Shoulder to Shoulder

For centuries, many Christians believed that the Church had replaced Israel in God's covenantal plan. But what happens when the Jewish people return to their ancestral homeland after nearly two thousand years? And what does the Catholic Church actually teach about the Jewish people, the land of Israel, and Zionism? In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki speak with Catholic theologian Dr. Andre Villeneuve of Catholics for Israel about one of the most important and controversial questions in Jewish-Christian relations today: Can a faithful Catholic also be a Zionist? Drawing on Scripture, Church history, Vatican documents, and modern Catholic theology, Dr. Villeneuve explains why he believes support for Israel is deeply rooted in the Bible and fully compatible with Catholic faith. The conversation explores supersessionism, the legacy of Vatican II, the tension between Catholic tradition and modern politics, and why many Christians struggle to reconcile theology with the reality of Jewish sovereignty in the land of Israel. The episode also reflects on a remarkable moment in Washington, DC, where major Orthodox Jewish organizations publicly partnered with evangelical Christian groups in support of Israel, signaling a historic shift in Jewish-Christian relations. This is a thoughtful and candid conversation about covenant, Scripture, theology, history, and the future of Christian support for Israel.

For Erin Molan, defending Israel after October 7 was not without consequences. The Australian media personality shares how taking that stand affected her career, deepened her faith, and clarified her sense of purpose. Pesach and Doug also address a growing point of tension: the backlash to a pride event near the Dead Sea, and how they respond to fellow believers who strongly support Israel, but feel conflicted about Israel's apparent celebration of the event.

Is Israel still central to God's plan—or has that role changed? In this wide-ranging episode, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki take on a question that sits at the heart of modern Christianity. Beginning with Doug's recent article in The Christian Post, they explore whether the New Testament itself reinforces the enduring role of the Jewish people, and why that debate has become so urgent today. But this is not just a theological conversation. As tensions with Iran escalate, the discussion shifts from Scripture to strategy. Joined by military analyst Elliot Chodoff, they break down what is actually happening in the Middle East, what has been achieved on the ground, and how Iran views the conflict in ways that many in the West misunderstand. What emerges is a deeper realization: the question of Israel is not confined to ancient texts or abstract theology. It is playing out in real time, with real consequences. This episode connects belief and reality, asking what it truly means for Israel to matter - both in faith and in the world today.

This is one of the most personal and consequential episodes we've ever recorded. Pastor Doug Reed shares the full story behind his family's monumental decision to move to Israel—what led to it, how it unfolded, and what it means for his family, his faith, and his future. This is not just a relocation. It is a deeply emotional and spiritual journey years in the making, now becoming reality. Then the conversation takes a dramatic turn. Rabbi Pesach Wolicki breaks down his recent viral clash with Candace Owens—and explains why the story is far bigger than a social media feud. What emerges is a troubling picture of potential anti-Israel activity within parts of the U.S. intelligence community, raising serious questions about influence, narrative, and the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship. This episode moves from the deeply personal to the profoundly political, weaving together faith, friendship, and the forces shaping our world today. If you care about Israel, about truth, and about where things may be heading, this is a conversation you do not want to miss.

As war intensifies across the Middle East, it is easy to focus on headlines, military strategy, and geopolitics. But what if the deeper story lies elsewhere—beneath the surface, in theology and ideology? In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki are joined by Dan Burmawi, a former Muslim turned Christian and founder of the Ideological Defense Institute. Together, they explore the religious ideas shaping the current conflict, from Iran's Shiite worldview to the broader ideological struggle between Islam and the West. Dan argues that this war is not fundamentally about land or politics, but about competing visions of truth, power, and the future of civilization. He explains why Sunni and Shiite perspectives diverge, how Islamic eschatology influences global strategy, and why many in the West misunderstand the nature of the conflict entirely. The conversation also turns to the growing ideological battle within Western societies, raising urgent questions about identity, freedom, and the durability of Judeo-Christian values in an increasingly uncertain world. This is a wide-ranging and provocative discussion that challenges assumptions—and asks whether the real battleground is not only in the Middle East, but in the realm of ideas.

In this special rush-release episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki are joined by John Enarson of Cry for Zion just hours after dramatic military strikes against Iran reshaped the Middle East overnight. Recording amid air-raid sirens in Israel and rapidly changing headlines around the world, they discuss what is actually happening on the ground, why Israeli society appears unusually united at this moment, and how the conflict is being interpreted across the United States, Europe, and the broader Christian world. The conversation also explores the deeper moral and spiritual questions raised by war: What does a just response to evil look like? Can military victory lead to moral transformation? And why are divisions emerging among Christians and conservatives over Israel and the Jewish people at precisely this moment in history? Drawing on John Enarson's recent Substack article, the episode confronts the growing tension inside parts of the Western church, where support for Israel is increasingly contested, and asks what faithfulness requires when geopolitical events collide with theology. This is not a normal weekly episode. It is a real-time conversation recorded in the opening hours of a crisis that may redefine the region and the global conversation about faith, morality, and Israel.

Recorded live at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki are joined by Rabbi Elie Mischel from the Israel365 studio for a powerful conversation about one of the Bible's oldest and most transformative ideas: Shabbat. As Israel365 creates an immersive Shabbat experience for Christian leaders at NRB, the discussion explores why the Sabbath has become such a compelling spiritual doorway for Christians seeking deeper biblical roots. Together, they reflect on how Shabbat moves faith from constant productivity toward sacred presence, strengthens families, and builds meaningful Jewish-Christian relationships. Through personal stories, theological insight, and behind-the-scenes reflections from NRB, this episode reveals why an ancient Jewish practice is speaking so profoundly to modern believers and how shared spiritual rhythms can bring Jews and Christians closer together in a fractured world.

