Modern Goat Rider: an Odd Fellows podcast

Tara and Billy call upon all three Odd Fellows Lodges in Victoria to get a full representative samples of organizational challenges and solutions from their lodges. Sure, they are all well experienced British Columbia provincial government employees, but they also have great advice for lodges of any size. Enjoying their first rides on MGR are Sister Samantha Sherman from Bastion Lodge #4 , Brother...

Did someone say Hockey and Odd Fellowship? Yes we did! Journalist, author Morey Holzman joins Billy and Tara to discuss his second book, The Odd Fellow’s Heart, on the history of Hockey’s origins, but this one has a discovered Odd Fellows slant. Morey had never heard of the Odd Fellows before discovering James “Jimmy” Stewart. Morey found that the influence of Odd Fellows was not only imparted to...

The written word is not Dead! Brother Scott Moye , co-founder of the Heart In Hand blog joins Tara and Billy to discuss his new book, Think Like an Odd Fellow . Not only do you get to hear Billy gush over how much he loves this book, but Tara helps Scott explain the importance of this type of book that takes a deeper exploration into the philosophy behind F-L-T. Scott is eloquent with his explanat...

The Summer keeps cooking along, when Tara and Billy get together to talk about what could make a Lodge look, feel and be successful. Covering many areas of what a member might consider, they segue through “doing it wrong, while doing it right”, “running a Lodge is hard work” and “how not to be a jerk”. But before all that, current events were discussed including a Man on the Street interview with...

Who is Robert’s and why is he still around? Tara and Billy welcome PGM Justin Bailey of Pennsylvania Odd Fellows Grand Lodge to discuss all the fun a Lodge can have when employing Robert’s Rules of Orders and proper governance to maximize efficiency and purpose. None of the three are experts so do not expect to get a "how-to do it show", but follow along then get yourself educated, and s...

Why not spend this traditional holiday weekend learning about something Progressive? Jessica Dickinson Goodman and Sinead Toolis are back for part two of their powerful interview from the end of May. [Their introductions are in Ep. 33. Sinead is first to speak this episode] Although there have been struggles at some of their Lodge’s meetings, ok, many meetings; they remain optimistic that the Moun...

Vancouver, BC members continue to be doing good things inside their Hall. This time, Tara and Billy welcome members of Hemlock Lodge #8 to discuss the work completed to redesign much of the Hall’s esthetic to present a modern look while capitalizing on the heritage of the building and the history of the past members. Soleil Toszak and Annie Lefebvre are delightful guests to walk through the proces...

Wondering how to build your Lodge? We do not mean just build it, we mean invest in its growth and then invest in those members to onboard them. Two wonderful members from Mountain View Lodge #244 in California join Tara and Billy to explain how a multi-year campaign of reaching out to small, well lead community groups began with Sinead Toolis becoming a member and then Jessica Dickinson Goodman jo...

Signature events for lodges are major undertaking which require many supportive people from all angles for participating, volunteering, sponsoring, promoting, and donating. PG Dave Pettenuzzo of Columbia Lodge #2 rides in to tell us all about the workings of the Annual Charity Disc Golf tournament; an event that routinely raises over $25,000 for the Vancouver Island Crisis Society .  Check us out...

Tara and Billy are excited to be joined by professionals to talk about not only Friendship in FLT, but more deeply in how friends are made and how to maintain friendships as we each play a few notes in the music of lifelong relations. We know you will enjoy listening to Sisters Frances Kinloch and Eva Van Krugel of Bastion Lodge #4 as they help us understand Friendship inside Fellowship. Check us...

We're super pumped that another vibrant Odd Fellow is joining Modern Goat Rider. Here's an introduction show to get to you acquainted with Tara Zajac.    Check us out online at moderngoatrider.com Reach us at info@moderngoatrider.com  

Life is full of “What if Moments”, and on this special episode of the show, our connection with the Three Links Odd Cast pays off as Brother Ainslie Heilich and Brother Toby Hanson climb aboard to discuss the situations of the past that made the Order what it is now, but we ask each other “What if things were different, then how different would Odd Fellowship be now?”. In part two, over at 3LOC, w...

