Catholic Founders

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.com* I’m planning to host a dinner / meetup in Nashville soone, reach out if interested in attending.* We’re starting up a monthly recurring in-person meetup in Wausau, WI — learn more* To start a local CF meetup near you, reach out and we’ll help you get started — admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Nathan Price | Shepherd'sHow often do you see me suited up? Not often is the answer ha! Well, for today’s guest, who is the Catholic king of menswear, I had to throw on a suit. Nathan Price is the co-founder of Shepherd’s menswear. Famously the firm that clothes Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. Many othes like Michael Knowles can be found wearing their work as well. The idea is simple: make uncompromisingly high-quality menswear that is not absurdly expensive. As always, we covered a lot of ground, but some of the key areas are: * Nathan’s unique career journey and how it’s obvious God led him down this path. * How to work with a celebrity to turn that initial interest into long-term customer loyalty * Why dressing well is a moral imperative * How dressing well can help retake the culture around us * And how he thinks about family legacy and considering the idea of his son taking over one day There is something in here for everyone! Core Lesson: Quality is a moral obligation for the Catholic entrepreneur, as the excellence of our work serves as the primary witness to the integrity of our faith.Nathan points out that many build a “Catholic brand” and then forget to actually make a high-quality product. They hide behind the Creed so to speak. His opinion is that if your product is subpar, if it’s not among the best in class, you are damaging your credibility as a witness to the Truth. Afterall, if you truly believe in your faith, how can that conviction not bring you to do whatever you do with great love so that those around you may know the love of Jesus? This lesson is one we constantly need to remind ourselves of. High quality is a moral obligation, and it’s the key way that others will be drawn to God through our work. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:Episode ReferencesCreative Works & Media* Shepard’s* The Gentleman’s Gazette* REAL AF with Andy Frisella* The MFCEO Project* Liturgy of the Hours* The RosarySaints Mentioned* Blessed Karl of Austria* St. Thomas Aquinas* St. Andrew the Apostle* St. Joseph of CupertinoBible Passages* Joshua 1:9* Matthew 25:14-30 (The Parable of the Talents)* Colossians 3:23Select Quotes:* "If you're out there offering a subpar product, people are gonna question some other things about you. Like if your product falls apart immediately and you're out there touting how great it is, it's like, what else isn't very honest about these guys?" — Nathan Price* "We’re not a Catholic company, we’re a virtuous company... owned by people who are striving towards virtue." — Nathan Price* "Look for some of the underlying threads that go through the job or opportunity... rather than just looking at it as the job itself." — Nathan Price* "You really got to impact someone's life in a really special way... if their clothing fits well, then they have more confidence." — Nathan Price * "Oftentimes fit is one of the greatest communicators of quality, not necessarily the actual materials used." — Nathan Price* "We have to really, really land every aspect of this experience, and that's the way that you convert it into long-term business." — Nathan Price* "If it's a vest that fastens with buttons, the bottom button should be undone." — Nathan PriceKey Moments: (outline)* 00:00 – The Catholic Quality Standard: Nathan opens with a challenge to avoid the “Catholic crutch” and why a subpar product is actually a form of dishonesty.* 00:37 – Introduction: Silas introduces Nathan Price and the mission of Shepard’s to bring virtue back to the modern wardrobe.* 01:45 – The Harrison Butker Connection: How a chance meeting with the NFL kicker evolved into a deep business partnership and shared vision for excellence.* 05:12 – High School Roots: Nathan recounts his “accidental” start in tailoring at age 16 and how he discovered a natural talent for fitting suits.* 10:30 – The Providential Thread: A reflection on how God uses seemingly random jobs to build the skillset required for a future calling.* 14:20 – Leaving the “Catholic Bubble”: Why Shepard’s aims to compete in the mainstream market rather than just selling to a niche religious audience.* 18:55 – Private Equity vs. Craftsmanship: A critique of how modern brands lose their soul when they prioritize margins over the quality of the garment.* 24:40 – The Shepherd’s Philosophy: Nathan explains his “moral obligation” to the customer: ensuring they never regret spending their hard-earned money.* 31:15 – Technical Excellence: A deep dive into the construction of a suit—full canvas versus fused—and why the details reflect the founder’s integrity.* 38:40 – Dressing the Leader: Why outward appearance matters for the modern man and how it impacts his ability to lead his family and community.* 45:10 – Spiritual Non-Negotiables: Nathan shares his daily routine, including Joshua 1:9, the Rosary, and the intercession of Blessed Karl of Austria.* 49:30 – Building a Multi-Generational Legacy: Nathan’s desire to build a business that his children can inherit and take pride in.* 53:15 – Closing Thoughts: Silas concludes with the reminder that every founder is “Created to Create” and the mission to elevate the culture through work.Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Thanks for stopping by! Please Take Note! * The buildwithchrist.ai event takes place just north of Atlanta on March 7th from 11 to 4.What is it: It’s a FREE event for you to come and learn how to use AI to build things. There will be free coaches on staff to teach you. And you can also learn about AI or watch professional teams build a product in a few hours for Adopt a Family. It’s FREE to attend, but you do need to REGISTER. Do so here. Today’s Guest:Michael Lyons | [Y] Impact Ventures & Global PetalsSelect Quotes:* “Everything in this world can be sanctified by Christ. And He works through us.” — Michael Lyons* “AI should be used to strengthen human relationship, not replace it and advance human dignity.” — Michael Lyons* “I really think that the world is gonna shift pretty quickly from getting a job, from using a resume to using a portfolio.” — Michael Lyons* “You can skip the ‘I’m not doing it because I can’t build it.’ You can skip straight to the relationship... I think this is a way of bringing down those walls.” — Michael Lyons* “This is really about upskilling people... giving them the ability to elevate what they’re doing for their organizations, for their families, for themselves.” — Michael Lyons* “It’s artificial intelligence, but it’s really accessible intelligence, especially for this other rung of people who need help.” — Michael LyonsJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.Key Episode References:* BuildwithChrist.ai * Lovable.dev * Magisterium AI * The Harvard/BCG Study — This is the study Michael referenced (specifically the HBS/BCG collaborative research) which found that while AI increases productivity, it can also lead to “brain drag” and workers taking on more tasks rather than resting.* Corporal Works of MercyKey Moments: (outline)* [00:00] — Intro. Silas introduces the mission of the episode and the upcoming shift in how we approach technology.* [00:29] — The “Build with Christ” vision. A breakdown of the March 7th event in Alpharetta, GA, and why it’s designed for anyone, regardless of technical background.* [03:40] — Sanctifying the tools. Why we shouldn’t abdicate AI to the secular world, but instead bring a “virtue layer” to modern technology.* [05:16] — From Podcast to Product. How a conversation about legal injustice led Michael to build “Justice Lens” to serve those without a voice.* [11:33] — The Hackathon experience. Why this event feels more like The Great British Baking Show or BattleBots than a boring tech seminar?* [15:45] — Why your portfolio is the new resume. How the economy is shifting toward what you can produce with AI rather than where you went to school.* [22:49] — The “Pie in the Sky” goal. A vision of a future where AI handles the administrative “noise” so we can return to authentic, face-to-face ministry.* [26:40] — Closing thoughts. How to start your own upskilling journey today and stay grounded in your Catholic mission.* [27:15] — Outro. Final details on registration and how to join the event virtually or in person.Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * I’m planning to host a dinner / meetup in Nashville soone, reach out if interested in attending. * We’re starting up a monthly recurring in person meetup in Wausau, WI — reach out for details. * To start a local CF meetup near you, reach out and we’ll help you get started — admin@catholicfounders.com* If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.com* Ensure you are prepared for Lent! This episode has good insights and so does yesterday’s Saintly CEO post. Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Fr. Nathaniel Haslam | Lumen InstituteScaling a business in the fanatic hurry of the modern world often feels like a zero-sum game between your growth and your soul. Today’s guest, Father Nathaniel Haslam, understands this tension from the inside out. Before being ordained as a priest with the Legionaries of Christ and serving as a chaplain for the Lumen Institute, Fr. Nathaniel was an atheist engineer and businessman with his sights set on becoming a billionaire.Now, he spends his time mentoring top-tier executives on how to integrate Christ into the boardroom. In this episode, we explore the inherent nobility of the entrepreneurial path, the danger of burying your talents out of fear, and a practical tool called the generosity thermometer designed to keep your heart detached from the grip of success.Core Lesson: Your business is the primary environment where your spiritual life is meant to flourish. In other words, your business is how you’re meant to become a saint. Many founders carry a heavy existential angst, a lingering feeling that they chose a secular path while the “holy” work is happening elsewhere — in missions or rectories. Fr. Nathaniel shatters this misconception by pointing to the Church’s own teaching: business leadership is a noble calling.As entrepreneurs, we are called to be co-creators with God. This is a specific commission to take the unique talents of leadership and wealth creation and put them to work for the Kingdom. Our role is one of stewardship and divine trust. When we anchor our company culture in human dignity and treat every person as an individual to be loved, we are participating directly in God’s ongoing work of creation. Our work in the marketplace is a vital, sanctified mission.God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to admin@catholicfounders.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:* The Vocation of the Business Leader* The Lumen Institute* The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace* Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word* His Way at Work* Litany of Humility* Biblical Passages: Genesis 1-2, Matthew 25, John 15:5Select Quotes:* “The noble callings are not just the priests and the nuns... the church specifically said in that document, you have a noble calling. Business leadership is a noble calling.” — Fr. Nathaniel* “Humility is to live in the truth of who God is, who others are, and who you are.” — Fr. Nathaniel* “Will you trust my trust in you? That’s God speaking to the person.” — Fr. Nathaniel* “If he gave you a mission as a business owner, he’s also empowered you to live this out.” — Fr. Nathaniel* “There’s a lot of good desire, and there’s a lot of goodwill, but there’s also a tendency to delay giving… are you depriving yourself of the joy of giving now?…It’s more joyful to give than to receive.” — Fr. NathanielKey Moments: (outline)* [00:00] Intro: The Nobility of the Entrepreneur. Why business leadership is not just a job, but a high vocation on par with any other calling in the Church.* [03:40] Fr. Nathaniel’s Journey. The shift from an atheist engineer seeking wealth to a priest seeking souls, and how that background helps him mentor executives.* [08:25] The Mission of the Lumen Institute. How spiritual coaching and virtue-based leadership are transforming the way CEOs approach their daily grind.* [10:59] Breaking the “Existential Angst.” Addressing the feeling that business is “secular” and providing the theological proof that it is actually a holy endeavor.* [15:10] Incorporating Christ into the Boardroom. Practical ways to bring faith into a professional setting without being performative.* [18:45] Leadership and Human Dignity. Using the “Five Languages of Appreciation” to build a culture where employees feel seen as children of God.* [22:36] Reframing the Parable of the Talents. A deep dive into why “burying the talent” is a sin of fear, and why God’s trust in us is the real story.