Just A Guy In The Pew Podcast

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 it's a lost job, a broken relationship, or hidden...

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 personal stories and insights from his new book Trust...

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. Reflect on the most important question Jesus eve...

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 Church, but straight into it. Together, he and John un...

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 moments, and how real transformation happens when...

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 meaningful relationships because of work or technolog...

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 door-to-door ministry isn’t just possible for Cath...

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 reminder that you are not defined by your failure...

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 beyond spiritual autopilot. Pause. Pray. And ask yours...

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 are called to face each challenge with strength an...

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 hope is not lost. Rebuilding marriage starts in the...

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 between guilt and shame, and share how the Sacrament o...

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 everyday acts of self-giving love, continue allowi...

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 vulnerable conversation about identity, surrender, and wha...

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 if you were the only person on the planet, He st...

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, or at my men’s group? Join us as we prepare for H...

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 into our lives in a real, transformative way. This L...

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, Christ won for us the greatest reward of all. Fix yo...

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 the Lord. Join us in the pew this week for a remi...

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 podcast. Devin reflects on his faith journey, describin...

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 to shift that focus. Lent is one of the many gift...

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 bless the guys who can achieve those things. But th...

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 dark into the light. But it’s hard for men to ope...

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 draw the enemy's attention. Our growth in holiness an...

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 what we’ve grown to expect in our culture,  but i...