Three Dogs North

If you haven’t yet, listen to S11 E34 Loggerheads (Part 1) In this episode, the dogs pick up where they left off last time (0:25). Mike clarifies when he thinks control is appropriate in a leadership position (2:50) and Rob proposes that control, when it’s properly used, can be a training in the virtues (12:53). Rob shares an “anointed moment”, which was ultimately born out of being fully prepared...

In this episode, the dogs discuss the relationship between authority and control (3:30). Rob brings up the scrutiny readings from The Gospel of John (3:51). Connor takes a hard line against any positive connotations surrounding control (6:10), but Rob and Mike are less convinced (11:30). They end in disagreement (29:20). To be continued…. Quotes: “When you don’t have authority you need to control...

In this episode, the dogs share stories about their respective trips to the Holy Land (6:10) and the freedom of traveling without a phone (3:40). They compare their experiences with Turkish coffee (6:30), travel laundry hacks (14:00), and the breathtaking views in Galilee (15:25). Quotes:  “The flip phone is a tool I use, whereas the smartphone had a grip on me.” (Connor, 5:00) “Anything for freed...

In this episode, the dogs talk in-person at Rob’s house in Maryville, IL (1:50). They share highlights from the 2022 Three North Hangout which include, but are not limited to: a steak dinner (2:35), the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis (2:10), the Gateway to the West (10:40), a concelebrated funeral Mass (15:51), and Connor’s inaugural viewing of Babette’s Feast (2:38). Mike and Connor gush over Ro...

In this episode, the dogs talk about various devotions and the grounding force of prayer. Connor shares how grateful he is for the cast (4:00). Mike asks Connor about his morning offering (7:51) and shares how his own offering has changed over time (12:00). Bob talks about his lack of devotions growing up (21:22) and his reassurance in the Precepts of the Church (23:12). Mike speaks to the auxilia...

In this episode, the dogs talk about Mike’s recent attendance at a Jordan B. Peterson lecture (1:50), Exodus (2:40), and the dangers of ideology (3:15). Connor speaks about political extremism in The Cypresses Believe in God (17:09) and how difficult it can be to approach reality (22:00). Mike brings the conversation back to Egypt and his own human inclination toward slavery (30:49). Quotes: “Leav...

In this episode, the dogs talk about the current Russian invasion of Ukraine and its similarities to previous conflicts (00:45). Rob poses the question: “Do ideas shape history or do people shape history?” (08:15). They all discuss the glory of the saints (20:26), the need for true friendship (25:00), and the communion that is available to us at all times (26:30). Quotes: “In the fight for holines...

In this episode, the dogs talk about Mike’s new assignment with the 82nd Airborne Division (4:00) and the fulfillment of a decade-long call to be an Army chaplain (10:20). Mike (20:30) and Rob (23:54) lament the loss of their own hair. Connor offers a prediction for the future of the cast (29:50) and they all find a way to offend conductors and balding men alike (25:19). “You can’t save these peop...

In this episode, the dogs talk about Connor’s new “dumb” phone (0:55) and his experience living without an iPhone for the past ten days (4:30). Rob poses the question: “How many good friends are you capable of having?” (24:30) and the dogs give their own definition of true friendship (29:00). Quotes: “The iPhone isolates me and it makes me live my life and perceive the world through the prism of a...

In this episode, the dogs talk about a new book Mike is reading and its similarities to The Lord of the Rings (2:44). They all discuss various branches of the United States Armed Forces (6:53) and Connor suggests renaming the U.S. Army to “host” (9:20). The conversation turns to The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius (10:25) and examples of people who embraced their own littleness (18:45). They finis...

In this episode, the dogs talk about Mike’s mustache (1:13), Tiny Desk concerts (1:40), and Coyote Peterson (3:00). Rob revisits the monotasking discussion from “ Altar of snackrifice ” and asks Connor to summarize the Art of Manliness Podcast on monotasking (7:30). They broadly depict the difference between an office and a study (13:40) and give their own personal examples of activities that prop...

In this episode, the dogs talk about what it means to savor (7:00). Connor and Mike admit to guzzling large amounts of sweets (2:10, 4:00) and Rob eventually discloses his own proclivity to inhale ice cream (6:00). Connor brings up Josef Pieper’s work as a framework for understanding savoring (10:00) and the dogs recount fond memories from Mundelein (12:20) that were properly ordered toward frater...

