Worthy And Well Qualified - A Masonic Podcast Darrell McTague & Bryan Simmons

Fraternalism comes in many forms. Masons often love to enjoy the company of their brothers over a good cigar. Some, so much so, that they even made a club for it.
Isn't a cigar a cigar?  Say that to Right Worshipful Mike Douglas and you'll get a thorough education on how that is very much NOT the case. Premium hand-rolled cigars are very different from cigarettes, and even from machine-rolled cigars. There are many organizations out there aiming to help make that differentiation and to protect our right to enjoy them.
In this episode, our co-hosts are joined by RW Mike Douglas. He shares a bit about himself and his Masonic "career", and then we get a little cloudy. RW Douglas gives us a solid education on the finer points of premium hand-rolled cigars, and what makes them different from other tobacco products. He also tells us about the Brothers of the White Ash, how it began, and what it does.
 
What's in this episode:
We are joined by RW Mike Douglas, founder of the Brothers of the White Ash RW Douglas teaches us all about cigars, including what makes them different how they're constructed what makes the varieties different and he also teaches us about the Brothers of the White Ash including how it was founded and what it does Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
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It's all about perspective. Often Grand Masters are looked at as if on a pedestal. Surprisingly enough - they're actually real people, and today we get to know a special one.
What's So Special About Massachusetts?  Though other Grand Lodges may try to contest it, the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts is generally accepted to be the oldest chartered Grand Lodge in the United States. Not only that, it's the 3rd oldest Grand Lodge in the world, behind only Scotland and the United Grand Lodge of England. To be the Grand Master of a place like this must be quite the job (and interesting to boot), right? Well... Today we find out. And in so doing, we get to know the man at the helm of the ship, so to speak, for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In this episode, your co-hosts are (once again) joined by very special guests Most Worshipful Paul Fulton Gleason, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, and Bro. Christopher Rooney. In this installment we learn more about Most Worshipful Gleason himself - both his personal life and his Masonic career. First we learn where he hails from and how he found Masonry. Next we delve a little deeper into his career as an officer of both his Blue Lodge and Grand Lodge. MW Gleason shares how Grand Lodge officer candidates are selected and elected - a method that is likely different from many other jurisdictions. He also shares what it's like to govern such a large jurisdiction, comparing and contrasting with nearby neighbors (including Rhode Island). And we also learn some of his biggest challenges and greatest highlights so far from his time as Grand Master.
 
What's in this episode:
We are once again joined by MW Gleason and Bro. Rooney We learn all about MW Gleason, including Where he comes from, and how he ended up in MA How he came to join Masonry How he ended up as an officer, both in Blue Lodge and Grand Lodge How candidates for Grand Lodge office are selected and elected. What it's like to govern this jurisdiction And ultimately, what it's like to be Grand Master of Massachusetts Episode Resources:
www.MassFreemasonry.org
Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
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Recruitment is practically taboo in Masonry. How can a man find it in his heart to be one of us... If he doesn't know we exist? Maybe it's time to rethink this...
It should be about the betterment of The Craft. There are so awful lot of strong feelings on how best to approach Freemasonry's elephant in the room - membership. There's no arguing with the data - numbers are declining. Its up to us to figure out how to best work and best agree on how we solve that problem. Here in Massachusetts, our Grand Master has some strong feelings of his own on the topic...
In this episode, your co-hosts are joined by very special guests Most Worshipful Paul Fulton Gleason, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, and Bro. Christopher Rooney. They join us to discuss the coming statewide open house in Massachusetts, as well as the Grand Master's One Day Class. We also discuss the Bowtie Benefit and the Golden Gavel Awards - two excellent events coming up that promise to foster warmth, brotherhood, and recognition for hard efforts.
 
What's in this episode:
We talk about some topics of special interest to Massachusetts Freemasons And in so doing, we talk about Membership Advertising Recruitment Brotherhood And recognition And, we’re joined by a guest who is also of special interest to Massachusetts Freemasons... Episode Resources: Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
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Yes, Grand Masters have controversial opinions. Usually, we don't get to hear them. Today, we do. Buckle up.
Those in power must watch their tongue. It can be almost dangerous for someone in a high office to share controversial opinions. We see this in politics, civil & charitable organizations, and of course, social & fraternal bodies like ours. If a sitting Grand Master were to voice a radical opinion it could have quite an impact on the Fraternity, and maybe not for the better. However, when the word "Past" gets added to your Grand Lodge title, and there IS no higher office left for you to seek... well, then, I suppose, you're free to tell it like it is. And that is exactly what Most Worshipful Iacobucci does in part 2 of our conversation.
Being Grand Master has its perks, eh? Most Worshipful Peter Iacobucci and Right Worshipful Gil Fontes are the junior Past Grand Master and Past Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. They join your hosts Darrell and Bryan on this special two-part adventure to share their story, their journey, and their thoughts.
In this episode - part 2 - things get a little more interesting. MW Iacobucci shares his thoughts on the personalities of the Grand Masters of Rhode Island who came before him, and what was necessary or useful then vs. the approach needed during his term. He goes further, sharing his thoughts on how best to rule and govern both as Grand Master and as District Deputy Grand Master. Our esteemed guests share their views on the differences between jurisdictions, and how it affects everything from daily operation & ideology, to issues like innovation, safety & guns in the Lodge, and even women in the Lodge. Finally, we learn how MW Iacobucci and RW Fontes got roped into higher office in the first place, and how the future looks.
 
