Sword&Spade

Jason Craig
  • 5.0 (13)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

The Sword&Spade podcast is about...

  1. 3D AGO

    Stop Critiquing, Start Building: Walker Larson on Marxism, Localism, and Cultural Restoration

    Walker Larson is a writer, former classical school teacher, and the voice behind The Hazelnut Substack, a journal dedicated to the pursuit of the good, the true, and the beautiful in literature and culture. In this conversation, Jason and Walker reflect on what it means to build rather than merely critique, the dangers of internet narratives, Wendell Berry's "age of divorce," and why every father owes it to his soul to pick up a great novel. In This Episode, We Cover: Walker's fertility journey, devotion to Our Lady of La Leche, and the hidden cross of infertility for Catholic men and their wivesThe temptation to critique and "get clicks" — and the harder, more necessary work of building cultureHow the "hermeneutics of suspicion" is rooted in Marxist literary theory and has leaked into internet discourse and conservative mediaLocalism, medieval guilds, and what Rerum Novarum says about protecting communities from consolidating powerWalker's case for why busy fathers need great literature—and what it does that no self-help book or YouTube video canChapters: 00:00: Welcome 01:22: Walker's Fertility Journey: Our Lady of La Leche and the Gift of Daughters 07:39: Infertility as a Hidden Cross 12:38: "Beyond Apocalypse": The Case for Cultural Restoration Over Critique 16:41: The Hermeneutics of Suspicion 28:06: Conspiracy Thinking, Victimhood, and the Work Only You Can Do 35:26: Localism, Guilds, and Rerum Novarum 58:16: Why Busy Fathers Need to Read Great Literature 01:03:39: Literature as a Trial Run for Life 01:17:56: Two Planes of Knowing: Abstract Facts vs. Lived Truth Resources Mentioned: "Beyond Apocalypse: Believing in Cultural Restoration" by Walker Larson — Crisis MagazineThe Hazelnut Substack — Walker Larson's writing on literature, culture, and the permanent thingswalkerlarsonwriting.comJOIN 2500+ MEN READING SERIOUS, YET ACCESSIBLE ESSAYS ON VIRTUE, CULTURE, AND LIVING WELL: https://fraternus.org/sword-and-spade/ Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

    1h 25m

  2. MAR 19

    Beyond the Catholic Manosphere: Resentment, Self-Knowledge, and Real Masculinity w/ Sam Guzman

    Jason Craig sits down with longtime friend and fellow veteran of the Catholic men's online world, Sam Guzman, the founder of The Catholic Gentleman and now a practicing counselor. They take an unflinching look at where the Catholic Manosphere started, where it's gone wrong, and why resentment and pseudo-wisdom are poor substitutes for real masculine formation.  In This Episode, We Cover: The rise and dark side of the Catholic Manosphere—resentment, red-pill Catholic opinions, and the problem of influencers without experienceSam's journey from communications work at Pro-Life Wisconsin and Covenant Eyes to becoming a Catholic counselor through Divine Mercy UniversityThe origins of therapeutic culture in the aftermath of the World Wars and the collapse of institutional meaningSelf-knowledge as the essential foundation of holiness, drawing on Augustine, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and AquinasThe two most common wounds counselors see in men—emotional numbness and emotional overwhelm—and what fathers can do about it nowChapters: 00:00: Introduction and Origins of the Catholic Men's Online Space09:25: The State of Catholic Men Online: From 2013 to Today12:18: The Dark Side of the Manosphere — Resentment, Red Pill, and Bitterness15:00: The Problem of Pseudo-Wisdom and Influencers Without Experience32:39: Sam's Journey From Marketing to Counseling37:29: The Therapeutic Society: Origins, Excesses, and Real Value47:29: The Case for Counseling54:09: Self-Knowledge, Augustine, and the Path to Holiness59:10: Two Common Wounds Counselors See in Men01:08:22: Aquinas on the PassionsResources: The Catholic GentlemanDivine Mercy UniversityJP2 Healing CenterCovenant EyesLeaving Boyhood Behind by Jason M. CraigLitanies of the Heart by Dr. Gerry CreteTransformation in Christ by Dietrich von HildebrandJOIN 2500+ MEN READING SERIOUS, YET ACCESSIBLE ESSAYS ON VIRTUE, CULTURE, AND LIVING WELL: https://fraternus.org/sword-and-spade/ Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

