Three Dogs North

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 people, but that’s not your job. Your job is to do what Jesus is asking and know that He is going to be faithful.”Fr. Michael Metz Quotes: “Over the years I've grown in deep confidence in Jesus’ fidelity to people.” (Mike, 11:42)“You can’t save these people, but that’s not your job. Your job is to do what Jesus is asking and know that He is going to be faithful.” (Mike, 12:21)“You’re going to where the edge is, to the people that are on it and giving them the Sacraments. You have to be responsive to reality, as it is.” (Connor, 13:47)“The point of us being on the internet is to gather a coterie of humans that in

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 artificial reality.” (Connor, 5:04)“(A friend is) someone with whom you have no qualms about sharing the entire contents of your heart.” (Connor quoting St. Aelred of Rievaulx, 25:25)“I have a more general definition of friendship: someone who, if I was in a pickle, I could call and count on them.” (Mike, 28:55)“I don’t have anybody with whom I have no qualms about sharing the entire contents of my heart, only God. God is my friend, but no one else.” (Connor, 30:21)“You know how to follow the directions in the video game that is your life.” (Connor on GPS, 35:35) Media Mentions: Wired’s “AR Will Spark the

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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), […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

In this episode, the dogs talk about how to take care of Gremlins (2:10) and exploding kittens (4:40). Connor shares his fear of unmet expectations (6:30) and they all discuss what it means to ultimately trust that God is a good father (11:30) who will provide for his children (13:00). Rob asks for grace on […]

In this episode, the dogs talk about a Korean War chaplain who is a candidate for canonization as well as the specific graces they are praying for right now.  Connor talks about a redo July 4th celebration in September (4:48) and Mike shares that he will be attending Fr. Emil Kapaun’s funeral mass in Wichita, […]