Catholic Founders

Silas Mähner
  • 5.0 (20)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Catholic Founders is where Catholic Entrepreneurs and Business Owners go to learn how to integrate their faith into every aspect of how they run their business and life as a Catholic AND as a Founder. In modern times, it's become more unclear than ever how to unite our faith with our work. It's even harder when you run a business. However, just as there is a holy way to live, there is a holy way to build and run our businesses. Fundamentally, our skills were given to us by God so that we may become instruments of His will. These skills are not for our own use. Therefore, to waste or misuse them is a grave thing. This entire project is born out of a deep belief in this truth. www.catholicfounders.com

  1. #52 Learn to Build w/ AI in Atlanta on March 7th w/ Expert Coaches (For Free) - BuildWithChrist.ai

    4D AGO

    #52 Learn to Build w/ AI in Atlanta on March 7th w/ Expert Coaches (For Free) - BuildWithChrist.ai

    Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Thanks for stopping by! Please Take Note! * The buildwithchrist.ai event takes place just north of Atlanta on March 7th from 11 to 4. What is it: It’s a FREE event for you to come and learn how to use AI to build things. There will be free coaches on staff to teach you. And you can also learn about AI or watch professional teams build a product in a few hours for Adopt a Family. It’s FREE to attend, but you do need to REGISTER. Do so here. Today’s Guest: Michael Lyons | [Y] Impact Ventures & Global Petals Select Quotes: * “Everything in this world can be sanctified by Christ. And He works through us.” — Michael Lyons * “AI should be used to strengthen human relationship, not replace it and advance human dignity.” — Michael Lyons * “I really think that the world is gonna shift pretty quickly from getting a job, from using a resume to using a portfolio.” — Michael Lyons * “You can skip the ‘I’m not doing it because I can’t build it.’ You can skip straight to the relationship... I think this is a way of bringing down those walls.” — Michael Lyons * “This is really about upskilling people... giving them the ability to elevate what they’re doing for their organizations, for their families, for themselves.” — Michael Lyons * “It’s artificial intelligence, but it’s really accessible intelligence, especially for this other rung of people who need help.” — Michael Lyons Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month. Key Episode References: * BuildwithChrist.ai * Lovable.dev * Magisterium AI * The Harvard/BCG Study — This is the study Michael referenced (specifically the HBS/BCG collaborative research) which found that while AI increases productivity, it can also lead to “brain drag” and workers taking on more tasks rather than resting. * Corporal Works of Mercy Key Moments: (outline) * [00:00] — Intro. Silas introduces the mission of the episode and the upcoming shift in how we approach technology. * [00:29] — The “Build with Christ” vision. A breakdown of the March 7th event in Alpharetta, GA, and why it’s designed for anyone, regardless of technical background. * [03:40] — Sanctifying the tools. Why we shouldn’t abdicate AI to the secular world, but instead bring a “virtue layer” to modern technology. * [05:16] — From Podcast to Product. How a conversation about legal injustice led Michael to build “Justice Lens” to serve those without a voice. * [11:33] — The Hackathon experience. Why this event feels more like The Great British Baking Show or BattleBots than a boring tech seminar? * [15:45] — Why your portfolio is the new resume. How the economy is shifting toward what you can produce with AI rather than where you went to school. * [22:49] — The “Pie in the Sky” goal. A vision of a future where AI handles the administrative “noise” so we can return to authentic, face-to-face ministry. * [26:40] — Closing thoughts. How to start your own upskilling journey today and stay grounded in your Catholic mission. * [27:15] — Outro. Final details on registration and how to join the event virtually or in person. Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

    30 min
  2. #51 This Priest was an Atheist Businessman, Now He Guides Catholic Businessmen | Fr. Nathaniel Haslam

    6D AGO

    #51 This Priest was an Atheist Businessman, Now He Guides Catholic Businessmen | Fr. Nathaniel Haslam

    Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * I’m planning to host a dinner / meetup in Nashville soone, reach out if interested in attending. * We’re starting up a monthly recurring in person meetup in Wausau, WI — reach out for details. * To start a local CF meetup near you, reach out and we’ll help you get started — admin@catholicfounders.com * If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.com * Ensure you are prepared for Lent! This episode has good insights and so does yesterday’s Saintly CEO post. Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month. In Today’s Issue: * Intro to the Guest and Topic * Core Takeaway * Episode References * Select Quotes * Key Moments First time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest: Fr. Nathaniel Haslam | Lumen Institute Scaling a business in the fanatic hurry of the modern world often feels like a zero-sum game between your growth and your soul. Today’s guest, Father Nathaniel Haslam, understands this tension from the inside out. Before being ordained as a priest with the Legionaries of Christ and serving as a chaplain for the Lumen Institute, Fr. Nathaniel was an atheist engineer and businessman with his sights set on becoming a billionaire. Now, he spends his time mentoring top-tier executives on how to integrate Christ into the boardroom. In this episode, we explore the inherent nobility of the entrepreneurial path, the danger of burying your talents out of fear, and a practical tool called the generosity thermometer designed to keep your heart detached from the grip of success. Core Lesson: Your business is the primary environment where your spiritual life is meant to flourish. In other words, your business is how you’re meant to become a saint. Many founders carry a heavy existential angst, a lingering feeling that they chose a secular path while the “holy” work is happening elsewhere — in missions or rectories. Fr. Nathaniel shatters this misconception by pointing to the Church’s own teaching: business leadership is a noble calling. As entrepreneurs, we are called to be co-creators with God. This is a specific commission to take the unique talents of leadership and wealth creation and put them to work for the Kingdom. Our role is one of stewardship and divine trust. When we anchor our company culture in human dignity and treat every person as an individual to be loved, we are participating directly in God’s ongoing work of creation. Our work in the marketplace is a vital, sanctified mission. God Bless & Happy Building! ~Silas Mähner Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to admin@catholicfounders.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References: * The Vocation of the Business Leader * The Lumen Institute * The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace * Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word * His Way at Work * Litany of Humility * Biblical Passages: Genesis 1-2, Matthew 25, John 15:5 Select Quotes: * “The noble callings are not just the priests and the nuns... the church specifically said in that document, you have a noble calling. Business leadership is a noble calling.” — Fr. Nathaniel * “Humility is to live in the truth of who God is, who others are, and who you are.” — Fr. Nathaniel * “Will you trust my trust in you? That’s God speaking to the person.” — Fr. Nathaniel * “If he gave you a mission as a business owner, he’s also empowered you to live this out.” — Fr. Nathaniel * “There’s a lot of good desire, and there’s a lot of goodwill, but there’s also a tendency to delay giving… are you depriving yourself of the joy of giving now? …It’s more joyful to give than to receive.” — Fr. Nathaniel Key Moments: (outline) * [00:00] Intro: The Nobility of the Entrepreneur. Why business leadership is not just a job, but a high vocation on par with any other calling in the Church. * [03:40] Fr. Nathaniel’s Journey. The shift from an atheist engineer seeking wealth to a priest seeking souls, and how that background helps him mentor executives. * [08:25] The Mission of the Lumen Institute. How spiritual coaching and virtue-based leadership are transforming the way CEOs approach their daily grind. * [10:59] Breaking the “Existential Angst.” Addressing the feeling that business is “secular” and providing the theological proof that it is actually a holy endeavor. * [15:10] Incorporating Christ into the Boardroom. Practical ways to bring faith into a professional setting without being performative. * [18:45] Leadership and Human Dignity. Using the “Five Languages of Appreciation” to build a culture where employees feel seen as children of God. * [22:36] Reframing the Parable of the Talents. A deep dive into why “burying the talent” is a sin of fear, and why God’s trust in us is the real story. * [33:15] The Danger of the “Fanatic Hurry.” How the noise of the world kills our ability to hear God’s direction for our companies. * [41:14] The Generosity Thermometer. A practical spiritual exercise to ensure that your heart remains free as your net worth grows. * [48:27] Outro & Lenten Challenge. Moving from passive sacrifices to active “stretches” that allow God to work through your business. Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

    54 min

  3. FEB 12

    #50 What Does Mozart's Life Teach About Catholic Entrepreneurship?

    Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * If you’d like the framework to host local meetups for other Catholic business owners in your area, email us and we’ll talk — admin@catholicfounders.com * If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.com Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today If you believe you're called to be an instrument of God in the world, and you're a business owner, this is the group for you. We work together to help each other grow, and learn how we can be true stewards of our gifts. How we can carry out God's will in the world. Join the guild today by upgrading to a paid membership. The Mozart Principle: Cultivating Your God-Given Genius Today’s Reflection: We often look at geniuses like Mozart and think they are one-of-a-kind anomalies. But for the Catholic Founder, Mozart’s life offers a profound blueprint for leadership and stewardship. Mozart didn’t just write music; he transformed culture by mastering the rules and then breaking them to create something more beautiful. He lived only 35 years, yet his prolific output (over 800 pieces) reminds us that our time is short and our responsibility to our gifts is absolute. In this episode, I dive into why being born at the wrong time is a myth and how we must play dual roles in our businesses: being the son (Mozart) who leans into their unique creative talent, and the father (Leopold) who recognizes and fosters that same genius in our employees. Core Lesson: The Incomplete World Theory The world is fundamentally incomplete if you do not put your gifts to use. This isn’t just about personal success; it’s about our co-creative nature. When we build businesses, manage teams, or innovate in our industries, we are acting in the image and likeness of God. Every employee you hire is a unique gift to the world, and as a founder, you have a moral duty (much like Mozart’s father) to help that gift come to life. If we choose laziness or bury our talents, the corner of the universe we were meant to transform remains dark. Our calling is to create a culture of beauty and service, ensuring that on Judgment Day, we aren’t counted among the stewards who buried the talents entrusted to them. Hire a Catholic VA to do the busy work, so you can focus on scaling your business. We have a network of vetted, Catholic VAs who work across, finance, marketing, admin, and graphic design. Most hires take ~10 days to fill. Pay $500 when they start and $500 if you're still happy 30 days later. To get started, email admin@catholicfounders.com with what you're looking for. Several Catholic Founders in our community have utilized this service to great satisfaction. Select Quotes: * “God doesn’t have people born at the wrong time, ever. He creates our soul exactly when He does for a very specific reason.” * “If we don’t put our gifts to use, the world is less complete than it could be.” * “As entrepreneurs, we are fundamentally engaged with our co-creative nature... that’s what created in the image and likeness of God actually means.” * “We have times where we are Mozart in the story, and we also have times where we’re his father.” Key Moments: * 00:00 – The Mozart Stats: 35 years, 800 pieces, and the “Mozart Ratio” of true influence. * 01:15 – Transforming Culture: Moving opera and concertos from background noise to complex dialogue. * 02:37 – Mastering the Rules: Learning when to break conventions to keep beauty engaging. * 03:10 – The Myth of “Wrong Timing”: Why God placed you in this specific era with these specific challenges. * 04:11 – The Role of the Father: Recognizing talent as a “duty to God” and investing in its growth. * 04:53 – The Theology of Entrepreneurship: What it means to be a “co-creator” in the 21st century. * 06:11 – Employee Stewardship: Seeing staff as gifts to the world, not just “units of labor.” * 07:07 – The Incomplete World: Reflections on wasted gifts and the inspiration of Dr. Daniel Tataje. * 08:47 – Born for a Particular Reason: A call to transform whatever corner of the universe you find yourself in. * 09:37 – Final Vision: Creating a “Culture of God” through beauty, family, and community support. Share this with someone else who needs to recognize they have unique skills — that God wants them to put to use. We are here to help encourage and push each other to greater heights. To push each other to live out our calling in full color. Sharing this post can help us do that in a small way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

