Andrew and Billy are joined by Bro Steve Hertel, the Senior Deacon of Navasink Lodge 9 (Red Bank, NJ), to discuss the nontraditional routes both he and Andrew took through the Officer chairs, how being thrust into a leadership role affected them, and would they have felt more comfortable if they had gone the “regular” path.
The guys were also joined by engineer and bonus guest Criss Madd, guitarist for the band Serious Matters and host of the Ghosted podcast, a show that dives into the paranormal. He chats with Billy about some of the supernatural occurrences that have happened to members of the Lodge while they did their random housecleaning duties.
This week, your hosts are joined by their first out-of-district guest, John Cajio. John explains what it’s like to serve 2 consecutive terms as Worshipful Master and how he comes from a family of Masons. Listen well, for a seed may be planted.
What does it mean to be a Brother? Do you assume the familiar role of a sibling either guiding or guided by your blood relatives? Or is there something more to the term? Adam, Billy, and Kevin discuss this idea and the impact the term has had on their lives.
What do we offer to our candidates? Whatever you may describe it as, there is, most likely, some aspect that we definitely get wrong. In this episode, the guys are joined by Bro. Morgan Hoxie, a gentleman who loves to dive into the more occult and esoteric, but feels that Freemasonry needs to look in the mirror sometimes. We are all humans and we all deserve fair and just treatment.
We’re kicking off summer with a backyard-style BBQ on our Lot! There will be plenty of food (burgers, dogs, chicken, corn, and all the fixings), plenty of fun (cornhole games, football toss), and plenty of music performed by Bad Gunther (Peter De Lucia, Ralph De Palma, Ken Long, Jim Long & Bill Schumacher)! We’re going to be celebrating rain or shine! We’ll have tableside ice buckets for BYOB bottles and cans as well as non-alcoholic beverages for kids and adults. Tickets are $25/person (even at the door). You can bring/send in cash or a check to the Lodge or pay using Paypal (paypal.me/OBL16 ). If you choose to use this option, please make sure you uncheck “Paying for goods or a service?”.Any questions, please contact the Lodge Secretary! See you there!
After having a week off because of family, work, and fraternal obligations, the guys return relaxed and refresh. Andrew and Kevin explain their continuing Masonic journey, Billy jogs your brain with some Who’s That Mason, and Kevin brings a new game forward entitled Before and After.
After a bit of a rocky start because of their original guest having to cancel, Kevin, Billy, and Andrew begin the discussion that is Esoterica. Being such a broad and heavy subject, they have to reign in some of the ideas, so as not to make it seem like they are trying to have you drink from the fire hose. Let’s just say that the door to the Craft Store was busted open with this episode.
This week we are joined by Worshipful Brother Ed Keller, Past Master of Olive Branch Lodge 16, cosplayer, firefighter, and all-around nerd. See how the original trilogy of Star Wars was influenced by similar principles as our Fraternity, how The Hero Of A Thousand Faces and A Hero’s Journey should be in everyone’s library, and a minor disagreement between Billy and Ed about a certain person’s redemption.
This time around, Andrew, Billy, and Kevin discuss amongst themselves the importance of Masonic ritual. Is it glorified theater? A call back to ancient mystery schools? Find out on this episode of the Extended Branch.
This time on The Extended Branch, WB Adam Reich makes his presence known and discusses being part of a lodge that, unfortunately, doesn’t exist anymore, Greek frats vs Freemasonry, and how the family plays a big part of the Masonic experience. Subtle hints are also dropped by Kevin on future episode topics. Like, share, subscribe, and enjoy!
This week, Andrew, Billy, and Kevin are joined by “The Ghost of The Lodge”, Bro Jim Moretti, to discuss his magic and masonic heroes, what keeps him involved in the craft, and the research he put into making an outdoor lodge. This rather jovial episode ends with our engineer Christian being amazed by Bro Moretti’s close-up magic abilities.
On this episode, Worshipful Brother Ken Long joins our hosts to discuss art; from music to woodworking. In honor of his attendance, Billy has a Scottish centric “Who’s That Mason?” and Kevin unveils his own segment, “The Craft Store”.
Kevin, Billy and Andrew are joined by WB Peter De Lucia to discuss his year as Worshipful Master, how he wanted to include the entire Masonic Family, and what effect the lockdown edicts had on his plans; Kevin and Andrew remember what it was like their first time in the lodge and Billy grills Peter during the first segment of BBQs.
