Guest #36 | Caleb Dicks. Empathy.

Written By Ray Doustdar

On the Ground, Under Fire, Unshaken. Caleb Dicks takes us deep inside the West Bank—sharing his firsthand experience as a man of faith navigating life amid conflict, military realities, and a culture of silence. This episode is about courage, conviction, and speaking truth where it matters most.

🎙️ DSD INTERVIEW #36 | Inside the West Bank: Caleb Dicks on Faith, Military, and Truth-Telling

🪖 From Army to Awakening | Caleb Dicks on Zionism, Faith & Truth from the West Bank

Episode Description: Former Army soldier and viral truth-teller Caleb Dicks joins Deep Shallow Dive to share his journey from Christian Zionism to standing in the West Bank, witnessing occupation firsthand, and publicly challenging everything he was raised to believe.

What Happens When You See the Truth With Your Own Eyes?

In this deeply personal and politically urgent episode, Ray Doustdar sits down with Caleb Dicks, a former U.S. Army soldier raised in a conservative Christian Zionist home. Caleb walks listeners through his radical transformation—how he went from defending Israeli policy by default to witnessing apartheid and occupation up close on a viral trip to the West Bank.

Raised to believe Israel could do no wrong and Palestine didn’t exist, Caleb shares how scripture, military experience, and real-world confrontation led him to question everything. After filming Israeli settlers and soldiers blocking access to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, his content exploded online. But backlash came fast—from church communities, family, and even other soldiers.

This episode blends military insight, biblical reflection, and moral clarity. It’s about what happens when you wake up inside the story you were once trained to defend—and decide to speak up anyway.

👤 Who Is Caleb Dicks?

Caleb Dicks is a former U.S. Army soldier, father, and Christian content creator who’s gone viral for his unflinching breakdowns of Zionism, U.S. foreign policy, and the theological roots of silence around Palestine. After years of deep faith and military service, Caleb is now using his voice to challenge Christian complicity in oppression—and call believers back to the real teachings of Christ.

🔥 Key Topics in This Episode

  • How Christian Zionism shaped Caleb’s view of Israel and war

  • What changed when he actually saw the West Bank

  • The moment Israeli settlers blocked worship during Ramadan

  • Why many churches avoid the topic of Palestine

  • Biblical roots of Christian Zionism and the curse of Ishmael

  • His experience serving in the U.S. military while questioning empire

  • Backlash from family, church, and social media after going viral

  • What it means to be Christian after breaking from the script

🧠 What You'll Learn

  • That Christian Zionism is a modern invention, not a biblical mandate

  • How theology can be used to justify political violence

  • Why military service doesn’t guarantee clarity—it often delays it

  • The difference between Christian silence and Christian truth

  • That speaking truth will cost you—but it’s worth it

  • How the West Bank changed Caleb’s soul forever

🗣️ Caleb’s Most Powerful Quotes

“I was taught that questioning Israel was blasphemy. But truth doesn’t fear questions.”
“When I saw what settlers did during Ramadan, I knew this wasn’t ‘God’s chosen people.’ This was oppression.”
“The church should be leading the charge against empire—not baptizing it.”

🧩 Top Themes Covered

  • Caleb Dicks Christian Zionism

  • West Bank Christian awakening

  • Deep Shallow Dive Caleb Dicks

  • Christian silence on Palestine

  • theology and foreign policy

  • curse of Ishmael Bible teaching

  • IDF settlers blocking Al-Aqsa

  • military experience and truth

  • breaking evangelical brainwashing

  • viral West Bank footage

  • faith and resistance podcast

  • how Zionism spreads in churches

  • Jesus vs political empire

  • TikTok Christian awakening

  • questioning Israeli apartheid

  • Palestinian Christian voices

  • Caleb Dicks testimony

  • U.S. military and Middle East policy

  • courage in Christian activism

  • social media backlash for Palestine

  • prophetic Christianity podcast

  • Gaza and Christian complicity

  • faith-based political rebellion

  • West Bank occupation truth

  • Christian deconstruction podcast

🧭 Final Takeaway: Truth Will Cost You, But It Will Set You Free

Caleb Dicks is proof that faith and clarity aren’t mutually exclusive—but they require courage. His story is a call to the church, the military, and the digital world: speak up, even when it costs you everything. Because silence isn’t neutral. It’s siding with power.

🎧 Listen & Share

🎥 Watch on YouTube: Click here
🎧 Listen on Spotify: Click here

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Ray Doustdar

Adding a new chapter to his diverse career, Ray now steps into the world of literature as an author, presenting his debut work, 'Deep Shallow Dive into You.' This book is a testament to his commitment to fostering personal growth and self-awareness.

Ray's venture into authorship extends his passion for meaningful communication and impact into writing, offering readers a transformative journey designed to cultivate a more authentic relationship with themselves.

Ray aims to connect with readers profoundly through his writing, sharing insights and strategies to help them uncover their true selves and live with unwavering authenticity and intention.

https://www.deepshallowdive.com
Next

Guest #35 | Paul Davis. Resilience.