All Good in the Brotherhood: Recent Episodes
Francisco and Nate Whittaker
Hosted by the Whittaker brothers, Nate and Br. Francisco, the All Good in the Brotherhood podcast explores the universal realities of truth, goodness, beauty, and unity (the transcendentals), through various topics ranging from music, myth, sports, current events, and beyond. Drawing from their own personal life experiences as well as their knowledge of philosophy, Br. Francisco and Nate engage in deep yet light-hearted conversations, the kind of which could only be hand between two brothers. So if you have a love for truth, goodness, or beauty, want to hear two brothers roast each other and discuss Platonic thought it one sitting, or are looking for something thought provoking but not overwhelming, this podcast is for you!
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Br. Francisco sits down with friend and former rugby teammate, Dan Chirdon, to share their favorite stories from their time playing rugby together and how Dan tricked Francisco into playing the sport even while already a monk.
Join Br. Francisco as he prays the Chaplet of St. Benedict, as special prayer for protection against temptation and demonic activity.
Br, Francisco sits down with fellow deacon and seminarian classmate, Deacon Tyler Fitzgerald of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, NY, to discuss their first six months as transitional deacons and what surprises, joys, and challenges this time has brought them.
Br. Francisco and Tom share stories of some of their favorite saints and how their lives have impacted their spiritual journeys and why they believe it is necessary to have relationships with the saints.
Br. Francisco and Nate discuss the nefarious reality of complacency and how it creeps into our spiritual life and relationships which if unchecked leads to the loss and death of our very souls.
Tom sits down with a close friend, Paul Henley, to discuss how maintaining friendships is vital to the challenge of navigating various changes in one's life.
Br. Francisco and Tom discuss how we as humans respond to change in our lives and the weight that comes when we are forced to accept that our lives might not be how we expected.
Why does there seem to be a increase in obsession and fascination for the demonic and disturbing? Br. Francisco and Tom explore the answer and how they believe it is a corruption of the innate human desire to experience the transcendental of beauty.
Br. Francisco is joined by Lauren Scharmer, a licensed, clinical social worker from St. Louis, MO, who specializes in treating addictions, to discuss the overlap between St. Benedict's 12 Steps of Humility and AA's 12 Steps of Recovery.
Br. Francisco, Nate, and Tom discuss the similarities of being a monk and being a soldier and how both call one to something greater than oneself.
Br. Francisco and Tom discuss the distinction between leisurely and lazy activities and how one contributes to communion, culture, and relationship, while the other does the exact opposite.
Br. Francisco shares the story of his diaconate ordination and what it means to him to be a deacon in the Church.
Br. Francisco and Tom react to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV and what it will mean for the Church to have a pope from America.
Nate and Br. Francisco reflect on the story of the road to Emmaus and how it is clear recreation of the Garden of Eden.
Br. Francisco and Sarah Morgan Burger lead you through original guided meditations of the Way of Light (the Stations of the Resurrection).
Br. Francisco leads you in an original meditation on the Lord's Passion based on the Gospel of St. John and the Psalms.
Br. Francisco shares with Nate and Tom how monks celebrate birthdays in the monastery and then the three brothers discuss the importance of celebrating others as a sign of love.
Nate is joined by a friend from the Greek Orthodox Church to discuss what it means for us to love God and our neighbor.
Br. Francisco and Tom speak about the necessity to take a step back at times and make a spiritual retreat.
Br. Francisco and Nate tackle the basics of metaphysics in order to discuss the transcendent and mysterious nature of God.
Nate has a friend on the show to talk about evangelizing college students and fostering a sense of Catholic community.
Br. Francisco offers Nate and listeners dating advice based on monasticism and the Rule of St. Benedict.
Br. Francisco and Tom reminisce about what they did as siblings when they had the house to themselves free of parental supervision.
Br. Francisco and Nate respond to the false belief that individuals do not have the right to judge others. This judgement must have its limits though, but what are they?
