People in the Pews

Robert Schade
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  • Religion & Spirituality
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Every week, we sit beside one another in the pews — praying the same prayers, hearing the same readings, sharing the same Eucharist. And yet, so many of us remain strangers. People in the Pews – Stories of God Working in Our Lives, hosted by Rob Schade, is a parish podcast built on a simple belief: we don’t truly know each other until we hear each other’s stories. In each episode, members of our faith community share their journeys — their struggles, hopes, questions, joys, and the quiet ways they’ve seen God at work. Through honest conversation and attentive listening, we move beyond familiar

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Is It a Squirrel… or a Sign from God?

    In this episode of People in the Pews, we sit down with a young person and hear the honest story of her faith journey—the questions, the waiting, and the quiet seasons when God felt silent. We’ve all been there: wanting a sign so badly that we start inventing one. We read meaning into coincidences, force clarity where there is none, and convince ourselves we’ve heard from God when we’re really just hearing our own hopes. Then a priest told her something that stayed with her: to not have a sign and still believe is real faith. This conversation is a gentle reminder that it’s okay when the signs don’t come. Faith isn’t proven by dramatic confirmations. Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is keep walking without them—trusting that silence doesn’t mean absence, and that God is still present even when we can’t manufacture proof. Join us for a real, unfiltered conversation about growing up in the pews, learning to live with unanswered questions, and discovering that the absence of a sign can itself be part of the journey.

  2. Aug 17

    Open your Heart

    In this episode, we sit down with Selene to hear about her journey to God. From struggling with feelings of unworthiness to discovering the truth of who she is in God’s eyes, Selene shares her story with honesty and vulnerability. Her journey is deeply relatable and a powerful reminder that God meets us where we are and calls us to see ourselves as He sees us.

  3. Aug 16

    Why Stories Matter

    Episode 1: Why Stories Matter In this first episode of People in the Pews – Stories of God Working in Our Lives, host Rob Schade shares the heart behind the podcast — and his own faith journey. Why start a show like this? Because compassion often begins when we understand what someone else is going through. We live in a world where it’s easy to sit beside someone and never really know them. But when we hear their story — their struggles, their hopes, their questions, and the ways God has met them — something changes. In this episode, Rob shares how ministry opened his eyes to the power of listening, how community brought him back to the Church after a season away, and why he believes stories are one of the ways God draws us closer to one another. This podcast exists because we need more compassion in our world — and compassion grows when we take the time to listen. Every pew holds a story. This one begins with Rob’s.

  4. Aug 3

    The Wealth of the Church

    In this episode, Gina and I have the privilege of sitting down with Deacon Juan to hear his story. To hear not just how he became a deacon, but who he was before God called him to this vocation. Where did his faith begin? Who introduced him to Jesus? What moments shaped his life? And how did God gently lead him to become a servant of the Church? Our conversation explores what it means to serve—not only at the altar, but in everyday life. Deacon Juan shares how God has worked through moments of joy, challenge, discernment, and grace, and how serving others has become an expression of his love for Christ. My hope is that after listening to this episode, you'll see Deacon Juan not only as the deacon you see at Mass, but as a fellow disciple whose story may inspire you in your own walk with God. Thank you for joining us as we continue discovering the incredible stories that already exist in our parish family. Because every pew holds a story, and every story brings us closer together—and closer to God.

  5. Jul 12

    Just be Open.

    In this moving episode of People in the Pews, Gina and Rob sit down with Suman, a recent Catholic convert whose journey from feeling anchorless to embracing faith is nothing short of inspiring. Suman shares how her beloved dog Toby’s battle with lymphoma in 2023 lead her through a journey of hope and healing. With no prior religious background, she unexpectedly found herself drawn to the TV series The Chosen. What began as curiosity became a profound encounter with Christ’s compassion, leading her to St. Vincent Church, OCIA classes, and her baptism and confirmation at the 2025 Easter Vigil. From pre-conversion travels to Jerusalem and the Camino de Santiago—places that stirred something deep within her—to returning with new eyes of faith, Suman reflects on how God was quietly at work all along. She also opens up about navigating loss, discovering peace through devotion to the Blessed Mother, and channeling her experience into action by founding Toby’s Hope for Canine Cancer Care, a nonprofit that has already raised over $100,000 and supported dozens of families. Now enrolled in a theology master’s program and serving with the OCIA team, Suman’s story is a powerful reminder that God meets us in our searching, our pain, and our openness—and that every pew holds untold stories capable of drawing us closer to Him and to one another. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about purpose, trust, community, and the surprising ways grace unfolds.

  6. Jun 8

    Partners in the Pews

    In today’s episode of People in the Pews, I sit down with someone who knows my life—and my faith—better than almost anyone: my wife. We talk about her journey as a cradle Catholic, growing up in the rhythms and traditions of the Church, and how that early foundation shaped her understanding of faith. But her story didn’t follow a straight line. Like many people, there was a season when she stepped away from the Church and began searching for meaning and truth outside of it. In this honest and thoughtful conversation, she shares what led to that time away, what she discovered along the way, and the questions that ultimately brought her back. Together we reflect on doubt, rediscovery, and the grace that meets us in the middle of our wandering. Her story is a reminder that faith journeys are rarely simple—but God’s invitation is always there, patiently calling us home.

  7. Feb 23

    Whenever You're Ready

    On today’s episode of People in the Pews, I sit down with our good friend Gina for a conversation that feels like coming home. Gina shares stories from her life and her faith journey — the twists, the questions, the growth, and the grace that has shaped her along the way. At the heart of it all is a simple but powerful invitation she once received: “Whenever you’re ready.” Those loving words opened a door for her, and today she lives out that same spirit by creating space where others feel welcomed, seen, and never rushed. Join us for an honest, hope-filled conversation about belonging, patience, and the quiet power of invitation.

  • 7 Episodes

About

Every week, we sit beside one another in the pews — praying the same prayers, hearing the same readings, sharing the same Eucharist. And yet, so many of us remain strangers. People in the Pews – Stories of God Working in Our Lives, hosted by Rob Schade, is a parish podcast built on a simple belief: we don’t truly know each other until we hear each other’s stories. In each episode, members of our faith community share their journeys — their struggles, hopes, questions, joys, and the quiet ways they’ve seen God at work. Through honest conversation and attentive listening, we move beyond familiar

Information

  • Creator
    Robert Schade
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Robert Schade
  • Show Website
    People in the Pews