Minnesota Masonic Histories and Mysteries
Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons are a bit of a mystery. Countless books and movies only fuel the mystery behind this "ancient craft." But to many people in need, the Masons are no mystery. Whether it's cancer research, children's healthcare, elder services, scholarships, or numerous other philanthropic ventures, Minnesota Freemasons have become synonymous with building community and giving back to the greater good.
Join Reed Endersbe (Grand Lodge of Minnesota) and John Schwietz (CEO, Minnesota Masonic Charities) as they explore the many unique things about Freemasonry in Minnesota.
Episodes
110 episodes
Episode 110. Am I a Burden? (ft. Sol Ryan)
How do you "get" by giving something up?Everyone has something in life with which they struggle or need help. Why do we insist on going it alone? This week we sit down with our pal, Sol Ryan, and dig deep into the healing power of sharin...
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48:27
Episode 109. The Nudge (ft. Douglas J. Campbell)
Join us for a legend’s journey with the great Doug Campbell. We chat sequential decades of Annual Communications, proficiency of the MN Masonic Code, and the positive power of encouragement to fellow Brothers. “The monitor exam…that...
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35:08
Episode 108. 18:53 Working Tools Series: A Lifelong Commitment
The initiatory process within Freemasonry is a journey of self-discovery. Each degree dispenses a new teaching that can help create a worthy Brother who will positively impact his family, lodge, and community. However, this doesn’t happen in a ...
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9:15
Episode 107. Are You A Traveling Man? (ft. Lewis Bradley)
There are no strangers in Freemasonry, only friends you’ve yet to meet. This week we have an impromptu chat with Bro. Lewis Bradley about Masonic travel and the lasting impact of a warm welcome. Lewis became a Master Mason in 2024 and shares hi...
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21:21
Episode 106. The Details (ft. Bill Schoonover and Ben Lacy)
The Masonic Lodge is a sacred space where you can feel at home: safe, accepted, and able to talk about anything. Confronting “real life” topics in a Lodge setting requires us to be students of brotherhood. Are you feeding your stre...
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45:45
Episode 105. 18:53 Working Tools Series: Eureka!
Pythagoras, the man and myth, was a pioneer. He was the first to call himself a philosopher. He spiritualized mathematics and believed that numbers are the basis of all science and philosophy. He applied mathematics to his studies of geometry, ...
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14:30
Episode 104. The Value Of An Ordinary Life
Grab the bread, salt, and wine – we’re delving deeper into some of the more subtle lessons contained within “It’s A Wonderful Life,” an enduringly complex piece of cinema. To truly appreciate the meaning of Christmastime, our friend...
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7:38
Episode 103. Mixed Feelings Season (ft. Peter Hubbard)
This is a challenging time of year: family drama, loneliness/grief, financial strain, increased anxiety/depression, and overwhelming schedules. It’s okay to have others help you along the way. This week we sit down with our pal Pete...
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44:28
Episode 102: Shared Purpose (ft. Derrick Fountain)
Grab your fedora – here comes a true sartorialist. Derrick Fountain outlines the power of personalized connection, managing change, and accountability of lodge officers. Creating a lodge calendar requires some strategy, but what does that look ...
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48:41
Episode 101. 18:53 Working Tools Series: Time
What time is it? When you check your phone to see what time it is in another country, when airlines synchronize international flight schedules, when financial markets trade across continents—all of this traces back to a long night s...
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10:58
Episode 100. Building Connection & Trust: It Starts with You
To celebrate 100 episodes, we break down one of the biggest insights we’ve learned so far: the foundation of Blue Lodge is built on authentic relationships, everything else sits on top. Lodges today are facing the same challenges se...
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40:40
Episode 99. Trajectory (ft. Marc Lovin)
How do we set up the Masonic journey to be a success?“We say it, but do we actually do it?” Former Army Intelligence Analyst and Minnesota transplant via Texas and Tennessee: it’s Marc Lovin. Newport No. 118's Senior Warden w...
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47:16
Episode 98. 18:53 Working Tools Series “Carriers of the Flame”
Our incredibly insightful Grand Lodge Education Officer Brad Phelps asks the tough questions and shares several thoughts worth pondering. Transformation takes time, along with a willingness to do the important work. “Ho...
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6:08
Episode 97. Veterans Day (ft. Lloyd Cheney)
“What am I going to do today to make myself a better Mason?” Retired U.S. Army combat Veteran, recipient of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and dedicated servant leader Lloyd Cheney joins us in studio. From a lengthy deployment to a...
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48:23
Episode 96. Charity = Love (ft. Brian Beermann)
“The heart of charity is the love we extend to each other.” Get your Cipher out: it’s Brian Beermann. Applying the lessons, collaboration, training your successor, and knowing that consistency is essential to lodge success.
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56:50
Episode 95. 18:53 Working Tools Series: The Badge of a Mason
As important as the square and compass are to us as Masons, they are not our primary symbols. This week we take a closer look at what is an outward and visible symbol of an inward and spiritual grace.Back by popular demand, we delve into...
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8:10
Episode 94. What Care Looks Like (Minnesota Masonic Home)
This week it’s some of the greats: Jonathan Ruiz, Anna McCleary, Stacey Brown, and Alex Lee from our Masonic Home. Compassionate, quality care is our mission, but what does it take to maintain such a highly rated care facility? Hear...
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38:59
Episode 93. Resilience (ft. Justin Ortega)
How do you show up every day? Marine Corps Veteran and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast Justin Ortega digs into the challenges of integrity, purpose, and doing the right thing.“Personal improvement is hard, and it takes a lot of discipline...
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51:34
Episode 92. 18:53 Working Tools Series: “Do Good Unto All”
This week we break down the vital importance of authentic friendship, re-thinking lodge education, and identifying our “cause” or purpose as Freemasons. How do all these things impact the overall “member experience” in your lodge? A...
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19:01
Episode 91. Momentum (ft. Zeb Dudek)
Zeb Dudek brings his diverse set of skills (and his ruck sack) to the show this week. Hot topics across the board on this one, like the perils of “tradition prevailing,” rethinking internal lodge infrastructure, and the necessity of partnering ...
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1:15:40
Episode 90. Masonic Cancer Center (ft. Dr. David Largaespada)
What is the nature of treating cancer? The field is moving tremendously fast: medicine is changing, and new forms of therapy are becoming the norm. “There’ll be ways for us to detect cancer years earlier than we do now, and that's g...
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40:50
Episode 89. 18:53 Working Tools Series: The Masonic Home
This year’s Masonic Charities Gala (9/27) will be showcasing the Minnesota Masonic Home. Since its inception a century ago, our Home’s mission has been to provide quality care and services to aging adults.What were circumstances like in ...
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12:14
Episode 88. Relevance (ft. Scott Rich)
We’re hanging out with Senior Grand Deacon Scott Rich. The pride of Mizpah No. 191 shares life adventures from the South Pacific with the Marine Corps, woodworking, skydiving, and perspective on how we ensure lodges are relevant to our members....
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43:49
Episode 87. “Everything You Do Matters” (ft. Bob Davis)
This week we sit down with Robert S. Davis, Grand Master of Masons in Minnesota. Hear about his numerous life adventures: living across the region as a “Pastor’s Kid,” passion for Scouting America, and later serving with the Peace Corps in the ...
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46:41
Episode 86. 18:53 Working Tools Series: The Apprentice Pillar
What happens when the Master Mason fails to perform his duty of instructing the Entered Apprentice, and instead plots to discredit him and claim glory for himself? “Focused energy is a blessing. Unfocused anger and rage are destruct...
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7:00