Heroic Stories

Heroic Men
  • 5.0 (1)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Heroic Stories—the series to strengthen Catholic men with raw stories of heroic grit & faith. Hosted by Dan Donaldson with Heroic Men. These are the stories that remind us… heroism isn’t born—it’s made, and it’s centered on Jesus Christ. https://stories.heroicmen.org

  1. 6D AGO

    The Call That Sent Him to Iraq (And Changed His Faith) | Tom Basile | Ep 8

    What happens when a single phone call sends your life in a completely different direction? In The Call That Sent Him to Iraq (And Changed His Faith), Tom Pazili shares the moment he was asked to deploy to Iraq as a civilian advisor immediately after the war—and the prayer, fear, and faith that followed. This conversation explores what it means to live a mission-focused life when everything in you wants comfort and certainty. Tom recounts leaving behind safety to step into a war zone with no military training, trusting that the call to serve something greater was worth the risk. From surviving rocket attacks to attending Mass inside Saddam Hussein’s palace, his story reveals how moments of danger and uncertainty can deepen faith in ways ordinary life never could. But the story doesn’t end there. Tom also shares another life-altering decision—leaving New York with his family during COVID after his wife lost her job over a religious vaccine objection. Faced with uprooting their entire life, they chose faith over comfort and stepped into the unknown once again. Along the way, Tom reflects on the importance of being mission-focused, the heroes who shaped him—from St. Thomas More to John Paul II—and why modern men must rediscover purpose, courage, and trust in God. https://catholicspeakers.com/profiles/tom-basile TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Why men choose the harder path 3:17 – Real heroes still exist today 5:22 – Police trauma and positive psychology 7:36 – Be mission focused in life 10:24 – Decision to go to Iraq 12:04 – Leaving New York after COVID 14:44 – The great magisterium of God 16:51 – Mass inside Saddam Hussein’s palace 21:54 – Losing his father young 25:01 – Heroes: Aquinas, Thomas More, John Paul II

    37 min

  2. FEB 21

    One Prayer Changed His Life | Heroic Stories | Tom Hornacek | Ep 7

    One Prayer Changed His Life began with what looked like panic attacks during Mass… but turned into a spiritual battle he never saw coming. He thought he was a “good Catholic.” Married 27 years. Successful business. Two daughters. But he hadn’t been to confession in decades. No real prayer life. Lukewarm. Comfortable. Until week after week, something gripped him in the pew — racing heart, overwhelming heat, a voice urging him to walk out. Then he prayed one desperate prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, free me from this affliction and I will serve You forever.” What happened next shattered his old life. In this powerful episode, he shares the dramatic moment of deliverance, the sudden loss of his wife, the supernatural sign that followed, and how suffering became the doorway to mission. From men’s ministry to Catholic radio to prison outreach, his life became proof that heroism isn’t born — it’s made through surrender. Subscribe free to the weekly Heroic Men email: https://stories.heroicmen.org For the price of a coffee, you can support our mission to reach 25,000 men in 2025. https://heroicmen.org/give | ABOUT HEROIC MEN | Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind. Website: https://heroicmen.org Heroic Map: Find an event near you: https://heroicmen.org/map Join the Heroic Brotherhood: Our only community: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhood Heroic Merch: Show your support for this heroic mission: https://store.heroicmen.org Donate now: Join the Heroic Alliance: https://heroicmen.org/alliance | FOLLOW ON SOCIAL | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Tom Hornacek 01:56 Journey from Lukewarm to Disciple 04:32 The Impact of Prayer 07:40 Suffering and Its Role in Faith 10:24 Community and Support in Faith 13:23 Facing Life's Challenges 17:32 Grief and Healing 21:56 Faith and Service 26:57 Finding Love Again 27:47 Miracles 32:39 Practical Evangelization 39:22 The Importance of Prayer and Trusting God

