Three Dogs North

In this episode, the dogs talk about their recent meet-up at Rob’s parish (01:00). The dogs gush over Rob (9:00), Mike cries at a wedding (2:20), and Connor shares a childhood story about his dad (5:50). They discuss the best video games from when they were kids (11:50), which leads to a discussion of dopamine culture (23:45). Connor closes out with parenting insights from Dr. Becky (38:30) and how to “sit in the tension” of being human with Jesus (41:00).

“High fives all around for friendship.” (Rob, 4:20)

“Rob’s a really good priest.” (Mike, 9:00)

“I wish I could cry.” (Connor, 10:15)

“I would be ready and willing to accept from God a life of suffering.” (Connor, 28:00)

“Being grown-up is being willing to be interrupted and be put-upon.” (Connor, 30:45)

“Here is a man that words cannot describe. Death could not defeat him nor toil dismay him. He did not fear death, nor did he refuse to live.” (Breviary, 36:45)

“Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.” (Psalm 24, 38:00)

“Sitting in the tension of the longing is one of the most frustrating things about being a person.” (Connor, 40:40)

“The only way to Heaven is, we have to die.” (Connor, 41:41)

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21, 42:00)

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In this episode, the dogs welcome Mike back to the states (01:05), Rob visits an older priest with a friend (13:40), and Connor shares his summer reading (16:55). They all talk about coming to terms with aging (28:05) and the inspirational people they love who have aged with grace (32:50).

“I try to integrate and circulate each day.” (Connor, 1:47)

“It’s an aspirational thing, to be able to look back at life and realize, ‘God is the author of that story.”’ (Rob, 16:35)

“It’s something really beautiful because he’s allowing himself to be pierced by reality.” (Connor, 20:55)

“John Paull II, the way that he entered into eternal life, it was a real example of how to die well… He kept coming out and being a father and loving on people until the day he died. That’s how you do that.” (Mike, 25:10)

“I am both the one choosing, but I’m also being chosen… God’s choice of me is the one truth that can always be relied on.” (Connor, 31:10)

“Life has continued to get richer… There’s a hope in me that will continue.” (Rob, 37:55)

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In this episode, the dogs catch up and reminisce (4:00) before a long summer break from the pod. Connor shares his new assignment at Mundelein (10:50) and Mike discusses his new position (26:53). They all speak about finding their identity in Jesus (35:00), especially in times of transition. They stress the importance of vulnerability (20:22) and surrender (23:25) for living a life of true freedom.

“I’m more into being than doing.” (Connor, 13:47)

“The priesthood is an identity, it’s not a job.” (Connor, 13:47)

“You’re a Christian with people and you’re a priest for people.” (Mike quoting Barron quoting Augustine, 19:20)

“I’m not excited, but I feel the capacity to go and give myself to it in a faithful way… That’s what freedom looks like.” (Rob, 19:40)

“You have to choose vulnerability in life. You have to consistently choose that.” (Rob, 20:10)

“I’ve been given this gift of priesthood and that’s why I have the capacity to interact in these ways with you.” (Rob, 21:00)

“I am not what I do.” (Connor, 23:55)

“The three people who don’t leave me are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” (Rob quoting Bremer, 26:26)

“The reality of my priesthood is not just a collar that I put on and off. It’s something that I believe Christ marked in my heart forever, so that no matter what I’m doing, I’m still doing chaplain stuff.” (Mike, 29:11)

“There’s no need to justify my existence.” (Mike, 30:40)

“God didn’t create us because he needed some outcomes from us. He made us so we could be in relationship.” (Connor, 35:10)

“When I treat myself as someone who matters, then I start doing what I want…. which is often, things that are generous.” (Connor, 36:00)

“The cult of busyness is selfish.” (Connor, 39:57)

“I feel totally loved and secure in who I am, so I want to share it.” (Connor, 40:00)

“Charitas Christi Urget Nos (The Love of Christ Urges Us Forward).” (42:00)

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In this episode, the dogs convene at Rob’s request (3:55) to talk about science fiction (4:39) and what’s so attractive about stories with a prophecy (13:50). Connor describes the new stained glass windows at Newman (20:00) and they all piece together “Main Character Energy” (22:19).

