Manhood Restored

Episode 83 -

Almost everything we as a society argue for and argue against depends upon a foundational principle:  that there is such a thing as Objective Truth.  It's a first step before which all other steps depend.  While that principle, for the most part, still carries the day with subjects that pertain to the observable realm (science), when it comes to applying the principle to religious faith or morals, it's a different story.  (Especially if your name is Joe Rogan.) 

Chad Tosses around capital 'T' words with a stickler's pizzaz as lead Truth Teller for this episode, while Buff Ben confidently cruises around in Chad's wake as co-host.  The Two engage (and DEMOLISH!) the error of denying Truth's proper place in the most important debates of our day.  How is avoiding peanuts when you have a peanut allergy like Taking care of a child because you're the child's parent?  What are Two of the most prevalent "escape hatches" in the modern mind when Trying to avoid Truth?  And how can said escape hatches be easily--and embarrassingly--refuted?

SHOW NOTES:

Rev. Calvin Robinson speech:  Rev. Calvin Robinson | Christianity SHOULD NOT allow gay marriage - 6/8 | Oxford Union - YouTube

Clip of Chris Rock bit: (just kidding!)

Deepak Chopra gets owned:  Deepak Chopra gets owned by a Thug - YouTube

Pamphlet by Chris Stefanick:  Absolute Relativism - Real Life Catholic
        

   

Episode 82 -

Dr. Christopher Stroud is a board-certified OB/GYN at the Fertility & Midwifery Care Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which he and his wife started in 2014.  He is trained in a highly specialized, natural form of fertility care called Creighton Model Fertility/NaPro Technology.  Dr. Stroud runs the Holy Family Birth Center in Fort Wayne, which uses an integrated physician-nurse midwife model of care.  He is also the co-host of a nationally known radio show & podcast called "Doctor, Doctor".  He and his wife Marianne have five children and three grandchildren. 

Chad takes responsibility as the fall guy for this men-talking-about-women's-health episode, while Ben loosely associates so as to maintain the safe appearance of neutrality.  The two have to hold their mouths in the closed position for fear of gaping dumbly at all the utterly fascinating insights shared in this interview.  What are some things dads need to know about what their young daughters are going through during their teen years?  How does the Creighton Model Fertility/NaPro Technolgy differ from more traditional approaches to women's health?  In what ways does the use of the pill adversely affect a young woman's future fertility? (And what is Ben's burning question about contraception at the end of the episode?)

SHOW NOTES:

Longer bio for Dr. Stroud:  Dr. Christopher Stroud, Obstetrician/Gynecologist - Fertility & Midwifery Birth Center (fertilityandmidwifery.com)

Dr Stroud tells his conversion story:  Atheist Doctor Becomes Catholic OBGYN and Pregnancy Expert - The Catholic Gentleman

Resources mentioned by Dr. Stroud:

• Creighton Model – Unleashing the power of a woman's cycle
• One More Soul

Dr Stroud's radio show/podcast:  Catholic Medical, Health, and Doctors Podcast and Talk Show - Doctor Doctor Podcast

Episode 81 -

In an age of high slit dresses, low cut tops, and leggings, making an effort toward modesty might simply seem impractical.  Depending on where you look, though, it could be that it's not even a consideration--maybe even in Christian, conservative circles.  What that means for a man and his conscience is one thing.  But what that means for a father raising a daughter?  Well... good luck (is about what it seems)!

Ben buffs up, and shines to a sheen, his various guns as the dad of two daughters for this episode, while Chad innocently stares down the double-barrel topic as co-host.  The two take aim and tear up their target of rallying dads to the protection of their daughters' purity.  How will Chad do in Ben's game, "Should a Dad?"  What are the dynamics at play (for men, in particular) when a female dresses sensually in public?  And what is a father's role when it comes to expectations and parameters for his daughter's way of dressing?   

SHOW NOTES:

Ben's book reference: Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know by Meg Meeker | Goodreads

Episode 80 -

Many, if not most, of the greatest artists of all time were men.  Yet it could be argued that the average man today has distanced himself from much of what could be traditionally called "the arts."  Whether it's making it or appreciating it, things like poetry and painting, crafts and classical music, aren't likely at the top of the list for the manliest activities.  Should that concern men?

Chad channels his chest hair envy and 'leads like a Ross' for this episode, as Ben keeps the beat and plays the p(art) of groovy co-host.  The two take an inward look at their own artlessness and tease out the untapped potential.  What sorts of creative activities qualify as art?  How can art enable us to see deeper into and appreciate the world around us?   And what is lost to us should we forgo the chance to engage in our artistic interests?

SHOW NOTES:

Andrew Peterson book:  Adorning the Dark, a new book by Andrew Peterson

Poem referenced by Chad:  If— by Rudyard Kipling | Poetry Foundation

Cool song by Kings Kaleidescope:  All Glory Be to Christ - Kings Kaleidoscope - YouTube

All The Poets (Peterson song read by Chad at episode's end): All The Poets | Andrew Peterson | Lyric Video - YouTube

Episode 79 -

Aaron Kuhn (back by popular demand) is our first return guest on the podcast! Joining us to take a deep dive on the topic of marriage, he has been working in the field for over 20 years as a licensed mental health and addiction therapist.  He currently provides counseling, including marriage and family, at Counseling & Consulting Services in Celina, Ohio.  Aaron brings years of clinical experience and a firm belief in the institution of marriage to bear on the conversation.

