Today’s episode is a special one—it’s a heartfelt look at the power of vulnerability, the journey of healing, and the courage it takes to truly cry out to Jesus. This week has been full of travel and connection as I visited multiple cities, witnessing firsthand how God is moving through men’s ministries and drawing us all toward healing and restoration.

We dive into the story of Blind Bartimaeus in the Gospel of Mark—one man’s encounter with Jesus that reminds us all of the importance of being vulnerable and bold in asking for the help we need. In today’s world, we’re often told to ‘suck it up’ and carry on alone, but Bartimaeus’ story calls us to something deeper. When everyone else tried to silence him, he cried out even louder. In that moment, Bartimaeus showed us the true meaning of courage and faith: daring to believe that Jesus wants to meet us in our brokenness and bring us wholeness.

Support the Mission 💪:

This ministry is growing, reaching more cities, and impacting more men, but we need your help to continue. With Giving Tuesday on December 3rd (and early giving beginning on November 18th), we’re praying to raise over $50,000 to bring on an additional evangelist and expand our reach. If this episode speaks to you, consider subscribing, sharing, or becoming a monthly partner with us by visiting 

https://memphis.igivecatholic.org/organizations/pew-ministries

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⏰ Timestamps:

0:00 - Welcome back & intro
2:25 - Recent travels: men’s conferences and ministry highlights
5:55 - Why vulnerability and asking for healing is so powerful
9:30 - The story of Blind Bartimaeus: crying out when others say to stay silent
15:40 - Breaking free from “comfort blankets” and reaching for Jesus
21:20 - How community and faith bring real healing
27:30 - An invitation to support our mission & Giving Tuesday details
31:40 - Following Jesus with gratitude and purpose
40:10 - Final reflections and prayer

I Want To See!: Why Vulnerability Matters

In this episode, Victor and I get real about those tough, cloudy moments we all face. From intense travel to unexpected challenges, I found myself needing a reminder that even in the storm, God’s light is there for us 🌤️. On a recent flight, as we broke through some dark clouds into the sun, it was a powerful reminder of how Jesus meets us right where we are, even in the hardest times. 🌄

Join us as we share stories from our lives, moments from scripture, and why it’s so important to keep your eyes on the truth of God’s promises. We talk about the lives of Peter and Paul, how they faced their own storms, and what we can learn from their faith and resilience. Whether it’s dealing with grief, challenges at work, or just feeling lost, this episode is here to encourage you to keep pushing through, with Jesus leading the way.

Remembering the Truth

Today, Victor and I dive into one of the biggest struggles we all face—trusting in God's provision. It’s not always easy to let go, especially when anxiety and fear kick in, but we're here to share some inspiration, a few laughs, and even some of our personal struggles with letting go and trusting that God has us covered.

In this episode, we go over the importance of surrender, how to recognize God's provision in our lives, and why faith isn’t just about saying we believe—it’s about showing it with our actions. We also reflect on how the Bible reminds us that God knows what we need and always has our backs, even when we’re tempted to take control ourselves.

God's Got You: Finding Faith Beyond Fear

New beginnings
New days
It's time I begin
It's time I say

I need the help
I need it now
End the shame
Myself allow

Kindness
Love
Giving
Respect
For myself
With no regrets

I give to you
My love
So hard
I give to you
I've dropped my guard

It's time
I let
My heart
Be healed
It's time
I let
My heart 
Reveal

What it can do
What it can achieve
The love I give
Is for you
And me

For

Kindness
Love
Giving
Respect
For myself
With no, no, regrets

I give to you
My love
So hard
I give to you
I've dropped my guard

I need the help
I need it now
End the shame
Myself allow

Kindness
Love
Giving
Respect
For myself
With no regrets
With no regrets
With no regrets
With no regrets

I give to you
My love
So hard
I give to you
I've dropped my guard
I've dropped my guard
I've dropped my guard
I've dropped my guard

I've dropped my guard

This episode is for anyone who feels like they’re silently carrying the weight of the world—brokenness, shame, or wounds you’ve never been able to share. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry it by yourself anymore.

Last weekend, the  @JPIIHealingCenter   hosted the first-ever Restored Men’s Healing Conference, and it was powerful. Men from all over the country (and even other countries!) showed up with open hearts, some for the very first time. These were men who had been silently suffering for years—dealing with wounds from abandonment, addiction, rejection, or just feeling like they’re not enough. Over the weekend, we watched God work in incredible ways as men opened up, shared their stories, and allowed Christ to step into those broken places. It was humbling and hopeful.