    10 min
  4. #49 He Beats PE Firm's With Lower Bids; Here's How | Daniel Tataje

    FEB 5

    #49 He Beats PE Firm's With Lower Bids; Here's How | Daniel Tataje

    Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * If you’d like the framework to host local meetups for other Catholic business owners in your area, email us and we’ll talk — admin@catholicfounders.com * If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.com Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month. In Today’s Issue: * Intro to the Guest and Topic * Core Takeaway * Episode References * Select Quotes * Key Moments First time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest: Dr. Daniel Tataje | Mercy Dental Group I could give you a big, long write-up about today’s guest. But I’m not. I’ll just say this — if you don’t listen to this, you’re missing out on the opportunity to have an incredible new role model for your business. Dr. Tataje is incredible. As you know, I meet a lot of entrepreneurs, and I walked away from this conversation feeling like I’ve met someone who is truly a living example of what it means to be a saint in business. Please take in this episode slowly, with a notepad at your side. He has so many insights, you’ll surely value the time. One note: I’d highly suggest picking up his book, The Leader Humanity Needs. It dives into how the Christian virtues of integrity, humility, and service are the true foundations of effective leadership. The 7 Marks of Leadership To build his practice, he’s used what he calls the 7 marks of leadership. He shared those in the episode so we also summarized them here for you. He is sure to impress these upon every new hire and uses them to guide his leadership team: * Integrity: The foundation of trust. Daniel argues that true integrity is ultimately achieved through a life of holiness. * Respect: Recognizing that every person is a unique, unrepeatable gift from God. It’s the “honor of meeting the only you in the history of humanity.” * Positivity: Choosing to be a light in the darkness. It’s not about ignoring difficulty, but finding the positive outcome and the opportunity for growth in every struggle. * Empathy: Moving beyond the Golden Rule to treat people how they want to be treated—which requires taking the time to truly know them. * Teamwork: Transferring power by saying, “I believe in you.” Investing in the success and talent of those around you. * Service: An intentional act of love. Treating the person in front of you as the most important person in your life at that moment. * Humility: The “King of Virtues.” Leading as a humble servant in the image of Christ, recognizing that your talents are a gift to be stewarded, not owned. Core Lesson: The power of looking every person in the eyes — customer and employee — and recognizing they are a gift from God — more than that, they are a gift for that moment right there — this act is powerful beyond understanding. I would chalk up all of his success to this key thing. He believes all humans are created in the Image and Likeness of God. That they are a gift to humanity, and when in his presence, they are a gift to him. Because he believes this so deeply, he treats his employees in a way that reflects that. He does the same for their patients. And in turn, the employees do this with each other and with the patients as well. This leads to huge benefits, but as always with these things, we don’t do this because of the praise. We do this because it’s right. Consider your own disposition to this truth. Is it truly engrained into you? Or is it just something you intellectually know. Make