    1h 14m

  3. MAR 12

    The Case for Reading in an Age of Noise w/ John Clarke

    What does it actually mean to be literate, and do men in the trenches of daily life actually have time for it? Jason Craig sits down with John Clarke of Cluny Media to make the case that reading is less a cultural pastime and more a spiritual necessity, as essential to a man's formation as physical training is to his body. In This Episode, We Cover: Why literacy is like athleticism: a trainable capacity, not an elite clubWhether men today genuinely need to wrestle with ideas on the pageHow books and screens form the mind and imagination in fundamentally different waysWhy you need a guide, not just a book listPractical advice for literary nerds on how to share ideas without alienating everyone around themChapters: 00:00: The Bridge a Literary Publisher Builds04:34: Defining Literacy—The Athleticism Analogy14:26: Christianity's Relationship with the Written Word18:13: How We Are Formed (Whether We Choose It or Not)22:45: Books as a Lifelong Habit, Not a Checklist29:13: Why You Need a Guide, Not Just a Book List31:30: What Books Do That Screens Can't37:07: Screen Recommendations for Young Kids50:48: Advice for Literary Nerds: Integrate and Trust54:20: Don't Read Alone. Ideas Belong in ConversationResources Mentioned: Cluny MediaThe Holy Spirit by Luis MartinezThis Dear-Bought Land by Jean Lee Latham"Sunday" by Father Frederick William FaberJOIN 2500+ MEN READING SERIOUS, YET ACCESSIBLE ESSAYS ON VIRTUE, CULTURE, AND LIVING WELL Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

    1h 2m

  4. MAR 5

    The Value of Catholic Imagination in Forming Young Men w/ Dr. Mark Adderley

    Mark Adderley is an English convert to Catholicism, high school literature teacher, and author of a 10-book Catholic adventure series for boys. In this episode, he traces his unlikely path from militant atheism to the Church through Arthurian legend, C.S. Lewis, and the power of story. In This Episode, We Cover: How Mark went from the Church of England, to atheist, to convicted Catholic through the legend of King Arthur and the Screwtape LettersWhy a well-formed imagination is essential for genuine faith and virtueHow to form sons through story: reading aloud, Saturday movies, poetry, and classic literatureThe fruit of intentional fatherhood: raising children who are still Catholic as adultsThe origin and purpose of the McCracken adventure series for Catholic boys in 6th–10th gradeChapters: 00:00: Introduction & Meet Mark Adderley02:40: From England to America: King Arthur and Graduate School06:05: From Atheist to Catholic: C.S. Lewis and the Screwtape Letters16:25: Why Imagination Matters More Than Data22:07: Forming Sons Through Story: Movies, Poetry, and Reading Aloud29:46: The Fruit: Four Sons, Three Families, One Seminarian37:25: "Stabs of Joy": How Catholicism Magnifies the Beautiful47:53: We're Not Raising Children, We're Raising Adults56:40: The Birth of the McCracken Series01:09:14: Why Catholic Boys Need Catholic FictionJOIN 2500+ MEN READING SERIOUS, YET ACCESSIBLE ESSAYS ON VIRTUE, CULTURE, AND LIVING WELL: https://fraternus.org/sword-and-spade/ Resources Mentioned: The McCracken Adventure Series by Mark AdderleyThe Once and Future King by T.H. WhiteThe Screwtape Letters by C.S. LewisLe Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas MaloryForbidden IslandProduced by Saint Kolbe Studios

