Forging Honor: Recent Episodes
Forging Honor
What does it mean to live as Christian men? Forging Honor explores popular advice, books, and traditionally "manly" skills, emphasizing practical application. Hosts Benjamin and Jonathan face mental and physical challenges as they attempt to become honorable men. Join them as they take on everything from poetry to home repair to whiskey to the latest productivity fads.
Banjo and JJ interview Beck Oterson about his life as a PHD student, how his interests have dictated his pursuit of learning, and about his advice to those seeking to grow their learning capabilities.
Beck Otersen is Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Westminster Theological Seminary in Hermeneutics and Biblical Interpretation with a major in Old Testament. His dissertation investigates the nature of the Noahic Covenant and its place in the covenant theology of the OT. He works part time at Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church, in Danville, PA.
Banjo and JJ discuss when to take a break from learning, some ideas about how different seasons of learning might look, and have some fun discussing practical ways to learn.
Banjo and JJ interview Dave Raymond. We discuss passing on what we love through teaching, how we learn to teach, and give some practical aids.
Dave Raymond has taught humanities in middle Tennessee for more than 20 years. He owns and operates Quiller tutorials. His history curriculum is available online at mycompassclassroom.com. He married his college sweetheart and they been together for 20 years and have six children together.
Banjo and JJ interview Dr. George Grant. We discuss the life of learning, curiosity, planning for learning, reading and notetaking, as well as the differing perspectives Islam and Christianity have on education.
Dr. George Grant is the Pastor Emeritus of Parish Presbyterian Church and the Founder of Franklin Classical School, the Comenius School, Bannockburn College, and New College Franklin. He is the Director of the King's Meadow Study Center and the Coordinator of the Chalmers Fund. He is the author of dozens of books in the areas of history, biography, politics, literature, and social criticism and he has written hundreds of essays, articles, and columns.
He has pioneered efforts to establish Classical Christian Schools in the US around the world—particularly in the Muslim world (with several large and thriving schools in Iraq and Indonesia).
His church history podcast, Resistance and Reformation, is available on the Fight, Laugh, Feast network. His linguistic and etymology podcast, Word Play, is heard on World Radio’s The World and Everything in It.
He makes his home in Middle Tennessee near the historic town of Franklin with his wife and co-author Karen. Together they have three grown children and seven grandchildren.
His books, innumerable podcasts, a variety curriculum packages, and a host of other resources are available at www.GeorgeGrant.net.
Banjo and JJ interview Kelly Knowlden about the distinctive aspects of Christian education, how the word of God is foundational to loving education, and how we can have a posture of humility when learning. Lots of excellent resources are mentioned along the way!
Kelly Knowlden is a veteran of Christian Education. Graduating from Geneva College with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, and from Covenant College (Go Scots!) with a Master’s degree in Education Administration, Kelly has spent nearly half a century in youth ministry and education at every level of the spectrum. He is a master of music, theater, stone masonry, gardening, and a million other talents. He has four children and a plethora of grandchildren. He lives in Zion Grove with his wife Julie.
It's time for a challenge and a new season! Banjo and JJ venture into reading and writing to learn the habit of a life of learning.
Banjo and JJ close out Challenge 31 with some time reflecting on how it went, what they learned, and how they hope to use their tech going foward.
In this episode Banjo and JJ discuss their latest experiences with technology, some generational differences, and how they plan to finish the challenge.
Banjo and JJ do a quick check in to discuss how the challenge is going and what they've learned so far.
Banjo and JJ sit down with Ben Scoones to discuss some of the philosophy and and theory behind our technology. We learn about information and what it actually is, and about how AI works, and about some of the direction AI may (or may not) be headed in.
Banjo and JJ get to interview Jon McCallum - a young man who ditched his smartphone over a year ago. We learn what benefits he has had and difficulties he has faced in that time. We also learn about his full time work as a poet and how that has being free of the digital world has helped that endeavor.
Banjo interviews JJ for this episode to discuss technology and offer some advice on where to start in taming your smartphone.
New Challenge! Banjo and JJ launch a new season of Forging Honor with the latest challenge: Turn your phone off for one hour every day.
JJ and Banjo check-in near the end of the current challenge, and they discuss the foundations and connections that they have seen rituals build in their faith daily.
Banjo and JJ do a check-in on the current challenge to continue exploring the connection of ritual and responsibility.
Banjo and JJ issues a new challenge: take part in a ritual everyday that connects you to the responsibility you have in your life. A few ideas include: Journaling, food prep, or hygiene. Feel free to vary it up week to week.
In this final episode of the season, Banjo and JJ discuss what they learned exercising every day.
In this episode, JJ and Banjo check-in on how the current challenge is going, then talk about the benefits of exercise, dangers of addiction, necessity of biblical fellowship.
JJ and Banjo have on Dave Walker, an ultra-marathoner and race coordinator, to discuss questions of self-discipline and self-glorification, what it takes to be an ultra-marathoner, what encouragement is in scripture for the athlete, and practical advice for young men establishing athletic habits.
Time for a quick check-in on how Challenge 29 is going: exercise for at least 15 minutes every day.
Banjo and JJ discuss some announcement for Forging Honor, some differences between men and women in sports, and some intrinsic motivators to exercise.
Kyle Erickson produced the weekend edition of the CrossFit radio show and coached at a CrossFit Gym in 2011, he has done personal training with private clients and coached group fitness classes for 13 years, he completed Chris Kresser's ADAPT Functional Nutrition and Health Coaching Program in 2019 with the first cohort of the program, he is currently building out a course alongside his sister who has a masters degree in nutrition and functional medicine called "How To Eat Healthy" that should be out this September, and he is currently the head of e-commerce, marketing & content at Southern Ridge Farm. In total he has over 20 years of experience with strength & conditioning training. We are excited to have him on today!
Challenge 29: Exercise for at least 15 minutes everyday.
Banjo and JJ close out the 3 part series on conversations with yet another conversation.
They also introduce the next topic: exercise. The challenge: "Exercise for 15 minutes everyday."
Connor Neville, is a Christian: Husband, Father of 3, and missional entrepreneur.
Connor has launched several businesses & is the principal founder of Ekklesia Design, which serves to exhort and equip the saints to take dominion over the place where God has called them through landscape architecture and redemptive localism.
Connor enjoys a good chat with just about anyone, as he loves apologetics, evangelism, and engaging conversation.
We talk to Connor today about what the building blocks of a well designed conversation are, and how they contribute to a community.
Banjo and JJ have on Ross Kucks to discuss community and conversation. They also review how the current challenge, "Have a 20 minute conversation everyday" is going.
JJ and Banjo wrap up the first challenge of 2024: "Read your Bible every day." They discuss how the challenge went for them, what they learned, and reviewed their interviews with Christian Brewer (Episode 28) and Jamie Crampton (Episode 29).
The next challenge is also issued: "Have a 20 minute conversation with someone everyday. Can be over a meal, beverage, or other shared experience."
JJ and Banjo have pastor Jamie Crampton of Parish Presbyterian Church on the show to discuss our current challenge: Read your Bible every day.
Resources mentioned:
Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship https://amzn.to/3vZeoB7
Knowing Scripture: https://amzn.to/3vOjekF
Christian Brewer is a PCA pastor in Blairsville GA where he lives with his wife and daughter. He studied at New College Franklin and received his Masters of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte. Banjo and JJ have him on to discuss daily scripture reading and how we can grow to love the Word.
To learn more about Forging Honor and to find resources mentioned in the episode, check out www.forginghonor.com
Banjo and JJ discuss sleep, waking up at the same time every day, and habits surrounding sleep. They also have an exciting announcement about the next episode!
In this two part episode Banjo and JJ discuss what it means to be a master of your craft.
JJ and Banjo talk about walking after meals and the benefits they found from this challenge.
Banjo and JJ have a conversation - about conversations. What makes a good conversation? How can you be deliberate in conversation? These questions and more are asked and discussed!
Banjo and JJ get to record in person! Despite some lackluster audio quality, Banjo and JJ get to enjoy some whiskey, cigars, and conversation.
JJ and Banjo have a wide ranging conversation following the latest challenge: get rid of one thing each day. They discuss personality, identity, and the things we desire.
Banjo and JJ discuss what it means to go outside and be in nature. They also issue challenge 16: Git rid of one thing you own each day.
JJ and Banjo discuss journaling, how it can direct us, and what good journaling calls us to.
Banjo and JJ discuss living life before the face of God and what it means to have a soulful life.
Banjo and JJ discuss fasting, their attempts at it, and how we can enjoy God's good gifts.
In this episode Banjo and JJ discuss what it means to dwell in scripture and how that applies to our lives.
This episode continues the discussion Banjo and JJ began with Elias and delves into ads and the incentives behind them.
In this part 1 of a two episode series, Banjo and JJ bring on Elias Vedders to discuss the work of Marie Kondo, consumerism, and being faithful with what we have been given.
In this episode Banjo and JJ review the Call of the Wild and To Build a Fire by Jack London. They discuss the themes of work, environment, and calling. They also continue their discussion from last episode about the medium and the message.
In this episode Banjo and JJ discuss what it means to put scripture before everything else, how our methods of communication fuel cynicism, and somehow end up talking about The Office.
Banjo and JJ delve into the world of technology and discover that their own habits may need changing.
Resources mentioned:
- The Social Delimma
- From the Garden to the City: The Redeeming and Corrupting Power of Technology
- Amusing Ourselves to Death
- Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Banjo and JJ discuss what makes a hero and who their heros are. Then, they introduce the next topic and challenge.
Today's challenge wrap up features Forging Honor Member Ben Mellot! He participated in our latest challenge and helped JJ and Banjo discover how working out effects our wellbeing and growth as men.
Banjo and JJ then have a brief discussion and introduce our next topic: an exploration of our heroes.
In this episode, Banjo and JJ discuss:
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The previous challenge and what they learned from reading Psalm 1 everyday for two weeks.
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The book "Running and Being" by Dr. George Sheehan, what "play" is, and why physical activity is good for the honorable man.
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The next challenge...
In this episode, JJ and Banjo discuss:
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Their success (or lack of success) in keeping an Honor Journal
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Psalm 1 and its implications for our lives
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A new challenge: reading Psalm 1 everyday
Join Benjamin "Banjo" Jones and Jonathan "JJ" George as they begin their exploration of what it means to be a Christian man. In this episode, Banjo and JJ discuss the idea of honor and start their first challenge.