Shows / Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Relatable discussions about Freemasonry and taking agency over your life. Unafraid of vulnerability in the pursuit of authentic friendship and personal growth.
Episodes
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 148: Optimism (ft. Arun Natarajan)
What does it mean to truly live our Masonic values? From the importance of brotherhood and charity to counting our blessings and seeing the good in others, it…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 147: 18:53 Working Tools Series - The Mason’s Boy
An engraved gold pocket watch became an orphaned boy’s lifeline—and set in motion a remarkable story of Freemasonry in action. In 1878, four-year-old Walter…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 146: Our Health Journey (ft. Dr. Silvia Balbo)
What if we could stop cancer before it starts? In this episode, Dr. Silvia Balbo joins us to explore how environmental and lifestyle-related exposures…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 145: Truth & Allegory (ft. Montie Hadraba)
Discover the stories of Czech Freemasonry, where history, legend, and the pursuit of freedom intersect. In this episode, Montie Hadraba of Sherburne Lodge No…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 144: 18:53 Working Tools Series – The Buck Stops Here
In 1953, Harry S. Truman left the White House deeply unpopular, with a 32% approval rating and little financial support as a former President. Yet over time…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 143: Be Kind to Yourself (ft. Mark Wick)
Mental health doesn’t necessarily mean mental “illness.” That said, it’s crucial to remember that our overall mental health affects everything we do. “I was in…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 142: Intergenerational Kinship (ft. Evan Schroeder)
We welcome in our dear friend and Brother Evan Schroeder. We do it up with deep thoughts about: introspection, meaning making, the gift of mentors, and of…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 141: 18:53 Working Tools Series – “Sapere Aude!”
This episode title translates to “have the courage to use your understanding.” This week we examine highlights of an article by Robert Burtt, who argues that…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 140: The Beehive Initiative (ft. Bill Dehkes & Mark Meier)
What binds us together? At the heart of Freemasonry is the pursuit of personal growth—but that journey isn’t meant to be taken alone. It asks us to look…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 139: Know Thyself (ft. Ben Engel & Ben Youngdahl)
This week, we welcome two newer members to the Masonic Lounge to hear what their Lodge experience has been like so far. Ben Youngdahl of Accacia No. 51 and Ben…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 138: Charity Isn’t Loud (ft. Todd Mayer)
Why is charitable giving so important to us? Giving back and serving those in need is an essential part of putting the principles of Freemasonry into action…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 137: 18:53 Working Tools Series - Empty Seats
Each empty seat in a lodge room tells a story, if we are willing to see it. “Freemasonry has always been about caring for each other, and an absent Brother…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 136: Dig Deeper (ft. Drew Evenson)
"Nothing's ever as hard as you think, it's just what you're willing to do to get there." This week, we're joined by cancer warrior Drew Evenson for an…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 135: Distilling Wisdom (ft. Dr. Jim Rice)
Artificial intelligence is reshaping nearly every aspect of our lives—but what if it could help detect dementia before symptoms appear? This week, we're…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 134: “The Change” (ft. Dr. Laura Mayer)
This week, we’re taking on a challenging topic—one that many men haven’t been given much guidance on how to navigate. As we pursue the Masonic goal of becoming…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 133: 18:53 Working Tools Series – Order of DeMolay
Who was Frank S. Land and how exactly did DeMolay International come to be? This week we welcome DGM Chuck Brust and Bro. Kaidyn Troy to the Masonic Lounge…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 132: What Happens Next? (ft. Mike Sanford)
Michael Sanford is a product development specialist, next-generation data center expert, Freemason, and family man. Today we get to go through some of his…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 131: Health = Wealth (ft. Aaron Brendel & Paul Smith)
Entering middle age isn’t just another milestone — it’s an opportunity to take a closer look at your health and make intentional choices that shape the years…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 130: 18:53 Working Tools Series - American Civic Life
Throughout history, Masonic publications and early newspaper accounts have reflected a lasting public curiosity about the relationship between Freemasonry and…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 129: Time Well Spent (ft. Justin Ortega)
In this episode, we welcome Justin Ortega, a proud Marine Corps veteran and Director of Programs and Events for Grand Lodge and Minnesota Masonic Charities…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 128: “Because of the Masons” (ft. Dr. Zohar Sachs)
“I feel I owe it all to the Masons, and I'm not overstating it. If I didn't have the startup or pilot funds, I wouldn't have been able to do anything.” Our…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 127: Connection & Direction (ft. David Graham)
“Are you ready? The work’s about to start.” This week in the Masonic Lounge, we welcome David Graham back for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, service…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 126: 18:53 Working Tools Series - Masonic Visionaries
How did Minneapolis secure its crown as one of America’s greatest park cities? It started with two men. This week, we profile Charles M. Loring—the "Father of…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 125: The Road Ahead (ft. Shawn Carrick)
This week we’re honored to welcome MWGM Shawn Carrick to the studio for a meaningful conversation on the heart of Masonry. Together, we explore everything from…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 124: One Step at a Time (ft. Emma and Andrew Dimery)
“The folks at the Masonic Cancer Center were so incredible. I knew I had the best team, the best care, and the best treatment at my disposal.” Emma Dimery…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 123: 18:53 Working Tools Series - More Members!