    1h 15m

  5. FEB 26

    You Owe God: Justice, Tithing, and Catholic Culture w/ Dr. Jared Staudt

    In this episode, we discuss:  Why the virtue of religion falls under justice Why tithing is not generosity but justice What Christian Smith's research actually shows determines whether children keep the faith—and why Catholic schools and youth groups rank second How moralistic therapeutic deism has quietly replaced authentic religion, even inside the Church, and what we've lost in the process How to build a Catholic culture in the home through daily prayer and mentorship Chapters Chapters: 00:00 — Introduction & Opening on Justice and Marxism 00:45 — Introducing Dr. Jared Staudt 02:28 — What Is the Virtue of Religion? 07:00 — Sacrifice, Natural Religion, and the Heart of Worship 10:50 — The Modern World and the Turn Toward Self 18:31 — Why Do You Go to Church? The Justice Framework 23:54 — Is Religion Just Paying a Debt? Justice, Love, and the Dark Night 30:17 — Disenchantment, Technology, and the God Who Feels Far Away 35:27 — Piety: What We Owe God, Parents, and Country 41:47 — Abstract Charity vs. Concrete Justice in Community 45:50 — Tithing as an Act of Worship, Not Generosity 57:27 — Almsgiving, the Offertory, and Catholic Giving in America 01:03:18 — Forming Children in the Virtue of Religion 01:11:15 — Mentorship, Adolescence, and Building a Catholic Culture in the Home JOIN 2500+ MEN READING SERIOUS, YET ACCESSIBLE ESSAYS ON VIRTUE, CULTURE, AND LIVING WELL: https://fraternus.org/sword-and-spade/ Resources: The Primacy of God: The Virtue of Religion and Catholic Theology by Dr. Jared StaudtYoung Catholic America and the Notre Dame report on Catholic religious parenting, w/ Christian SmithWhat is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

    1h 18m

  6. FEB 19

    Skipping College, Finding Vocation and Dignified Work

    Cody and Sebastion share their journey from schooling to careers in framing and construction instead of college. They discuss starting in the trades as teenagers, launching a construction company, Atlas, choosing to stay rooted in their local community, converting to Catholicism, and building a culture of craftsmanship. The conversation explores work-life integration, mentorship, competency over artificial self-esteem, and the future of skilled trades. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction & Background 03:34 - Cody's Journey into Construction 08:01 - The College Question 14:30 - Starting Atlas Framing Company 19:49 - Sebastian's Path 26:03 - From General Contractor to Specialist 33:37 - Faith & Conversion 45:58 - Community & Rootedness 49:23 - Catholic Trade Schools & Durable Trades 56:13 - The Future of Construction 1:07:45 - Competency Over Self-Esteem 1:11:25 - Work Culture & Faith on the Job Site Find more conversations like the one in this episode by joining the readership of Sword&Spade Magazine!  Resources  Letters to a Young Catholic by George WeigelDurable Trades by Rory Groves Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew CrawfordFraternusProduced by Saint Kolbe Studios

    1h 14m

  7. FEB 12

    Beyond "Cranking Out Kids": A Conversation on Family Life w/ Joel Stroot

    Jason sits down with Joel Stroot, a permaculture farmer and dentist from Dallas, North Carolina, who runs an 85-acre beyond-organic farm called Faith Family Farm. They explore what it means to live authentically as Catholics in modern America, particularly when it comes to raising families. Joel shares the wisdom passed down from his father about living by faith, family, and farm—in that order. He connects his dental practice to his farming philosophy, showing how nutrient-dense soil creates nutrient-dense food, which impacts everything from our teeth to our overall health and spiritual wellbeing. Chapters: (0:00) Introduction & Background(4:00) Living Authentically Catholic(5:00) Joel's Father's Legacy(7:30) The Problem with Modern Formation(1:10:00) Work, Vocation, and Stability(1:13:00) Being Truly Open to Life(1:15:30) Closing ThoughtsFind more conversations like the one in this episode by joining the readership of Sword&Spade Magazine!  Resources: Faith Family FarmWeston A. Price FoundationFed Up (Documentary)Food Inc. (Documentary)Fraternus Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

    1h 16m

  8. 11/13/2025

    Digital Overreach: How to Protect Your Family in the Age of the Machine

    Sean Tario, a seasoned digital privacy advocate, and Jason Craig discuss the influence of tech giants, including Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon. With over 20 years of experience, Sean shares his journey from Silicon Valley to becoming a co-founder of Mark37.com, focusing on digital sovereignty and localism. In this episode, we explore the control of big tech on our privacy and autonomy, the importance of understanding where our data goes, practical steps for protecting our families, and the crucial need for real community in combating digital overreach.

    1h 14m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The Sword&Spade podcast is about...

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Craig
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jason Craig

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