Forge the Man

What if the house, the career stability, the "right time" — none of it ever fully arrives? Would you still say yes? That's the question at the heart of this conversation with Patrick Wilkinson, a 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department who drives a hundred-foot aerial ladder truck through the streets of LA. But work isn't what lights Patrick up, it's his family. He and his wife Bianca m...

If you've ever felt like dating today is somehow harder than it used to be, this episode is for you. Dana, a California government attorney, Harvard grad, and returning guest, is back on the show, and a lot has changed since his last appearance: he's now engaged. In this conversation, Dana and Paul get honest about the real risks of dating, where to actually meet someone worth pursuing, how to han...

You don't need a full bank account or a clear plan to trust God with your future, you just need to be willing to take the next step. That's the heart of this episode. Milton Ogdoc is an architect who moved his family, including four children with special needs, from the Philippines to California with almost nothing to his name. In this conversation, Milton talks about the years of real financial p...

Your phone may be quietly rewiring your attention, your habits, and even your soul. Andrew Laubacher, co-founder of Humanality and creator of Illumined Wellness reveals why digital addiction is not just a productivity problem, but a human problem and what it takes to reclaim your focus, your freedom, and your life. In this Forge the Man and Fairest Love podcast crossover, Andrew shares about why h...

Ever made a decision you were completely sure about, brushed off someone's caution, and later wished you could take it all back? In this solo reflection, Paul uses a simple picture, four parts of a car, to talk through the cardinal virtues: prudence, temperance, courage, and justice. It's a short, practical episode, the kind you could listen to on a drive to work and actually carry with you for th...

Have you ever had your whole life planned out — college, the girl, the wedding, the kids, right on schedule — and then felt God quietly rearrange the timeline on you? That's exactly where our guest this week found himself. Anthony Giuntini is an electrical engineer who spends his weekdays designing power and lighting systems for buildings. Underneath the engineer's logic is a guy who once had a li...

Lieutenant Colonel Joe Groff has spent nearly 14 years in the United States Air Force as a JAG officer — an attorney handling criminal prosecution and defense within the military justice system. In this episode of Forge The Man, Joe walks Paul through his path from UCLA history major and Bush campaign field director to law school, failing the notoriously difficult California bar exam twice before...

Roberto "Bobby" Girault is an award-winning Mexican filmmaker best known for his breakout 2009 film El Estudiante , which won six Silver Goddess Awards including Best Director and Best Picture. In this episode of Forge The Man, Bobby talks with Paul about his winding path from law school to Vancouver Film School, the tension of choosing a "romantic" creative calling over the business path his fami...

In this solo reflection, Paul Ybarra digs into a 2018 Vatican document, Giving the Best of Yourself , from the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, which explores the role of sports in the Christian life — largely drawing on the "theology of the body" and personal example of Pope St. John Paul II, famously known as the "athlete pope." Paul makes the case that sports and physical fitness are genui...

Joel Ojeda is the Chief Operating Officer for the West region of an infrastructure consulting company, where he's helped scale the organization from roughly 1,000 to 6,500 employees. In this episode of Forge The Man, Joel — a USC engineering grad and Yale MBA — gets refreshingly practical about what it actually takes to lead well and grow a career: how he protects his focus from constant digital n...

Carlo Boton is a Certified Financial Planner in Southern California whose team manages roughly $200 million in client wealth — and he's also a father of eight, married to his wife Joy for 21 years. In this episode of Forge The Man, Carlo shares the whirlwind story of proposing to Joy after just ten days of courtship, why he believes raising a large family is far less expensive than most young coup...

Most Catholic men have heard of two vocations: marriage or the priesthood. In this episode of Forge The Man, Paul talks with James Herrick — a civil engineer, poet, and mentor living in the Bay Area — about a third path many have never considered: the celibate vocation of a numerary in Opus Dei. James walks through his own discernment story from third grade all the way through his decisive commitm...

What if most of what you want — the job, the truck, the girl, the tattoo — isn't really yours ? In this episode of Forge The Man, Paul sits down with Trevor Merrill, scholar, novelist, and director of Imitatio, to unpack the work of French thinker René Girard — the man Peter Thiel has credited with shaping his approach to leadership. Trevor breaks down two of Girard's biggest ideas: mimetic desire...

What does over 40 years in law enforcement teach a man about leadership, faith, marriage, and vocation? Former LAPD Commander Ignacio Verduzco shares lessons from over four decades of service as a Marine, police officer, and leader. to discuss serving as a Marine, leading police officers through some of Los Angeles' most difficult decades, and why integrity, patience, and mentorship matter more th...

What does it take to build a life of purpose? In this episode of Forge The Man , Paul Ybarra talks with Ray Tittmann about his path to becoming a lawyer, the transformative power of a liberal arts education, and why faith, mentorship, and great books remain essential for personal and professional growth. Ray shares why mentorship is essential for both personal and professional growth and explains...

What makes a father's influence last for generations? In this episode, Will Boles shares how his father's example shaped his faith, family, and leadership. From prioritizing spiritual formation despite a demanding career to creating meaningful family traditions and modeling humility in marriage and parenting, Will unpacks the lessons that continue to guide his life today. Whether you're a father,...

In this special episode, we remember the inspiring lives of Val Creus, Matthew Schoenecker, and Matthew Anthony, three numerary members of Opus Dei who tragically passed away on June 18th 2025 after attempting to save one another in the waters of Rattlesnake Falls. Listen as we explore their exemplified virtue, courage, dedication to their faith, and generosity for others. Through their lives, we...

In this insightful interview, Dominic Dizon shares his journey through medical school, the challenges faced, and the virtues essential for aspiring physicians. He emphasizes the importance of soft skills, faith, and purpose in a medical career, offering practical advice for those discerning their vocation. 00:00 Introduction to the Forge and Guest Background 02:33 Overcoming Personal Hurdles in Me...

In this inspiring interview, Kirby Fike shares his journey of faith, family, and fatherhood, including how he supports a large family of 12 children while balancing career and faith. Discover practical insights on raising children, maintaining a strong marriage, and embracing a life of virtue and purpose. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 00:57 Meeting and Marrying His Wife 01:41 Deciding on...

Dana Cruz, an attorney with extensive experience in government, policy, and military law, shares his inspiring journey from a working-class background to Harvard and his career in California's legal and legislative systems. He offers valuable insights on preparation, resilience, networking, and the virtues needed for success in law and public service. 00:00 Introduction to Dana Cruz and His Journe...

In this introductory episode of the Forge the Man podcast, host Paul Ybarra, discusses the purpose and vision behind the podcast, which aims to mentor young men by sharing valuable life lessons and experiences from various role models. Paul shares his own background, the importance of mentorship, and the types of guests that will be featured in future episodes, emphasizing the need for positive ma...