New Episodes!
We are two ordinary Christian guys who feel compelled to call men back to true Masculinity. Through raw conversations between a Protestant and a Catholic, we seek Manhood Restored.
About Manhood Restored
Mighty Men of Valor (that’s you!): We invite you to pull up a chair and have a listen—just as if we were talking over cold beers (or hot coffee!). Be entertained, be inspired, be challenged. Then, join us, and let’s get down to some restoration!
Ben Neff
Co-Host
Chad Stolly
Co-Host
Chad Stolly was also a middle school teacher, but got out long before Ben did. He is ONLY an insurance salesman in his five-generation family-owned agency. Podcasting is a welcomed distraction from the always-selling-insurance reality that is his day job. He too is married to his wife of nearly 20 years and is obviously the Catholic because he has 7 children (not just 4).
Recent Episodes
BONUS: Bob Paulus with the Northwest Men’s Conference
We were privileged to attend the 2023 Northwest Men’s Conference (formerly known as the Fort Loramie Men’s Conference) in St Henry, Ohio, on Saturday, March 4th. It was such an inspiring event, seeing over 200 men gathered for an all-day conference to grow in their faith.
We sat down with Bob Paulus–who’s been on the conference planning committee since its earliest days–to talk about the conference’s history and mission.
SHOW NOTES:
Conference FB Page: (5) Northwest Men’s Conference | Facebook
Episode 78-The Electric Appeal of Andrew Tate
Andrew Tate is an internet sensation whose celebrity status was raised to a new level in 2022, a year that counted him the “most Googled” name. Tate was a kickboxing champion in the 2010’s, but after a short stint on a British reality TV show, quickly became known for his controversial commentary and “ultra-masculine” persona. That combination of controversy and quick stardom won him many enemies; he soon found himself cancelled on social media and fresh fodder for all manner of media criticism.
Ben hovers his hand over a hot-button, current headliner as lead critic in this episode, while Chad takes the rare role (for him) of the uncorked droner and co-host. The two compare two Tate articles and offer their own analysis of this phenomenon. Should we place the blame at the feet of Tate when young boys act badly in imitation of his influencer antics? How does Tate’s recent conversion to Islam illustrate a unique but common blend of religion and politics? What does Andrew Tate ultimately signify in our modern cultural context?
SHOW NOTES:
Article 1, from Education Week: Misogynist Influencer Andrew Tate Has Captured Boys’ Attention. What Teachers Need to Know (edweek.org)
Article 2, from The Free Press: Embracing Islam to Own the Libs (thefp.com)
Piers Morgan interview: Andrew Tate vs Piers Morgan | The Full Interview – YouTube
Episode 77- Marriage and the Life of Faith
Life-long commitments like marriage and being a Christian are sources of our life’s greatest meaning and joy. Yet they also come with their fair share of difficulty (understatement?). Life choices of that import, carried forward over time, invariably encounter challenges. Figuring out, therefore, how to persevere in the face of those challenges is paramount.
Chad takes the lead in this “Life is a Dance” kind of episode. Ben follows, worming his way into the conversation with the wit of a middle-school math teacher. The two tango over this all-too-relatable, relational reality. When it comes to the emotions of love, why doesn’t the early, lovey-dovey stage last? In what way is the life span of a believer like that which is experienced in a marriage? How might math equations and story writing help us make better sense of the difficulties we encounter as committed Christians and husbands and wives?
SHOW NOTES:
Book referenced by Chad: The Hidden Stream: Mysteries of the Christian Faith by Ronald Knox | Goodreads
Episode 76 -Interview with Michael Foster
Michael Foster is the senior pastor at East River Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the co-author of “It’s Good to Be a Man: A Handbook for Godly Masculinity”, which was published by Cannon Press in 2022. He and his wife, Emily, live with their seven children on a small farm in Batavia, Ohio.
Chad crushes open this episode so as to ingest all that’s green and healthy for men, while Ben keeps a quiet eye on the forecast for any ominous signs of storms during this one (not three) hour tour. The two set sail with their guest into the vast waters of why being a man is indeed good. How can the differences between men and women be plainly seen in our genetics, and are those stark differences meant for the good? Why is it important to note that grace builds on nature when considering the goodness of our masculinity? And what is Gravitas, and how can men get it?
SHOW NOTES:
Michael’s book: It’s Good to Be a Man: A Handbook for Godly Masculinity by Michael Foster | Goodreads
Michael’s website: It’s Good to be a Man — Extending God’s house & father-rule by helping men to establish their own houses in strength, workmanship & wisdom. (itsgoodtobeaman.com)
Michael on social media:
(20+) It’s Good to Be a Man | Facebook
Michael Foster (@thisisfoster) / Twitter
Michael’s Substack page: This is Foster | Michael Foster | Substack
Episode 75- Make Failing Great Again
For a populace who loves itself some competition, don’t we still find ourselves strangely averse to failure? The era of participation trophies (is that still a thing?) and ‘no child left behind’ would indicate we’re more willing to work around failing than we are to face it head on. Yet it is often the case the most successful among us are those who have, in fact, failed a great deal. The difference is their failure became a catalyst–not a hindrance for–their success.
Ben hoists an anti-trophy for the triumphs of failure as lead on this episode, while Chad valiantly participates (hoping for a green ribbon?) as co-host. The two talk through how failure has influenced their own lives and explore ways to better leverage failure in the future. What are some examples of competencies that are most suitably attained through trial and error? What is it about failing that teaches a greater lesson than being sheltered from it? And how can fathers become better mentors to those in their charge?