In this gripping episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed sit down with Dr. Tuvia Book, the oldest combat medic to serve in the IDF during the Swords of Iron war. Book offers a raw, first-person account of returning to service at age 55, racing into Gaza under fire with Israel's elite Palmar medical extraction unit, and witnessing both the devastation of October 7 and the extraordinary courage of Israeli soldiers and medics. Beyond the battlefield, Book describes how Israeli innovation transformed combat medicine, saving lives in minutes that once would have been lost. He reflects on faith, duty, and what it means to "walk the walk" in a moment of national crisis, while also sharing the remarkable story of how the final hostage, Rav Gvili, was located and brought home. This is a conversation about trauma and healing, darkness and light, and why the struggle in Gaza is not only Israel's war, but a global battle between civilization and a death cult. To learn more about Tuvia or to get in touch with him, go to his website today.

As Catholic and Orthodox Christian leaders in Jerusalem publicly denounce Christian Zionism, deep questions are emerging about theology, authority, and Israel's place in God's plan. In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed respond to the controversy and are joined by Rabbi Tuly Weisz, founder of Israel365, to discuss his new book Universal Zionism. Together, they explore the difference between viewing Israel as merely a political state or as the fulfillment of divine promise, revisit Pope John Paul II's striking distinction between the Holy Land and the Promised Land, and ask what Israel's mission means not only for Jews, but for Christians and the world. A timely conversation about covenant, responsibility, and Israel's emerging role on the global stage.

Iran is entering one of the most perilous moments in its modern history. In this urgent episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed are joined by Iranian opposition strategist Mehrdad Marty Youssefiani, a longtime adviser to the Iranian resistance, to assess the rapidly unfolding protests inside Iran and what they mean for the regime's survival. Unlike past uprisings driven by ideology or social reform, today's unrest is fueled by economic collapse: a crashing currency, empty treasuries, shuttered markets, and ordinary Iranians who can no longer afford bread, water, or rent. Youssefiani explains why this shift makes the current protests far more dangerous for the regime, how fear inside Iran's security forces is growing, and why the convergence of internal unrest and external geopolitical pressure has left Tehran more exposed than ever. The conversation also explores the fragmented nature of the Iranian opposition, the realistic prospects for unity in exile and inside Iran, and what signs listeners should be watching for in the coming weeks. Finally, the episode addresses how people of faith can pray, advocate, and support the Iranian people at a moment when the future of the region may be hanging in the balance. This is not speculation. This is a real-time assessment of a regime under unprecedented strain—and a nation approaching a historic crossroads. To help Israel365 and its Aliyah campaign, click here.

On this special Christmas Eve episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug Reed flies solo while Rabbi Pesach is on his way back from Amfest and the Hanukkah celebration at the White House. Doug welcomes Pastor Nate Brown, cohost of the Under God podcast and pastor of Vintage Church in Liberty Hill, Texas, for a deep dive into what Christmas actually means – not just culturally, but theologically. Speaking to an audience of both Christians and Jews, Doug and Nate unpack the story of the incarnation – God entering history in the person of Jesus – its roots in Jewish prophecy like Isaiah 9, and why that claim has shaped the world for two thousand years. They tackle the tension between "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays," the consumerism that threatens to hollow out the holiday, and the popular claim that December 25th is just a Christianized pagan festival – walking through early Christian sources that tell a very different story. They also explore how Christmas connects to Israel, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the continuity between the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, why Christmas and Easter can't really be separated, and what it means in 2026 to live as if "God with us" is true: engaging culture instead of retreating from it, and standing publicly with the Jewish people in the face of rising antisemitism and attacks like Bondi Beach. Whether you are a Christian wanting to recover the depth of Christmas, or a Jew curious about what your Christian neighbors are really celebrating, this conversation is for you.

In this unforgettable episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug and Rabbi Pesach sit down with Dr. Michael Brawan of Kenya and Rev. Adam Hajj Muhammad of Somalia, a former imam whose decision to follow Jesus cost him almost everything. Adam describes his childhood in a radically devout Muslim family, his rise as a respected Islamic judge and mosque builder, and the moment a divine encounter shattered everything he thought he knew. From that point on, his life became a dangerous walk of faith. Adam shares how his public declaration of Christian faith triggered a violent backlash: his mother and wives were murdered, early converts were slaughtered, and there was a price on his head. Dr. Brawan recounts the extraordinary rescue operation that smuggled Adam out of Somalia in a coffin, and Adam explains why he later chose to return and plant underground churches despite the constant threat of torture and death. Recorded in Jerusalem while leading an African Christian delegation through Israel, this conversation shines a piercing light on the brutal persecution of Christians in Africa — and on the kind of courageous faith that refuses to back down.

As Thanksgiving approaches in the United States, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki take a step back from politics and crisis and focus on something fundamental and powerful: the practice of gratitude. Doug shares what Thanksgiving looks like in his home, while Pesach describes how his family in Israel marks the holiday and why he believes Jews in Israel should thank God for the United States. They explore the Jewish morning prayer Modeh Ani, Leah naming Judah, and the ancient thanksgiving offering in Leviticus as a biblical foundation for gathering around a table to thank God. Along the way they draw a vital distinction between praising God for what He is and thanking God for what He has done for us personally. This is a warm and honest conversation that will help you enter Thanksgiving with a fuller heart and a clearer sense of purpose.