In this episode of the J100 podcast, host David M. Cohen interviews world-renowned journalist and commentator Erin Molan about her journey from childhood in Indonesia to the front lines of political discourse and media reform. Raised in the world’s largest Muslim country, Molan developed a deep understanding of cultural nuance, the power of storytelling, and the dangers of propaganda early on. Following the October 7th Hamas attacks, Molan emerged as a fierce advocate for truth, combating misinformation, antisemitism, and media bias with clarity and compassion. Erin opens up about the personal and professional costs of advocacy, our shifting media landscape and sense of journalistic responsibility, and the lasting emotional power of connecting people to truth through empathy.
Condensed Transcript
David M. Cohen:
What inspired you to go into the media?
Erin Molan:
I grew up in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country. I saw firsthand what it's like to live under a regime without a free press. That really shaped my understanding of the media's power. We used to make home news broadcasts for our grandparents, and I was always the “chief anchor.” That love for storytelling and truth just never left me.
David M. Cohen:
How did your career evolve?
Erin Molan:
I started in sports—rugby league, tennis. But even then, I wasn’t focused on scores. I was drawn to the human side of athletes. That same obsession with people is what drives my political commentary today.
David M. Cohen:
Your support for Israel after October 7th has been vocal. Had you been to Israel before?
Erin Molan:
No. I had no Jewish friends, no ties to Israel. But when I saw what happened on October 7, it was obvious to me—this was evil. There was no “decision” to support Israel. It was just the right thing to do.
David M. Cohen:
What do you think stops people from seeing that?
Erin Molan:
Some are simply anti-Semitic. Others are misled by propaganda or just uninformed. I spoke to a man on a plane—a smart guy—who thought Israel’s actions were just about “revenge.” I explained the hostages, Hamas’ threats, the rockets still being fired. By the end, he told me I changed his entire perspective.
David M. Cohen:
That’s powerful. What role does storytelling play?
Erin Molan:
Everything. I met the mother of Alex, who died protecting others at the Nova Festival. She said we know the hostages’ names—but not the names of the 1,200 murdered. That broke me. Every person is a universe. My dad died two years ago, and people still mention him because he was public. Most people don't get that. So I try to say their names. That’s how you honor them.
David M. Cohen:
You’ve shifted from mainstream media to platforms like X. Why?
Erin Molan:
I lost all four of my media jobs last year. I realized I didn’t need networks to validate my voice. My videos on X now reach millions. I’m free to speak the truth. Elon Musk’s team brought me on for 69X Minutes. The name’s crass, but the mission is serious. I’ve interviewed nine world leaders in nine weeks.
David M. Cohen:
What’s been the hardest part?
Erin Molan:
The threats—especially against my daughter. As a single mom, protecting her is my top priority. But I believe fighting this fight is the greatest gift I can give her: a world where we can more clearly identify good and evil.
David M. Cohen:
You've shown remarkable resilience. What's one thing people might not know about you?
Erin Molan:
I used to want to be a gymnastics coach and live on a horse farm. I coached gymnastics as my first job. I’m also a champagne lover—but that’s probably not as surprising!
David M. Cohen:
Last question: what’s your favorite Hebrew word?
Erin Molan:
I’d have to say “shalom.” It means hello, goodbye, and peace. It’s beautiful. But before that, I liked “mensch”—I think it reflects who I try to be.
David M. Cohen:
Thank you for your courage, clarity, and commitment. You’re not just advocating for the Jewish people—you’re defending truth and humanity.
Erin Molan:
Thank you. It’s an honor to stand with your people.
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