* [33:15] The Danger of the “Fanatic Hurry.” How the noise of the world kills our ability to hear God’s direction for our companies.* [41:14] The Generosity Thermometer. A practical spiritual exercise to ensure that your heart remains free as your net worth grows.* [48:27] Outro & Lenten Challenge. Moving from passive sacrifices to active “stretches” that allow God to work through your business.Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates:* If you’d like the framework to host local meetups for other Catholic business owners in your area, email us and we’ll talk — admin@catholicfounders.com* If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today If you believe you're called to be an instrument of God in the world, and you're a business owner, this is the group for you. We work together to help each other grow, and learn how we can be true stewards of our gifts. How we can carry out God's will in the world. Join the guild today by upgrading to a paid membership. The Mozart Principle: Cultivating Your God-Given GeniusToday’s Reflection:We often look at geniuses like Mozart and think they are one-of-a-kind anomalies. But for the Catholic Founder, Mozart’s life offers a profound blueprint for leadership and stewardship.Mozart didn’t just write music; he transformed culture by mastering the rules and then breaking them to create something more beautiful. He lived only 35 years, yet his prolific output (over 800 pieces) reminds us that our time is short and our responsibility to our gifts is absolute.In this episode, I dive into why being born at the wrong time is a myth and how we must play dual roles in our businesses: being the son (Mozart) who leans into their unique creative talent, and the father (Leopold) who recognizes and fosters that same genius in our employees.Core Lesson: The Incomplete World TheoryThe world is fundamentally incomplete if you do not put your gifts to use.This isn’t just about personal success; it’s about our co-creative nature. When we build businesses, manage teams, or innovate in our industries, we are acting in the image and likeness of God. Every employee you hire is a unique gift to the world, and as a founder, you have a moral duty (much like Mozart’s father) to help that gift come to life.If we choose laziness or bury our talents, the corner of the universe we were meant to transform remains dark. Our calling is to create a culture of beauty and service, ensuring that on Judgment Day, we aren’t counted among the stewards who buried the talents entrusted to them.Hire a Catholic VA to do the busy work, so you can focus on scaling your business. We have a network of vetted, Catholic VAs who work across, finance, marketing, admin, and graphic design. Most hires take ~10 days to fill. Pay $500 when they start and $500 if you're still happy 30 days later. To get started, email admin@catholicfounders.com with what you're looking for. Several Catholic Founders in our community have utilized this service to great satisfaction. Select Quotes:* “God doesn’t have people born at the wrong time, ever. He creates our soul exactly when He does for a very specific reason.”* “If we don’t put our gifts to use, the world is less complete than it could be.”* “As entrepreneurs, we are fundamentally engaged with our co-creative nature... that’s what created in the image and likeness of God actually means.”* “We have times where we are Mozart in the story, and we also have times where we’re his father.”Key Moments:* 00:00 – The Mozart Stats: 35 years, 800 pieces, and the “Mozart Ratio” of true influence.* 01:15 – Transforming Culture: Moving opera and concertos from background noise to complex dialogue.* 02:37 – Mastering the Rules: Learning when to break conventions to keep beauty engaging.* 03:10 – The Myth of “Wrong Timing”: Why God placed you in this specific era with these specific challenges.* 04:11 – The Role of the Father: Recognizing talent as a “duty to God” and investing in its growth.* 04:53 – The Theology of Entrepreneurship: What it means to be a “co-creator” in the 21st century.* 06:11 – Employee Stewardship: Seeing staff as gifts to the world, not just “units of labor.”* 07:07 – The Incomplete World: Reflections on wasted gifts and the inspiration of Dr. Daniel Tataje.* 08:47 – Born for a Particular Reason: A call to transform whatever corner of the universe you find yourself in.* 09:37 – Final Vision: Creating a “Culture of God” through beauty, family, and community support.Share this with someone else who needs to recognize they have unique skills — that God wants them to put to use. We are here to help encourage and push each other to greater heights. To push each other to live out our calling in full color. Sharing this post can help us do that in a small way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * If you’d like the framework to host local meetups for other Catholic business owners in your area, email us and we’ll talk — admin@catholicfounders.com* If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Dr. Daniel Tataje | Mercy Dental GroupI could give you a big, long write-up about today’s guest. But I’m not. I’ll just say this — if you don’t listen to this, you’re missing out on the opportunity to have an incredible new role model for your business. Dr. Tataje is incredible. As you know, I meet a lot of entrepreneurs, and I walked away from this conversation feeling like I’ve met someone who is truly a living example of what it means to be a saint in business. Please take in this episode slowly, with a notepad at your side. He has so many insights, you’ll surely value the time. One note: I’d highly suggest picking up his book, The Leader Humanity Needs. It dives into how the Christian virtues of integrity, humility, and service are the true foundations of effective leadership.The 7 Marks of LeadershipTo build his practice, he’s used what he calls the 7 marks of leadership. He shared those in the episode so we also summarized them here for you. He is sure to impress these upon every new hire and uses them to guide his leadership team:* Integrity: The foundation of trust. Daniel argues that true integrity is ultimately achieved through a life of holiness.* Respect: Recognizing that every person is a unique, unrepeatable gift from God. It’s the “honor of meeting the only you in the history of humanity.”* Positivity: Choosing to be a light in the darkness. It’s not about ignoring difficulty, but finding the positive outcome and the opportunity for growth in every struggle.* Empathy: Moving beyond the Golden Rule to treat people how they want to be treated—which requires taking the time to truly know them.* Teamwork: Transferring power by saying, “I believe in you.” Investing in the success and talent of those around you.* Service: An intentional act of love. Treating the person in front of you as the most important person in your life at that moment.* Humility: The “King of Virtues.” Leading as a humble servant in the image of Christ, recognizing that your talents are a gift to be stewarded, not owned.Core Lesson: The power of looking every person in the eyes — customer and employee — and recognizing they are a gift from God — more than that, they are a gift for that moment right there — this act is powerful beyond understanding. I would chalk up all of his success to this key thing. He believes all humans are created in the Image and Likeness of God. That they are a gift to humanity, and when in his presence, they are a gift to him. Because he believes this so deeply, he treats his employees in a way that reflects that. He does the same for their patients. And in turn, the employees do this with each other and with the patients as well. This leads to huge benefits, but as always with these things, we don’t do this because of the praise. We do this because it’s right. Consider your own disposition to this truth. Is it truly engrained into you? Or is it just something you intellectually know. Make it something you live out through your actions. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:* The Leader Humanity Needs - Dr. Daniel Tataje* Prayer of St. Francis* St. Joseph* St. Mother Teresa* St. John Paul II* St. Maximilian Kolbe* St. Augustine* St. Padre Pio* St. Thérèse of Lisieux* Biblical Passages: Matthew 4:19, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 20:26-28, Hebrews 11:1Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Select Quotes:* “We are moved by love, not by greed. We love our mission.” — Daniel* “Be good stewards of the people and the resources we have. So it’s not trying to grow the business, but growing the business and creating wealth is a by-product of what we do.” — Daniel* “What I want is to create more leaders. And how do I create more leaders? I want to follow the greatest leader of all humanity, the history of humanity, which is Jesus. And what were the aspects of the leadership of Jesus that made him a great leader? I came out with these seven marks of leadership…” — Daniel* “Of course, we respect everyone’s faith. We are not a Catholic organization, but we are a Catholic-led organization. They know that the person that leads this company is Catholic. And we make sure that everyone follows those values.” — Daniel* “What I mean with respect is the fact that everyone is unique, that everyone is valuable and everyone is talented.” — Daniel* “Everyone is a gift and the patient that you see in today is a gift, too. It’s a unique person.” — Daniel* “It’s better to light a candle than to curse darkness. What are you doing to create a great environment where you are?” — Daniel* “The most powerful thing you can say to someone is, I believe in you. And why is that? It’s because that transfers power.” — Daniel* “The ‘leader humanity needs’ actually is the reader. So it’s an invitation for everyone, I believe that everyone is called to lead the world to a better place, against using your talents, be light in the darkness.” — DanielKey Moments: (outline)* 00:00 – Intro: Daniel’s philosophy on stewardship and mission-driven growth.* 03:00 – Host Update: Silas shares how he met Daniel and his impression of the Mercy Dental Group.* 03:40 – The Origin Story: Daniel’s transition from a practicing dentist to a business founder.* 06:06 – Growth Strategy: Building the group through word-of-mouth and retiring doctor referrals.* 08:22 – Virtue vs. Private Equity: Why sellers choose legacy and staff care over higher PE bids.* 11:12 – Subsidiarity: Empowering local clinics to maintain their own unique identities.* 17:54 – The Founder’s Edge: How working every entry-level role built Daniel’s leadership.* 20:15 – The Seven Marks of Leadership: Introducing the core virtues of the organization.* 22:35 – Deep Dive on Respect: Viewing every employee and patient as a unique gift.* 30:10 – Host Commentary: Silas reflects on the “competitive advantage” of Christian integrity.* 34:22 – Company Culture: Rewarding long-term staff with “loyalty trips.”* 39:18 – Mercy Dental Missions: Providing free care locally and internationally.* 48:17 – The Turning Point: Moving from “God as co-pilot” to full consecration of the business.* 52:24 – Final Message: A call for leaders to be “light in the darkness.”* 55:40 – Host Outro: Silas recaps key takeaways on integrity and community impact.* 58:15 – Call to Action: Information on Daniel’s book and joining the Catholic Founders Guild.Enjoy this episode? Share it with others! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube It’s time for another episode of Catholic Founders! This time with my good pal Federico - or as we call him, Fed. News / Updates: * If you’d like the framework to host local meetups for other Catholic business owners in your area, email us and we’ll talk. admin@catholicfounders.com * If you’d like to sponsor this project to get in front of hundreds of Catholic business owners, email us also — admin@catholicfounders.com Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today We're building the largest network of Catholic biz owners in the world. It's for any Catholic biz owner who believes they are called to be an instrument of God's will in the world. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month. Curious? --> "What is the Catholic Founders Guild"In Today’s Issue: Intro to the Guest and Topic | Core Takeaway | Episode References | Select Quotes | Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Federico Chavez-Torres | TexIf you think the tech world is a spiritual desert, you haven’t been paying attention to what’s happening in San Francisco.In this episode, I’m joined by Federico “Fed” Chavez-Torres, co-founder of Tex and a leading voice in a growing cohort of venture-scale Catholic founders. Fed is one of those rare people who combines high-level Silicon Valley ambition with a deep, gritty commitment to the Faith. And he’s a good friend, so I was happy to have him on the show. We’re moving past the “small business” comfort zone and diving into the deep end: The duty of greatness.Here is what we cover:* The San Francisco Renaissance: Why the Bay Area is seeing record-breaking conversions and how a “bubble” of serious Catholic founders is actually a secret weapon for innovation.* Reclaiming Magnificence: A gut-check on why Catholics have abandoned the pursuit of greatness and how we can reclaim “intellectual ownership” of ambition.* The “Death Athlete” Mindset: A radical framework for living (and building) where we train every single day to leave everything on the court for the glory of God.* Building the Future: Why the world desperately needs Catholics at the helm of the companies defining AI, biotech, and the re-industrialization of the West.Fed’s perspective is a direct challenge to the “poverty-first” mentality that Catholics have taken for a long time. I think you’ll like his takes. Core Lesson: Don’t confuse humility with smallness. As Catholics, we rightly emphasize poverty, service, and care for the vulnerable. But somewhere along the way, many of us have become uneasy with greatness — with scale, influence, and ambition — even when God has clearly given us the talent to build something significant.Fed makes the case that venture-scale companies will shape culture whether Catholics build them or not. The algorithms, platforms, and institutions defining modern life are not neutral. If they are not led by people with a moral spine, they will be led by people who are perfectly comfortable exploiting human weakness for profit.The alternative is not retreat. It’s responsibility.For those of us called to build at scale, the task is to pursue excellence with discipline, to aim high without idolizing power, and to order ambition toward Christ. Not for our own glory, but so that the companies shaping the future are led by men and women who actually know what the good is.This episode is a reminder that Catholics don’t just belong in the room — in many cases, we are morally obligated to be there.God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Offshore Talent We help you find vetted Catholic offshore talent to help your business grow. $500 upon hire and $500 if you're still happy in 30 days. Email us your needs -> hire in days -> admin@catholicfounders.com Key Episode References:* You Must Change Your Life – Peter Sloterdijk* Ghost Gunner (Documentary)* St. Charbel Makhlouf* St. Joan of Arc* St. Bruno of Cologne* Biblical Passages: Psalm 51, John 1:1–18, 2 Timothy 4:7, 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, Luke 22:39–46, Select Quotes:* On the Call to Greatness: “We have been in this focus on poverty for 70 years, but we’ve neglected the call to magnificence. We should have complete intellectual ownership over the concept of greatness.”* On the “Death Athlete” Mindset: “We are training every day towards our death. I want to be a ‘death athlete’—someone who, like Christ on the cross, leaves absolutely everything out on the court for God.”* On the Mission for San Francisco: “It’s about a new way to cope with the horrors of modern life in a Catholic way—one that isn’t just ‘move to a farm,’ but staying to make the city beautiful again.”* On Ethical Technology: “If there were more Catholics in these businesses, half of them wouldn’t exist—because we wouldn’t build algorithms designed to hijack the human soul for a click.”* On the Power of Community: “Founders hunt in packs. Being Catholic in the middle of Silicon Valley makes you differentiated—it centers the hustle around the Cross rather than just the exit.”Key Moments: (outline)* 00:00 – Intro: Catholic concept of “becoming like gods.”* 00:23 – Host Update: Silas on moving to Nashville.* 03:38 – SF Renaissance: The Catholic revival in the Bay Area.* 06:52 – Silicon Valley Leverage: Why “bubbles” can be good for innovation.* 11:50 – Tex: Fed explains his industrial asset startup.* 14:21 – Catholic VCs: The state of faith-aligned venture capital.* 19:24 – Ethical Tech: Why Catholics should build AI and social media.* 25:18 – The Mission: Making San Francisco Catholic again.* 39:41 – Magnificence: Reclaiming ambition as a Catholic virtue.* 45:49 – Death Athleticism: Training to leave everything on the court for God.* 53:41 – Rapid Fire: Psalm 51, St. Charbel, and the Angelus.* 58:33 – Outro: Final reflections on the duty of greatness. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube First time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Welcome back to another great episode of Catholic Founders. Today we have a special discussion with Johann Kurtz . He’s the creator of the Substack Becoming Noble and author of Leaving a Legacy: Inheritance, Charity, & Thousand-Year Families. A book I highly recommend you add to your library. I recently read this, and it blew my mind. Since then, I’ve passed out 8 or so copies and convinced probably another dozen to buy it. Why? This book encapsulates several core things of what it means to be a steward in God’s creation. From charity, to raising your children to caring for your community, to loving your neighbor. A key point of the book, and something we discuss in the podcast, is the role of owning businesses in passing on a legacy. The business itself doesn’t have to be the only asset. In fact, it would be better to have many assets, but a business is a good means of building assets that are intentionally illiquid. Assets that require care and attention. These must be inculcated into your children so they understand their broader responsibility. Rather than liquidating everything you own at your death, children ought to continue to steward and grow that wealth, so that it may benefit the family, the community, and, of course, the Church. Please listen to this with an open heart to what type of legacy God may be calling you to build. Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.Core Lesson: God wants to use us as stewards of His creation. Lean into whatever that stewardship looks like for you. Some Catholics I’ve come across have no intention of building a financial legacy to hand off to their children. They are worried it will ruin them. But that’s only true if you don’t teach them the right virtues. You are called to be a steward of the world around you. That includes the things God has put into your care. And in some cases, what’s put in your care includes your skills to acquire more. When we act in line with God’s will, we can act as the worker ants distributing God’s goodness to the world — yes, including through our assets. God wants you to build a legacy. Not for yourself. But for Him. So He can use you and your progeny to carry out His will in the world. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Talent That Actually Shares Your Mission with Verso Jobs. Verso Jobs has built a gamified, data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values. Their team understands your needs, goes out to qualified candidates, tests them through the gamified application. Then presents you with candidates who truly share your mission. If you’re a Catholic or conservative organization looking to cut through the fog, reach out to Verso Jobs to help you today. Whether you’re hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom. Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights. ⛰️Key Episode References:* Get Johann’s Book: Leaving a Legacy, Inheritance, Charity and Thousand Year Families* Rerum Novarum (Papal encyclical by Leo XIII)* Allocution to the Roman Patriciate and Nobility (By Pope Pius XII)* Good Money (Series by the New Polity Catholic think tank)* Biblical Passages: 1 Timothy 5:8, Proverbs 13:22, Luke 18, 2 Corinthians 8, Acts 4.Select Quotes:* “What I think is to be avoided at all costs is […] is passing on a massively liquid inheritance. In other words, pure capital, stock shares, cash, because that really, that is you’re passing on a massive temptation to your children, like just liquid money. It becomes a problem.” — Johann* “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives and especially for their own household has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (Quoting 1 Timothy 5:8) — Johann* “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” (Quoting Proverbs 13:22) — Johann* “The virtue of humility is not believing that you are more than you are and being very conscious of the talents you do have, where they came from... But what it is not is the suppression or the ignoring or the wasting of your God-given talents.” — Johann* “If you participate with joy in the divine commandments, you can leave a legacy which lasts forever... the quintessential commandment in this regard is be fruitful and multiply.” — Johann* “Dominion carries with it the burden of rule. In some sense, there is a place for wealthy people in society... but they should always understand that wealth as a gift that is to be properly stewarded for the creation of the good, the true, and the beautiful.” — JohannHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Moments: (outline)* 0:00 - Johann Kurtz on Ecclesiastes and the vanity vs. reality of leaving a legacy.* 4:04 - Book Summary: The tension between traditional charity and modern philanthropy.* 7:41 - Why newly wealthy often give away assets, citing the Vanderbilts.* 8:53 - The book’s target audience: wealthy individuals and their children.* 10:56 - The “way of life” pitched: Wealth as duty, favoring illiquid assets and family businesses over liquid inheritance (cash/stocks).* 16:17 - The role of business in legacy, quoting Papal encyclicals (Rerum Novarum) on community obligations.* 21:33 - “Actualizing God’s will” through entrepreneurship and the complex Catholic view of wealth.* 31:12 - Responding to Catholics against pursuing wealth, referencing the Parable of the Talent and humility.* 36:44 - Question: Should one break away from a “rough” family to build a new intentional legacy?Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Hey everyone, I was not going to publish an episode today because we are beginning our drive to Nashville, where we are relocating, hopefully for the rest of our lives. However, yesterday morning, I had it on my heart to record something. This was one-shotted and not edited much at all, so please forgive my rambling and stumbling a bit. It’s in there because I didn’t have time to edit it, but also, it seemed fitting to me to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me with the end audience in mind. That’s you. Please only listen to this when you are able to focus and reflect on what this exhortation means for you specifically. In what way is God after your heart? In what way is He calling you closer to Him? If we want to do God’s will, we need to know God’s will. If we want to know God’s will, we need to spend time with Him. How else are we supposed to know His will? One Hail Mary in the morning isn’t going to cut it. You need some serious 1:1 time with the most important guide, mentor, or consultant in your life. If you don’t, you’re relying on your own wisdom (or lack thereof) instead of God’s. Don’t forget, He always offers His wisdom; we just have to tune in. So which way will it be? Your way? Or His way? Let me know what you think of this style of episode. If you like it, share it as a sort of ‘tipping the waiter’ situation. Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Hey everyone! Today is a special bonus episode because I love the Magi. So I’m covering 1) the real history, 2) why I find this story so compelling, and 3) what it means for our lives as business owners. I’m not going to do a write-up on it in detail, so you’ll have to listen to it (or read the transcript, I suppose). Enjoy it and let me know what you think in the comments! ICYMI: * Saturday, we published our 2025 recap * Sunday, we published another bonus episode with Jamie Baxter, Founder of Exodus 90* Yesterday, we published the Saintly CEO on Personal Transformation * Fill out our listeners/readers surveyJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.Key Moments: (outline)* 0:00 | Introduction: The Magi’s Real Story - Knowledge into Action* 1:45 | Content Recap & Happy Epiphany* 3:00 | New Year’s Request: Share the Show* 4:30 | The Scale of the Journey & Identity of the Magi (King David’s advisors, understanding the stars)* 7:00 | The Magi’s Motivation and Deep Knowledge* 9:00 | Timing of the Magi’s Arrival (More likely within a 12-month period)* 10:30 | The Core Lesson: Knowledge Translated into Action* 13:00 | Why We Need Spiritual Mentors (Priests, Bishops, Saints)* 16:00 | The Principle of Justice: Giving God What is Due* 18:00 | From Mental Ascent (Junior Leagues) to Action (Pro Level)* 20:00 | The Call to Action: How Does Faith Change Your Q1 Goals?* 22:30 | Catholic Founders Guild Invitation (Membership details and purpose)* 25:00 | Closing & Prayer Request for Catholic Entrepreneurs* 26:00 | FarewellHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * Enjoy this Sunday special to kick off the year * Stay tuned for a Catholic Founders Dinner near you (we aim to host 12 this year, so let us know if you’d like us to come to your area) * This week is going to be packed full of content — please check it all out because we are putting a lot of effort into it (will go back to normal posting after this week) * Sponsorships: We are looking for 3 anchor sponsors to support the show in 2026 — reach out to learn more admin@catholicfounders.com Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Jamie Baxter | Exodus 90How to have true detachment from your business, without being detached from the work and from your customers.As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to make entrepreneurship, and by extension, our company, our identity. But we know that our true identity is that of a child of God, created in His image and likeness. We also need to avoid attachment to our earthly success, recognition, or financial outcomes. Today’s conversation does a great job of covering the different angles of this topic. Hire Talent That Actually Shares Your Mission with Verso Jobs. Verso Jobs has built a gamified, data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values. Their team understands your needs, goes out to qualified candidates, tests them through the gamified application. Then presents you with candidates who truly share your mission. If you’re a Catholic or conservative organization looking to cut through the fog, reach out to Verso Jobs to help you today. Whether you’re hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom. Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights. ⛰️Core Lesson: We can be detached from this world while still being in it, even as business owners with a responsibility to our communities. And when we do this well, we’re simply recognizing that God is the ultimate master. We are called to carry out God’s will in the world. That doesn’t mean we are called to make oodles of money. Or to gain the respect of men. Those things may be part of God’s will for our lives, but that will be unique for each of us. What is not unique is that we are called to detach ourselves from this world and attach ourselves firmly and irremovably to the Will of God for us. Attachment to money or fame is incompatible with this goal. However, when we see all things as coming from God, we become capable of being good stewards of the things He has given to our care. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to admin@catholicfounders.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:* Exodus 90* St. John Henry Newman* St. Arsenius* Jim Perry - Generous Catholic Donor* Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson - 37Signals* Blue Ocean Strategy (book)Select Quotes:* “You don’t need more than you have to do God’s will.” (Jamie Baxter)* “The only reason I kept going was I felt like the Lord was asking me to... when that stops, I will stop.” (Jamie Baxter)* “Whatever your mind’s eye is on your thing... God’s plan is different.” (Jamie Baxter)* “I just ask for my daily bread. I pray that the breadcrumbs be there.” (Jamie Baxter)* “[John Henry] Newman... actually sees faith as the highest form of reasoning.” (Jamie Baxter)* “I have never done this to hit some kind of revenue goal.” (Jamie Baxter)* “I think the vast majority of us should... play a part in renewing the good and necessary and essential institutions like our parishes.” (Jamie Baxter)Key Moments: (outline)* 00:00 — Intro * 03:47 — Jamie Baxter on the importance of detachment for entrepreneurs* 05:12 — Exploring the first three years of Exodus 90 and the role of providence* 07:32 — Recognizing the business journey as a tool for personal and spiritual growth* 11:26 — Discerning the line between divine calling and personal hubris* 13:14 — Cultivating a daily disposition of trust and seeking “daily bread”* 16:39 — Integrating faith and reason when making high-stakes business decisions* 22:36 — A Catholic perspective on the importance of renewing existing institutions* 27:37 — Scaling impact while maintaining a lean, mission-focused team* 31:50 — Applying “Blue Ocean Strategy” to avoid competition and stay true to a unique charism* 37:15 — Practical advice for remaining detached from outcomes during periods of success* 44:14 — Balancing high-level vision with staying close to the daily “work”* 48:12 — The strategic transition from a non-profit to a private for-profit entity* 53:48 — Redefining ownership and reinvestment through a Catholic lens* 1:01:18 — Learning from secular entrepreneurs and filtering for traditional wisdom* 1:03:29 — Rapid Fire: Favorite scriptures, influential saints, and the power of the Rosary* 1:15:44 — Closing reflections on purifying desires and pursuing spiritual freedom This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.catholicfounders.comListen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Take the 2025 Readers/Listeners Survey! News / Updates: * 🍽️ This past Tuesday, we hosted a Catholic Founders Dinner in NYC. It was epic. You should have been there. We even had a priest there. Really enjoyed that! * ❌ No more episodes or newsletter until January. I’m taking a bit of a break after today. Tune in again in January when we resume (unless I get inspiration last min and put out more content). Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:* Jeff Carron * Jeff Carron is the owner and operator of the Paul Davis Restoration franchise in Portland, Maine, which he runs with his two brothers. They realized the industry’s software stack was outdated, so they bought into the franchise to intimately understand the business and build their own software solution called Recover, which they are now scaling to other restoration franchises.Hire Talent That Actually Shares Your Mission with Verso Jobs. Verso Jobs has built a gamified, data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values. Their team understands your needs, goes out to qualified candidates, tests them through the gamified application. Then presents you with candidates who truly share your mission. If you’re a Catholic or conservative organization looking to cut through the fog, reach out to Verso Jobs to help you today. Whether you’re hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom. Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights. ⛰️Core Lesson: Catholics should be the best at taking risks. Reason being? If we believe our faith — if we truly believe — we will take drastic actions to share that faith with everyone. Because there are moral consequences. One of the key questions we ask today is, why do most Catholics pursue safe careers. Finance, law, etc? Why are so many Catholics risk-averse? When our faith literally tells us to trust in the Lord. The faith has moral consequences (heaven or hell) so why aren’t we willing to do things to share that? The Apostles received the Holy Spirit and went out to preach to all nations. There was no safety there. They knew they would probably be killed. But they did it because they trusted in God. They answered the call to action. How about you? Are you aware of what God is calling you to? And are you willing to step up and take that action? It may not even be martyrdom. It may be as simple as starting a business and trusting that God will provide. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerLaunch Your Podcast — Build Trust With Customers Trying to bring in more leads? Launching a podcast might be the best move you haven’t made yet. Saint Kolbe Studios helps Catholic entrepreneurs launch professional, mission-aligned podcasts that build trust and increase leads. Their team walks with you every step of the way, from strategy and recording to branding and editing, so you can launch your podcast in under 90 days. Get 20% off all services for the rest of 2025 because you listen to Catholic Founders. Just mention Catholic Founders when you reach out. 158 million people listen to podcasts every month, and that’s just in the US! Your ideal customer may already be listening to a competitor’s podcast. Visit saintkolbestudios.com to get started.Key Episode References:Individuals* Mike Parrott (Referenced our past episode with him)* Catherine Boyle (Partner at Andreessen Horowitz - Catholic)Companies, Organizations, and Media* Opus Dei (Religious group)* Knights of the Holy Sepulcher (Religious group)* Knights of Malta (Religious group)* The Passion of the Christ (Movie)* The Founder (Movie, mentioned in relation to Michael Keaton)Select Quotes:Share your favorite! * “The risk is actually just someone else thinking you’re stupid. That’s the maximum risk that most of us encounter.” — Jeff Carron* “Stability should not be the priority for a Catholic of any kind of means or significant talent.” — Jeff Carron* “We are all capable of being more courageous than folding because someone thinks less of us.” — Jeff Carron* “Risk is the nature, is’s really the business we’re in. We are risking our entire lives by believing in something that by its very nature is not necessarily provable.” — Jeff Carron* “You have a moral imperative to be present in the society. I know we’re not of the world, but we are in it.” — Jeff CarronKey Moments: (outline)* 00:00 – Cold Open* 01:57 – Introduction to Recover: Silas introduces Jeff Carron and the origin story of Recover, a software company built after Jeff and his brothers bought a restoration franchise to “dogfood” and solve industry inefficiencies.* 06:44 – The “Trojan Horse” Strategy: Jeff explains why they intentionally entered the restoration trade as franchisees to identify and solve problems from the inside.* 11:15 – Working with Family: Insights on the advantages of working with brothers, navigating conflict, and why “unvarnished discussions” are a competitive advantage in business.* 15:45 – Business as a Forge for Relationships: How shared struggle and “being in the foxhole” together creates deeper spiritual and professional bonds than superficial family interactions.* 18:15 – Why Sharp Catholics Choose Safe Careers: An analysis of why high-achieving Catholics often focus on “de-risking” through elite degrees and stable professions rather than taking entrepreneurial swings.* 21:00 – The Moral Imperative of Capital: Discussing the need for visible Catholic leaders in enterprise and why capital is necessary for the distribution of ideas and the faith.* 25:21 – Fear of Failure and Reputation: How the fear of looking “stupid” in the public square stymies innovation and creative risk-taking within the Catholic community.* 31:30 – Salvation as a “Zero-Sum Game”: Jeff argues that if Catholics aren’t present in global discussions and industry, souls are lost to counter-productive secular messages.* 38:50 – Filling the “Internal Emptiness”: A discussion on sobriety, the desire for control, and leaving space for the Holy Spirit rather than trying to “guarantee” outcomes.* 45:45 – Suffering as Currency: Reframing suffering and sacrifice not as something to be avoided, but as the “fuel” for growth and transformation in Christ.* 53:00 – The Individual vs. The Collective (The “Thread and the Blanket”): Using the analogy of a weaver to explain how God sees both the individual soul and the entire fabric of humanity simultaneously.* 1:00:15 – Self-Awareness and “Dorian Gray”: Using Oscar Wilde’s fable to discuss the importance of recognizing our own internal “blemishes” to foster charity toward others.* 1:04:30 – Making Space for God: Practical challenges of transitioning from a high-intensity work environment to a prayerful state or a present family life.* 1:11:00 – The Impact of Almsgiving: Why the “Works of Mercy” and direct, personal charity are more spiritually transformative than simply “cutting a check” to an anonymous organization. Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started.

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * In NYC, on December 16th, we’re hosting our Catholic Founders dinner. It’s happening at a private residence, with limited space. So if you’d like to attend, reach out to me directly. Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* My story of starting my business * The Principles that you can Apply To Your Own Situation to Get Your Business StartedFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Hire Talent That Actually Shares Your Mission with Verso Jobs. Verso Jobs has built a gamified, data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values. Their team understands your needs, goes out to qualified candidates, tests them through the gamified application. Then presents you with candidates who truly share your mission. If you’re a Catholic or conservative organization looking to cut through the fog, reach out to Verso Jobs to help you today. Whether you’re hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom. Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights. ⛰️The 9 Principles: 9 Essential Principles for the Catholic EntrepreneurStarting a business is a major step that requires clarity and commitment. Based on my journey, here are nine principles to guide you as you take the leap:The Core Principles* Make a Commitment: Stop dabbling with side projects. If you want to be an entrepreneur, take concrete, committed steps toward your goal. Full commitment is necessary for success.* Understand Your Burn: Know your monthly family expenses (not luxury) plus business operating costs x the number of months (9-12) you need to give it a go. This gives you a clear financial target and removes ambiguous fear.* Get Concrete with How to Make Money: Define exactly how much you will charge, how many deals you need to close monthly, and the concrete process to generate revenue. Remove all ambiguity around making money.* Don’t Pursue Crazy Ideas: Choose a proven path—something you already know how to do, or a well-trodden business model (e.g., home services). Entrepreneurship is about execution and demand, not harebrained innovations.* ICP 100: Pick a niche and identify your top 100 Ideal Customer Profiles (ICPs). A clear niche makes your pitch resonate directly with those who need you most.* Commit with an End Date in Mind: Give the business full-time, full-effort commitment for a minimum of six months (nine months is better). Plan for an additional three to six months of financial “runway” to find a new role if you pull the plug.* Relinquish the Outcome to God: Commit to working hard, but trust the outcome to God’s will. Crucially: Do not cut your spiritual time (daily prayer, Mass, Rosary) for the business.* Get Spouse On Board: Ensure your spouse is supportive and clear on the timeline. Also, find a peer or mentor—don’t unload all work-related struggles onto your spouse.* Build Your Way Out (Alternative Option): If you’re disciplined enough, you can build your side business in the evenings and weekends until it replaces your current monthly income (e.g., 1.2x). This is best for unproven ideas to validate demand before you quit your job. I hope this helps those of you going through this process. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerSelect Quotes:* “The whole point is you have to relinquish the outcome to God because the reason we’re pursuing entrepreneurship is not for our own glory.” (On relinquishing the outcome to God)* “Don’t play around with side projects like I did. The likelihood of a side project just popping off is low. It will require full commitment.” (On making a commitment) * “Ideas are nothing without execution. I really need everybody here to understand that and internalize it deeply.” (On not pursuing crazy ideas)* “Your spiritual life is much, much more important than any earthly success.” (On prioritizing your spiritual life)* “Remember, we are created in the image and likeness of God… co-creators. Being an entrepreneur is part of our nature – you can lean into it.” (Word of encouragement)Key Moments: (outline)* 00:00: Introduction to the Solo Episode & Catholic Founders Podcast* 01:14: Overview: Principles for Starting Your Business* 01:42: Host’s Story: Early Desire to Start a Business* 04:00: The Headhunter Job, Side Projects, and Loss of Focus* 06:50: Shifting Priorities: Marriage, Family, and Moving Away from “Innovative” Ideas* 09:30: Mentor’s Advice: Visualizing Worst-Case Scenarios and Committing to a “Boring Biz”* 11:30: The Launch Story: The Day I Filed Paperwork and The Sign from God* 15:50: The First Few Months: Ups, Downs, and Landing Key Clients* 19:00: Rewind: Core Principles for Starting Your Business* 19:25: #1: Make a Commitment (Don’t just play with side projects)* 20:11: Interruption: Paraclete VA Ad* 22:35: #2: Understand Your Burn (Calculate family and business expenses for runway)* 24:45: #3: Get Concrete with How to Make Money (Know what you can charge and how many deals you need)* 26:50: #4: Don’t Pursue Crazy Ideas (Choose a well-trodden path for certainty)* 28:45: #5: ICP 100 (Pick a niche and target your top 100 ideal clients)* 31:35: #6: Commit with an End Date in Mind (Give yourself 6-9 months of full effort)* 34:30: #7: Relinquish the Outcome to God (Work hard but trust in God’s will; do not cut your spiritual time short)* 38:40: #8: Get Spouse on Board (Ensure their support and find a peer/mentor for struggles)* 41:10: #9: Other Option – Build Your Way Out (A less risky approach: build on nights/weekends)* 44:48: Theme Recap, Word of Encouragement, and Call to Action (Catholic Founders Guild)Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * In NYC, on December 16th, we’re hosting our Catholic Founders dinner. Location TBD, and total space available TBD. We could use help pulling this together, so if you have a location or can help sponsor, please reach out. Register here.Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:* Matthew Harvey Sanders| Longbeard* Matthew sits at the crossroads of Catholicism and cutting-edge tech. He’s the founder of Longbeard, the venture studio building a new wave of Catholic technology products. His path is anything but linear: political science, discerning the priesthood, serving in the Canadian military, working for the Archdiocese of Toronto, then jumping full-time into digital evangelization and tech innovation. The studio is also known for building Magisterium AI, the first large language model trained directly on Church documents. Matthew works closely with Church leaders on the ethics of AI and runs the Builders AI Forum in Rome, pushing for a moral, human-centered approach to tech. Hire Talent That Actually Shares Your Mission with Verso Jobs. Verso Jobs has built a gamified, data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values. Their team understands your needs, goes out to qualified candidates, tests them through the gamified application. Then presents you with candidates who truly share your mission. If you’re a Catholic or conservative organization looking to cut through the fog, reach out to Verso Jobs to help you today. Whether you’re hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom. Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights. ⛰️Core Lesson: Catholics must actively build and lead in the AI space because it is a “critical battleground” and the only way to combat its misuse is to steer the technology morally.Here’s the deal: As Catholics, we need to be involved AND leading in the AI transformation. Because it’s a battleground for our Faith. There big moral questions at stake with many aspects of AI, and Catholics, possessing the fullness of the Truth, cannot abdicate the responsibility to lead in this time. If we do nothing, many souls will be lost. Using our moral perspective, we must steer AI to be used for good. We must be the modern St. Pauls of our time. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerKey Episode References:* Magisterium AI (an AI large language model trained on Church documents, Bible, and catechism)* Longbeard (Matthew Harvey Sanders’ studio/venture studio)* Paulist Fathers (the order Matthew was discerning with)* Paulist Press (pioneered by the Paulist Fathers)* Builders AI ForumSelect Quotes:* “And given that this [AI] technology in particular is going to reshape the world like nothing we’ve ever seen before, if we decide that we’re just not going to use it, well, the devil is going to. And I guarantee he’ll use it to wreck us. So just consider this a critical battleground. And I don’t think we can cede the field, especially with this technology, to the enemy.” — Matthew * “If we are passive and we’re not focused on evangelization as a church, if we’re not willing to take risks and proclaim the gospel, there are souls that are only gonna be lost on this earth because of that. And we have to take responsibility for that. That’s on us.” — Matthew * “...the biggest civilizational risk is, that people use it [AI] as a proxy for real human relationships or spiritual life, thinking that somehow AI is going to be able to fill those vital roles.” — Matthew * “Ultimately, what’s gonna make you happy is becoming friends with God, with loving and worshiping God, and making deep and meaningful connections with other human beings. Nothing else will suffice.” — Matthew * “The whole point is to ensure that individuals and civilization flourish…[making] sure that the technologies we’re developing are pointed at the right problems or what we call the impediments to human flourishing.” — Matthew * “If you’re attracted by what the role of the priest is and you feel that they’re vital and you feel that you may have the gifts to do it, just go and try it. I guarantee you, going into seminary and coming out again, you’ll be a better person for it.” — Matthew Key Moments: (outline)* 00:00 Introduction to Matthew Harvey Sanders* Introduction to Matthew Harvey Sanders’ background* 06:43 Journey into Technology and Faith* Matthew explains how his desire to effectively reach young people for evangelization led him to embrace and start a company focused on leveraging technology for the Church.* 09:27 The Role of AI in Evangelization* Matthew states that we must view AI as a critical battleground, drawing on the Church’s long tradition of using new technologies to proclaim the Gospel.* 12:11 Navigating the Challenges of AI* The conversation covers the need for strong Catholic formation to responsibly wield AI and the idea that fear of technology is often a fear of ourselves and others.* 14:45 Human Flourishing in the Age of AI* The biggest civilizational risk is using AI as a proxy for human and spiritual relationships, emphasizing that the telos must be human flourishing—becoming friends with God and making deep human connections.* 18:19 The Builders AI Forum and Church Engagement* An initiative faturing experts, academics, and ministry workers, focused on ensuring Artificial Intelligence is properly adopted and used to advance the Catholic Church’s mission.* 37:33 Catholic Leadership in AI* The discussion begins on how to effectively encourage Catholics to become leaders and builders in the field of artificial intelligence* 44:36 The Role of Small Businesses in AI* Discussion on human talent and the use of AI* 55:00 Ambition and Greatness in Catholicism* Redefining ambition and having a hunger for excellence* 01:03:30 Co-Creators with God: The Entrepreneurial Spirit* We are called to hone our gifts and put them at the service of others* 01:12:23 Embracing Responsibility in the AI Age* A Wrap Up and an invitation to reflect on what is our part in ensuring AI is pointed at the right problems and serves human flourishingHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * Today I’m in SF for a gathering of Catholic Entrepreneurs — if you’re in SF and not attending, LMK, would love to find time to meet while I’m here* In NYC, on December 16th, we’re hosting our Catholic Founders dinner. Location TBD, and total space available TBD. We could use help pulling this together, so if you have a location or can help sponsor, please reach out. Register here. Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:* Mike Parrott | Novo Inspire Studios* Mike Parrott is a former Marine Corps officer and Wall Street finance professional who transitioned into the film industry (working on projects like Sound of Freedom and Cabrini) before becoming a serial entrepreneur, successfully building and selling three home services businesses. Currently, he teaches at Benedictine College and researches the connection between modern franchising and medieval guilds. His core philosophy, which he developed through his career and as a father of eight, emphasizes the importance of making life and career decisions “in service of their families,” valuing self-employment and tangible work, and passionately advocating for a return to dynastic family businesses as the ideal social and economic unit, viewing the sale of a family legacy for cash liquidity as a cultural tragedy.Hire Talent That Actually Shares Your Mission with Verso Jobs. Verso Jobs has built a gamified, data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values. Their team understands your needs, goes out to qualified candidates, tests them through the gamified application. Then presents you with candidates who truly share your mission. If you’re a Catholic or conservative organization looking to cut through the fog, reach out to Verso Jobs to help you today. Whether you’re hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom. Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights. ⛰️Core Lesson: Through building God-centered businesses, we can cultivate a true sense of identity for our families. In so doing, we help our children avoid years of wandering in the desert to ‘find themselves,’ thus allowing for more compounding in life. An idea exists that man must ‘find himself’ through some sort of discovery process. But truthfully, we have been given the cards God wants us to play. We were born into this specific family, at this time in history, in this geography, with all of the other circumstances that surround us. Do you really think God just rolled the dice on that? No, He gave you those specific circumstances. Now, look at it the other way. As a parent, you get to build something to pass on to your children. Not the money or the business — but the identity. Through building a life (personal and business) centered around God, you can bestow on your children a true sense of identity. Nothing quite like this in life.Don’t take this opportunity for granted. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerLaunch Your Podcast — Build Trust With Customers Trying to bring in more leads? Launching a podcast might be the best move you haven’t made yet. Saint Kolbe Studios helps Catholic entrepreneurs launch professional, mission-aligned podcasts that build trust and increase leads. Their team walks with you every step of the way, from strategy and recording to branding and editing, so you can launch your podcast in under 90 days. Get 20% off all services for the rest of 2025 because you listen to Catholic Founders. Just mention Catholic Founders when you reach out. 158 million people listen to podcasts every month, and that’s just in the US! Your ideal customer may already be listening to a competitor’s podcast. Visit saintkolbestudios.com to get started.Key Episode References:* Novo Inspire Studios* 360 Painting of Saint Joseph* Benedictine College* Cabrini* Monster Summer* Sound of FreedomSelect Quotes:* “The fundamental building block of a society is a family...” –Mike* “I think we should mark the death of a family when the entrepreneurial venture that was family-owned for 100 years now gets sold to some private equity vulture, merely to placate the liquidity desire for the children.” –Mike* “It is French revolutionary principle that the idea that your estate is equally divided amongst all your heirs... One of the things that held Christendom together was a contrary idea to that called primogeniture, in which the firstborn son was sort of dubbed as the heir to the empire and the family assets.” –Mike* “The guy who can come and fix your clogged toilet. That guy has real value and that will never go away and AI cannot replace it.” –Mike* “The home is a sacred space, it’s where families are raised, it’s where children are raised. We believe that the home should be beautiful, that children should be surrounded by beautiful things...” –MikeKey Moments: (outline)* 00:00 Introduction and Welcome* Mike Parrott opens the conversation by stating that elite franchising is the “new Ivy League.”* 03:00 Mike Parrott’s Background* Mike summarized his varied career in the Marines, finance, film, and home services.* 09:20 Family Legacy and Identity* Mike discusses how his career decisions were guided by family needs and relying on God’s providence.* 18:00 The Role of Mentorship* Mike talks about mentorship across generations in companies and organizations.* 26:00 The Family is the Basic Unit of Society* 27:00 Franchises and Medieval Guilds* Mike argues against modern individualism, stating that true freedom is choosing the “good path” laid out by one’s father.* 36:00 The French Revolutionary Principle* Mike critiques the “French revolutionary principle” of equal inheritance, which he says forces the sale of family businesses.* 45:00 Building a Legacy* Silas reflects on how disconnected work can lead to a general decay in stewardship over one’s home and life.* 58:13 On Subsidiarity* Discussion on subsidiarity as a Catholic Social Teaching* 1:04:00 Rapid Fire and ConclusionHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeHey everyone — Silas here with another Catholic Founders podcast episode.Today, we are talking about money with the host of the Theology of Money podcast, Daniel Catone. News / Updates: * This past Tuesday evening, we hosted a dinner with Catholic Founders in Chicago — thank you to all who attended! If you’d like to attend the one we’re hosting in NYC, reach out (penciling in a date soon). * This coming Tuesday, we have a Catholic Founders Guild call on the topic of considering our legacy. * Fides is offering Catholic Founders Readers/Listeners 15% discount on all upcoming events through the end of the year — just use code: CATHOLICGUILD2025 at checkout. (He has some incredible speakers lined up).* There is a Catholic entrepreneur gathering in San Francisco on November 20th (tentatively) — Stay tuned for more details.Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:* Daniel Catone | Arimathea Investing* Daniel Catone, founder of Arimathea, is redefining what it means to grow wealth with purpose. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, he believes finance can—and should—serve the common good. He experienced leading Golden State family of companies’ $4.5B investment network, and throughout the years has built a career proving that faith and finance aren’t opposites. With a master’s in Catholic Theology and years of pro-bono service to the Church, he’s on a mission to show that impact investing is true stewardship a way to multiply God’s gifts while transforming the world.Hire Talent That Actually Shares Your Mission with Verso Jobs. Verso Jobs has built a gamified, data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values. Their team understands your needs, goes out to qualified candidates, tests them through the gamified application. Then presents you with candidates who truly share your mission. If you’re a Catholic or conservative organization looking to cut through the fog, reach out to Verso Jobs to help you today. Whether you’re hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom. Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights. ⛰️Core Lesson: The world tells us, cover your own financial needs first, then others, and then, if there is any leftover, you can give to The Church. A proper ordering is the exact opposite. God first. Others. And then ourselves. This is not something easy for us to entertain with any amount of seriousness. Mainly because we imagine if others around us did that, we’d call them crazy. However, if you think it’s crazy you need to ask yourself why Jesus told his Apostles not to worry about their own provisions. In Luke 12:29-31 He said: “As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry any more. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides.” (The entire passage from verse 13 through 34 is incredible. I’d encourage you to read it today)Acting on this teaching is not easy. But it is possible when we ask God for the grace to desire it. So, in human terms. Maybe it is crazy. But a lot of people probably considered the Apostles to be crazy. We know they were not. This tells us is that—through a human lens, some things may look crazy. But through the lens of the faith, with grace, they are the only things that do make sense. I think this is one of them. If you hear this and don’t immediately think—wow I want to do that. Don’t worry—you’re like the rest of us. Human. But if you spend some time pondering this and asking God to help you understand this. You might get to the point of wanting to pursue it. Not because you want it, but because you know it’s the right thing. Once you reach that point, it’s time to ask God for the grace to desire this teaching—the properly ordered perspective on spending our money. God bless and Happy Building!~Silas MähnerLaunch Your Podcast — Build Trust With Customers Trying to bring in more leads? Launching a podcast might be the best move you haven’t made yet. Saint Kolbe Studios helps Catholic entrepreneurs launch professional, mission-aligned podcasts that build trust and increase leads. Their team walks with you every step of the way, from strategy and recording to branding and editing, so you can launch your podcast in under 90 days. Get 20% off all services for the rest of 2025 because you listen to Catholic Founders. Just mention Catholic Founders when you reach out. 158 million people listen to podcasts every month, and that’s just in the US! Your ideal customer may already be listening to a competitor’s podcast. Visit saintkolbestudios.com to get started.Key Episode References:* Arimathea Investing* The Theology of Money Podcast* Saint Joseph of Arimathea* Rerum Novarum* Rerum Novarum in 2025: Applying it to Your Business | Travis Callaway* The Psychology of Money by Morgan HouselSelect Quotes:* “This ordering of goods or ordering of goals is the exact opposite of what our Lord teaches. Our Lord teaches us that we are to put God first, others second, and ourselves last because He puts us first. We don’t have to worry about ourselves.” — Daniel* “Money is a tool in service to the common good, and so I would caution any entrepreneur to not begin the path of entrepreneurship with the intention of accumulating wealth. That’s a byproduct of other actions.” — Daniel* “What the Lord is calling us to do is integrate every aspect of our life under His authority so that whether we’re at work or at home or at church, we are engaged with the Holy Spirit, we are engaged with Christ.” — Daniel* “We must approach the rain with an open hand and not try to grasp... it helps us reframe that ambition so that rather than it being self-serving, it becomes other-serving.” — Daniel* “The truth is we are touching people’s souls first and then offering them a product... wealth is inferior to the eternality of a soul.” — Daniel* “I kind of adopted him as the true CEO of my company... every once in a while, I got a knock on his door and say, St. Joseph, this is a problem I can’t fix, I need to take care of it. And he does...”— Daniel* “We leave everyone better off for having met us... treat everyone... with infinite human dignity.” — Daniel* “Man cannot be smaller than his money... if your character and capability is not of a significant heft, the money will fall through your fingers.” — DanielKey Moments: (outline)* 01:06 Introduction* Introduction of Daniel Catone, CEO and Co-Founder of Arimathea, a financial asset manager that screens investments for alignment with Catholic teachings.* 03:41 The Catholic Approach To Money* Reorder goals: God first, others second, and self last.* 06:13 The Foundational Sources of Catholic Financial Teaching* including Sacred Scripture, Church Fathers (St. John Chrysostom), Encyclicals (Rerum Novarum), and modern documents.* 10:18 Cautioning entrepreneurs against accumulating wealth as the primary goal.* The business journey should start with prayer and focus on serving the common good.* 12:46 A Deep Dive Into Ambition* Daniel suggests that the proper approach towards ambition.* 15:22 The Necessity of Living a Fully Unified Life * and recognizing that work is a vocation that impacts people’s souls, which is superior to the acquisition of wealth.[* 17:05 Staying Away From The Modern Tendency to Artificially Segregate Life * The importance of recapturing the rhythm of a fully integrated life.* 18:49 Practical Tips for Integration of One’s Life* 25:47 Discerning One’s Unique Mission * Talent is “meaningless without virtue,” with prudence being a core entrepreneurial virtue* 31:00 Personal Testimony* Daniel shares a story of leaving a successful a secular company because the work was “vacuous” and unfulfilling, leading to a new, liberating mission * 53:16 Saint Joseph of Arimathea* 1:00:00 Conclusion* Rapid Fire Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeHey y’all — welcome back to another episode of the Catholic Founders podcast! Today’s episode will not disappoint. News / Updates: * We’re hosting a Catholic Founders meetup in Chicago this 4th of November. Email us if you’re interested in attending (we are near capacity but if you reach out soon we can likely squeeze you in).* Fides is offering Catholic Founders Readers/Listeners 15% discount on all upcoming events through the end of the year — just use code: CATHOLICGUILD2025 at checkout. (He has some incredible speakers lined up).* There is a Catholic entrepreneur gathering in San Francisco on November 20th (tentatively) — Stay tuned for more details.Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:* Seamus Coughlin | Freedom Toons* 💰 Help them hit their fundraising goal! 📈* Seamus Coughlin is showing what happens when you use creativity as a weapon for truth. He is the founder of Freedom Toons, one of the most influential Catholic animation channels on YouTube. Through humor, storytelling, and sharp satire, he’s reaching millions with messages that defend truth, reason, and faith — all while making people laugh.Hire Talent That Actually Shares Your Mission with Verso Jobs. Verso Jobs has built a gamified, data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values. Their team understands your needs, goes out to qualified candidates, tests them through the gamified application. Then presents you with candidates who truly share your mission. If you’re a Catholic or conservative organization looking to cut through the fog, reach out to Verso Jobs to help you today. Whether you’re hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom. Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights. ⛰️Core Lesson: The most powerful way to transform culture is to create good work, work so excellent, it points back to God. And the best way to do that, is to allow God to transform your own heart. In this episode, Seamus said something very interesting about the priest shortage. He said that the priest shortage is actually just a holiness shortage. Most people are not living out their vocations faithfully. This is what is leading to a lack of priests and a lack of nuns and a lack of holy families (and even children because they are all prevented from being born or worse, aborted). A key goal of ours at Catholic Founders is to help rally business owners to use their skills to bring the culture back to God. But we cannot do this if our own hearts are not transformed. And only God can do this. The good news is, He is trying to. But we prevent him. If we start asking for the grace to desire a total transformation of heart, we are one step closer. When transformed, the work we do will also be transformed. When this happens, the work will be good and beautiful. And it will bring people back to God. God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerLaunch Your Podcast — Build Trust With Customers Trying to bring in more leads? Launching a podcast might be the best move you haven’t made yet. Saint Kolbe Studios helps Catholic entrepreneurs launch professional, mission-aligned podcasts that build trust and increase leads. Their team walks with you every step of the way, from strategy and recording to branding and editing, so you can launch your podcast in under 90 days. Get 20% off all services for the rest of 2025 because you listen to Catholic Founders. Just mention Catholic Founders when you reach out. 158 million people listen to podcasts every month, and that’s just in the US! Your ideal customer may already be listening to a competitor’s podcast. Visit saintkolbestudios.com to get started.Key Episode References:* Freedom Toons* Help Them Raise Money for the Full-Length Series* Jordan Peterson* Charles Schultz* Father Chad Ripperger* Shawshank RedemptionSelect Quotes:* “We really just have a holiness shortage. Almost no one’s living out their vocation. Well, unfortunately. So if you just live out your vocation well, the effect you will have on the world will be unbelievable.” - Seamus * “God gave you a vocation, live that vocation out.” - Seamus * “For media to be effective, it has to A, be something that’s going to appeal to people outside of your group and B, the moral that you’re trying to deliver has to be delivered naturally through the story and through the jokes and not through these ham-fisted monologues.” - Seamus * “The most extraordinary thing in the world is just an ordinary family.” - Seamus * “God doesn’t make rules that don’t make sense if we follow God’s commandments. This is not the prosperity gospel I’m not saying that your life will always be great But we know that societies that follow God’s commandments are more likely to be successful than ones that don’t...” - Seamus * “Anytime we create anything, we’re participating with God and His creativity.” - Seamus * “Your work should sanctify you and you should use it to sanctify the world in some way But it does not have to be explicitly religious in order for you to be able to do so.” - Seamus Key Moments: (outline)* 00:00 Intro* 04:25 Freedom Toons and Cultural Transformation* Seamus introduces himself and Freedom Toons, explaining his mission to fight back against entertainment media controlled by those with opposing values* 06:32 Seamus’s Faith Journey and Media Concerns* Seamus shares his faith journey, falling away, and returning at 20* 09:23 Reaching the Younger Generation with Good Media* Offering an alternative to what the younger generation are constantly being sold* 10:22 Faith Deepening and Content Evolution* Seamus details how his deepening faith led to change his political views* 15:24 Freedom, Submission, and Choosing the Good* A discussion on what is true freedom* 18:40 The Creative Process and Overcoming Writer’s Block* Seamus talks about his creative process for Freedom Toons* 22:46 Integrating the Holy Spirit in Creativity* The role of the Holy Spirit in Seamus’ creative process* 25:17 Building Good Companies vs. “Catholic” Companies* The importance of Catholics building “good companies” and creating undeniable products, rather than just “Catholic” versions of existing things* 33:17 Heart Transformation and Truthful Products* Personal heart transformation as the foundation for transforming the culture* 44:20 Life as a Story: Earning Big Moments* Understanding life through the lens of story can help in personal growth* 48:18 Ambition, Humility, and God at the Center* The idea of ambition and achievement within a Catholic context* 52:28 The Universal Call to Change the World* The universal call to change the world, even in seemingly small ways* 54:45 Changing Culture: Vocation and Family* Changing the world involves faithfully living out one’s vocation and the importance of family and personal holiness as the starting point for cultural transformation.* 59:32 ConclusionHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeHey y’all — welcome back to another episode of the Catholic Founders podcast! Today’s episode will not disappoint. News / Updates: * Ellen Twomey is teaching the CF Guild how to scale on October 28th. Upgrade to attend.* Fides is offering Catholic Founders Readers/Listeners 15% discount on all upcoming events through the end of the year — just use code: CATHOLICGUILD2025 at checkout. (He has some incredible speakers lined up).* We’re hosting a Catholic Founders meetup in Chicago this 4th of November. Email us if you’re interested in attending — we need your input to finalize details. * There is a Catholic entrepreneur gathering in San Francisco on November 20th (tentatively) — Stay tuned for more details.Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:* Mallory Root | Roots Brew Shop & The Cottage on Turner* Following God’s lead, Mallory Root moved to Grand Rapids to open Roots Brew Shop, a coffeehouse built on faith, community, and authentic human connection. Guided by her faith in God, she embraced the challenges of entrepreneurship as an act of stewardship, trusting that her role was to build with God. Since opening in 2016, Roots has become a warm, welcoming space where strangers become friends and people encounter Christ through everyday conversation and genuine hospitality.Hire Talent That Actually Shares Your Mission with Verso Jobs. Verso Jobs has built a gamified, data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values. Their team understands your needs, goes out to qualified candidates, tests them through the gamified application. Then presents you with candidates who truly share your mission. If you’re a Catholic or conservative organization looking to cut through the fog, reach out to Verso Jobs to help you today. Whether you’re hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom. Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights. ⛰️Core Lesson: We need to make the transactional relational.Mallory’s whole approach to business can be summed up in one line.And honestly, I love that. It’s the heartbeat of what makes her business, Roots Brew Shop, special. Every customer interaction, every cup of coffee, every conversation is a chance to actually see the person in front of you. Mallory’s not running a shop just to sell coffee, but instead she’s building relationships, restoring what’s been lost in a world that moves too fast and connects too little. It has become a place that invites people back to God through their experience and eventually brings dozens of conversions.In the same way, we are invited to design our products and experiences to have something special. Where the simple moments and typical transactions are transformed into encounters with Christ.God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerLaunch Your Podcast — Build Trust With Customers Trying to bring in more leads? Launching a podcast might be the best move you haven’t made yet. Saint Kolbe Studios helps Catholic entrepreneurs launch professional, mission-aligned podcasts that build trust and increase leads. Their team walks with you every step of the way, from strategy and recording to branding and editing, so you can launch your podcast in under 90 days. Get 20% off all services for the rest of 2025 because you listen to Catholic Founders. Just mention Catholic Founders when you reach out. 158 million people listen to podcasts every month, and that’s just in the US! Your ideal customer may already be listening to a competitor’s podcast. Visit saintkolbestudios.com to get started.Key Episode References:* Roots Brew Shop * Rerum Novarum in 2025: Applying it to Your Business* Mother Cabrini* Servant of God, Father Walter CizekSelect Quotes:“Our mission is to make the transactional relational.” “If I have a relationship with the Lord, everything should exude from that.” “We should be fully integrated in all the things we do.” “Beauty disarms. When people walk into Roots, they encounter goodness and truth through beauty.” “All that we own is for the common good, and we are stewards of that.”“If we are not building one another in virtue and we’re not building in virtue, what is the purpose of our labor?” “Hold it all loosely, and something that is good to foster is that spirit of detachment (detachment that it isn’t mine). Steward what God gives you today, and be ready to let it go tomorrow.”“If you’re serious about leadership, you have to be rightly ordered, and that means making time for God.” Key Moments: (outline)* 02:46 Introduction* 04:27 Faith as a Rubric for Business* Mallory discusses how her faith permeates every aspect of running her coffee shop, serving as the guiding principle for all decisions* 10:01 Subtle Evangelization Through Business* Learn about Roots Brew Shop’s unique approach to evangelization* 13:24 Underutilized Methods of Evangelization* The importance of responding to the dignity of the human person and the dignity of work, especially when interacting with diverse guests, including those experiencing homelessness.* 15:19 Training Staff in Virtue and Dignity* Discover how Roots Brew Shop trains its employees through monthly sessions on the dignity of the human person and the dignity of work* 19:08 Low Employee Turnover and Formation* Mallory shares how their focus on building relationships and investing in employee formation leads to remarkably low turnover* 25:23 Maintaining a Spirit of Detachment and Stewardship: * Mallory views her business as a gift from God to be stewarded* 30:57 Engaging and Serving the Community* Mallory discusses how Roots Brew Shop interacts with its community* 35:18 The Impact of Daily Mass for Entrepreneurs* The spiritual benefits and the importance of prioritizing one’s relationship with God.* 38:41 Spiritual Growth Through Entrepreneurship* Mallory reflects on how her entrepreneurial journey has deepened her trust in God, taught her to say “yes” more readily, and provided numerous opportunities to love her neighbor with compassion.* 43:09 Mallory’s Founding Journey* Mallory recounts her path from an art major to a coffee shop owner, including her discernment process, the influence of her family, and the two-year journey to opening Roots Brew Shop* 49:48 Conclusion* Hire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket CastsAbout a month ago, I participated in the SENT Summit alongside other Catholic founders who are building bold businesses rooted in faith. It was one of those experiences that reminded me why this movement matters — why faith and entrepreneurship aren’t separate callings, but deeply connected. Here are six core things I learned: first, one good Catholic institution can change everything. Second, unity is our hidden advantage — when we’re truly united in Christ, we can change the world. Third, the sacraments will keep you steady when the storms of leadership come. Fourth, good leadership is always virtuous leadership. Fifth, as entrepreneurs, we have a special calling to live and exemplify the virtue of hope. And sixth, the power of connecting in person with other like-minded, driven Catholics simply cannot be dismissed.If you don’t yet have a strong community of Catholic builders around you — build one or join one. And if you want an online version of this kind of fellowship, join the Catholic Founders Guild. You can sign up at CatholicFounders.com/subscribe — it’s $10 a month or $100 a year.Before I wrap it up here I want to shout out some upcoming events. News / Updates:Join us for our upcoming events — or share them with others who should attend.*Ellen Twomey is teaching the CF Guild how to scale on October 28th. Upgrade to attend.*Fides is offering Catholic Founders Readers/Listeners a 15% discount on all upcoming events through the end of the year — just use code: CATHOLICGUILD2025 at checkout. (He has some incredible speakers lined up, including past CF guest, Rob Kaczmark).*We’re hosting a Catholic Founders meetup in Chicago the first week of November. Stay tuned for more info.*There is a Catholic entrepreneur gathering in San Francisco on November 20th (tentatively) — Stay tuned for more details. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket CastsUpcoming Events:* Our CF Guild topic call is next week, Tuesday. Topic: Competition. Upgrade to paid to attend.