Episode 44 - Indoctrination Station, Part 1 (Entertainment)

All aboard the Ben Express for a three-part series investigating how Marxist ideology has highjacked some of western society's most trusted institutions.  Whether it's Media & Entertainment, the Christian Church, or Public Education & Universities, this Marxist infiltration threatens at every turn to influence public opinion toward uncritical groupthink.  That is, its aim is to indoctrinate.  When it comes to Media & Entertainment, look no further for evidence than the lockstep slant of nearly every major news outlet, or the unapologetically woke content of Disney. 

Ben hits a record high pitch as he conducts this episode, while Chad dutifully shovels optimism into the firebox to keep things chugging along.  The two turn a critical eye at the risks involved with media consumption in the current cultural climate.  Are the sources we seek for news and information the "right" ones, and how can one discern what sources are trustworthy?  What are some examples of indoctrinating through entertainment content?  What sorts of practical things can be done (dads, especially) to be on guard against this form of deception?

PS - listen till the end for some "mousy mess-up" outtakes!! 

SHOW NOTES:

Article Ben References on Lost Institutions:  Laying Siege to the Institutions | Imprimis (hillsdale.edu)

Star Wars III Clip:   So this is how liberty dies ... with thunderous applause! - YouTube

Source for Ben's Quotation:  australian christian lobby youtube - Bing video         

Episode 43 - How to Pray (Like a Man!)

There's something very intimate and vulnerable about prayer.  And let's face it, that can be intimidating for guys.  It's almost as if a prayer life is better suited for women, to whom communication and emotionality often come easier.  But prayer is much too important to leave off, even if it proves difficult and awkward.  Like anything else, given the right approach, prayer can find its own character and richness in the life of a man. 

Chad pulls a switcheroo as he dresses to the nines for full effect in this sermon-slash-episode, while Ben's left confusedly pretending to concelebrate in a collar.  The two hit their knees and offer up some insight on the why's and how's of prayer.  What are some good, manly reasons why we need a healthy prayer life?  What are some common obstacles to prayer, and what are some practical tips for overcoming them?  At the end, Chad and Ben offer a prayer aloud to model how simple and straightforward praying can be.

SHOW NOTES:

2 Books Referenced:

"Restoration of Christian Culture" by John Senior Restoration of Christian Culture - Angelus Press   

"Prayer for Beginners" by Peter Kreeft  Prayer For Beginners by Peter Kreeft (goodreads.com)

Bonus Convo:  Grill the Protestant

We've officially clipped over 5,000 downloads!  What a very cool and humbling milestone!  As a BIG thank you to everyone out there listening and sharing the podcast--and by popular demand following our recent "Grill the Catholic" episode--we have flipped the tables, and Chad gets to Grill the Protestant!

How will Ben now handle the heat?  Can Chad cook up some spicy convo by throwing a little Sola on the barbie?  With topics such as authority, scriptural interpretation, Communion, and salvation turning on the spit, there's bound to be some tasty results!!

We look forward to continuing to create quality content for you and growing the Manhood Restored message!

Episode 42 - Earl Mills, Guest Convo

Earl Mills is a former dairy farmer who was called to ministry in the Churches of God denomination.  After attaining his Master of Divinity from Winebrenner Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from Westminster Theological Seminary, he went on to serve in various pastoral roles in the Churches of God General Conference for 42 years (and counting!).  During his 20 years as lead pastor of the Chambersburg First Church of God in Pennsylvania, he helped grow the church into the largest in the whole General Conference.  He's currently director over the Great Lakes Conference, covering all of Michigan and Ohio.

Chad launches this whaling expedition of an episode, while Ben goes straight savage, heaving his harpoon at any truth that bobs to the surface.  The two venture into deep waters, fishing for schools of wisdom from Earl's vast ministry experience.  What are some of the biggest challenges facing the Christian church in the 21st century?  What are some of the most effective ways to bring men back to church?  How can believers better utilize both truth and grace in their efforts to evangelize?  

