The Walk

Whether it is about Star Wars: The Acolyte, about politics or about faith: online debate seems to be stuck in a negativity loop that is hard to avoid nowadays. Before you know it, you get sucked into the vortex of online negativity and you feel worse as a result. In this episode, I explore the root causes for this online behavior and I share with you how I try to counterbalance it by 'reprogrammin...

For months I have been working behind the scenes on creating a new home for my community on my own website. I have finally started the process of bringing people over from Patreon to the new system, and I am ironing out the last wrinkles. It is the kind of work that I always forget to 'count' at the end of the day, because it doesn't immediately result in tangible output. But thanks to the 'Got Do...

I am writing a new book about my method to create online content that reaches new people and forms community around my podcasts and videos. I have been developing this method for the past 20 years, from my early days as a Star Wars blogger to my recent adventures as an Anime commentator on TikTok. I talk about the focused way in which I am writing this book: by following a specific outline and by...

Yoda’s famous words—“Do, or do not. There is no try”—resonate beyond the Star Wars universe. But in our daily lives, it’s not always easy to put into practice. Join me as I explore the struggle between productivity and rest. I’ve struggled with endless To-Do lists must as much as with allowing myself some rest and recovery by doing nothing. Like Luke Skywalker during his training, I keep trying. H...

I often dream of living like a Hobbit.  A life in which the only thing I have to worry about is which meal comes next, or in which I only have to follow a wizard and a bunch of dwarves on an adventure. But in reality, I am very good at worrying about almost everything. Instead of living care-free, I am always planning, strategizing and going over all the possible scenarios that life can throw at m...

After the first LEGO movie came out, I was so inspired that I created a short animated video with Lego minifigures in which I explained the meaning of Pentecost. It was an instant hit and was viewed hundreds of thousands of times all over the world. It taught me how much of an impact your message can have if you communicate it in a language that your target audience (in this case: kids and their p...

I share my personal journey of joining the 501st Star Wars cosplay group, along with my commitment to becoming a healthier individual. I share how intermittent fasting not only helps me lose weight, but also reminds me of the importance of setting and prioritizing goals. Get full access to Father Roderick at fatherroderick.substack.com/subscribe

On Monday, I got a tour behind the scenes of the Tropical Reef Aquarium of Burger's Zoo in Arnhem. It was a fascinating experience. Our guide explained how the zoo makes its own, high quality sea water, eight million liters in total! This water is first distributed to the most important and most demanding part of the Aquarium: the thriving, colorful coral reef, the largest living coral reef in Eur...

Last weekend I spent two full days at the biggest fantasy and costuming festival in Europe: Elfia. In this episode of the Walk, I share how over the years, I have managed to overcome my social restraints and how I'm learning to engage with total strangers on a deeply personal level. I also share what the new communities will offer you now that we are transitioning to the new website environment an...

I recently discovered why social activities often wear me out: in many situations, I feel that I have to 'put on my happy face' instead of being fully myself. It is an ingrained habit of 'masking', and I have noticed that the more I feel free to 'unmask', the more I actually enjoy social company. What are some of the reasons that we sometimes force ourselves to behave in a way that other people ex...

I was staring at the shelves of my fridge. What would I eat? I couldn't decide, and for a reason: I had just had dinner an hour before. And yet, I had felt this urge to grab a snack even though I wasn't hungry at all. Time to pause and to ask myself what was going on. I had been struggling with an important decision I had to take and instinctively I was trying to cope with the tension by eating so...

In this first episode of The Walk of the second quarter of the year, I look back on all the developments of my online ministry since the start of 2024 and I share with you the exciting next steps I am taking to improve the way in which I help my followers. Get full access to Father Roderick at fatherroderick.substack.com/subscribe

I recorded this episode of the Walk at the start of Holy Week, and I share with you some thoughts on how I hope to better serve you and the rest of my followers after Easter. In the premium part of the show, available to my patrons, I talk about my travel plans in April and during the rest of the year. Have a blessed Holy Week and a Happy Easter! Get full access to Father Roderick at fatherroderic...

In this episode of the Walk I share with you an insight that transformed the way I experience and organize my weekends. In the premium part of the show, I talk about the structure of my next book and how it reflects the core philosophy of my mission in the media. Get full access to Father Roderick at fatherroderick.substack.com/subscribe

We are at the half-way point of Lent. A good moment to assess where we are in our journey towards Easter. I share how an animation series helped me realize how little we know of each other's journey through life. In the premium part of the podcast, accessible to my patrons, I talk about my plans for another book and I share how much I enjoy coaching and developing courses and other material. Get f...

In this episode of the Walk I catch you up after a very busy week and I share with you how I was reminded not to give up on my dreams. In the premium part of the Walk, available to my patrons, I talk about my plans for group coaching and for a Mastermind group. Get full access to Father Roderick at fatherroderick.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Walk, I answer a question that was raised by a journalist who interviewed me about my new book 'Lent for Little Folk'. She had noticed that the book focused quite a bit on self development during Lent, and she wondered how that related to the religious, 'vertical' dimension of faith during this time. In the premium part of the episode, available to my higher tier patrons, I...

In this episode of The Walk I share with you how I wrote my first book since 'Geekpriest' in just three days. The title of the book is 'Lent for Little Folk' and it will be made available soon! Get full access to Father Roderick at fatherroderick.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Walk, I share some tips on how best to prepare for Lent in order to make the most of this special time. Get full access to Father Roderick at fatherroderick.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Walk, I answer a common question from my followers on social media with a religious background: "Father, can I watch this show or read this book if it goes against my faith?" What to do if you come across media content that challenges your personal convictions? The post The Walk: What to Do When Your Favorite Book, Movie, or Game Challenges Your Faith? appeared first on Fath...

It is so important to foster a climate of trust in organizations and in the church so people feel safe to talk about their mental health issues if these arise. In this episode of The Walk I share my thoughts on this after some recent experiences. The post The Walk: Why Mental Health Should Never Be a Taboo Subject appeared first on Father Roderick . Get full access to Father Roderick at fatherrode...

In this episode of The Walk, I discuss the current trend of high-profile YouTubers stepping away from their full-time YouTube job. What can we learn from what these content creators mention about work-life balance? In the Premium section of the podcast available to my $5 patrons, I share how those lessons also influence my coaching Continue reading "The Walk: Quitting YouTube" The post The Walk: Q...

In this episode of The Walk, I share with you how I plan the journey of my followers from first contact to an ongoing relationship that brings value to their lives. In the premium version of the show, I give you more behind the scenes information about what is going on in my life and Continue reading "The Walk: How I Plan The Journey Of My Followers" The post The Walk: How I Plan The Journey Of My...

A couple of years ago, I was in the Vatican on a Wednesday morning for the pope’s weekly audience. The sun was warm, I was still a bit sleepy and the pope was reading a text in Italian. My thoughts started to drift and my eyelids started to become heavy. Suddenly, the pope stopped reading, Continue reading "The Walk: The App That Finally Made Me Listen To Pope Francis" The post The Walk: The App T...

One of my New Year's resolutions is to dedicate more time to writing. Good writing can be a strong foundation for my videos, for my blogposts and for my other efforts to reach new audiences. But good writing requires practice. And there is one key ingredient that helps writing go from good to great. in this episode of The Walk, I share what that ingredient is. The post The Walk: Why People Don’t L...