it something you live out through your actions. God Bless & Happy Building! ~Silas Mähner Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References: * The Leader Humanity Needs - Dr. Daniel Tataje * Prayer of St. Francis * St. Joseph * St. Mother Teresa * St. John Paul II * St. Maximilian Kolbe * St. Augustine * St. Padre Pio * St. Thérèse of Lisieux * Biblical Passages: Matthew 4:19, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 20:26-28, Hebrews 11:1 Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Select Quotes: * “We are moved by love, not by greed. We love our mission.” — Daniel * “Be good stewards of the people and the resources we have. So it’s not trying to grow the business, but growing the business and creating wealth is a by-product of what we do.” — Daniel * “What I want is to create more leaders. And how do I create more leaders? I want to follow the greatest leader of all humanity, the history of humanity, which is Jesus. And what were the aspects of the leadership of Jesus that made him a great leader? I came out with these seven marks of leadership…” — Daniel * “Of course, we respect everyone’s faith. We are not a Catholic organization, but we are a Catholic-led organization. They know that the person that leads this company is Catholic. And we make sure that everyone follows those values.” — Daniel * “What I mean with respect is the fact that everyone is unique, that everyone is valuable and everyone is talented.” — Daniel * “Everyone is a gift and the patient that you see in today is a gift, too. It’s a unique person.” — Daniel * “It’s better to light a candle than to curse darkness. What are you doing to create a great environment where you are?” — Daniel * “The most powerful thing you can say to someone is, I believe in you. And why is that? It’s because that transfers power.” — Daniel * “The ‘leader humanity needs’ actually is the reader. So it’s an invitation for everyone, I believe that everyone is called to lead the world to a better place, against using your talents, be light in the darkness.” — Daniel Key Moments: (outline) * 00:00 – Intro: Daniel’s philosophy on stewardship and mission-driven growth. * 03:00 – Host Update: Silas shares how he met Daniel and his impression of the Mercy Dental Group. * 03:40 – The Origin Story: Daniel’s transition from a practicing dentist to a business founder. * 06:06 – Growth Strategy: Building the group through word-of-mouth and retiring doctor referrals. * 08:22 – Virtue vs. Private Equity: Why sellers choose legacy and staff care over higher PE bids. * 11:12 – Subsidiarity: Empowering local clinics to maintain their own unique identities. * 17:54 – The Founder’s Edge: How working every entry-level role built Daniel’s leadership. * 20:15 – The Seven Marks of Leadership: Introducing the core virtues of the organization. * 22:35 – Deep Dive on Respect: Viewing every employee and patient as a unique gift. * 30:10 – Host Commentary: Silas reflects on the “competitive advantage” of Christian integrity. * 34:22 – Company Culture: Rewarding long-term staff with “loyalty trips.” * 39:18 – Mercy Dental Missions: Providing free care locally and internationally. * 48:17 – The Turning Point: Moving from “God as co-pilot” to full consecration of the business. * 52:24 – Final Message: A call for leaders to be “light in the darkness.” * 55:40 – Host Outro: Silas recaps key takeaways on integrity and community impact. * 58:15 – Call to Action: Information on Daniel’s book and joining the Catholic Founders Guild. Enjoy this episode? Share it with others! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

