Worthy And Well Qualified - A Masonic Podcast: Recent Episodes
Darrell McTague & Bryan Simmons
Join co-hosts Darrell McTague and Bryan Simmons as they discuss all things Masonic. Nothing (mostly) is off-limits or out-of-bounds. Prepare for blunt, honest, real conversations and plenty of laughs, too.
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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- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
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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
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support us by becoming a Patron!
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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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
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- 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
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support us by becoming a Patron!
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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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
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support us by becoming a Patron!
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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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:
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- 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
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support us by becoming a Patron!
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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- Android devices - Subscribe
- Subscribe via RSS
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
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support us by becoming a Patron!
www.patreon.com/worthymasonic
Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Virtual Coaching for Health & Fitness success - Email Coach Darrell at coaching@sothisisfitness.com
And check out the "So THIS Is Fitness" podcast at the following links:
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What if they're wrong? Many Masons think of mergers as the death of a lodge - but what if they're wrong?
Death... or a new beginning? There are many ways for a Lodge to come to its end. The important thing to consider here is that not every end is final. Sometimes the end of one thing is simply the beginning of another. Bros Darrell and Bryan are firmly of the belief that a merger between two lodges can result in something that is greater than the sum of its parts.
This, friends and brethren all, is the story of The Happy Merger of Ezekiel Bates and St. James. Wherein two great friends come together to become something more than the sum of their parts.
What's in this episode:
- What is a merger, and how does it work?
- Discussion from before and after the merger of Ezekiel Bates Lodge and St. James Lodge.
- Darrell and Bryan get a little off-topic and catch up on things that have gone on lately.
Episode Resources: Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support us by becoming a Patron!
www.patreon.com/worthymasonic
Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Virtual Coaching for Health & Fitness success - Email Coach Darrell at coaching@sothisisfitness.com
And check out the "So THIS Is Fitness" podcast at the following links:
- iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe
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The bonds of brotherhood run deep. We join Freemasonry for many reasons - one of which is brotherhood and fraternalism. What do those bonds really mean?
Blood and water... They say blood is thicker than water, so one might be inclined to wonder how strong a "fraternal bond" between men in an organization like Freemasonry could really be. To an outsider it could seem silly to think that men coming together through Freemasonry would become so close, but to those on the inside, there's nothing silly about it at all.
On this episode, gain a glimpse from our perspective. Learn just how much of a family you really become in Freemasonry and, as a result, what family ties and lineage really means... and how hard loss can hit you.
The roll of the workman has been called, and one Master Mason has not answered to his name...
This episode is dedicated to -
Brother Eric Alan Berghman
Born - July 27 1953
Entered - 2/12/2014
Passed - 4/9/2014
Raised - 6/11/2014
Entered The Celestial Lodge - 5/19/2018
What's in this episode:
- Darrell and Bryan talk about their fancy new ties
- They discuss plans to reclaim their traveling gavel
- And they discuss How deep the bonds of masonic brotherhood run including
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- Family lineage and the Lewis Jewel
- Developing fraternal bonds
- And coming together to support each other and celebrate life when we lose a brother
Episode Resources: Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support us by becoming a Patron!
www.patreon.com/worthymasonic
Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Virtual Coaching for Health & Fitness success - Email Coach Darrell at coaching@sothisisfitness.com
And check out the "So THIS Is Fitness" podcast at the following links:
- iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe
- Android devices - Subscribe
- Subscribe via RSS
MasonicCon 2018 has come and gone. It was a lot of work which resulted in an incredible experience for all. But what IS MasonicCon, and what should Masonic Education really be about?
3rd Time's A Charm. This was the 3rd year Ezekiel Bates Lodge hosted MasonicCon, and this year was better than ever before. The brethren of the lodge learned from the past two events and used the knowledge gained to reorganize, bettter prepare, and execute a better event. From arranging the speakers and vendors to bringing in a food truck, the event's execution was on point. The actual content of the event was even better, too.
It's About Sharing The Light. Quality Light. Wor. Co-Host Simmons will be the first to tell you - it's not just about accepting ANY speaker or vendor. There were a number of speakers that offered to come give a presentation, but ultimately were turned down. MasonicCon is about providing not just education, but quality education - the better to further the Craft. The vendors present were of a similar caliber - only those with quality, worthwhile products were present.
A Meaningful Day For Many Men, Masons, and Friends Alike. Based on feedback during and after the event, it's clear that this event was a deeply meaningful day for everyone involved. Reviews and commentary continue to roll in all over the internet about the friendship and brotherly love that was felt that day, and about how much everyone learned and was entertained by the speakers. All in all, it's safe to say MasonicCon was a deeply impactful day, and many Masons and friends are eagerly awaiting the next. Prepare yourself for MasonicCon 2019.
What's in this episode:
- We talk all about Masonic Con 2018. Men from the lodge putting it on talk about what it’s all about, where it came from, and where it’s going.
- As well as a bit of discussion on masonic education in general and the value this all has for the craft.
