Thou Shalt Not Criticize Self-Fundraising: A Message to FOCUS

Learn more about John and Keoni at https://www.serviaminstitute.com Follow them on social media @serviamcounseling @the_man_on_fire_ Want more great SE content? Join us on Locals! https://seekingexcellence.locals.com/ Chapters 00:00 Defining Authentic Masculinity 09:10 The Call to Excellence 12:08 Mediocrity in Modern Culture 15:17 The Role of Virtue in Daily Life 17:58 Personal Transformation and Healing 23:55 Father-Son Dynamics and Growth 31:52 Coaching for Virtue and Grace 39:52 Navigating Ambition and Identity 45:57 Political Perspectives and Masculinity 01:00:54 Conclusion and Resources --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seekingexcellence/support

Join Seeking Excellence on Locals for more (and better!) content at seekingexcellence.locals.com Use code Nathan15 for 15% off at tanbooks.com to order the Stigmatists today! Dr. Paul Kengor is a professor at Grove City College and the executive director of the College’s The Center for Vision and Values. He is also a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace at Stanford University. Kengor is a frequent television political commentator and opinion page contributor, as well as the author of several best-selling books. In this episode, we discuss his new book The Stigmatists. It's an incredible read about the lives of several great saints who were willing to suffer in immense ways for the salvation of souls. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seekingexcellence/support

Join us on Locals for exclusive content and to become a supporter Interested in taking your life to the next level? Fill out the form to get more information on The Excellent Life program! Use code NATHAN15 for 15% off amazing Catholic books at tanbooks.com Summary Nathan Crankfield discusses the importance of having multiple streams of income and evaluating opportunities. He emphasizes the need to be open to opportunities and discern which ones to pursue. He also highlights the balance between providing for the family and fulfilling the vocation of fatherhood. Tim Urban shares his personal experience of juggling multiple businesses, a firefighting career, and an MBA program, and how he managed his time by delegating tasks and adjusting his schedule. He encourages finding a balance between pursuing passion projects and fulfilling duties. In this conversation, Tim and Nathan discuss the balance between work and family life, the importance of time management, and the role of faith in achieving success. They emphasize the need to delegate tasks and focus on leadership rather than micromanagement. They also discuss the importance of open communication with spouses and the support of a supportive wife. They highlight the importance of focusing on virtues and character development rather than solely pursuing professional success. They also discuss the tension between greed and providing, emphasizing the need to set goals and prioritize virtues over financial success. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Tim Urban 05:20 Tim's Personal Upbringing and Background 08:06 Tim's Entrepreneurial Journey and Balancing Work and Family 12:53 Challenges and Support in San Francisco 16:16 Transitioning and Managing Multiple Ventures 25:13 Focusing on Opportunities and Evaluating Priorities 27:04 Creating Opportunities and Multiple Streams of Income 30:29 Discerning Opportunities and Finding a Balance 36:41 Time Management and Balancing Work and Family Life 39:59 Balancing Ambition and Contentment 48:08 Faith as a Guiding Force in Work and Family Life 53:24 The Importance of Open Communication with Spouses 59:43 The Role of a Supportive Partner in Personal and Professional Growth 01:04:35 Finding the Balance: Ambition, Greed, and Prioritizing Family --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seekingexcellence/support

This episode discusses the troubled history of NFL player Tyreek Hill, focusing on his violent past in his personal life. Nathan criticizes the media's rush to make the situation about race and highlights the importance of considering all perspectives before forming an opinion. The comparison between Hill and another athlete, Scottie Scheffler, is deemed absurd. Nathan emphasizes the need to be cautious about defending individuals with a history of violent behavior and not automatically giving them the benefit of the doubt. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and discussion of Tyreek Hill's situation 01:53 The tendency to jump to race in incidents involving black individuals and the police 03:44 Comparing the incidents involving Tyreek Hill and Scottie Scheffler 06:37 The importance of hearing both sides of the story 09:56 Examining Tyreek Hill's character and behavior 14:40 Considering the individual's history and actions in evaluating behavior 15:16 Tyreek Hill's Troubled History 18:55 Comparing Treatment of Tyreek Hill 21:12 Propping Up Troubled Individuals 23:07 Different Reactions to Police Contact 25:59 Forcing Compliance with Police 28:36 Caution Against Giving the Benefit of the Doubt --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seekingexcellence/support

