Best Just a Guy in the Pew Podcasts (2025)

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Faith and Friendship with Nick Roberts 58:57

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1h ago58:57

58:57

Friendship is one of the greatest gifts God gives us, but too often men settle for surface-level relationships. In this episode, John welcomes one of his closest friends, Nick Roberts, for a candid conversation about faith, brotherhood, and the power of walking through life with a friend.God designed us to walk side by side. Whether it's men’s grou…

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In the Whisper 43:25

7d ago43:25

43:25

We live in a world of constant noise. Phones, notifications, schedules, and other distractions keep us running without rest. And yet, so many of us cry out, “Why can’t I hear God?”In this episode, John shares a personal reflection on how God speaks. Not through the noise, but in the silence, in the whisper. Drawing from Scripture, the saints, and h…

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Rooted in Identity with Carrie Daunt 53:04

14d ago53:04

53:04

So much of our struggle in life comes down to one question: do we know who we are in God?In this episode, John welcomes Carrie Daunt—wife, mother of nine, and speaker with the John Paul II Healing Center—for a powerful conversation on identity and family life. Carrie shares how her newest book, Beloved Son, helps parents speak truth into their chil…

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A Change in Perspective 36:31

21d ago36:31

36:31

Why do so many men feel like nothing they do is ever good enough?Join us in the pew this week as John unpacks the crushing weight of perfectionism, the very thing that keeps men stuck in cycles of inadequacy and self-condemnation. God isn’t asking for perfection; He’s inviting you into greatness. When you show up to Mass distracted or spend an impe…

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A Lion in the Ocean with Bart Schuchts 59:26

28d ago59:26

59:26

You check all the boxes—good job, nice house, family, success—but still wake up asking, "Is this all there is?" You're not alone. This week in the pew, John is joined by his longtime friend Bart Schuchts, founder of Church on Fire and ministry leader with the John Paul II Healing Center, for an honest conversation about finding your God-given purpo…

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Let It Rain 42:37

1M ago42:37

42:37

Sometimes we get discouraged when our imperfect efforts fail our expectations, when in reality it is only God who can provide exactly what we need. Join us in the pew this week as John reflects on this truth through a story about his yard in the Memphis heat, and how one sudden downpour after weeks of drought became a powerful lesson in the way God…

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Authentic Masculinity with Pete Burak 53:13

1M ago53:13

53:13

Who are men listening to in 2025?Join us in the pew this week for a conversation with longtime friend and guest Pete Burak, Vice President of Renewal Ministries.So many young men who desire discipleship are drawn to online influencers because they are validating that desire with a distorted version of masculinity. What they’re really longing for is…

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Ordering the Chaos 40:16

2M ago40:16

40:16

Is your life full of noise, stress, and spiritual disconnection? You’re not alone.Join us in the pew this week as John and Victor dive into the chaos that often fills our lives, and the despair that can follow. They unpack how addiction, stress, and misplaced priorities lead us away from peace and into deeper confusion.But there’s hope. Through hon…

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Breaking Free From Despair 44:43

2M ago44:43

44:43

Join us in the pew this week as John and Victor reflect on their own seasons of hopelessness and what it means to feel stuck in patterns you can’t seem to break—whether it’s addiction, broken relationships, or the crushing belief that things will never get better.But despair isn't the end. They also discuss that with Christ, you can fight for hope,…

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Christlike with John Sablan 48:23

2M ago48:23

48:23

This week, John welcomes Catholic evangelist John Sablan for a powerful conversation about healing, discipleship, and what it truly means to live a Christlike life.Sablan shares his personal journey from a wounded and rebellious past to a life on fire for the Lord, revealing how the love of God—and hours spent in Eucharistic adoration—radically tra…

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O Happy Fault! 48:32

2M ago48:32

48:32

Even in the darkest moments, God is at work.This week, join John and Victor in the pew as they explore the mystery of suffering and the surprising beauty that can come from it. From personal struggles and heartbreak to redemption and healing, they reflect on how pain can become a path to deeper trust, renewed purpose, and unexpected grace. Whether …

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Trusting in the Father's Provision - With Dr. Bob Schuchts 59:38

3M ago59:38

59:38

This week, John welcomes back Dr. Bob Schuchts—Catholic therapist, author, and founder of the John Paul II Healing Center—for an in-depth conversation about what it means to truly trust in the Father’s provision.Self-reliance can creep into our lives in subtle ways, and fear and control often mask as responsibility. Listen in as Dr. Bob shares pers…

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Who Do You Say That I Am? 37:44

