Super Bowl Champion Harrison Butker and his wife Isabelle discuss marriage, fatherhood, motherhood, and raising virtuous children in a chaotic world.

Isabelle opens up about the often unseen strength of motherhood, the beauty of sacrifice, and what young women should look for in a husband. Harrison shares what he admires most about his wife, how they live out their vocations as Catholic parents, and why men must reclaim their role as spiritual leaders in the home.

In this episode:

• The complementary roles of fatherhood and motherhood
• Why suffering well is at the heart of sainthood
• Advice for young men & women discerning marriage
• How to form children in faith without losing sight of the home
• The power of presence, prayer, and humility in family life

Whether you’re a parent, single, dating, or discerning your vocation, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to pursue holiness in your home.

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, Adam Minihan and David Niles sit down with Matt Walsh — Catholic commentator, author, and host of The Matt Walsh Show — for a conversation on leisure, manhood, and how technology is reshaping our minds.

Matt shares his perspective on the modern man’s crisis of leisure, the dangers of mindless scrolling, and why intentional hobbies like fishing or board games are more than just recreation — they’re necessary for the soul.

They discuss:

• Why men today are worse at leisure than their grandfathers
• How social media disorders our view of rest
• The connection between leisure, joy, and being fully human
• How to foster habits of real leisure in your home and family
• Why every man needs one good hobby — and why that hobby should help you disconnect

Matt also reflects on the importance of silence, presence, and being able to simply “be” without needing to consume content or noise.

Sponsor:

Check out The Catholic Woodworker for heirloom-quality rosaries: https://catholicwoodworker.com/

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles share personal anecdotes and deep spiritual insights, focusing on the challenge of distractions in prayer. From road trip stories to household mishaps, the hosts set the stage with relatable humor before diving into a discussion inspired by St. Thomas Aquinas and Father Frederick Faber. They explore the five fountains of distraction in prayer, offering practical advice for cultivating a deeper prayer life by addressing distractions outside of prayer time.

Key Discussion Points:

• Opening Banter (00:00:19 - 00:04:50): David recounts his family road trip to Wyoming, including an unexpected stop in Denver and the challenges of traveling with six kids. Adam shares his chaotic week of household breakdowns, from a malfunctioning dishwasher to a beeping van door and a broken lawnmower, humorously reflecting on the "throwaway culture" he’s trying to resist.
• Health Struggles (00:09:01 - 00:11:24): Adam discusses a rare bout of heartburn that kept him up at night, highlighting his lack of Tums and his struggle to lead a meeting while sleep-deprived and feverish. David relates to his heartburn experience from a past "one chip challenge" on the show.
• Sponsorship Spotlight (00:12:00 - 00:12:39): The hosts thank Select International Tours, a long-time sponsor, for their reliable pilgrimage offerings. They encourage listeners to visit selectinternationaltours.com for details on their upcoming October pilgrimage to Italy, emphasizing the ideal weather and transformative experience.
• What We’re Drinking (00:37:02 - 00:37:26): Adam and David enjoy Wyoming Whiskey, a bourbon David praises for its affordability ($30 in Wyoming) and delicious flavor, making it a fitting choice for the episode.
• Main Topic: Distractions in Prayer (00:15:28 - 01:11:09):
• Personal Reflection: Adam shares a moment of grace in adoration, where he asked God to reveal impediments in his prayer life. A distracting phone check during a conversation revealed his struggle with presence, sparking a realization about the need for focus in both human and divine relationships.
• Theological Foundation: Drawing from St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica (Second Part of the Second Part) and Father Walter Farrell’s Companion to the Summa, the hosts discuss prayer as an act of the will, preceded by the intellect. They reference the Baltimore Catechism’s teaching that we are made to “know, love, and serve” God, emphasizing that knowing God fuels love, which leads to service.
• Five Fountains of Distraction (Father Frederick Faber):

1. Disordered Health: An obsession with health (valetudinarian state) can distract from tranquility in prayer, unlike true suffering, which can draw one closer to God when united with the Cross.
2. Actions of the Holy Spirit: Distractions can serve as a crucible to humble and purify, grounding believers in deeper devotion by burning away self-love.
3. The Devil: Demonic distractions are marked by their abundance, vivid imagery, soul-disquieting nature, disconnection from daily life, repetitive patterns, and potential to lead to sin. Custody of the eyes, especially against sins of the sixth and ninth commandments, is crucial to limit the devil’s influence.
4. Inculpable Self: Unintentional distractions arise from temperament, imagination, or poor spiritual direction, which are not deliberately chosen but still disrupt prayer.
5. Culpable Self: Deliberately entertained distractions are grave sins if knowingly allowed during time owed to God. These include:

• Bodily Sources: Lack...

Episode Overview:

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles dive into a lighthearted yet profound discussion about the phrase "killing two birds with one stone," the joys and challenges of high school reunions, and a deep exploration of friendship—both human and divine. The episode centers on John 15:14-15, where Jesus calls His disciples friends, not servants, offering a transformative perspective on what it means to live in communion with Christ. A powerful confession experience ties the conversation together, emphasizing the shift from doing things for God to doing them with Him.

Key Discussion Points:

• Opening Banter (00:00:16 - 00:04:55): Adam and David humorously debate the origins and modern misuse of the phrase "killing two birds with one stone," referencing historical and biblical imagery like David and Goliath, and even a viral video of Nolan Ryan hitting a bird with a baseball.
• Life Updates (00:05:00 - 00:11:39): David shares his excitement for an upcoming family reunion in Wyoming, while Adam talks about his son Leo’s second-place finish in mutton busting at a local rodeo and his anticipation for a 20-year high school reunion, sparking a funny reflection on aging and pride.
• Sponsorship Spotlight (00:12:00 - 00:13:15): The hosts highlight their long-time sponsor, Select International Tours, encouraging listeners to explore pilgrimage opportunities at selectinternationaltours.com and join their upcoming trip to Italy in October.
• What We’re Drinking (00:13:29 - 00:15:47): Adam and David enjoy The Sassenach, a blended Scotch whiskey with a Gaelic name meaning "outsider" or "stranger." They praise its Highland-like flavor and art deco bottle, likening it to a Mad Men-style decanter.
• Literature and Reading (00:16:46 - 00:20:43): David discusses reading G.K. Chesterton’s Man Alive, recommended by Monsignor Gallus, a Chesterton scholar, and touches on Plato’s The Republic. The hosts reflect on Chesterton’s whimsical style and the influence of classical works on Christian thought.
• Main Topic: Friendship with Christ (00:22:08 - 00:58:51):
• Biblical Foundation: Adam introduces John 15:14-15, where Jesus says, “You are my friends if you keep what I command you. No longer do I call you servants… but I have called you friends.” This passage sets the stage for a discussion on authentic friendship.
• Philosophical Insights: Drawing from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (Books 8-10), the hosts explore his three types of friendship—pleasure, utility, and authentic (virtuous) friendship. Aristotle views authentic friendship as the highest moral achievement, impossible without virtue, as vice renders true friendship unattainable.
• Christian Perspective: The discussion connects Aristotle’s ideas to Christian theology, with references to Augustine, Aquinas, and Cicero. Aquinas describes charity as the highest form of friendship, requiring mutual love, willing the good of the other, and a shared life—mirrored in Christ’s relationship with His disciples.
• Old vs. New Covenant: The hosts contrast the Old Covenant’s servanthood (e.g., Abraham obeying without full understanding) with the New Covenant’s friendship, where Christ shares divine knowledge, inviting us into intimacy and communion.
• Confession Insight: Adam shares a transformative moment from confession, where a priest challenged his mentality of doing things for God, urging him to focus on doing things with God. This shift reframes Christian life as a...

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles welcome Michael Knowles, conservative commentator and host of The Michael Knowles Show, to discuss the critical role of language in shaping truth, culture, and faith. Drawing from philosophy, theology, and literature, Knowles explores how the corruption of language distorts our perception of reality, the dangers of slogans and propaganda, and the rebellious power of silence in a distracted world. From Dante’s view of fraud to the importance of interpreting the “signs of the times,” this episode is a thought-provoking call to reclaim language for truth and virtue.

Key Discussion Points:

• Language as a Lens for Truth: Knowles explains that language is not a neutral tool but shapes how we perceive the world. Misusing it, such as through euphemisms like “undocumented American” instead of “illegal alien,” can obscure truth and manipulate thought.
• Euphemisms and Lies: While polite euphemisms (e.g., “woman of a certain age”) can be charitable, dishonest ones cross into lying, undermining civil discourse and societal standards.
• The Battle of Standards: The real fight isn’t between free speech and censorship but between competing norms. Knowles critiques free speech absolutism, advocating for standards that reject obscenity and fraud in the public square.
• Philosophy and Language Degradation: Drawing on Josef Pieper, Knowles notes that denying objective truth turns language into a tool for manipulation, eroding reasoned debate and civil society.
• The Power of Silence: In a world of constant noise, silence is a rebellious act that allows us to hear God’s voice and interpret the “signs of the times,” as Christ urges.
• Dante and Fraud: Knowles connects Deacon Harrison Garlick’s idea of lying as “contraceptive speech” to Dante’s Inferno, where fraud, especially betrayal, is among the gravest sins, as it perverts language’s purpose of conveying truth.
• Christian Task of Interpretation: Knowles emphasizes that Christians are called not to “do” but to interpret the world’s meaning, aligning actions with truth rather than reconstructing it.

Resources:

• The Catholic Woodworker – Discover heirloom-quality rosaries, including the “Saint Michael the Defender” rosary gifted to Michael Knowles.
• Check out The Michael Knowles Show on your favorite podcast platform or at dailywire.com.
• Explore Josef Pieper’s works on language and truth, such as Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power.
• Learn more about Dante’s Inferno for insights into the moral weight of fraud and betrayal.

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles dive into the topic of spiritual idleness, drawing from Father Frederick Faber’s Growth in Holiness: Progress of the Spiritual Life. Recorded around the Fourth of July, the episode begins with a celebration of small-town Americana, from mutton busting at the local rodeo to the ordination of their friend, Father Robert Williams. The hosts then explore seven developments of spiritual idleness—dissipation, sadness, sloth, and more—offering practical insights on how to stay vigilant and prioritize a life oriented toward God. Sipping on Balvenie’s American Oak 12-Year Scotch, Adam and David discuss how modern distractions, like smartphones and excessive communication, fragment our focus and hinder our prayer life, and share strategies for cultivating presence, joy, and intentionality in both spiritual and daily routines.

Key Discussion Points:

• Small-Town Americana: The hosts celebrate the Heart of America rodeo, mutton busting, and the communal prayer and patriotism of small-town events, reflecting on their importance in fostering connection.
• Priestly Ordination: David shares a moving story of his son’s emotional response to Father Robert Williams’ ordination, highlighting the eternal nature of the priesthood and the call to discernment.
• Spiritual Idleness Defined: Drawing from Father Faber’s Growth in Holiness, the hosts unpack seven developments of spiritual idleness: dissipation (misprioritizing tasks), sadness (rooted in self-love), sloth (hatred of existence), useless industry (excessive communication), and general indifference to time.
• Dissipation’s Impact: Putting less important tasks first disrupts the hierarchy of goods, leading to a loss of peace and distractions in prayer, as Faber notes: “He who is diligent will soon be cheerful.”
• Sadness and Self-Love: Sadness, driven by self-improvement rather than God, gives the devil power over the soul, undermining spiritual progress.
• Sloth as a Culmination: Sloth combines dissipation and sadness, fostering a distaste for existence and duties, disrupting the tranquility of order (Aquinas’ definition of peace).
• Useless Industry: Faber’s critique of excessive letter-writing in the 1800s applies to today’s text messaging and social media, which fragment focus and reduce meaningful communication.
• Indifference to Time: Wasting time, especially on addictive platforms like YouTube Shorts, is a “stupid” sin that squanders the precious, irrevocable gift of time, which Faber calls “the stuff out of which eternity is made.”
• Focus and Presence: True focus requires saying “no” to distractions to prioritize God’s will, fostering presence in both daily life and prayer, as exemplified by a man eating lunch under a tree without multitasking.
• Leisure Done Right: Leisure must align with one’s state in life, be tethered to joy, and have a contemplative aspect, avoiding compulsory or utilitarian ends.

Notable Quotes from Father Frederick Faber:

• “Dissipation… consists in putting things off beyond their proper times so that one duty treads upon the heels of another, and all duties are felt as irksome obligations.”
• “He who is diligent will soon be cheerful.”
• “The soul of sadness is self-love… How many are there whose real end in the spiritual life is self-improvement rather than God?”
• “Nothing gives the devil so much power over us [as sadness].”
• “Time is the stuff out of which...

A special thank you to our sponsor, The Catholic Woodworker. Get your heirloom quality rosaries here: https://catholicwoodworker.com/

In this inspiring episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts Adam Minihan and David Niles sit down with special guest Harrison Butker, NFL kicker and devout Catholic, to discuss fatherhood, faith, and leading a virtuous life in today’s world. Harrison shares his insights on being the head of the household, raising children in the faith, and balancing a high-profile sports career with family responsibilities. From practical tips on prayer routines to the importance of grandfathers in passing down wisdom, this episode is packed with wisdom for Catholic men striving to live authentically for Christ.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Role of a Father as the Head of the Household: Harrison emphasizes the responsibility of men to lead their families with virtue, drawing parallels to great leadership in sports, like his coach Andy Reid, who takes accountability as a true leader.
• Raising Faithful Children: As the primary educators, parents must prioritize their children’s relationship with Christ over worldly achievements. Harrison shares how he and his wife teach their children, including preparing his six-year-old son for First Communion and altar serving.
• Building a Prayerful Family Life: Harrison discusses the importance of a family rosary, praying before meals, and striving for quality in prayer to foster a deep connection with God.
• The Role of Grandparents: Harrison reflects on the value of grandparents in passing down faith and life lessons, advocating for multi-generational households to strengthen family bonds.
• Advice for Young Boys: Harrison’s heartfelt advice to the hosts’ sons: “You are enough.” He encourages young men to follow Christ and the saints, embracing their unique vocations without succumbing to societal pressures of pride or competition.

Special Mention:

• Harrison praises the durability of rosaries from The Catholic Woodworker, a sponsor of the show, and receives a handmade “Terror of Demons” rosary as a gift.
• The hosts and Harrison discuss the importance of intentional prayer, with practices like the Angelus and family rosary to anchor family life in faith.

In this episode of The Catholic Man Show, hosts David Niles and Adam Minihan dive into the spiritual wisdom of Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century Carmelite lay brother, and his timeless book, The Practice of the Presence of God. From a heartfelt story about Adam’s son asking, “Can patience exist without annoyance?” to exploring how Brother Lawrence found God in the chaos of a busy kitchen, the hosts discuss cultivating a constant awareness of God’s presence. They address modern distractions like smartphones and share practical ways to reclaim presence in daily life, drawing inspiration from Brother Lawrence’s disciplined yet joyful spirituality.

Key Topics Covered:

• Adam’s son’s profound question: “Can patience exist without annoyance?”
• Brother Lawrence’s life as a lay brother and former soldier, finding God in mundane tasks
• The importance of disciplined prayer to build a habit of God’s presence
• Overcoming modern distractions like technology to stay present with God and others
• Practical tips: Cultivating natural focus to enable supernatural awareness

Action Item:

Practice presence by setting aside your phone during family time or conversations. Start with disciplined prayer to build a habit of offering every moment to God, as Brother Lawrence did.

Resources:

• The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence (ICS Publications: icspublications.org)
• Join a pilgrimage with Select International Tours: selectinternationaltours.com

Keywords: Brother Lawrence, Practice of the Presence of God, Catholic spirituality, patience, spiritual discipline, overcoming distractions, presence with God, Catholic men’s faith, Christian living, technology and faith