Thurgood Marshall embodied the highest ideals of justice, equality, and brotherhood. Best known as the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice, his impact reached far beyond the bench. 

After graduating first in his class from law school, Marshall became a leading legal force in the fight against segregation. He argued landmark cases, including Brown v. Board of Education, that transformed American education and civil rights. His legacy is one of courage, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to justice. 

Brother Thurgood Marshall was a member of Coal Creek Lodge No. 88 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. 

(Material from “Fraternal Review” and republished with the consent of The Grand Lodge of Ohio. For more:  www.theresearchlodge.com) 

A supporter of the Masonic Children’s Hospital and founder of the Shine a Ligh7 Foundation, Gopher alum, Olympian, and NHL veteran Paul Martin shares his life journey. 

We discuss the transition from player to coach, the joy of learning new things, gratitude, and the purpose that drives him today. 

Put on your Jofa helmet and pass the Sour Patch Kids, it’s Minnesota Masonic Histories & Mysteries. 

More info: www.shinealigh7.org and www.mhealthfairviewpeds.org

Ahead of this weekend’s Leadership Academy, we welcome Jeff Wiser and discuss a wide range of topics: the power of saying “yes,” navigating advanced cancer, and seizing opportunities in life. 

From the early stages of development to building trust, we break down the lifelong process of pursuing leadership. 

A published author, holder of two patents, and proud alum of Medtronic and 3M, Jeff is a member of Northeast-Winslow Lewis Lodge No. 125 in Osseo, MN.

How do you "get" by giving something up?

Everyone has something in life with which they struggle or need help. Why do we insist on going it alone? This week we sit down with our pal, Sol Ryan, and dig deep into the healing power of sharing our pain, burdens, and challenges with each other. 

“Vulnerability is where the true relationships and true connections happen.” 

Sol Ryan is the President/Co-Founder of Recovery Community Hockey and actively works with several teams in the NHL and NBA to break down barriers to recovery. More info: [email protected] 

Join us for a legend’s journey with the great Doug Campbell. We chat sequential decades of Annual Communications, proficiency of the MN Masonic Code, and the positive power of encouragement to fellow Brothers. 

“The monitor exam…that was the door that opened to all my involvement with Grand Lodge activities. It became a huge part of my life.” 

Long-haul Harley riding, lasting friendships, the secret to memorization, skipping commencement (!), and more. 

A life member of Cataract No. 2, RWB Doug is the Grand Secretary Emeritus of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. He and his wife Patty are proud grandparents and enjoying retired life in South Minneapolis. 

The initiatory process within Freemasonry is a journey of self-discovery. Each degree dispenses a new teaching that can help create a worthy Brother who will positively impact his family, lodge, and community. However, this doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Our true potential can only be reached with significant time, patience, and deliberate application. 

(This article is from the August 2024 Fraternal Review titled, “Rites of Passage and Mature Masculinity.” Go to www.theresearchlodge.com for more) 

There are no strangers in Freemasonry, only friends you’ve yet to meet. This week we have an impromptu chat with Bro. Lewis Bradley about Masonic travel and the lasting impact of a warm welcome. Lewis became a Master Mason in 2024 and shares his journey: relocating from England to Spain, his dad’s professional soccer career, and the joy of making friends for life. 

“You just feel like you belong. At least I certainly do. I instantly felt like I belonged. And from that moment, somebody calls you ‘brother,’ it's real.”

Lewis Bradley hails from Almeria Lodge No. 74 in Turre, Spain. 

The Masonic Lodge is a sacred space where you can feel at home: safe, accepted, and able to talk about anything. Confronting “real life” topics in a Lodge setting requires us to be students of brotherhood.  

Are you feeding your strengths while supporting your brother’s weaknesses?

“Brotherhood is not just an action; it’s a togetherness that is elevated.” 

Bill Schoonover and Ben Lacy are members of St. John’s Lodge No. 1 in Stillwater, MN. 

Pythagoras, the man and myth, was a pioneer. He was the first to call himself a philosopher. He spiritualized mathematics and believed that numbers are the basis of all science and philosophy. He applied mathematics to his studies of geometry, music, and planetary movements. 

“We could think of Pythagoras as a model for modern Freemasons because crying ‘Eureka’ suggests a delight in the discovery of philosophical, moral, and scientific truths.”

But is it possible that our ancient friend and Brother did NOT invent the 47th problem? Brad Phelps joins us to unpack a thought-provoking article by C. Douglas Russell. 

Grab the bread, salt, and wine – we’re delving deeper into some of the more subtle lessons contained within “It’s A Wonderful Life,” an enduringly complex piece of cinema. 

To truly appreciate the meaning of Christmastime, our friend Michael Arce connects several points of the holiday classic with our Masonic core values. 

“Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” 

RW Michael Arce is the host of Craftsmen Online Podcast and a member of Mt. Zion No. 311 (Troy, NY) and St. John’s No. 11 (Washington, DC).