What's in this episode:
MW Iacobucci’s thoughts on personalities of past GM’s in RI His thoughts on how best to rule and govern as Grand Master and District Deputy Grand Master - and how NOT to Differences between jurisdictions yesterday, today, and tomorrow, including Day to day operation Ideology Innovation Safety and guns in Lodge And women in the Lodge And lastly, how MW Iacobucci (and RW Fontes) actually got roped in to office in the first place. Episode Resources: Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
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What's it take to be Grand Master? Well, we asked an ACTUAL Grand Master (and Grand Marshal) exactly that. Their answers, insights, and opinions may surprise you.
The reality is - there's a lot to it. Many Masons may view the Grand Master as the absolute power and authority of a given Masonic Jurisdiction. Others may view him as a roadblock to progress, or an anchor they must drag on the way to positive change. Some, perhaps new Masons, may even view him as some untouchable, mythical, unicorn-like being atop a glorious, glowing pedestal.
The truth is, it's not quite like any of that. Most Worshipful Peter Iacobucci and Right Worshipful Gil Fontes are the junior Past Grand Master and Past Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. They join your hosts Darrell and Bryan on this special two-part adventure to share their story, their journey, and their thoughts.
They discuss how the pivotal situations and choices that brought them to Masonry. We learn about Grand Lodge of Rhode Island's interesting (and perhaps unique) progressive grand officer line. RW Fontes also delves into the real role of a Grand Marshal, and how essential it is to a Grand Master. They share their rare perspective on how a bird's eye view of Masonry compares to Blue Lodge thought processes. And finally, MW Iacobucci shares his perspective on issues facing lodges, and what the role of the Grand Lodge & Grand Master SHOULD be in aiding with those issues (vs. what most Masons think it should be).
 
What's in this episode:
MW Peter Iacobucci and RW Gil Fontes, junior Past Grand Master and Past Grand Marshal of The Grand Lodge of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, join us to discuss: How they came to Masonry, and their journey through the Grand Line How the the progression of officers in the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island works The real role of the Grand Marshal Taking the big picture view of Masonry vs living on the “blue lodge ground level” MW Iacobucci’s perspective on issues facing lodges, and what the role of Grand Lodge & the Grand Master should be vs what most Masons think it is… and what the Grand Master thinks it is. Episode Resources: Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
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Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Ready to work with Coach Darrell to improve your health & fitness? Click here!
And check out the "So THIS Is Fitness" podcast at the following links:
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We're doing it wrong. One of the biggest issues in Masonry is (and has been for a long time) "how do we keep our brothers engaged?". Brothers - we have been doing it wrong for a long time. This week, Bryan and Darrell talk about a 3rd way - so we can finally get this right.
We raise them, they drop us. It's a song as old as time - a candidate goes through their three degrees, getting the obligatory education along the way. They get raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Aaaaaand -poof- - they're gone, never to be heard from again. What happened?
The question should be "what DIDN'T happen?". We tend to have two go-to's we lean on to keep our new members engaged and active in our lodges. Generally, we either throw them in the officer line or we get them on some kind of committee. We think by giving them something to do they'll stay active, keep attending, and that's that. Sadly, more often than not we are mistaken.
We're approaching this wrong. Unfortunately we're missing the boat on this 9 times out of 10. We get lulled into a false sense of effectiveness because, every so often, it DOES work. We get the really ritual-inclined guy in the Inside Sentinel's chair, and he progresses up the line and loves every minute of it. Maybe we put a guy on a committee and he flourishes and gets really involved in the lodge. Problem is - generally, with these guys, we got lucky. Or they were going to be active ANYWAY, but we THINK we helped.
There's a 3rd way we could do this. Remember when I said sometimes we get lucky? By that I mean we were lucky to make the right call and put a guy in a position to capitalize on a skill or interest he has. What if we weren't lucky? What if we figured out how to do that EVERY time, with EVERY new brother? "How?", you ask? Give a listen to Episode 8, and gain a little insight into the answer.
What's in this episode:
We discuss the "engagement" debate how we usually handle new guys why we're getting it wrong how we SHOULD be approaching it Episode Resources: Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
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