

The City of God
Coral Ridge Ministries Media
The City of God podcast, hosted by Dr. Rob Pacienza—President and CEO of Coral Ridge Ministries—explores today’s cultural and political issues through a biblical lens. Each week, Dr. Pacienza interviews leading voices in theology, politics, and public life to help Christians engage the world without compromising truth.
Produced in partnership with the Institute for Faith and Culture, City of God equips believers to live faithfully and stand boldly in an upside down world. Episodes are available in both video and audio formats and offer clear, gospel-centered insight on the most pressing issues of our day.
Produced in partnership with the Institute for Faith and Culture, City of God equips believers to live faithfully and stand boldly in an upside down world. Episodes are available in both video and audio formats and offer clear, gospel-centered insight on the most pressing issues of our day.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 13, 2025 • 41min
Surviving a Brutal Shark Attack with Jameson Reeder & Jameson Jr. | Ep. 132
In this gripping episode of The City of God podcast, Rob Pacienza sits down with Jameson Reeder and his son Jameson Jr. to recount the unforgettable day a family outing in the Florida Keys turned into a life‑or‑death battle.
Jameson Jr. was attacked by a shark while snorkeling near a reef. In their new book, Rescue at the Reef, they share the dramatic rescue, the heroic actions that saved Jameson’s life, and the miraculous ways God showed His presence in the midst of the chaos.
This powerful conversation is more than a survival story. It’s a testimony of courage, community, and unwavering faith. The Reeders reflect on God’s providence, the road to recovery, and their mission to inspire others to trust God in life’s most frightening storms.
📘 Order Rescue at the Reef:
https://www.amazon.com/Rescue-Reef-Miraculous-Story-Little/dp/1546007806
The City of God Podcast is produced by Coral Ridge Ministries Media
https://www.crm.tv/
Made in partnership with the Institute for Faith and Culture
https://institutefc.org/
🎙️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-city-of-god/id1666445363
📲 Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cityofgodpodcast/
🌐 Visit our website
http://cityofgodpodcast.com/
#CityOfGod #SharkAttack #SharkAttackSurvivor #SurvivalStory #OceanRescue #SharkWeek #FloridaKeys #FaithOverFear #BraveLikeJameson #BiblicalWorldview #CRPC #CRM #IFC #ChristianPodcast

Aug 6, 2025 • 27min
Gen Z, Divine Providence, and the Future of America with Ryan Helfenbein | Ep. 131
In this episode of The City of God podcast, Rob Pacienza is joined by Ryan Helfenbein, Executive Director of the Standing for Freedom Center at Liberty University, for a powerful conversation on faith, culture, and the future of America.
Ryan explains why Gen Z is the most cause-driven generation in decades, and why their election-winning support for Donald Trump should not be ignored. He addresses the significance of the July 13 assassination attempt on President Trump’s life, drawing parallels to the miraculous preservation of leaders like George Washington—and why he believes God’s providence was once again on display.
The conversation turns to the cultural and spiritual implications of the second Trump Administration, especially for religious liberty, education, and the family. But both Rob and Ryan issue a strong warning: complacency is the enemy. Even if policies improve, the deeper need is revival.
They conclude with a stirring vision for a 21st-century Great Awakening, and why now is the time for the church to rise, lead, and proclaim truth with boldness and clarity.
📘 Learn more about the Standing for Freedom Center:
https://www.standingforfreedom.com/
The City of God Podcast is produced by Coral Ridge Ministries Media
https://www.crm.tv/
Made in partnership with the Institute for Faith and Culture
https://institutefc.org/
🎙️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-city-of-god/id1666445363
📲 Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cityofgodpodcast/
🌐 Visit our website
http://cityofgodpodcast.com/
#CityOfGod #LibertyUniversity #LibertyU #GenZ #DonaldTrump #ReligiousLiberty #ChristianPodcast #CRPC #CRM #IFC

Jul 31, 2025 • 25min
Toxic Empathy: Allie Beth Stuckey on the Lies Hijacking Christian Compassion | Ep. 130
In this episode of The City of God podcast, host Rob Pacienza welcomes author and cultural commentator Allie Beth Stuckey for a powerful conversation recorded live at the Kingdom Come Conference in Fort Lauderdale.
Allie unpacks the concept of toxic empathy—a counterfeit compassion that prioritizes feelings over truth and distorts Christian love. Whether it’s gender ideology, abortion, or same-sex marriage, many believers are being emotionally manipulated into affirming lies in the name of “kindness.”
Drawing from her book Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion, Allie shows how well-meaning Christians are being swept into secular narratives that sound loving on the surface—but ultimately deny God’s design for truth, justice, and order.
This episode is a call to courage, clarity, and conviction in an emotionally charged age.
🎟️ Get your Early Access tickets to Kingdom Come 2026:
https://institutefc.org/KCC
📖 Learn more about Toxic Empathy or follow Allie’s work:
https://alliebethstuckey.com
The City of God Podcast is produced by Coral Ridge Ministries Media
https://www.crm.tv/
Made in partnership with the Institute for Faith and Culture
https://institutefc.org/
Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-city-of-god/id1666445363
Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cityofgodpodcast/
Visit our website
http://cityofgodpodcast.com/
#CityofGod #CRPC #CRM #RobPacienza #KingdomCome #ChristianPodcast #ToxicEmpathy

