Just a Guy in the Pew

What does it actually mean to be a man of God today? In this episode of Just a Guy in the Pew, John Edwards sits down with Pete Burak, Vice President of Renewal Ministries and author of the brand new book, A Man on Purpose: 10 Rules of Life from a Faithful Father. They dive into the growing crisis of masculinity, the loss of identity and purpose for men, and the need for authentic Christian manhood. Pete shares personal stories about his father, the lessons that shaped his life, and the moment that inspired him to write the book. At the center of it all is a call to live with purpose, courage, and a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. Check out Pete's new book, A Man on Purpose: 10 Rules of Life from a Faithful Father: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/a-man-on-purpose And check out more of Pete's work at: https://www.renewalministries.net/ Follow Pete on social media! https://www.instagram.com/peteburak https://www.facebook.com/pete.burak/ https://x.com/PeteBurak10 Follow Renewal Ministries on social media! https://www.instagram.com/renewalministries https://www.facebook.com/CatholicRenewalMinistries/

The week after Christmas can feel strangely heavy. The celebration is over, the quiet settles in, and the weight of a new year starts pressing in. In this episode, John reflects on the line from O Holy Night that hit him in a new way, “a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,” and why this sacred pause between Christmas and New Year’s is meant for hope, not anxiety. He challenges listeners to make a simple “holy list” with three focus points: one thing to let go of, one thing to heal, and one thing to build, so you stop trying to fix yourself through self-reliance and start letting Jesus heal what is actually broken. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

Christmas is not about having it all together. It is the reminder that God chose to come close precisely because we do not. In this episode, John reflects on what it means for Jesus to enter into the real pressures of Christmas week, including stress, regret, loneliness, family wounds, and the feeling of not being ready or worthy. Drawing from the Nativity, Scripture, and his own story of addiction and conversion, John reminds us that Jesus does not wait for perfection; He waits for permission. Christ is born into a stable, not a palace, to show us that our brokenness is not something to hide from Him, but the very place He longs to enter and heal. Consider supporting our ministry through iGiveCatholic: https://www.igivecatholic.org/organization/Pew-Ministries Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

We live in a culture that hates to wait. Lines, delays, silence, and stillness all feel like problems to solve instead of places to meet God. In this episode, John reflects on how Advent invites us to do the opposite: to slow down, to wait, and to let the Lord work beneath the surface of our busy lives, even in seasons of suffering like his father’s recent cancer diagnosis. Waiting exposes our fears, idols, and false escapes, and how God uses it to strip away unhealthy self-reliance and grow patience, humility, obedience, and trust. Drawing from Scripture, the lives of Mary and Joseph, he discusses concrete ways to step back from distraction and become more receptive to the grace God wants to give in these final days before Christmas. Consider supporting our ministry through iGiveCatholic: https://www.igivecatholic.org/organization/Pew-Ministries Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

Many men want to do better as husbands and fathers but feel lost on where to begin. In this episode, John welcomes back author and founder of the Fathers of St. Joseph, Devin Schadt, to talk about his new book The Rule, a practical guide for living the spirituality of St. Joseph in everyday life. Devin shares how the book was born out of his own discouragement and how men repeatedly asked for clear, concrete direction on becoming the men God created them to be. He and John discuss the pillars of St. Joseph’s life, the importance of sonship, vocation, and spiritual authority, and why true growth happens when men embrace small daily practices with humility and perseverance. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by your responsibilities or unsure how to take the next step in your spiritual life, this conversation offers simple, actionable wisdom grounded in the heart of St. Joseph. Check out Devin's new book, The Rule: Amazon: https://a.co/d/iD9TxjI Sophia Press: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-rule And check out more of his work: https://catholicgentleman.com/ https://fathersofstjoseph.org/ Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

Advent is a season that invites every man to return home to the Father. In this episode, John sits down with his friend Paul George—speaker, author, and founder of The Art of Living—to talk about Paul’s new Advent devotional for men, Feast, and the parable at the heart of it: the Prodigal Son. John and Paul discuss why this story hits so deeply for men, how it mirrors our own patterns of pride, failure, repentance, and renewal, and why Scripture meets us differently every time we return to it. They walk through the themes of famine, forging, the Father’s embrace, and the feast that follows, showing how God uses our brokenness as the very place where healing begins. Check out Paul's new devotional: https://missiosupply.co/products/feast-a-mens-book Find more of Paul's work here: https://www.paulgeorge.la/ Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

St Paul instructs us to give thanks in all that we do. But is that really possible? In this special Thanksgiving episode, Join us in the pew to reflect on how even during the times of pain and turmoil, we are called to give thanks. Gratitude is not just a feeling, it is a posture grounded in our identity as God’s beloved children. Even when life feels overwhelming, gratitude softens the heart, strengthens relationships, and opens us to God’s grace. This Thanksgiving, take a moment to recognize God working for good, even in the hardest seasons of life. Please say a prayer for John's father, Don. Consider supporting our ministry through iGiveCatholic: https://www.igivecatholic.org/organization/Pew-Ministries Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

So many men live with a quiet fear that who they really are will not be accepted. In this episode, John and Victor talk openly about how that fear shows up in two ways: changing ourselves to fit in, or pulling away so no one gets close enough to reject us. If you’ve ever felt pressure to be someone you’re not, this conversation will help you take the next steps towards remembering we are beloved children of God. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

