Episode 54 - Sarcasm vs. Sincerity

When it comes to sarcasm, there's a thin line between funny and hurtful.  Yet the use of sarcasm is still alive and well; it's arguably one of the bedrocks of our collective culture's sense of humor.  Further, sarcasm is so prevalent that it can often be difficult to distinguish when we're using it, why we're using it, and how it's being received.  It can get to be so that speech that's sincere is rare and hard to detect.

Ben, being the "caring one" that he is, "can't wait" to lead the discussion for this episode, as his "handsome" Catholic co-host, Chad, joins in with an "open mind."  The two "seriously" stare at the "smiling" face of sarcasm to judge its "importance" in the lives of men.  What are some of the typical reasons guys employ the use of sarcasm, and when is it appropriate and when it is not?  What are the deadliest forms of sarcasm, and what are the motives behind them?  Are there forms of sarcasm that can be saved by a different name?  And how can one "shape up" (seriously) in his use of sarcasm? 

SHOW NOTES:

Example of Satire (acceptable?): Babylon Bee | Fake News You Can Trust

Resource for (sincerely) communicating with kids:  Parenting With Love And Logic (Updated and Expanded Edition): Cline, Foster, Fay, Jim: 8581144444445: Amazon.com: Books
    

Episode 53 - The Parochial Man

In the world of ideas there's no idea more subtly insidious than "sky's the limit".  It's an idea that plays softly in the background of modernity like a subliminal message, hinting to us that reality is but a construct.  Saying the world is without limits is a lie.  It denies facts, confuses priorities, and promotes perpetual discontentedness.  We are called to be men grounded in reality.  Men rooted in our particulars.  Men who make a difference locally, nearby -- that is, parochially.

Chad fancies himself a caped vigilante crusading against bad ideas during this episode.  Ben plays sidekick, exclaiming, "holy big words, Batman!", as the two wonder over the implications of limitations.  What about each man's particular circumstances naturally impose upon him limits?  In what ways does the culture foster hatred for our limitations, and why might that be harmful to us?  And how can working within (maybe even embracing) our particular limitations make our lives more meaningful?

SHOW NOTES:

Batman fights Bane:  Batman VS Bane - The Dark Knight Rises Full Fight 1080p HD - YouTube

1st book reference:  The War on the West by Douglas Murray | Goodreads

2nd book reference:  Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose by Flannery O'Connor | Goodreads

Challenge Song:  Andrew Peterson - World Traveler - YouTube

Episode 52 - The 52 Finale!

It's officially been one year of the Manhood Restored podcast!  We made it!  52 episodes (the goal set when we started this thing)!  Thank you to our listeners, show guests, behind-the-scenes supporters, and everyone who's been a part of this first year.  We've decided to keep rolling into year two:  the new goal is 104 episodes!  We hope you're as excited as we are to continue making manhood mighty again!

Chad is the Point Man driving this 'Greatest Hits' episode (everyone needs a Greatest Hits, right?), while Ben gets dragged along behind with never-before-herd audio (from the MAN TALK on books!).  The two move 'em on & head 'em up and celebrate the year by each looking back at three favorite moments  - hinting at future episode topics, revealing post-episode feedback, and adding comments to previous conversations.  They also announce a GIVEAWAY CONTEST!!!  Listen till the end for Chad's challenge and find out how to enter for 3 chances to win Anthony Esolen's new book, "No Apologies"!

SHOW NOTES:

Enter the giveaway contest here:  Manhood Restored Podcast | We are two ordinary Christian guys who feel compelled to call men back to true Masculinity.

Giveaway prize book:  No Apologies: Why Civilization Depends on the Strength of Men by Anthony Esolen | Goodreads

Episode 51 - Dan Teller, Guest Convo

Dan Teller is the founder and director of The Good Shepard Catholic Montessori (GSCM) in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Since its founding in 1998, GSCM has grown from 28 students in Preschool and Kindergarten to over 200 students up through eighth grade.  Dan has dedicated his career to education, having worked in various public and private school settings, including being a traveling Formation Leader who trains catechists in the "Catechesis of the Good Shepard" program.  Dan has been married for 40 years and has seven children and two grandchildren.

 Chad carefully curates the conversation for this episode's exchange of rare ideas.  Ben stands guard, baton (still) in hand, ready to swing into action, as the two elicit educational insights from this experienced guest.  Where did the Montessori school concept come from and how does it different from more common approaches to schooling?  What are some innovative and effective ways to go about transmitting the faith to our youth?  What advice does our guest have for dads when it comes to their children's education? 

SHOW NOTES:

School Dan founded:  History - The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori (gscmontessori.org).
 
Swiss study referenced by Dad:  Fathers: Key to Their Children's Faith | Opinion News (christianpost.com)

Episode 50 - Indoctrination Station, Part 3 (Education)

This is the final destination on the Ben Express, the last in a three-part series on the Marxist March through western institutions.  It's the topic that's been begging to be discussed, the station to end all stations:  the Indoctrination of Education.  News Flash:  Education in America is in a bad way.  Whether it's schools becoming testing grounds for each new leftist lunacy, or the country's average test scores falling pitifully below that of its international counterparts, headlines noting the 'crisis' abound.  What's really intriguing is the contention that the school system's failure might not be a failure at all; it might be a failure by design.

Ben puts nails to the chalkboards of every all-in-with-the-latest educator by asking the hard questions in this episode.  Chad turns up the Dewey decibels by adding in his own uncomfortably critical commentary.  The two put up the challenge (even to themselves) to honestly assess the condition of education in this country.  What is the history and ideological underpinnings of modern public (government) education?  How can we identity the negative effects of schooling in our society and in our children?  If we know the less-than-stellar outcomes that result from these schools, why do we continue to send our children to them?

SHOW NOTES:

"Enemy of the State" movie clip referenced:  Because you made a phone call - Enemy of the State - 1998 - YouTube

Ben's primary book source for episode:  Amazon.com: Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation: 9780063215047: Hegseth, Pete, Goodwin, David: Books

Dorothy Sayers text:  LostToolsOfLearning-DorothySayers.pdf (pccs.org)

GK Chesterton quote (by Ben):  Gilbert K. Chesterton - Education is simply the soul of a... (brainyquote.com)

News Headlines on the "crisis" (don't just take our word for it!):

• The Exodus From Public Schools (dailysignal.com)
• ‘Florida is the place where woke goes to die,’ DeSantis says | WFLA
• ‘We’re in Trouble’: VA Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears Says Education in America Is ‘National Security Crisis’ – Faithwire

Episode 49 - Raising the Selfie Generation

It would seem nearly every generation of parents has a tendency to impugn certain cultural trends of their children's generation.  "Kids these days!" is the oft-quoted line of a frustrated mom or dad.  As meaningless as that tendency turns out to be in the end (kids do grow up and mature eventually!), parents of children born from 1995 to 2012 (Gen Z'ers) and beyond might just have some legitimate concerns.  The last ten or so years of rapidly accelerated technological advancement have certainly presented an historically unique set of circumstances to raise children in. 

Chad finds himself more and more comfortable as lead curmudgeon in this Grumpy-Old-Man episode.  Ben tries hard to find his old man voice for some crotchety color commentary, as the two dissect the various challenges that GenZ presents parents.  What was life like for a kid before the advent of the smartphone, and will any kid anywhere ever know that life again?  What sort of moral fallout might this generation of children be particularly at risk for being so attached to screens?  How should parents address societal and political issues with their kids in a day and age when agenda-laden headlines are weaved into nearly every media platform?

SHOW NOTES:

Book referenced:  Amazon.com: iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood--and What That Means for the Rest of Us: 9781501151989: Twenge PhD, Jean M.: Books

Story of Robert Hoogland: Father Jailed For Talking About His Teenage Daughter's Trans Hormones (thefederalist.com) 

Episode 48 - Jason King, Guest Convo

Jason King is a pastor at New Life Christian Center in Celina, OH, where he also helps replant and build churches abroad (Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Peru, England, Wales) as Administrative Director for Apostolic Team Ministries (ATM).  In addition to marrying his high school sweetheart, raising four children, and coaching high school wrestling, Jason is currently serving in his fourth term as the Celina City Council President.  His leadership in the community during recent controversies is exemplary of strong, Christian character.

Chad acts as quartermaster for this interview, rationing questions and supplying direction.  Assigned to latrine duty (conversation cleanup) is none other than private first class, Ben Neff.  The two speak with Jason about what he's faced as Council President during the past year and draw inspiration from his witness.  What first led him to step up and run for local office?  What does he make of certain voices calling for his resignation based on his Christian beliefs and its alleged conflict with public service?  How would he recommend other men get involved to stand up for righteousness in our society? 

SHOW NOTES:

Celina City Council Page:  City Council – City of Celina, Ohio  (show Jason support!)       

Episode 47 - Indoctrination Station, Part 2 (the Church)

The train is back in the Indoctrination Station!  Now having visited the reeking realms of Media & Entertainment, this trip (the 2nd of a 3-part series) sets a course for new conversational territory:  the Marxist infiltration of the Christian church.   The landscape of one of the West's most cherished and trusted institutions has not come out unscathed from the effects of this ideological indoctrination.

Ben shines his pearly whites and im-presses his southernmost suave as the (anti) megachurch pastor for this episode, while Chad takes back his residency as the Catholic Insider Attending.  The two share stories from the trenches of their respective church experiences and wonder what to make of what they too often hear and see.  To what extent has the Christian church allowed the ways of the world to influence what its ultimately about?  What issues morally and theologically should we be on guard against, even in our own trusted church settings?  Where in the church might this humanistic (Marxist) kind of messaging be found? The pulpit? The doctrine? Even the music?   

Episode 46 - Veruca Salt Syndrome

On June 24th, 2022, in Dobbs v. Jackson, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States does not protect abortion as a right.  After nearly 50 years, the infamous Roe v. Wade decision has been overturned, kicking the legal status of abortion back to the states.  In the days following the decision, the only story that's rivaled the decision itself is the reaction of the pro-aborts.  In desperation and panic, the anti-lifers are showing their true colors.

Chad takes the bench as Chief Justice for this episode, while Ben wields a gavel to honorably dole out summary judgements of his co-host's majority opinion.  The two relish the recent pro-life victory and puzzle over the losing side's hysteria.  How should one take the intense vitriol of the pro-aborts in the wake of Dobbs?  What is revealed about the other side by such wild displays of discontent?  And can parenting a toddler provide insights for how to deal with the gloves-off approach of these activists? 

SHOW NOTES:

Video of Local Counter Protestors:  Video Of Pro-Abortion Protestors At Recent Mercer County Right To Life Rally – Mercer County Outlook

Veruca Salt Song:   Veruca Salt - I Want It Now (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) - YouTube

Dobbs Decision (see pages 2-4 for critical analysis of Roe & Casey rationale):  19-1392 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (06/24/2022) (supremecourt.gov)

Scene from Andy Griffith Show:  ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW OPIE AND THE SPOILED KID.wmv - YouTube

Episode 45 - Nino Vitale, Guest Convo

Nino Vitale is currently in his fourth term as an Ohio House Representative serving the 85th District.  He made a name for himself nationally by taking a strong, public stance against mask mandates during the 2020 pandemic.  He is a man led primarily by the conviction of his faith, a conviction that comes through in everything he does.  He's an NRA pistol instructor, a Cub Scout leader, an Ohio foster family, a champion for the Right to Life, a 20-year worker in his family manufacturing business, a husband, and father of five.

Ben pretends to innocently set the stage for this rousing interview, while Chad has no qualms about piping in to incite an in-your-face kind of conversation.  Nary having to lift a finger to wind up this guest, the two sit back in awe at the inspiring witness of this rare, genuine article of a public servant.  After 8 years in the political arena, what can Nino say about how the government works?  Knowing how unpopular his public stance against masks would be, how did he find the courage to do so?  In a day and age ruled by power and Marxist elitism, what advice would Nino have for men and fathers and the myriad of challenges they face?

SHOW NOTES:

Representative Vitale's homepage:  Representative A. Nino Vitale - District 85 | Ohio House of Representatives

Representative Vitale's public stance on mask gets under the skin of Cuomo & Lemon: Chris Cuomo, Don Lemon Crack Up Mocking Anti-Mask Hysteria (mediaite.com)