Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries

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 the lasting impact of a warm welcome. Lewis became a Master Mason in 2024 and shares his journey: relocating from England to Spain, his dad’s professional soccer career, and the joy of making friends for life.  “You just feel like you belong....

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 setting requires us to be students of brotherhood.   Are you feeding your strengths while supporting your brother’s weaknesses? “Brotherhood is not just an action; it’s a togetherness that is elevated.”  Bill Schoonover and Ben Lacy are members...

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 basis of all science and philosophy. He applied mathematics to his studies of geometry, music, and planetary movements.  “We could think of Pythagoras as a model for modern Freemasons because crying ‘Eureka’ suggests a delight in the discovery...

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 piece of cinema.  To truly appreciate the meaning of Christmastime, our friend Michael Arce connects several points of the holiday classic with our Masonic core values.  “Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leav...

This is a challenging time of year: family drama, loneliness/grief, financial strain, increased anxiety/depression, and overwhelming schedules.  It’s okay to have others help you along the way. This week we sit down with our pal Peter Hubbard and talk about the power of peer support and finding our way together.  “I have yet to meet somebody that has stretched out their hand, came from a place of...

Grab your fedora – here comes a true sartorialist. Derrick Fountain outlines the power of personalized connection, managing change, and accountability of lodge officers. Creating a lodge calendar requires some strategy, but what does that look like?  Hear about “recruit, reclaim, retain” at Nicollet Lodge No. 54 (St. Peter), and the importance of finding occasional stillness and silence in our bus...

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 markets trade across continents—all of this traces back to a long night spent in a rural railway station by a Brother Mason, who refused to accept that the world's approach to timekeeping was good enough. “Every year is getting shorter...

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, everything else sits on top.  Lodges today are facing the same challenges seen across society: men are struggling, often silently. These struggles affect the emotional and relational health of Lodges. We say the word “brotherhood,” but men wan...

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 Texas and Tennessee: it’s Marc Lovin. Newport No. 118's Senior Warden weighs in on planning for the year ahead, overcoming internal communication struggles, and the underrated value of Masonic travel.  “What is your lodge doing today that...

Our incredibly insightful Grand Lodge Education Officer Brad Phelps asks the tough questions and shares several thoughts worth pondering.  Transformation takes time, along with a willingness to do the important work.   “How do you know yourself to be one?” It’s an all new Minnesota Masonic Histories & Mysteries.  Check out www.bythecompass.org for more from Brad.  

“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 servant leader Lloyd Cheney joins us in studio. From a lengthy deployment to acclimating back to civilian life, Lloyd takes us on his journey.  “You’re never going to be the same, and you have to accept that.”  Do we underestimate the impact of...

“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 successor, and knowing that consistency is essential to lodge success.  “The important piece of Masonic ritual is the application of the ideals of Masonic ritual and how we apply them to our daily lives.”  Brian Beermann is a Past Master of Mizpa...

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 symbol of an inward and spiritual grace. Back by popular demand, we delve into the writings of John L. Cooper III and examine the symbolic work it takes for each of us to contribute to a stable and useful society…on an all-new Minnesota Mas...

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, but what does it take to maintain such a highly rated care facility?  Hear more about authentic relationships with residents, genuine passion for excellence, and expanded volunteer opportunities at your Masonic Home.  More info: mnmasonichom...

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 the right thing. “Personal improvement is hard, and it takes a lot of discipline and dedication. True happiness comes from the hard work.” With a modern take on our 24-inch gauge, we take a step back and examine “happiness” in today’s world,...

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 all these things impact the overall “member experience” in your lodge?  Also, we have an underused passage that serves as a reminder that our obligations extend beyond the walls of the lodge to our communities and the world at large. Grab y...

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 prevailing,” rethinking internal lodge infrastructure, and the necessity of partnering with community groups. “Whatever your lodge is working on, you have to keep that momentum going.”  Planning way ahead + effective communication = breaking o...

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 be ways for us to detect cancer years earlier than we do now, and that's going to allow us to treat many more patients successfully.” Dr. David Largaespada (Deputy Director of the Masonic Cancer Center) joins us this week to share insig...

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 provide quality care and services to aging adults. What were circumstances like in the early 20th century, when the world had yet to establish dedicated eldercare? This week’s episode showcases how it all came together, with collaboration betwee...

We’re hanging out with Senior Grand Deacon Scott Rich. The pride of Mizpah No. 191 shares life adventures from the South Pacific with the Marine Corps, woodworking, skydiving, and perspective on how we ensure lodges are relevant to our members.  “That’s such a huge thing to be able to accept, especially as a man: here are some guys I can count on and trust, that’ll be there for me no matter what....

This week we sit down with Robert S. Davis, Grand Master of Masons in Minnesota. Hear about his numerous life adventures: living across the region as a “Pastor’s Kid,” passion for Scouting America, and later serving with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic.  “What you do today can affect people a hundred years from now. Do you want to leave a positive effect or a negative effect?”  Pursuing...

What happens when the Master Mason fails to perform his duty of instructing the Entered Apprentice, and instead plots to discredit him and claim glory for himself?  “Focused energy is a blessing. Unfocused anger and rage are destructive of all societies, especially of ours.” This week we revisit the incomparable writings of John L. Cooper III and take a trip to Rosslyn Chapel in search of the Appr...

Where do we begin the pursuit of authentic human connection and giving back to the greater good?  “We find commonality…and connection comes out of that commonality.” Scott Glendenning and Steve Kaarbo share how their non-profit is bringing the Duluth community together by giving back to families and supporting various health initiatives.  “Some people might say, in the grand scheme of things, mayb...

Our pal Reed Houge poses the question: how do you put yourself out there? “Every relationship, whether business or personal, starts with one thing: trust.”  Born in Jamestown, ND, Reed served in the U.S. Army as an Avionics Technician and Combat Engineer. He later relocated to Minnesota where he joined Nelson Lodge No. 135 in Buffalo (2013).  Professionally, he was a Medical Applications Engineer...

“The truly impactful people? Their peers trust them, because of who they are…not what they say they are…but WHO they are.”  There’s so much depth to our ritual when we reflect beyond just “the words.” This week we sit down with our Grand Lodge Education Officer and discuss a wide range of topics, from slowing down our daily grind to inspiring others. Do you have what it takes to be a positive &quo...