Manhood Restored

Episode 64 - Scott Rupp and Tim Slye, Guest Convo

Scott Rupp and Tim Slye are the founders of Kingdom Seasonings and Rubs (KSR), an award-winning seasonings company based in Northwest Ohio.  Scott and Tim started KSR as a way to help fund a men's ministry called the Pettisville Man Cave Ministries, which originated as a bible study in Scott's basement.  Man Cave Ministries is now a non-profit organization that counts men from eight different churches and hosts men's conferences with big name speakers such as Darryl Strawberry, Ted DiBiase, and Anthony Munoz. 

Chad mans a top-tier grill and cooks up some tasty talking points for this episode, as Ben plugs in to heat things up with some lean, healthy comments of his own.  The two take a sampling of how these guests have seasoned their local area with the love of Christ.  What are the key components of a men's fellowship group (like Man Cave) that are sorely needed for a man's spiritual life?  How can a group of men who are on fire for Christ work together to make a significant difference in their community?  Where do rubs and smokers and guns fit in with men's ministry, and just what are the secrets to success at KSR?

SHOW NOTES:

Pettisville Man Cave Ministries:  Pettisville Man Cave | Facebook

Kingdom Seasonings & Rubs (order yours today!):  Kingdom Seasonings and Rubs | Facebook         

Find their Vision and Discipleship docs here on  Manhood Restored Website 

Episode 63 - A Leader's Hierarchy of Needs

This groundbreaking new behavioral model, patterned after Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, highlights the importance of such unique character traits as 'doing what you say you're going to do' and 'responding in a timely way.'  Okay, so maybe it's not that groundbreaking; and maybe those aren't (or shouldn't be) unique character traits!  But this behavioral model IS simple and practical.  And isn't 'simple and practical' perfectly-suited for men looking for tools to restore their manhood?

Chad leads the ascent toward actualized achievement in this climbing expedition of an episode, while his co-host, Benu, harnesses his left-brain drive and clings to the crags in the concept.  The two explore the heights of this idea as well as its variety of life applications.  What are some of the simplest, yet most profound things a man can do to attain his highest aspirations?  How can a concept that's designed for leadership in a business setting also work for relationships and faith?  And why is it that some of the easiest concepts to understand are sometimes the hardest to implement?   

SHOW NOTES:

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Maslow's hierarchy of needs - Wikipedia

Ben's Doppelganger:  Manu Ginobili - How Many Rings - Championship Rings

See Leader's Hierarchy of Needs visual: (2) Manhood Restored | Facebook

Episode 62 - Be Thou Salty, O Christian Man

After Christ calls his followers "salt of the earth", he warns against the loss of said saltiness, saying that the flavorless are only good for being "thrown out and trampled underfoot."  Regardless of how one might describe salt--pungent, preservative, potent--it would, based on Christ's words, seem to be a quality critical to the life of a Christian and to that of the Christian Church. 

Chad cooks up a unique recipe in this savory meal of an episode, while Ben minces the ingredients as the sharp-edged sous chef.  The two co-hosts simmer on what it should mean to be a Salty Christian Man.  Is the Christian church today as salty as it ought to be?  What are some examples of men being salty in world?  How can men restore the full flavor of the gospel right in the places where they're planted?

SHOW NOTES:

Rita's Litany from Groundhog Day:  Groundhog Day (1993) - What Rita Wants Scene (3/8) | Movieclips - YouTube

Book Chad quotes twice in episode:  Buy Jesus Shock | Dynamic Catholic

Salty Scripture reference:   Matthew 5:13 NIV - Salt and Light - “You are the salt of - Bible Gateway

Man in the Arena quote:  Quote by Theodore Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man wh...” (goodreads.com)

Jordan Peterson dialogue w/Muslim:  Talking to Muslims About Christ | Mohammed Hijab & Jonathan Pageau | #297 - YouTube

     

Episode 61 - Branden Rushton, Guest Convo

Branden Rushton is the Director of the new Rush Sports Complex in Celina, Ohio, a 65,000 square foot facility designed for high quality sports and fitness programming year-round.  A basketball enthusiast who grew up in Columbus, Ohio, Branden went on to be a four-year starter for the Ohio Northern University basketball team.  After graduating with a degree in business with an emphasis in sports management and data analytics, he has been coaching and training local young athletes.  Most importantly, Branden is a God-fearing man passionate about his walk with Christ as a husband and father of three boys.

Ben puts on the full court press as the lead competitive contrarian for this episode, as Chad tempts the tweeters with his colorful co-host commentary.  The two are all ears for the inside scoop, straight from its creator, on the new athletic facility in town.  What all will be offered at Rush Sports?  Why does Branden feel called to open this new business, and what about his background makes him ready to take on such a risk?  What is the Rush Sports mission and how will it be different in its mentality toward sports?

SHOW NOTES:

Rush Sports website:  Explore Something New - Rush Sports Complex
   

Episode 60 - Hallowpalooza

There is a growing popularity of all things Halloween in today's culture.  Contained within the modern observance of the holiday is everything from the innocuous child's trick-or-treat costume to the gratuitous celebration of the macabre.  Its prevalence--in house/yard decorations, the horror film genre, the haunted houses and cornfields--can hardly be ignored.  Look no further for proof of the trend than the record-setting $10 billion Americans spent on Halloween in 2021.

Ben vants to pluck the stake from his sensitive heart in order to lead a spooky debate: to trick-or-treat, or to not trick-or-treat?  Chad creeps up behind the question and presents his own set of haunting perspectives, as the two evaluate the pros and cons of Halloween and Horror in American culture.  What are the historical origins of this holiday?  For the sake of striking a balance in the culture, where should men draw the line between permissible and problematic when it comes to Halloween?  And how might (if any) the scary and grotesque have a place in the life of a Christian?     

