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
Episode 40 The Kanye Conundrum
The Kanye Conundrum
The hip hop artist Kayne West is a wildly successful musician and businessman. At the same time, his very loud, public persona has resulted in no shortage of drama and controversy. So, in 2019, when Kayne released an album titled “Jesus is King”, an all-Gospel record that he claimed culminated a 3-year born-again conversion, the world took notice. The Rap Kingpin turned Christian Convert raised eyebrows among believers and non-believers alike. Kayne, then, presents us an interesting case-study-in-the-extreme for how the church is, or is not, prepared to handle the “unreached” in the 21st century.
Chad goes gangsta and spits some probing prose up in the mike, as Ben keeps the beat and bobs his head during this hit track of an episode. The two collaborate to evaluate the Kayne-like challenge facing the church today. If it’s true the Gospel message is ever-new, then how ready and willing are believers to deliver it to those who really need to hear it? How has the church failed to reach men during the last 50 years, and what would need to be done to bring more men back into the fold? To what extent does in-fighting within Christianity diminish the Christian witness to a post-Christian world?
SHOW NOTES:
“Jesus is King”: Spotify – JESUS IS KING
Time Magazine Article on Kayne’s conversion: Kanye West’s ‘Jesus Is King’ Divides the Christian Community | Time
Episode 39 Post 2 RECOMMENDED READS
These were books mentioned in our Man Talk to “Why must men read books?”
F = Fiction
Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield
Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L ’Amour
Moby Dick by Herman Melville (F)
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (F)
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (F)
Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
On Guard by William Lane Craig
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson (F)
More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell
Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks
Common Sense 101 by Dale Ahlquist
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey (F)
Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly
Freakonomics by Stephen Dubner & Steve Levitt
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Episode 39 – Why Must Men Read Books? (MAN TALK)
MAN TALK EDITION – Why must men read books?
Guest Hosts, Josh Evans and Chad Lefeld
Here is our second “Man Talk”, where we turn on all four microphones for a roundtable discussion on a pointed “leading question”. Once the question has been thoroughly explored, each host gives their yea or nay and defends their final position. (Listeners, we’d like you to weigh in also – see below on how to participate!)
Josh Evans and Chad Lefeld possess very respectable resumes as readers of all sorts and varieties of books. Both men enjoy reading books and find them valuable as a source of learning and personal growth. Josh has created the habit of reading one book a week, while Chad calls reading his favorite pastime. Their enthusiasm for reading comes through as they help Ben and Chad make the case for the “must” part of this question. What are some of the best and most meaningful books these men have ever read? Why should reading books be valued over other modes of communication like TV, and how can becoming a reader benefit a man? What are some tips and tricks for getting better as a reader?
What do you think, dear Listener? Do you agree that reading books is of such high value, or did we miss some key aspect of the contrary opinion? We’d like to hear from you:
- Email us at mightymen@manhoodrestored.tv
- Comment on our Facebook page at Manhood Restored Podcast
SHOW NOTES:
Recommended resources:
- Goodreads | Meet your next favorite book (Book cataloging & recs)
- Notion – One workspace. Every team. (Note keeping app)
List of “best books” as recommended in this episode published on our website:
Manhood Restored Podcast | We are two ordinary Christian guys who feel compelled to call men back to true Masculinity.
Episode 38 – Bro, No! We Don’t Talk About Sex
Bro, No! We Don’t Talk About Sex
This is the long-anticipated, long-avoided fourth topic (FINALLY the S!) in Ben’s MAPS series. If there were ever any doubt that he would go there, here is the podcast’s first foray into the topic of SEX. (It only took 38 episodes!) Addressing the elephant in the recording studio had to be done; after all, it’s only one of the biggest traps men face today, especially as it relates to remaining faithful to their wives in marriage.
Ben takes the plunge and dives headlong onto the soapy slip and slide that is this episode topic. Chad chuckles uncomfortably from a safe distance away until he gets soaked by the “splash” made by Ben’s boldness. The two turn their attention specifically to men guarding against this trap for the sake of their marriage fidelity. What are ways that men can be Tim-ted to unfaithfulness? What are the top five emotional needs of women (and the top five for men), and how can knowing those help fortify the marital commitment? How can God be of help to a man who wants to stay true to his spouse?
SHOW NOTES:
Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NIV – So, if you think you are standing firm, – Bible Gateway
Book Recommendation: His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage: Harley, Willard F. Jr.: 9780800719388: Books: Amazon.com
Website Connected to the His Needs Her Needs book
https://www.marriagebuilders.com/
Quote from “Practicing the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence:
“That when an occasion of practicing some virtue offered, he addressed himself to God, saying, Lord, I cannot do this unless Thou enablest me: and that then he receives strength more than sufficient. That when he had failed in his duty, he only confessed his fault, saying to God, I shall never do otherwise if you leave me to myself; it is you who must hinder my falling and mend what is amiss.”
Original quote from Ben Neff: “A well fertilized lawn is the best weed prevention”
Episode 37 – Why I Love Saint Joan of Arc
Why I Love Saint Joan of Arc
The story of Joan of Arc has captivated generations of believers and non-believers alike. Countless biographers, poets, playwrights, artists and filmmakers have tried to capture what it was about her life that made her so fascinating. She was a shepherdess turned solider, a mystic turned martyr, and a patriot turned patroness (of France). But at the bottom of it all was this one inspiring fact: she was 100% committed to her mission from God.
Chad raises the Mighty Banner under which this episode is to march, while Ben tosses and twirls his glittery analysis throughout. The two strive after lessons for men to learn from this Saint’s story. What about Joan’s example is like an anecdote to one of the greatest threats to society today? What does it mean to be “mission-minded”, and can you articulate what your life’s mission is? If you more clearly understood God’s will for your life (like Joan did), how might that cause you to live differently?
SHOW NOTES:
Story of Jim Elliot, missionary: Jim Elliot: Story and Legacy (christianity.com)
Mark Twain’s book on Joan of Arc: Joan of Arc by Mark Twain (goodreads.com)
Scripture Reference: Philippians 3:17-21 NKJV – Our Citizenship in Heaven – Brethren, – Bible Gateway
Feng Shui, defined (for Ben): Feng shui – Wikipedia
Steven Pressfield article on mission: Writing Wednesdays: “DVEKUT BA MESIMA” (stevenpressfield.com)
Chad’s Challenge (watch this video!): (276) The World Shifts Itself Around Your Aim | Jordan Peterson | Best Life Advice – YouTube