Chad jumps in headfirst as the lead for this interview, eager to ask a million questions (for a friend, of course!).  Ben keeps the pace at a near-20-year marital clip, as the two wind up their guest, set him loose, and are all ears as he goes to town on this topic!  What is "second order change" (as compared to "first order change"), and why is it imperative for healing a hurting marriage?  How can couples deal (or not deal) well with the various life cycles of marriage?  What place does counseling play in working through marital issues, and to what extent is it necessary for all marriages? 

SHOW NOTES:

Aaron's practice:   Aaron Kuhn, LPCC-S - Marriage & Family Therapist in Celina, OH | Healthgrades    

We were privileged to attend the 2023 Northwest Men's Conference (formerly known as the Fort Loramie Men's Conference) in St Henry, Ohio, on Saturday, March 4th.  It was such an inspiring event, seeing over 200 men gathered for an all-day conference to grow in their faith.   

We sat down with Bob Paulus--who's been on the conference planning committee since its earliest days--to talk about the conference's history and mission.

SHOW NOTES:

Conference FB Page: (5) Northwest Men's Conference | Facebook

Episode 78 -

Andrew Tate is an internet sensation whose celebrity status was raised to a new level in 2022, a year that counted him the "most Googled" name.  Tate was a kickboxing champion in the 2010's, but after a short stint on a British reality TV show, quickly became known for his controversial commentary and "ultra-masculine" persona.  That combination of controversy and quick stardom won him many enemies; he soon found himself cancelled on social media and fresh fodder for all manner of media criticism. 

Ben hovers his hand over a hot-button, current headliner as lead critic in this episode, while Chad takes the rare role (for him) of the uncorked droner and co-host.  The two compare two Tate articles and offer their own analysis of this phenomenon.  Should we place the blame at the feet of Tate when young boys act badly in imitation of his influencer antics?  How does Tate's recent conversion to Islam illustrate a unique but common blend of religion and politics?  What does Andrew Tate ultimately signify in our modern cultural context? 

SHOW NOTES:

 Article 1, from Education Week:  Misogynist Influencer Andrew Tate Has Captured Boys' Attention. What Teachers Need to Know (edweek.org)
 
Article 2, from The Free Press:   Embracing Islam to Own the Libs (thefp.com)

Piers Morgan interview:  Andrew Tate vs Piers Morgan | The Full Interview - YouTube

Episode 77 - 

Life-long commitments like marriage and being a Christian are sources of our life’s greatest meaning and joy. Yet they also come with their fair share of difficulty (understatement?).  Life choices of that import, carried forward over time, invariably encounter challenges.  Figuring out, therefore, how to persevere in the face of those challenges is paramount.

Chad takes the lead in this “Life is a Dance” kind of episode.  Ben follows, worming his way into the conversation with the wit of a middle-school math teacher.  The two tango over this all-too-relatable, relational reality.  When it comes to the emotions of love, why doesn’t the early, lovey-dovey stage last?  In what way is the life span of a believer like that which is experienced in a marriage?  How might math equations and story writing help us make better sense of the difficulties we encounter as committed Christians and husbands and wives?    

SHOW NOTES:

Book referenced by Chad:  The Hidden Stream: Mysteries of the Christian Faith by Ronald Knox | Goodreads

Episode 76 -

Michael Foster is the senior pastor at East River Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.  He is the co-author of "It's Good to Be a Man: A Handbook for Godly Masculinity", which was published by Cannon Press in 2022.  He and his wife, Emily, live with their seven children on a small farm in Batavia, Ohio. 

Chad crushes open this episode so as to ingest all that's green and healthy for men, while Ben keeps a quiet eye on the forecast for any ominous signs of storms during this one (not three) hour tour.  The two set sail with their guest into the vast waters of why being a man is indeed good.  How can the differences between men and women be plainly seen in our genetics, and are those stark differences meant for the good?  Why is it important to note that grace builds on nature when considering the goodness of our masculinity?  And what is Gravitas, and how can men get it?   

SHOW NOTES:

Michael's book:  It's Good to Be a Man: A Handbook for Godly Masculinity by Michael Foster | Goodreads

Michael's website:  It's Good to be a Man — Extending God's house & father-rule by helping men to establish their own houses in strength, workmanship & wisdom. (itsgoodtobeaman.com)

Michael on social media:
(20+) It's Good to Be a Man | Facebook
Michael Foster (@thisisfoster) / Twitter

Michael's Substack page:  This is Foster | Michael Foster | Substack

Episode 75 - 

For a populace who loves itself some competition, don't we still find ourselves strangely averse to failure?  The era of participation trophies (is that still a thing?) and 'no child left behind' would indicate we're more willing to work around failing than we are to face it head on.  Yet it is often the case the most successful among us are those who have, in fact, failed a great deal.  The difference is their failure became a catalyst--not a hindrance for--their success.

Ben hoists an anti-trophy for the triumphs of failure as lead on this episode, while Chad valiantly participates (hoping for a green ribbon?) as co-host.  The two talk through how failure has influenced their own lives and explore ways to better leverage failure in the future.  What are some examples of competencies that are most suitably attained through trial and error?  What is it about failing that teaches a greater lesson than being sheltered from it?  And how can fathers become better mentors to those in their charge?