Just A Guy In The Pew Podcast John Edwards

In this episode, we also dive deep into the importance of our words. 💬

Our words have the power to build up or tear down, to nurture or destroy. We reflect on how critical it is to be mindful of how we speak to our loved ones. Whether it's encouraging our children, communicating with our spouses, or interacting with others, our words carry significant weight.

John shares personal stories, including a heartfelt moment with his daughter, emphasizing the impact of choosing kindness and understanding over harshness and impatience.

Bible verses for reflection 📚

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. - Ephesians 4:29

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. - Proverbs 12:18

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin - Proverbs 13:3

If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain. - James 1:26

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer - Psalm 19:14

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body - Proverbs 16:14

Quotes mentioned in this episode 💬

“Great are the faults committed by the tongue. The soul will not attain sanctity if it does not keep watch over its tongue” - St Faustina

“I have made a pact with my tongue, not to speak when my heart is disturbed" - St Francis de Sales

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”- Matthew 12:36

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We also have some big announcements! 🎤

We’ll be heading to the Diocese of Fargo for their annual men’s retreat at a hunting lodge – you can find more details on their website. Plus, we’re thrilled to be featured podcasters at the National Eucharistic Congress in July. Join us for a live podcast with Father Malachy, meet us at our booth, and participate in fun contests to win some "Just a Guy in the Pew" merchandise.

And that’s not all! We finally announce our 2025 pilgrimages:

March 10-15: Visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico with Father Zachary, a fantastic priest and friend. This affordable trip is perfectly timed for most school spring breaks. (https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/our-lady-of-guadalupe-pilgrimage-to-mexico-with-john-edwards-and-fr-zach-mabee-march-10-15-2025-25ja03mxje/)

May 12-23: Join Father Larry and me on a spiritual journey to the Holy Land. Walk in the footsteps of Christ and experience an unforgettable pilgrimage. (https://selectinternationaltours.com/product/walking-in-the-footsteps-of-christ-with-fr-larry-richards-and-john-edwards-may-12-23-2025-25ja05hlje/)

Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to all our monthly supporters. Your generosity allows us to continue our mission to help men find authentic relationships with Jesus and each other. If you’re not a supporter yet, consider joining us – every bit helps, and we have some great gifts for new members.


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Today, we’re celebrating Pentecost – the birth of the Church and the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit. 🕊️

We’re diving into why Pentecost feels like celebrating everyone’s birthday at Mass. We’ll also explore the boldness of the apostles in Acts. This isn’t just a story – it's real. The Holy Spirit has been with us for 2000 years, helping us live without fear and with grace. We're here for a purpose, and the Holy Spirit reveals that.

Are you open to the Holy Spirit, or are you holding back? Everyone has a gift – are you living in that truth and praying for an increase in your gifts? We’re called to live our faith boldly through prayer, wisdom, courage, and holy boldness.

The Holy Spirit protects your faith – rely on Him in everything. When we bear fruit by the Holy Spirit, we find joy, peace, and contentment. Christ provides what we lack. On our own, we don’t have everything we need, but with the Holy Spirit, we do. It’s about recognizing and using what we’ve been given. Make the choice to live your faith fully.

Bible verses for reflection 📚

Ezekiel 36:25-27
John 16:7
Acts 1:8
1 Timothy 1:7
Romans 8:26
John 14:26
1 Corinthians 2:13
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Acts 4:29-31
Matthew 10:19-20
Galatians 5:22-23

Quotes mentioned in this episode 💬

“He pours light into our minds, arouses our desire and gives us strength… As the soul is the life of the body, so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls.” - St. Peter Damian

"We can study the whole history of salvation, we can study the whole of Theology, but without the Spirit we cannot understand. It is the Spirit that makes us realize the truth or–in the words of Our Lord–it is the Spirit that makes us know the voice of Jesus."
—Pope Francis

This week, John and Victor are unpacking a topic that hits home for a lot of us. Ever found yourself thinking, "If only I could feel a bit better, everything would be okay"? John dives into this headfirst, sharing some raw stories about the quick fixes he sought in confession and men's groups, recalling moments in his life after getting out of prison where he found himself missing the grace he felt in the jail cell.

But here’s the real talk—feeling better isn’t the same as being better. John and Victor get into why Christianity is more than just a comfort blanket; it's about real, tough changes that last. They bring up some serious wisdom from St. Catherine of Siena, who said, "Nothing great was ever achieved without enduring much." It’s about sticking it out through the hard stuff to see real change.

They also lean into some deep truths from St. Paul in Ephesians 4, challenging us to shift our mindset and gear up for the long haul. It’s all about ditching the cycle of feel-good moments and stepping into sustained growth. Because when you start truly becoming better, feeling better just comes naturally.

