Heroic Stories

Heroic Men
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  • 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. 1D AGO

    St. Joseph Found His Voice. Men Need Theirs with Jose Miguel Pulido | Ep 15

    What does St. Joseph reveal about courage, fatherhood, truth, and masculine leadership? Jose Miguel Pulido explores St. Joseph’s dream and the power of naming Jesus as an act of love, truth, and leadership. This a passionate, Scripture-filled discussion on why St. Joseph still matters, why men need to find their voice, and why fatherhood remains a gift in the life of the family and the Church.What You’ll Learn✅ Why St. Joseph’s dream in Matthew 1 matters so deeply✅ How naming Jesus becomes an act of leadership and truth✅ Why Jose calls men a gift, grace, and problem-solvers✅ How fatherhood, legacy, and St. Joseph connect across generationsTIMESTAMPS00:59 Intro01:10 Heroic story question01:21 Why Christ came through family02:20 Joseph’s dream and mission04:35 Joseph, son of David06:31 What babies are for07:21 Love as Joseph’s mission09:11 Joseph’s courage to stay12:03 St. Joseph speaks14:39 Why men need a voice16:10 Truth, problems, leadership18:30 Men as gift and grace22:41 Why men are a gift25:27 The law of love27:08 Why presence matters30:08 Why St. Joseph matters31:00 Loving your father more32:20 Advice from grandfather34:58 Jose on his dad36:29 Final message to men36:42 The sacred name of Jesus #StJoseph #CatholicMen #HeroicStories

    40 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Explosive Rage & Father Wounds — Finding Freedom & Healing | Bob Kroll | Ep 14

    What happens when a man faces the deepest wound of his life… and chooses forgiveness? Bob Kroll shares his story of growing up in an abusive home, carrying explosive anger into his own family, and the moment everything changed at a retreat that forced him to confront the “father wound.” His story exposes a hidden pattern affecting millions of men—and what it actually takes to break it.CatholicSpeakers.com Profile | Visit website What You’ll Learn✅ What the “father wound” is and why it shapes men✅ How unforgiveness traps men in anger and isolation✅ The exact moment forgiveness rewired his life✅ How healing one man can transform generations

    50 min

  3. APR 10

    David, Goliath, & the 'Gift' of Desperation: Filmmaker Andrew Peloso on Addiction vs Heroism | Ep 13

    A filmmaker who nearly lost everything to addiction explains why real masculinity isn’t flexing harder—it’s surrender, service, and choosing the unseen daily fight. Andrew Peloso (VEK Labs) shares how David’s story hits him now: God calls the “wrong fit,” forms him in ordinary days, and turns weakness into courage. Plus what recovery taught him about humility, connection, and becoming a husband and father.

    49 min

  4. APR 10

    Artist Garrett Hines on St Patrick’s “Moses-level drama,” & how he lost the ability to pray

    For Garrett Hines, heroism isn’t bravado, but obedience. From the little-known story of Beninus walking into fire, to the brutal realities faced by Saint Patrick in pagan Ireland. He recounts his own collapse as a missionary overseas, the complete loss of prayer that followed, and how Catholic traditions rebuilt his interior life. Hines maps a handful of heroes — saints, statesmen, warriors, and fictional kings — united by their refusal of comfort and willingness to suffer for what mattered. He closes with a blunt charge to modern men: go all in, because anything less than a life aimed at holiness will eventually fail. See Garret's Icons: garretthines.com

    54 min

  5. MAR 21

    The Quiet Heroism of Fatherhood | Rob Astorino | Ep 10

    What if the most powerful kind of heroism isn’t loud, celebrated, or even noticed—but lived quietly every single day? In The Quiet Heroism of Fatherhood, Rob Astorino shares what it really means to be a man, a father, and a leader when no one’s watching. From the pressures of public life and politics to the deeply personal moments of raising children, he reveals why showing up consistently matters more than any title or achievement. This episode dives into faith, family, sacrifice, and the unseen battles men fight to stay present for the people who need them most. If you’ve ever wondered what actually defines a great man—or how to become one—this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about success, purpose, and legacy.https://catholicspeakers.com/profiles/rob-astorino | 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: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhoodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/TIMESTAMPS00:00 The Essence of Heroism with Rob Astorino01:15 Quiet Heroes in Everyday Life07:39 The Impact of Fatherhood16:16 Navigating Parenthood and Professional Life21:02 Spirituality and Family Dynamics26:26 Transitioning to Empty Nesting30:53 Everyday Heroism

    35 min

  6. MAR 14

    From NHL Enforcer to Father of 8: The Faith That Changed Everything | John Scott | Ep 9

    What happens when a professional hockey enforcer—known for fighting on the ice—walks away from fame, money, and identity to pursue something deeper?In this powerful episode of Heroic Stories, former NHL enforcer John Scott shares the surprising journey that transformed his life. From the intense world of professional hockey to becoming a father of eight and a man deeply rooted in faith, John opens up about the battles most fans never see.He talks about the pressure of life in the NHL, the culture of hockey locker rooms, and the identity crisis that hit after retirement. Despite achieving what many dream of—fame, money, and success—John discovered it didn’t bring the fulfillment he expected. That realization set him on a 10-year journey that eventually led him to embrace the Catholic faith.John shares the struggles that made the decision difficult, why he walked away from parts of his old lifestyle, and how faith reshaped his priorities as a husband and father. He also reflects on the quiet heroism of his own dad, the lessons he learned about sacrifice, and why raising strong, faithful children matters more than anything he accomplished in hockey.https://catholicspeakers.com/profiles/john-scottTIMESTAMPS00:00 – What heroism really means01:37 – D-Day and the courage of soldiers03:49 – The pressure of fighting in the NHL04:41 – The hardest decision: becoming Catholic06:06 – Studying the faith before committing08:14 – Hockey culture vs living the faith12:12 – His father’s sacrifice after the tornado13:32 – Losing his identity after retiring from hockey15:46 – Discovering real happiness after fame24:32 – The biggest struggles young people face today

    30 min

  7. MAR 7

    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

  8. 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
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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
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Heroic Men
  • Show Website
    Heroic Stories

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