Jul 24, 2025 • 6min
The City of God Families Ep. 10 | The Armor of God
As kids face increasing cultural confusion and spiritual pressure, they need more than protection, they need preparation. In this episode of City of God: Families, Pastor Rob Pacienza walks through Ephesians 6 and unpacks each piece of the armor—the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit.
Whether you’re raising young ones, tweens, or teens, this conversation will encourage your entire family with confidence and help parents raise kids who are grounded in God’s Word.
🎧 Listen to the full City of God: Families series:
https://cityofgodpodcast.com/families
📖 Read Ephesians 6 with your family this week and start a habit of praying on the Armor of God together!
City of God: Families is produced by Coral Ridge Ministries Media
https://www.crm.tv/
Made in partnership with the Institute for Faith and Culture
https://institutefc.org/
🎙️ Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-city-of-god/id1666445363
📲 Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cityofgodpodcast/
🌐 Visit our website
http://cityofgodpodcast.com/
#CityOfGod #ArmorOfGod #ChristianParenting #BiblicalWorldview #CRPC #CRM #IFC #FamilyDiscipleship #ChristianKids

Jul 24, 2025 • 15min
A Voice for the Next Generation: Emily Huseman’s Winning Essay | Ep. 129
In this episode of The City of God podcast, host Rob Pacienza sits down with Emily Huseman—winner of the inaugural Institute for Faith & Culture Student Essay Contest. Emily shares core insights from her award-winning essay, “Mind Over Matter: The Danger of Transgenderism,” and reflects on how the next generation of Christians should thoughtfully engage today’s cultural challenges with a biblical worldview.
Drawing from her training in Christian Apologetics and her work toward a Ph.D. in Public Policy, Emily discusses how secular materialism elevates the mind over the body, and why Christians must resist that by aligning our thinking with Christ’s wisdom
Read Emily’s winning essay here: https://institutefc.org/mind-over-matter-the-danger-of-transgenderism/
The City of God Podcast is produced by Coral Ridge Ministries Media
https://www.crm.tv/
Made in partnership with the Institute for Faith and Culture
https://institutefc.org/
Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-city-of-god/id1666445363
Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cityofgodpodcast/
Visit our website
http://cityofgodpodcast.com/
#CityofGod #CRPC #CRM #RobPacienza

Jul 16, 2025 • 20min
DEI vs. the Imago Dei: Samuel Sey on Race, Life, and Truth | Ep. 128
In this episode of The City of God podcast, host Rob Pacienza sits down with author and cultural commentator Samuel Sey for a powerful conversation recorded live at the Kingdom Come Conference in Fort Lauderdale.
Samuel critiques DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), calling it a modern form of Marxism that dishonors God and dehumanizes people. He exposes how DEI ideology promotes abortion, fuels anti-white racism, and undermines biblical justice by rejecting the sanctity of life and the image of God in every person.
They also discuss the rise of Christless conservatism, the fight for the family, and why Christians must stay politically engaged—not as partisans, but as defenders of truth, justice, and the gospel.
Samuel issues a clear warning: “DEI isn’t dead. It’s just asleep.”
🎟️ Get your tickets for Kingdom Come 2026: https://institutefc.org/KCC
🖊️ Follow Samuel’s writing: https://slowtowrite.com/
The City of God Podcast is produced by Coral Ridge Ministries Media https://www.crm.tv/
Made in partnership with the Institute for Faith and Culture https://institutefc.org/
Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-city-of-god/id1666445363
Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cityofgodpodcast/
Visit our website
http://cityofgodpodcast.com/
#CityofGod #CRPC #CRM #RobPacienza #KingdomCome #DEI

Jul 9, 2025 • 31min
The Battle for Women’s Sports and Biblical Truth with Riley Gaines | Ep. 127
In this powerful conversation, Riley Gaines shares her bold stance on standing up for biblical truth in a culture that often challenges it—especially when it comes to the world of women's sports. As a former NCAA swimmer and outspoken advocate for fairness and faith, Riley opens up about her journey, the battles she’s faced, and the importance of holding onto God’s truth in the face of cultural pressure.
Join us as we dive into the intersection of faith, identity, and courage—and what it means to stay grounded in Scripture while advocating for integrity in sports and beyond.

Jun 23, 2025 • 30min
Exposing the Prosperity Gospel with Costi Hinn | Ep. 126
Costi Hinn—nephew of famed evangelist Benny Hinn—joins us to discuss his journey out of the prosperity gospel movement and into a deeper understanding of the true gospel of Christ. Drawing from his book God, Greed, and the Prosperity Gospel, Costi reflects on the spiritual dangers of wealth-driven faith, the global impact of false promises, and the subtle ways these beliefs can infiltrate our thinking. He also shares how to discern financial manipulation while embracing biblical suffering and provision.

Jun 16, 2025 • 20min
The Resolution to Recognize June as Family Month with U.S. Rep. Mary Miller | Ep. 125
On this episode of The City of God, Rob Pacienza welcomes U.S. Representative Mary Miller to discuss her newly introduced resolution, H.R. 475, which proposes declaring June as “Family Month.” Rep. Miller explains the urgency behind reaffirming the traditional nuclear family and pushing back against cultural shifts, including Pride Month. They explore America’s moral foundations, the words of John Adams, and how this resolution seeks to restore national values rooted in faith, family, and freedom.

Jun 9, 2025 • 25min
The Dark Side of IVF Savannah Crossfield | Ep. 124
Rob Pacienza welcomes pro-life activist Savannah Crossfield to the City of God as she shares the dark truth behind In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). While IVF is a fertility treatment that many Christians are aware of, what the process actually entails may shock some of the most ardent pro-life Christians. Join us for this unique discussion.