🎧 Episode Summary:
In this compelling inaugural episode, host Frank Connelly sits down with Chaplain Justin Roberts—a combat veteran, ordained minister, and acclaimed documentary filmmaker—for a conversation about "service" that spans battlefields, belief, and filmmaking. As the world grapples with ongoing war and conflict, Justin shares how his calling led him to the frontlines in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and hurricane-devastated Louisiana.
Frank and Justin explore what it means to “work your values” when your daily work means carrying no weapon into war zones, comforting the wounded, or crafting stories that heal. Justin discusses how he became a chaplain, why storytelling became a sacred calling, and how spiritual vocation can shape public witness.
This is a raw, riveting conversation about faith in action, how suffering refines purpose, and why “the Ministry of the Knight” matters now more than ever.
🔥 Key Topics:
- How Justin’s traumatic childhood and his grandfather's legacy shaped his faith and sense of service and purpose
- The unique role of military chaplains—serving without weapons on the battlefield
- Directing No Greater Love, a raw combat documentary that won critical acclaim
- Filming Fighting Spirit with the U.S. Military and executive producer Chris Pratt and Paulist Productions
- The "Do Good" mission-continues initiative and series that spotlighting unsung heroes after natural disasters
- Ministry beyond the pulpit: finding purpose in secular work
- Why storytelling is sacred and film is a modern sanctuary
- The concept of the "Ministry of the Knight"—those whose work is to defend justice with honor
- Reconciling our brokenness with our divine purpose
- Turning trauma into transformation through vocation
📽 Featured Films:
- No Greater Love (Directed by Justin Roberts): A powerful look into combat, brotherhood, and post-war trauma.
📺 Watch on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or YouTube - Fighting Spirit (A Paulist Productions Film, Directed by Roberts, Executive Producer: Chris Pratt):
A poignant documentary journey exploring the lives of U.S. military chaplains through the ages.
📺 View via Paulist Productions
💬 Memorable Quote:
“If you're comfortable, then you're not with God. He’s always pushing, testing, and growing your soul.”
— Justin Roberts
✍️ Connect + Explore:
- Learn more about Justin's new initiative: Do Good (Spotlighting the unsung heroes. Frank, an Executive Producer)
- Justin talks a bit about "the order of the knight" which is a general reference to those who are sworn "responders" and defenders of a free society. If you're interested in service, check out the Knights of Columbus, of which I am a member. It's not some stodgy secret society it's actually a really well organized responder/ defender lay mission of the Catholic Church, stepping in where the world needs our assistance.
- Discover the CALLED program if you want to explore how to better encounter Christ in your daily life: PreachingJourney.com
- Explore Sunday to Sunday Productions
🙌 Join the Work Your Values Journey:
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👉 Interested in being a guest or sponsoring a work-faith episode topic? Contact Frank Connelly — [email protected]
👉 Follow us on social media and join our mission to bring faith and values to everyday work.
