Episode 26 - Fr Alexander Witt, Guest Convo (Part 1 of 2)

After his first year of college, Father Alexander Witt discerned that God was calling him to the Catholic priesthood.  He then spent 2 years in college seminary and 5 years in major (graduate) seminary on his way to being ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 2017.  Since ordination, he has served as parochial vicar in Coldwater, Ohio, and is currently serving as pastor of Holy Rosary and St Patrick’s parishes in St. Mary’s, Ohio.
  
Chad hefts the heavy logs onto the burning questions in this episode, while Ben wields his Protestant fire poker to stoke some warm-hearted exchanges.  The two enjoy a fire-side chat with their first priestly guest, and some sparks fly over what exactly a Catholic priest is.  Why is the priesthood even relevant to the topic of restoring manhood?  What is the difference between a Catholic priest and a Protestant pastor, and isn’t that difference redundant when we’re already part of the priesthood of all believers?  Finally, isn’t it discriminatory that Catholics still hold to an all-male priesthood?    

SHOW NOTES:

*Tune in next week for Part 2 of 2 of this interview episode with Fr Witt - it will include some very interesting outtakes! 

Episode 25 - What do you want your kids to do with their life?

The word "vocation" has a slightly different connotation for Catholics than it does for Protestants.  When it comes to parenting, though, both meanings are relevant.  What kind of people are our children going to grow up to be?  What career path will they end up on? What is God calling them to do?  These are questions every parent has fretted over.  So, then what is a parent's role in shaping these vocational outcomes?

Chad initiates each manly sound, smell, and mannerism for this episode.  Ben comes alongside for full effect and adds in his own grunts and knuckle-dragging.  The two push past the foul odors of convention and delve deep into a parent's influence on a child's vocation.  How can a parent help their child discover how they've been gifted to do certain things better than others?  What sorts of value messages do parents send to kids by what is being emphasized as important?  Are parents prepared to support the choices their children ultimately make?  If not, does that indicate a flaw in the parent's expectations?

SHOW NOTES:

Chad's cultural reference in episode title


Fr Riccardo's vocation story (starts at 20:41)

     

 

Bonus Convo:  Debate on Heavenly Intercession

We've reached 2,500 downloads!  While we didn't get there as quickly as we'd hoped, we're there nonetheless!  So, THANK YOU!  Unfortunately, that means Ben doesn't get his chance to "stump the Catholic."  Instead, as a way to celebrate the milestone, we thought we'd whet your appetite with a mini debate!

Ben's grown curious lately about the Catholic notion of "praying to the Saints", but he still has his Protestant guard up.  What's with this whole business of heavenly intercession?  Are those who've gone before us still aware of earthly concerns, and where is that in the Bible?  Isn't it idolatrous to pray to anyone other than God?   

Listen in to see if Chad can play his Catholic cards right and convince Ben to let his guard down.  Can he convince Ben to go so far as to ask for intercession from someone in heaven? 

SHOW NOTES:

Scripture references:
Hebrews 12:1
Revelation 5:8
Luke 16:19-31 

Episode 24 - Aaron Kuhn, Guest Convo

Aaron Kuhn is a licensed mental health and addiction therapist.  He has a PhD in Psychology, and he has been working in the field for 20 years.  He currently provides counseling, including marriage and family, at Counseling & Consulting Services in Celina, Ohio.   Aaron is an avid fitness advocate and believes in holistic health.  He is happily married and has three children.

Ben pulls all the levers on this carnival ride of an episode, while Chad plays stand-by carny, furiously chewing gum and taking notes at the same time.  As evidenced by the episode length, the two can hardly hold back from asking more and more questions of this fascinating and informative guest!  Is it really beneficial for men to identify, express, and regulate their feelings?  How do inflammatory foods factor into mental health?  What's the difference between Big-T and Little-T trauma?  And what is the "ledger system" in a marriage and can it be conquered?

SHOW NOTES:

Aaron Kuhn contact info: https://www.healthgrades.com/providers/aaron-kuhn-42aez

What is Alexithymia:  https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/mind-guest-blog/the-emotional-blindness-of-alexithymia/

Book referenced, "The Body Keeps the Score":   https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/mind-guest-blog/the-emotional-blindness-of-alexithymia/

Scriptural Reference to "love not keeping record":  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2013&version=NIV
         

Episode 23 – Chasing Cows Again and Other MENtal Health Issues

Dealing with mental health isn’t exactly most guys' favorite topic.  But that doesn’t mean it’s not issue for men.  In the aftermath of pandemic lockdowns and mask mandates, in fact, it’s an issue for more and more people.  Even before COVID, things like suicide rates were troublesome.  To one degree or another, mental health issues affect us all.   
  
Ben leads as pretend psychologist for this episode, asking his best how-does-that-make-you-feel questions, as Chad kicks back in a chaise lounge and patient-ly assists.  The co-hosts ask more questions than they give answers yet stumble upon some startling facts and honest admissions.  Which US demographic has the highest suicide rate?  What might be some of the contributing factors to mental illness?  And how can men learn to better cope with those factors?

