Manhood Restored

Episode 102 -

Picture, if you will, the sights and sounds of a County Fair.  It's a scene of pure sensual wonderment with its neon rides, its flashy food booths, its throngs of people at big concerts and competitions.  With so much excitement in the air, it's surely a fun place to be.  But it can also serve as a scaled-down study of how the pleasures of the world can make us manic for more, more, more!

Ben brings his bullhorn to talk over the noise as ringmaster of this sideshow of an episode, as Chad sports yet another polo in an odd hybrid role as carnie co-host.  What exactly does Ben mean by "carnies" in his episode title, and what does he have against them?  How does the Parable of the Sower speak to the County Fair mentality?  And can Ben draw more wisdom from John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" as a way to see through the worldly wares being peddled to us daily?

SHOW NOTES:

Vanity Fair Clip- 2 minutes
 
Vanity Fair Full Scene-  14 minutes

Watch, per Ben's Challenge:  The Pilgrim's Progress (2019) | Full Movie | John Rhys-Davies | Ben Price | Kristyn Getty - YouTube
 

Episode 101 - 

We live in dark times.  An odd remaking of the Dark Ages, because the light of Western Civilization is again under threat of being extinguished.  Preserving that light for the future is an effort worth undertaking.  It's also one undertaken successfully once before, by the most unassuming group of people - Catholic monks.  Might we do well to imitate their model... in our homes?  

Chad, fond of rules as he is, plays the part of Abbot for this episode, while 'Brother Ben' yet again graciously plays along as a Catholic character and co-host.  The two ponder the possibilities of preservation within the four walls a Christian home.  In what ways did Catholic monks stem the tide of barbarism during the Middle Ages?  Who are the barbaric equivalents at our doorsteps?  How might one go about "turning their home into" a modern monastery, and what is it we ought to be preserving?

SHOW NOTES:

• PDF chapter of monk history (quick read):  working template.qxd (churchinhistory.org)
• Book recommended in Chad's challenge:  Hallowed Be This House (ignatius.com)

Episode 100 - 

When menfolk get together in celebration, the revelry and carousing that ensues can, to some (to many?), be obnoxious and offensive.  Why oh why, some might ask, must it be so?  Shouldn't it not be so?  What is it about certain stereotypical manly behavior--like stereotypical manly appearances (see 'Fords and Facial Hair', Episode 1) --that can be so off-putting from the outside looking in?  

Ben swears he won't cave to peer pressure for best-in-class life insurance rates as lead 'foul linguist' on this episode, while Chad strikes a hard bargain as the clean yet clouded co-host.  The two raise their voices, raise their glasses, and light their stogie(s?) in celebration, all the while debating whether any of it is even appropriate!  Is there any place for potentially offensive behavior in the life of a man?  Is it sinful to smoke, and how divergent are Catholics and Protestants on the topic?  Will Chad be able to persuade Ben to light up a celebratory cigar before the end of this episode?

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Episode 99 -

Being a Man of Action isn't as easy as it sounds.  Sure, men may recognize a righteous cause when they see one; and, from time to time, men may feel the flame of mission stirred up within them; they might even, in a flash of inspiration, step out and send a shot across the bow.  But then any number of obstacles--distraction, fear, doubt--inevitably follow.  As a result, too many of them are left on the sideline, apathetic, and promising to take action--next time.  Always next time.

Ben heroically (finally) stops putting off talking about putting things off as lead action star for this episode, as Chad co-stars, insuring they cover all their bases in a single, bounding sit-down.  The two calculate, formulate, and figure the distance between good intentions and actually taking action.  Do you ever hear a voice of doubt & resistance pop into your head just as soon as you consider stepping out and acting for good?  What is Issue 1 in Ohio, and how is it an example of the potential for frittering away an opportunity to take a stand?  When an issue/cause is so complex (think human sex trafficking as presented by the recent movie "Sound of Freedom"), what are some ways a man can still act effectively, but in small ways?

SHOW NOTES:

Ohio's Issue 1 (voting now till Aug 8th): Protect Our Constitution | Vote Yes on Issue 1 (voteyesohio.com)

Two good organizations fighting human sex trafficking:

• End Child Trafficking | Operation Underground Railroad (ourrescue.org)
• Sex Trafficking | International Justice Mission (ijm.org)

Episode 98 - 

The word 'religion' carries a curiously negative connotation in our modern lexicon.  The term is more often used for the purposes of criticism, as it conjures associations with anti-individualism, historical oppression, and hypocrisy.  Religion might as well mean backward and ignorant.  To be labeled as 'religious', then, would conceivably be the worst personal descriptor one could imagine.  'Spiritual', 'faithful', 'a good person' - yeah, those are all okay.  But surely never 'religious'!

Chad takes the [fictitious] challenge of breathing life back into the word 'religion' as lead contrarian for this episode, while Ben bites his tongue as long as he possibly can (which isn't long) as co-host.  The two wrestle with the many popularized misnomers surrounding this term in hopes of sparking its comeback.  Can a Christian have a relationship with Jesus and adhere to a religion, or are the two mutually exclusive?  What will take the place of religion if traditional forms of it are eschewed in society?  And will Ben and Chad see eye-to-eye on the usefulness of ritual in the religious context?  

