Just A Guy In The Pew Podcast

On today’s podcast, I talk with my good friend Matt Fradd from “Pints With Aquinas.” Matt knows the struggles guys go through to become the men they’re called to be, and he’s gone through many of these struggles himself. In this episode we talk about: - The steps to take to overcome a pornography addiction. - The danger of trying too hard to keep up with the Catholic Joneses. - How to embrace the challenges of fatherhood. - Why we need to not only do the right thing, but do it in the right way. DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus"! https://justaguyinthepew.com/ebook SUPPORT: Join the Community! I've created a brand new resource for guys called "The Narrow Road." It's a monthly booklet and accompanying videos to help guys live a life of virtue and holiness. You can join The Community and subscribe to "The Narrow Road" here: https://justaguyinthepew.com/the-narrow-road NEW: Shop the store! We have a new Just a Guy in the Pew store where you can stock up on great merch HERE: https://store.justaguyinthepew.com/

Today Victor and I are talking about the process of waiting from a Christian perspective. Throughout the Bible, waiting has been a central theme. What is all this waiting about? While we often see waiting as something annoying, we should be seeing it as an opportunity to better prepare ourselves for what we ultimately anticipate: the Second Coming of Christ. In this episode we learn that:  - Waiting is a gift given to us by God.  - In the Bible, God uses periods of waiting to strengthen people’s wisdom so they can better accept His call.  - Once we see our lives as a process of waiting for the Second Coming, we can focus on constant preparation for living in paradise with Him. DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus"! https://justaguyinthepew.com/ebook SUPPORT: Join the Community! I've created a brand new resource for guys called "The Narrow Road." It's a monthly booklet and accompanying videos to help guys live a life of virtue and holiness. You can join The Community and subscribe to "The Narrow Road" here: https://justaguyinthepew.com/the-narrow-road NEW: Shop the store! We have a new Just a Guy in the Pew store where you can stock up on great merch HERE: https://store.justaguyinthepew.com/

Today we’re talking about Advent and what it means for contemporary Catholics. Yes, Advent is the season we prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth on Christmas. But the truth is that we should welcome Christ into our hearts each day of the year and be ready for His glorious second coming. In this episode we discover that:  - It’s difficult to avoid the commercial aspects of Christmas.  - Our job is to respond to Christ’s sacrifice with belief, hope, and action.  - Prayer and sacraments support us on our faith journey throughout the year. DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus"! https://justaguyinthepew.com/ebook SUPPORT: Join the Community! I've created a brand new resource for guys called "The Narrow Road." It's a monthly booklet and accompanying videos to help guys live a life of virtue and holiness. You can join The Community and subscribe to "The Narrow Road" here: https://justaguyinthepew.com/the-narrow-road NEW: Shop the store! We have a new Just a Guy in the Pew store where you can stock up on great merch HERE: https://store.justaguyinthepew.com/

Today I’m talking to Keith Nester, a former Protestant pastor who converted to Catholicism after a decade-long exploration of faith. The approachable founder of Down to Earth Ministries and the “Catholic Feedback” podcast delves into faith and culture and shares insights he has gained as a pastor, youth minister, and convert. On this podcast we learn that:  - Individual conversion stories differ with regard to timelines and motivations.  - The richness of Catholic traditions and reverence for scripture elevate spirituality.  - It’s important to listen to your heart and open your mind when contemplating conversion.  Take a seat in the pew and join us! Check out Keith's website to find out more about his book, his podcast, and his YouTube Channel! https://down2earthministry.org/ DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus"! https://justaguyinthepew.com/ebook SUPPORT: Join the Community! I've created a brand new resource for guys called "The Narrow Road." It's a monthly booklet and accompanying videos to help guys live a life of virtue and holiness. You can join The Community and subscribe to "The Narrow Road" here: https://justaguyinthepew.com/the-narrow-road NEW: Shop the store! We have a new Just a Guy in the Pew store where you can stock up on great merch HERE: https://store.justaguyinthepew.com/

On today’s podcast we’re talking about the process (or steps) we can take to get back to God. Each week, men ask if there’s a formula they can follow to live an authentic Christian life. Luckily, the path to salvation isn’t complex, even though it can bring discomfort. In this episode, we discover that: - You don’t have to be perfect to be saved by Jesus. - It’s important to realize that you can’t fix yourself, you need His help. - The way is to believe in Him, repent, give thanks and commit to change. Are you ready to get back to God? Take a seat in the pew and join us! DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus"! https://justaguyinthepew.com/ebook SUPPORT: Join the Community! I've created a brand new resource for guys called "The Narrow Road." It's a monthly booklet and accompanying videos to help guys live a life of virtue and holiness. You can join The Community and subscribe to "The Narrow Road" here: https://justaguyinthepew.com/the-narrow-road NEW: Shop the store! We have a new Just a Guy in the Pew store where you can stock up on great merch HERE: https://store.justaguyinthepew.com/