    59 min

  5. JAN 29

    #48 Reclaiming Magnificence: Faith, Ambition, and Building in Silicon Valley | Federico (Fed) Chavez-Torres

    Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube It’s time for another episode of Catholic Founders! This time with my good pal Federico - or as we call him, Fed. News / Updates: * If you’d like the framework to host local meetups for other Catholic business owners in your area, email us and we’ll talk. admin@catholicfounders.com * If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.com Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today We're building the largest network of Catholic biz owners in the world. It's for any Catholic biz owner who believes they are called to be an instrument of God's will in the world. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month. Curious? --> "What is the Catholic Founders Guild" In Today’s Issue: Intro to the Guest and Topic | Core Takeaway | Episode References | Select Quotes | Key Moments First time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest: Federico Chavez-Torres | Tex If you think the tech world is a spiritual desert, you haven’t been paying attention to what’s happening in San Francisco. In this episode, I’m joined by Federico “Fed” Chavez-Torres, co-founder of Tex and a leading voice in a growing cohort of venture-scale Catholic founders. Fed is one of those rare people who combines high-level Silicon Valley ambition with a deep, gritty commitment to the Faith. And he’s a good friend, so I was happy to have him on the show. We’re moving past the “small business” comfort zone and diving into the deep end: The duty of greatness. Here is what we cover: * The San Francisco Renaissance: Why the Bay Area is seeing record-breaking conversions and how a “bubble” of serious Catholic founders is actually a secret weapon for innovation. * Reclaiming Magnificence: A gut-check on why Catholics have abandoned the pursuit of greatness and how we can reclaim “intellectual ownership” of ambition. * The “Death Athlete” Mindset: A radical framework for living (and building) where we train every single day to leave everything on the court for the glory of God. * Building the Future: Why the world desperately needs Catholics at the helm of the companies defining AI, biotech, and the re-industrialization of the West. Fed’s perspective is a direct challenge to the “poverty-first” mentality that Catholics have taken for a long time. I think you’ll like his takes. Core Lesson: Don’t confuse humility with smallness. As Catholics, we rightly emphasize poverty, service, and care for the vulnerable. But somewhere along the way, many of us have become uneasy with greatness — with scale, influence, and ambition — even when God has clearly given us the talent to build something significant. Fed makes the case that venture-scale companies will shape culture whether Catholics build them or not. The algorithms, platforms, and institutions defining modern life are not neutral. If they are not led by people with a moral spine, they will be led by people who are perfectly comfortable exploiting human weakness for profit. The alternative is not retreat. It’s responsibility. For those of us called to build at scale, the task is to pursue excellence with discipline, to aim high without idolizing power, and to order ambition toward Christ. Not for our own glory, but so that the companies shaping the future are led by men and women who actually know what the good is. This episode is a reminder that Catholics don’t just belong in the room — in many cases, we are morally obligated to be there. God Bless & Happy Building! ~Silas Mähner Hire Catholic Offshore Talent We help you find vetted Catholic offshore talent to help your business grow. $500 upon hire and $500 if you're still happy in 30 days. Email us your needs -> hire in days -> admin@catholicfounders.com Key Episode References: * You Must Change Your Life – Peter Sloterdijk * Ghost Gunner (Documentary) * St. Charbel Makhlouf * St. Joan of Arc * St. Bruno of Cologne * Biblical Passages: Psalm 51, John 1:1–18, 2 Timothy 4:7, 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, Luke 22:39–46, Select Quotes: * On the Call to Greatness: “We have been in this focus on poverty for 70 years, but we’ve neglected the call to magnificence. We should have complete intellectual ownership over the concept of greatness.” * On the “Death Athlete” Mindset: “We are training every day towards our death. I want to be a ‘death athlete’—someone who, like Christ on the cross, leaves absolutely everything out on the court for God.” * On the Mission for San Francisco: “It’s about a new way to cope with the horrors of modern life in a Catholic way—one that isn’t just ‘move to a farm,’ but staying to make the city beautiful again.” * On Ethical Technology: “If there were more Catholics in these businesses, half of them wouldn’t exist—because we wouldn’t build algorithms designed to hijack the human soul for a click.” * On the Power of Community: “Founders hunt in packs. Being Catholic in the middle of Silicon Valley makes you differentiated—it centers the hustle around the Cross rather than just the exit.” Key Moments: (outline) * 00:00 – Intro: Catholic concept of “becoming like gods.” * 00:23 – Host Update: Silas on moving to Nashville. * 03:38 – SF Renaissance: The Catholic revival in the Bay Area. * 06:52 – Silicon Valley Leverage: Why “bubbles” can be good for innovation. * 11:50 – Tex: Fed explains his industrial asset startup. * 14:21 – Catholic VCs: The state of faith-aligned venture capital. * 19:24 – Ethical Tech: Why Catholics should build AI and social media. * 25:18 – The Mission: Making San Francisco Catholic again. * 39:41 – Magnificence: Reclaiming ambition as a Catholic virtue. * 45:49 – Death Athleticism: Training to leave everything on the court for God. * 53:41 – Rapid Fire: Psalm 51, St. Charbel, and the Angelus. * 58:33 – Outro: Final reflections on the duty of greatness. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

    1h 1m

  6. JAN 15

    #47 The Role of Generational Wealth in Charitable Giving | Johann Kurtz

    Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube First time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Welcome back to another great episode of Catholic Founders. Today we have a special discussion with Johann Kurtz . He’s the creator of the Substack Becoming Noble and author of Leaving a Legacy: Inheritance, Charity, & Thousand-Year Families. A book I highly recommend you add to your library. I recently read this, and it blew my mind. Since then, I’ve passed out 8 or so copies and convinced probably another dozen to buy it. Why? This book encapsulates several core things of what it means to be a steward in God’s creation. From charity, to raising your children to caring for your community, to loving your neighbor. A key point of the book, and something we discuss in the podcast, is the role of owning businesses in passing on a legacy. The business itself doesn’t have to be the only asset. In fact, it would be better to have many assets, but a business is a good means of building assets that are intentionally illiquid. Assets that require care and attention. These must be inculcated into your children so they understand their broader responsibility. Rather than liquidating everything you own at your death, children ought to continue to steward and grow that wealth, so that it may benefit the family, the community, and, of course, the Church. Please listen to this with an open heart to what type of legacy God may be calling you to build. Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month. Core Lesson: God wants to use us as stewards of His creation. Lean into whatever that stewardship looks like for you. Some Catholics I’ve come across have no intention of building a financial legacy to hand off to their children. They are worried it will ruin them. But that’s only true if you don’t teach them the right virtues. You are called to be a steward of the world around you. That includes the things God has put into your care. And in some cases, what’s put in your care includes your skills to acquire more. When we act in line with God’s will, we can act as the worker ants distributing God’s goodness to the world — yes, including through our assets. God wants you to build a legacy. Not for yourself. But for Him. So He can use you and your progeny to carry out His will in the world. God Bless & Happy Building! ~Silas Mähner Hire Talent That Actually Shares Your Mission with Verso Jobs. Verso Jobs has built a gamified, data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values. Their team understands your needs, goes out to qualified candidates, tests them through the gamified application. Then presents you with candidates who truly share your mission. If you’re a Catholic or conservative organization looking to cut through the fog, reach out to Verso Jobs to help you today. Whether you’re hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom. Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights. ⛰️ Key Episode References: * Get Johann’s Book: Leaving a Legacy, Inheritance, Charity and Thousand Year Families * Rerum Novarum (Papal encyclical by Leo XIII) * Allocution to the Roman Patriciate and Nobility (By Pope Pius XII) * Good Money (Series by the New Polity Catholic think tank) * Biblical Passages: 1 Timothy 5:8, Proverbs 13:22, Luke 18, 2 Corinthians 8, Acts 4. Select Quotes: * “What I think is to be avoided at all costs is […] is passing on a massively liquid inheritance. In other words, pure capital, stock shares, cash, because that really, that is you’re passing on a massive temptation to your children, like just liquid money. It becomes a problem.” — Johann * “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives and especially for their own household has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (Quoting 1 Timothy 5:8) — Johann * “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” (Quoting Proverbs 13:22) — Johann * “The virtue of humility is not believing that you are more than you are and being very conscious of the talents you do have, where they came from... But what it is not is the suppression or the ignoring or the wasting of your God-given talents.” — Johann * “If you participate with joy in the divine commandments, you can leave a legacy which lasts forever... the quintessential commandment in this regard is be fruitful and multiply.” — Johann * “Dominion carries with it the burden of rule. In some sense, there is a place for wealthy people in society... but they should always understand that wealth as a gift that is to be properly stewarded for the creation of the good, the true, and the beautiful.” — Johann Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Moments: (outline) * 0:00 - Johann Kurtz on Ecclesiastes and the vanity vs. reality of leaving a legacy. * 4:04 - Book Summary: The tension between traditional charity and modern philanthropy. * 7:41 - Why newly wealthy often give away assets, citing the Vanderbilts. * 8:53 - The book’s target audience: wealthy individuals and their children. * 10:56 - The “way of life” pitched: Wealth as duty, favoring illiquid assets and family businesses over liquid inheritance (cash/stocks). * 16:17 - The role of business in legacy, quoting Papal encyclicals (Rerum Novarum) on community obligations. * 21:33 - “Actualizing God’s will” through entrepreneurship and the complex Catholic view of wealth. * 31:12 - Responding to Catholics against pursuing wealth, referencing the Parable of the Talent and humility. * 36:44 - Question: Should one break away from a “rough” family to build a new intentional legacy? Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

    55 min

  7. JAN 8

    #46 You Can't Do God's Will Without Transformation Of Your Heart: A Reflection

    Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Hey everyone, I was not going to publish an episode today because we are beginning our drive to Nashville, where we are relocating, hopefully for the rest of our lives. However, yesterday morning, I had it on my heart to record something. This was one-shotted and not edited much at all, so please forgive my rambling and stumbling a bit. It’s in there because I didn’t have time to edit it, but also, it seemed fitting to me to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me with the end audience in mind. That’s you. Please only listen to this when you are able to focus and reflect on what this exhortation means for you specifically. In what way is God after your heart? In what way is He calling you closer to Him? If we want to do God’s will, we need to know God’s will. If we want to know God’s will, we need to spend time with Him. How else are we supposed to know His will? One Hail Mary in the morning isn’t going to cut it. You need some serious 1:1 time with the most important guide, mentor, or consultant in your life. If you don’t, you’re relying on your own wisdom (or lack thereof) instead of God’s. Don’t forget, He always offers His wisdom; we just have to tune in. So which way will it be? Your way? Or His way? Let me know what you think of this style of episode. If you like it, share it as a sort of ‘tipping the waiter’ situation. Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

    18 min

  8. JAN 6

    #45 The Real History of the Magi and What It Means For Us

    Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Hey everyone! Today is a special bonus episode because I love the Magi. So I’m covering 1) the real history, 2) why I find this story so compelling, and 3) what it means for our lives as business owners. I’m not going to do a write-up on it in detail, so you’ll have to listen to it (or read the transcript, I suppose). Enjoy it and let me know what you think in the comments! ICYMI: * Saturday, we published our 2025 recap * Sunday, we published another bonus episode with Jamie Baxter, Founder of Exodus 90 * Yesterday, we published the Saintly CEO on Personal Transformation * Fill out our listeners/readers survey Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month. Key Moments: (outline) * 0:00 | Introduction: The Magi’s Real Story - Knowledge into Action * 1:45 | Content Recap & Happy Epiphany * 3:00 | New Year’s Request: Share the Show * 4:30 | The Scale of the Journey & Identity of the Magi (King David’s advisors, understanding the stars) * 7:00 | The Magi’s Motivation and Deep Knowledge * 9:00 | Timing of the Magi’s Arrival (More likely within a 12-month period) * 10:30 | The Core Lesson: Knowledge Translated into Action * 13:00 | Why We Need Spiritual Mentors (Priests, Bishops, Saints) * 16:00 | The Principle of Justice: Giving God What is Due * 18:00 | From Mental Ascent (Junior Leagues) to Action (Pro Level) * 20:00 | The Call to Action: How Does Faith Change Your Q1 Goals? * 22:30 | Catholic Founders Guild Invitation (Membership details and purpose) * 25:00 | Closing & Prayer Request for Catholic Entrepreneurs * 26:00 | Farewell Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

    19 min
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About

Catholic Founders is where Catholic Entrepreneurs and Business Owners go to learn how to integrate their faith into every aspect of how they run their business and life as a Catholic AND as a Founder. In modern times, it's become more unclear than ever how to unite our faith with our work. It's even harder when you run a business. However, just as there is a holy way to live, there is a holy way to build and run our businesses. Fundamentally, our skills were given to us by God so that we may become instruments of His will. These skills are not for our own use. Therefore, to waste or misuse them is a grave thing. This entire project is born out of a deep belief in this truth. www.catholicfounders.com

Information

  • Creator
    Silas Mähner
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Catholic Founders
  • Show Website
    Catholic Founders