In this episode, hosts John and Jason dive into a book club discussion on "Aflame" by travel writer Pico Iyer. They explore why this book—written by a non-religious "pilgrim" who has visited a Benedictine monastery for forty years—is a valuable resource for anyone interested in silence, solitude, and the art of being a guest in another’s tradition. The conversation unpacks the book's central metaphor of fire, contrasting the destructive threat of California wildfires with the Desert Fathers' call to "become aflame" of inner spiritual life. They also discuss the "new monk" perspective and the modern struggle to endure true silence without the distraction of technology.

In this episode, hosts John and Jason explore Mount Marty University's fourth and final core value: Lifelong Learning. Far from being a simple endorsement of continuing education or accruing degrees, they reveal that this value is actually a translation of the obscure Benedictine vow conversatio morum—the commitment to the continual transformation of one's life. The hosts discuss the Benedictine "rule for beginners," emphasizing that true learning requires the humility to admit you are never finished and the willingness to "read" reality—nature, relationships, and oneself—with the same intensity as scripture (Lectio). They also touch on the tension between intellectual elitism and true wisdom in American culture.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro: Canned Intros and "Spending Money"

00:01:24 - The Fourth Core Value: Lifelong Learning

00:06:08 - The "Secret" Vow: Conversatio Morum (Conversion of Life)

00:08:12 - The Rule for Beginners: Why We Are Never Experts

00:09:15 - Lectio of Life: Reading Reality and Relationships

00:18:43 - Education in America: Elitism vs. Populism

00:35:01 - The Practice of "Going Back to Square One"

00:44:51 - Conclusion

In this episode, hosts John and Jason explore Mount Marty University's third core value: Hospitality. Moving far beyond simple politeness or "being nice," they dig into the radical Benedictine instruction to "treat every guest as Christ." They discuss the inherent difficulty of this command—noting that historically, welcoming Christ got people crucified—and share a striking story about how true intimacy and being "known" can sometimes be terrifying. The conversation covers the "germs" of community life, the necessity of conflict for "sharpening iron," and how real hospitality means holding space for others even when it is difficult.

Chapters

00:00:01 - Intro: Night Projects and Dolly Parton Covers

00:02:16 - The Third Core Value: Hospitality & Treating Guests as Christ

00:05:14 - The Challenge: Why "Welcoming" Can Be Dangerous

00:30:49 - Community Dynamics: Navigating Conflict and "Sharpening Iron"

00:39:07 - Film Discussion: Ushpizin and Final Thoughts

In this episode, hosts John and Jason dive into Mount Marty University's second core value: Community. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the etymology of the word, tracing it to the Latin munus, which fascinatingly means both "responsibility" or "role" and "gift." They use this dual meaning to explore the central tension of community life: balancing the needs of the group with the unique, irreplaceable "gift" of the individual. They share personal stories about feeling truly "received as a gift" at their university, contrasting it with other environments where people are merely "tolerated."

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:14 - The Second Core Value, Community

00:03:14 - The Heart of the Word: Munus as "Gift" and "Role"

00:08:18 - Personal Experience: Being a "Gift" vs. Being "Tolerated"

00:10:29 - Are People Replaceable? The Role vs. The Person

00:41:08 - The Challenge of Flawed Communities & Final Thoughts

Hosts John and Jason begin their series on Mount Marty University's four core values by tackling the first and most foundational: Awareness of God. They discuss how this value, derived from the 10 Benedictine Hallmarks, is far more than just a religious checkbox. The conversation centers on the Benedictine practice of Lectio (reading), expanding the concept of Lectio Divina (holy reading of scripture) to include a "Lectio of life"—learning to "read" all of reality, including nature, relationships, and personal experience, to find and contemplate the divine presence. Sharing personal stories from monastic life, a pilgrimage on the Camino, and theological touchstones, they explore what it truly means to practice awareness of God.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

05:21 - The Lectio of Life: Reading Reality for God's Presence

08:19 - Stories of Awareness: Monastic Life, Theology, and Pilgrimage

55:10 - Closing Reading and Conclusion

This conversation delves into the phrase 'thought and action,' exploring its origins, significance, and implications within the context of the Benedictine tradition and broader theological discourse. John and Jason reflect on their personal experiences in seminary, the intersection of philosophy and action, and the influence of certain thinkers on contemporary thought. They also discuss the role of AI in theological discussions and common critiques of monastic life, ultimately emphasizing the importance of integrating thought and action in both personal and communal practices.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

01:27 - Introduction to Thought & Action

11:32 - Chat GPT on Thought & Action

14:11 - Thought and Action in Modern Contexts

28:38 - Conclusion

37:06 - Outro

In the very first episode of the Benedictine Thought & Action pod, John Badley and Jason Heron introduce themselves and recount their friendship, their education, and the winding road that brought them to live out their vocations as beginners at a rural Catholic Benedictine university in South Dakota.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:52 Benedictine Beginners Beginning

09:19 Introduction to Jason

19:51 Introduction to John

32:51 Podcast Trajectory

40:30 Conclusion