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

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

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

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.

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| 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 |

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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

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.”

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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.

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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

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

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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

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

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

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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