After World War II, Freemasonry in the U.S. exploded in size—membership climbed to over four million by the late 1950s. But that wasn’t unique. Similar booms…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 122: The Company of Friends
Open mic: unscheduled guests. We took the show on the road to Waite Park for our Annual Communication April 17-18. Give this a listen, and thanks to all the…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 121: Your Story (ft. Joan Steffend)
From the KARE 11 news desk to HGTV, Joan Steffend has spent her career sitting down with thousands of people and hearing their stories. That curiosity runs…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 120: Opportunity (ft. Mark Campbell)
We’re on the road this week at our Annual Communication in Waite Park, and who better to chat with than the esteemed Mark Campbell? We discuss the importance…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 119: 18:53 Working Tools Series: Restraint
The real power move in life is restraint. Just because you’re provoked or have the chance to react doesn’t mean you should. Real discipline is choosing not to…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 118: Masonic Children’s Hospital (ft. Dr. Gwenyth Fischer)
This week, we’re joined by Dr. Gwen Fischer, a leading expert in Pediatric Critical Care at Masonic Children’s Hospital. She shares how she and her team are…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 117: The “If” Philosophy (ft. Tyler Ecklund-Kouba)
Initiated in 1886 at Hope and Perseverance Lodge No. 782, Bro. Rudyard Kipling never formally called “If” a Masonic poem—yet it endures as a powerful guide for…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 116: 18:53 Working Tools Series: Career-Life Equilibrium
How does one maintain work/life balance in an age of Smartphones and digital communication? Even when you’re “off the clock,” bosses and colleagues message you…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 115: Fulfillment (ft. Jamie Langenbrunner)
“We all make up expectations of what things are supposed to be like and what they’re supposed to look like when you accomplish it.” This week we’re off to the…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 114: Presence (ft. Maynard Edwards)
This week we’re on the road at the “Rite Works” Conference in Las Vegas, and what a treat to sit down with the one-and-only Maynard Edwards. “Just because the…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 113. 18:53 Working Tools Series: Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall embodied the highest ideals of justice, equality, and brotherhood. Best known as the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice, his…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 112. Move Your Feet (ft. Paul Martin)
A supporter of the Masonic Children’s Hospital and founder of the Shine a Ligh7 Foundation, Gopher alum, Olympian, and NHL veteran Paul Martin shares his life…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 111. Leadership: A Lifelong Journey (ft. Jeff Wiser)
Ahead of this weekend’s Leadership Academy, we welcome Jeff Wiser and discuss a wide range of topics: the power of saying “yes,” navigating advanced cancer…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 110. Am I a Burden? (ft. Sol Ryan)
How do you "get" by giving something up? Everyone has something in life with which they struggle or need help. Why do we insist on going it alone? This week we…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 109. The Nudge (ft. Douglas J. Campbell)
Join us for a legend’s journey with the great Doug Campbell. We chat sequential decades of Annual Communications, proficiency of the MN Masonic Code, and the…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 108. 18:53 Working Tools Series: A Lifelong Commitment
The initiatory process within Freemasonry is a journey of self-discovery. Each degree dispenses a new teaching that can help create a worthy Brother who will…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 107. Are You A Traveling Man? (ft. Lewis Bradley)
There are no strangers in Freemasonry, only friends you’ve yet to meet. This week we have an impromptu chat with Bro. Lewis Bradley about Masonic travel and…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 106. The Details (ft. Bill Schoonover and Ben Lacy)
The Masonic Lodge is a sacred space where you can feel at home: safe, accepted, and able to talk about anything. Confronting “real life” topics in a Lodge…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 105. 18:53 Working Tools Series: Eureka!
