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
93 episodes
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
Episode 85. Building Community (ft. Scott Glendenning & Steve Kaarbo)
Where do we begin the pursuit of authentic human connection and giving back to the greater good? “We find commonality…and connection comes out of that commonality.”Scott Glendenning and Steve Kaarbo share how their non-profit...
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29:14
Episode 84. Trust (ft. Reed Houge)
Our pal Reed Houge poses the question: how do you put yourself out there?“Every relationship, whether business or personal, starts with one thing: trust.” Born in Jamestown, ND, Reed served in the U.S. Army as an Avionics Tec...
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39:53
Episode 83. Priorities & Impact (ft. Brad Phelps)
“The truly impactful people? Their peers trust them, because of who they are…not what they say they are…but WHO they are.” There’s so much depth to our ritual when we reflect beyond just “the words.” This week we sit down with our G...
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43:29
Episode 82. “So Many Goodbyes” (ft. Karla Hult)
KARE 11’s Karla Hult is an Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, and Walter Cronkite award-winning journalist. Her favorite stories are those shared from the heart, including her award-winning documentary of her family’s own Alzheimer’s journey.“We ar...
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42:35
Episode 81. “Charity, Our Guiding Star” (ft. Paul Hodnefield)
Minnesota Masonic Charities was formed in 2006, but how did we get here? Author Paul Hodnefield breaks down the timeline of the three distinct stages of “Charity” in Minnesota and how it has guided us since our inception in the 1850s. ...
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41:09
Episode 80. Leadership (ft. Kathy Quick)
Minnesota takes pride in civic participation, but there’s a leadership deficit in our state. Leadership, as well as volunteering and charity, is crucial for addressing community needs and opportunities. How do we confront generation...
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51:59
Episode 79. Check your Ego (ft. Ben Lacy)
The pod gets electric when Ben Lacy shares perspective on respecting the 24-inch gauge, creating a bespoke Masonic experience, and the action necessary for authentic brotherhood. “Support the people that are working for the betterme...
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43:44
Episode 78. 18:53 Working Tools Series: The Patron Saints
Freemasonry isn’t and has never been a religious organization. It has always been open to members of all religions and faiths. However, the world into which it was born, in Enlightenment-era Europe, was a largely Christian one. As a result, man...
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5:35
Episode 77. The Effort Required (ft. Nate Smithson)
This week we sit down with our pal, Nate Smithson, and unpack the “Masonic experience”: proactive community engagement, the infinite mindset required for long-term success, our obligation, and more. “It’s always easy, isn't it…for u...
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57:04
Episode 76. Progress must "pro-gress"(ft. Sujit Varma)
”Does Masonry complement you, or does it define you?”This week we sit down with Dr. Sujit Varma and cover a wide variety of topics: the psychology of complaining, AI’s influences in our lives, and how to bridge the gap between embracing ...
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47:27
Episode 75. The Masonic Experience
What is the aim of our Labors? At times we are fixated on the efficient performance of what we’re already doing, and completely uninterested in what we’re missing out on. This week Reed welcomes fellow Regional Directors Markus Muel...
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40:16
Episode 74. 18:53 Working Tools Series – A.T.C. Pierson
Our Salute to Service continues with another installment of the 18:53 Working Tools Series. Did you know that Grand Master A.T.C. Pierson served in that position for nine years? Known as the “Father of Minnesota Freemasonry,” he faced innumerab...
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17:42
Episode 73. Salute to Service (ft. Gerald Rhoads)
We sit down with Gerald Rhoads – decorated Army pilot, retired businessman, and Past Grand Master – to explore the principles of compassion, selfless service, and the true value of history. “The purpose of studying and liking histor...
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39:41
Episode 72. Our Legacy of Impact
We are joined by Erin Elliott and Shawn Keenan (University of Minnesota Foundation). Hear how their day-to-day partnership with the Masons is making the lives of fellow Minnesotans better for tomorrow. Cancer research, ...
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34:31
Episode 71. 18:53 Working Tools Series – Why Blue?
“One of the mysteries of Masonry is the term we have for our lodges. They are called ‘blue’ lodges – but why?” On this episode, we revisit the incomparable writings of John L. Cooper, III.“The source of the symbolism...
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6:54
Episode 70. Masonry is a Way of Life (ft. John L. Cook, Jr.)
In this episode, Reed sits down with John L. Cook, Jr., Past Grand Master (2010). John recounts several life-changing experiences: growing up in Georgia, serving in Vietnam, graduating from Cornell University, and finding true purpose in life t...
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40:28
Episode 69. What's in a Name? (ft. David Graham)
David Graham poses a thought-provoking question in his 2025 Oration: “What’s in a name? When my name rolls off someone's tongue, what taste does it leave behind? If I am hoping to enjoy the happy reflections, consequent of a well spent life, I ...
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24:47