“The narrative form of the gospel is really important and actually tells a way better story than anything else that’s being offered.” (Rob, 16:29)

“You are made for something huge, but you have to go small in order for God to work through you.” (Mike, 18:00)

“There is a time when all of this will be in it’s fullness, all in all, unadulterated by sin and pettiness and death.” (Connor, 21:31)

“I’m going somewhere and that’s what’s making the now so beautiful.” (Connor, 25:30)

“The peace of Christ is available now.” (Mike, 26:05)

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In this episode, the dogs discuss whether there are any once in a lifetime experiences (2:50). Rob admits to his own FOMO (3:00), Mike revisits an enchanted moment from Bethlehem (13:52), and Connor describes living in the eternal reality of the sacramental worldview (16:30). They all reminisce (21:00) with hopeful longing (23:58).

“Each moment has its own unique flavor.” (Mike, 8:15)

“There’s gonna be another day, another enchanted moment, because the world is sacramental.” (Rob, 12:40)

“The sacramental reality is eternal.” (Connor, 16:30)

“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” (Rob quoting Andy Bernard, 18:15)

“Here’s the thing, nobody cares.” (Rob, 18:50)

“It feels like it would be insanely ungrateful to be sad it’s over; it was so full.” (Connor quoting Bartosic, 19:45)

“Sometimes… on real cold nights… when I get into bed I will lean over to my wife and say, ‘I’m glad I’m not in Bastogne.”‘ (Connor quoting Band of Brothers Ep.6, 23:00)

“The sacramental worldview allows you to always return to the rock of grace.” (Mike, 23:52)

“Those moments of real encounter with Christ, they are now.” (Mike, 24:00)

“The destination is a person.” (Connor, 25:20)

“He’s drawing everything up into eternity with him.” (Connor, 25:50)

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In this episode, the dogs return to a previous discussion on parenting and control (5:00). Mike looks for Yao Ming in the California Redwoods (1:49), Connor reminds us just how useful childhood confirmation class was (17:35), and Rob jumps ship (14:57) twice (26:49).

“They (children) have this compass inside of them that I can’t read for them; I have to love them into reading it themselves and God will guide them.” (Connor, 8:20)

“As a parent, your desire is to educate their freedom.” (Mike, 10:40)

“I was a martyr for the truth.” (Connor, 11:35)

“I’m the perfection of virtue.” (Rob, 14:52)

“What we are talking about is this long slow road toward wholeness and integrity, which is experiencing God’s love and our own goodness in his eyes even in the midst of our imperfections.” (Connor, 21:00)

“As parents you do have to form your children.” (Mike, 23:20)

“Everyone as a free person is responsible for their own life, including your child.” (Connor, 24:30)

“Jesus is never controlling anyone.” (Connor, 29:36)

“Only God can save us. Real peace and real justice comes from total surrender.” (Connor, 30:30)

“We enter into God’s will in the measure that we surrender a perceived result.” (Connor, 32:40)

“Life, when you abandon yourself to it, is not the prosperity gospel.” (Mike, 35:27)

“What my dad and my mom mirrored for me, was reality, which is God.” (Mike, 36:20)

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In this episode, the dogs discuss what it means to live with integrity (0:44). Rob opens by bringing up Bobby Jones’ loss in the 1925 U.S. Open (1:00), Mike gets a little heretical (10:10), and Connor experiences some technical difficulties (15:15). They close by reflecting on representations of integrity in various films (28:22).

“It’s just you have no integrity. That’s the worst thing I could say about anybody.” (from Calvary, 3:55)

“Integrity is a result of a life lived in truth.” (Connor, 5:05)

“Beauty is the manifestation of truth.” (from Denis McNamara 3DN S11 E12, 5:16)

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:19, 9:10)

“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” (from The Sandlot, 12:10)

“Real integrity, you can tell has been cultivated over a lifetime.” (Connor, 16:30)

“A good friend is not a conspirator in our vices.” (Mike quoting a friend, 20:50)

“You’re going to get the work done of one person because you’re one person.” (Connor, 25:45)

“God does manifest his glory through human creativity, but it’s not through the grind.” (Connor, 27:10)

“What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Matthew 16:26, 31:30)

“When a man takes an oath, he’s holding his own self in his own hands like water, and if he opens his fingers then, he needn’t hope to find himself again.” (from A Man for All Seasons, 34:06)

“If you aim at the truth, at Jesus….. you become yourself.” (Connor 36:00)

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In this episode, the dogs talk about Mike’s future as a Jumpmaster (00:27), the start of the school year at UIC (13:13), and the difference between managers and leaders (19:00). Connor comes up with a new parable for the Gospel of Luke (27:00) and The Simpsons is referenced (35:58), twice (41:08).