    41 min

  3. FEB 20

    Formed to Serve: A Father's Wake-up Call | Heroic Stories | E6

    Joe Halsell runs a construction company, and drank hard to handle life. Then Exodus 90 forced him to face what was actually enslaving him. AA made it real by dropping him into a “barrier free” room of men offering unconditional help — “24-7, here’s my cell phone number.” It taught him to shut off the spotlight, strip away ego, and live by a hard rule: “Your very life depends upon the degree to which you serve others.” Now he’s turning that arc into a book and a practice — daily prayer, examen, and Friday bed deliveries instead of the bar — aimed at the man who thinks his life’s over, because “it’s not… it’s just beginning.” ABOUT HEROIC MEN: Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind. Get the app: https://heroicmen.org Find a ministry near you: https://heroicmen.org/map Join the Heroic Brotherhood: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhood Donate now: https://heroicmen.org/donate FOLLOW ON SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Joe Hallsell 02:39 — Exodus 90 cracked everything open 04:05 — The addiction he couldn’t outrun 05:27 — The phone call that forced the truth 08:23 — AA and a room full of brothers 09:52 — When his son got leukemia 10:54 — “This couldn’t be for nothing” 14:45 — Generational sin and stopping the cycle 25:49 — Masculinity without the spotlight 27:45 — “Your life depends on serving others” 35:33 — Trading the bar for service 39:04 — The man he’s trying to reach

    42 min

  4. FEB 7

    When a Father Has No Options | Jeff Shiefelbein | E5

    Jeff Schiefelbein believes that real heroism isn’t a viral moment. It’s a dad who jumps into the sewage tank or sits by the NICU bed and refuses to stop praying when he’s out of options. In the end, he says he wants to be a brother to dads in the trenches and build dignified work for his ice cream crew, the kind of man who is always ready — whether that means jumping into the tank or dropping everything to pray. | ABOUT HEROIC MEN | Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind. Website: https://heroicmen.org Heroic Map: Find an event near you: https://heroicmen.org/map Join the Heroic Brotherhood: Our only community: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhood Heroic Merch: Show your support for this heroic mission: https://store.heroicmen.org Donate now: Join the Heroic Alliance: https://heroicmen.org/alliance | FOLLOW ON SOCIAL | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Jeff Shiefelbein 02:15 Stories of Sacrifice and Protection 09:04 The Journey of Fatherhood and Spiritual Growth 14:53 Rediscovering Faith and Spiritual Intensity 19:42 The Power of Presence in Prayer 21:31 The Transformative Nature of Prayer 24:34 Praying with Intent and Community 25:33 Daily Rituals and Spiritual Practices 28:24 Heroes and Influences in Life 30:35 The Impact of Mentorship 33:35 Building Authentic Relationships 36:10 Being a Hero for Others 37:26 Overcoming Challenges

    40 min

  5. JAN 31

    From Atheist to Catholic: A Cop's Conversion Story | Dr Curry Myers | Ep 4

    From atheist to Catholic. From undercover agent to spiritual mentor. What does it take for a hardened lawman to drop to his knees and finally say yes to God? In this powerful conversation, Dominic from Heroic Stories sits down with Dr. Curry Myers—America’s Criminologist—who opens up about the dangerous missions, moral scars, and quiet moments that ultimately led him to faith. He shares how a selfless act by his grandfather changed the trajectory of his entire family, how surviving a courthouse bombing forced a moment of surrender, and how a simple lunch with coworkers shattered his pride and unlocked the grace he’d been resisting for years. This is a story about preparation, masculinity, sacrifice, and conversion. It's about the quiet heroism of small decisions—and why forming the mind, body, and spirit matters more than ever for modern men. For anyone doubting their path or stuck in a spiritual dry spell, this story just might be your wake-up call. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Dr Curry Myers 08:31 Facing Danger 18:24 Be Prepared 26:09 Turning Point in Law Enforcement Career 32:18 The Call to Faith and Community 42:21 Role Models and Inspirations 44:51 Maintaining Spiritual Discipline

    47 min

  6. JAN 24

    What Makes a Man Heroic Today? | Nathan Crankfield | Ep 3

    What makes a man heroic in today's world? In this raw and powerful episode of Heroic Stories, Nathan Crankfield—Army veteran, Catholic convert, and founder of Seeking Excellence—dives deep into that question. Raised amid chaos, formed by faith, and sharpened through military grit, Nathan shares the moments that shaped his definition of modern heroism. From the martyrdom of St. Thomas More to the no-excuses discipline of his Army mentor, Nathan walks us through how ordinary men can live with extraordinary conviction. You'll hear how he found faith as a teenager, overcame self-destruction, and embraced responsibility in every area of life—from fatherhood to leadership. This episode is for anyone who’s ever asked: What does it mean to be a good man when the world doesn’t seem to want them anymore? It’s about the courage to fight for virtue, the strength to carry others, and the humility to seek greatness not for glory—but for God. ABOUT HEROIC MEN: Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind. Get the app: https://heroicmen.org Find a ministry near you: https://heroicmen.org/map Join the Heroic Brotherhood: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhood Donate now: https://heroicmen.org/donate FOLLOW ON SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Nathan Crankfield 03:16 Personal thoughts on Heroism 12:52 Encounter at Mount St. Mary's 14:38 Joining the Army 17:10 The Impact of Sergeant Hollingsworth 21:40 Heroes in Faith 25:54 Defining Excellence: The Six Pillars of Life 30:33 Becoming a Hero for the Next Generation