3M ago37:44

37:44

You shouldn’t have to tell anyone you’re a disciple of Christ—your life should make it obvious.Join John and Victor in the pew as they explore how true discipleship is revealed not in words, but in the way we live. If you’re truly a disciple of Christ, your life should look different—so much so that others can see it without you ever saying a word.…

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Conversion, Scripture, and Jubilee with Dr. John Bergsma 1:14:10

3M ago1:14:10

1:14:10

In this week’s episode, John welcomes Dr. John Bergsma—convert, theologian, and professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville—for a rich conversation on faith, scripture, and the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year.Dr. Bergsma shares his journey from Protestant pastor to Catholic scholar, and how reading the Bible deeply led him not away from the Churc…

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We Need Each Other 42:38

3M ago42:38

42:38

The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone.In this episode, John and Victor talk about the deep need we all have for spiritual friendships—and why trying to follow Jesus without community leaves us vulnerable to isolation, temptation, and burnout.They share personal stories of how God used brotherhood to strengthen them in their darkest m…

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The Call to Care 37:15

4M ago37:15

37:15

What’s missing when most Catholic's practice the faith? Care. Love begins with caring, and community begins with accompaniment. In this episode, John challenges us to stop going through the motions and start answering the call to care—for real people, in real tangible ways. If you’ve ever felt unwanted—or if you’ve found yourself missing out on mea…

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Sent Forth with Austin Habash 40:38

4M ago40:38

40:38

What if the solution to parish decline isn’t another event, but a knock at the door?In this week’s episode, John welcomes Austin Habash, founder of Think Catholic and Sent Evangelization, to share his powerful story—from agnosticism to the Carthusian monastery, and now to leading neighborhood evangelization across the country.Austin explains why do…

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It's Ok That You Struggle 37:30

4M ago37:30

37:30

Struggle doesn’t disqualify you—it prepares you.In this episode, John and Victor talk honestly about the shame men carry and the silent battles they face. Too many believe they’re alone. Too many believe they shouldn’t be struggling. But the truth is, you’re not broken beyond repair—and God is not surprised by your weakness.This conversation is a r…

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What Am I Doing 44:17

4M ago44:17

44:17

Many of us stay constantly busy—doing good things, even spiritual things—without asking whether our efforts are truly fruitful or aligned with God's will. Join John and Victor in the pew this week as they reflect on the difference between scattered effort and focused, Spirit-led action. No matter what stage of life you're in, it's time to move beyo…

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Preaching the Truth To Yourself 39:09

4M ago39:09

39:09

We all deal with negative thoughts, but how we handle them makes all the difference.Join John and Victor in the pew this week as they discuss the power of preaching truth to yourself during moments of doubt. When you face negative self-talk head-on and learn to parry those attacks, it can lead to true spiritual resilience. Life isn’t easy, but we a…

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The World vs Marriage with Damon Owens 1:18:09

5M ago1:18:09

1:18:09

Values in today’s culture are shifting dramatically. Education has replaced faith, financial success has replaced marriage, and comfort has replaced family. Marriage rates around the world are falling at an alarming pace—and this decline isn’t just a byproduct of cultural change; it’s the driving force behind it.It’s a sobering outlook, but all hop…

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A Remedy for Shame 37:53

5M ago37:53

37:53

Whether it’s from past mistakes, broken relationships, or personal struggles, shame can leave us feeling unworthy, isolated, and stuck. But there’s hope.By turning to humility and running toward Jesus—like Peter did after his denial—we can find healing, restoration, and peace.Join John and Victor in the pew this week to unpack the difference betwee…

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The Battle of Two Loves 34:47

5M ago34:47

34:47

Happy Easter!During this time of joy and celebration, it’s all too easy to forget the intense period of reflection and prayer we just experienced during Lent. We might be tempted to return to the old habits or vices that we spent the last 40 days working to overcome.Don’t let your life return to “normal.” Through daily prayer, fasting, and small ev…

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The Heart of a Man with Jake Khym 1:20:06

5M ago1:20:06

1:20:06

Men grow up hearing that they need to be as emotional as a rock—never letting their guard down, never baring their heart and soul. And while it’s true that we are called to be strong in our faith and brave in the face of danger, we are also called to show love, compassion, empathy, and even sorrow.Join John and his guest, Jake Khym, for a vulnerabl…

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Holy Week: Love Poured Out 35:54

6M ago35:54

35:54

Sometimes Holy Week can feel like an afterthought.We spend all of Lent looking forward to Easter, just wanting to hurry through this final week to get to the “good stuff.” But we need to remember: there is no Easter without Good Friday. There is no resurrection without the suffering and death.Take a moment to realize that Christ died for you. Even …

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When No One is Looking 28:11

