IDF special operations veteran Josh Andre discusses identity, resilience, and what it means to be Jewish in a post–October 7 world. Josh reflects on growing up in the North Shore with little connection to Jewish identity, discovering purpose through Israel, and fighting through repeated rejections to join the IDF, where he ultimately served in an elite undercover unit along the Gaza border. He shares firsthand experiences from October 7, the trauma of combat and loss, and the emotional toll of war — while also exploring the rise of antisemitism, the identity shift among diaspora Jews, and the importance of preparedness and community strength. Now a licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of IDFense, Josh helps individuals heal from trauma and trains Jewish communities in safety, resilience, and self-defense. Guest Bio Josh Andre is a Chicago-based licensed clinical social worker, addiction intervention specialist, and IDF special operations veteran. A former lone soldier who served in an elite undercover unit in Israel, he co-founded IDFense, providing security awareness and self-defense training for Jewish communities. In addition to community safety work, he supports individuals and families through addiction recovery and trauma-informed care, integrating therapeutic approaches with movement and resilience training. Contact & Socials 📧 Email: josh@idfense.org 📸 Instagram: @josh_andre26 🌐 Organization: idfense.org
00:00 Live Studio Kick-Off & Why Josh Matters
04:30 Identity Shift After October 7
07:30 First Trip to Israel & Identity Awakening
12:30 Fighting to Join the IDF
17:00 Elite Unit Tryouts & Hell Week
22:30 Serving in an Undercover Unit
27:20 Gaza Border Reality Before October 7
45:30 October 7: The Call
50:30 Loss, Trauma & Aftermath
56:30 Why Jewish Communities Need Training
1:06:30 Final Reflections & Jewish Identity