SHOW NOTES:

E. Michael Jones interview:  The Fascinating Rise of the Horror Genre — Culture Wars

History of Halloween referenced in episode:  Halloween: Origins, Meaning & Traditions - HISTORY

Protestant -Catholic comparison of approaches to Halloween:

Catholic:  The (Fake) Pagan History of Halloween | Catholic Answers

Protestant:  Should Christians celebrate Halloween? | GotQuestions.org

Episode 59 - Warring with Emotionality

One of life's inevitabilities is that it will throw you curve balls.  Whether those curve balls come in form of life-altering events or minor annoyances, work stresses or personal trials, they also inevitably produce emotion.  We might not be able to dodge the curve balls, or squelch the emotions that follow, but we can control how those emotions are then acted upon.

Chad takes a long, furrow-browed stare at emotional inevitability as lead for this episode, while Ben plays the psychologizing co-host with a familiar-sounding southern drawl.  The two face up to their general confusion over feelings and discuss how men might better deal with them.  If it is neither good nor bad to experience an emotion, then how do we determine whether or not the emotion can be trusted?  Can feelings lead us astray or betray us?  What are some ways that men can master their emotions, and how can the theological term Joy be a possible solution to emotionality?

SHOW NOTES:

Wheel of Emotion:  ejuktec3mb8wv51i9nlm.png (1202×1198) (d207ibygpg2z1x.cloudfront.net)

Bill Johnson sermon on Joy:  The Power of Choosing Joy | Bill Johnson - Bethel Redding Sermon of the Week | Podcast on Spotify

Peter Kreeft essay on Joy:  Joy by Peter Kreeft

Episode 58 - MAN TALK EDITION - Guest Hosts, Noah Stolly and TC Cipollone

Cheers! to another four-mic, four-man roundtable discussion on a crucial leading question.  Our hosts and guest hosts wrestle with this two-ton topic, each winding down to a conclusion on how they will finally answer the question at hand.  (Listeners, weigh in by emailing [email protected])

Noah Stolly and TC Cipollone are both MIGHTY, devoted fathers.  They also each have very unique and contrasting stories on how they first came to be fathers.  The two guest hosts tell their stories and use their respective experiences to help Ben and Chad pin down the what-abouts of fatherhood.  How does becoming a father change a man?  What is it exactly that a father does that makes his role so critical in the life of a child?  What larger societal impact does a father make by taking, or not taking, the full responsibility of his calling?

SHOW NOTES:

Fatherlessness statistics:  The Extent of Fatherlessness - National Center for Fathering (fathers.com)

Quote in-closing by Noah:  Dads Are Most Ordinary Men - Pam Brown Quotes (themindsjournal.com)

Episode 57 - Cleveland and Conversion, Deshaun and Devotion

Allegiance to a favorite sports team is a complex phenomenon deep in the psyche of a man.  Claiming a team as your "favorite" often starts at the tenderest of ages; following that team closely for years--through star players, through heartbreaks, through championship runs--creates a kind of unique loyalty, one that becomes curiously embedded in a man's identity.  It could even be said to border on devotion.  That's particularly true for a Cleveland Browns fan (Ben).

Ben makes a big announcement as the player-coach/host in this press conference of an episode, while Chad kicks around questions and ideas as the back up to the backup co-host.  The two pull passion for sports teams up by the roots to figure out just how deep the devotion goes for men.  What does it look like to become too personally invested as a fan of your favorite team?  Are there any front office or player actions that should automatically sever your allegiance to a franchise?  What are ways that we can insulate ourselves from letting our fandom slip too easily into fanaticism?          
 

Episode 56 - Defining Christian Masculinity ("with" Brad East)

In an essay titled "On Christian Masculinity", author Brad East makes some thought-provoking arguments about how Christians ought to view masculinity.  In his critique, he sets his sights on books and blogs (and podcasts?) that popularize modern models for manhood, claiming they "turn 'being a man' into a kind of pathology" and too easily dismiss the model for masculinity laid out by Jesus Christ.

Chad turns Chief Editor for this essay critique of an episode, as Ben reverts to his teaching days and breaks out a red pen to markup East's major points.  The two make East their ghost guest and playfully put him (and his ideas) in the dock.  To what extent should the life and example of Jesus Christ serve as a model for what it means to be a man?  Do modern concepts of masculinity diverge from Christian theology?  And can natural, manly virtue be a compliment to holiness?  

SHOW NOTES:

Brad East's Essay:  On “Christian masculinity” — Brad East

Episode 55 - Curtis Hamrick, Guest Convo

Curtis Hamrick is the Executive Director of the Auglaize Mercer Business Education Alliance (AMBE), a non-profit organization that connects local students with local businesses for meaningful career opportunities in the two-county area.  Curtis graduated from Wright State University, spent 20 years as a vocational teacher at various area schools, and was born and raised on a grain farm in Mercer County where he has been a life-long resident.  He's been married to his wife, Kristin, for 15 years, and they have two children.

Chad elects himself Sheriff to enforce the laws of good conversation for this episode, while he hands Ben a badge, deputizing his co-host and calling on him for backup.  The two interrogate their guest, a true Parochial Man, about the benefits of living, working, and raising a family in a small community.  What are some of the cultural contrasts between life in rural Ohio and other more urban areas?  What is the work that AMBE is doing to open the eyes of students, educators, and parents to the career opportunities available locally?  What are some examples of students who've successfully connected to careers in their hometown, and how can parents find out more about those local opportunities for their kids?

SHOW NOTES:

AMBE Website:   About Us | Auglaize Mercer Business Education Alliance (ambealliance.org)

AMBE Facebook:  (19) AMBE Alliance | Facebook

Curtis in the News (Wapak Daily News):  PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions