Three Dogs North

In this episode, the dogs talk about their recent meet-up at Rob's parish (01:00). The dogs gush over Rob (9:00), Mike cries at a wedding (2:20), and Connor shares a childhood story about his dad (5:50). They discuss the best video games from when they were kids (11:50), which leads to a discussion of dopamine culture (23:45). Connor closes out with parenting insights from Dr. Becky (38:30) and how to "sit in the tension" of being human with Jesus (41:00). Quotes: "High fives all around for friendship." (Rob, 4:20) “Rob’s a really good priest.” (Mike, 9:00) “I wish I could cry.” (Connor, 10:15) “I would be ready and willing to accept from God a life of suffering.” (Connor, 28:00) “Being grown-up is being willing to be interrupted and be put-upon.” (Connor, 30:45) "Here is a man that words cannot describe. Death could not defeat him nor toil dismay him. He did not fear death, nor did he refuse to live." (Breviary, 36:45) "Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face." (Psalm 24,

In this episode, the dogs welcome Mike back to the states (01:05), Rob visits an older priest with a friend (13:40), and Connor shares his summer reading (16:55). They all talk about coming to terms with aging (28:05) and the inspirational people they love who have aged with grace (32:50). Quotes: “I try to integrate and circulate each day.” (Connor, 1:47) “It's an aspirational thing, to be able to look back at life and realize, ‘God is the author of that story.”’ (Rob, 16:35) “It's something really beautiful because he's allowing himself to be pierced by reality.” (Connor, 20:55) “John Paull II, the way that he entered into eternal life, it was a real example of how to die well... He kept coming out and being a father and loving on people until the day he died. That’s how you do that.” (Mike, 25:10) “I am both the one choosing, but I'm also being chosen... God’s choice of me is the one truth that can always be relied on.” (Connor, 31:10) “Life has continued to get richer… There’s a hope

In this episode, the dogs catch up and reminisce (4:00) before a long summer break from the pod. Connor shares his new assignment at Mundelein (10:50) and Mike discusses his new position (26:53). They all speak about finding their identity in Jesus (35:00), especially in times of transition. They stress the importance of vulnerability (20:22) and surrender (23:25) for living a life of true freedom. Quotes: "I'm more into being than doing." (Connor, 13:47) "The priesthood is an identity, it's not a job." (Connor, 13:47) "You're a Christian with people and you're a priest for people." (Mike quoting Barron quoting Augustine, 19:20) “I’m not excited, but I feel the capacity to go and give myself to it in a faithful way... That’s what freedom looks like.” (Rob, 19:40) “You have to choose vulnerability in life. You have to consistently choose that.” (Rob, 20:10) "I’ve been given this gift of priesthood and that's why I have the capacity to interact in these ways with you.” (Rob, 21:00) "I a

In this episode, the dogs convene at Rob's request (3:55) to talk about science fiction (4:39) and what's so attractive about stories with a prophecy (13:50). Connor describes the new stained glass windows at Newman (20:00) and they all piece together "Main Character Energy" (22:19). Quotes: “The narrative form of the gospel is really important and actually tells a way better story than anything else that’s being offered.” (Rob, 16:29) “You are made for something huge, but you have to go small in order for God to work through you.” (Mike, 18:00) "There is a time when all of this will be in it’s fullness, all in all, unadulterated by sin and pettiness and death.” (Connor, 21:31) “I’m going somewhere and that’s what’s making the now so beautiful.” (Connor, 25:30) "The peace of Christ is available now." (Mike, 26:05) Media Mentions: Rumer Godden's An Episode of SparrowsDune: Part TwoDune: Part OneSigrid Undset's Kristin LavransdatterStar WarsThe Crown (2016- 2023)The MatrixMonsignor Jame

In this episode, the dogs discuss whether there are any once in a lifetime experiences (2:50). Rob admits to his own FOMO (3:00), Mike revisits an enchanted moment from Bethlehem (13:52), and Connor describes living in the eternal reality of the sacramental worldview (16:30). They all reminisce (21:00) with hopeful longing (23:58). Quotes: "Each moment has its own unique flavor." (Mike, 8:15) “There’s gonna be another day, another enchanted moment, because the world is sacramental.” (Rob, 12:40) "The sacramental reality is eternal." (Connor, 16:30) "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them." (Rob quoting Andy Bernard, 18:15) "Here's the thing, nobody cares." (Rob, 18:50) “It feels like it would be insanely ungrateful to be sad it’s over; it was so full.” (Connor quoting Bartosic, 19:45) "Sometimes... on real cold nights... when I get into bed I will lean over to my wife and say, 'I’m glad I’m not in Bastogne."' (Connor quoting Band of

In this episode, the dogs return to a previous discussion on parenting and control (5:00). Mike looks for Yao Ming in the California Redwoods (1:49), Connor reminds us just how useful childhood confirmation class was (17:35), and Rob jumps ship (14:57) twice (26:49). Quotes: “They (children) have this compass inside of them that I can't read for them; I have to love them into reading it themselves and God will guide them.” (Connor, 8:20) “As a parent, your desire is to educate their freedom.” (Mike, 10:40) “I was a martyr for the truth.” (Connor, 11:35) “I’m the perfection of virtue.” (Rob, 14:52) “What we are talking about is this long slow road toward wholeness and integrity, which is experiencing God’s love and our own goodness in his eyes even in the midst of our imperfections.” (Connor, 21:00) “As parents you do have to form your children.” (Mike, 23:20) “Everyone as a free person is responsible for their own life, including your child.” (Connor, 24:30) "Jesus is never controll

In this episode, the dogs discuss what it means to live with integrity (0:44). Rob opens by bringing up Bobby Jones' loss in the 1925 U.S. Open (1:00), Mike gets a little heretical (10:10), and Connor experiences some technical difficulties (15:15). They close by reflecting on representations of integrity in various films (28:22). Quotes: "It's just you have no integrity. That's the worst thing I could say about anybody." (from Calvary, 3:55) "Integrity is a result of a life lived in truth." (Connor, 5:05) “Beauty is the manifestation of truth.” (from Denis McNamara 3DN S11 E12, 5:16) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" (Matthew 23:19, 9:10) "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die." (from The Sandlot, 12:10) "Real integrity, you can tell has been cultivated over a lifetime." (Connor, 16:30) "A good friend is not a conspirator in our vices." (Mike quoting a friend, 20:50) "You're going to get the work done of one person because you're one person." (Connor, 25:45)

In this episode, the dogs talk about Mike's future as a Jumpmaster (00:27), the start of the school year at UIC (13:13), and the difference between managers and leaders (19:00). Connor comes up with a new parable for the Gospel of Luke (27:00) and The Simpsons is referenced (35:58), twice (41:08). Quotes: "Leaders lead from the front." (Mike, 7:05) "I’m the go-to guy... not because it’s "Mike", but because it’s "Father", which is always a humbling reality.” (Mike, 9:28) “Manage to maintain vs actually drive a mission; that's the difference between a leader and a manager.” (Rob on leadership, 10:45) "Aim small, miss small." (Connor, 13:50) "Jesus is my ultimate horizon." (Connor 18:20) “If you’re in communion with the Father then you have his vision, the divine perspective.” (Mike, 23:00) “I want to help my people to become fully who they were created to be.” (Mike, 25:35) "People who are holy, whether or not publicly recognized by the church as saints, keep the world from turning i

In this episode, the dogs discuss meekness (6:14) and the positive masculine virtues (2:45). Rob gives some historical context (6:14), Mike dodges deciding whether his dad is meek (9:11), and Connor shares a time when he's seen men misuse their masculinity to diminish others (13:45). Lastly, they look to the saints (17:36) to better understand what it means to be formed by the Father's love (26:50). Quotes: "Sir, my job is to hold back your testosterone." (Mike quoting Bliese, 1:50) “When there is a father present, it brings about the masculine virtues in a positive way." (Rob, 2:45) "JPII is like Batman." (Connor 18:45) “St. Francis swung the whole world around like a trinket at his wrist." (Connor on St. Francis, 19:37) "I would have caused World War III. 100%." (Mike, 23:00) “What John Paul II is grieving there is something so sublime. It’s beyond anything you can put into words.” (Connor, 23:30) “His dad’s hidden love (JPII's), has now played a part in this great revelation of God

In this episode, the dogs discuss The Simpsons (0:50), Edith Stein's feast day (4:05), and phenomenology philosophy (7:30). Mike names a new female doctor of the church (14:00) and speaks definitively on anthropology (17:40). They close out by sharing how to practically live in relationship with Jesus, as Stein says, in the "kern" (20:00). Quotes: “Come, Rosa, we’re going for our people." (quote from Edith Stein, 10:20) “It just blew her away that Catholics could come and talk to a personal God when they were out shopping.” (Rob, 11:25) “You are tarnishing your voting record right now. I question everything about your character.” (Rob about Connor, 15:27) “She has the most precise and correct anthropology of anybody who has ever existed.” (Mike about Stein, 17:25) “You can see the harmony that exists between the physical body and the actual eternal soul. The way she (Stein) unites the two together is just true.” (Mike, 19:25) “What is the human person? Is loved by God.” (Mike summarizing

In this episode, the dogs discuss the heroes journey (12:45) and Rob asks the question: If we're made for home, then why do we leave (14:00)? Rob gives his favorite Summer Reading combinations (7:55), Connor references the gospel of Luke (19:00) as well as SNL (24:30), and Mike shares what it's like to maintain values while developing his career in the army (28:22). Quotes: "Culture without substance is empty." (Mike, 1:30) "There’s nothing you can do but kick your horse.” (from Lonesome Dove, 10:45) "Life is about relationship." (Mike, 18:09) "That's the cross and resurrection. The way to life is death." (Connor 19:30) "My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours." (Luke 15:31, 23:15) “Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you. And see, you were within and I was in the external world and sought you there, and in my unlovely state I plunged into those lovely created things which you made. You were with me, and I was not with you." (from Au

In this episode, the dogs talk about what it means to sacramentalize all things. They discuss the tendency to separate "holy" things from seemingly unholy things (1:30) and the opposing belief that all things are restored in Christ (4:00). Mike brings up his experience serving at Life Teen retreats (9:55), Rob shares what was so impactful about visiting the Martin home in France (11:20), and Connor tells about a recent trip to the doctor (13:10). They all discuss being freed, as priests, to focus on loving people, not just trying to save them (21:30). Also, they reminisce about that time Mike got scabies (28:25). Quotes: “Life with God is not an obligation, but it’s really a gift.” (Mike, 9:10) “The retreat actually is reality; what we want to do is integrate the rest of your life into that relationship, into that experience.” (Mike, 10:30) “Every room in their home was clearly about being together.” (Rob about the Martin home, 12:15) “I want to bring Christ into that world. That's what the in

In this episode, the dogs talk about ways they have grown over the past year (4:45). Connor shares his experience during Holy Week (7:00), Rob remembers lessons learned from Connor's pandemic garden (8:30), and Mike defends the relevance of the liturgy (13:35). They all share the joys of priesthood that they've recently experienced (21:30). Quotes: "The kingdom of God is just coming." (Rob quoting Connor, 8:37) "You just have to feel what you feel." (Rob, 9:00) "Reality is hard, but it's better." (Rob, 9:20) "Everything in Heaven is so much more real." (Connor, 12:15) “When you live in reality and enter into the liturgy it becomes immediately relevant and pertinent because it’s God’s desire to save us and walk with us in our suffering.” (Mike, 13:50) “God’s responsive love to the suffering human heart.” (Mike, 14:20)  “How much of a gift it is to be a priest and have Jesus explode your heart for people.” (Connor, 21:30) “Christianity is real and it’s dope.” (Connor, 22:40) “It’s

In this episode, the dogs hear Rob's hot take on 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (4:35). They all discuss the importance of choosing to engage with reality (11:48), especially when it can be tempting to "shirk" off the present moment (34:30). Quotes: “I am not alone. It’s not just on me to create the meaning of my life. This is not all there is.”  (Connor, 23:10) “Jesus seems to rectify and provide a lived reality that you don’t have to rebel against everything in order to fully actualize your humanity.” (Mike, 25:10) “She (St. Therese) only wants reality and what her human limits allow. She has no problem being limited by her humanity.” (Rob, 26:50) “It’s impossible for Jesus to will useless suffering.” (Connor quoting St. Therese, 28:50) “God is out there, in the desert with you.” (Connor, 31:30) “We’re not at the promised land yet, but we are there, in those moments of Kiaros.” (Connor, 32:51) "What gives me life is living within Christ and then responding to the reality with Hi

In this episode, the dogs talk about Rob's Sabbath activities (1:50) and Connor's obsession with Milanos (6:00). Connor brings up the Mother Teresa documentary (7:10) and they all discuss why she is so initially intimidating (10:42) and ultimately disarming (26:50). They close the episode with love for all the Teresas (34:34). Quotes: “Engagement with that kind of poverty... the truly untouchable, Mother Teresa so radically went to them and was willing to be affected by them in a way that I resist.” (Connor, 10:42) “You go into some of those rooms (at the gift of grace house) and it engages all of your humanity; it’s a very tangible experience of the “marginalized"." (Mike, 18:00) "Mother Teresa enters into that discomfort in this really remarkable way that can be intimidating." (Mike, 18:35) “You have no lifelines there (with the poor); you’re totally dependent on God.” (Mike, 19:10) "Get comfortable being uncomfortable." (Mike quoting his siblings, 20:40) "The world offers you comfort

In this episode, the dogs discuss the movie Devotion (1:00) and what it takes to become a saint (6:10). They pull from the Office of Readings (7:29), Bishop Barron (10:14), and Cardinal George (27:30), all while making too many baseball references. Mike closes the episode with a reference to the North American Martyrs (35:35) and his modest rebellion against becoming a semi-pro therapist (30:30). Quotes: "It's not morality that makes someone a saint." (Rob, 6:15) “God desires for us to be saints. It’s not enough for us to behave properly; He wants a transformation of the heart.” (Mike, 7:50) “The desire on our hearts is that someone will crash land for us or that I will crash land for someone else… it calls to a deeper part of our humanity.” (Mike, 8:45)  “What makes a saint is not moral virtue, but union with God.” (Connor, 11:25)  “You become who you are and who you are meant to be in the measure that you receive your being from Him.” (Connor, 12:15) "You've been set free as children of

In this episode, the dogs extend an invitation to a "big-souled life" (35:50). Connor brings up the pilgrimage to Rome in The Story of a Soul (2:25) and Rob connects St. Therese's allure to truthfulness (5:50). Mike emphasizes the importance of living in the present truth (13:00) while also having your eyes fixed on eternity (20:40). Quotes: "I cannot tell you how deeply I was impressed with this scenery so full of poetry and grandeur. It was a foretaste of the wonders of Heaven. Then the thought of religious life would come before me, as it really is, with its constraints and its little daily sacrifices made in secret. I understood how easily one might become wrapped in self and forget the sublime end of one's vocation, and I thought: "Later on, when the time of trial comes, when I am enclosed in the Carmel and shall only be able to see a little bit of sky, I will remember this day and it will encourage me." (Connor quoting The Story of a Soul: Chapter VI, 3:10). “Here’s hoping that you probably li

In this episode, the dogs talk about Connor's office art (00:35) and Mike's recent experience at the Joint Readiness Training Center (10:40). They all describe the feeling of wonder (24:54) being in the presence of a "massive reality" (21:30). Quotes: "Because she was innocent, it didn't make her less prepared for reality, it made her more prepared to see things as they are.” (Connor quoting Mike, 28:00) "Innocence allows you to experience a thing as it is and it oftentimes leads to wonder.” (Mike, 30:05) Media Mentions: Napoleon DynamiteThe Truman Show (1998)Band of Brothers (2001)Saving Private Ryan (1998)Wonder Woman (2017)Joan of Arc, Wonder Woman, and the Veiled Strength of Femininity (w/ Fr. Mike)Fury (2014) References: Arc de TriompheVeduta dell'Arco di TitoSpainImmediate Response Force82nd Airborne DivisionAirheadsKlondike BarBoeing C-17 Globemaster IIIRex Kwon DoJoint Readiness Training Center at Fort PolkGeronimo10th Mountain Division101st Airborne DivisionRakkasansE Company, 2n

In this episode, the dogs catch up (0:30) and discuss a recent movie Rob and Connor watched together (1:20). Connor asks the guys if they've ever unknowingly read a robot generated article (7:20). They continue to talk about the intersection of semiotics and AI (8:40), emphasizing its limitations (13:50). Rob compares emails and letter writing (18:46) and Mike brings up the coolest scene from a movie, ever (26:50). (This summary was written by GPT-3, OpenAI’s language generator.) Quotes: “Is our brain just the hardware that the software of the consciousness is uploaded to?” (Connor, 11:20) “I think computers are always going to be trying to express what humans would say.” (Mike, 17:27) Media Mentions: Return to Me (2000)Three Dogs North’s S11 E22- Window into Heaven (spoileralertshedies)NPR's This American Life- The Ghost in the Machine (757)John Searle's Minds, Brains, & ScienceJohn Chapter 1C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy: PerelandraMen in Black (1997)The Office: Cafe DiscoTerminator Salvation (200

In this episode, the dogs talk about deer season (3:50) and the need for initiation rituals in young men (11:30). Rob brings up the importance of mentorship through a Harry Potter reference (14:20), which reminds Mike of Bishop Barron's idea of the mystagogue (16:45). Connor recounts a story from early in his priesthood (21:11) and they all echo the importance of Fathers who aren't afraid to "pass on the kingdom" (32:29). Quotes: “I’m always thinking about getting gored.” (Mike, 7:20) “You don't get maturity without someone to help you mature and initiate you.” (Connor, 11:23) “If this were the 90s we’d be playing with baseballs and headshots would be encouraged.” (Connor quoting Matt Alexander, 12:25) “Youth can not know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young.” (quote from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 14:29) “I think we actually need people there to be mystagogues, to walk with you into a mystery.” (Mike, 17:40) “I want the f