Sword&Spade

Walker Larson is a writer, former classical school teacher, and the voice behind The Hazelnut Substack, a journal dedicated to the pursuit of the good, the true, and the beautiful in literature and culture. In this conversation, Jason and Walker reflect on what it means to build rather than merely critique, the dangers of internet narratives, Wendell Berry's "age of divorce," and why every father owes it to his soul to pick up a great novel.In This Episode, We Cover:Walker's fertility journey, devotion to Our Lady of La Leche, and the hidden cross of infertility for Catholic men and their wivesThe temptation to critique and "get clicks" — and the harder, more necessary work of building cultureHow the "hermeneutics of suspicion" is rooted in Marxist literary theory and has leaked into internet discourse and conservative mediaLocalism, medieval guilds, and what Rerum Novarum says about protecting communities from consolidating powerWalker's case for why busy fathers need great literature—and what it does that no self-help book or YouTube video canChapters:00:00: Welcome01:22: Walker's Fertility Journey: Our Lady of La Leche and the Gift of Daughters07:39: Infertility as a Hidden Cross12:38: "Beyond Apocalypse": The Case for Cultural Restoration Over Critique16:41: The Hermeneutics of Suspicion28:06: Conspiracy Thinking, Victimhood, and the Work Only You Can Do35:26: Localism, Guilds, and Rerum Novarum58:16: Why Busy Fathers Need to Read Great Literature01:03:39: Literature as a Trial Run for Life01:17:56: Two Planes of Knowing: Abstract Facts vs. Lived TruthResources Mentioned:"Beyond Apocalypse: Believing in Cultural Restoration" by Walker Larson — Crisis MagazineThe Hazelnut Substack — Walker Larson's writing on literature, culture, and the permanent thingswalkerlarsonwriting.comJOIN 2500+ MEN READING SERIOUS, YET ACCESSIBLE ESSAYS ON VIRTUE, CULTURE, AND LIVING WELL: https://fraternus.org/sword-and-spade/Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

Jason Craig sits down with longtime friend and fellow veteran of the Catholic men's online world, Sam Guzman, the founder of The Catholic Gentleman and now a practicing counselor. They take an unflinching look at where the Catholic Manosphere started, where it's gone wrong, and why resentment and pseudo-wisdom are poor substitutes for real masculine formation. In This Episode, We Cover:The rise and dark side of the Catholic Manosphere—resentment, red-pill Catholic opinions, and the problem of influencers without experienceSam's journey from communications work at Pro-Life Wisconsin and Covenant Eyes to becoming a Catholic counselor through Divine Mercy UniversityThe origins of therapeutic culture in the aftermath of the World Wars and the collapse of institutional meaningSelf-knowledge as the essential foundation of holiness, drawing on Augustine, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and AquinasThe two most common wounds counselors see in men—emotional numbness and emotional overwhelm—and what fathers can do about it nowChapters:00:00: Introduction and Origins of the Catholic Men's Online Space09:25: The State of Catholic Men Online: From 2013 to Today12:18: The Dark Side of the Manosphere — Resentment, Red Pill, and Bitterness15:00: The Problem of Pseudo-Wisdom and Influencers Without Experience32:39: Sam's Journey From Marketing to Counseling37:29: The Therapeutic Society: Origins, Excesses, and Real Value47:29: The Case for Counseling54:09: Self-Knowledge, Augustine, and the Path to Holiness59:10: Two Common Wounds Counselors See in Men01:08:22: Aquinas on the PassionsResources:The Catholic GentlemanDivine Mercy UniversityJP2 Healing CenterCovenant EyesLeaving Boyhood Behind by Jason M. CraigLitanies of the Heart by Dr. Gerry CreteTransformation in Christ by Dietrich von HildebrandJOIN 2500+ MEN READING SERIOUS, YET ACCESSIBLE ESSAYS ON VIRTUE, CULTURE, AND LIVING WELL: https://fraternus.org/sword-and-spade/Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

John Clarke, founder of Cluny Media who republishes thoughtful Christian and literary works, argues for reading as a trainable discipline like athleticism. He discusses why books shape imagination differently than screens. He explains reading rituals for families, curating children’s books, and why men need guides and conversation to make reading a lasting habit.

Mark Adderley is an English convert to Catholicism, high school literature teacher, and author of a 10-book Catholic adventure series for boys. In this episode, he traces his unlikely path from militant atheism to the Church through Arthurian legend, C.S. Lewis, and the power of story. In This Episode, We Cover:How Mark went from the Church of England, to atheist, to convicted Catholic through the legend of King Arthur and the Screwtape LettersWhy a well-formed imagination is essential for genuine faith and virtueHow to form sons through story: reading aloud, Saturday movies, poetry, and classic literatureThe fruit of intentional fatherhood: raising children who are still Catholic as adultsThe origin and purpose of the McCracken adventure series for Catholic boys in 6th–10th gradeChapters:00:00: Introduction & Meet Mark Adderley02:40: From England to America: King Arthur and Graduate School06:05: From Atheist to Catholic: C.S. Lewis and the Screwtape Letters16:25: Why Imagination Matters More Than Data22:07: Forming Sons Through Story: Movies, Poetry, and Reading Aloud29:46: The Fruit: Four Sons, Three Families, One Seminarian37:25: "Stabs of Joy": How Catholicism Magnifies the Beautiful47:53: We're Not Raising Children, We're Raising Adults56:40: The Birth of the McCracken Series01:09:14: Why Catholic Boys Need Catholic FictionJOIN 2500+ MEN READING SERIOUS, YET ACCESSIBLE ESSAYS ON VIRTUE, CULTURE, AND LIVING WELL: https://fraternus.org/sword-and-spade/Resources Mentioned:The McCracken Adventure Series by Mark AdderleyThe Once and Future King by T.H. WhiteThe Screwtape Letters by C.S. LewisLe Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas MaloryForbidden IslandProduced by Saint Kolbe Studios

Dr. Jared Staudt, Catholic theologian and author focused on the virtue of religion, explains why worship is owed as justice, not mere personal benefit. He discusses tithing as an act of justice, the rise of moralistic therapeutic deism, and how to form Catholic culture at home through daily prayer and mentorship. Short, practical calls to reorder family life and priorities run throughout the conversation.

Cody and Sebastion share their journey from schooling to careers in framing and construction instead of college. They discuss starting in the trades as teenagers, launching a construction company, Atlas, choosing to stay rooted in their local community, converting to Catholicism, and building a culture of craftsmanship. The conversation explores work-life integration, mentorship, competency over artificial self-esteem, and the future of skilled trades.Chapters00:00 - Introduction & Background03:34 - Cody's Journey into Construction08:01 - The College Question14:30 - Starting Atlas Framing Company19:49 - Sebastian's Path26:03 - From General Contractor to Specialist33:37 - Faith & Conversion45:58 - Community & Rootedness49:23 - Catholic Trade Schools & Durable Trades56:13 - The Future of Construction1:07:45 - Competency Over Self-Esteem1:11:25 - Work Culture & Faith on the Job SiteFind more conversations like the one in this episode by joining the readership of Sword&Spade Magazine! Resources Letters to a Young Catholic by George WeigelDurable Trades by Rory Groves Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew CrawfordFraternusProduced by Saint Kolbe Studios

Joel Stroot, a permaculture farmer and practicing dentist who runs Faith Family Farm, shares perspectives on living authentically Catholic and linking food-as-medicine to family life. He talks about fatherhood, building local Catholic community and practical farm projects that form boys into men. The conversation centers on rootedness, stewardship of land, and choosing work to prioritize faith and family.

Sean Tario, a seasoned digital privacy advocate, and Jason Craig discuss the influence of tech giants, including Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon. With over 20 years of experience, Sean shares his journey from Silicon Valley to becoming a co-founder of Mark37.com, focusing on digital sovereignty and localism. In this episode, we explore the control of big tech on our privacy and autonomy, the importance of understanding where our data goes, practical steps for protecting our families, and the crucial need for real community in combating digital overreach.

Whether you’re a father, educator, or simply interested in the relationship between faith, work, and family, this episode offers thoughtful insights and practical wisdom for building a life rooted in purpose.In this episode, Jason welcomes Chad Rosamond for a candid conversation about fatherhood, education, and guiding children into adulthood. Drawing from their own experiences as fathers, homeschoolers, and community builders, Jason and Chad discuss:The evolving role of fathers in helping children discern their paths, from college to trades and beyond.The value of classical education, hands-on work, and the integration of faith, family, and community.Personal stories of raising children, including successes, struggles, and the importance of ongoing parental involvement—even as kids become adults.The changing landscape of higher education, the rise of Catholic trade schools, and the practical realities of preparing children for economic independence.The importance of local community, generational bonds, and finding meaningful work that serves others.Reflections on homeschooling, academic rigor, and the balance between virtue and achievement.The role of family businesses, farm life, and teaching economics through real-world experience.Advice for parents on staying engaged, offering guidance without control, and fostering wisdom and self-knowledge in their children.Join the Readership of Sword&Spade Magazine In a world increasingly shallow and distracted, Sword&Spade offers an antidote—deep, thoughtful engagement with the topics that matter most to Catholic men and their families.https://fraternus.org/sword-and-spade/About Fraternus We are the largest, oldest, and most effective Catholic brotherhood of its kind: helping Catholic fathers lead in their homes and communities and inspire sons to grow into men of virtue, strength, and service—through a unique framework of prayer, mentoring, and formation.https://fraternus.org/

In this episode, Jason Craig welcomes John Oliver, a veteran voice actor and Catholic convert. John shares his remarkable story of faith, his candid struggle with addiction and recovery, and his passion for telling forgotten stories of the American Revolution through film.Topics Include:John’s conversion to Catholicism through a profound encounter at MassThe role of faith and community in overcoming addictionLife in Hollywood and the evolution of media and voiceover workThe making of his upcoming film on the Battle of King’s MountainMen who enjoy this podcast also enjoy the quarterly magazine that started it all. JOIN 2500+ MEN READING SERIOUS, YET ACCESSIBLE ESSAYS ON VIRTUE, CULTURE, AND LIVING WELL: https://fraternus.org/sword-and-spade/