Catholic Founders

Day 2 of the St. Joseph Novena - tune in tomorrow! St. Joseph, pray for us, and pray for all Catholic business owners that we may carry out the will of God in how we run our businesses! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * (March 12th) San Francisco Meetup: Friend of the pod, Luca Zocche, is hosting a meetup for Catholic founders in SF next week. Sign up here: 👉 SF Fides Meetup* Wausau, WI Monthly Meetup: Sign up here (Last Saturday of each month)* (March 24th) We invite you to the in-person Nashville Meetup* (April 12th) Catholic Founders Guild Dinner at Dallas, TX. Register here.* Sponsor Catholic Founders to get in front of Hundreds of Catholic Business owners each week. admin@catholicfounders.com* To start a local CF meetup near you, reach out, and we’ll help you get started — admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.First time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Episode:I was recently invited to the Lead Different Podcast by Dan Dominguez, and we are sharing it here for your viewing. If you have not already, I recommend checking out his pod and getting in touch with him for his leadership assessment. It’s really fascinating to help understand your unique leadership style. It will help you lead differently, I’m sure. Learn more here: https://whynotleadership.com/Core Lesson: Scaling a business is not a distraction from your spiritual life; it is the very path to your sainthood.You’ve probably heard me say this before, but if you’re a Catholic who is called into entrepreneurship, your path to heaven is the path of being a good business owner. It’s not by setting it aside in the name of ‘humility’ or ‘poverty’ — it’s by embracing the call to be a co-creator and instrument of God’s will in the word. Do not run from it. Embrace your cross and carry it on the path to heaven. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:Creative Works & Resources* Catholic Founders Guild* Lead Different Podcast* The Six Working Geniuses* Seton Home Study Program* Clean Techies PodcastSpiritual Figures & Prayers* St. Joseph the Worker* St. Josemaria Escriva* St. Therese of LisieuxScripture* Genesis 1:26-27* Matthew 25:14-30Select Quotes:* “First of all, do you not trust in God? If God called you on this path, do you not trust in him for your daily bread?” — Silas Mähner* “Striving isn’t the same as surrender. Ambition isn’t the same as obedience. And impact doesn’t come from control, it comes from trust.” — Dan Dominguez* “If you’re somebody who approaches your faith first and you are Catholic first, and you do everything through the lens of your Catholic faith, scaling your business is actually your path to sainthood.” — Silas Mähner* "We talk about this a lot here—that leading different is really about being open to the fact that God might have a better plan for your business than you do." — Dan Dominguez* “A good steward does the best things, even if they will end up getting recognition, but they’re not doing it for recognition. They’re doing it because they know at the end of the day, they’re going to have to answer to their Master.” — Silas Mähner* “And this is what leads to the backlash against wealthy people and against billionaires is that they’re not taking the stewardship approach to the people around them.” — Silas Mähner* “He with the most conversations wins. You gotta have conversations. Meet as many people as you can. Learn and listen, right?” — Dan Dominguez quoting Adam PackardKey Moments: (outline)* 00:00 – Intro: The tension between anxiety and trusting God for “daily bread”.* 01:59 – Dan Dominguez introduces the theme of leading from trust instead of fear.* 04:00 – Silas joins the show and discusses his background as the oldest of eight in a Wisconsin cabinet-making family.* 06:30 – The influence of mentor Jack Schultz and the “number one asset in business”.* 10:00 – The impulsive 11 PM launch of Catholic Founders on the Feast of St. Joseph.* 12:43 – Scaling as a path to sainthood and the “co-creative” nature of entrepreneurs.* 15:30 – The stewardship of wealth: What to do with a $100 million exit.* 20:58 – Implementing Patrick Lencioni’s “Working Genius” and learning to delegate execution.* 49:40 – Outro: Joining the Catholic Founders Guild and the call to be instruments of God’s will.Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Thanks for tuning into the live novena today. You can watch the recording. Tune in tomorrow for our live around the same time. Keep an eye out for the notification on the Substack app or in your email. Here is the link to the downloadable pdf of the novena. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube IMPORTANT NOTICES: * San Francisco Meetup: Friend of the pod, Luca Zocche, is hosting a meetup for Catholic founders in SF next week. Sign up here: 👉 SF Fides Meetup* Wausau, WI Monthly Meetup: Sign up here* Sponsor Catholic Founders to get in front of Hundreds of Catholic Business owners each week. admin@catholicfounders.com * To start a local CF meetup near you, reach out, and we’ll help you get started — admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.First time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. SPECIAL ISSUE:Jimmy Coleman | X Cathedra, ArimatheaToday, we are going to learn some killer advice on how to grow your business. With Jimmy’s skills at growth, go-to-market, and sales, I’m confident you’re going to get a pile of value out of this. So get out your notepad and prepare to be educated! I highly encourage you to reach out to X Cathedra if you’re looking for help growing your business. Core Lesson: The fortune is in the follow-up, and your growth is a stewardship of the talents God entrusted to you.If you don’t follow up, you’re missing out on growth. Jimmy outlines this very clearly today. But follow-up is about more than growing your business. It’s about allowing God to have the maximum impact in the world through your business. If you don’t grow, you’re in a way preventing God from doing what He wishes of you. You were not given skills and the desire to be an entrepreneur for nothing. You were given these to bring Christ to the world. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:* Creative Works & Organizations* Arimathea* Lead Baller* X Cathedra* Paraclete VA* Sherwood Fellows* Spirit Juice Studios* Coronation MediaSaints & Devotions* St. Gemma Galgani* The Holy Eucharist* The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass* Eucharistic AdorationBible Passages* John 6:51-58 (The Bread of Life Discourse)* Matthew 25:14-30 (The Parable of the Talents)* Matthew 6:24 (God and Mammon)Select Quotes:* “We need to make sure that we’re doing it for the right reasons. Like anything good, the devil tries to pervert it and make the benefits that can derive from it become your master, a false master.”— Jimmy Coleman* “Jesus made it pretty clear he wasn’t happy about the people that just kind of like didn’t do anything with their talents. He was even much happier the people that tried and failed.”— Jimmy Coleman* “If you get this part the right way, the downstream effects are huge because what I see happen a lot of times is people set up shop and then just take whoever’s money, whoever’s willing to give them money and then they do really good work for this person over here, really bad work for this person over here, and then they’re robbing from the people they do really good work from.”— Jimmy Coleman* “Most people need to be asked to the dance. Most people like want you to like come over and say, hey, would it make sense, you know, for us to have a conversation about working together? And then risk hearing no.”— Jimmy Coleman* "She is cold prospecting, but within her sainthood." (referring to St. Gemma Galgani)— Jimmy Coleman* "Risking hearing no is the thing that a lot of, I'm noticing that Catholic businesses are not doing. They're just kind of waiting for people to come to them."— Jimmy ColemanKey Moments: (outline)* [00:00] - Intro - Jimmy breaks down the three questions every founder must answer to find their “sweet spot” of profitability and joy.* [03:23] - Mapping the Catholic Ecosystem - The story behind Ex Cathedra and why building a comprehensive list of Catholic businesses is a form of service.* [05:58] - The Five Pathways to Kingdom Expansion: Tactical advice on multiplying value and volume while maintaining a spirit of stewardship.* [11:15] - The “Rule of 10” and Outbound Strategy: Why simple, consistent daily actions beat complex marketing schemes every time.* [15:43] - Human Dignity in Outsourcing: How to build a global team (specifically in the Philippines) that honors the worker as a person, not just a line item.* [18:20] - The Art of the Follow-up: Why most founders fail by stopping at the second touchpoint, and how to build a persistent but respectful follow-up system.* [24:58] - The Ambition Debate: A deep dive into whether wanting to build a massive company is compatible with a life of holiness.* [32:25] - Go-To-Market Mistakes: Common pitfalls Catholic businesses face when trying to scale their message.* [35:57] - Running for the Eucharist: Jimmy talks about his 50-mile run and the “aggressive” intercession of St. Gemma Galgani.* [42:23] - Outro: Closing thoughts on being a co-creator and trusting the results to the Father.Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.com* I’m planning to host a dinner / meetup in Nashville soon, reach out if interested in attending.