6M ago28:11

28:11

What kind of man are you when no one is watching?Do you fall to the temptations of sloth, gluttony, or lust? As Christians, we are called to be more like Christ—but sometimes we forget what that actually looks like.A sure way to evaluate whether we are being Christlike is to ask: Am I the same man when I’m alone as I am at church, with my family, o…

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Hope Doesn't Disappoint with Fr Dave Pivonka 48:23

6M ago48:23

48:23

Who is the Holy Spirit? How can we get to know Him? We often find it easier to relate to Jesus and God the Father, having spoken directly in the Scriptures and displayed qualities we can understand. But the Holy Spirit often remains mysterious or distant. Join us in the pew as Fr. Dave Pivonka unpacks why that is—and how we can invite the Spirit in…

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Losing to Win 32:51

7M ago32:51

32:51

Sometimes we forget that Lent is more than a season of waiting for Easter—it's a chance to transform our lives.Join us this week as we remember the power of humility and how what the world may call losing will actually bring us closer to true perfection. The cross didn’t look like winning to the Apostles, but through His death and resurrection, Chr…

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Lent: Keep Showing Up 35:53

7M ago35:53

35:53

Lent is a journey filled with challenges, but what matters most is not perfection—it’s perseverance. Setbacks and failures are inevitable, but giving up is the easy way out, and you can’t expect to grow stronger by always taking the easy path. Whether through fasting, prayer, or simply showing up, Lent is an opportunity to repent and draw closer to…

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Like St. Joseph with Devin Schadt 1:35:52

7M ago1:35:52

1:35:52

This week we welcome Devin Schadt into the pew to discuss the importance of authentic fatherhood, and how embracing the example of St. Joseph can and will transform your life.Devin Schadt is the co-founder of The Fathers of St. Joseph, an apostolate dedicated to the renewal of authentic fatherhood. He is also a host on The Catholic Gentleman podcas…

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Lent: Leaving Your Idols Behind 32:29

7M ago32:29

32:29

Happy Fat Tuesday!As we dive headfirst into Lent, take a moment to reflect on the things in our lives that we need to let go of. It could be a bad habit or addiction, a fear or grudge, or even our tendency to test God and demand signs and wonders to justify our belief.Take time to consider what you prioritize over God in your life, then find ways t…

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What God Calls Great w/ Peter Herbeck 56:48

7M ago56:48

56:48

We know what the world considers greatness for men; if you’re rich, famous, piling up accolades and running your life on your terms, you’re great in the eyes of the world. As men, we have a deep desire for greatness, but at the end of the day, if we’re not careful, we can look at our lives and think, “Man, my life is kind of irrelevant.”Now, God bl…

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Do Men's Groups Really Work? with Fr. David Aufiero 49:00

8M ago49:00

49:00

Fr. David Aufiero grew up in a troubled home, and after losing his father and grandmother, he reluctantly met with a local priest to talk through his difficulties. That one conversation led him to become the man he is today.Fr. David knows well the struggles that men face and that the only way to overcome them is to bring the things we hide in the …

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Are You Dancing with the Devil? 36:27

8M ago36:27

36:27

Here's something you can count on: When you step away from the world, the flesh, and the devil, they’re going to want you back. We just finished our series on True Transformation, and the sort of radical changes to our lives that happen when we grow closer to the Holy Spirit through fasting, prayer, and the Sacraments. Those changes are sure to dra…

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What's Taking So Long? 29:02

8M ago29:02

29:02

If you’ve ever been to a big conference or a really inspiring parish mission, you might’ve had a moment of encounter that set you on fire for Jesus, only to grow discouraged a little while later when you don’t see immediate progress in your spiritual life. We’ve had that experience too. God doesn't work on our time though. Instant gratification is …

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True Transformation: The Sacraments 45:08

8M ago45:08

45:08

Over the last few episodes, John and Victor have been discussing the habits we need to build, and the gifts of the Church we need to engage in to find true, lasting transformation in our lives. This week we turn our attention to the most effective way to receive God's grace in our lives: the Sacraments.The Sacraments are an outward sign of God's gr…

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True Transformation: The Holy Spirit 41:50

8M ago41:50

41:50

The Holy Spirit is at the heart of everything we’ve talked about so far in this True Transformation series. It’s the Holy Spirit who gives us the strength to fast, the desire to pray, and every grace that flows from the Sacraments. And yet, when we decide we want to make a change and seek to be transformed by God, we so often try to take it all on …

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True Transformation: Growing in Your Prayer Life 42:03

9M ago42:03

42:03

We are in the midst of a series about True Transformation, and we kicked it all off last week talking about fasting. While fasting is one of the great gifts of the Church that can help us to elicit change, it's never going to reach its potential unless it is yoked with a solid prayer life. They are two sides of the same coin. Whenever you see fasti…

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True Transformation: Fasting 49:51

9M ago49:51

49:51

New Year New Changes Right?That is the hope of most people at the start of a New Year. Often times we find ourselves giving up hope before we begin. We all know the obstacles and impediments that fill our hearts and keep us from becoming the men that Christ calls us to be. So why do we so often fail? The lack of action. True transformation calls fo…

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2025: What Do You Desire? 39:31

10M ago39:31

39:31

Welcome to the final episode of 2024! As we wrap up the year, Victor and I reflect on what it means to desire change and align those desires with God’s will. In this episode, we dive deep into the importance of not just having holy desires but taking actionable steps to fulfill them.From personal growth goals to the incredible opportunities God gav…

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The Heart of the Matter 34:10

10M ago34:10

34:10

In this special Christmas Eve episode, Victor and I reflect on the true meaning of giving your whole heart to God. Too often, we hold back out of fear—fear of being hurt, fear of what surrender really means, or even fear of giving up the “worldly things” that we think will satisfy us. But here’s the truth: the heart is where transformation happens.…

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Stop Hedging Your Bets 36:19

10M ago36:19

36:19

Today we’re talking about something we see far too often: living with one foot in the world and one foot in the faith. It’s time to make a choice, to stop hedging our bets, and go all in with Christ.In this episode, we share our own struggles with lukewarm faith and explore what it means to commit fully to God. We look at examples from Scripture—li…

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Advent: Preparing the Way of the Lord 43:45

10M ago43:45

43:45

Victor and I are diving into something really close to my heart—what Advent is truly about. It’s so easy to let this season slip by in the rush to Christmas, but Advent is such a gift if we really lean in. It’s not just about lighting candles or decorating—it’s about inviting Christ into the deepest parts of our lives.We talk about how Advent chall…

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Encountering Emmanuel w/ Heather Khym 50:54

10M ago50:54

50:54

This week, I’m thrilled to have Heather Khym, co-host of the Abiding Together Podcast, join me for a special episode. With Advent in full swing, Heather and I dive deep into the meaning of this beautiful season and how it’s so much more than just a countdown to Christmas.Heather shares the inspiration behind her Advent journal, Encountering Emmanue…

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Thanksgiving: Living a Life of Gratitude 31:34

10M ago31:34

31:34

This week, Victor and I dive into the heart of Thanksgiving—not just the turkey and football, but the true meaning of living a life of gratitude every single day. In this special Thanksgiving episode, we reflect on the importance of being thankful for everything—both the joys and the hardships—and how gratitude can transform our lives, bring us clo…

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Silently Suffering 38:06

11M ago38:06

38:06

This episode is for anyone who feels like they’re silently carrying the weight of the world—brokenness, shame, or wounds you’ve never been able to share. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry it by yourself anymore.Last weekend, the @JPIIHealingCenter hosted the first-ever Restored Men’s Healing Conference, and it was powerful. Men from all…

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God's Got You: Finding Faith Beyond Fear 37:31

11M ago37:31

37:31

Today, Victor and I dive into one of the biggest struggles we all face—trusting in God's provision. It’s not always easy to let go, especially when anxiety and fear kick in, but we're here to share some inspiration, a few laughs, and even some of our personal struggles with letting go and trusting that God has us covered.In this episode, we go over…

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Remembering the Truth 32:26

11M ago32:26

32:26

In this episode, Victor and I get real about those tough, cloudy moments we all face. From intense travel to unexpected challenges, I found myself needing a reminder that even in the storm, God’s light is there for us 🌤️. On a recent flight, as we broke through some dark clouds into the sun, it was a powerful reminder of how Jesus meets us right wh…

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I Want To See!: Why Vulnerability Matters 32:37

11M ago32:37

32:37

Today’s episode is a special one—it’s a heartfelt look at the power of vulnerability, the journey of healing, and the courage it takes to truly cry out to Jesus. This week has been full of travel and connection as I visited multiple cities, witnessing firsthand how God is moving through men’s ministries and drawing us all toward healing and restora…

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Ep 300! Looking Back . . . 46:03

11M ago46:03

46:03

Hey everyone, welcome to a very special milestone—our 300th episode of Just a Guy in the Pew! 🎉https://justaguyinthepew.com/In this episode, Victor and I take a moment to reflect on five incredible years of sharing our hearts, our struggles, and our faith with you all. From the very first episode to now, this journey has been full of raw conversati…

Just A Guy In The Pew Podcasts