Today Victor and I are talking about how easy it is to focus on what we don’t have instead of the many blessings bestowed on us by God. We think, “If I had ___, then I’d be happy.” This can lead us to addictions to fill the void. Instead, we should be thankful for everything in our lives. In this episode, we’ll learn that:  - If we focus on what we think is missing from our lives, we can turn to addictions to fill the void.  - We have so many comforts that others don’t have, it’s easy to take them for granted.  - Maintaining a positive attitude and giving thanks to God for even the smallest things leads to true happiness. DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus"! https://justaguyinthepew.com/ebook SUPPORT: Join the Community! I've created a brand new resource for guys called "The Narrow Road." It's a monthly booklet and accompanying videos to help guys live a life of virtue and holiness. You can join The Community and subscribe to "The Narrow Road" here: https://justaguyinthepew.com/the-narrow-road NEW: Shop the store! We have a new Just a Guy in the Pew store where you can stock up on great merch HERE: https://store.justaguyinthepew.com/

Today we’re talking about how challenging it can be to live in faith. Jesus asks us to put Him first in our lives, above everything else. We worry about what this means for our families and careers and what comforts we’ll give up in the process. In this podcast, we learn that:  - It’s important to be in constant conversation with God, from morning prayers to evening thanks.  - Catholics have many tools to help us grow closer to God, such as Mass, the Rosary, and Adoration.  - Asking God for forgiveness for past sins can get us back on track. DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus"! https://justaguyinthepew.com/ebook SUPPORT: Join the Community! I've created a brand new resource for guys called "The Narrow Road." It's a monthly booklet and accompanying videos to help guys live a life of virtue and holiness. You can join The Community and subscribe to "The Narrow Road" here: https://justaguyinthepew.com/the-narrow-road NEW: Shop the store! We have a new Just a Guy in the Pew store where you can stock up on great merch HERE: https://store.justaguyinthepew.com/

Today, we’re going to hear Victor Adams’ story; it’s about a boy who grows up thinking he needs to be what others expect of him and a young man who realizes that living a life of integrity means accepting God’s plan instead. In this episode we’ll learn that: - We are sometimes so afraid that we’ll disappoint other people, we don’t allow ourselves to see God’s plan for us. - Taking up the cross and following Christ is never easy, but it’s vital if we’re going to live with integrity. - It’s important as Christians that we preach by the way we live. - Jesus is the best example of someone who led with integrity, even when it was very hard. DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus"! https://justaguyinthepew.com/ebook SUPPORT: Join the Community! I've created a brand new resource for guys called "The Narrow Road." It's a monthly booklet and accompanying videos to help guys live a life of virtue and holiness. You can join The Community and subscribe to "The Narrow Road" here: https://justaguyinthepew.com/the-narrow-road NEW: Shop the store! We have a new Just a Guy in the Pew store where you can stock up on great merch HERE: https://store.justaguyinthepew.com/

Today, Deacon Jeff joins me as co-host, and together we’re talking about taking the first steps in restoring our relationship with God. When we get ourselves into a bind, we sometimes fall into a kind of opportunity paralysis. Truthfully, there’s a fool-proof process we should take when we need to return to the Father and ask for His help. In this episode, we’ll learn that: - Humility is the first step toward rebuilding a relationship with God. - Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable keeps us open to His plan. - When we surrender ourselves to God’s will, we are able to fully experience His help and love. - The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a great example of how humility, vulnerability and surrender create a path toward reconciliation with the Father. DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus"! https://justaguyinthepew.com/ebook SUPPORT: Join the Community! I've created a brand new resource for guys called "The Narrow Road." It's a monthly booklet and accompanying videos to help guys live a life of virtue and holiness. You can join The Community and subscribe to "The Narrow Road" here: https://justaguyinthepew.com/the-narrow-road NEW: Shop the store! We have a new Just a Guy in the Pew store where you can stock up on great merch HERE: https://store.justaguyinthepew.com/

Today we’re talking about that aching feeling that nothing’s ever enough — not the house, the car or the career. These moments arise when we expect the wrong things to bring us joy. In his book “Remade for Happiness,” Bishop Fulton Sheen explains that external gifts such as wealth or fame bring temporary pleasure, but eternal happiness can only be found by building a close relationship with God. In this podcast, we learn that: - Fixating on material possessions or job success creates distractions and disappointment. - We should look for the breadcrumbs that lead us back to God. - It’s not what you get in life, but what you give. DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus"! https://justaguyinthepew.com/ebook SUPPORT: Join the Community! I've created a brand new resource for guys called "The Narrow Road." It's a monthly booklet and accompanying videos to help guys live a life of virtue and holiness. You can join The Community and subscribe to "The Narrow Road" here: https://justaguyinthepew.com/the-narrow-road NEW: Shop the store! We have a new Just a Guy in the Pew store where you can stock up on great merch HERE: https://store.justaguyinthepew.com/