In this episode, hosts John and Jason explore Mount Marty University's fourth and final core value: Lifelong Learning. Far from being a simple endorsement of continuing education or accruing degrees, they reveal that this value is actually a translation of the obscure Benedictine vow conversatio morum—the commitment to the continual transformation of one's life. The hosts discuss the Benedictine "rule for beginners," emphasizing that true learning requires the humility to admit you are never finished and the willingness to "read" reality—nature, relationships, and oneself—with the same intensity as scripture (Lectio). They also touch on the tension between intellectual elitism and true wisdom in American culture.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro: Canned Intros and "Spending Money"

00:01:24 - The Fourth Core Value: Lifelong Learning

00:06:08 - The "Secret" Vow: Conversatio Morum (Conversion of Life)

00:08:12 - The Rule for Beginners: Why We Are Never Experts

00:09:15 - Lectio of Life: Reading Reality and Relationships

00:18:43 - Education in America: Elitism vs. Populism

00:35:01 - The Practice of "Going Back to Square One"

00:44:51 - Conclusion

In this episode, hosts John and Jason explore Mount Marty University's third core value: Hospitality. Moving far beyond simple politeness or "being nice," they dig into the radical Benedictine instruction to "treat every guest as Christ." They discuss the inherent difficulty of this command—noting that historically, welcoming Christ got people crucified—and share a striking story about how true intimacy and being "known" can sometimes be terrifying. The conversation covers the "germs" of community life, the necessity of conflict for "sharpening iron," and how real hospitality means holding space for others even when it is difficult.

Chapters

00:00:01 - Intro: Night Projects and Dolly Parton Covers

00:02:16 - The Third Core Value: Hospitality & Treating Guests as Christ

00:05:14 - The Challenge: Why "Welcoming" Can Be Dangerous

00:30:49 - Community Dynamics: Navigating Conflict and "Sharpening Iron"

00:39:07 - Film Discussion: Ushpizin and Final Thoughts

In this episode, hosts John and Jason dive into Mount Marty University's second core value: Community. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the etymology of the word, tracing it to the Latin munus, which fascinatingly means both "responsibility" or "role" and "gift." They use this dual meaning to explore the central tension of community life: balancing the needs of the group with the unique, irreplaceable "gift" of the individual. They share personal stories about feeling truly "received as a gift" at their university, contrasting it with other environments where people are merely "tolerated."

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:14 - The Second Core Value, Community

00:03:14 - The Heart of the Word: Munus as "Gift" and "Role"

00:08:18 - Personal Experience: Being a "Gift" vs. Being "Tolerated"

00:10:29 - Are People Replaceable? The Role vs. The Person

00:41:08 - The Challenge of Flawed Communities & Final Thoughts