Should alcohol be prohibited in Masonic lodges?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, I return after being away for about a month, and we have a lot to catch up on over the next few episodes.

First, we get into the origins of the burpee.

Where did burpees come from?
Who invented them?
Why are they still used as a brutal test of conditioning, discipline, and effort?

Then Brother Garrett talks about his Masonic journey so far.

Because he is both a journalist and a law student, it was interesting to hear his take on recent Grand Lodge legislation involving virtual stated meetings and the proposal to prohibit alcohol in lodges.

And yes, my first reaction was:

What the hell?

This episode solves one Masonic Muscle problem:

How can Masons think clearly about lodge legislation, tradition, alcohol, virtual meetings, and physical discipline without reacting emotionally or blindly accepting every proposal?

We discuss:

• oming back after a month away
• the origins of the burpee
• who invented burpees
• conditioning, discipline, and effort
• Brother Garrett’s Masonic journey
• Grand Lodge legislation
• virtual stated meetings
• alcohol in Masonic lodges
• whether alcohol should be prohibited
• how Masons should evaluate proposed laws
• why legal thinking and Masonic thinking both require discipline

The key issue is not just alcohol.

The key issue is whether Masons understand how legislation changes lodge culture.

Every rule teaches something.
Every restriction changes behavior.
Every law shapes the lodge.

So before Masons vote, complain, cheer, or panic, they need to ask better questions:

What problem is this legislation trying to solve?
Is it solving the real problem?
What are the unintended consequences?
Does it strengthen the lodge or weaken it?
Does it preserve discipline or replace judgment with regulation?

That is the conversation worth having.

Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, fitness transformation story, or research lead?

Write to me at:

[email protected]

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Share this episode with one Brother who needs to read the legislation before yelling about it.

Is Freemasonry dying — or is it refining?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, I continue breaking down Brother Robert H. Johnson’s article:

“Freemasonry Isn’t Dying, It’s Refining.”

Brother Johnson, creator of the Whence Came You? podcast, makes strong observations about the state of the Craft, Masonic decline, lodge health, and what must be done if Freemasonry is going to remain meaningful.

This is not the first time a Mason has given us a kind of State of the Lodge Address.

The real question is:

Are we going to listen this time?

This episode solves one Masonic problem:

How can Masons move from complaining about the state of the Craft to actually doing the work required to improve it?

We discuss:

• Robert H. Johnson’s article “Freemasonry Isn’t Dying, It’s Refining”
• the Whence Came You? podcast
• the state of the Craft
• Masonic decline and lodge health
• why honest criticism is not negativity
• past “State of the Lodge” warnings
• what Masons must do to make things better
• why lodges need action, not excuses
• physical strength and mental fortitude
• exploring the mysterious origins of Freemasonry one degree at a time

Masonic Muscle focuses on helping Masons build physical strength and mental fortitude so they can explore the mysterious origins of Freemasonry one degree at a time.

We give you more light — but no light weights.

Pumping you up body, mind, and soul.

If you have a question, want to come on the show, or want to share your thoughts on whether Freemasonry is dying, surviving, thriving, or refining, write to me at:

[email protected]

Follow Masonic Muscle on Instagram:

@masonicmuscle

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Subscribe and follow Masonic Muscle on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Now do me a favor: work out your biceps until they are almost bursting, then hit that subscribe button in one smooth motion and share this episode with a Brother who still believes the Craft is worth building.

What are the secrets of exercise?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, I read part of an article on the Secrets of Exercise and discuss what real training looks like when a man is trying to strengthen his body, mind, and discipline.

Then I talk about my interview with Keepers of the Word and Mike Quintal. We had a great conversation, learned more about each other, and I even turned the tables for a while by becoming the host and asking Mike questions about Freemasonry.

The interview is scheduled to come out next week.

Keepers of the Word has been described by Michael Quintal as an esoteric discussion podcast whose hosts “just happen to all be Masons,” and the project has grown into one of the more visible Masonic/esoteric media platforms online.

This episode solves one Masonic Muscle problem:

How can Masons strengthen the body and mind while also building better conversations with other serious Masonic creators?

We discuss:

• the secrets of exercise
• motivation, effort, and discipline
• weightlifting, squats, and training consistency
• strengthening the body, mind, and soul
• Jack LaLanne-style physical responsibility
• my interview with Keepers of the Word
• Mike Quintal and Masonic conversation
• whether Freemasonry is dying, surviving, or thriving
• why Masons need stronger conversations and better questions
• Exercise is not complicated.

  But it is demanding.

  You have to show up.
  You have to put in effort.
  You have to stop making excuses.
  You have to train your body and your mind.

