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 115- Interview with Coach Joe Kennedy
Coach Joe Kennedy took an 8-year court battle over the First Amendment all the way to the Supreme Court…and won! He was an assistant varsity football coach for Bremerton High School in Washington state. He’d made a commitment to God that he was going to give thanks at the end of each game, but that was met with disapproval from his school district. The defense of his rights made it to the court’s highest level, and on June 27th of 2022 his right to pray was upheld. His new book “Average Joe”, which released in October of 2023, is available for purchase nationwide. Joe is a twenty-year Marine veteran, and he and his wife, Denise, are parents to four children.
Ben stands with our guest and comes under center as lead play-caller for this episode, while Chad can’t help himself as he signals from the sideline with his ritual gesturing. The two cheer with all their fellow Americans as this guest lays out the simple truth of what it takes to stand up (or kneel) for your God-given rights. What was it about Coach Kennedy’s desire to thank God at the end of games that was so offensive that he was going to lose his job over it? What compelled Joe to endure such a long, difficult court battle to see his rights vindicated, and what was it like being the center of such a high-profile case? Finally, what kind of advice would Coach Kennedy have for other people facing similarly difficult situations?
SHOW NOTES:
Coach Joe’s website: Coach Joe Kennedy
Connect with Joe:
- (3) Facebook Personal
- (3) Facebook Coach Joe Kennedy
Buy Coach Joe’s new book: Average Joe: One Man’s Faith and the Fight to Change a Nation: Kennedy, Joseph A.: 9781684515097: Amazon.com: Books
Episode 114 Reconsidering Contraception
When it comes to unpopular Catholic moral teachings , this one ranks right up there! Whether you’re a Catholic or a non-Catholic Christian, the Church’s stance is an equal opportunity offender. Or perhaps, more accurately put, it’s a controversial stance that’s considered equally out-of-touch and irrelevant (and, therefore, is mostly ignored). All that means for Manhood Restored is this: it sure sounds like a great topic to bring up!
Chad foresees a fecund future as he furrows the field of this episode, while Ben’s indentured to the hard labor of coming along to corral the promised yield as co-host. The two brave the strain of an uncomfortable conversation–disagreeing, agreeing, and agreeing to disagree–hoping for some kind of harvest. Why does Chad consider contraception a “secret weapon” in the Culture Wars (see minute 57)? What exactly is the Catholic Church’s teaching about contraception, and does it make sense at all to Ben’s Protestant sensibilities? And what has been Chad and his wife’s experience while following this teaching during their married life?
SHOW NOTES:
Catholic teaching referenced (CCC 2360-2370): Catechism of the Catholic Church (usccb.org)
What is Natural Family Planning: What is NFP | Fertility Awareness Classes | Couple to Couple League International (ccli.org)
First Things article quoted by Chad: The Dark Future of Over-the-Counter Contraception | Jonathon Van Maren | First Things
Stat cited linking Abortion to Contraception: About Half of U.S. Abortion Patients Report Using Contraception in the Month They Became Pregnant | Guttmacher Institute
Episode 113- Why All Men Should Support Israel
The attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7th, 2023 has set off a maelstrom of political turmoil on the global stage. From the intense outrage over the disturbing details of the terrorist’s actions to the strange show of support for them from elitists in academia and media, it’s deep, murky waters for an average person to wade through. Despite that fact, what’s clear is this: we are witnessing a significant historical event, one which we’d do well to attempt to understand.
Ben leads with gratitude as the host for this important episode, as Chad comes along as a concerned co-host grappling with the issue’s complexity. The two talk through some of the latest headlines as well as the historical backdrop to this conflict, searching for an average man’s workable understanding. What are we to make of the demonstrations on college campuses in support of Palestine? Is there a proper posture that Christians should take on this situation, given the very Jewish roots of their religion? Why has there been, and is there still, such vehement hatred of Israel and the Jewish people?
SHOW NOTES:
The 6 Day War: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i3uIz7hoYs
Yom-Kippur War: https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/golda-meir-and-the-miracles-of-the-yom-kippur-war/
Miracle at Golan Height (reenactment): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNXwhv8Mooo
Episode of Andrew Klavan: Stream Ep. 1152 – This Present Darkness by The Andrew Klavan Show | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
Resource from Ben’s Challenge:
- Pray for the peace of Israel.
- Study on the history of Israel.
- Give and support how you are able.
Episode 112- Discerning God’s Will with Deacon Marty Brown
Deacon Marty Brown has been a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for 13 years. He currently serves the St Isidore the Farmer Family of Parishes and is the Facilities Manager at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St Mary’s, Ohio. Prior to becoming a deacon, Marty worked in various fields – construction, welding, mechanics, groundskeeping, firefighting, as well as being a lifelong farmer. He and his wife, Angie, have been married 40 years; they have 4 children and 12 grandchildren.
Ben jumps off this interview episode hoping to soar to new heights of understanding, as Chad packs a parachute, taking every Catholic precaution as the co-host. The two take a leap into this conversation and quickly find themselves drafting behind the momentum of their guest’s story of faithfulness to God’s will. What were some of the dramatic ways that God helped Marty discover his calling to be a deacon? How can putting your trust in the Holy Spirit enable you to see big and little choices as opportunities to serve God? And how does the spirit of fear often undermine the discernment process?
Episode 111- What is God’s Will and How Can I Know it? (Discernment)
All throughout life, we find ourselves making a multitude of decisions. Some are small and insignificant; others are major, the kinds that are like crossroads. When we are in the midst of making those big decisions (Should I change my job? Should I marry this girl? Should we move our family to a new town?), discerning the right Choice can be downright difficult.
Ben puts the magnifying glass over this question as the episode’s Sherlock Holmes, and Chad twists the ends of his imaginary stash while helping Ben get to the bottom of things. The two puzzle over wise ways to discern life’s biggest choices and what role God has in the process. When it comes to these “crossroad” types of decisions, is there ONE right path that God wills for you–like one person meant for you to marry? How important of a role should other people and their opinions play in decision making? Is it possible to prepare for future big decisions before you even know what those decisions will be?
SHOW NOTES:
