(194) Faith, Music, and Standing with Israel — A Conversation with Bryson Comtois

When Rabbi Pesach Wolicki visited Pastor Doug Reed in Buffalo, the two shared a passionate, no-holds-barred conversation about one of the most entrenched ideas in global politics: the Two-State solution. Far from offering peace, they argue it would be a disaster for Israel and the world. And as for the common warnings that without it the Middle East will “explode”? In their view, those fears aren’t just exaggerated — they’re completely misguided. Join our hosts for a live conversation - this time in person - about one of the most contentious issues of our time.

In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Doug, Pesach, and Dr. Nathan Bonilla—author, academic, and new Israel Education Director for the Israel Christian Nexus—discuss the need for pastors to be educated on Israel. Dr. Bonilla brings fresh perspective on how education and faith can build stronger bridges between Christians and Israel.

What does the Bible really teach about money, wealth, and human flourishing? In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug and Rabbi Pesach sit down with Rabbi Rami Goldberg, host of the Biblical Money podcast, to explore timeless insights from Scripture on earning, giving, and living with purpose. Together they discuss how faith traditions approach the tension between material success and spiritual responsibility, what stewardship means in a Biblical framework, and how ancient wisdom can guide us through today’s financial challenges. Whether you’re struggling with money, striving for prosperity, or simply curious about what the Bible says about wealth, this conversation offers clarity, inspiration, and a fresh perspective. Watch Rabbi Rami Goldberg's Biblical Money podcast on YouTube, or listen on Apple or Spotify.

On this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed explore what happens when Christians come to see Israel with their own eyes. Pesach shares insights from a recent MAGA influencers’ trip he helped lead, highlighting how walking the streets of Jerusalem and standing on the borders of Israel reshapes perspectives. Then, tour guide Shai Shvalb joins the conversation to discuss his years of guiding evangelical groups through the Land, and the unique ways these encounters deepen faith, strengthen Jewish-Christian friendship, and transform how visitors understand the Bible and modern Israel. To order Shai's book, A Bridge to Your Roots: An Evangelical Journey Through the Land of Israel, click here. To join Shai's mailing list, click here.

In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Doug sits down with Gen Z artist and influencer Bryson Comtois to talk about what it means to boldly support Israel in today’s cultural climate. Bryson shares his journey as a Christian musician, his experience coordinating a powerful trip to Israel with Eagles Wings for fellow artists and influencers, and his upcoming concert tour with Jordan Feliz. From music to ministry, Bryson’s story will inspire you to use your platform—no matter the size—to stand for truth, faith, and the people of Israel.

In this explosive episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki speaks with media strategist Eitan Fischberger about Israel’s missteps in the global information war — and what must change if Israel wants to win hearts and minds. They explore how Hamas manipulates the media, and why Israel’s messaging often falls flat. Pesach also takes on the Gaza famine narrative, using hard data to show how humanitarian aid has continued to flow — and how Hamas, not Israel, is endangering Palestinian civilians.

In this bold and timely episode, Doug sits down with Pesach to unpack Doug’s recent Christian Post article, “If God Can Replace Israel, He Can Replace the Church.” The two dive headfirst into the fiery comment section, addressing accusations of heresy, tackling the roots and dangers of Replacement Theology, and confronting the rise of conspiracy theories surrounding Jews and Israel in Christian spaces. Rabbi Pesach brings a powerful perspective from Deuteronomy 29, suggesting that the very rise of Replacement Theology is a prophetic marker of the times we’re in—pointing to the ingathering of God’s people. If you’ve ever wrestled with Israel’s role in God’s eternal plan, or questioned what’s really at stake in the Church’s posture toward the Jewish people, this episode will challenge, provoke, and encourage you to return to a Jerusalem-centered faith. To read Doug's article, "If God can replace Israel, He can replace the Churchm too," click here.

On this episode of the Shoulder to Shoulder Podcast, Pastor Doug and Rabbi Pesach speak with Mansur Ashkar about the dire situation facing the Druze community in Syria. As the al-Sharaa regime tightens its grip and threatens the ancient Druze stronghold of Suwayda, Mansur explains why Israel is stepping in to help—quietly but decisively—while much of the world looks away. He also critiques the U.S. government’s dangerous misunderstandings of the Syrian reality, contrasting it with Israel’s moral clarity and strategic grasp of the region. This is a gripping and eye-opening conversation about identity, survival, and what real intervention looks like.

This week on the Shoulder to Shoulder Podcast, Pastor Doug and Rabbi Pesach sit down with Emirati scholar and commentator Dr. Salem Alketbi to discuss the shifting dynamics in the Middle East, the role of faith in public discourse, and the surprising ways new alliances and perspectives are reshaping the region. It’s a thoughtful and eye-opening conversation that invites us to consider what the future may hold—for Israel, for the Arab world, and for people of faith. Plus: in what ways are the Biblical prophet Baalam's blessings as meaningful today as they have ever been before?

In this vital episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug and Rabbi Pesach are joined by Dr. David Wurmser—Middle East expert and former senior advisor to the U.S. State Department and Vice President Cheney—to analyze how Israel’s war with Iran has transformed the geopolitical landscape of the region. What are the new realities Israel must face? How have alliances shifted, and what threats—and opportunities—now define the post-war Middle East? This conversation is essential listening for anyone who wants to understand what comes next for Israel and her neighbors.