In this episode, John and Victor reflect on how our weaknesses, sins, and struggles reveal our shared humanity and the deep need we all have for mercy, healing, and community. Through Scripture and personal experience, they show how God can use even our lowest moments to restore us and draw us together. If you have ever felt unworthy or alone in your struggles, this conversation will remind you that God never wastes brokenness. It is not a barrier to grace but a bridge that leads you back to Him and to the people He has placed in your life. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

Grace and hope have the power to change everything. Join us in the pew this week to reflect on personal growth, faith, and the everyday choice to be an agent of grace rather than destruction. When we choose kindness over judgment and presence over indifference, we allow God's love to work through us. Hope isn't just a feeling; it's a truth rooted in Christ's promises that gives strength in every struggle. Through small acts of compassion and encouragement, we can remind others that they're seen, valued, and never alone. Each of us has the chance to be a light in someone's darkness, helping them rediscover purpose, joy, and faith. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

It's time to slow down and rediscover the sacred act of being present. In this part two of the Agents of Grace series, John and Victor reflect on the reality that grace isn’t only spoken through kind words, it’s lived out when we show up for one another with empathy and patience. In a culture that prizes efficiency and constant motion, choose connection over convenience, listening over fixing, and compassion over comfort. Presence is not passive. It is one of the most powerful ways to reveal God’s love in the world. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

Words have the power to heal or to wound, to lift up or to tear down. In this episode, John and Victor reflect on how easily criticism can slip into our relationships and how speaking life and encouragement can completely change the atmosphere of a home, workplace or any environment. They discuss how men often crave affirmation but struggle to give it, and why choosing words of grace, kindness and love can break cycles of hurt that run through generations. If you’ve ever caught yourself being more critical than kind, this conversation is a reminder that every word you speak carries weight. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

St. Paul urges us to “compete well for the faith.” But what does that look like in everyday life, especially at home with the people who matter most? In this episode, John and Victor open up about how easy it is to pour yourself into work or ministry while giving your loved ones only the leftovers, and how the real measure of faith is not just in what we do publicly but in how we love privately. Through Scripture, honesty, and reflection, they explore what it means to run the race with patience, humility, and love. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re truly living out your faith where it counts, this conversation will challenge you to pause, reflect, and recommit to competing well. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

What makes a life worth living? Fresh from leading a pilgrimage through Greece, John shares the impact of walking in the footsteps of St. Paul and how true discipleship means boldly proclaiming the Gospel no matter the cost. He and Victor reflect on courage, martyrdom, spiritual warfare, and the everyday call for Christians to live with conviction instead of comfort. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to live with real purpose and faith, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to embrace a life worth living. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

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 groups, accountability partners, recreational sports teams, or anything in between: you will benefit from finding brothers in Christ who will not only make you laugh, but also call you higher. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

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 his own story, he explains why we struggle to hear God’s voice and how we can return to the quiet places where He waits for us. If you’ve been longing for direction, peace, or simply to know God is near, this episode is your invitation to slow down, be still, and listen for His whisper. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

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 children’s hearts, and why reclaiming our identity as beloved sons and daughters of the Father is the foundation for healing and freedom. Carrie and John also reflect on the challenges men and women face in living out their vocations, the importance of fathers manning their post, and how ordering our lives with God at the center changes everything. Find Carrie's new book: https://a.co/d/3B00HjY Check out more of Carrie's work: https://www.instagram.com/carriedaunt https://www.facebook.com/CarrieDaunt https://x.com/CarrieDaunt https://jpiihealingcenter.org Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

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 imperfect hour with your kids, He sees your heart and effort, not your failures. If you’re tired of the voice that says “it’s never enough,” this episode offers a biblical shift in perspective. Don’t let your mistakes define you; let them refine you. Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

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 purpose when life feels like you're just surviving instead of thriving. Drawing from Scripture and raw personal experience, John and Bart explore why so many men are stuck in cycles of despair, working jobs that drain their souls while their hearts scream for something more. Check out more of Bart's work: https://www.churchonfire.live/ https://jpiihealingcenter.org/ And follow them on social media: https://www.instagram.com/churchonfire.live https://www.instagram.com/jpiihealingcenter/ https://www.facebook.com/JP2HealingCenter https://x.com/JPIIHealing https://youtube.com/@jpiihealingcenter?si=TgP-gv354daZcC8P Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK

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 intervenes with grace. Drawing from Psalm 63, he shows how relying on ourselves is futile, and how opening to God restores our souls—just as rain revived John's grass. You don’t have to hold it all together. God’s grace is real—ask Him to let it rain. Download the Opportunities For Grace spreadsheet: https://justaguyinthepew.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/OFGSheet.pdf Learn more about our pilgrimage: Walk in the Footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II with John 👉https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-paul-ii-pilgrimage-to-poland-with-john-edwards-and-fr-kacper-wojcieszko/ Launch a Life Changing Group for Men in Your Parish! ⛪️ http://www.justaguyinthepew.com Become a Partner in the Pew! 🤝 http://www.donorbox.org/pew DOWNLOADS📚 Get a copy of my new eBook, “12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus”! http://JUSTAGUYINTHEPEW.COM/EBOOK