Episode Resources: Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Virtual Coaching for Health & Fitness success - Email Coach Darrell at coaching@sothisisfitness.com
And check out the "So THIS Is Fitness" podcast at the following links:
- iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe
- Android devices - Subscribe
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What could go wrong? The reliable hard work of a Mason is a reputation being solidly upheld by Brothers Matt Menard and Jay Dahl. But what do they do... and how do they do it?
Every once in a while ya gotta have fun. The night before Masonic Con 2018 about 50 Masons descended upon Bog Iron Brewing for a special event. Bryan and Darrell, midway through the evening, disappeared into the back room of the brewhouse to chat with Brother Matt Menard, co-owner and brewer at Bog Iron. They had an opportunity to talk not only about beer, but about being a small business owner and how Freemasonry affects that.
Later, Chef Brother Jay Dahl joined us to give his insight into the same matters - and while he may not have brought any beer with him, he DID make the delicious food you can at times hear us noshing on.
What's in this episode:
- Darrell and Bryan attend the pre-Masonic Con event at Bog Iron Brewing and find themselves in the back room of the brewhouse chatting with Brothers Matt Menard and Jay Dahl about beer, food, and Masonic Small Business.
Episode Resources: Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Virtual Coaching for Health & Fitness success - Email Coach Darrell at coaching@sothisisfitness.com
And check out the "So THIS Is Fitness" podcast at the following links:
- iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe
- Android devices - Subscribe
- Subscribe via RSS
How productive is YOUR committee? There's a committee for everything, each with meetings that seemingly last forever and accomplish nothing. Perhaps, though, your Lodge and Grand Lodge's committees are accomplishing more than you think.
What does a committee in action do? For all the time spent in meetings and conference calls, and all the reports given in lodge - what do committees actually accomplish? Are there viable, visible, worthwhile products or is it just another Masonic time-suck?
We explore this, and the value of waxing your floors, and other topics in today's episode of Worthy and Well Qualified.
What's in this episode:
- Bryan vaguely shares exactly how fun it is to be Master
- We talk about the upcoming One Day Class
- Darrell gets an education and feels like a WICKED rookie
- We talk a lot about Grand Lodge committees, what they actually do, what things are coming soon, and how GL of MA is working better and more smoothly than ever before
Episode Resources: Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
- Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..."
- Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..."
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Virtual Coaching for Health & Fitness success - Email Coach Darrell at coaching@sothisisfitness.com
And check out the "So THIS Is Fitness" podcast at the following links:
- iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe
- Android devices - Subscribe
- Subscribe via RSS
We MUST be a secret underground cult! It's no wonder that the uninitiated are so confused, apprehensive, and perhaps even afraid of Freemasons and what we are given how we dress, speak, act, and conduct ourselves in the presence of our brethren.
What does it all even mean, anyway? Not only that, but how important IS it, really? We call each other "brother", "worshipful", "right worshipful" and "most worshipful". We wear white gloves, top hats, suits and tuxes. We walk and talk awfully funny. But why, though? And again, how important IS all of this?
We also hold ourselves to a particular code of conduct - especially online.
Some brothers occasionally joke about the "Masonic Thought Police" - a vague "big brother" reference suggesting they're not really free to do or say what they want (particularly on the internet) without repercussions. On this episode of Worthy and Well Qualified... we address all these issues and see just how much merit there is to the idea that Masonic Big Brother is waiting in the shadows to cart you away for your "bad" behavior.
What's in this episode:
- Who's "Worshipful", how worshipful they are, and how you become that worshipful
- other titles and Masonic protocol like hats & gloves
- the idea of the "Masonic Thought Police"
- what you can and can't, should and shouldn't say on a podcast, on the internet, and as a Mason in general
Episode Resources: Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
- Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..."
- Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..."
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Virtual Coaching for Health & Fitness success - Email Coach Darrell at coaching@sothisisfitness.com
And check out the "So THIS Is Fitness" podcast at the following links:
- iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe
- Android devices - Subscribe
- Subscribe via RSS
Another Masonic podcast, you say? As with all things, there are many voices with many perspectives and many things to say. If you have something of value to add to a conversation, well, sometimes you simply owe it to those around you to do so. Bryan and I felt, on the topic of Freemasonry, we had something to add.
So here we are. Worthy and Well Qualified is a Masonic podcast that aims to add a little something you may have been looking for. We're not afraid to challenge each other and our brothers on controversial and difficult topics. We aim to take on topics that interest us and others, both masons and non-masons, and we aim to enjoy these topics through casual conversation.
So let's chat.
Take this first episode to get to know us - your hosts - and establish a base for what to expect. This podcast is for Masons and non-Masons alike, and for you conspiracy theorists out there... well... you'll likely be the only ones walking away disappointed.
What's in this episode:
- Meet the hosts - Bryan and Darrell, and get to know them a bit
- What is Freemasonry?
- What it is
- What it does
- Who it is and isn't for
- What to expect from this show
Episode Resources: Connect with Darrell, Bryan, and Worthy & Well Qualified
- Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..."
- Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..."
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Group
- E-mail - worthymasonic@gmail.com
Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Virtual Coaching for Health & Fitness success - Email Coach Darrell at coaching@sothisisfitness.com
And check out the "So THIS Is Fitness" podcast at the following links:
- iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe
- Android devices - Subscribe
- Subscribe via RSS