Heroic Stories

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.

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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.

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Find a ministry near you: https://heroicmen.org/map

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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

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

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”

What happens when you say yes to God… even when it means giving up your own dreams? In this powerful episode of Heroic Stories, Gil Alderete opens up about his unexpected journey from UPS driver to president of Catholic Men's Fellowship of California. Gil shares how God redirected his life, pulling him away from his plans to become a deacon and into building ministry for men across California, Nevada, Hawaii, and beyond.But Gil’s story isn’t just about leadership—it’s about healing old wounds, breaking generational cycles, and discovering what real masculinity and faith look like when you surrender. You’ll hear how heroic mentors, humble beginnings, and even deep struggles with identity shaped him into the man God called him to be.If you’ve ever felt lost, doubted your calling, or wondered how to find your purpose, Gil’s raw, honest journey will remind you: heroism isn’t born, it’s made.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  TIMESTAMPS0:00 – Welcome to Heroic Stories3:00 – Starting Men's Ministry at Home6:00 – God Changed My Diaconate Plans9:00 – Letting Go of Old Dreams12:00 – Building Parish Brotherhood15:00 – My Wife's Heroic Faith18:00 – Father Michael's Impact21:00 – Returning to the Catholic Faith25:00 – Deepest, Darkest Moment30:00 – Healing Father Wounds35:00 – Embracing the Cross Daily40:00 – Who I Want to Be a Hero For

What if the path to heroism didn’t start with strength—but with panic?

In The Hero’s Journey That Started with Anxiety, we follow Nick Pierlot, a Catholic husband, father, and missionary, as he walks us through his darkest hour: a breakdown on a spiritual pilgrimage. In the face of crippling panic attacks, emotional repression, and a crisis of identity, Nick uncovers an unexpected truth—heroism begins not with power, but with surrender. From battling inner dragons to chopping down literal god-trees, from failing forward to forming unshakable faith, this episode is a raw, honest deep dive into how God makes men heroic. It’s not about being the hero—it’s about letting God be one in you.

#anxiety #panicattack #heroic #catholicmen #catholic #saints

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

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Real stories of heroic faith

3:00 – Story of St. Boniface begins

6:00 – Chopping down Thor’s oak tree

9:00 – Hobbit heroism: small brave acts

12:00 – Chaos vs. sacred order

15:00 – Personal journey starts with anxiety

18:00 – Panic attacks on pilgrimage

21:00 – 9 months of daily panic

24:00 – The Father speaks after suffering

27:00 – The blue snake moment

30:00 – Called to help head meet heart

33:00 – Young men and the pain of honor

36:00 – Evangelization as one beggar to another

39:00 – The dragon is where God knocks

42:00 – Head, heart, and hands in mission

What if the day you lost your father was the day you became one? In this moving episode of Heroic Stories, Jay Wonacott opens up about the most painful turning point of his life—the sudden death of his dad—and how that loss became the moment he had to grow up, take responsibility, and lead with heart.From tearful hospital visits and lucid dreams to finding spiritual strength in daily prayer and brotherhood, Jay shares how his father’s legacy became his compass. He reveals how real heroism isn’t found in grand gestures, but in showing up for your family, doing the hard emotional work, and learning how to integrate mind, heart, and soul.If you've ever felt crushed by grief, unsure of how to step into leadership, or like you’re still waiting for someone to show you the way—this story is for you. Jay’s story is a roadmap for turning loss into legacy and fear into fortitude.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: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhoodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/TIMESTAMPS0:00 – Real stories of heroic grit3:00 – Called to serve Idaho families6:00 – George Washington’s reluctant leadership9:00 – Fortitude through adversity12:00 – My father’s legacy of presence15:00 – My brother’s honest heroism18:00 – Daily rosary, inspired by my father-in-law21:00 – Uncle Ed: stripes on the bridge24:00 – Extraordinary things, ordinary ways27:00 – Dream: 'My hands are clean now'30:00 – Surviving my wife’s heart failure36:00 – Becoming the father, not just the son

Politics, Concentration Camps, & St Catherine of Sienna? What do a medieval saint and a concentration camp survivor have to say to a modern man trying to do the right thing? A lot, it turns out. Deacon Eric Paige opens up about his own turning point—from a fast track in politics to a life of faith and service. He talks about why St. Catherine of Siena’s fierce love and clear calling speak so deeply to him, and how Viktor Frankl’s ability to find meaning in the worst darkness still lights the way today. This isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about trusting God enough to take the next step.For any man trying to show up for his family, his church, and himself—this is a story about courage, clarity, and how we keep going when the path isn’t clear.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  TIMESTAMPS0:00 – Heroic Stories3:20 – Why St. Catherine of Siena7:13 – Choosing faith over politics11:02 – Role in diaconal formation18:44 – When life feels overwhelming24:34 – Gladiator and favorite films28:04 – Hope in dark places29:15 – Serving deacons and dads33:32 – St. Michael Chaplet routine

What if everything in your life came down to a single choice—a leap of faith that took just 20 seconds of insane courage?In this fire-starter episode of Heroic Stories, Kevin Phillips of Made for Greatness shares how ancient poems, unsung war heroes, and his own bold decisions shaped a life of purpose. From the story of Horatius at the bridge to crawling through enemy territory in Vietnam, these are the stories that ignite something primal—and spiritual—in the hearts of men.Kevin opens up about burning the boats of his career to follow a call to ministry, the terrifying moment on a cliff that taught him to trust, and the deep, hidden strength it takes to fight for your family and faith. This is not about hype or hustle—it's about sacrifice, grit, and the kind of courage that leaves a legacy.Whether you’re stuck, doubting, or just hungry for meaning, this conversation will remind you: you were made for fire, not for dust.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: https://www.facebook.com/heroicmanhoodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroicmanhood/TIMESTAMPS0:00 – Welcome to Heroic Stories1:01 – Horatius at the Bridge2:30 – Three Men vs. An Army4:03 – “Why Isn’t This a Movie?”5:31 – Dunamis: Divine Explosive Power7:01 – Vietnam War & MACV-SOG9:00 – Charles Wicklo’s Near-Death Escape11:22 – Founding Made for Greatness14:39 – Quitting the Knights of Columbus16:39 – Boats on Fire: No Plan B19:27 – Jumping Off a Cliff in Faith23:25 – Setting Men on Fire with God