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 23- Chasing Cows Again and Other MENtal Health Issues
Episode 23 – Chasing Cows Again and Other MENtal Health Issues
Dealing with mental health isn’t exactly most guys’ favorite topic. But that doesn’t mean it’s not issue for men. In the aftermath of pandemic lockdowns and mask mandates, in fact, it’s an issue for more and more people. Even before COVID, things like suicide rates were troublesome. To one degree or another, mental health issues affect us all.
Ben leads as pretend psychologist for this episode, asking his best how-does-that-make-you-feel questions, as Chad kicks back in a chaise lounge and patient-ly assists. The co-hosts ask more questions than they give answers yet stumble upon some startling facts and honest admissions. Which US demographic has the highest suicide rate? What might be some of the contributing factors to mental illness? And how can men learn to better cope with those factors?
SHOW NOTES:
Suicide stats by profession: https://choicespsychotherapy.net/jobs-with-highest-suicide-rates/
Scene referenced from the movie “The Pilgrim’s Progress”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZxJkG1uqI
Episode 22- I’ll have the Blue Pill, Please
Episode 22 – I’ll Have the Blue Pill, Please
The term Red Pill, or the phrase “being Red Pilled”, has become common lingo in discourse involving the pursuit of, or the discovery of, truth. Its origin is the 1999 film The Matrix, in which the main character has a choice to keep following the evidence where it leads (take the red pill) or to remain in his ignorance (take the blue pill). Red pilling gets all the attention and glory, but does the blue pill not also have an allure all its own?
Chad is “The One” pulling the plugs on this episode, while Ben bakes some delicious premonitions on the side. The two tumble down a reverse rabbit hole to see where the choice for blue pills might lead. Why might someone opt for ignorance (blue pill) when they have a choice to know the truth? What is Chad’s pet peeve when it comes to blue pilling and in how many various ways can one be ignorant? Finally, what are Ben and Chad’s top three blue pill admissions?
SHOW NOTES:
Matrix scene: “Ignorance is bliss” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JODWCwycNmg
Matrix scene: Blue Pill or Red Pill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGWoiy56GEA
Scripture References:
John 3:19 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:19&version=NIV
1 Corinthians 13:11 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+corinthians+13%3A11&version=NIV
Narnia scene: Turkish Delight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhzFBMotZb8
Book Reference: “The God of the Garden” by Andrew Peterson https://www.andrew-peterson.com/the-god-of-the-garden
Ben’s Un-blue pilling bullets:
- Seek – always be in pursuit of truth
- Reflect – check yourselves and be vigilant
- Embrace – be fearless of red pills
Episode 21- Interview with Mark Lee Dickson
Episode 21 – Mark Lee Dickson, Guest Convo
Mark Lee Dickson is a Texas born-and-raised pro-life activist whose efforts have garnered national attention. He’s been featured in various news outlets such as Fox News, CNN, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, and the New York Times. Mark Lee is in leadership at Right to Life of East Texas and is best known for starting the Sancturary Cities for the Unborn initiative, which has helped lead over 40 cities across the United States pass enforceable ordinances outlawing abortion within their city limits.
Chad does his best Chuck Norris as lead for this episode, as Ben shoots puns from the hip as his second-on-patrol. The co-hosts explore the borders of cultural counterpunching by learning from their guest about the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn initiative. Why would a city that doesn’t have an abortion facility want to preemptively outlaw abortion in their city? How is it that local governments are able to pass ordinances like this when there’s Roe vs. Wade? And if one were to feel called to do this very thing in their city, how could one make that happen?
SHOW NOTES:
Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn website: https://sanctuarycitiesfortheunborn.com/
Mark Lee’s recent success at the US Supreme Court: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/12/12/texas-abortion-law-supreme-court-advocates/
Episode 20 Leaving a Legacy
Episode 20 – Leaving a Legacy
Phyllis Neff passed away on December 2nd, 2021, at the age of 70. She was a mother to four and a grandmother to six. For 32 years, she was a victim’s advocate for Crime Victim Services of Allen County. She was a member of the Lima Noon Optimist Club and active in children’s ministry at Lima Community Church. Her legacy was in how she lived out her faith in those roles, a shining example to the people whose lives she touched.
Ben captures the moment on this episode commemorating his mother’s life, while Chad basks in the glow of stories of a life well-lived. The two of them examine how one’s legacy becomes most apparent in death. Will the light you share now live on in others when you are gone? How can things like intentionality and organization be blessings to the people around you? And what are the memories your loved ones will share about you at your funeral?
SHOW NOTES:
Phyllis Neff’s Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/limaohio/name/phyllis-neff-obituary?id=31755394
Episode 19 – Build Back Better… Culture.
Episode 19 – Build Back Better… Culture.
The tides of a secularized culture are aggressively rising. And the strongholds of Western Civilization–things like religion, the traditional family, and moral values–are eroding under the onslaught of those battering waves. Living in the midst of that wreckage, one might be tempted to despair: Is there any hope for recovering the lost ground and rebuilding?
Chad lays out the blueprint for reconstruction as job foreman of this episode. Ben grimaces as he holds a nail gun gingerly, ready to support as the general laborer. The two layout the future site of a man-initiated counterculture. What are some ways in which men can build back culture now in their immediate spheres of influence? Is beauty (one of the three cultural bastions of truth, goodness, and beauty) something a guy can get comfortable with creating? And by beginning with the end in mind, how can we erect new facades that will bless generations to come?
SHOW NOTES:
Book referenced, “Rules for Retrogrades” by Timothy Gordon: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51625256-rules-for-retrogrades
Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph #2174: https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/524/
J.R.R. Tolkien’s essay “On Fairy Stories” (see Epilogue, starting on page 34): https://coolcalvary.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/on-fairy-stories1.pdf
