Three Dogs North

In this episode, the dogs talk about being attentive to the "right things" (9:10). Michael Metz offers a tutorial on the art of pranking (23:45), and Connor shares how naming what is true helps him find peace in frustrating circumstances (35:30).

Quotes:

"You gotta know when to win." (Rob quoting Doug Johnson, 3:55)

"I'm at that stage in my life where I keep myself out of unnecessary arguments, so, even if you tell me 1+1=5, you're absolutely correct, enjoy." (Connor quoting Keanu Reeves, 4:45)

"What do I attend to and why?" (Michael Metz, 11:00)

“His (Justin's) high philosophy was answered by the simplicity of the humanity of Christ.” (Michael Metz, 26:35)

“We need to live in the truth; our consciences demand it.” (Connor, 27:10)

“There’s something in us that wants to live the lie that we can be something else.” (Connor, 27:55)

“The will of God is the current circumstances you find yourself in; living holiness is accepting that.” (Connor summarizing Ciszeck, 28:05)

“It is good that I am here and God is here sustaining me and strengthening me to do his will, whatever it may be.” (Connor, 29:20)

"I really enjoy golf course confrontation." (Rob quoting Michael Metz, 37:30)

Media Mentions:

• Three Dogs North S11 E76- Soft boys
• Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote
• WarGames (1983)- "The only winning move is not to play."
• Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
• The Matrix (1999)
• Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises
• Arthur C. Brooks' From Strength to Strength
• Fr. Walter Ciszek's He Leadeth Me

References: 

• META
• Facebook
• Akedo
• ChatGPT
• YouTube
• Matthew Broderick
• Neo
• The Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF)
• Trinity Sunday 2026
• Memphis
• Justin Martyr (Justin the Philosopher)
• Junius Rusticus
• The Battle of the Bulge
• Chicago
• Wordpress
• Jiu-Jitsu
• Bruce Lee

Shout-Outs:

• Walter
• Doug Johnson

Glossary:

• Murder- group of crows
• Aboriginal Vicar of Christ- voice of God speaking directly inside us
• Impassible- incapable of suffering pain
• Immutable- unchanging
• Pantsing- pull down someone's pants (prank)
• Tabletopping- when someone is tripped backward by a person crouching behind them (prank)

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In this episode, the dogs discuss Pope Leo's encyclical (1:00) and the inherent sacredness of the human face and voice (7:05). Michael Metz recounts his ongoing battle with META (13:55), Connor reflects on how Jesus' humanity was formed through his relationship with his mother (19:28), and Rob gives a brief lesson on soteriology (30:00).

Quotes:

“It’s inherently relational (our face and voice), they express us most authentically but they are also invisible to us except in relationship to someone else looking at us and listening to us.” (Connor, 7:55)

"We are all born into the world looking for someone looking for us." (Connor quoting Curt Thompson, 18:15). 

“Jesus’ humanity was formed by Mary not just biologically but psychologically.” (Connor, 19:30)

"To be human is relational.” (Connor, 20:05)

Media Mentions:

• Ezekiel 36:26 "I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh"
• Pope Leo XIV's Magnifica Humanitas
• Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum
• John Paul II Gift and Mystery
• C.S. Lewis' That Hideous Strength
• Mumford & Sons' The Cave
• Joseph Ratzinger's Jesus of Nazareth
• The Chosen
• Armageddon (1998)
• Men in Black (1997)
• C.S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces
• The Dark Knight (2008)
• J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring ("Not all who wander are lost.")

References: 

• The Postal Service
• Death Cab for Cutie
• Ben Gifford
• Jimmy Tamborello
• Netflix
• Facebook
• META
• Dante Alighieri
• Tronick's Still Face Experiment
• Mary
• St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Glossary:

• Soteriology: "What is not assumed cannot be saved"
• Palagianism

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In this episode, the dogs discuss the power of good stories (15:40) and how they can help us make sense of our own lives (36:00). Mike reflects on what can be both consoling and frustrating about belonging to large institutions (18:30).