* We’re starting up a monthly recurring in-person meetup in Wausau, WI — learn more* To start a local CF meetup near you, reach out and we’ll help you get started — admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Jimmy Coleman | X Cathedra, ArimatheaIf you’re a Catholic and you’ve spent any amount of time on LinkedIn, you’ve probably heard of Jimmy Coleman. He’s kind of a legend.But Jimmy wasn’t always floating around the Catholic circle. The early part of his career was characterized by achieving financial success, always being the best salesman, and eventually starting his own business, which he grew to 7-figures in revenue. But despite always performing well financially and growing a successful business, there was still something missing inside. Through the SENT Summit, Jimmy rediscovered his faith and would go on to understand the true meaning of success: a life lived in union with God. Today, we’re telling Jimmy’s story of how he came to understand what the true metrics of success are. Join us next time for a big ole pile of wisdom from Jimmy on how to grow your business and get new sales. This is something he’s become very good at (through his agency, now for Arimathea, and also with his new project X Cathedra). Core Lesson: Your definition of success is dictated by the crowd you run with—ensure your community is aiming for Heaven rather than a million-dollar exit.The world wants us to constantly chase financial success. To level up. To ascend the career ladder. As a result, we idolize financially successful entrepreneurs, top salespeople, and content creators who have amassed millions of followers. But is this truly success?As Catholics, we know the only true measure of success is if we love God so much that we make it to heaven on Judgment Day How can we square that with the pursuit of financial outcomes above everything else? Well, the good news is we can, but not if our primary objective, or rather our primary measure of success, is financial and earthly Earthly and financial success are only good insofar as they help us get to Heaven. If you’re called to be a king but choose to be a hermit, that’s not pleasing to God, and vice versa Keep Heaven as your ultimate goal, and ensure you’re surrounding yourself with people who believe the same. Your environment shapes you, so choose your environment. Choose ambitious entrepreneurs who love God first and foremost. Yes, this is basically a plug to join the Catholic Founders Guild, but even if you don’t join us, please, surround yourself with Faithful Entrepreneurs. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:Books & Literary Works* Built to Sell by John WarrillowOrganizations & Websites* Arimathea* Lead Baller* X Cathedra* Sent Ventures* Paraclete VASaints & Devotions* St. Anthony of Padua* St. Paul* The Rosary* Sacrament of ConfessionBible Passages* John 6:53-56* Matthew 6:24Select Quotes:* "There's been plenty of times where I was just around people that weren't defining success the right way and therefore I was kind of a leader of an anthill of something that in eternity doesn't really matter." — Jimmy Coleman* “I actually just realized I wasn’t asking God to help me with this situation because I thought this situation was too hard for God, which is silly.” — Jimmy Coleman* “True success is, you know, the formation of my family helping their souls get to heaven.” — Jimmy Coleman* “You can tell what someone’s priorities are based on how they spend their money and their time.” — Jimmy Coleman* “You have these graces fall upon you which come in the form of weight on your shoulders sometimes.” — Jimmy Coleman* “I thought that logic would lead me towards atheism. That’s just kind of what I was told. And then, I was kind of pleasantly surprised to see just how much of a stretch atheism is.” — Jimmy Coleman* “If you truly believe in [the Eucharist], every other reason, like, oh yeah, there’s people doing bad things, whatever... you’re gonna go wherever God is, you’re gonna go and touch God instead of all these other silly reasons.” — Jimmy ColemanKey Moments: (outline)* 00:00 – Intro: Dropping spiritual bombs on Mammon.* 05:57 – Early Entrepreneurship: Jim’s Collectible Hats and selling Cutco knives.* 09:08 – The “God of Money”: Defining success by the wrong metrics in his 20s.* 15:06 – Launching Lead Baller: Productizing intellectual property and the “Baseball Field Methodology”.* 21:07 – The Exit Journey: The challenges of selling an agency and the “humiliation” of over-committing.* 28:19 – The Spiritual Pivot: How fatherhood and the fine-tuning argument led Jimmy back to Catholicism.* 32:43 – The Eucharistic Hook: Why the historical argument for the Real Presence changed everything.* 40:14 – New Motivations: Shepherding souls and being a steward of God’s gifts.* 43:04 – Outro: Setting your eyes on the right objective.Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.com* I’m planning to host a dinner / meetup in Nashville soone, reach out if interested in attending.