In this episode, Victor and I unpack some of the key takeaways from the conference and dive deep into the struggles many of us face but rarely talk about. We’ll cover why we feel like we need to hide our pain, how self-reliance is a trap, and most importantly, how God’s grace can reshape the broken parts of our lives.

Here’s the truth: Healing is possible. You can start today. You don’t have to have it all figured out; you just have to take one step forward. Let’s talk about how.

PS - Advanced giving with #igivecatholic on #givingtuesday is now LIVE 🚨

You can give today. Your support creates safe, transformative spaces for men in need. 👉 https://bit.ly/40TfJHs

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⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Welcoming everyone back to The Pew and a shoutout to attendees of the Restored Men’s Healing Conference.
03:15 – Silent Suffering: Why so many men carry hidden burdens and how the conference revealed the depth of that pain.
08:40 – The False Mask of Self-Reliance: How trying to handle everything on your own can lead to deeper wounds.
12:25 – Vulnerability as Strength: Breaking the myth that opening up makes you weak—it’s actually the key to healing.
16:05 – God the Potter: Exploring the biblical imagery of God reshaping us like clay and why it’s so relevant to our lives.
20:50 – Action Steps for Healing: From confession to community, practical ways to start finding freedom in Christ.
26:45 – A Story of Grace: Heartfelt moments from the conference where men experienced breakthrough and restoration.
33:10 – Final Thoughts: Why you’re never too far gone for God’s love and how to take the next step forward.
36:00 – Prayer: Wrapping up the episode with a prayer for healing and trust in God’s provision.

Silently Suffering

✨ Welcome to Episode 2 of Outrageously Playful! ✨

In true spontaneous fashion, this episode was recorded just minutes after our first—because why not? We dive into what it really means to show up authentically, embrace our multidimensionality, and let go of expectations.

🌱 Topics we explore:
•	The power of vulnerability and showing up as we are
•	The inner critic and its sneaky ways of making us doubt ourselves
•	How authenticity goes way beyond what we imagine
•	Trusting life’s flow and following those intuitive nudges

This podcast is a space for real, raw, unfiltered conversations. We want you to feel seen, understood, and inspired to embrace your own journey. Join us, connect with us, and let's walk each other home. 💛

🎙️ Follow us for more outrageous conversations:
📌 Instagram: @outrageouslyplayful, @bujor_de_munte, @gabriela.maresi 
📌 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/62cWe2H1VWmoRSRD1QG1Q0?si=EFYgc1TNSPqe-9U2ZxPoog
📌 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBvMOGgEL3Mfks73PnQ0SrA

Much love,
Irina & Gabriela 🚀💫

Chapters 
00:00 Spontaneity & Authenticity: Unscripted Conversations
02:42 The Inner Critic & the Power of Vulnerability
05:04 Following the Vision: Intentions & Self-Discovery
08:43 Owning Our Multidimensionality & Embracing Every Emotion
11:00 Trusting the Unknown: Letting Go & Following Your Heart


Ep2 Unfiltered and Unscripted - The Power of Real Conversations

There is a house within you—a quiet place where the wounded child still lives. This episode explores the emotional architecture of that house: the stories, patterns, and protective walls we’ve built around our earliest pain.

We speak to the inner child not with pity, but with power—with deep understanding that healing isn’t about erasing the past, but making space for that version of ourselves to feel seen, heard, and held.

Whether your wounds are obvious or buried beneath years of resilience, this conversation invites you into that house. Not to relive the pain—but to reclaim the parts of you that got frozen there.

Resource: Ho'oponopono

https://www.centreofexcellence.com/what-is-hooponopono/#:~:text=Ho'oponopono%20centres%20around%20a%20powerful%20mantra:%20%22I'm,a%20transformative%20tool%20for%20healing%20and%20reconciliation.&text=Repeat%20%22I'm%20sorry%2C%20Please%20forgive%20me%2C%20Thank,I%20love%20you%22%20slowly%20and%20with%20intention.

Ep.34-House of the Wounded Child

Welcome to the pew. The place where everyday catholic guys, talk about everyday catholic things, in front of the one person that can do something about it. Jesus Christ

New tracks tagged #vulnerabilityisstrength