SHOW NOTES:

Suicide stats by profession:  https://choicespsychotherapy.net/jobs-with-highest-suicide-rates/

Scene referenced from the movie "The Pilgrim’s Progress":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZxJkG1uqI 

Episode 22 - I'll Have the Blue Pill, Please

The term Red Pill, or the phrase "being Red Pilled", has become common lingo in discourse involving the pursuit of, or the discovery of, truth.  Its origin is the 1999 film The Matrix, in which the main character has a choice to keep following the evidence where it leads (take the red pill) or to remain in his ignorance (take the blue pill).  Red pilling gets all the attention and glory, but does the blue pill not also have an allure all its own?

Chad is "The One" pulling the plugs on this episode, while Ben bakes some delicious premonitions on the side.  The two tumble down a reverse rabbit hole to see where the choice for blue pills might lead.  Why might someone opt for ignorance (blue pill) when they have a choice to know the truth?  What is Chad's pet peeve when it comes to blue pilling and in how many various ways can one be ignorant?  Finally, what are Ben and Chad's top three blue pill admissions?  
 
SHOW NOTES:

Matrix scene:  "Ignorance is bliss" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JODWCwycNmg

Matrix scene:  Blue Pill or Red Pill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGWoiy56GEA

Scripture References:
John 3:19 -  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:19&version=NIV

1 Corinthians 13:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+corinthians+13%3A11&version=NIV

Narnia scene:  Turkish Delight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhzFBMotZb8

Book Reference:  "The God of the Garden" by Andrew Peterson https://www.andrew-peterson.com/the-god-of-the-garden

Ben's Un-blue pilling bullets:  

• Seek - always be in pursuit of truth
• Reflect - check yourselves and be vigilant
• Embrace - be fearless of red pills

Episode 21 - Mark Lee Dickson, Guest Convo

Mark Lee Dickson is a Texas born-and-raised pro-life activist whose efforts have garnered national attention.  He's been featured in various news outlets such as Fox News, CNN, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, and the New York Times.  Mark Lee is in leadership at Right to Life of East Texas and is best known for starting the Sancturary Cities for the Unborn initiative, which has helped lead over 40 cities across the United States pass enforceable ordinances outlawing abortion within their city limits.

Chad does his best Chuck Norris as lead for this episode, as Ben shoots puns from the hip as his second-on-patrol.  The co-hosts explore the borders of cultural counterpunching by learning from their guest about the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn initiative.  Why would a city that doesn't have an abortion facility want to preemptively outlaw abortion in their city?  How is it that local governments are able to pass ordinances like this when there's Roe vs. Wade?  And if one were to feel called to do this very thing in their city, how could one make that happen?

SHOW NOTES:

Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn website:  https://sanctuarycitiesfortheunborn.com/

Mark Lee's recent success at the US Supreme Court: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/12/12/texas-abortion-law-supreme-court-advocates/
 

Episode 20 - Leaving a Legacy

Phyllis Neff passed away on December 2nd, 2021, at the age of 70.  She was a mother to four and a grandmother to six.  For 32 years, she was a victim's advocate for Crime Victim Services of Allen County.  She was a member of the Lima Noon Optimist Club and active in children's ministry at Lima Community Church.  Her legacy was in how she lived out her faith in those roles, a shining example to the people whose lives she touched. 

Ben captures the moment on this episode commemorating his mother's life, while Chad basks in the glow of stories of a life well-lived.  The two of them examine how one's legacy becomes most apparent in death.  Will the light you share now live on in others when you are gone?  How can things like intentionality and organization be blessings to the people around you?  And what are the memories your loved ones will share about you at your funeral?    

SHOW NOTES:

Phyllis Neff's Obituary:  https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/limaohio/name/phyllis-neff-obituary?id=31755394
   

Episode 19 - Build Back Better... Culture.

The tides of a secularized culture are aggressively rising.   And the strongholds of Western Civilization--things like religion, the traditional family, and moral values--are eroding under the onslaught of those battering waves.  Living in the midst of that wreckage, one might be tempted to despair:  Is there any hope for recovering the lost ground and rebuilding?  

Chad lays out the blueprint for reconstruction as job foreman of this episode.  Ben grimaces as he holds a nail gun gingerly, ready to support as the general laborer.  The two layout the future site of a man-initiated counterculture.  What are some ways in which men can build back culture now in their immediate spheres of influence?  Is beauty (one of the three cultural bastions of truth, goodness, and beauty) something a guy can get comfortable with creating?  And by beginning with the end in mind, how can we erect new facades that will bless generations to come?

SHOW NOTES:

Book referenced, "Rules for Retrogrades" by Timothy Gordon:  https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51625256-rules-for-retrogrades

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph #2174: https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/524/

J.R.R. Tolkien's essay "On Fairy Stories" (see Epilogue, starting on page 34): https://coolcalvary.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/on-fairy-stories1.pdf

 
        

Bonus Convo:  Ben's Rant

Join in on this hilarious discussion as we conclusively tackle the question, "Will Ben do Exodus 90 or not?"  

Hear Ben's thoughts, concerns, complaints, and proposed conditions as he tries to use his expert negotiating skills to strike an ecumenical deal with Chad... 

Will Chad bend?  Who will get the upper hand in this slugfest?  And will Ben finally go for it?