* We’re starting up a monthly recurring in-person meetup in Wausau, WI — learn more* To start a local CF meetup near you, reach out and we’ll help you get started — admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Nathan Price | Shepherd'sHow often do you see me suited up? Not often is the answer ha! Well, for today’s guest, who is the Catholic king of menswear, I had to throw on a suit. Nathan Price is the co-founder of Shepherd’s menswear. Famously the firm that clothes Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. Many othes like Michael Knowles can be found wearing their work as well. The idea is simple: make uncompromisingly high-quality menswear that is not absurdly expensive. As always, we covered a lot of ground, but some of the key areas are: * Nathan’s unique career journey and how it’s obvious God led him down this path. * How to work with a celebrity to turn that initial interest into long-term customer loyalty * Why dressing well is a moral imperative * How dressing well can help retake the culture around us * And how he thinks about family legacy and considering the idea of his son taking over one day There is something in here for everyone! Core Lesson: Quality is a moral obligation for the Catholic entrepreneur, as the excellence of our work serves as the primary witness to the integrity of our faith.Nathan points out that many build a “Catholic brand” and then forget to actually make a high-quality product. They hide behind the Creed so to speak. His opinion is that if your product is subpar, if it’s not among the best in class, you are damaging your credibility as a witness to the Truth. Afterall, if you truly believe in your faith, how can that conviction not bring you to do whatever you do with great love so that those around you may know the love of Jesus? This lesson is one we constantly need to remind ourselves of. High quality is a moral obligation, and it’s the key way that others will be drawn to God through our work. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:Episode ReferencesCreative Works & Media* Shepard’s* The Gentleman’s Gazette* REAL AF with Andy Frisella* The MFCEO Project* Liturgy of the Hours* The RosarySaints Mentioned* Blessed Karl of Austria* St. Thomas Aquinas* St. Andrew the Apostle* St. Joseph of CupertinoBible Passages* Joshua 1:9* Matthew 25:14-30 (The Parable of the Talents)* Colossians 3:23Select Quotes:* "If you're out there offering a subpar product, people are gonna question some other things about you. Like if your product falls apart immediately and you're out there touting how great it is, it's like, what else isn't very honest about these guys?" — Nathan Price* "We’re not a Catholic company, we’re a virtuous company... owned by people who are striving towards virtue." — Nathan Price* "Look for some of the underlying threads that go through the job or opportunity... rather than just looking at it as the job itself." — Nathan Price* "You really got to impact someone's life in a really special way... if their clothing fits well, then they have more confidence." — Nathan Price * "Oftentimes fit is one of the greatest communicators of quality, not necessarily the actual materials used." — Nathan Price* "We have to really, really land every aspect of this experience, and that's the way that you convert it into long-term business." — Nathan Price* "If it's a vest that fastens with buttons, the bottom button should be undone." — Nathan PriceKey Moments: (outline)* 00:00 – The Catholic Quality Standard: Nathan opens with a challenge to avoid the “Catholic crutch” and why a subpar product is actually a form of dishonesty.* 00:37 – Introduction: Silas introduces Nathan Price and the mission of Shepard’s to bring virtue back to the modern wardrobe.* 01:45 – The Harrison Butker Connection: How a chance meeting with the NFL kicker evolved into a deep business partnership and shared vision for excellence.* 05:12 – High School Roots: Nathan recounts his “accidental” start in tailoring at age 16 and how he discovered a natural talent for fitting suits.* 10:30 – The Providential Thread: A reflection on how God uses seemingly random jobs to build the skillset required for a future calling.* 14:20 – Leaving the “Catholic Bubble”: Why Shepard’s aims to compete in the mainstream market rather than just selling to a niche religious audience.* 18:55 – Private Equity vs. Craftsmanship: A critique of how modern brands lose their soul when they prioritize margins over the quality of the garment.* 24:40 – The Shepherd’s Philosophy: Nathan explains his “moral obligation” to the customer: ensuring they never regret spending their hard-earned money.* 31:15 – Technical Excellence: A deep dive into the construction of a suit—full canvas versus fused—and why the details reflect the founder’s integrity.* 38:40 – Dressing the Leader: Why outward appearance matters for the modern man and how it impacts his ability to lead his family and community.