Fraternus Forge: Recent Episodes
fraternusforge
Fraternus Forge is a forum for young adult Catholics to engage in conversation around faith formation, theology and morality -- for as iron sharpens iron, so one man or woman sharpens another --Proverbs 27:17
Michael and Matthew unpack the nuance inherent in U.S. Elections, including
- Predictions for the 2024 Presidential Election
- State and Local Elections
- Majority shifts in states over time
- The importance of voting
Michael works as a recruiter/admissions expert in the secondary education space. Hailing from California by way of Cleveland, Michael is now part of the vibrant Young Adult Catholic Community in Nashville.
Intro Music
Bring Me the Sky - Scott Buckley (licensed under Creative Commons)
https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Katie and Mathew explore the decline of dignity in Western Society and our call as Catholics to live and date counter-culturally -- including how to
- Use the power of femininity to inspire, not cut down
- Harness masculinity to take courageous, thoughtful risks in pursuit
- Allow ourselves to be romanced by Jesus
- Remember that each date is a learning experience
- Stay open and encourage the men and women around you
- Leave room for God and mystery in the dance of dating
- At the end of the day -- just show up
Katie is an experienced professional in the content and publishing landscape -- she currently works for a leading North American media company. Hailing from Texas by way of New York and Los Angeles, Katie now resides in Nashville as an active member of our thriving Young Adult Catholic community.
Intro Music Bring Me the Sky - Scott Buckley (licensed under Creative Commons)
https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Michael and Mathew explore what openness and trusting God looks like in relation to modern dating, including
- Remembering that we're not in control - trusting God's will
- Letting chemistry/etc develop naturally
- Honesty + diligence about where we need to improve
- Appropriate levels of interpersonal depth based on the situation
Originally from North Carolina by way of New York, Michael is an active member of the Young Adult Catholic community in Nashville, most notably as Director of Evangelization for our Nashville chapter of YCP (Young Catholic Professionals).
Intro Music Bring Me the Sky - Scott Buckley (licensed under Creative Commons)
https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
As Season One comes to a close, the writings of GK Chesterton remind us of the constant spiritual battle that is ever-present around us and St Michael's special role in that battle. May his piece "To St Michael in Time of Peace" be a vivid and timeless call to spiritual arms for us in every season of life.
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Intro Music
Bring Me the Sky - Scott Buckley (licensed under Creative Commons)
https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/
Michelle and Mathew explore the intersection between our Catholic Faith and the modern day workplace, including
- How to find a job that's right for who God made you to be
- How to avoid burnout at your current job
- How to tactfully (read: not weirdly) evangelize your coworkers and bear witness to Jesus
Michelle is a full time data analyst for a financial advisor in the Nashville Metro. Hailing from North Carolina and Notre Dame University, Michelle is now part of the vibrant Young Adult Catholic Community in Nashville, most notably as a member of the YA Leadership Team at Holy Family in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Intro Music
Bring Me the Sky - Scott Buckley (licensed under Creative Commons)
https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Father Michael Fye and Mathew build a faith-filled response to the Covenant Presbyterian School Shooting by unpacking its various elements - including the heroism of the MNPD Officers involved, prayer in the face of tragedy (especially for the lives that were lost), free will, mental health, ethics in media, navigating the brokenness of a fallen world with patience and trust, building resilient communities and much much more.
Father Michael Fye has been a priest in Nashville for nearly a decade, serving as the Chaplain for University Catholic until 2019, then as the lead pastor at St Ann's Parish in West Nashville (his current assignment from Bishop Mark Spalding as of April 2023). Originally from Dickson County, Father Fye has touched countless lives across the state of Tennessee and beyond in his life's ministry as one of God's priests. He is wise, gentle, fun, generous with his time and beloved by many; truly a man after God's own heart.
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Jimmy and Mathew explore how to prepare yourself for your future spouse, especially how to take a hard look at yourself, noting who you are, who God is calling you to be and then working to close that gap. They also unpack several aspects of the dating process, including
- Openness - allowing things to develop naturally, being curious, etc
- Graciousness - letting others down easy, handling disappointment, etc
Jimmy is a student recruiter for a university in North America. Hailing from New York by way of Arizona, Jimmy now calls Nashville home as an active member of our blossoming Young Adult Catholic community.
Intro MusicBring Me the Sky - Scott Buckley (licensed under Creative Commons)
https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Teresa and Mathew explore transparency and intentionality in modern dating from start to finish -- including how to
- Clearly express interest
- Plan better dates
- Communicate effectively
- Pace conversations appropriately
- Embrace vulnerability
- Let others down easy
- ...and much more!
Teresa is a Talent Acquisition Specialist with one of the top recruiting agencies in North America. Originally a California native, Teresa now resides in Nashville as an active member of our blossoming Young Adult Catholic community.
Intro MusicBring Me the Sky - Scott Buckley (licensed under Creative Commons)
https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Brendan and Mathew debunk some of modern society's myths around attraction and build a cohesive, working definition of all the aspects that can draw women and men to each other, including appearance, personality, values, background, etc. They then show how using that knowledge can help us build an accurate, complete picture of who someone really is during the dating process -- and how to avoid some of the common pitfalls that our brokenness and/or flawed perception can cause.
Brendan McCauley is a speaker and educator on Catholic Anthropology & St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, helping young adults learn & live the truth of what it means to be human. He holds a Masters in Theological Studies for Marriage and Family from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute in Washington D.C. and is certified from the Theology of the Body Institute in Quarryville, PA. For the past five years, Brendan has been giving presentations to all ages on topics related to identity, two of which reached over 100,000 people from 160 countries online.
For more information, visit https://www.brendanmccauley.org/
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Ashley and Mathew discuss how to cultivate authentic, Catholic femininity by building a definition of its key traits (i.e. inspiration, receptivity, humility etc) and then apply that framework to the equation of modern dating. This includes adopting a less controlling mindset, setting a clear vision for the future, saying no to things outside of that vision and trusting God in the face of disappointment.
Ashley Iglesias (Dolan) has worked as a Marketing Strategist for several high-profile firms in a career spanning +10 years. Originally from St. Louis, MO, she recently answered the Lord's call to relocate to Nashville, TN and join our thriving community of Young Adult Catholics.
Alec and Mathew discuss how to cultivate authentic, Catholic masculinity by building a definition of its key traits (e.g. strength, mastery, courage, honor, etc), exploring the call of the heroic to the masculine heart and highlighting lesser forms of masculinity and/or pitfalls to avoid along the way.
Alec Medlin works as a Financial Advisor with the Knights of Columbus here in Nashville, TN, helping families all across Tennessee plan for retirement, savings, life insurance, etc.
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Angela and Mathew discuss the perils of modern dating, how to more fully embrace the healthy aspects of masculine and feminine gender roles as well as tools for cultivating better conversations and deeper connections with others.
Over the past 15 years, Angela has served as a youth and young adult minister in partnership with several organizations -- including Focus, Western Illinois University and Camp Gray (Reedsburg, WI) and others.
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Sawyer and Mathew examine the impacts of grief, complicated grief and childhood trauma on our mental and emotional health as well as strategies for making the journey through loss.
Sawyer Small is a licensed music professional in Nashville, TN and the author of "The Hardest Part About: A Ten-Year Journey Through Grief."
Amazon Link -- https://www.amazon.com/Hardest-Part-About-Ten-Year-Journey-ebook/dp/B07KD3QTN7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25COA8MUJTVS9&keywords=the+hardest+part+sawyer+small&qid=1661824313&sprefix=the+hardest+part+sawyer+small%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-1
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Patrick and Mathew discuss the deepening darkness present in secular music, movies and modern media -- as well as faith-centered strategies for content consumption that promote mental and spiritual health.
Patrick Dwyer is a singer-songwriter based out of Nashville, TN. Stream his music on Spotify! --> https://open.spotify.com/artist/2OyR0Jpe5gnID0gWe0xg12?si=IYSBQOYHS0-PVX-b-8QF8A&nd=1
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Cody and Mathew discuss what makes for a healthy and holy sex life as well as virtues that Christian men should aspire to when cultivating their masculinity.
Cody Beresford is the primary songwriter and producer behind the Nashville-based music project KNSTNTYN.
Got a suggestion for a future episode topic or guest? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com
Hudson and Mathew discuss various tools for accelerating our faith formation and the trials we undergo along the way, including the Three Stages of the Spiritual Life.
Hudson Martin is the Director of Evangelization for Nashville Chapter of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP).
Got an idea for a future episode? Send us an email at -- fraternusforge@gmail.com