In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles welcome Michael Knowles, conservative commentator and host of The Michael Knowles Show, to discuss the critical role of language in shaping truth, culture, and faith. Drawing from philosophy, theology, and literature, Knowles explores how the corruption of language distorts our perception of reality, the dangers of slogans and propaganda, and the rebellious power of silence in a distracted world. From Dante’s view of fraud to the importance of interpreting the “signs of the times,” this episode is a thought-provoking call to reclaim language for truth and virtue.

Key Discussion Points:

• Language as a Lens for Truth: Knowles explains that language is not a neutral tool but shapes how we perceive the world. Misusing it, such as through euphemisms like “undocumented American” instead of “illegal alien,” can obscure truth and manipulate thought.
• Euphemisms and Lies: While polite euphemisms (e.g., “woman of a certain age”) can be charitable, dishonest ones cross into lying, undermining civil discourse and societal standards.
• The Battle of Standards: The real fight isn’t between free speech and censorship but between competing norms. Knowles critiques free speech absolutism, advocating for standards that reject obscenity and fraud in the public square.
• Philosophy and Language Degradation: Drawing on Josef Pieper, Knowles notes that denying objective truth turns language into a tool for manipulation, eroding reasoned debate and civil society.
• The Power of Silence: In a world of constant noise, silence is a rebellious act that allows us to hear God’s voice and interpret the “signs of the times,” as Christ urges.
• Dante and Fraud: Knowles connects Deacon Harrison Garlick’s idea of lying as “contraceptive speech” to Dante’s Inferno, where fraud, especially betrayal, is among the gravest sins, as it perverts language’s purpose of conveying truth.
• Christian Task of Interpretation: Knowles emphasizes that Christians are called not to “do” but to interpret the world’s meaning, aligning actions with truth rather than reconstructing it.

Resources:

• The Catholic Woodworker – Discover heirloom-quality rosaries, including the “Saint Michael the Defender” rosary gifted to Michael Knowles.
• Check out The Michael Knowles Show on your favorite podcast platform or at dailywire.com.
• Explore Josef Pieper’s works on language and truth, such as Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power.
• Learn more about Dante’s Inferno for insights into the moral weight of fraud and betrayal.

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles dive into the topic of spiritual idleness, drawing from Father Frederick Faber’s Growth in Holiness: Progress of the Spiritual Life. Recorded around the Fourth of July, the episode begins with a celebration of small-town Americana, from mutton busting at the local rodeo to the ordination of their friend, Father Robert Williams. The hosts then explore seven developments of spiritual idleness—dissipation, sadness, sloth, and more—offering practical insights on how to stay vigilant and prioritize a life oriented toward God. Sipping on Balvenie’s American Oak 12-Year Scotch, Adam and David discuss how modern distractions, like smartphones and excessive communication, fragment our focus and hinder our prayer life, and share strategies for cultivating presence, joy, and intentionality in both spiritual and daily routines.

Key Discussion Points:

• Small-Town Americana: The hosts celebrate the Heart of America rodeo, mutton busting, and the communal prayer and patriotism of small-town events, reflecting on their importance in fostering connection.
• Priestly Ordination: David shares a moving story of his son’s emotional response to Father Robert Williams’ ordination, highlighting the eternal nature of the priesthood and the call to discernment.
• Spiritual Idleness Defined: Drawing from Father Faber’s Growth in Holiness, the hosts unpack seven developments of spiritual idleness: dissipation (misprioritizing tasks), sadness (rooted in self-love), sloth (hatred of existence), useless industry (excessive communication), and general indifference to time.
• Dissipation’s Impact: Putting less important tasks first disrupts the hierarchy of goods, leading to a loss of peace and distractions in prayer, as Faber notes: “He who is diligent will soon be cheerful.”
• Sadness and Self-Love: Sadness, driven by self-improvement rather than God, gives the devil power over the soul, undermining spiritual progress.
• Sloth as a Culmination: Sloth combines dissipation and sadness, fostering a distaste for existence and duties, disrupting the tranquility of order (Aquinas’ definition of peace).
• Useless Industry: Faber’s critique of excessive letter-writing in the 1800s applies to today’s text messaging and social media, which fragment focus and reduce meaningful communication.
• Indifference to Time: Wasting time, especially on addictive platforms like YouTube Shorts, is a “stupid” sin that squanders the precious, irrevocable gift of time, which Faber calls “the stuff out of which eternity is made.”
• Focus and Presence: True focus requires saying “no” to distractions to prioritize God’s will, fostering presence in both daily life and prayer, as exemplified by a man eating lunch under a tree without multitasking.
• Leisure Done Right: Leisure must align with one’s state in life, be tethered to joy, and have a contemplative aspect, avoiding compulsory or utilitarian ends.

Notable Quotes from Father Frederick Faber:

• “Dissipation… consists in putting things off beyond their proper times so that one duty treads upon the heels of another, and all duties are felt as irksome obligations.”
• “He who is diligent will soon be cheerful.”
• “The soul of sadness is self-love… How many are there whose real end in the spiritual life is self-improvement rather than God?”
• “Nothing gives the devil so much power over us [as sadness].”
• “Time is the stuff out of which...

A special thank you to our sponsor, The Catholic Woodworker. Get your heirloom quality rosaries here: https://catholicwoodworker.com/

In this inspiring episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles sit down with special guest Harrison Butker, NFL kicker and devout Catholic, to discuss fatherhood, faith, and leading a virtuous life in today’s world. Harrison shares his insights on being the head of the household, raising children in the faith, and balancing a high-profile sports career with family responsibilities. From practical tips on prayer routines to the importance of grandfathers in passing down wisdom, this episode is packed with wisdom for Catholic men striving to live authentically for Christ.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Role of a Father as the Head of the Household: Harrison emphasizes the responsibility of men to lead their families with virtue, drawing parallels to great leadership in sports, like his coach Andy Reid, who takes accountability as a true leader.
• Raising Faithful Children: As the primary educators, parents must prioritize their children’s relationship with Christ over worldly achievements. Harrison shares how he and his wife teach their children, including preparing his six-year-old son for First Communion and altar serving.
• Building a Prayerful Family Life: Harrison discusses the importance of a family rosary, praying before meals, and striving for quality in prayer to foster a deep connection with God.
• The Role of Grandparents: Harrison reflects on the value of grandparents in passing down faith and life lessons, advocating for multi-generational households to strengthen family bonds.
• Advice for Young Boys: Harrison’s heartfelt advice to the hosts’ sons: “You are enough.” He encourages young men to follow Christ and the saints, embracing their unique vocations without succumbing to societal pressures of pride or competition.

Special Mention:

• Harrison praises the durability of rosaries from The Catholic Woodworker, a sponsor of the show, and receives a handmade “Terror of Demons” rosary as a gift.
• The hosts and Harrison discuss the importance of intentional prayer, with practices like the Angelus and family rosary to anchor family life in faith.