Episode 41 - Grill the Catholic

While it's true this is a podcast where a Protestant and a Catholic converse about all things masculine from the point of view of their differing faith traditions, those differences aren't often dwelled upon.  That's not because doing so couldn't be fruitful; nor is it because confronting differences of opinion is too uncomfortable.  In fact, a cool-headed exchange of ideas is a very manly thing to do!  It's also a lot of fun!

Ben is the grill master for this episode, armed to the teeth with Biblical spiciness, ready to cook up some tough-minded conversation.  Chad, marinated in his Catholic beliefs, takes the heat so as to serve up some well-done answers for Ben to chew on.  The two engage in the lost art of rational, respectful dialogue.  Can Chad handle Ben's battery of biblical inquisitiveness without losing his cool?  What specific issues will the two have to agree to disagree on?  Will Ben have his most burning questions about Catholicism answered to his satisfaction?   

Episode 40 - The Kanye Conundrum

The hip hop artist Kayne West is a wildly successful musician and businessman.  At the same time, his very loud, public persona has resulted in no shortage of drama and controversy.  So, in 2019, when Kayne released an album titled "Jesus is King", an all-Gospel record that he claimed culminated a 3-year born-again conversion, the world took notice.  The Rap Kingpin turned Christian Convert raised eyebrows among believers and non-believers alike.  Kayne, then, presents us an interesting case-study-in-the-extreme for how the church is, or is not, prepared to handle the "unreached" in the 21st century.

Chad goes gangsta and spits some probing prose up in the mike, as Ben keeps the beat and bobs his head during this hit track of an episode.  The two collaborate to evaluate the Kayne-like challenge facing the church today.  If it's true the Gospel message is ever-new, then how ready and willing are believers to deliver it to those who really need to hear it?  How has the church failed to reach men during the last 50 years, and what would need to be done to bring more men back into the fold?  To what extent does in-fighting within Christianity diminish the Christian witness to a post-Christian world?

SHOW NOTES:

"Jesus is King":   Spotify – JESUS IS KING

Time Magazine Article on Kayne's conversion:   Kanye West’s 'Jesus Is King' Divides the Christian Community | Time

Episode 39 - MAN TALK EDITION - Guest Hosts, Josh Evans and Chad Lefeld

Here is our second "Man Talk", where we turn on all four microphones for a roundtable discussion on a pointed "leading question".  Once the question has been thoroughly explored, each host gives their yea or nay and defends their final position.  (Listeners, we'd like you to weigh in also - see below on how to participate!)

Josh Evans and Chad Lefeld possess very respectable resumes as readers of all sorts and varieties of books.  Both men enjoy reading books and find them valuable as a source of learning and personal growth.  Josh has created the habit of reading one book a week, while Chad calls reading his favorite pastime.  Their enthusiasm for reading comes through as they help Ben and Chad make the case for the "must" part of this question.  What are some of the best and most meaningful books these men have ever read?  Why should reading books be valued over other modes of communication like TV, and how can becoming a reader benefit a man?  What are some tips and tricks for getting better as a reader?

What do you think, dear Listener?  Do you agree that reading books is of such high value, or did we miss some key aspect of the contrary opinion?  We'd like to hear from you:

• Email us at [email protected]
• Comment on our Facebook page at Manhood Restored Podcast

SHOW NOTES:

Recommended resources:  

• Goodreads | Meet your next favorite book (Book cataloging & recs)
• Notion – One workspace. Every team.  (Note keeping app)

List of "best books" as recommended in this episode published on our website:
Manhood Restored Podcast | We are two ordinary Christian guys who feel compelled to call men back to true Masculinity.

Episode 38 - Bro, No!  We Don't Talk About Sex

This is the long-anticipated, long-avoided fourth topic (FINALLY the S!) in Ben's MAPS series.  If there were ever any doubt that he would go there, here is the podcast's first foray into the topic of SEX.  (It only took 38 episodes!)  Addressing the elephant in the recording studio had to be done; after all, it's only one of the biggest traps men face today, especially as it relates to remaining faithful to their wives in marriage.