    34 min

  7. JAN 17

    Why Catholic Men Feel Lost | Matthew Christoff | Ep 2

    Matthew Christoff’s new book says happiness for Catholic men starts with taking the Sunday Gospel seriously. He frames Jesus as the “lion of Judah,” and reads the Gospels as a sustained campaign to overthrow “the kingdom of Satan,” marked by constant threats, confrontation, and Christ’s refusal to back down. Christoff traces his own decade-long devotion project to helping his father through a slow death after 47 years of sobriety, then surviving a medical crisis that forced him to face his own near-death without flinching. He aims to help young men (and, if possible, priests) with tools to make Catholic masculinity a parish priority.Website: https://everycatholicman.com/ABOUT HEROIC MEN:Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind.Get the app: https://heroicmen.orgFind a ministry near you: https://heroicmen.org/mapJoin the Heroic Brotherhood: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhoodDonate now: https://heroicmen.org/donateFOLLOW ON SOCIAL:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhoodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Matthew Christoff01:14 The Ultimate Hero: Jesus Christ05:36 Matthew's Journey08:04 Facing Mortality: A Near-Dying Experience12:27 The Call to Serve: Inspiring Young Men17:33 Creating Resources for Catholic Men20:25 Future Projects

    27 min

  8. JAN 10

    How a Homeless Man Led Him Back to God | Bill Moyer | Ep 1

    How does a man rise to the top—only to feel completely empty? In this powerful true story, Bill Moyer, a leadership coach and president of the Catholic Men's Leadership Alliance, shares the moment that changed everything: a midnight conversation with a homeless man on the streets of Austin. At the height of his career, after winning a world-class award, Bill was haunted by the hollowness of success and the wounds of a broken past. But when a stranger told him, “You’re never going to be happy until you go home,” Bill began a journey of radical transformation—back to faith, back to family, and back to the man he was called to be. This story is about what real heroism looks like: forgiveness, humility, and saying yes to God. If you’ve ever chased success only to feel lost, this episode will walk you home.Subscribe free to the weekly Heroic Men email: https://stories.heroicmen.orgFor the price of a coffee, you can support our mission to reach 25,000 men in 2025. https://heroicmen.org/give | ABOUT HEROIC MEN |Heroic Men strengthens men to become missionary disciples, to bring more men to Jesus Christ. Get the best Catholic media for men on our brotherhood-building platform - let's leave no man behind.Website: https://heroicmen.orgHeroic Map: Find an event near you: https://heroicmen.org/mapJoin the Heroic Brotherhood: Our only community: https://heroicmen.org/brotherhoodHeroic Merch: Show your support for this heroic mission: https://store.heroicmen.orgDonate now: Join the Heroic Alliance: https://heroicmen.org/alliance| FOLLOW ON SOCIAL |Facebook: / heroicmanhood Instagram: / heroicmanhood 00:00 — What We Mean by Heroism02:25 — A Simple Definition of a Heroic Man07:20 — Success, “Uncle Dad,” and the Empty Win12:00 — The Homeless Man Who Said “Go Home”13:40 — One Phone Call That Changed Two Families14:30 — Coming Home to the Church18:10 — The Challenge: Forgive Your Father21:00 — Saying “I Forgive You”25:40 — Walking a Father Home31:40 — Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail33:05 — Small Commitments That Actually Stick39:35 — The Mission: One Man at a Time44:05 — Spiritual Habits That Hold You Steady48:30 — “Be Like Mike”

    53 min
See All (26)

About

Heroic Stories—the series to strengthen Catholic men with raw stories of heroic grit & faith. Hosted by Dan Donaldson with Heroic Men. These are the stories that remind us… heroism isn’t born—it’s made, and it’s centered on Jesus Christ. https://stories.heroicmen.org

Information

  • Creator
    Heroic Men
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Heroic Men
  • Show Website
    Heroic Stories

You Might Also Like