“Leaders lead from the front.” (Mike, 7:05)

“I’m the go-to guy… not because it’s “Mike”, but because it’s “Father”, which is always a humbling reality.” (Mike, 9:28)

“Manage to maintain vs actually drive a mission; that’s the difference between a leader and a manager.” (Rob on leadership, 10:45)

“Aim small, miss small.” (Connor, 13:50)

“Jesus is my ultimate horizon.” (Connor 18:20)

“If you’re in communion with the Father then you have his vision, the divine perspective.” (Mike, 23:00)

“I want to help my people to become fully who they were created to be.” (Mike, 25:35)

“People who are holy, whether or not publicly recognized by the church as saints, keep the world from turning into hell.” (Connor quoting Cardinal George, 28:29)

“Life is a moment by moment expression of your identity.” (Connor quoting Whitfield, 30:10)

“Most of us live as if we’re going somewhere, not as if we’ve arrived.” (Connor, 31:10)

“That’s the whole point of Moby Dick. Lisa, the point of Moby Dick is be yourself.” (Rob quoting The Simpsons, 36:02)

“The present is the place where infinite love finds its rays of glory.” (Mike quoting Lewis, 37:20)

“The cemetery is full of indispensable people” (Connor, 42:40)

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In this episode, the dogs discuss meekness (6:14) and the positive masculine virtues (2:45). Rob gives some historical context (6:14), Mike dodges deciding whether his dad is meek (9:11), and Connor shares a time when he’s seen men misuse their masculinity to diminish others (13:45). Lastly, they look to the saints (17:36) to better understand what it means to be formed by the Father’s love (26:50).

“Sir, my job is to hold back your testosterone.” (Mike quoting Bliese, 1:50)

“When there is a father present, it brings about the masculine virtues in a positive way.” (Rob, 2:45)

“JPII is like Batman.” (Connor 18:45)

“St. Francis swung the whole world around like a trinket at his wrist.” (Connor on St. Francis, 19:37)

“I would have caused World War III. 100%.” (Mike, 23:00)

“What John Paul II is grieving there is something so sublime. It’s beyond anything you can put into words.” (Connor, 23:30)

“His dad’s hidden love (JPII’s), has now played a part in this great revelation of God’s love for the world.” (Mike, 25:00)

“The holy spirit works in these totally hidden ways.” (Connor, 29:00)

“You don’t have to create an experience or manufacture it. It’s this inexorable unfolding of the kingdom that’s happening and we get to cooperate with it.” (Connor, 29:34)

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In this episode, the dogs discuss The Simpsons (0:50), Edith Stein’s feast day (4:05), and phenomenology philosophy (7:30). Mike names a new female doctor of the church (14:00) and speaks definitively on anthropology (17:40). They close out by sharing how to practically live in relationship with Jesus, as Stein says, in the “kern” (20:00).

“Come, Rosa, we’re going for our people.” (quote from Edith Stein, 10:20)

“It just blew her away that Catholics could come and talk to a personal God when they were out shopping.” (Rob, 11:25)

“You are tarnishing your voting record right now. I question everything about your character.” (Rob about Connor, 15:27)

“She has the most precise and correct anthropology of anybody who has ever existed.” (Mike about Stein, 17:25)

“You can see the harmony that exists between the physical body and the actual eternal soul. The way she (Stein) unites the two together is just true.” (Mike, 19:25)

“What is the human person? Is loved by God.” (Mike summarizing Stein, 20:30)

“The cross is the revelation of God’s love.” (Mike, 20:50)

“The body is the physical expression of the eternal invisible soul.” (Mike, 21:34)

“Fear is almost always a useless emotion. The truth is that we are always safe, because we are always a beloved child of God.” (Connor, 23:10)

“It’s not selfish to be aware of my heart’s reactions to things and to be aware of my inner life more, because that’s the only way I can share it with God.” (Connor, 24:40)

“It’s tough to study Edith Stein without also growing in holiness.” (Mike, 26:11)

“In what part of reality are you living?” (Mike, 26:40)

“Experience it (darkness) not as a wall, but as a threshold.” (Rob, 28:40)

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