So, pull up a chair, grab your headphones, and get ready to get real with us about making changes that stick. Let’s break the cycle together and find out what it truly means to transform. Join us for a heart-to-heart on turning those "I just want to feel better" moments into a journey of becoming truly better.

Bible verses for reflection 📚

- Ephesians 4

Quotes mentioned in this episode 💬

"I wish not to be called a Christian but to be a Christian" - St. Ignatius of Loyola

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enduring much" - St. Catherine of Siena





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Dive into this episode with John and Victor, where they chat about the ups and downs of supporting their loved ones through major life milestones. This time around, they're celebrating the big wins of Lily and Angela, and they don't shy away from sharing just how tough it's been to get here.

In a candid discussion, John opens up about his journey with ten men who are finding their way out of some really tough times, weaving in the powerful image of the vine and branches from John 15:1-8. They talk about the tough love of pruning—how stepping away from what God wants can hurt but also help us grow, and how being alone too much can really put our spirits at risk.

The guys hit home with the idea that saying "enough is enough" is a turning point. They delve into the wisdom of Proverbs 18:1 and St. Francis of Assisi, who warned about the soul's search for quick fixes when it's troubled and lonely. They also bring up insights from 1 Peter 5:8-11, reminding us that everyone's got struggles, not just us.

Drawing on Henri Nouwen's thoughts, they discuss how healing starts when we share our pain and step into the fight against darkness together. They compare deep isolation to being in solitary confinement, where hope begins to fade, and stress how vital it is to stay connected to others—how we need each other to make it to heaven.

This episode is more than just a conversation; it's a call to anyone feeling stuck in their mistakes or swallowed by solitude. It's about finding hope and strength in each other's stories and remembering that no one has to go it alone. Tune in for some real talk, genuine stories, and a shared journey back to spiritual health. Whether you're looking for a bit of comfort, some understanding, or just a way back, this episode promises to be your companion.

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Whether your job feels monotonous or mundane, this conversation reveals how it can still serve as a profound act of worship and transformation. Join us as we unpack how even the simplest tasks can glorify God and change our lives, making every day an opportunity to live out a testament of faith and purpose. He leadeth me by Fr. Walter J. Ciszek S.J. provides a pathway to discovering how we can live and work within God's will, turning every workday into a step towards spiritual fulfillment.

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In this episode, we discuss topics like:

- Responding to workplace irritations as chances to grow in sanctity.
- Understanding work's higher purpose and aligning it with God's plan.
- Embracing total abandonment to God's will in our professional lives.
- The impact of complaining about work and how it might contradict our faith.
- The necessity of dependence on God to guide our work efforts.
- The risks of living life in wait for its end, and appreciating the present as a gift.
- Drawing lessons from Adam's work in the Garden of Eden and working "unto the Lord."
- Recognizing the trap of ego in work, where "I" becomes a barrier to experiencing work's true glory.
- Insights from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on viewing work as a gift—not a burden but a means to enrich others' lives.

This week John and Victor discuss the true purpose of life . . . and it isn't anything the world offers us. Many men today are wrapped up in a materialist culture, putting their careers and possessions above everything else, only to realize later in life that they missed out on some of the most important things in their lives. Others think that it's enough just to show up to church on Sundays and go about their business. Maybe for some they fear that what they would get if they gave everything up wouldn't be better.

Men, it's time we dare to believe! Jesus promises us so much more and to settle for anything else is to settle for less. It's not wrong to have questions or doubts, but we have to take those directly to our Lord and trust in Him.

Our faith isn't something. It's everything.

Get in the Scriptures. Go to Mass everyday. Join a men's group. There's work to be done.

Fulton Sheen quotes mentioned in today's episode:

“We shrink therefore from God, knowing that he wants to enrich our being, rather than our having - that He wishes to elevate our nature, not to submerge and to lose it in trifles. He has called us to the superior vocation of being His children, of partaking of His nature, and of being related to Him as branches to a vine. Few of us completely want that elevation; it is our petty desire to have more, not to share the glory of being more. We want the poor shadows, not the light - the sparks, and not the sun - the arc, and not the circle.“

“As for the desire for the world and things increases in us, God makes less and less appeal. We hold back, our fists closed about our few pennies, and thus lose the fortune He holds out to us. That is why the initial step of coming to God is so hard. We cling to our nursery toys and lose the pearl of great price."

Scriptures for further reflection:

“For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life” - Mark 8:36

“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” - John 6:27

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. - 1 John 2: 15-17

“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-2

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus”. - Philip 3:14