Quotes:
"Culture is what is celebrated, tolerated, and presumed." (Connor quoting Dr. Henry Cloud, 28:00)

"It's way easier to destroy things than build them." (Connor, 32:30)

"The power of narrative helps me see how deeply meaningful this life is." (Rob, 36:10)

Media Mentions:

• Shadow Force (2025)
• Avengers
• Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop
• J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

References: 

• Toulouse, France
• Chicago, IL
• 2012 SEC Championship Game
• T.J. Yeldon
• Trent Richardson
• Derrick Henry
• Alec Ogletree
• Georgia Bulldogs
• Alabama Crimson Tide
• The Big Ten
• White Claw
• Bishop Robert Barron
• Bishop Louis William Valnetine DuBourg (1766- 1833)
• Louisiana Purchase
• Bishop John Carroll (1735- 1815)
• Boston, MA
• Philadelphia, PA
• New York, NY
• Bardstown, Kentucky
• Napoleon
• St. Louis, MO
• Sir Ernest Shackleton
• St. John Neumann (1811- 1860)
• St. Dominic
• St. Francis
• Tom Cruise
• The Dominican Order
• Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
• St. John Paul II Newman Center
• Michelle Duppong
• FOCUS
• Blessed Chiara Badano
• NASA
• The Apollo Program

Shout-Outs:

• Pat Metz
• Rebecca Berry
• Ben
• Brother Francisco
• Emilie Ann Poletti 
• Kevin Metz

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In this episode, the dogs record their final in-person cast from Maryville (00:08). The guys reflect with gratitude on the trip (3:50) and discuss how joyful it is when different parts of your life intersect (8:10). They also share their experience visiting some of Rob's parishioners (31:40) and discuss "the power of comedic melancholy" (47:30). The episode concludes with their highs, lows, and God moments from the overall trip (48:40). 

Emilie Ann Poletti passed away on May 23, 2026. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for those who mourn her passing.

Quotes:

"It grows gratitude in me when people from difference chapters of my life can meet each other.” (Rob, 4:30)

“You get this unique part of a person when you are around people that know them from a different lense.” (Rob, 5:05)

“They’re part of your life, so we want to know them.” (Rob quoting Emily Hennish, 7:10)

"It’s kind of a way to build up the kingdom of God and see the embers get together and create fire, it’s really beautiful.” (Michael Metz, 8:35)

“If you have this lady praying for you, you’ve got your butt dipped in butter.” (Connor quoting other priests, 10:40)

"I should find friendship upon the way, secret and unlooked for." (Elrond in The Fellowship of the Ring, 15:50)

“Christ can call us to the hard good over the easy lie." (Michael Metz, 18:00)

“As Christians, it’s so important for us to pursue joy.” (Michael Metz, 19:10)

“The crosses that come in life are also unlooked for.” (Connor, 22:40)

“Heaven is just wherever Jesus is.” (Connor quoting Rob, 22:50)

“I can just be a gift. I don’t have to do anything to make that happen.” (Connor, 31:50)

"The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I've ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was just the pleasure of feeling the stuff peel off." (Eustice from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, 36:30)

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” (Viktor E. Frankl, 38:00)

“Life is so full and so rich.” (Rob, 1:00:10)

Media Mentions:

• J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings
• 3DN S11 E70 (live)- Fire! and Friendship
• St. John of the Cross' Dark Night of the Soul
• C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia
• Thomas Nagel's The View from Nowhere
• Walker Percy's "Loss of the Creature"
• Matthew 18:20
• 3DN S11 E73- Cultivating an openness to epiphany

References: 

• FOCUS
• Lincoln, Nebraska
• Walter
• Bishop Mark Bartosic
• Sea of Galilee
• The Holy Family
• St. Joseph the Worker
• 82nd Airborne Division
• WWII
• Blessed Chiara Badano
• The Oh Hellos
• Chicago
• IPF
• Jiminy Cricket
• Tinker Bell
• Brave
• William Shakespeare (April 23, 1564- April 23, 1616)
• Adolf Hitler
• Columbine (April 20, 1999)
• Maryville, IL
• Cardinals baseball
• Illinois Fighting Illini
• Keaton Wagler

Shout-Outs:

• Matthew and Maggie Truty
• Drew and Emily Hennish
• Mary Margaret Metz
• Charlie
• Emilie
• Joe

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In this episode, the dogs continue their in-person visit in Maryville, Illinois (00:13). They discuss how the trip is going so far (2:30) and swap stories from trips to Alaska (9:50), Lyon (24:30), Paris (29:40), and elsewhere. Michael Metz frames the discussion around the difference between approaching travel with authentic receptivity versus consumerist self-indulgence (13:10), setting the stage for reflections on leisure (14:50) and the nature of authentic self-care (21:15). 

Quotes:

“Who I am is a gift; to God, and to myself, and to other people.” (Connor, 17:18)

“Every baptized person is bringing the light of Christ wherever they go.” (Connor, 20:20)

"My take on reality is so tiny and yet I have access to the totality in God.” (Connor, 28:00)

“... It’s not through transcending our humanity that we then feel full; it’s through recognizing our limitedness and embracing it. Where is the glory? It’s in the simple encounter.” (Connor, 29:00)

Media Mentions:

• Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
• 3DN S3 E1 "The one where the sound is better." 
• 3DN S3 E3 "The one with Fr. Barron (part 1 of 2)"
• 3DN S3 E4 "The one with Fr. Barron (part 2 of 2)"
• 3DN The Ocho 25 "Something else (with Bp. Barron)"
• Bishop Barron's What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed
• Carnivores
• Mario Kart 64
• New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe
• "I hit bombs!"
• Josef Pieper's Leisure: The Basis of Culture
• John 17:24 "Father, they are your gift to me."
• Father Willard F. Jabusch's "Whatsoever You Do"
• Parks and Recreation ("Treat yo self")

References: 

• Maryville, IL
• Bishop Robert Barron
• Nintendo Switch
• FOCUS
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE)
• Todd Peterson
• LSU baseball
• Phil Mickelson
• Post hoc ergo propter hoc
• Alaska
• Mount Saint Elias
• St. Patrick
• Ireland
• Lourdes, France
• Our Lady of Lourdes, Virgin Mary
• St. Thérèse of Lisieux
• The Camino de Santiago
• The Holy Family
• Haiti
• Lyon, France
• Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
• Bobby's Frozen Custard
• Notre- Dame Cathedral
• Babel
• Banks of the Seine
• Analogy of Being (Thomas Aquinas)

Shout-Outs:

• Joseph Deckert
• Walter
• Scott (and the whole crew)
• Sister Agape

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In this episode, the dogs discuss why their time in seminary was both uniquely formative (4:00) and deeply universal (10:28). Connor highlights the importance of lifelong formation (16:00) and the dogs reflect on how that has played out in different parishes (24:50). They close the cast by pondering the eschatological tension of God's "already and not yet" kingdom (43:40)... and loud SunChips bags (49:45).

Quotes:

"It was what it should be." (Rob on seminary, 6:00)

“I think our experience of life is abnormal compared to most of human history. The seminary is artificial... but there is something kinda more normal about it too.” (Connor, 15:10)

“I’m not in control, ultimately. Everything I build could be destroyed in a night and that's okay because Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Connor, 32:30)

 "Catholicism stands on it’s own and it feeds hungry people.” (Michael Metz, 35:40)

"Wait... did Barron kill new athiesm?" (Connor, 37:00)

"Stanley Rother didn't go to Guatemala to do things. He went to Guatemala and things happened around him." (Connor, 39:50)

"The whole point of celibacy is that you are forgoing created beauty for the source of beauty.” (Connor quoting Deacon James Keating, 40:00)

Media Mentions:

• Saint Augustine's Confessions
• Catholic Stuff You Should Know's What is a Parish?
• Act 3:6
• Michael Metz on creatine

References: 

• Baked Lays
• Fr. Isaac Coulter
• Fr. Michael Brungardt
• Fr. Michael Steffes
• Michigan State Spartans
• Michigan Wolverines ("Go Blue!")
• Carmelite Monastery
• Des Plaines, IL
• All Saints Catholic Cemetery
• Bishop Robert Barron
• St. John's Catholic Newman Center
• University of Illinois (UIUC)
• Fr. Larry Hennessy
• Fr. Daniel Siwek
• The Institute for Priestly Formation
• FOCUS
• Renew My Church
• Chicago, IL
• Fr. Thomas Byrne
• St. Francis Xavier of Our Lady of Mercy Parish
• Fr. Thomas Byrne
• Win. Build. Send.
• COVID
• Jeff Bezos
• Mark Zuckerberg
• Burger King
• FOCUS parish
• New Atheism
• Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche 
• Vatican II
• Deacon James Keating
• Blessed Stanley Rother
• Guatemala
• Oklahoma
• The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
• Fr. Victor Mosele
• Sierra Leone
• St. John Paul II Newman Center
• Spiral Nebula
• Sun Chips
• creatine
• ChatGPT
• Russia
• Crimea
• Thor
• Megamind

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In this episode, the dogs discuss Walter's upcoming 101st birthday (3:44). Inspired by Walter's wisdom on perseverance, the conversation shifts to celibacy (7:30) and the "problem of evil" as it confront individuals (29:10). In the midst of it all, Michael Metz reenacts a self-titled "genius" homily (19:00) which is admittedly beautiful. 

Quotes:
"The self-possession to be able to see goods that you can't have, to be moved by the beauty of things you cannot possess.” (Connor, 10:40)

"You cannot have everything you want." (Connor, 12:40)

“If the grass is always greaner on the other side, it’s time to water your lawn." (Connor quoting Hennessy, 14:24)

"We get to see the examples of the disciples (in the Acts of the Apostles). They are people living in the reality of the full promises of God in the midst of a fallen world; that's the church, that's what the church looks like." (Michael Metz, 21:20)

"When you see a guy (Walter) who goes through suffering like that, it's a form of worship." (Michael Metz 24:30)

"Suffering is not victorious, Jesus is victorious." (Michael Metz, 24:45)

"You know how it is, Mose." (Connor 27:35)

"Angels can’t suffer. The highest drama in being is in the human heart because we are so vulnerable and yet called to image God in our freedom.” (Connor, 29:55)

Media Mentions:

• Fulton Sheen's Life of Christ
• John 6
• Acts of the Apostles
• J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion
• Benedict XVI/ Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger ("God writes straight on crooked lines")
• Joshua 24:15
• Not Dead Yet podcast
• Ross Douthat's "How Ben Sasse Is Living Now That He Is Dying"
• John 14:13
• Psalm 23

References: 

• Jumpmaster
• Fort Benning
• 82nd Airborne Division
• D-Day (Normandy)
• Fr. Patrick J. Boyle
• St. Thérèse of Lisieux
• Aaron (Moses' brother)
• Ben Sasse (former United States Senator)
• Nebraska
• University of Florida
• New York Times

Shout-Outs:

• Walter
• Fr. John Kartje
• Fr. Larry Hennessy

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In this episode, the dogs answer the following questions (live):

”All that we wanted to maintain is that we would spend time in friendship together.” (Michael Metz, 9:10)

“We’re not good enough at life to give solid advice.” (Rob, 11:25)

“The Holy Spirit had brought us together.” (Connor, 16:00)

“The environment that we were formed in began to shape you.” (Michael Metz on Mundelein’s campus, 21:40)

“Jesus called and asked me to be his priest.” (Michael Metz, 29:30)

“The more I lived out the Catholic faith the happier I was.” (Rob, 32:20)

“In trusting Jesus is how we become who we’re supposed to be.” (Rob, 34:25)

“You are trying to love me way more than I am trying to love you.” (Connor on God, 47:00)

“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” (Rob trying to quote Rocky, 50:45)

“You have to be in love with the Christ of the Gospels.” (Connor, 52:00)

“Catholicism is all relational, it’s all from Christ and toward Christ.” (Michael Metz, 56:20)

“Living with a relentless integrity and never letting that go.” (Michael Metz on the hardest part of the priesthood, 58:40)

“Our lives are hidden with Christ in God.” (Connor quoting St. Paul, 1:00:30)

“I believe God’s love is so real, I’m going to stake my whole life on it.” (Michael Metz, 1:03:20)

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In this episode, the dogs regroup after an 18 month hiatus (3:10). They talk about Connor’s keynote address at Rob’s parish (4:30) and the crucified Christ as the ultimate idol smasher (9:55). Connor reminisces about riding into Luquillo on a horse (13:30) and Mike shares his favorite part of the Palm Sunday liturgy (21:30). They all contemplate how unsettling Holy Week can be and the humility of the priesthood (23:00).

“Do you wanna control the future?” (Connor, 7:40)

“Creating a Eucharistic culture- it will bear fruit- but if you aim at the fruit you will make it something weird.” (Connor, 8:00)

“When you start reaching and grasping for joy is when you can’t find it.” (Connor quoting C.S. Lewis, 8:18)

“A lot of what we do is thinly veiled control of the future.” (Mike, 8:40)

“Idols always promise control and a better future and no more suffering.” (Connor, 10:20)

“I love that Palm Sunday is one of the days you get to say ass during the liturgy.” (Mike, 21:39)

“The sacraments are visible signs of the invisible reality. We cannot make invisible things visible by our strategies and teaching methods.” (Connor, 27:00)

“In a world that’s full of death, you have to shout.” (Mike quoting Flannery O’Connor, 27:40)

“My job is not to be a teacher; my job is to be a priest, to offer sacrifice and worship.” (Mike, 28:40)

“I am not God and yet he lives in me in a way that the people need to accept in order that he may do his work.” (Connor, 30:30)

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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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