Ben takes the plunge and dives headlong onto the soapy slip and slide that is this episode topic.  Chad chuckles uncomfortably from a safe distance away until he gets soaked by the "splash" made by Ben's boldness.  The two turn their attention specifically to men guarding against this trap for the sake of their marriage fidelity.  What are ways that men can be Tim-ted to unfaithfulness?  What are the top five emotional needs of women (and the top five for men), and how can knowing those help fortify the marital commitment?  How can God be of help to a man who wants to stay true to his spouse?

SHOW NOTES:

Scripture Reference:  1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NIV - So, if you think you are standing firm, - Bible Gateway

Book Recommendation:  His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage: Harley, Willard F. Jr.: 9780800719388: Books: Amazon.com

Website Connected to the His Needs Her Needs book
https://www.marriagebuilders.com/

Quote from "Practicing the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence:

“That when an occasion of practicing some virtue offered, he addressed himself to God, saying, Lord, I cannot do this unless Thou enablest me: and that then he receives strength more than sufficient.   That when he had failed in his duty, he only confessed his fault, saying to God, I shall never do otherwise if you leave me to myself; it is you who must hinder my falling and mend what is amiss.”   

Original quote from Ben Neff:  "A well fertilized lawn is the best weed prevention"

Episode 37 - Why I Love Saint Joan of Arc

The story of Joan of Arc has captivated generations of believers and non-believers alike.  Countless biographers, poets, playwrights, artists and filmmakers have tried to capture what it was about her life that made her so fascinating.  She was a shepherdess turned solider, a mystic turned martyr, and a patriot turned patroness (of France).  But at the bottom of it all was this one inspiring fact:  she was 100% committed to her mission from God.

Chad raises the Mighty Banner under which this episode is to march, while Ben tosses and twirls his glittery analysis throughout.  The two strive after lessons for men to learn from this Saint's story.   What about Joan's example is like an anecdote to one of the greatest threats to society today?  What does it mean to be "mission-minded", and can you articulate what your life's mission is?  If you more clearly understood God's will for your life (like Joan did), how might that cause you to live differently?

SHOW NOTES:

Story of Jim Elliot, missionary:  Jim Elliot: Story and Legacy (christianity.com)

Mark Twain's book on Joan of Arc: Joan of Arc by Mark Twain (goodreads.com)

Scripture Reference:  Philippians 3:17-21 NKJV - Our Citizenship in Heaven - Brethren, - Bible Gateway

Feng Shui, defined (for Ben):   Feng shui - Wikipedia

Steven Pressfield article on mission:  Writing Wednesdays: “DVEKUT BA MESIMA” (stevenpressfield.com)

Chad's Challenge (watch this video!): (276) The World Shifts Itself Around Your Aim | Jordan Peterson | Best Life Advice - YouTube

Episode 36 - Tom Ahl, Guest Convo

Tom Ahl is the owner of the Tom Ahl Family of Dealerships in Lima, Ohio.  His father started a Buick dealership in Lima where Tom worked from a very young age.  He went on to graduate from Northwood College in Midland Michigan and get married in the very same year, 1973.  In 1974, at the age of 23, Tom started the present Chrysler dealership.  Tom and his wife have 4 daughters and 13 grandchildren.  His Family of Dealerships is well known for its generosity toward the community.

Ben rolls up on the lot, ready to bargain his way into a good deal on this interview.  Chad stands by staring under the hood, pretending to know what he's looking for.  The two buckle up for Tom's inspiring story and find a great deal of wisdom and advice along the way.  What is Tom's story of coming to faith in Jesus Christ and how did that impact his life?  How has Tom approached stewarding the success that his dealerships have had?  And what sorts of advice would Tom give to men in today's day and age?

SHOW NOTES:

Tom Ahl Dealerships: We Love To Support Our Community | Tom Ahl Family of Dealerships

Story of Stanley Tam referenced by Tom:  God Owns My Business: They Said It Couldn't Be Done, But Formally and Legally...: Tam, Stanley, Anderson, Ken: 9781600661877: Books (amazon.com)