  Freemasonry works the same way.

  A man cannot become better by listening only. He has to act. He has to study. He has to train. He has to ask better questions and surround himself with men who make him think harder.

  Write to me and tell me:

Do you think Freemasonry is dying, surviving, or thriving — and why?

Email:

[email protected]

Follow Masonic Muscle on Instagram:

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Subscribe and follow Masonic Muscle on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can find Keepers of the Word on YouTube here:

Is Freemasonry dying — or is it refining?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, I continue breaking down Brother Robert H. Johnson’s article:

“Freemasonry Isn’t Dying, It’s Refining”
from The Midnight Freemasons.

This is Part 2 of the discussion, and the question gets sharper:

Are Masons being negative when they talk honestly about membership decline, weak participation, and the state of the Craft?

Or are we supposed to sweep the facts under the rug, pretend nothing is happening, and keep repeating the same comfortable slogans?

This episode solves one Masonic problem:

How can Masons face hard facts about the fraternity without becoming negative, hopeless, or dishonest?

We discuss:

• Robert H. Johnson’s article “Freemasonry Isn’t Dying, It’s Refining”
• The Midnight Freemasons
• Masonic decline and membership concerns
• whether honest discussion is “negative”
• why facts should not frighten serious Masons
• why pretending everything is fine does not fix anything
• dedication, effort, hard work, progress, habits, merit, study, and memory
• why Freemasonry must be refined by discipline, not protected by denial

Then we bring it back to the iron.

I read another article from Bill Hinbern’s Super Strength Training called “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.”

That applies to Masonry too.

Not every problem deserves panic.
Not every criticism is an attack.
Not every decline means death.
Not every hard fact is negativity.

But ignoring reality is weakness.

Freemasonry does not need men who panic.
It does not need men who pretend.

It needs men who can look at the facts, keep their discipline, and do the work.

Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, fitness transformation story, or research lead?

Write to me at:

[email protected]

Follow Masonic Muscle on Instagram:

@masonicmuscle

Follow Masonic Muscle on Facebook.

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Share this episode with one Brother who can handle the facts.

Is Freemasonry dying — or is it refining?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, I read and discuss an article by Robert H. Johnson, Past Master, creator of the Whence Came You? Podcast, and Managing Editor of The Midnight Freemasons blog.

The article is titled:

“Freemasonry Isn’t Dying, It’s Refining.”

Brother Johnson looks at statistics, articles, and observations about the decline of Freemasonry and asks whether the Craft is truly dying — or whether it is being reduced, tested, and refined into something stronger.

This episode solves one Masonic problem:

How should Masons understand declining membership without panicking, denying reality, or lowering standards just to fill seats?

We discuss:

• Robert H. Johnson
• Whence Came You? Podcast
• The Midnight Freemasons
• Masonic membership decline
• whether Freemasonry is dying or refining
• what declining numbers may actually mean
• why panic is not a strategy
• why lower standards will not save the Craft
• why quality may matter more than quantity
• what modern lodges should learn from the data
• Then we bring it back to the body.

  I read from Bill Hinbern’s Super Strength Training material on the boxer’s workout. Many boxers have used weights, including Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, and boxers remain some of the best-conditioned athletes on the planet.

  That connection matters.

  A boxer is refined through pressure, discipline, conditioning, repetition, and pain.

  Maybe Freemasonry is going through something similar.

  The weak habits get exposed.
  The soft thinking gets tested.
  The empty lodges get revealed.
  The serious Brothers have to decide what kind of Craft they are willing to build.

Freemasonry does not need panic.

It needs discipline.

Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, fitness transformation story, or research lead?

Write to me at:

[email protected]

Follow Masonic Muscle on Instagram:

@masonicmuscle

Follow Masonic Muscle on Facebook.

Subscribe and follow Masonic Muscle on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Share this episode with one Brother who thinks the Craft is worth refining.

What happens when Masons stop treating Freemasonry like a social club and start asking deeper questions?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, we discuss North Carolina Masonic Con, esoteric Freemasonry, Masonic education, and the need for Brothers to go deeper into the symbols, history, ritual, and philosophy of the Craft.

This episode solves one Masonic problem: how can modern Masons move beyond surface-level lodge culture and recover serious study?

Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, or research lead?
Write to me at [email protected].

Could Benedictine monks have played a role in the early development of Masonry in Britain? In this episode, I read and discuss Brother Jack Nichols Mogas’ article from The Philalethes Masonic Journal, originally presented to A. Douglas Smith Jr. Lodge of Research.

