofing Business — Without Construction Backgrounds In this episode, the team sits down with Kevin and Kathy, first-time franchise owners of Action Exteriors, to unpack how two non-constructors turned a leap of faith into a fast-growing exterior restoration business. They share how they…

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Turkey (and Syria) Time 35:55

24d ago35:55

35:55

Bill Roggio, Sinan Ciddi, and Ahmad Sharawi discuss the brewing fight between Erdogan's Turkey, the SDF, and Sharaa’s Syria.By FDD's Long War Journal

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FDD Morning Brief | feat. Jonathan Conricus and Ariel Oseran (Oct. 13) 31:16

27d ago31:16

31:16

THE HOSTAGES ARE HOME. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, FDD senior fellow and former IDF international spokesperson, and Ariel Oseran, senior Middle East correspondent for i24 News English. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fd…

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On the Battlegrounds in Gaza and Ukraine with H.R. McMaster 1:01:22

1M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

Watch this episode on YouTube. LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster and Brad Bowman join host Cliff May to explain why diplomacy only works when backed by force. From Gaza to Ukraine, they trace how strength — not illusions — shapes outcomes and frustrates the ambitions of the Axis of Aggressors: Beijing, Moscow, Tehran, and Pyongyang.…

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FDD Morning Brief | feat. Lishay Lavi Miran & Liran Berman (Bonus Episode) 19:38

1M ago19:38

19:38

A CONVERSATION WITH HOSTAGE FAMILIES AT THE SUKKAH OF HOPE FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer sits down with the families of hostages held in Gaza for a conversation recorded at the Kennedy Center on October 8, 2025 — just hours before details of the hostage deal began to emerge. Recording credit: Production Management One (https://www.instag…

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FDD Morning Brief | feat. Eyal Hulata (Oct. 10) 30:13

1M ago30:13

30:13

A DEAL HAS BEEN MADE. NOW WHAT? HEADLINE 1: The Treasury Department rolled out a fresh round of Iran sanctions. HEADLINE 2: The U.S. Department of Commerce added over a dozen Chinese companies to a restricted trade list. HEADLINE 3: Israel disrupted a major arms smuggling operation into the West Bank. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides…

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FDD Morning Brief | feat. Yossi Klein Halevi (Oct. 8) 23:25

1M ago23:25

23:25

HOW HAS THE WAR RESHAPED THE MIDDLE EAST TWO YEARS AFTER OCTOBER 7? HEADLINE 1: A prisoner exchange deal between Iran and France is in the works. HEADLINE 2: Some interesting stuff coming out of Lebanon and Syria. HEADLINE 3: Speaking of Syria, Syria and Kurdish Forces in the country agreed to a ceasefire yesterday. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Sc…

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Two Years into Israel's Long War 38:39

1M ago38:39

38:39

By FDD's Long War Journal

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FDD Morning Brief | feat. Hon. Elliott Abrams (Oct. 6) 24:39

1M ago24:39

24:39

IS HAMAS SERIOUS ABOUT ENDING THE WAR? HEADLINE 1: The U.S. government approved a new aid package for Lebanese security forces. HEADLINE 2: Syria held elections for the first time since Bashar al-Assad’s fall. HEADLINE 3: Israel intercepted all the boats and there was no violence or bloodshed. But poor Greta Thunberg was grumpy because she wasn’t g…

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How Low-Cost Franchises Scale with Thomas Scott 38:51

1M ago38:51

38:51

Send us a text Want a business that doesn’t just pay you—but can be sold for a multiple? We dive with Thomas Scott into the playbook behind low-investment, high-potential franchises and why home services are the quiet engine of real, sellable equity. From custom closets to dryer vents, Thomas breaks down how to “build the box”: modern marketing, a …

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A Second American Century Requires Energy Dominance 51:41

1M ago51:41

51:41

Watch this episode on YouTube here. From China’s stranglehold on critical minerals to the coming AI power crunch, an energy arms race is underway. Rich Goldberg, on loan from FDD to the White House, helped establish a new National Energy Dominance Council. He’s now building a program at FDD that will focus on energy as a key component of national s…

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FDD Morning Brief | feat. Amotz Eyal (Oct. 3) 25:26

1M ago25:26

25:26

WHAT CRIMINAL NETWORKS ARE DOING IRANS BIDDING? HEADLINE 1: German authorities arrested three suspected Hamas operatives one day before Yom Kippur. HEADLINE 2: Israeli forces dismantled a large rocket cache in the West Bank. HEADLINE 3: Israel’s Navy intercepted the flotilla attempting to break the so-called blockade on Gaza. Except, guess what? Th…

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Iran and the Axis of Aggressors, Part II: Russia (featuring Cliff May) 52:50

1M ago52:50

52:50

A new axis is rising — forged not in friendship but in shared hatred of the West. Putin and Khamenei have sealed a 20-year pact: Iranian drones rain over Ukraine, Russian diplomats shield Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, and together they’re plotting to shatter the U.S.-led order. Mark Dubowitz and Cliff May break down this dangerous alliance from imper…

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FDD Morning Brief | feat. Frannie Block (Oct. 1) 22:21

1M ago22:21

22:21

HOW IS QATAR GROWING ITS INFLUENCE IN THE U.S.? HEADLINE 1: The IDF took out two Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon. HEADLINE 2: Israeli authorities thwarted an ISIS-linked bomb plot. HEADLINE 3: The Houthis attacked a Dutch-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis,…

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Shilling for Sharaa 27:32

1M ago27:32

27:32

Ahmad Sharawi is back with Bill to discuss the ongoing Sharaa spectacle, from massacres whitewashed and sanctions lifted with no conditions to foreign fighters handed Syrian citizenship — in its rush to embrace him, is the West willfully ignoring Sharaa’s blood-soaked past?By FDD's Long War Journal

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Ultimate Guide to Rollovers as Business Start-Ups (ROBS) Part 3 7:19

1M ago7:19

7:19

Bigger Bottom Line provides nationwide consulting services to obtain business funding, loans and financing. This is a discussion of the book: "Ultimate Guide to Rollovers as Business Start-Ups (ROBS)," part of the larger Bigger Bottom Line Ultimate Guide Books Series (Amazon). This guide book comprehensively explores Rollovers as Business Start-Ups…

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Aaron Harper’s Franchise Playbook: Why Niche Service Brands Beat Food in 2025 55:42

1M ago55:42

55:42

Send us a text Looking for the real playbook behind franchise growth in a high-rate, AI-shaken market? We sat down with Aaron Harper—architect of Rolling Suds’ explosive rise—to unpack why niche, recurring service businesses are beating capital-heavy food brands and how honest expectations turn into better outcomes. From the Patch Boys turnaround d…