Join Seeking Excellence on Locals for more (and better!) content. Use code Nathan15 for 15% off at tanbooks.com for some great Catholic reading! In this episode of the Seeking Excellence Podcast, Nathan Crankfield and guest Nathan Price discuss the importance of dressing well, particularly for men. They emphasize the significance of taking oneself seriously and the impact that dressing well can have on one's self-confidence, relationships, and representation of the faith. They also address the misconception that dressing well is vain, highlighting the importance of finding the middle ground between sloppiness and excessive vanity. The conversation draws from the teachings of St. Francis de Sales and emphasizes the virtues of propriety, cleanliness, modesty, and simplicity in dressing. In this conversation, Nathan Price provides practical advice on dressing well for men. He emphasizes the importance of grooming and dressing appropriately for different occasions, such as Mass and dates. He suggests starting with what you already have and gradually investing in quality clothing that fits well. He also discusses the significance of accessories, such as watches and bags, in completing a polished look. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 12:07 The Importance of Dressing Well 16:18 The Role of the Younger Generation in Turning Things Around 21:29 Finding the Balance: Modesty and Vanity 25:54 Taking Yourself Seriously and Dressing Well 30:48 The Moral Obligation to Dress Well 40:45 Defining 'Suitably Dressed' for Mass 44:59 Going Beyond the Minimum: Dressing Well for Mass 45:43 Dressing Intentionally and Appropriately for Different Occasions 56:47 The Significance of Shoes and the Psychological Impact of Dressing Well 01:00:35 The Importance of Fit and Color Theory 01:11:37 Avoiding Throwaway Culture and Investing in Quality Clothing 01:17:41 Wearing Pants to Mass, Serious Dates, and Flights 01:19:45 Choosing Accessories that Communicate Intentionality and Maturity --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seekingexcellence/support

Fill out the interest form for The Excellent Life Program here Join Seeking Excellence on Locals In this episode, Nathan Crankfield shares his thoughts on various topics, including fatherhood, the importance of rest, the dangers of excessive complaining, the crisis of masculinity, and the desire for practical holiness. He also praises the PBD podcast and encourages people to seek excellence in all areas of their lives. In this part of the conversation, Nathan Crankfield discusses the concept of seeking excellence and how it encompasses both spirituality and practical aspects of life. He reflects on his experience at Franciscan University and how he noticed a tendency to over-spiritualize things. He emphasizes the importance of actively participating in our own salvation and the blessings that God wants to give us. Nathan also talks about the solution to anxiety, the importance of mindset, motivation, and methods for success, and the need to speak up and not embrace cowardice. Chapters 06:50 The Joy and Blessings of Fatherhood 11:59 The Importance of Rest and Sabbath 16:29 The Dangers of Excessive Complaining 19:29 The Crisis of Masculinity in Boyhood 23:18 The Desire for Practical Holiness 25:23 Active Participation in Our Salvation 35:23 Mindset, Motivation, and Methods for Success 40:39 Choosing Whose Criticism to Take 42:41 Rejecting Silence and Embracing Courage --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seekingexcellence/support

We all know that last year, I released an episode that got a lot more attention than I anticipated. I spent the majority of 2023 having conversations with fellow Catholics and Protestants about nonprofits, capitalism, and self-fundraising missionaries. I learned a lot from these conversations. I learned from many former or current missionaries. I also learned from the family members and friends (and many former friends) of missionaries. I heard some stories demonstrating the dark side of some of these models. Like any good system, it has the potential to be abused. My conversations led to a podcast, which led to me having a private meeting at FOCUS headquarters. This was fitting since they were by far the organization that was most upset by the episode. Despite invitations to come on the podcast to clear the air, I was never able to have a public conversation with anyone to help bring clarity to this topic. I recorded this episode after another year of waiting, praying, discussions, and negative experiences with *mostly* active FOCUS staff. The message of this episode is clear: many of us believe there needs to be some reform to the model of self-fundraising used by certain organizations. We may be wrong about that, but it's what we believe. Non-profits are supposed to thrive on transparency. And that is ultimately what I'm requesting on behalf of the many, many fellow disaffected FOCUS supporters. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seekingexcellence/support

Join us on Locals - seekingexcellence.locals.com In this conversation, Nathan Crankfield shares 31 lessons he learned in his 31st year of life. Some of the key themes include the importance of avoiding major mistakes, the value of patience, the beauty of having a stay-at-home wife, the significance of setting clear expectations in relationships, the challenge of living on one income, and the need to prioritize and accept that we can't be excellent at everything. In this conversation, Nathan Crankfield discusses the controversy surrounding Ephesians 5 and the rejection of God by some individuals. Nathan also highlights the need for respectful dialogue and open conversations about sensitive issues within the Church. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Patience 06:04 Supporting Your Spouse's Dreams 09:43 Challenges of Providing for a Family on One Income 16:39 The Importance of Fair Wages 16:39 Avoiding Stupidity: The Power of Small, Consistent Actions 19:47 Unspoken Expectations: The Path to Resentment 29:25 Choosing What to Suck At: Embracing Personal Limitations 32:08 The Holiness of Daily Challenges and Inconveniences 37:21 Gender Roles in the Church: A Controversial Topic 47:39 Accepting or Rejecting God: The Freedom of Choice --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seekingexcellence/support

SE Coaching Program Interest Form Fill out the form here! 25 Supporters Needed to Keep SE Alive! Join us on Locals Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:50 The Importance of Giving Things Sufficient Time 09:22 Investing in Yourself: The Key to Success 16:27 Navigating the Hypocrisy of Promoting Ideals 23:31 The Essentiality of Daily Prayer 25:55 Expressing Yourself Through Custom Clothing 29:10 Exposing the Effeminacy of Our Generation 39:06 The Importance of Thorough Preparation 41:38 Recommended Books: 'Introduction to the Devout Life' and 'Father Elijah' 44:07 Fatherhood: A Journey of Love and Fulfillment 46:59 The Significance of Intentional Community for Holiness --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seekingexcellence/support

Support the Podcast - 25 supporters needed at $10/month! seekingexcellence.locals.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction 04:16 The Misconception of Single Income Family 06:42 The Challenges and Realities of Multiple Income Streams 13:26 Choosing What to Sacrifice and Suck At 17:20 The Importance of Momentum and Deadlines 23:27 The Journey of House Hacking and Airbnb 29:02 Financial Benefits and Tools for Airbnb 30:29 Planning and Anticipating Future Needs 30:58 Tracking Finances and Projected Profits 33:24 Forced Appreciation through Home Renovations 36:13 Building Community and Intentional Friendships 41:24 Balancing Work and Family Life 55:27 Finding Creative Opportunities to Increase Income Summary In this conversation, Nathan and Emily Crankfield discuss their journey as a single-income family and how they created multiple streams of income through house hacking and Airbnb. They share their experiences and challenges in finding a house that could be converted into an Airbnb, the renovations they had to do, and the importance of setting and respecting deadlines. They also talk about the financial benefits of having an Airbnb and how it replaced Emily's income from her job in youth ministry. They emphasize the importance of community and intentional friendships, as well as the need for balance and support in their roles as a stay-at-home mom. They encourage listeners to be proactive in building community and exploring opportunities to increase income. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seekingexcellence/support