Reaching For Real Life with Sean Azzaro

With school starting soon, Sean shares that Jennifer Conant has been promoted from assistant principal to head of schools at River City Believers Academy after 13 years on staff, and interviews her about her journey from stay-at-home mom to teacher and administrator, her love for students and families, and the school’s mission to disciple students as passionate followers of Jesus while maintaining...

Pastor Sean Azzaro and Baron Wiley discuss Sean’s upcoming sabbatical, the difficulty of truly unplugging from work and leadership, and urge church boards and elders to understand the unique demands of pastoral ministry. The conversation shifts to hope for America as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, encouraging gratitude, travel and history study, and distinguishing patriotism from “Ch...

The Texas primaries are complete and now we look to November where the big race is with Ken Paxton vs. James Talarico. Sean speaks to Talarico’s public statements about Christianity, “Christian nationalism,” gender (including a clip where Talarico claims God is non-binary), and abortion (including his argument about Mary’s consent). Sean argues these are distortions of scripture and warns believer...

Love as Holiness: Dr. Les Holland on Reconciliation, Pastoral Leadership, and COVID-Era Ministry Pastor Sean Azzaro talks with Dr. Les Hollan, longtime pastor of Trinity Baptist Church and author of Love as Holiness: Dare to Live It, joined by his wife, Vicky. Holland reflects on following Buckner Fanning, building “love bridges” after a difficult church transition, and his emphasis on reconciliat...

Sean Azzaro speaks to the value of Vacation Bible School and River City Community Church’s summer camps (2nd–12th grade), emphasizing discipleship through concentrated relationships, worship, and community. Sean urges parents to organize family life around the things of God, not treating church as negotiable or replaced by sports, activities, or Christian school, and to help kids sustain “camp hig...

On Reaching for Real Life, Sean and Baron discuss grandparenting plans before turning to recent faith-centered patriotic events in Washington, DC around the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration, including prayers led by Speaker Mike Johnson. Sean expresses caution about labeling such gatherings “revival,” emphasizing that true revival is “just Jesus,” marked by repentance, transformed liv...

Sean Azzaro and Baron Wiley recap River City Community Church’s Mother’s Day service honoring moms, and the golf tournament fundraiser for Real Life Community Outreach. The conversation turns to the importance of fathers and grandfathers investing in boys, Sean’s memories of his grandfathers, and the intentional “YaYa Pops Camp” week of activities, devotions, and scripture memorization for all six...

Sean Azzaro and Barron Wiley discuss how Christians can engage entertainment like Star Wars and Harry Potter with discernment, using it as an opportunity to help kids think biblically and critically rather than avoiding everything outright. They explore what it means to “share your faith, use words if necessary,” emphasizing that lifestyle matters but the New Testament also calls believers to spea...

After the nod to moms for the coming Mother’s Day, and the dark tone of modern political rhetoric and the urging of prayer, the conversation turns to a growing spiritual hunger, noting public figures speaking about needing Jesus, and focuses on what it means to go “all in” as a disciple—an apprentice who follows Jesus in obedience, not merely through church attendance or good works. Sean shares ho...

Living the Dream, Free Speech & Counseling: Sean and Baron discuss River City Community Church’s sermon series “Living the Dream” on Joseph, redefining it as being on God’s path toward His vision despite hardship. The conversation shifts to a Supreme Court decision (8–1) sending a challenge to Colorado’s ban on “conversion therapy” back to lower courts, framing it as a First Amendment free-speech...

Sean reacts to a messianic-style image of President Trump posted on Truth Social and later removed, calling it a complicating factor for Christian voters who supported him against the Democratic platform. The conversation turns to leadership: why good leadership is scarce, how leaders are both born and made, and why character is forged in private, using David, Joseph, and Moses as examples. Recomm...

Pastor Sean Azzaro and Baron recap a well-attended Easter at River City Community Church, including five services and a Spanish service, and Sean shares that the church is moving from a John series into “Living the Dream,” a Genesis walk-through on Joseph, noting parallels between Joseph and Jesus. The conversation shifts to a desire for greater wisdom in public leadership amid war with Iran and t...

As Easter is this weekend, Sean explains that the church’s goal isn’t crowds but making disciples—passionate followers of Jesus who learn Scripture and obey it—often through intentional, relational, Biblical community groups with accountability and measurable habits like daily time in the Word and prayer. He discusses the need for pastors to have peer community, warns about ego on stage, affirms w...

Dr. Sean McDowell is an associate professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University - author/co-author of several must have books including Evidence The Demands a Verdict, and Chasing Love: Sex, Love, and Relationships in a Confused Culture...oh yeah, he's also related to some guy named Josh McDowell. Enjoy this rich conversation between two Seans that will encourage you with...

After commenting on political and media tensions around Jesse Jackson, Iran, and praying for the protection of innocents, troops, and positive change, the conversation turns to why young people may be drawn to Catholicism. Sean outlines key Protestant-Catholic doctrinal differences (magisterium/papal authority, salvation/justification, Eucharist, confession, and veneration of saints), ending with...

Finding Peace Amid Global Conflict After reminding you that Easter's coming, along with the RCBA Golf Tournament on March 20th, the conversation turns to the current conflict involving Israel and Iran, reactions in the U.S. and Iran, and concerns about violence at home, including a shooting on Austin’s 6th Street. Sean emphasizes that believers should reject fear, trust God’s protection, and pray...

Ministering Across India’s Caste System: Foot Washing, Honor, and Gospel Identity After some quick State of the Union takes Sean interviews Nitin and Jit from India about their ministry in the context of India’s caste system, explaining the Hindu belief that people are created into fixed castes that cannot be changed and how this shapes ministry. Nitin describes beginning work among poor, oppresse...

Pastor Johan Mora’s Story from Cuba | Reaching for Real Life Pastor Sean Azzaro sits down with Pastor Yoan Mora, a Cuban immigrant who arrived in the U.S. as a refugee in 2005. Yoan shares how persecution of Christians in Cuba—including his father-in-law’s imprisonment in the 1960s—led his family to seek refuge, and how he now serves at River City Community Church, leading River City en Español an...

While the Super Bowl was less than "super," the hot topic was the halftime options. Bad Bunny vs Turning Point. Sean clarifies that he and the church welcome immigrants but emphasize lawful immigration and the government’s role in enforcing laws, acknowledging the complexity and hardship involved. The episode turns to pastoral care as Sean prepares to attend a viewing for a friend's father. Sean r...

Defending Religious Freedom with Troy Miller: Reaching for Real Life Sean welcomes Troy Miller, president of the National Religious Broadcasters after the recent disturbance at City Church in St. Paul and the challenges faced by churches today. They discuss the protestors' disruption, the importance of upholding laws, and the broader implications for religious communities. Learn about the balance...

After Sean shares the highs and lows of the Chicago Bears season, the conversation shifts to the critical role of faith in challenging times, and the importance of authentic Christian living. Sean shares personal anecdotes and insights on balancing ministry, parenting, and the necessity of investing in children's spiritual education. 00:00 Introduction and Banter 00:51 Chicago Bears Talk 02:51 Spo...

Pastor Sean Azzaro of River City Community Church shares reflections on a recent prayer retreat with the church's lead team, emphasizing the importance of deepening prayer in ministry. They also address the deeply human side of church leadership, examining the recent confession and retirement of Christian author Philip Yancey due to moral failure and exploring how the church can handle such disapp...

An insightful and inspirational start to 2026! Sean Azzaro reflects on the importance of returning to your first love in Christ, balancing service with spiritual devotion, and finding joy and rest in His presence. Alongside co-host Baron Wiley, Pastor Sean also discusses practical advice for maintaining spiritual vitality throughout the year. 00:00 Introduction to the Greatest Story Ever Told 01:0...

In case you missed it, Pastor Sean wants you to re-meet the Chaplain for the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, Pastor Ted Winsley, and his wife, Dawn. Hear about their roles, challenges, and how they minister to the players' families and even the coaches. Pastor Winsley is also the author of "A View from the End Zone - Four Tests You Must Pass To Win in Life"

We present our favorite and most listened-to conversations of 2025... Pastors Sean and Lauri Azzaro of River City Community Church share the importance of taking time off, avoiding burnout in ministry, and maintaining a healthy family and marriage. They share personal stories, insights on dealing with hurt and resentment, and advice for new pastoral couples. Discover more about their ministry, 'Re...