SHOW NOTES:

Two "viral videos" on hating vs. loving religion (from 10 years ago);

• Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word - YouTube
• Fr. Pontifex - Why I Love Religion, And Love Jesus - YouTube

Tim Gordon's podcast episode on the new secular religion:  Timothy Gordon Rules for Retrogrades Podcast: Rainbow: Dawn of the Old Idols on Apple Podcasts

Episode 97 - 

Ben Hartings is an owner/partner at Trinity Financial Advisors in Columbus, Ohio.  He was raised on a poultry farm, played division one football at Miami University (OH), and received his MBA from the University of Dayton.  Ben is a two-time cancer survivor and the author of two books on dealing with loss and grief.  He is involved in various Catholic ministries and outreach boards, and he and his wife of 18 years have five children, four living and one in heaven.

Chad pops the cork on, and proposes a toast to, the rich flavor of paradox on this episode, as Ben (no stranger to 'uncorking') adds his own touch to the conversation as co-host.  The two try to claim this guest for their respective side of the confessional divide while listening to his insights into two seemingly unrelated topics.  What is the "Scarcity Mindset" and how does it fit within a Christian context?  Why would someone "offer" their suffering as a form of obedient surrender to God's will?  How does Ben H's story serve as an example for bringing these two topics together?  

SHOW NOTES:

Ben H's books -

• Return to the Altar: A Sacred Journey through Grief and Joy: Hartings, Benjamin: 9780986217906: Amazon.com: Books
• It's not OK. And that's OK.: Inspiring stories from loss to love, and heartache to Hope: Hartings, Benjamin J, Hartings, Lynn M: 9780986217913: Amazon.com: Books

Ben H's firm:  Meet the Team — Trinity Financial Advisors (tfadvisors.com)

Ben H's recommended reading (PDF Download): Don’t Waste Your Cancer | Desiring God

Episode 96 -

There's nothing like a song to take you back to a moment in time.  Music has that kind of power because it comes alongside of us to punctuate the feelings of those moments, ministering to us in lyrics and melody.  That's especially true of the most meaningful moments - those of love, joy, and grief.  Still more, in the hands of God, that power of song can seem almost sacramental.

Ben's the DJ at the mixing board for this self-reflective soundtrack of an episode, as Chad listens in as a Lucy-like cohost, with a couple few cents of his own.  The two follow Ben's chronicles of coping with grief in hopes of striking a chord with listeners who could use the accompaniment.  What are some ways that we often deal poorly with grief, and what's a better alternative to them?  How can God work through things like music, and through people, to help heal us when we're grieving?  Where does our grief fit in to the meaning of our story - that is, our story as part of His Story?  

SHOW NOTES:
 
Ben's songs (in episode sequence):

• Unspoken - Start A Fire (Official Video) - YouTube
• Jason Gray - "Remind Me You're Here" (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube
• I Am They - No Impossible With You (Lyrics) ♪ - YouTube
• God Is In This Story - Katy Nichole & Big Daddy Weave - Lyric Video - YouTube

Episode 95 - 

What... are we questioning the whole premise of the podcast now?  And after nearly 100 episodes?  What gives? 

Chad leads this tunneling expedition of an episode, searching out the assumptions underfoot, as Ben co-hosts and points his shinny head (lamp) toward the depths of Chad's cavernous quest.  The two confront the Big Question head-on and layout their (inevitably) affirmative answer.  

Have you, dear listener, asked this very question in a personal way:  does YOUR manhood need restored?  What are three senses in which Ben and Chad firmly believe manhood needs restored?   If you, too, can answer in the affirmative, is there someone who's never listened that you can share the podcast with?     

Episode 94 -

Mark Harrington is the Founder and President of "Created Equal", a pro-life education and outreach organization based in Columbus, Ohio.  He travels to universities across the nation training and inspiring young leaders in cutting-edge tactics in the pro-life movement.  Mark also served for more than a decade as the Executive Director of the Midwest office of the Center for Bioethical Reform prior to launching Created Equal.  He's been featured in the USA Today and on national TV programs like CBS Mornings, Fox & Friends, and the Sean Hannity Show.

Chad takes off the gloves and rings the bell for this politically punching episode, as Ben stays in the corner as co-host in case he needs to clean up any messy interview moments.  The two let their heavy-hitting guest take his swings at the pro-abortion Ballot Initiative in Ohio set for the November 2023 election.  How is the wording of this "Reproductive Freedom" Amendment potentially misleading, and what specifically should pro-life voters know about it?  What does this August 8th Special Election have to do with the November Ballot Initiative?  And just how consequential are these upcoming votes for Ohioans and the county?

SHOW NOTES:

READ (proposed language of the proposed amendment to Ohio's Constitution):  Extreme Pro-Abortion Ballot Initiative: Ohio - Created Equal

Pro-life speakers willing to come to your church FOR FREE to raise awareness:  TogetherForLifeOhio.org

Created Equal Website:  Created Equal | Exposing the Truth About Abortion

Episode 93 -

2-time NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic, recently reached the top of the basketball world after leading his Denver Nuggets to the 2023 NBA Championship.  An unlikely success story if there ever was one, Jokic's rise to greatness is one worth taking notice of.  As told in a recent ESPN article written by Ramona Shelborne, his is a tale of tapping into one's fullest potential through encouragement and hard work. 

Ben brings out the best that this case study has to offer as lead basketball analyst for this episode, while Chad "somborly" gives props to the talent that swept his precious Lakers from the playoffs.  The two take their love for basketball and search out the manly model of mastery on display in this superstar's story.  What was the pivotal moment for Jokic's basketball career that catapulted his game to the next level, and how did someone's calling out of his potential factor into that moment?  Where should someone primarily focus to achieve their very best - on the end goal, or on the work it takes to get there?  What kinds of habits ought we to consider when contemplating how God wants to bring the best out of us?   

SHOW NOTES:

ESPN article on Jokic:  A car ride and a Game 7 loss that activated Nikola Jokic into an MVP - ESPN