In this episode, the dogs talk about the newly renovated chapel at UIC (00:50). Connor shares some feedback he’s received from students (04:10). Mike brings up the similarities between a church dedication and the sacraments of initiation (13:28). The dogs conclude with a discussion on living stones (21:20), the immortality of the soul (21:39), and Connor’s desires for the students at UIC (24:38). ...

In this episode, the dogs talk about Mike’s thesis (01:25), distributism (05:30), and the extent to which earthly resources can solve the world’s problems. Connor gives a summary of Ratzinger’s Eschatology (09:08, check out the glossary below). Rob shares a recent reflection about stewardship (20:55) and then they all discuss the hardships and grace of living within natural limits (26:55). Quotes:...

In this episode, the dogs talk about their favorite moments from recent and past podcast episodes (06:50). Connor’s most memorable moments come from books and movies they have discussed (09:00); Rob and Mike admit to a more immediate memory (13:10). The dogs all recount stories from their time at Mundelein (18:00), the virtues of dogness (38:30), and the ethos of the “best damn cam on campus” (27:...

In this episode, the dogs celebrate Mike’s braceless teeth (01:00) and he shares an epic stair jumping saga from a recent Metz family gathering (08:10). Rob brings up the importance of confronting fear after a close call (15:00) and asks Mike and Connor how they “convey the strength of God as a baby?” (28:05) They all discuss their desire for such a personal God (30:00). Connor shares his recent e...

In this episode, the dogs talk about football clock management (03:38), European soccer (05:44), steroids in baseball (08:00), and Deflategate (09:20). They reach resounding consensus over whether baseball should get rid of the home plate umpire (12:38) and their conversation about the use of technology moves from sports to the liturgy (27:06). Mike brings up the use of projectors in Mass (26:49)...

In this episode, the dogs talk about what it means to lead by love and treat others as “an end in themselves” (14:10). Their conversation on leadership spans baseball (0:50), combat (20:18), parish life (25:40), fatherhood (28:30), cycling (36:30), and basketball (33:37).     Quotes: “How can you not be romantic about baseball?” (Brad Pitt, 03:00) “Take care of those who are entrusted to you in th...

In this episode, the dogs talk about Michael Metz’s lack of a nickname (00:30), pig iron plants (02:30), and how to get out of the stone age (05:20). Connor returns to  last episode ‘s conversation about expectations and desires (08:00), Rob speaks about the temptation to squash desire (11:50) and the fruits of Kreeft’s book on suffering in one of his small groups (12:30). The dogs proceed to talk...

In this episode, the dogs talk about college football coaching shake-ups (00:33), the start of Advent (05:40), and the altar server pizza party at Mike’s parish (07:10). Mike asks the other dogs how they find a balance between desire and expectation (16:10). Rob describes the mystics and their posture of holy indifference as a way to heal from human expectations (21:22) and Connor pinpoints freedo...

In this episode, the dogs catch up about beef milk (02:55) Mike’s grandfather (09:07) and Squid Game (13:10). Connor brings up Hildebrand’s delineation of the classical man (18:41). Rob then asks for an explanation of those fundamental principles (22:02) and they all discuss.     Quotes: “I am going to be a human being in the world and not let technology trump my humanity and my embodiedness.” (Co...

In this episode, the dogs talk about early mornings (1:50), trucks (9:40), and beards (10:00). Connor considers what it means to be overwhelmed by beauty (6:45) and Rob asks the dogs to differentiate possessions and belongings (12:50). They all discuss how to have a healthy attachment to material goods (19:55), their plans for the end of the world (39:10), and approaching the final horizon of deat...

In this episode, the dogs talk about the Atlanta Braves (0:34) and “baseball guys” (04:00). Rob brings up the objective characteristics of beauty (9:01) and his concerns over Facebook’s newest attempts to make the internet even more immersive (16:30). Connor critiques some recently viewed dystopian films (22:50). Mike speaks about the limits of technology as it relates to the human experience (34:...

In this episode, the dogs discuss the renovations to the chapel at UIC (01:35). Mike brings up a Ratzinger quote about the Eucharist as thanksgiving (04:40) and Connor responds with some thoughts on what it means to live as a human who appropriately responds to value (11:12).  They close by discussing how to authentically embrace suffering (14:20) and Rob brings the conversation back to Christ’s h...

In this episode, the dogs talk about situations when anger is the appropriate response to evil.  Connor recounts his experience at a recent Joe Pug concert in Berwyn, IL (02:30) and Rob’s nine-year-old nephew shot his first deer (04:45). Rob shared the fruit of his five-day silent retreat (08:30) and the encouragement he received to have anger toward evil (12:24) to the extent that it reflects God...