In this episode of the FREEDRIFT podcast, I sat down with Father Tom Miller, a Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the voice behind the Humbuggery Substack. I wanted to do this episode so we could talk about Lent, and we wound up talking about a ton of additional topics, including musicals and St. Louis-style pizza. Father Tom shares his 33-year journey in the priesthood, his love for history and "White Pilled Wednesdays," and why he believes Western civilization is inextricably tied to the Catholic Church. Something here for everyone, whether you’re a "recovering Catholic," a convert, or just someone looking for a bit of light in a dark digital age.Follow Father Tom Miller:Substack: Humbuggery https://substack.com/@padre66Locals: Padres Community https://atpadres.beta.locals.com/feed?mode=profile&username=Padre--------00:00 Introduction and Background of Fr. Tom Miller02:59 The Journey to Priesthood03:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts29:20 The Impact of Christ's Presence30:37 The Power of Peace in Faith32:34 The Role of Mary in Catholicism34:54 Understanding the Church's Hierarchy36:45 The Revival of Catholicism in America38:52 Balancing Feelings and Logic39:50 The Purpose of Substack and Community Engagement42:34 The Journey of Converts and Spiritual Influences45:50 The Importance of Historical Context in Faith48:45 The Depth of Catholicism: A Hidden Treasure50:26 Final Thoughts and Blessings53:14 Untitled-5.mp4----------FREEDRIFT is a Substack for feature writing, profiles, cultural commentary, interviews, tech nonsense, theory, philosophy, flash fiction, essays, recipes, reviews, listicles, weird to the max, usually with a soundtrack.https://substack.com/@freedrift

Jim Dale has been one of my best friends for about a decade now. We met in graduate school at the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas in Denton. We immediately became friends and began the series of journeys that have brought us to where we are today. There was our trip to Louisiana for a Trump rally, while I was covering the 2020 Presidential Election, and our coverage of the Official Strongman Finals in Arlington, Texas. He’s a hell of a photographer.Anytime I’m in Dallas for work, I stay at his apartment. We watch old movies and swap stories and ideas and intuitions and fears and doubts and heartaches and joys. I’d love to know how many hours we’ve spent talking over the years. It’s a lot.This is the first of many episodes. The theme is seafaring. Jim tells stories from his youth shooting cans on the Texas coast, growing up in oil-patch towns, drifting through music and journalism, and finding himself aboard offshore tugboats in the Gulf of Mexico. From riding out hurricanes in the Merchant Marine to steering crippled vessels through pitch-black swamps, Jim reflects on the moments that forced him to grow up fast.The plan is to do one of these every month. Get ready to learn about one of the loveliest and most insightful people you’ll ever meet.00:00 Nostalgic Beginnings: Family and Early Adventures03:07 Navigating Life: Education and the Navy Experience06:07 Coming of Age: Merchant Marine Adventures09:10 Sailing Through Life: Metaphors and Lessons Learned11:52 Memorable Moments at Sea: Stories from the Ocean14:46 Current Adventures: Life After Retirement17:54 Reflections on Life: Poetry, Literature, and Influence40:59 Untitled-5.mp4---------------https://freedrift.substack.com/

My article about the Joyful Mysterieshttps://open.substack.com/pub/freedrift/p/the-joyful-mysteries?r=3umok&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueMy article about the Holy Rosary https://freedrift.substack.com/publish/post/181839853https://linktr.ee/FreedriftKevinhttps://freedrift.substack.com/

For nearly a decade, Hair Metal wasn’t a niche—it was mainstream rock. Then it vanished.Film scholar and historian Andrew Patrick Nelson joins me to make the case for Hair Metal as one of the most misunderstood eras in modern music history. What gets dismissed as camp or excess was, in reality, a genre built on virtuoso guitar playing, powerful vocalists, massive studio production, and an unmatched sense of fun.Andrew traces Hair Metal from its early-80s club roots through its late-80s commercial peak, to the harder turn of the early 90s that was abruptly cut short. We talk Quiet Riot, Dokken, David Lee Roth, Skid Row, and why bands that once filled stadiums were suddenly erased from radio and cultural memory almost overnight.Tracklist:Quiet Riot – “Cum on Feel the Noize” (1983)Kiss – “Lick It Up” (1983)Twisted Sister – “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (1984)Ratt – “Round and Round” (1984)Dokken – “Into the Fire” (1984)David Lee Roth – “Yankee Rose” (1986)Cinderella – “Nobody’s Fool” (1986)Mötley Crüe – “Girls, Girls, Girls” (1987)Guns N’ Roses – “Welcome to the Jungle” (1987)Poison – “Nothin’ But a Good Time” (1988)Warrant – “Heaven” (1989)Skid Row – “Slave to the Grind” (1991)

A reading of Merwin's gorgeous poem, "Vixen." Find the accompanying story at: https://freedrift.substack.com/p/109b1252-6f9c-4af0-a344-63315d453896

Andrew Patrick Nelson delves into the remarkable career of Barbara Stanwyck, exploring her iconic roles, emotional authenticity, and the complexity of her characters. The discussion highlights her impact on film noir, her dynamic performances alongside Fred MacMurray, and the evolution of her filmography. Check out Andrew’s top-ten list at: freedrift.substack.com/p/0a0b9abf-ff6a-4b6d-807c-6076af91b365Andrew Patrick Nelson is a historian and film scholar who chaired the Department of Film & Media Arts at the University of Utah. He co-hosts “How the West was Cast, and is a regular on the History Channel, NPR, PBS, and Fox Nation. If you’re in Scottsdale, visit him at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, where he serves as Chief Curator. You can find him at andrewpnelson.com and on Instagram at AndrewPatrickNelson.

David Fraze has spent over 35 years mentoring students, athletes, and families, helping them navigate the challenges of identity, faith, and competition. In this deep dive, we explore his journey from student minister to university professor and special assistant to the president at Lubbock Christian University. Fraze shares powerful insights on how youth sports can shape character, why failure is a gift, and how faith and mindfulness intersect on and off the field. Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete, this is a must-read on balancing performance with purpose.

Author Joe Pappalardo joins us to discuss his new book, "Four Against the West," which unravels the myth of Roy Bean—the so-called "Law West of the Pecos"—and dives into the untold stories of his brothers, Sam, James, and Joshua. While Roy is often remembered as a frontier judge, Pappalardo reveals a more complex truth: Roy was more showman than lawman, and his brothers left equally significant marks on the Wild West.

In this episode, we explore how Pappalardo blends meticulous research with cinematic storytelling, capturing the grit, chaos, and contradictions of the Old West. Hear about his discoveries in archives, his adventures retracing the Beans' steps, and how his work sheds light on the era's real history—where civilization and lawlessness collided.

Tune in for a fascinating conversation that tears down old myths to reveal the true stories of the men who lived, fought, and survived on the frontier.