* Ellen Twomey is teaching the CF Guild how to scale on October 28th. Upgrade to attend.* Fides is offering Catholic Founders Readers/Listeners 15% discount on all upcoming events through the end of the year — just use code: CATHOLICGUILD2025 at checkout. (He has some incredible speakers lined up).* We’re hosting a Catholic Founders meetup in Chicago the first week of November. Stay tuned for more info.* There is a Catholic entrepreneur gathering in San Francisco on November 20th (tentatively) — Stay tuned for more details.Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today! It's $10/month or $100/year so anyone can afford it. Don't build alone -- join 50+ Catholic business owners building, learning, and praying together. https://www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway: Build Family-Centered Company Culture* Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe.Today’s Topic & Guest:* John Johnson | Patmos | Pizza Norcia | Albertus Magnus Institute* John is the founder of Patmos, Albertus Magnus Institute, and Pizza Norcia. Today, we discuss ambition in Catholic men, the dignity of employees, the stewardship of wealth, and the integration of faith and AI in business. John shares his unique perspective on building successful enterprises while staying true to Catholic principles. This is a truly inspiring episode.PS: We apologize for the poor audio quality in some places — I made some mistakes setting up the recording, and we had to do some patching together in order to salvage the audio at all. Poor as the audio quality is, we feel very strongly that the content is top-tier.[sponsored content]Hire Talent that Actually Cares About Your Mission with Verso Jobs.The team at VersoJobs.com has built a remarkable gamified and data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values.The best part, it's built by Catholics.Whether you're hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom.Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights! ⛰️Core Lesson:Catholics must build company cultures that promote family values, because family is the basis of society.At Patmos, they pay bonuses when employees get married or have babies. Recently, they agreed to pay the salaries of the spouses of their employees who are affected by the government shutdown (repayable without interest).Where most corporate cultures promote a culture of death, Patmos is upholding the culture of life. They are also treating their employees with respect as individuals, which leads to the flourishing of the human individual. No more just surviving and suffering through endless bureaucracy and HR rules.God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas Mähner[sponsored content]Launch Your Podcast — Build Trust With CustomersTrying to bring in more leads? Launching a podcast might be the best move you haven’t made yet.Saint Kolbe Studios helps Catholic entrepreneurs launch professional, mission-aligned podcasts that build trust and increase leads.Their team walks with you every step of the way, from strategy and recording to branding and editing, so you can launch your podcast in under 90 days.Get 20% off all services for the rest of 2025 because you listen to Catholic Founders. Just mention Catholic Founders when you reach out.158 million people listen to podcasts every month, and that’s just in the US! Your ideal customer may already be listening to a competitor’s podcast.Visit saintkolbestudios.com to get started.Key Episode References:* Episode 18 with Daniel Francis (Abel Police)* Episode 24 with Daniel Egan (St. Joseph Mural)* Episode 29 with Joe Coleman (Saint Kolbe Studios)* Joe Coleman from Saint Kolbe Studios* Episode 30 with Drago Dimitrov (Holy Habits)* Dave Durand* Frank Hanna* Lilies of the Field — Matthew 6:28-34Select Quotes:In case you’re not already sold on listening to the episode, here are some killer quotes.* “Ignorance is my superpower. If I had any idea what I was getting into these things, I never would have done it.” — John Johnson* “We have an amazing potential to be co-creators, not just generators of our progeny.” — John Johnson* “There’s a real problem with it, especially men who have grown addicted to comfort over the years, where we’re so addicted to security, ease, then golden handcuffs.” — John Johnson* “If you can sell Jesus to teenagers, you can pretty much sell anything.” — John Johnson* “If anybody really wants to be successful, there’s no better practical way of forming yourself than through a real liberal arts education.” — John Johnson* “You have to first understand the reality of material things... things of the material world elicit in us a great desire that when we have them, they make us miserable.” — John Johnson* “Money is like fun. If you set out trying to have it, you’re not going to.” — John Johnson* “First employees have names and infinite dignity. No matter who they are, no matter what the background is, they’re worthy of respect.” — John Johnson* “We have bonuses for when employees have babies. We have bonuses for when employees get married. Big tech base employees effectively to abort their progeny. We do the opposite.” — John JohnsonJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today! It’s $10/month or $100/year so anyone can afford it. Don’t build alone -- join 50+ Catholic business owners building, learning, and praying together. https://www.catholicfounders.com/subscribeKey Moments: (outline)* 00:00 Intro to John Johnson* 01:57 His Empire: Patmos, Albertus Magnus, and Pizza* 02:20 The Secret Behind His Pizza Perfection* 06:29 The Drive to Build: Ambition in Catholic Men* 07:31 Ignorance as a Founder’s Superpower* 08:23 Co-Creation and Divine Guidance in Entrepreneurship* 09:53 Escaping Comfort: The Entrepreneurial Adventure* 11:12 Unlocking Your Creative Potential: Discovering God’s Call* 13:17 Ambition vs. Calling: The Truth About Material Desires* 15:19 Beyond Mercenaries: The Power of a Mission-Driven Business* 16:01 The Entrepreneur’s Edge: Why Theology and Liberal Arts Matter* 18:36 Leisure vs. Labor: Redefining Education’s Purpose* 19:06 Balancing Ambition with Family and Faith* 20:12 John’s Advice on Scaling: From Heroics to Systems* 24:41 The Visionary and the Operator: Building a Strong Team* 26:24 Radical Respect: Dignity and Family-First Policies for Employees* 28:18 Beyond Market Rates: The Philosophy of Just Wages* 29:22 Stewardship, Wealth, and the True Meaning of Blessing* 31:31 The Parable of Talents: Embracing Risk for God’s Glory* 33:55 Wealth as a Tool: Detachment and Purposeful Stewardship* 34:23 Investing with Intention: Tithing and Proximate Charity* 36:49 Faith in the Workplace: Cultivating Culture with Diverse Teams* 39:00 Beyond Resumes: Hiring for Culture and Innate Intelligence* 39:52 AI’s Dark Side: The Counterfeiting of the Human Person* 42:47 Navigating the AI Landscape: Caution and Limits* 45:01 Rapid Fire:* Favorite Scripture: John’s Gospel, Enthymemes* Favorite Saints* Favorite Devotions: Rosary and the Office of Prime* 49:22 Final Thoughts: Patmos, Albertus Magnus, and PrayersJoin The Catholic Founders GuildDo you see your business as a tool to re-insert God into the culture? Join 50+ Catholic business owners who share that view. We are building an Army of Catholic Entrepreneurs who are putting God in His rightful place — at the center of culture.Guild Member Benefits: Member Directory | Monthly calls | Bonus content | Guild-member-only dinnersYou are the average of the 5 people you hang out with most. Choose wisely!It’s only $10/month or $100/year (for now) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket CastsBefore we start:* Join our October Rosary Challenge: Pray 1 more rosary each day than usual* Chicago Catholic Founders meetup: Tent date: Nov 3rd (details pending) * SF Catholic founders meetup: Tent date: Nov 20th (details pending)Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today! It's $10/month or $100/year so anyone can afford it. Don't build alone -- join 50+ Catholic business owners building, learning, and praying together. https://www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe * Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:I’ve mentioned Ecclesiastical Ventures many times on the pod and in our CF Guild calls. Now we are finally breaking down what an Ecclesiastical Venture is, and how we can bring them back. We really appreciate Mark taking the time to share his learnings — we hope this inspires you. * Mark Wilson | Nicodemus Ventures[sponsored content]Hire Talent that Actually Cares About Your Mission with Verso Jobs.The team at VersoJobs.com has built a remarkable gamified and data-driven job platform to help you hire people who actually share your mission and values.The best part, it's built by Catholics.Whether you're hiring for your startup, school, parish, or nonprofit — Verso makes it easy to find mission-aligned talent ready to build the Kingdom.Visit versojobs.com or book a demo to get started — To the heights! ⛰️Core Lesson: You Can Run a Profitable Business Even if Your First Objective is Not ProfitThe underlying principle of an Ecclesiastical Venture is that we are not focused soley on profit. We are focused on using the venture to get to heaven. We build our way of life around the goal of heaven. Daily mass — prayer throughout the day — a spiritual director — etc. All of these things are in service of eternity. But most secular business owners wouldn’t consider these a good ROI. When you focus on what truly matters most (heaven) first, you’re actually doing yourself a favor because you’re putting the right things first. Doing so has very positive downstream effects. Because when you do the right thing in one area you do it in others. Doing the right thing for your customers leads to positive customer reactions which leads to new customers (as Tim Connors told us on the pod he did with us). God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas Mähner[sponsored content]Launch Your Podcast — Build Trust With CustomersTrying to bring in more leads? Launching a podcast might be the best move you haven’t made yet.Saint Kolbe Studios helps Catholic entrepreneurs launch professional, mission-aligned podcasts that build trust and increase leads.Their team walks with you every step of the way, from strategy and recording to branding and editing, so you can launch your podcast in under 90 days.Get 20% off all services for the rest of 2025 because you listen to Catholic Founders. Just mention Catholic Founders when you reach out. 158 million people listen to podcasts every month, and that’s just in the US! Your ideal customer may already be listening to a competitor’s podcast.Visit saintkolbestudios.com to get started. Key Episode References:* Nicodemus Ventures* Saint Kolbe Studios* VersoJobs* The Saintly CEO (newsletter)* Daughters of Charity* Marian Friars MinorSelect Quotes:* “When you dedicate it to God or you surrender it to Him, He’s in charge. And I’ve learned that you can abandon it, right? You can abandon this commitment... But you can’t undo it. You’ve given it over to God, now He’s in charge.”* “Their goal was not profit. Their goal was not success. Their goal was a salvation of its founders, managers, and employees. That was the purpose of work.”* “It’s like a magnet. People say, I want that. I want to be in that environment. I want to be with those people... And then over the course, they realize, hey, wow, it’s Jesus. And then when they recognize that, they convert.”* “The primary objective is salvation. Life is short. So where do want your eternal soul to go? And that’s really what they were focused on, and worshiping God, and living a penitent lifestyle.”* “Every day you should be growing, becoming more holy. The environment is one in which you’re sanctifying yourself and others and your work.”* “You’re never gonna outdo God in generosity. Well, when God sees that you’re so detached from this stuff, He knows He can entrust you to do the right things with His wealth.”Key Moments: (outline)* 00:00 - Introduction and Mark Wilson’s Background* 04:02 - Discovery and History of Ecclesiastical Ventures* 08:26 - Core Purpose: Salvation Over Profit* 17:28 - Characteristics of Ecclesiastical Ventures* 22:06 - Examples and Impact of Ecclesiastical Ventures* 33:10 - Managing Finances and Tithing* 40:21 - How to Rebuild Ecclesiastical Ventures Today* 45:47 - Trusting God and the Role of Faith* 52:39 - Future Vision and Contact Information* 59:39 - ConclusionJoin The Catholic Founders GuildDo you see your business as a tool to re-insert God into the culture? Join 50+ Catholic business owners who share that view. We are building an Army of Catholic Entreprenuers who are putting God in His rightful place — at the center of culture. Guild Member Benefits: Member Directory | Monthly calls | Bonus content | Guild-member only dinnersYou are the average of the 5 people you hang out with most. Choose wisely! It’s only $10/month or $100/year (for now) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe