Manhood Restored

Episode 18 - Nathaniel Binversie, Guest Convo

Nathaniel Binversie is the Director of Mission for Exodus 90.  He graduated from the University of St Thomas in St Paul, Minnesota and holds a master's degree in Theology from the Augustine Institute.  Before joining Exodus, he spent time in campus ministry at the University of Utah and as a missionary at FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.  Nathaniel and his wife and two daughters reside in Ft Wayne, Indiana.  He also has a colossal beard.

Chad raises the sails for this interview, hoping to catch gusts of good conversation, while Ben's on cleanup duty, swabbing the deck.  The two embark with Nathaniel upon a voyage through the frigid waters of Exodus 90, a ninety-day spiritual exercise for men that focuses on prayer, ascetism, and fraternity.  Nathaniel tells the history of the Exodus mission and explains their vision for changing the lives of men.  What kind of spiritual benefit does a guy get from adhering to such a long list of legalistic "do nots"?  Why is this program exclusively for men?  What can someone expect upon accepting this challenge, and just how cold is a "cold shower" supposed to be?          

SHOW NOTES:

Exodus 90 Website: https://exodus90.com/  

Episode 17 - The Gospel According to Ted Lasso

In just over a year and two seasons, the Apple TV+ streaming series "Ted Lasso" has received much critical acclaim.   The show has won 7 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series.  Starring Jason Sudeikis as the main character, Ted Lasso is an American football coach who becomes a surprise hire for coach of a Premier League soccer team in the UK; his only credentials for such a position are his quick wit, charm, and persistent positivity.

Ben kicks the conversation around the field as captain of this episode, while Chad limps along slow-footed behind him.  Their goal?  To put this popular show under a microscope in hopes of ascertaining its genius.  Are there any warning labels that should come with this highly entertaining sensation?  In what ways does the show's portrayal of men (their relationships, their role in society, their character) epitomize modern media's 'program' for manhood for the last 30 years?  What are the redemptive qualities in the story, and is Ted's Gospel ultimately compatible with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John's?

SHOW NOTES:

Ted Lasso Show:  https://tv.apple.com/us/show/ted-lasso/umc.cmc.vtoh0mn0xn7t3c643xqonfzy

Colossians 3:15:  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203:15&version=NIV 

Episode 16 – Slave or Free Man?

In a democratic society, individuals are at liberty to do what they please so long as it doesn’t break an established law.  Beyond that definition, there’s a thin line between being truly “free” and being burdened by sheer license.  In other words, a man who is free to do anything might often find himself incapable of NOT doing something (addiction), or incapable of ONLY doing one thing (the good).  When does that incapacity become enslavement?

Chad leads the charge for liberation in this episode, and Ben follows (up to a point) with his own fire to free the captives.  The two define their terms, share their own struggles with freedom, and even dive into some Protestant-Catholic differences on the topic.  How is it that a man can be both strong and enslaved?  Is it possible that a Christian be “free from the law” and yet remain burdened by sin?  Are spiritual exercises like Exodus 90 effective means to achieving greater freedom—and can Chad sell Ben on taking such a challenge?

SHOW NOTES:

Exodus 90 Program:  https://exodus90.com/ 

Passage from the Book of Exodus:  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+1%3A8-14&version=NASB1995 

Bishop Fulton Sheen quote:  https://quotefancy.com/quote/810252/Fulton-J-Sheen-Freedom-does-not-mean-that-right-to-do-whatever-we-please-but-rather-to-do 

Ben’s reference to 1 John 2:16: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A16&version=NASB1995

Fight Club quote:  https://www.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/e4ef71d0-8a35-48ba-9aa8-d70ea420db61

Episode 15 - Justin Miesse, Guest Convo

Justin Miesse holds a criminal justice degree from the University of Toledo and is a graduate of the Vineyard Leadership Institiute in Columbus.  When he's not farming in his family agri-business or playing music with local worship teams, Justin owns and operators Iron Element LLC, a company focused on personal defense training and firearms & ammunition sales.   Iron Element offers a variety of firearms training, including training for youth and women, as well as church security development training.  

Ben is locked and loaded and ready to take aim as lead interviewer, while Chad tries not to shoot his eye out as he lays down cover fire.  The two go on a hunt for life lessons, as Justin uses his experience as an instructor on the gun range to challenge men to level up in all facets of their lives.  What do humility, community, and accountability have to do with shooting guns?  What are three things a man can do to beef up his home defense?  And how are firearms and self-defense compatible with Christianity?  

SHOW NOTES:

Iron Element website:  https://www.ironelement.net/ 

Justin's email:  [email protected] 

Justin's worship team (not mentioned in the interview, but worth checking out): https://worshipanyway.com/

Episode 14 - LEAD in Your Home

A man's role in his home is one of great importance.  But the 20th century has definitely made strides to diminish that fact.  Things like industrialized work and women's liberation have tried mightily to squeeze the father out of his proper place in the home.   Today's culture especially calls men to reclaim that role and be true leaders for their families.  The home isn't just the woman's domain.

Ben fires up the heavy equipment and hauls away misconceptions, while Chad's dives in to sort through the dumpy aftermath.  Alternating between two plays on the word 'lead', Ben and Chad discuss ways men can bring positive influence into the home (leading) and eradicate toxic influences (lead poisoning) from it.  In what areas can men become more aware of and intentional about activating their role as heads of their homes?    

SHOW NOTES:

The Shema:  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%206%3A4-9&version=NIV
      

Episode 13 - God's Greenlights

Wouldn't it just be like a couple of Christian guys to glean inspiration from a Hollywood A-lister?  Well, no... it wouldn't.  But that's what makes this episode so interesting!  Matthew McConaughey's 2020 memoir, "Greenlights", has been a surprising success, staying atop the non-fiction bestseller list for 50 weeks.  While his famous style and flare for life might be an unsuspecting source of inquiry after manly virtue, it turns out there may be more than meets the eye to this Romcom actor.

Chad rides out in front as the Lone Ranger for this pseudo book review, and Ben cautiously brings up the rear, a type-cast Tonto if there ever was one.  The co-hosts sift through McConaughey's story and its themes for nuggets of inspiration and wisdom.   Does adventure still have a place in the life of modern man?  How can a man's life--both his successes and setbacks--be framed as a progression toward deeper meaning?  And where does the gospel fit into this 'Greenlight' approach?   

SHOW NOTES:

McConaughey's book:  https://greenlights.com/#book 

G.K. Chesterton quote:  https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/16871-we-are-to-regard-existence-as-a-raid-or-great 

BONUS EPISODE - 1,000+ Downloads! 

As a big THANK YOU to those who've been listening and sharing, Ben & Chad offer a Bonus Episode!  It's a brief, behind-the-scenes look at the Manhood Restored Podcast, covering three aspects of its origins:

1) What's up with the "Half Cath" - "Part Prada" Logo? 
2) What is meant by the phrase "Might Men of Valor", and where did it come from? 
3) What is the target audience that each co-host has in mind?

Chad also issues a challenge to listeners to help take the number of downloads to 2,500 in the next 5 episodes (doubling the pace!) by actively sharing with friends and family.  Should that goal be achieved, Ben and Chad promise a future Bonus Episode with an idea specifically forged by listener feedback (it's one you won't want to miss out on!).

SHOW NOTES:

"Mighty Men of Valor" Bible reference (1 Chron 12):  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+12&version=NASB1995   

Episode 12 - CHRIS BIHN, Guest Convo

Chris Bihn and his family run a unique health food business called "Our Fathers Foods."  Utilizing a patented process to crush grain, their products deliver preservative and synthetic free alternatives to modern wheat-based foods like bread and oats.   The Bihn family business is more like a ministry in that they seek to do their part in restoring God's order by focusing on Natural Law, putting the family at the center, and nourishing people at the local level.

Ben "steaks" his keen interest in the subject matter as the lead interviewer, while Chad makes his rare contribution as a not-so-healthy-eating layman.  The two get schooled by Chris, the former teacher, on the genius of the crushing process and the health benefits it affords.  Chris draws from his experience growing up on a farm, coaching for 30 years, and raising eight children to challenge men to pay attention to the details of what goes into their bodies and to lead by example in everything they do.

SHOW NOTES:

Our Fathers Foods website:  https://healthygraincrushing.com/

John Horvat Book: https://www.returntoorder.org/ 

Episode 11 - Going Glutton Free

It's one of the "Seven Deadly Sins" and one of the hardest bad habits to hide.  Yet Gluttony might be one of the least talked about vices there is (except if used in a joke at Thanksgiving).  Seems like a good topic to crack open, in other words, for men living in a culture that's replete with overindulgence!

Ben pours a few (not too many) straight, black cups of conversation, while Chad squirms in his seat with an over-stimulated conscience.  As the two explore definitions, fess up to their own run-ins with gluttony, and work through Ben's now famous statistical bullet points, a pattern emerges.   What tactics and motives can men call on to curb this destructive tendency?   

Episode 10 – Resistance Readiness

Have you ever wondered, after seeing a headline about a mandate-related confrontation (on an airplane or at a supermarket), how you would’ve acted in a similar situation?  Too often we dismiss the thought because we assume that it would “never happen to me.”  The prevalence of such impositions upon our liberties and the increasing lengths to which governments have proven willing to go, should put men on high alert.

Chad conducts the sounds of alarm while Ben polishes the brass of his best prepper instinct.  The two walk through scenarios of gov’t overreach and ask what the proper response ought to be.  At what point should the line be drawn and a stand taken?  Is a Christians’ call to resistance merely “turning the other cheek”?  They draw conclusions and outline three guiding principles for men to be ready to resist tyranny.    

SHOW NOTES:

Video of ‘Non-compliant Traveler’ (2 year old):  https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/outrage-as-maskless-toddler-with-asthma-kicked-off-american-airlines-flight/news-story/a9436bd9627198cfbb1b174861531000

United Airlines Flight 93, “Let’s Roll” Reenactment:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7arO6mTs5W0

Short Video of St Maximilian Kolbe:   https://reallifecatholic.com/video/st-maximilian-kolbe/

Live Not By Lies, by Rod Dreher:   https://www.amazon.com/Live-Not-Lies-Christian-Dissidents/dp/0593087399