Tom, Johanna, and Molly sit down to discuss whether authentic, platonic friendships can exist between men an women, and if so, how?
Br. Francisco, Nate, and Tom announce the newest step in their plans for the future and share how St. Benedict has helped them shape a vision for how they can best participate in the New Evangelization.
The three brothers reflect on the Catholic approach to environmentalism and the tension between having dominion over the earth and needing to take care of it.
Nate, Tom, and Johanna weigh in with their conspiracy theories about the NJ Drones and then shift the conversation to answering the question, 'Is it okay for men to cry?'
The podcast takes to the skies as Br. Francisco interviews students from Saint Vincent College about their experience at the 2025 SEEK Conference in Salt Lake City, UT, hosted by FOCUS.
Br. Francisco and Tom discuss the new jubilee year of hope and how it is a virtue so necessary for our times, as well as share some personal stories of when they found hope in their lives.
Did you know that the role of Godparents carries both legal and theological weight in the Catholic Church? Nate and Br. Francisco discuss the necessity to choose Godparents wisely and how one ought to take this role seriously.
The three brothers discuss the doctrinal teaching of "Outside the Church there is no salvation" and why many Catholics do not believe that this teaching is true.
Nate and Br. Francisco sit down with renowned author, speaker, and professor, Dr. Paul Kengor to discuss the subject of his latest book, stigmatists of the Church.
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Br. Francisco interviews the Archabbot of Saint Vincent, Archabbot Martin, who shares insights and stories from his time as the head of the monastery.
Br. Francisco and Nate share insights on how Advent is more than just a preparation for Christmas, but is even a way to prepare for one's own death. They also offer suggestions on how to make this Advent the most profound one yet!
Fr. Boniface Hicks, renowned author, speaker, and spiritual director, shares with Br. Francisco and Nate the powerful transformation one can have in prayer if they allow it to be a place of vulnerability, silence, and encounter.
Nate and Br. Francisco go live on YouTube and answer a variety of questions from fans, ranging from their favorite Christmas song, to how to deal with addiction once one enters the religious life.
Nate and Br. Francisco talk about clear red flags they see in both the realm of dating and in life in a monastic community.
The three Whittaker brothers share Scripture verses that have touched them deeply in their respective states as monk, husband and father, and single.
Br. Francisco shares with Nate his experience of running his first marathon and how it became much more of a spiritual event than he had anticipated.
Over a bottle of wine, Br. Francisco and Nate give their thoughts on the virtue of moderation and how it can actually foster greater joy and communion in society.
Br. Francisco and Nate speak about the nature of learning, how to continuously do it, and what things we should prioritize.
Br. Jose explains a branch of psychotherapy known as internal family systems which views the mind as having multiple sub-personalities that interact with one another, show shares how these parts can help us approach prayer with more authenticity and vulnerability.
All four Whittaker siblings get together to reflect on their childhood and growing up together, facilitating their conversation with hilarious and original superlatives.
Jess shares her transformative experience while at the National Eucharistic Congress this past July, and how the Lord was made present and real to her in a radically new and powerful way.
The three brothers sit down to discuss the sacrament of Reconciliation - its Scriptural roots, its human and psychological benefits, as well as personal testimonies with their own transforming experiences within the sacrament.
The brothers discuss the fundamentals of Platonic Philosophy and how understanding its concepts can help us to know and understand Christ better.
Nate and Br. Francisco are joined by their parents to discuss how their relationship dynamics have changed now that the boys are adults and share feelings and thoughts about growing up.
Nate and Br. Francisco respond to the events of the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremonies and discuss its wider implications.
Recorded while driving in a car, Nate, Tom, and Br. Francisco discuss the danger of falling into the trap of idolizing others in hope of attention, affirmation, or to overcome a lack of confidence, and how to instead truly place God above all things.
Nate and Br. Francisco play a game in which they ask each other questions about their likes and dislikes and try to anticipate the other's answers.
Nate and Br. Francisco talk about their trip to Alaska and the reality of sorrow one feels after the end of something profoundly beautiful.
Live from Juneau, AK, Nate and Br. Francisco are joined by friend and guest, Vince Lombardi, who shares with them a personal philosophy of life centered on doing uncomfortable things which he terms, Pizza Cake.
Br. Francisco sits down with recently married couple, Michael and Sophie, to discuss their discernment of marriage and the importance of sacramental marriage in today's culture.
Nate shares with Br. Francisco the Biblical evidence for this conclusion based on this recently complete undergraduate thesis.
Nate quizzes Br. Francisco in Gen Z slang and Gen Alpha Brainrot to see how up-to-date he is with the lingo.
Br. Francisco and Fr. Barnabas speak about the necessity to know and root oneself in basic philosophical principles so one can have rational and informed bases by which to make decisions and arguments.
Br. Francisco is joined by fellow monk, Br. Bosco Hough, who shares with him his monastic discernment processes and the joys and sufferings he went through in preparation for his upcoming solemn profession.
Br. Francisco share with Nate his experiences from walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
Evil is often seen as a proof against God's existence. We sometimes ask ourselves: how could a good God allow so much evil and suffering in this world? Nate tackles this topic with the help of St. Thomas Aquinas.
The three brothers discuss two rival schools of political philosophy, and how they influence our approach to society.
The three brothers weigh in on the current liturgical debate in the Church, and they don't all have the same opinion...
Nate and Br. Francisco discuss the doctrine of satisfaction - the teaching which explains why Jesus had to become human in order to save us.
Br. Francisco speaks on the need for all people to evangelize and how he has felt the Lord call him to do so in a new way.
Brother Francisco and guest, Deacon Michael Scanga, talk about the role and ministry of the diaconate in the Church which is marked by a three-fold duty of service.
Nate and Br. Francisco walk through one of the most important features of Aristotelian philosophy, the Four Causes, and how they can help us understand the nature of the human person.
Brother Francisco is joined by guest, Nick Duer, to discuss the experience of growing in poverty of spirit and surrender of will and life to the Lord.
Nate and Br. Francisco speak about the challenges of forgiveness and share personal experiences with the struggles and pain it entails.
Nate and Br. Francisco try their hands at explaining the metaphysical understandings of God, existence, Being, and the nature of the transcendentals.
Part 4 of an original poetic meditation written and read by Nate by which the reader is invited to reflect on the events of Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection through the eyes of the Beloved Disciple, John.
Part 3 of an original poetic meditation written and read by Nate by which the reader is invited to reflect on the events of Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection through the eyes of the Beloved Disciple, John.
Part 2 of an original poetic meditation written and read by Nate by which the reader is invited to reflect on the events of Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection through the eyes of the Beloved Disciple, John.
Part 1 of an original poetic meditation written and read by Nate by which the reader is invited to reflect on the events of Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection through the eyes of the Beloved Disciple, John.
Br. Francisco is joined by licensed counselor, Lauren Scharmer, to discuss the need for a union of mental and spiritual wellbeing for the full development of a human person.
Nate, Tom, and Br. Francisco share stories of times of failure and the lessons they learned from them.
Br. Francisco and Nate offer suggestions on how to take abstract and difficult ideas of prayer and spirituality and make them more practical, doable, and understandable.
Br. Francisco is joined by seminarian Chris Baker to discuss how we can discover our dignity and that of others through our daily work.
Tom and Br. Francisco sit down to discuss how we can accept what is in our control and what is not through the philosophy of the ancient Stoics.
Nate and Greg chat about the false reality that the internet and social media have created and how to positively counter living in a fantasy world though concrete action - even if that just means accepting boredom.
Nate and Br. Francisco tackle the preeminent mystery of Christianity, the Trinity, approaching the topic from both Eastern and Western rooted theologies.
Br. Francisco and Sarah Morgan Burger lead you through original guided meditations on the Way of the Cross.
Br. Francisco is joined by Pittsburgh seminarian, Xavier Engle, to discuss the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Friedrich Nietzsche, one of the most influential thinkers of all time, states that nothing has value in itself, rather value is created by intentional action and desire. What are the implications of this in the world and how can Christians respond?
Br. Francisco chats with Civil War historian, Evan Portman, to learn about monks who were involved in the Civil War.
Br. Francisco, Tom, and Johanna share intimate accounts of powerful experiences of prayer.
Nate sits down with Bobby to discuss how the virtues and model of St. Joseph can be a place of inspiration and healing for our world.
Nate and Br. Francisco discuss the nature of art and whether there are objective criteria for beauty, through the lenses of five different philosophers.
The Whittaker boys share in some holiday cheer by playing an original game that generates a lot of laughs.
Nate and Br. Francisco discuss the relation that a Christian must have to their country as a matter of duty and virtue.
Br. Francisco and Tom attempt to have conversations with Phillip... with mixed results...
Nate is joined by Dr. John Nieto, a professor at Thomas Aquinas College, who shares his incredible journey from being an agnostic to finding God and Truth in the Catholic faith.
Nate and Br. Francisco discuss the universal call to holiness and the necessity for all Christians to become saints.
Br. Francisco is joined by Br. Bosco to speak on the monastic practice of reading Scripture, known as Lectio Divina.
Br. Francisco is joined by St. Vincent philosophy professor, Dr. Michael Krom, as they discuss hallmarks unique to Benedictine Education, especially at St. Vincent, and the lessons one can learn on leadership through the Rule of St. Benedict.
The Whittaker brothers compare and contrast Aristotle and Jesus on how to be truly happy.
Br. Francisco and Missy explore some of the Catholic theological themes hidden in J.R.R. Tolkien's great work, the Lord of the Rings.
Br. Francisco is joined by fellow friend and monk Br. Finnbar to unpack John 6 and the Eucharistic theology found within.
Death. How often do we think about it? Are we afraid or do we have a healthy acceptance of it? Nate and Br. Francisco reflect on these questions.
Br. Francisco and Tom discuss the nature of the masculine soul and how men ought to harness its raw qualities through practice and learning of various disciplines and skills.
All three Whittaker brothers join the show to reflect on their experience of growing up homeschooled.
Nate and Brother Francisco outline the Catholic Church's principles on the legitimacy of war.
Nate and Brother Francisco are joined by their mother to discuss the vital role that the family plays in the building and sustaining of culture and society and the duties we have to the protection and promotion of family life.
Nate and Br. Francisco explore the role that emotions can and should play in the spiritual life and in the cultivation of virtues.
Br. Francisco is joined by Sophie, a fellow aficionado of the Clifton Strengths Finder assessment, as they explore their lowest strengths and how to find beauty in our weaknesses.
Tom and Br. Francisco answer random, AI generated discussion questions for a good laugh.
Nate, Br. Francisco, and their father, Dan, chat about the need for the restoration of fatherhood in society and the consequences which result from a culture experiencing a three-fold fatherlessness.
The Whittaker brothers and their sister, Sarah, discuss the LGBTQ+ Pride movement, and how we are called instead to discover and live our identities in humility.
Nate and Br. Francisco and joined by Pittsburgh seminarian Chris Baker to discuss the necessity and steps of vocational discernment.
In Nate's absence, Tom once again joins the show and he and Br. Francisco discuss the joys and challenges of brotherhood through their own experiences growing up together.
The Whittaker brothers discuss the difficulty we face in discerning truth and reality in the information we receive and how we need to be aware of the threat that misinformation and disinformation pose to the dilution and obstruction of objective truth.
Nate and Br. Francisco talk about the importance of self-knowledge through a discussion on their results from the Clifton Strengths Finder assessment, and how truly knowing yourself and others can lead to a more flourishing life.
Nate and Br. Francisco discuss what it means to be childlike and how we can regain this childlikeness in our lives.
Nate and Br. Francisco discuss how obedience and following the law involve much more than externals and truly requires charity.
The Whittaker brothers reflect on the nature of the liturgical season of Lent and the role in plays in the shaping and deepening of the Christian life.
The Whittaker brothers introduce the episode with the help of a very special guest. Afterwards, Nate and Br. Francisco turn their discussion towards the relationship between work and leisure. What is the purpose of work beyond utility and how can we have meaningful leisure without letting it become laziness?
The Whittaker brothers play a comical version of 20 (random) questions, and share in some good laughs.
Nate and Br. Francisco reflect on the growing realities of isolation and loneliness in Western culture and how to restore it to one of hope and authentic relationships.
The Whittaker brothers discuss the concept of moral relativism and its pervasive influence on our culture. They explore the consequences of following such a philosophy and offer suggestions on how to stand true to a belief in objective truth.
Tradition is a part of the human experience in many ways. Yet it is under attack for being "archaic and outdated". Nate and Br. Francisco discuss the need to maintain tradition in our lives and how changing it can often be very damaging to society and individuals.
Recorded 8/01/2022. Sports are an innate part of our culture. Whether it's football, the World Cup, or pickup beach volleyball, we all have a stake in competition. What should be the proper attitude of a Christian towards sports? Is competition an antithesis to charity, or does it teach perseverance and discipline? Nate and Br. Francisco discuss their thoughts on the hidden transcendental nature of sports and the value they have in our lives.
Nate and Br. Francisco make a shift in their normal discussions and instead showcase their love for creative writing by reading aloud two short stories they wrote based on the same story prompt. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
Happy Thanksgiving! Join us for this special episode in which Nate and Br. Francisco share their favorite Thanksgiving traditions and memories as well as reflect on the nature of gratitude. Also, check out our Instagram and Facebook page for a chance to win a free All Good in the Brotherhood t-shirt! Contest ends Cyber Monday at 11:59PM.
We all have to make sacrifices in our lives, some basic, some extremely difficult. Are some sacrifices better than others? What constitutes a true sacrifice versus a false one? Nate and Br. Francisco dive into these questions and more as they explore the true meaning of sacrifice and the need for it in our lives.
Nate and Br. Francisco discuss the relationship between faith and science. Should followers of faith be suspicious of science, and adherers to science disregard faith or is there in fact a way to reconcile to two? What truths about reality do both disciplines reveal? Listen and discover how science and faith are not in competition but are in fact the two wings by which a soul rises to truth.
Nate and Br. Francisco take a slight step back from philosophical discussions and share about their current life situations as a college student and Benedictine monk. The brothers discuss highs and lows of their present vocations and what it means to find truth, goodness, and beauty in one's present situation, especially in the ordinary.
Nate and Brother Francisco tackle the controversial idea of 'toxic masculinity. They explore whether it is masculinity's essence or its misdirection that lead to it becoming toxic. The close by reflecting on the role virtue can play in countering this toxicity.
Nate and Br. Francisco discuss whether or not their exists objectively good music. If there is, how do we distinguish it from bad music, and what are it's causes and effects? If there is objectively bad music, what are the implications of listening to it then? Finally, the explore the role music plays in the shaping of our personality and character.
Fact may be stranger than fiction, but is fiction truer than fact? Nate and Br. Francisco discuss the role of myth and fiction in the revelation and communication of truth. Is myth to be explored or shunned? Can myth in fact teach us truth beyond normal experience or reality?
Nate and Br. Francisco introduce themselves and share their inspiration and goal for the podcast. They dip their feet into the transcendentals of truth, goodness, beauty, and unity as they prepare to dive into them head first.