The article raises a serious question: did Benedict Biscop and early monastic building programs help bring skilled stone masons, architects, and craftsmen into Britain in a way that later influenced Masonic development? This is not proof. It is a theory. But it is one worth examining because Freemasonry did not appear out of thin air.

Write to me at [email protected] and send me your best source on monastic influence, medieval builders, or the origins of Freemasonry.

What should Masons expect at Masonic Con?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, I preview Masonic Con, taking place July 22–24, and talk about what Brothers can expect from one of the most interesting Masonic education events of the year.

Masonic Con brings together Masonic authors, researchers, speakers, podcasters, and Brothers from across the country to discuss Freemasonry, history, symbolism, education, research, philosophy, and lodge culture.

I also discuss being selected to sit on one of the panels alongside Robert Johnson, creator of the Whence Came You podcast, who recently celebrated ten years of episodes.

This episode solves one Masonic problem:

How can Masons find serious education, better conversations, and a wider community beyond their own lodge room?

We discuss:

• what to expect at Masonic Con
• Masonic authors and researchers
• Masonic podcasting
• panel discussions
• Whence Came You and Robert Johnson
• why events like this matter for Masonic education
• how Brothers can find more light outside their local lodge
• why serious Masonic conversations need real rooms, real people, and real work

For more information about the event, visit:

Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, or research lead?

Write to me at:
[email protected]

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@masonicmuscle

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Subscribe to Masonic Muscle, share this episode with one Brother, and help build a searchable Masonic education archive for the Craft.

Why does the Trivium Discussion Group work?

In this episode of Masonic Muscle, we examine why the Trivium Discussion Group has become such a valuable, effective, and profound tool for Masonic education, lodge culture, and serious conversation.

The Trivium — grammar, logic, and rhetoric — is not just an old educational model. Properly practiced, it teaches men how to define terms, organize thoughts, test ideas, listen carefully, disagree respectfully, and communicate with more precision.

That matters because too many conversations today are shallow, emotional, reactive, and sloppy.

This episode solves one Masonic problem:

How can a lodge create better conversations that sharpen men instead of just filling time?

We discuss:

• the value of the Trivium Discussion Group
• grammar, logic, and rhetoric
• why defining terms matters
• how structured discussion improves Masonic education
• how prospects and Brothers can learn together
• why respectful disagreement builds stronger bonds
• how a lodge can become a place of real intellectual labor
• why Masonic education should teach men how to think, not just what to repeat

A strong lodge does not only need good ritual.

It needs men who can think, speak, listen, question, and reason.

That is what the Trivium Discussion Group is trying to build.

Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, or research lead?

Write to me at:
[email protected]

Follow Masonic Muscle on Instagram:
@masonicmuscle

Follow Masonic Muscle on Facebook.

Subscribe to Masonic Muscle, share this episode with one Brother, and help build a searchable Masonic education archive for the Craft.

What does the Fourth of July really mean?

In MM EP 70 of Masonic Muscle, we go deeper into July 4th, sovereignty, self-reliance, founding documents, Freemasonry, money, war, and the possibility that George Washington may have used the Masonic lodge system as a network to pass information.

We also talk about the oldest whiskey distillery in the United States, because apparently this episode needed freedom, secret networks, war finance, and whiskey.

This episode solves one Masonic Muscle problem:

How can Masons talk about freedom, sovereignty, and American independence without reducing July 4th to fireworks, slogans, and one day of shallow celebration?

We discuss:

• the deeper meaning of July 4th
• sovereignty and self-reliance
• the Declaration of Independence
• founding documents of freedom
• George Washington and possible Masonic communication networks
• whether lodges helped move information
• colonies, war, spies, and secret correspondence
• money, debt, finance, and warfare
• the fall of Sparta
• alliances, weapons, clothing, training, and military logistics
• who pays back the debt after war
• America’s oldest whiskey distillery
• MasonicCon at South Pasadena Lodge No. 290

Too many Americans take freedom for granted.

Too many Masons do the same.

We give the Fourth of July one day, eat food, watch fireworks, say the word freedom a few times, and move on. But if we really believe in liberty, sovereignty, self-reliance, and responsibility, then we should know the documents, the sacrifices, the arguments, the economics, and the systems that made independence possible.

Freedom is not free.

But it is also not maintained by slogans.

It requires knowledge.
It requires discipline.
It requires memory.
It requires men who understand what they inherited.

MasonicCon is July 22–24 at South Pasadena Lodge No. 290. Get your tickets and join us for one of the strongest Masonic events in Southern California.

Have a Masonic question, old document, origin theory, book recommendation, lodge problem, fitness transformation story, or thought on July 4th and sovereignty?

Write to me at:

[email protected]

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@masonicmuscle

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