Virtuous Men Podcast

Friendship is a mutual concern, interest, and love that exists between two people. This love is the kind the Greeks called philia, or brotherly love. One such friendship was that of Lewis Armistead and Winfield S. Hancock. Although these men found themselves on opposing sides of America's most divisive and deadly conflict, their friendship endured until the bitter end.   Hosted by Jamie Adams.

Redemption is the process by which a man regains or acquires virtue in an effort to better his life. Whether it comes about as an atonement for wrongdoing or a realization that a life of sin will never bring fulfillment, redemption is the path toward a life of virtue. One of world literature's most profound examples of redemption is the hardened convict Jean Valjean, the principal character in French author Victor Hugo's legendary 1862 novel Les Misérables. At the heart of the story is Jean Valjean, a man who only knew hate before he learned to love. Hosted by Scott Einig.

Join the creators of Virtuous Men for a discussion on part one (episodes 1-6) of Season 5 of the podcast. You'll hear details on the making of each episode, more on the virtues explored and the men who were featured, and a few insights into part two. Hosted by Jamie Adams and Scott Einig.

Exploration is the act of traveling to an unknown land in order to investigate its terrain, resources, and benefits to humanity. The explorer's spirit is something many of us have felt ourselves; the need to search out the unknown, and to see the previously unseen. In this episode, we will tell the story of a man who greatly influenced the Pacific Northwest of America and Canada through his survey work in these areas. Though he is often overlooked compared to other great explorers, his influence in the region is undeniable.  Hosted by Jamie Adams.

Brotherhood is a relationship between men that runs far deeper than friendship. Men who serve together in war, go on a mission, perform a great task, or build one another up in tough times are said to be like a band of brothers. Unlike friendship, however, brotherhood is a bond that transcends time and space. One of the most important and influential brotherhoods of the 19th century was the bond between Vincent and Theo van Gogh. It was a brotherhood that was far from easy, yet what came as a result would have an impact that continues to be felt in the present day. Hosted by Scott Einig.

Sacrifice is the act of willingly forsaking one's personal wellbeing for the good of others. The ultimate expression of sacrifice is found in giving up one's life to save another. One such story is that of Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman. In this episode, we will tell the story of his heroic stand and how his actions not only went above the call of duty, but directly contributed to at least a dozen of his comrades making it off the battlefield alive. Hosted by Jamie Adams. Valerie Nessel (John's widow) line by Stacey Adams.

Friendship is one of the most special of all bonds between human beings. Without friendship, we as men would never realize our greatest potential. One of the greatest portrayals of friendship in all of fiction is the bond between Andy and Red, the two principal characters of the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption and its universally-beloved 1994 film adaptation. In this episode, we will see that a friendship for the ages is often born amid the most difficult and unfair of circumstances. Hosted by Scott Einig.

Redemption is the act of being brought back from a path of destruction and set on the path of freedom and righteousness. It is a critical piece of anyone's story who seeks to pursue virtue and live to their full potential. One of American pop-culture's most vivid examples of redemption is in the life of legendary country music star Johnny Cash. In this episode, we will tell the story of his poverty-stricken childhood, his journey to stardom, and his eventual descent down the road of addiction. And we will explore how his story of redemption can also be an example for our own. Hosted by Jamie Adams.

Survival is a virtue that cannot be attained without great loss, hardship, and danger. In many such cases, a man loses everything and has nothing but his life to hold onto. One of the 19th century's most incredible tales of survival is the tragedy of the whaleship Essex. To this day, it is widely considered to be the most horrific voyage in the history of American whaling. And would achieve immortality by giving birth to one of the crown jewels of American literature - and becoming a testament to the endless capability of human endurance.   Hosted by Scott Einig. Listener note: Due to graphic and disturbing content, this episode may not be suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised.

An update from Virtuous Men as we end our summer sabbatical and start Season 5. We'll also share some important announcements for 2024. 

In part 2/2 of Loose and Unscripted, Virtuous Men hosts Scott and Jamie sit down with Ethan and Jared Thomas of A Brothers' Creed, the voices of Lewis and Clark from Season 4, to discuss the lessons and takeaways from the expedition that we can still apply to our lives today.

In part 1/2 of Loose and Unscripted, Virtuous Men hosts Scott and Jamie take you behind the scenes of Season 4 and talk about the making of each episode. As always, banter and self-deprecating humor features throughout.  

In Episode 5, we will see how all the virtues learned on the journey came together to see the Corps through on their voyage home. We will join them as they make one incredibly daring decision, engage the Indians in combat, revisit old friends and say fond farewells. We will see what happened to the men upon their return, and most importantly, what men of today can learn from the journey that changed America forever. Quotes from the expedition journal entries are cited throughout this episode. For listener clarity and narrative coherence, some of these quotes have been revised.  Hosted by Scott Einig and edited by Jamie Adams. Featuring the voice talents of Larry Einig as Thomas Jefferson, Ethan Thomas as Meriwether Lewis and Jared Thomas as William Clark. Special thanks to Larry Morris, author of The Fate of the Corps and In the Wake of Lewis & Clark, and Elin Woodger, author of Encyclopedia of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Tune in next time for another episode of Loose and Unscripted, where we discuss the making of Season 4.

In Episode 4, we will explore the Lewis & Clark Expedition's arrival at their destination, and how the virtues of hospitality, diligence, equality, and protection helped them accomplish their ultimate goal and get them through another long winter. Quotes from the expedition journal entries are cited throughout this episode. For listener clarity and narrative coherence, some of these quotes have been revised.  Hosted by Jamie Adams and edited by Scott Einig. Featuring the voice talents of Ethan Thomas as Meriwether Lewis, Jared Thomas as William Clark, Scott Einig as Patrick Gass, and Stacey Adams as Watkuweis. Special thanks to Larry Morris, author of The Fate of the Corps and In the Wake of Lewis & Clark, and Elin Woodger, author of Encyclopedia of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Tune in next time for Part 5, where the Corps makes their way back east, encountering familiar faces as well as new obstacles along the way.

In Episode 3, we will explore some of the greatest struggles of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and how the virtues of leadership, judgment, respect, ingenuity, communication, and compassion saw the men through obstacles we can scarcely imagine today. Quotes from the expedition journal entries are cited throughout this episode. For listener clarity and narrative coherence, some of these quotes have been revised.  Hosted by Jamie Adams and edited by Scott Einig. Featuring the voice talents of Ethan Thomas as Meriwether Lewis, Jared Thomas as William Clark, and Scott Einig as Patrick Gass. Special thanks to Larry Morris, author of The Fate of the Corps and In the Wake of Lewis & Clark, and Elin Woodger, author of Encyclopedia of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Tune in next time for Part 4, where the Corps break out of the mountains and encounter both friendly and hostile tribes, and set paddles to water once again - this time on the Columbia.

In Episode 2, we will follow the Corps of Discovery as they make their way upriver to the Indian villages, and see firsthand how the virtues of hospitality, discipline, curiosity, and posterity worked among the men to see them through extreme difficulties from both men and nature alike. Quotes from the expedition journal entries are cited throughout this episode. For listener clarity and narrative coherence, some of these quotes have been revised.  Hosted by Scott Einig and edited by Jamie Adams. Featuring the voice talents of Ethan Thomas as Meriwether Lewis and Jared Thomas as William Clark. Special thanks to Larry Morris, author of The Fate of the Corps and In the Wake of Lewis & Clark, and Elin Woodger, author of Encyclopedia of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Tune in next time for Part 3, where the Corps of Discovery battles gigantic grizzly bears, discovers beautiful waterfalls, experiences one of American history's greatest chance encounters, and travels into the Rocky Mountains not knowing if they will make it out alive. 

In the Season 4 premier, we will explore the origins of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, the men at the center of it, and how, without the virtues of education, will, determination, mentorship - and above all, friendship - the expedition would never have happened. Quotes from the expedition journal entries are cited throughout this episode. For listener clarity and narrative coherence, some of these quotes have been revised. Hosted by Scott Einig and edited by Jamie Adams. Featuring the voice talents of Larry Einig as Thomas Jefferson, Ethan Thomas as Meriwether Lewis, Jared Thomas as William Clark, and Scott Einig as Patrick Gass. Special thanks to Larry Morris, author of The Fate of the Corps and In the Wake of Lewis & Clark, and Elin Woodger, author of Encyclopedia of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Tune in next time for Part 2, where the Corps of Discovery encounters raging waters, Indian tribes, unknown animals, and one of the harshest winters imaginable. 

May 14, 1804. 40 men set out near the burgeoning town of St. Louis traveling upstream on the Missouri River. Their aim, the Pacific Ocean.  Join us for Season 4 of the Virtuous Men Podcast, a 5-part series on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. We'll take you from St. Louis to the Pacific and back as we travel alongside the men of the Corps of Discovery and explore the many virtues on display throughout their incredible adventure. Available April 3rd.

For this special interview episode, we sat down with Jared and Ethan Thomas of A Brothers' Creed to discuss our Seven Deadly Sins minipod season. We shared snippets of each episode, it's sin and opposing virtue, and discussed how each sin is relevant today. Scroll down to check out the full season now.  If you enjoyed the interview feel of this episode, check out more of A Brothers' Creed on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-brothers-creed/id1535888640

Join Virtuous Men creators Jamie and Scott for another installment of our season wrap-up, Loose & Unscripted. In this episode, we go over our Seven Deadly Sins season - the making of each episode, what inspired us to pick each man for his respective sin, and a friendly bit of banter between the hosts as usual.  Hosted by Jamie Adams and Scott Einig. Did you enjoy our Seven Deadly Sins season? Drop us a rating & review and share your favorite episode with a friend to help us reach more listeners with this content!

Sloth, perhaps better known today as laziness or idleness, is unique in that it is not defined by evil actions, but rather by inaction. A slothful man may well be aware of the harm being done to his family, friends, community or country, yet will ultimately refuse to do what is needed to bring about change. Because of his belief that he can do nothing to fix the problems around him, he allows fear and vice to be his masters. Perhaps most horribly of all, a slothful man refuses to offer his strength to a world that desperately needs it. One of literature's most striking examples of Sloth is Lord Denethor, a character featured in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic masterwork The Lord of the Rings. When he experiences a great loss, he becomes so overwhelmed with his own emotions that the city he leads grows more and more vulnerable to the greatest evil of the age.  Hosted by Scott Einig.

Envy is a deep-seated discontentment with what one has when compared to others. It is a sin that combines feelings of covetousness, jealousy, and selfishness. The envious man can never show genuine happiness for the success of others, because he is always left comparing it to himself and questioning its merit - always seeing it as a slight against himself. One of history's most devastating examples of envy is perhaps America's greatest hero-turned-villain, Benedict Arnold. In this episode, we'll delve into his life as an American patriot during the Revolutionary War, how he rose through the ranks to become one of George Washington's most trusted generals, and how his envy led him to betray the country he had once fought so hard to defend. Hosted by Jamie Adams.

Gluttony is the over-consumption of food and drink to the detriment of the consumer and those less fortunate. A gluttonous man hoards for himself what he could give to others. It is a sin defined by materialism, hedonism, and a belief that there is only the eternal present. While a gluttonous man is many things, he is, above all else, a worshiper of idols. One such example of this destructive vice is the little-known Reginald III, a man whose tragic tale graphically reveals what happens when we refuse to refrain from good things that can also destroy us.  Hosted by Scott Einig. Correction: Upon further research, we discovered after publishing this episode that the events of the story took place in the modern-day Netherlands, not in England. We apologize for the oversight.

Lust is the overwhelming desire for something that yields physical gratification. The object of one's lust is often forbidden or considered deviant. The desire most thought of when considering lust is that of a sexual nature. Nearly every man can relate to this kind of lust because most have fallen prey to and continue to battle against it. We can easily consider some of the most obvious examples of lust, but often ignore the temptation festering in our own minds and how we are just one step away from falling into its clutches. One man who succumbed to such a trap was the most celebrated leader of the ancient Kingdom of Israel - King David. In this episode, we'll explore what led to his rise to power and how he nearly threw it all away when he allowed lustful temptation to get control of him.  Hosted by Jamie Adams.

Wrath is characterized by rash, unwise and destructive actions brought on by anger, jealousy or vengeance. In the eyes of a wrathful man, everything he does is justified to himself, no matter how horrible his actions may be. One of American history's most infamous examples of wrath occurred after the Civil War on the border of Kentucky and West Virginia. It was a conflict between two families whose names would be forever linked after the terrible tragedies finally came to an end. They were the Hatfields and McCoys. Hosted by Scott Einig.

Greed is an uncontrollable, unquenchable desire to acquire more of something by any means necessary. The greed of an individual not only leads to the ultimate demise of themselves, but can directly result in the deprivation of others. The greed of some men sets the bar so high that few would debate its validity. One such man was Napoleon Bonaparte. In this episode, we'll explore the life of the infamous French military commander and discover how his odious desire for more led to not only his own downfall but to the demise of one of the largest armies ever assembled and their empire along with it.  Hosted by Jamie Adams.

Pride is the inner conviction that one's beliefs, actions and achievements are above all others. A prideful man believes that he has all the answers, that he should not be questioned, and that those who oppose him are wrong. One of the 20th century's most notorious examples of pride was the infamous cult leader Jim Jones. His lifelong descent into pride came to an unforgettable conclusion that still continues to confound and horrify us to this day. Hosted by Scott Einig.  *Due to graphic and disturbing content, this episode may not be suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised*  

Coming soon, something different from Virtuous Men. For the month of October, we will be exploring the opposite of virtue: sin. In each episode, we will discover one of The Seven Deadly Sins (Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, and Sloth). We'll tell the story of a man who personified each one, and the opposing virtue needed to defeat it. Join us for our latest Minipod Season - The Seven Deadly Sins. Episode 1 will be available 10/10/22 with new episodes available every Monday through the end of November.

In this episode of Loose & Unscripted we'll share tidbits of wisdom we've learned over the years, take a deep-dive into Kipling's famous poem If, and share what's coming up on the Virtuous Men Podcast. Hosted by Jamie Adams and Scott Einig. Did you know we're on YouTube? Subscribe today: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIwtyAQqsQqR0ARXBqhb60w  

*Warning: This episode includes stories of the victims of sex trafficking and is not suitable for younger audiences.  Welcome to a special edition episode of Virtuous Men. In this episode we interview Alan Smyth, co-author of the book Men! Fight for Me: The Role of Authentic Masculinity in Ending Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking. Hosted by Jamie Adams and Scott Einig. To find out more about getting into the fight to end sex trafficking, visit: https://fightforme.net/ https://savinginnocence.org/ For resources mentioned in this episode, visit: https://fightforme.net/resources/ To reach Alan directly: alan@savinginnocence.org  

Teamwork is the positive collaboration between two or more individuals to accomplish a common goal. One such example of teamwork is that of two men whose bond and dedication to their mutual passion cemented their names in the history books - Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. In this episode, we'll share how their 1953 first ascent of the world's tallest peak was a feat accomplished not just by their own individual mountaineering skills, but by their work as a cohesive unit.  Hosted by Jamie Adams. This story was originally featured in our S2, E7 bonus episode. 

Friendship is a close bond with another person that is less than a romance and more than an acquaintance. However deep a friendship goes, there remains the unspoken understanding that the other person adds value to the other's life, that the person is a blessing not to be taken for granted. Though many friendships fade away, there are those that stand the test of time. Such was the case with the friendship between Sir Frederick Treves and Joseph Merrick. In this episode, we'll tell the story of how even though the two men could not have been more different, their bond left a legacy that quietly lives on to this day. Hosted by Scott Einig. This story was originally featured in our S2, E7 bonus episode. 

In this Loose & Unscripted episode, Virtuous Men creators Scott and Jamie discuss meeting one of the men featured in Season 3 of the podcast - David Eubank, founder of Free Burma Rangers. You'll hear clips from an inspirational message David gave at SVA Church while he and his family were in Washington State and also audio from our interview with David we haven't shared before. Hosted by Jamie Adams and Scott Einig. To learn more about Free Burma Rangers, visit www.freeburmarangers.org

In this Loose & Unscripted episode, Virtuous Men creators Scott and Jamie discuss the making of Minipods #1-6 and give some reactions to follower comments. As always, shenanigans abound.  Hosted by Jamie Adams and Scott Einig.  

Spies - Part 2 Welcome to a special bonus episode, where we collaborate with our friends Ethan and Jared at A Brothers' Creed for some more conversation and commentary. This time we each share a short story of a spy from history. In Part 2, Jamie and Ethan share stories of espionage and double agentry from World War II.

Spies - Part 1 Welcome to a special bonus episode, where we collaborate with our friends Ethan and Jared at A Brothers' Creed for some more conversation and commentary. This time we each share a short story of a spy from history. In Part 1, Scott and Jared share stories of betrayal and intrigue, one from ancient Rome and another from the American Civil War.

Responsiveness is the quality of reacting to a need or calling and meeting it with a positive, deliberate action. It is fundamental in marriage, parenting, in the workplace, and especially in times of adversity. The responsive man gives himself to a task while refusing to allow danger or discomfort to prevent him from doing what is required. One of history's most vivid examples of responsiveness is the Biblical figure of Nehemiah. In this episode we will discover how his answer to a calling helped arouse his people out of shame and exile, and how his actions paved the way for historical events that still impact us to this very day. Hosted by Jamie Adams.

Passion is defined by expressing great interest in, devotion to and love for an activity, set of skills or field of interest. Whether it involves endless hours studying a topic, building up a large body of work or pursuing ways to better the lives of others, such people are described as passionate. In this episode, we will explore the life and work of a man whose unusual hobby and skills would help illuminate the hidden beauty of winter.  Hosted by Scott Einig.

Resistance is the refusal to accept or comply with something forced upon an individual or group of people, usually by political or military forces. At its core, it is any action that rejects oppression and subjugation and chooses instead to fight for liberty and self-determination. One of modern history's most striking examples of resistance is the image of a young Chinese man standing in the way of a column of tanks in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. In this episode, we will tell the story of how this man's solitary action became the most recognizable symbol of resistance in modern history. Hosted by Jamie Adams.

Loyalty is a steadfast dedication to a goal, a cause, a person or a group. While loyalty can be achieved out of ambition, it is often enacted out of selfless love. Loyalty is a virtue that is vital to life's most fundamental relationships, from the professional, to the familial, to the intimate. In this episode, we will explore the life of a man from the pages of literature, whose loyalty to his master is tested when two suitors come calling. Hosted by Scott Einig.

Dissent is the outward expression of ideas and opinions contrary to those held by those in power. A dissenter is one who refuses to sit idly by while those in authority take actions they deem to be contrary to the wellbeing of themselves and the people they love. In this episode, we will tell the story of a man who stood against an authoritarian juggernaut and whose actions played a pivotal role in quelling all-out nuclear war. Hosted by Jamie Adams.

Brotherhood is defined by a group of men living through a shared experience that requires everyone to give their best. Though brotherhood can happen in everyday circumstances, it is a virtue often  associated with times of war or conflict.  When men enter such times, they are transformed from individuals into brothers. One example of such a group is the tale of the Forty-Seven Ronin, a group of brothers who banded together to avenge a terrible wrong.  Hosted by Scott Einig. Follow us on Instagram: ➡️ www.instagram.com/virtuous_men  

Underdogs - Part 2 Welcome to a special bonus episode of Season 3, where we collaborate with our good friends at A Brother's Creed for some more conversation and commentary. This time we look into the theme of underdogs, and each share an inspiring story about overcoming the greatest of odds. In Part 2, Scott and Jared share the underdog stories of Rudy Ruettiger and the Zulu Kingdom's triumph in the Battle of Isandlwana. Hosted by Jamie Adams and Scott Einig and featuring Jared and Ethan Thomas of A Brothers' Creed.

Underdogs - Part 1 Welcome to a special bonus episode of Season 3, where we collaborate with our good friends at A Brother's Creed for some more conversation and commentary. This time we look into the theme of underdogs, and each share an inspiring story about overcoming the greatest of odds. In Part 1, Jamie and Ethan share the underdog stories of Leicester City F.C. and Finland's Winter War. Hosted by Jamie Adams and Scott Einig and featuring Jared and Ethan Thomas of A Brothers' Creed.

Get to know the creators of Virtuous Men and get an inside look at the making of Season Three. The season finale takes an inside look at Season Three were we'll discuss the making of each episode, details on our conversations with the experts we interviewed, and we'll share each of our unique processes when making an episode of the podcast. Hosted by Jamie Adams and Scott Einig.

Over the years, Equality has come to be defined and redefined to fit the current age. To many, it is defined by financial, social and political opportunity. But the true greatness of this virtue is that it is not concerned with the quality of a man's abilities, social standing, race, wealth or appearance. Rather, it looks at the quality of his character to see if he is worthy of responsibility, power and influence. In the eyes of equality, nothing matters more than a man's character and his willingness to protect it from compromise. Perhaps the most famous example of equality is found in the legendary tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. In this episode we will explore the history behind these myths, how this group of men came to reach true equality, and how that equality was tragically lost. Hosted by Scott Einig and featuring special guest Stephanie Bar-shev-ski, author and Professor of History at Clemson University.

Sacrifice is the denial of oneself for the benefit of another. When we think of sacrifice, we often think of those who bravely give their lives in service of their country - a soldier who gives their life to save the lives of his brothers in arms. But rarely do we see sacrifice offered towards complete strangers. One such man is David Eubank. For over 20 years, David, his family, and their fellow-aid workers have risked everything for the benefit of strangers who later became like family. By telling David's story, we will seek to learn just what it takes for us to lay down our own needs for the betterment of others, and to do it with joy and thanksgiving.  Hosted by Jamie Adams and featuring David Eubank himself, former Army Ranger and member of U.S. special forces and founder of the humanitarian movement Free Burma Rangers. To learn more about Free Burma Rangers, visit www.freeburmarangers.org

While goodness can be manifest in many different ways, it is a virtue that is best seen as a lifestyle cultivated by doing deeds that benefit others. Whether small or enormous, goodness is always aware of what the situation requires and understands that its greatest purpose is to be available. One such example of goodness is John Coffey, one of the primary characters from Stephen King's 1996 serial novel The Green Mile. Though much of his life is a mystery, we come to see how goodness defines everything he does throughout the story, and how his example changes those around him forever. Hosted by Scott Einig.  

Ambition is defined as having a goal and making whatever sacrifices are necessary to achieve it. A person who seeks such lofty goals in life is called “ambitious.” To such people, mediocrity is the greatest threat. One of art history's most towering examples of ambition is Michelangelo. In this episode we will explore not only how nearly every piece of art he created is defined by ambition, but how his ambition made the world a more beautiful place. Hosted by Scott Einig and featuring Ross King, art historian and author of Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling, The Bookseller of Florence, and Brunelleschi's Dome. Also featuring Andrew Graham-Dixon, art critic, broadcaster and author of A History of British Art, Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel, and Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane.

In Season 3 we'll take a look back at the violent days of one of America's greatest lawmen, we'll explore the life of a man who changed the course of art history, we'll share our own version of one of America's most beloved film dramas, we'll experience the danger, loss, and hope found in some of the world's most brutal conflict zones, and we'll journey through one of the most famous myths in all of mediaeval fiction.

PART 2: The Manhunt Law and order is the respect and obedience of the rule of law in society. This is something that is easily thought up and written down on paper, but is much harder to implement in the real world. The legends of great law men of history bring us back to the times of the Old West, and to violent days of gangsters and bootleggers. One such legendary law man was Frank Hamer. By exploring Hamer's life, we will seek to learn a lesson from the past - that without law and order, and those in place to enforce it, society is only one step away from anarchy. Hosted by Jamie Adams and featuring John Bossenecker, author of the New York Times best seller The Epic Life of Frank Hamer, The Man Who Killed Bonnie and Clyde.