Benjamin Rutledge is a Czech-American Christian with a diverse academic and professional background, which includes military service, international political economy studies, and teaching at a Czech private school. Benji & I met a few weeks ago in Prague and became fast friends. When we met for lunch last Friday, he told me about Charlie Kirk
Assassination of Charlie Kirk, Evil Communists, Thomas Sowell
This one wasn’t easy to do. Coming to you solo from Prague to discuss the biggest story in the world right now—the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I’ll never shake the video of Kirk getting shot from my memory. It was so horrific. I didn’t think for a second that was something he’d survive. Charlie Kirk
Bad Kissers, Czech Food, Life of a Pimp, Accumulating Wealth with Morgan Troxclair (from Prague)
Morgan’s first time in Europe! And second time on the pod—since the wife laughed so hard at the first episode (got a new listener!) there had to be a sequel. Which is never as good. But this isn’t the movies. We talk about going to Europe at age 50. Why he waited so long. And
The Way of the Superior Man, Migrants in Germany, Views on Trump with Jürgen (from Berlin)
In Berlin with my best Euro friend. Jürgen! He’s “Schmürgen,” in the US, or “Jürg with two dots over you” when I haven’t seen him in a while. Anyway, he’s from Nuremberg, Germany. We discuss all the migration in Germany. Jürgen shares his perspective on the need for balancing compassion, cultural adaptation, and the tax
How Your Childhood Shapes the Person You Become with Harvey Yergin
Harvey and I met in 2021, when he and his college sweetheart, and wife of 17 years, Amie, joined my wife & me, at Cafe Dumonde in New Orleans, for beignets & Cafe Au Laits. And we’ve stayed in touch since. Harvey’s a proud dad to Brinley (14), Harvey the 5th (12) and Clara June
Baseball & Partying, Addiction & Recovery, The Olsen Twins with Curtis Pelletier
In this episode, I’m joined by Curtis Pelletier. I know Curtis as “Pelch.” He and I met our freshman year of college—he was Chase Lambin’s roommate at Grayson College, where they won the JUCO World Series. Twice. Pelch then played professional baseball and represented Canada on the national team. He’s also worked as a scout
Life in Estonia, Sibling Rivalry, Trump & Iran
In this episode, I sit down with myself—solo again—checking in from Tallinn, Estonia. I share thoughts on growing up, parenting, and why competition might be one of the best teachers. I start by reflecting on a birthday message from friends and how Little League Baseball shaped the way I think about determination, toughness and the
Life After Divorce and Why Men Want Submissive Women with Morgan Troxclair
Morgan is one of my favorite guests because he’s candid. Could be because he’s had lots of practice confessing his sins, which he does in this episode too—the sins he’s been absolved of at least. I’ll extract the rest when I see him for Part 2 in Prague later this summer. We discuss life after
Conversation with My 4-Year Old with Aria Dantonio
In this episode, I sit down with my 4-year-old to discuss life, travel, snacks, bedtime stories, and whatever else comes up. Aria’s small, but she’s got big dreams and an even bigger heart. She shares why she makes so many “happy plates” and what she thinks is better than bubble wrap. We also talk about
Salmon Fishing, Raised on the Rez, Bali Dreams with Lamar Fairmint
Lamar Fairmint is a young man I’m lucky to know. I finally got a chance to meet him in Costa Rica at the Retreat—no question he had the most interesting background of anyone who attended. In this episode, we talk about what it was like growing up on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Eastern Oregon.
Fear of Abandonment, Mamba Mentality, The Mystery of Faith with Michael Loomis
LB is short for “Lil Bro.” Michael Loomis is my 3rd guest from the Man Overseas Retreat in Costa Rica. Michael & I have logged hundreds of hours on the phone, and I couldn’t wait to finally meet him. Plus, he reminds me a lot of a younger Man, hence the nickname—except he’s a lot