* 45:10 – Spiritual Non-Negotiables: Nathan shares his daily routine, including Joshua 1:9, the Rosary, and the intercession of Blessed Karl of Austria.* 49:30 – Building a Multi-Generational Legacy: Nathan’s desire to build a business that his children can inherit and take pride in.* 53:15 – Closing Thoughts: Silas concludes with the reminder that every founder is “Created to Create” and the mission to elevate the culture through work.Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Thanks for stopping by! Please Take Note! * The buildwithchrist.ai event takes place just north of Atlanta on March 7th from 11 to 4.What is it: It’s a FREE event for you to come and learn how to use AI to build things. There will be free coaches on staff to teach you. And you can also learn about AI or watch professional teams build a product in a few hours for Adopt a Family. It’s FREE to attend, but you do need to REGISTER. Do so here. Today’s Guest:Michael Lyons | [Y] Impact Ventures & Global PetalsSelect Quotes:* “Everything in this world can be sanctified by Christ. And He works through us.” — Michael Lyons* “AI should be used to strengthen human relationship, not replace it and advance human dignity.” — Michael Lyons* “I really think that the world is gonna shift pretty quickly from getting a job, from using a resume to using a portfolio.” — Michael Lyons* “You can skip the ‘I’m not doing it because I can’t build it.’ You can skip straight to the relationship... I think this is a way of bringing down those walls.” — Michael Lyons* “This is really about upskilling people... giving them the ability to elevate what they’re doing for their organizations, for their families, for themselves.” — Michael Lyons* “It’s artificial intelligence, but it’s really accessible intelligence, especially for this other rung of people who need help.” — Michael LyonsJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.Key Episode References:* BuildwithChrist.ai * Lovable.dev * Magisterium AI * The Harvard/BCG Study — This is the study Michael referenced (specifically the HBS/BCG collaborative research) which found that while AI increases productivity, it can also lead to “brain drag” and workers taking on more tasks rather than resting.* Corporal Works of MercyKey Moments: (outline)* [00:00] — Intro. Silas introduces the mission of the episode and the upcoming shift in how we approach technology.* [00:29] — The “Build with Christ” vision. A breakdown of the March 7th event in Alpharetta, GA, and why it’s designed for anyone, regardless of technical background.* [03:40] — Sanctifying the tools. Why we shouldn’t abdicate AI to the secular world, but instead bring a “virtue layer” to modern technology.* [05:16] — From Podcast to Product. How a conversation about legal injustice led Michael to build “Justice Lens” to serve those without a voice.* [11:33] — The Hackathon experience. Why this event feels more like The Great British Baking Show or BattleBots than a boring tech seminar?* [15:45] — Why your portfolio is the new resume. How the economy is shifting toward what you can produce with AI rather than where you went to school.* [22:49] — The “Pie in the Sky” goal. A vision of a future where AI handles the administrative “noise” so we can return to authentic, face-to-face ministry.* [26:40] — Closing thoughts. How to start your own upskilling journey today and stay grounded in your Catholic mission.* [27:15] — Outro. Final details on registration and how to join the event virtually or in person.Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * I’m planning to host a dinner / meetup in Nashville soone, reach out if interested in attending. * We’re starting up a monthly recurring in person meetup in Wausau, WI — reach out for details. * To start a local CF meetup near you, reach out and we’ll help you get started — admin@catholicfounders.com* If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.com* Ensure you are prepared for Lent! This episode has good insights and so does yesterday’s Saintly CEO post. Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Fr. Nathaniel Haslam | Lumen InstituteScaling a business in the fanatic hurry of the modern world often feels like a zero-sum game between your growth and your soul. Today’s guest, Father Nathaniel Haslam, understands this tension from the inside out. Before being ordained as a priest with the Legionaries of Christ and serving as a chaplain for the Lumen Institute, Fr. Nathaniel was an atheist engineer and businessman with his sights set on becoming a billionaire.Now, he spends his time mentoring top-tier executives on how to integrate Christ into the boardroom. In this episode, we explore the inherent nobility of the entrepreneurial path, the danger of burying your talents out of fear, and a practical tool called the generosity thermometer designed to keep your heart detached from the grip of success.Core Lesson: Your business is the primary environment where your spiritual life is meant to flourish. In other words, your business is how you’re meant to become a saint. Many founders carry a heavy existential angst, a lingering feeling that they chose a secular path while the “holy” work is happening elsewhere — in missions or rectories. Fr. Nathaniel shatters this misconception by pointing to the Church’s own teaching: business leadership is a noble calling.As entrepreneurs, we are called to be co-creators with God. This is a specific commission to take the unique talents of leadership and wealth creation and put them to work for the Kingdom. Our role is one of stewardship and divine trust. When we anchor our company culture in human dignity and treat every person as an individual to be loved, we are participating directly in God’s ongoing work of creation. Our work in the marketplace is a vital, sanctified mission.God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to admin@catholicfounders.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:* The Vocation of the Business Leader* The Lumen Institute* The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace* Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word* His Way at Work* Litany of Humility* Biblical Passages: Genesis 1-2, Matthew 25, John 15:5Select Quotes:* “The noble callings are not just the priests and the nuns... the church specifically said in that document, you have a noble calling. Business leadership is a noble calling.” — Fr. Nathaniel* “Humility is to live in the truth of who God is, who others are, and who you are.” — Fr. Nathaniel* “Will you trust my trust in you? That’s God speaking to the person.” — Fr. Nathaniel* “If he gave you a mission as a business owner, he’s also empowered you to live this out.” — Fr. Nathaniel* “There’s a lot of good desire, and there’s a lot of goodwill, but there’s also a tendency to delay giving… are you depriving yourself of the joy of giving now?…It’s more joyful to give than to receive.” — Fr. NathanielKey Moments: (outline)* [00:00] Intro: The Nobility of the Entrepreneur. Why business leadership is not just a job, but a high vocation on par with any other calling in the Church.* [03:40] Fr. Nathaniel’s Journey. The shift from an atheist engineer seeking wealth to a priest seeking souls, and how that background helps him mentor executives.* [08:25] The Mission of the Lumen Institute. How spiritual coaching and virtue-based leadership are transforming the way CEOs approach their daily grind.* [10:59] Breaking the “Existential Angst.” Addressing the feeling that business is “secular” and providing the theological proof that it is actually a holy endeavor.* [15:10] Incorporating Christ into the Boardroom. Practical ways to bring faith into a professional setting without being performative.* [18:45] Leadership and Human Dignity. Using the “Five Languages of Appreciation” to build a culture where employees feel seen as children of God.* [22:36] Reframing the Parable of the Talents. A deep dive into why “burying the talent” is a sin of fear, and why God’s trust in us is the real story.* [33:15] The Danger of the “Fanatic Hurry.” How the noise of the world kills our ability to hear God’s direction for our companies.* [41:14] The Generosity Thermometer. A practical spiritual exercise to ensure that your heart remains free as your net worth grows.* [48:27] Outro & Lenten Challenge. Moving from passive sacrifices to active “stretches” that allow God to work through your business.Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates:* If you’d like the framework to host local meetups for other Catholic business owners in your area, email us and we’ll talk — admin@catholicfounders.com* If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today If you believe you're called to be an instrument of God in the world, and you're a business owner, this is the group for you. We work together to help each other grow, and learn how we can be true stewards of our gifts. How we can carry out God's will in the world. Join the guild today by upgrading to a paid membership. The Mozart Principle: Cultivating Your God-Given GeniusToday’s Reflection:We often look at geniuses like Mozart and think they are one-of-a-kind anomalies. But for the Catholic Founder, Mozart’s life offers a profound blueprint for leadership and stewardship.Mozart didn’t just write music; he transformed culture by mastering the rules and then breaking them to create something more beautiful. He lived only 35 years, yet his prolific output (over 800 pieces) reminds us that our time is short and our responsibility to our gifts is absolute.In this episode, I dive into why being born at the wrong time is a myth and how we must play dual roles in our businesses: being the son (Mozart) who leans into their unique creative talent, and the father (Leopold) who