Pythagoras, the man and myth, was a pioneer. He was the first to call himself a philosopher. He spiritualized mathematics and believed that numbers are the…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 104. The Value Of An Ordinary Life
Grab the bread, salt, and wine – we’re delving deeper into some of the more subtle lessons contained within “It’s A Wonderful Life,” an enduringly complex…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 103. Mixed Feelings Season (ft. Peter Hubbard)
This is a challenging time of year: family drama, loneliness/grief, financial strain, increased anxiety/depression, and overwhelming schedules. It’s okay to…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 102: Shared Purpose (ft. Derrick Fountain)
Grab your fedora – here comes a true sartorialist. Derrick Fountain outlines the power of personalized connection, managing change, and accountability of lodge…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 101. 18:53 Working Tools Series: Time
What time is it? When you check your phone to see what time it is in another country, when airlines synchronize international flight schedules, when financial…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 100. Building Connection & Trust: It Starts with You
To celebrate 100 episodes, we break down one of the biggest insights we’ve learned so far: the foundation of Blue Lodge is built on authentic relationships…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 99. Trajectory (ft. Marc Lovin)
How do we set up the Masonic journey to be a success? “We say it, but do we actually do it?” Former Army Intelligence Analyst and Minnesota transplant via…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 98. 18:53 Working Tools Series “Carriers of the Flame”
Our incredibly insightful Grand Lodge Education Officer Brad Phelps asks the tough questions and shares several thoughts worth pondering. Transformation takes…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 97. Veterans Day (ft. Lloyd Cheney)
“What am I going to do today to make myself a better Mason?” Retired U.S. Army combat Veteran, recipient of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and dedicated…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 96. Charity = Love (ft. Brian Beermann)
“The heart of charity is the love we extend to each other.” Get your Cipher out: it’s Brian Beermann. Applying the lessons, collaboration, training your…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 95. 18:53 Working Tools Series: The Badge of a Mason
As important as the square and compass are to us as Masons, they are not our primary symbols. This week we take a closer look at what is an outward and visible…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 94. What Care Looks Like (Minnesota Masonic Home)
This week it’s some of the greats: Jonathan Ruiz, Anna McCleary, Stacey Brown, and Alex Lee from our Masonic Home. Compassionate, quality care is our mission…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 93. Resilience (ft. Justin Ortega)
How do you show up every day? Marine Corps Veteran and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast Justin Ortega digs into the challenges of integrity, purpose, and doing…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 92. 18:53 Working Tools Series: “Do Good Unto All”
This week we break down the vital importance of authentic friendship, re-thinking lodge education, and identifying our “cause” or purpose as Freemasons. How do…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 91. Momentum (ft. Zeb Dudek)
Zeb Dudek brings his diverse set of skills (and his ruck sack) to the show this week. Hot topics across the board on this one, like the perils of “tradition…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 90. Masonic Cancer Center (ft. Dr. David Largaespada)
What is the nature of treating cancer? The field is moving tremendously fast: medicine is changing, and new forms of therapy are becoming the norm. “There’ll…
- Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Episode 89. 18:53 Working Tools Series: The Masonic Home
This year’s Masonic Charities Gala (9/27) will be showcasing the Minnesota Masonic Home. Since its inception a century ago, our Home’s mission has been to…