Craftsmen Online Podcast

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This episode literally came together from five bullet points that our guest, emailed RW Michae Arce. While these points could have easily been separate episodes — we will tackle them, hot takes and all! WB Scott Dayton & Bull Garlington cover how, by making key points of our ritual and the Masonic Education that should follow each of the Three Degrees of Freemasonry, we can “Make Freemasonry M...

We've assembled an all-star cast featuring author, Jeffrey Rosen, Bro. Chris Ruli, WB Ted Cross, and RW Lee Justo for a discussion on " What the Founders Meant by Happiness ”, the online course from Arizona State University. Our panel explores the themes of this course, the role of citizens in democracy and the multiple connections to Freemasonry. Enjoy! Show notes and links:  Join us on Patreon ....

WB Cedric Jacobson returns to share the history and philosophical meanings behind one of the more rare parts of Masonic ritual: the Perfect Points of your Entrance. Many Brothers view these points simply as ritual mechanics or anatomical references from early exposures like Samuel Prichard's 1730 publication. Bro. Cedric traces these concepts back to their classical roots in Plato's ideal state an...

WB Nathan St. Pierre returns to examine the history and practical value of The Harris Charge . First published by Thaddeus Mason Harris in 1792, this closing charge directs Masons on how to act after leaving the sacred retreat of the lodge. This conversation covers the origins of the text, its core lessons on moral duty, and how Masons can apply its principles to daily life. Show notes and links: ...

We think this converation is so important, we want to make sure you hear it. This is a Craftsmen Online Subscriber Extra episode that conitunes our discussion with WB Nathan Tweedie on financial aid. We help students and parents navigate through the "how the heck are we going to pay for this" question by sharing our insight on "the value of higher education." Good luck and enjoy the ad free experi...

Securing financial aid and scholarships for college has become increasingly complex due to major structural overhauls in federal processing systems. WB Nathan Tweedie, is a Student Financial Services professional at the State University of New York. He joins us to dissect the modern financial aid landscape. Bro. Nathan shares the critical pitfalls families must avoid, the exact questions parents n...

True male initiation does not end with organizational ranks or degrees. It begins when a man meets the magical woman—the muse, Valkyrie, and dream partner who ignites creative genius and spiritual liberation. Bro. Angel Millar returns to discuss his book, Supernatural Woman and the Male Initiate . Moving beyond male-centric warrior models, this conversation explores Memento Mori , sacred intimacy,...

Every Master of a Lodge faces the exact same challenge: how to fill the trestle board with meaningful Masonic education. For decades, Masters have relied on dry, decades-old bulletins that check a box but fail to spark real discussion. Craftsmen Online is proud to partner with Bro. Olivier Prado to share a new Lodge program and officer education resource: Craft Papers . Learn how this website prov...

On June 24th, our Reading Room opened at the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library, in the Grand Lodge of New York building on West 23rd Street in Manhattan. Our panel assembled to discuss, "The Power of Positive Thinking," writen by Bro. Norman Vincent Peale. Bro. Peale was an American Protestant clergyman, and an author best known for popularizing the concept of positive thinking, espec...

Imagine walking into a Masonic Lodge to find a handful of members downstairs, casually meeting over drinks instead of doing the Work of our Ancient and Gentle Craft. Unfortunately, this is the experience for some new Brothers. WB Johnathan Wilsey shares the recovery story of Noah Lodge No. 754. He details how approaching men at the school pick up and around town to see if they wanted to get involv...

RW Michael Brockbank and his son, Bro. Matthew Brockbank, discuss their unique relationship as Father, Son, and Masonic Brothers. This episode examines how Freemasonry reinforces family ties. We focus on the practical benefits of a shared ethical framework, and the value of family traditions in the modern Lodge. Show notes and links:  Join us on Patreon . Start your FREE seven day trial to the Cra...

WB Cesar Rubio, host of the Masonic Muscle Podcast , joins us to discuss his new series: "Masonic Origins War." Every week, Bro. Cesar examines the 12 historical and legendary origins of Freemasonry. The discussion centers on the framework established in 1877, by Kenneth R. H. Mackenzie in The Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia. Show notes and links:  Join us on Patreon . Start your FREE seven day trial to...

We are joined by Bro. Brian Mattocks, podcast host and author of the new book, “ A Mason’s Work .” His book builds on his message and philosophy of self development and personal improvement. We focus on the gap between understanding the roles of Lodge leadership and how to apply this mindset into problem solving. My favorite part, we’ll jump into the difference between listening and approaching ch...

RW Lee Justo, Deputy Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of New York, examines New York Masonic History that shaped the American Revolution. We'll cover Founding Fathers like George Washington and Robert R Livingston. Learn the significance of the 1789 Inauguration and the role of the oldest Lodges in the state. This conversation provides a clear look at the men who designed the American brand of L...

WB Cedric Jacobson examines why early American Lodge met in taverns or public houses. Using artifacts and historical findings from Hiram Lodge No. 1, New Haven, CT, we’ll discuss the role of taverns, how they were more than a bar for a drink but the center points of towns and the primary meeting point for Americans during the Revolution. Show notes and links:  Join us on Patreon . Start your FREE...

WB Wes Latchford joins the podcast to examine the complex role Freemasons played in the American Revolution. As we approach the America 250 celebration, we explore how prominent Founding Fathers reconciled their Masonic obligations with the act of rebellion. We discuss the "Green Dragon Tavern" connection and how Masonic principles of equality and liberty influenced the Declaration of Independence...

This week we travel to one of the oldest communities in Upstate New York: Johnstown. RW Michael Millias is the Past Master of St. Patrick’s Lodge No 4 in Johnstown and shares the life of Sir William Johnson. Johnson served as the first Master of the Lodge in 1766 and managed the complex relationship between the British Crown and the Native American tribes in what was colonial New York’s western fr...

Our favorite Masonic researcher and author, Bro. Chris Ruli, returns to the podcast to discuss his groundbreaking research on his new book, “ Congress and the Freemasons .” This project represents the most extensive catalog of Masonic research on the legislative branch to date, offering an accurate list of Masonic Congressmen and deep historical insights. We explore how early Congress and Grand Lo...

Why do some Masonic Lodges thrive with energy and purpose while others fade? Is it the members? The events? The traditions? Or is it something deeper—something you can't simply copy and paste? In this episode we are joined by WBs Bull Garlington and Scott Dayton, Past Masters of the innovative Lux Lunae Lodge No. 1181 in Chicago, a Lodge founded with the radical idea that culture must be intention...

Join us at the intersection of Stoic philosophy and Masonic practice. Bro. Franklin Rings discusses how Marcus Aurelius’ writings on “Vices” inform the use of our Working Tools. Learn how to view vices not as unique failures, but as common distractions that challenge the independence of the mind. Show notes and links:  Join us on Patreon . Start your FREE seven day trial to the Craftsmen Online Po...

Every season, I invited a Past Master on the podcast for an open conversation on their time in the East. This year, I’m happy to have WB Edmond Freeman, Past Master of Hiram-Takoma Lodge No 10, Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, back on to share his experience. We’ll discuss how even the most ambitious, well-planned year can still have its challenges and the lessons on leadership that he wil...

RWBs Joe Evans and Oren Kutnowsky join the podcast to discuss the Northstar Program. This initiative from the Grand Lodge of New York addresses the critical needs of recruitment, engagement, and retention. The program provides a structured process for bringing a man from his initial inquiry to becoming an active Brother. Learn how the best practices in the Northstar Program can provide the tools n...

Effective leadership is the backbone of any successful Masonic Lodge. In this episode, we sit down with Worshipful Brother and Major Jesse Ouellette to bridge the gap between the United States Marine Corps and the Lodge Trestleboard. We move past abstract theories to the USMC's Principles of Leadership that provide a blueprint to foster accountability, improve officer communication, and execute a...

WB Ted Cross returns to announce a free course this summer on American History! Starting June 8th, you can join Brothers from across New York State in the " What the Founders Meant by Happiness ” online course from Arizona State University in collaboration with the National Constitution Center. Dr. Cross shares the course outline; our Founding Fathers intent that Americans explore happiness not as...