recognizes and fosters that same genius in our employees.Core Lesson: The Incomplete World TheoryThe world is fundamentally incomplete if you do not put your gifts to use.This isn’t just about personal success; it’s about our co-creative nature. When we build businesses, manage teams, or innovate in our industries, we are acting in the image and likeness of God. Every employee you hire is a unique gift to the world, and as a founder, you have a moral duty (much like Mozart’s father) to help that gift come to life.If we choose laziness or bury our talents, the corner of the universe we were meant to transform remains dark. Our calling is to create a culture of beauty and service, ensuring that on Judgment Day, we aren’t counted among the stewards who buried the talents entrusted to them.Hire a Catholic VA to do the busy work, so you can focus on scaling your business. We have a network of vetted, Catholic VAs who work across, finance, marketing, admin, and graphic design. Most hires take ~10 days to fill. Pay $500 when they start and $500 if you're still happy 30 days later. To get started, email admin@catholicfounders.com with what you're looking for. Several Catholic Founders in our community have utilized this service to great satisfaction. Select Quotes:* “God doesn’t have people born at the wrong time, ever. He creates our soul exactly when He does for a very specific reason.”* “If we don’t put our gifts to use, the world is less complete than it could be.”* “As entrepreneurs, we are fundamentally engaged with our co-creative nature... that’s what created in the image and likeness of God actually means.”* “We have times where we are Mozart in the story, and we also have times where we’re his father.”Key Moments:* 00:00 – The Mozart Stats: 35 years, 800 pieces, and the “Mozart Ratio” of true influence.* 01:15 – Transforming Culture: Moving opera and concertos from background noise to complex dialogue.* 02:37 – Mastering the Rules: Learning when to break conventions to keep beauty engaging.* 03:10 – The Myth of “Wrong Timing”: Why God placed you in this specific era with these specific challenges.* 04:11 – The Role of the Father: Recognizing talent as a “duty to God” and investing in its growth.* 04:53 – The Theology of Entrepreneurship: What it means to be a “co-creator” in the 21st century.* 06:11 – Employee Stewardship: Seeing staff as gifts to the world, not just “units of labor.”* 07:07 – The Incomplete World: Reflections on wasted gifts and the inspiration of Dr. Daniel Tataje.* 08:47 – Born for a Particular Reason: A call to transform whatever corner of the universe you find yourself in.* 09:37 – Final Vision: Creating a “Culture of God” through beauty, family, and community support.Share this with someone else who needs to recognize they have unique skills — that God wants them to put to use. We are here to help encourage and push each other to greater heights. To push each other to live out our calling in full color. Sharing this post can help us do that in a small way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * If you’d like the framework to host local meetups for other Catholic business owners in your area, email us and we’ll talk — admin@catholicfounders.com* If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Dr. Daniel Tataje | Mercy Dental GroupI could give you a big, long write-up about today’s guest. But I’m not. I’ll just say this — if you don’t listen to this, you’re missing out on the opportunity to have an incredible new role model for your business. Dr. Tataje is incredible. As you know, I meet a lot of entrepreneurs, and I walked away from this conversation feeling like I’ve met someone who is truly a living example of what it means to be a saint in business. Please take in this episode slowly, with a notepad at your side. He has so many insights, you’ll surely value the time. One note: I’d highly suggest picking up his book, The Leader Humanity Needs. It dives into how the Christian virtues of integrity, humility, and service are the true foundations of effective leadership.The 7 Marks of LeadershipTo build his practice, he’s used what he calls the 7 marks of leadership. He shared those in the episode so we also summarized them here for you. He is sure to impress these upon every new hire and uses them to guide his leadership team:* Integrity: The foundation of trust. Daniel argues that true integrity is ultimately achieved through a life of holiness.* Respect: Recognizing that every person is a unique, unrepeatable gift from God. It’s the “honor of meeting the only you in the history of humanity.”* Positivity: Choosing to be a light in the darkness. It’s not about ignoring difficulty, but finding the positive outcome and the opportunity for growth in every struggle.* Empathy: Moving beyond the Golden Rule to treat people how they want to be treated—which requires taking the time to truly know them.