Once Josh and Billy step out of the controlled conditions of Studio FLT, then truly anything can happen. This episode, our fearless duo got into the not-so-mean streets of Victoria to talk to people about who they thought the Odd Fellows were. Can’t spoil the show with too many details now, so check out all the fun the Brothers had. Think about doing the same by yourself or with another member to...

Uncovering the connection felt by Odd Fellows to their work within the Funeral Services industries has taken some time, but here it is. Billy hosted Sister Laura Van Sprang and Brother Anthony Black from Sands Victoria to discuss how they see the connection of Burying the Dead, and Relieving the Distressed. Laura and Anthony take us through how preparation can relieve so much of the distress sudde...

Josh and Billy hit topics from the current events in Oddfellowship that have touched us to be thankful and hopeful that as strange as the world is right now, we can see some familiarity around us, and new adventures awaiting us. The big news from past shows is that Brother Michael Douglas has digitally published True Fraternity, the first Encampment graphic novel which you can find at https://indy...

Saddle up! John Goldsmith of the DeMoulin Museum in Greenville, IL takes Billy and Josh on a magical ride through the history of the DeMoulin company, his family connection, the museum and the travails of goat riding. After the show, you will be like Josh by adding the museum to your “Odd Fellows Bucket List”. Check us out online at moderngoatrider.com Reach us at info@moderngoatrider.com   Intro...

In the glow of receiving his Muscovite degree, Billy chats with David Sheer of Peninsula Lodge #128 in Portland OR about the use of their hall and the structure in place to allow the members of the community to be exposed to Odd Fellowship before and during their use of the hall that has resulted in the hall becoming a community landmark. (Note: The degree Billy can’t remember is the Ancient Order...

Josh and Billy connect with Brothers Walter Wells and Chris Thomson to understand the challenges and the successes they experienced when they partnered with the City of Vancouver to open an Extreme Weather Warming Center for the homeless community in the West Side of Vancouver. Their use of the hall to contribute to the relieve distress among their neighbours. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/...

Choosing not to shy away from sensitive topics, Josh and Billy investigate the relations of social drinking within Odd Fellows and to do so they connected with a “dry lodge”. Across the continent from them, they chat with Brother Ron Boyle of Walker Lodge #306 in the Philadelphia area.  Taking as wide a view as possible everyone let their opinions flow. Also, plenty of love to GL Sec Justin Bailey...

A new year is shining upon the Modern Goat Rider so Josh and Billy take time to follow-up on topics from 2020 that needed to be continued and then turn their eyes on the brilliant hopes of 2021. Special guest PG & GP Randall Leavitt of Victoria Lodge #13 in Fredericton, NB drops in for an impromptu call. Plenty of laughs on just about every topic. Check us out online at moderngoatrider.com Rea...

Josh and Billy never technically take time off, so it doesn't seem out of character to publish a show while on a two-week recording break.  Here is a bit of history about Brother James Main , of Vancouver, BC who in 1965 ascended to the seat of Sovereign Grand Master. The SGM is the head of the worldwide organization above the state or provincial level Grand Lodges. Billy gives a historical i...

Josh and Billy investigated what has happening in our Odd world to discover three interesting people with three interesting stories. Come along to learn about scholarships, comic books and cold-water therapy as we meet Heather Hunt, Michael Douglas and Kris Daniels. Check us out online at moderngoatrider.com Reach us at info@moderngoatrider.com  

We were introduced into Noble Grand Greg Simms of Chequeuk Lodge #56 in Valparaiso, Indiana because we learned about a Christmas shopping drive the lodge organized. What started as a phone called with Greg turned into an exciting 45-minute explanation of how active a 12-person lodge can really be in their community. Get out a pen and write down these amazing ideas for your lodge! Check us out onli...

Josh steps aside for a show so Billy gets to meet Ray Hawksworth and Len Walsh from the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Aerie #12 in Esquimalt, BC. These two charitable friends were so gracious to educate all of us about their Order and the contributions it makes to our community and to its members. Check us out online at moderngoatrider.com Reach us at info@moderngoatrider.com   Intro – Anthony Shac...

Right back in the saddle for another goat ride, and this is a wild one. Past Grand Master Scott Aitchison  joins Josh and Billy for what was supposed to be a politics only discussion, but of course our good Brother’s positivity steered the show into other directions covering ways his Grand Lodge experience impacted his view of Odd Fellows, successes of BC’s Lodges and other detours. Hope you enjoy...