* Teamwork: Transferring power by saying, “I believe in you.” Investing in the success and talent of those around you.* Service: An intentional act of love. Treating the person in front of you as the most important person in your life at that moment.* Humility: The “King of Virtues.” Leading as a humble servant in the image of Christ, recognizing that your talents are a gift to be stewarded, not owned.Core Lesson: The power of looking every person in the eyes — customer and employee — and recognizing they are a gift from God — more than that, they are a gift for that moment right there — this act is powerful beyond understanding. I would chalk up all of his success to this key thing. He believes all humans are created in the Image and Likeness of God. That they are a gift to humanity, and when in his presence, they are a gift to him. Because he believes this so deeply, he treats his employees in a way that reflects that. He does the same for their patients. And in turn, the employees do this with each other and with the patients as well. This leads to huge benefits, but as always with these things, we don’t do this because of the praise. We do this because it’s right. Consider your own disposition to this truth. Is it truly engrained into you? Or is it just something you intellectually know. Make it something you live out through your actions. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:* The Leader Humanity Needs - Dr. Daniel Tataje* Prayer of St. Francis* St. Joseph* St. Mother Teresa* St. John Paul II* St. Maximilian Kolbe* St. Augustine* St. Padre Pio* St. Thérèse of Lisieux* Biblical Passages: Matthew 4:19, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 20:26-28, Hebrews 11:1Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Select Quotes:* “We are moved by love, not by greed. We love our mission.” — Daniel* “Be good stewards of the people and the resources we have. So it’s not trying to grow the business, but growing the business and creating wealth is a by-product of what we do.” — Daniel* “What I want is to create more leaders. And how do I create more leaders? I want to follow the greatest leader of all humanity, the history of humanity, which is Jesus. And what were the aspects of the leadership of Jesus that made him a great leader? I came out with these seven marks of leadership…” — Daniel* “Of course, we respect everyone’s faith. We are not a Catholic organization, but we are a Catholic-led organization. They know that the person that leads this company is Catholic. And we make sure that everyone follows those values.” — Daniel* “What I mean with respect is the fact that everyone is unique, that everyone is valuable and everyone is talented.” — Daniel* “Everyone is a gift and the patient that you see in today is a gift, too. It’s a unique person.” — Daniel* “It’s better to light a candle than to curse darkness. What are you doing to create a great environment where you are?” — Daniel* “The most powerful thing you can say to someone is, I believe in you. And why is that? It’s because that transfers power.” — Daniel* “The ‘leader humanity needs’ actually is the reader. So it’s an invitation for everyone, I believe that everyone is called to lead the world to a better place, against using your talents, be light in the darkness.” — DanielKey Moments: (outline)* 00:00 – Intro: Daniel’s philosophy on stewardship and mission-driven growth.* 03:00 – Host Update: Silas shares how he met Daniel and his impression of the Mercy Dental Group.* 03:40 – The Origin Story: Daniel’s transition from a practicing dentist to a business founder.* 06:06 – Growth Strategy: Building the group through word-of-mouth and retiring doctor referrals.* 08:22 – Virtue vs. Private Equity: Why sellers choose legacy and staff care over higher PE bids.* 11:12 – Subsidiarity: Empowering local clinics to maintain their own unique identities.* 17:54 – The Founder’s Edge: How working every entry-level role built Daniel’s leadership.* 20:15 – The Seven Marks of Leadership: Introducing the core virtues of the organization.* 22:35 – Deep Dive on Respect: Viewing every employee and patient as a unique gift.* 30:10 – Host Commentary: Silas reflects on the “competitive advantage” of Christian integrity.* 34:22 – Company Culture: Rewarding long-term staff with “loyalty trips.”* 39:18 – Mercy Dental Missions: Providing free care locally and internationally.* 48:17 – The Turning Point: Moving from “God as co-pilot” to full consecration of the business.* 52:24 – Final Message: A call for leaders to be “light in the darkness.”* 55:40 – Host Outro: Silas recaps key takeaways on integrity and community impact.* 58:15 – Call to Action: Information on Daniel’s book and joining the Catholic Founders Guild.Enjoy this episode? Share it with others! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe