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Greg Stewart

W.Bro. S. Brent Morris – on Masonic Central

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Brent MorrisAuthor of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Freemasonry and the editor of The Scottish Rite Journal, S. Brent Morris, joined the Masonic Central podcast where he discussed the importance of the Scottish Rite in the 21st Century, the differences/similarities between the Scottish Rite and the York Rite, American Masonry today and shared his thoughts on how to proceed into 21st century Masonry.

In this podcast Morris discusses his personal Masonic journey including his time as the first (and only) American to head the Quatuor Coronati lodge of research and delve into the nuanced history of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in America.

We also talk about the development of the Scottish Rite Journal (the largest Masonic publication in the world with more than 250,000 circulation) from its former incarnation as the the “New Age Magazine.”

This podcast was originally recorded on Sunday, November 9, 2008.

Bob Davis 33°, GC, Secretary of the Guthrie Oklahoma Scottish Rite

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Brother Bob Davis 33°

Join us in our discussion with Brother Bob Davis 33°, GC, and Secretary of the Guthrie Oklahoma Scottish Rite. Br. Robert is the author of Understanding Manhood in America and the writer behind the blog Papers of Robert G. Davis. Who can argue that experience and leadership are two of the most fundamental elements of a successful lodge, but how do you develop those elements? Leading change is one way, but not in a destructive manner, which is at the heart of this interview.

Missed the live broadcast? Listen now:

or right click and save as the Mp3

In our discussion we focus on Oklahoma Masonry, the Guthrie College of the Consistory study program, the role of the “mature masculine” in Freemasonry, and his thoughts on the future of Craft.

In this program we talk about the Guthrie Scottish Rite and its College of the Consistory program and touch on a wide range of topics, including:

  • Br. Davis’s history in Freemasonry and the factors in his life that led him to it.
  • The relationship between the quest of manhood and the role Freemasonry plays in it.
  • Leadership and successful lodges at the local level.
  • How to bring change to lodge (when change is desired) and
  • How activity breeds activity in any organization

Without a doubt you will find a point of deep connection to Br. Davis and with what he has to say.  He is probably as traditional as traditional Masonry gets but with an open stance of improving the fraternity and seeing it grow in the future.  At his core is the identity of the masculine male, manhood, and the recovery of that role in America today.

This show was originally recorded November 2, 2008, at 6PM PST on the Masonic Central Podcast.

Right Worshipful Tom Jackson on Masonic Central

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Tom Jackson

In this episode of Masonic Central we spend some time with one of the strongest champions of modern Masonry and one of its most the most decorated with international distinctions, the right Worshipful Tom Jackson. As Masonic resumes go, Br. Jackson’s takes 4 pages to list his achievements, and I assure you it is not a list of lofty titles and dues cards receipts. Br. Tom has been recognized and is an honorary member of more than a dozen international Grand Lodges around the world.

Missed the live show?
Listen here:

or, right click and download the Mp3

At the time of the recording Tom was the Secretary of the World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges and formerly the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and those titles pale in comparison with is insight into Freemasonry today. In the show we focus on world of Freemasonry in general and North American Freemasonry in particular.

  • Some of the topics we discuss are:
  • The differences in Masonry around the world.
  • The role of the conference of Masonic Grand Lodges.
  • The idea of a Masonic Renaissance man.
  • Freemasonry at home and abroad in the next 10, 25, and 50 years.
  • How can you, the listener, change the ills that plague Freemasonry today.

Having taken the opportunity to speak to Brother Tom and hearing his thoughts about these topics, I’m sure you’ll agree that he is without a doubt a man worth listening to.

the show was originally recorded October 26th, at 6PM PST on the Masonic Central Pod Cast to get a close up look on the world view of Freemasonry.

Stephen Dafoe on Masonic Central

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Stephen DafoeListen in as Dean and Greg have a conversation with author, historian,and brother Stephen Dafoe in this 2009 episode of Masonic Central.

Dafoe is the prolific author of several Masonic and Templar books, who is now crossing into the world of Graphic Novels with his new project Outremer due out November first.

Join us as we talk all things Templar and delve into their historic past and their meaningful significance to Freemasonry today. and, who knows, maybe we’ll get down to the real meaning of Bamophet!

It was a great discussion and one sure to illuminate the wide topic of the Knights Templar and Freemasonry.

This show was originally recorded on Sunday, October 12th, at 6PM PST on Masonic Central!

Do you want to listen live? Join our live in-virtual-studio audience by logging in at talkshoe and join the conversation!

Table Talk Technology and Modern Masonry.

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What type of tools do you need to run your Lodge at maximum efficiency? Are there tools to better administer committees, and communication to members? How can we link the membership back into the lodge? This week on Masonic Central we want to look at the various types of tools available on line for for use in the administration and communication in the lodge environment. Listen in on the live show and put in your ¢.02 on what has worked for you and your lodge.

The technology is out there and we want to make some sense of it to make it easier for you to use.

Join us this Sunday at 6PM PST / 9PM EST on Masonic Central as our brother Tim Bryce steps in as a guest host on our famous table talk open forum to tackle the subject of the different types of technology available today.

Nelson King on the Philalethes Society

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Br. Nelson King

In this episode we are joined by Brother Nelson King who is the past President and Editor of The Philalethes Society Journal of Masonic Research and Letters, and the first non-United States Citizen to hold those positions. He is also the second Mason to ever hold the position of President and Editor of The Philalethes at the same time. In June 2009 Br. King retired to focus on his work with Masonic Relief for Cuba, where he is the Executive Director.

Br. King is a veteran in the halls of Freemasonry, recorded in numerous affiliations across North American Masonry, and is well known for his public oratory, writing proficiency, and capable research.

Missed the live program?
Listen now:

or right click and download the Mp3

During the program we discuss The Philalethes Society which was founded on October 1, 1928, and has published numerous articles by and for its members. For many years it has been voted the best Masonic publication in the world as its sole purpose is to act as a clearinghouse for Masonic knowledge by through the exchange of ideas, researching the problems confronting Freemasonry, and relaying them back into the Masonic world.

Some of the broad areas we cover include:

  • South American Masonry
  • The idea of Masonry and the Cuban revolution
  • The role of the Philalethes Society in comparison to Quatuor Coronati
  • Masonic Scholarship, then and now

Our conversation with Brother King focused tightly on several areas which are little discussed in wide circles including the present the state of Masonic research, Freemasonry in Cuba, the role of the Philalathes Society, and contemporary Masonic research in general.

It is one of the most illuminating conversations on the craft.

This show was originally recorded September 21st , at 6PM PST on the Masonic Central Podcast.

Masonic Central Pod-Cast Talk Show

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What is Masonic Central?
Masonic Central if an interview based weekly pod-cast talk show made by Freemasons for Freemasons. It is hosted by Greg Stewart and Dean Kennedy (see below for bios), and is recorded in front of a live audience of brothers and other interested guests. The show is broadcast LIVE on Sunday evenings at 6pm PST, and available afterward for streaming or download. To see a Calendar of upcoming show, visit our show website at MasonicCentral.com.

The show is hosted on a unique website for people to participate in live interactive pod casts called Talkshoe. You can listen along to a live or to a previously recorded program. Hundreds of people can talk and interact live, thousands can listen in by audio streaming and you can download a pod-cast of the recorded show.

The Player Widget.
This widget allows your visitors to be able to listen directly from the site in which it resides, and it provides call in and participation information for our program.

You can use the player on the left of this page. Click the large arrow button to stream the show, or use the pull down arrow to select a past episode of the show to to play NOW on your computer.

Download
You can also Download a copy of the show to play on your MP3 Player or IPod.
To download the show, first go to the shows Talkshoe website.
Halfway down the page look for Past Shows.
Select the show you desire, then click on the download icon.

Also, you can find us on Itunes by doing an Itunes search for Masonic Central and stream the shows on your computer or download to take them with you.

How to participate in a Masonic Central Live Show.
To call into the show when it is live, dial 724-444-7444 And the Talkshoe Call in ID 19162

To participate in a call via phone only, dial +1-724-444-7444 and when prompted, enter the Call ID 19162 followed by #. If prompted for a PIN, enter the 10-digit PIN you selected (typically your phone number), or enter 1# if you don’t know it.

To participate in the studio audience, call 15 minutes prior to the show going “live” which is at the scheduled time of the show.

If you want to join in the chat-room during the show, and appear with your name, you need to create an account on talkshoe, which is very fast and easy. To create a Talkshoe account, go to talkshoe.com and sign up, then follow the link back to our show from the show posting.

How do I participate in a call if I do not have access to P.C. at time of call?
You do not need a computer to call in. To participate in a call via phone only, at the time of the call, dial +1-724-444-7444 and when prompted, enter the Call ID 19162 followed by #. If prompted for a PIN, enter the 10-digit PIN you selected (typically your phone number), or enter 1# if you don’t know it.

Who are the hosts of Masonic Central?
Greg Stewart is the host and editor of Masonic Central. He is a 32nd degree Master Mason form the Grand Lodge of California and is a member of Hollywood Lodge No. 355 in Tarzana California. In addition to Masonic Central, he is the writer of the Masonic Blog Masonic Traveler, and the editor of the Masonic Information site Freemason Information. Outside of the pod-cast, Greg belongs to several Masonic bodies and is active in his lodge as the chair of several committees. Outside of Freemasonry, Greg is a Brand Manager, Graphic Designer, and web developer. He is very passionate about Freemasonry, history, religion, and their contributions to the fraternity.

To contact Greg, you can send him an email at Masonic Traveler

Dean is the co-host and producer of Masonic Central. He is a past master, Shriner and 14th degree Master Mason from the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, Canada. He is a proud member of Ad Astra Lodge #130 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As well he owns a blog called Freemason’s Corner. Outside of Masonry Dean is a father of two (three in a month) and a business owner. He is a benefits consultant/insurance broker. When he is done with that he is running his other business, an e-marketing firm.

To contact Dean, you can send him an email at Dean kennedy

Masonic Central at the Movies

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Its MOVIE TIME!

Join us this Sunday for another edition of Table Talk on Masonic Central as we talk about Freemasonry in the movies.

Its something that all of us as Masons like to titillate about in lodges, during meetings, and on the web, so lets take a minute and look at three films that have Freemasonry at their core, but in three very unique ways.

The movies on the table for the talk are:

The Man Who Would be King
The Man Who Would Be King is a adaptation of the Rudyard Kiplingstory of the same name.National Treasure
National Treasure. Set in a fictional universe, the film’s over the top plot and heroic depiction of the fraternity as the keepers of the Templar Treasure.
Rosewood The film is not Masonic, per-se at its core, but the major plot pivot point hinges on an interaction between a Prince Hall and Regular Mason.

If you put them in cue now, Netflix or Blockbuster should be able to get them out by Saturday, but if you’ve been a mason for any length of time, you’re probably had the chance to watch one or two of these films already. I guarantee it will make for a fun conversation delving into one or all of them.

So get your popcorn machine out and join us for the show this Sunday, September 14th, at 6PM PST. Don’t forget, you can join us live at the talkshoe Masonic Central site to be a part of our LIVE in studio audience.

So much going on..

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There’s been so much going on around here lately that its hard to remember where I am. but more importantly Dean and I have been burning up the bytes with Masonic Central lately with three great shows in as many weeks.

For those of you that missed the last few shows:

August 24th:
We had Jennifer Emick on from the about.com alt religion site where we talked about a variety of things, including some hermetic connections of Masonry to history and to art and trends in the alternative religion universe. It was a lot of fun to have had her on and filled with good info on the subject matter.

August 31st:
Brothers Paul Bessel and Jerry Samet joined us from the great District of Colombia to talk about Freemasonry, but more specifically the infamous Grand Master one day classes, and the hot button issue of the recognition of Prince Hall Freemasonry. One of the things we found out was the dynamic interaction that Br. Samet had in the integration of DeMolay in the 80’s and 90’s and his strides in opening up the fraternity. It was a very good conversation that has led to some interesting discussions on the issues of territorial jurisdiction.

September 7th:
Brother Adam Kendall joined us from the Grand Lodge of California to talk about some of the programs and progress going on in the golden state. This was a rare insight to talk to a knowledgeable curator of a states Masonic ephemera, and Adam was a great guest to have on and talk about it. There really are some great things happening, but you’ll have to listen to our show with Adam to find out what.

And, outside of the day to day of the show, we received a great mention from Br. Hodapp on his Freemasons for Dummies blog last week that I did not want to go unmentioned. Thanks Br. Chris for checking us out and putting us into such a pantheon of great pod casts. And thanks to all of you brothers who have come out and supported us in putting this program together each and every week.

Look for us this weekend Sunday, September 14th at 6PM PST, for another round of Table Talk as Masonic Central goes to the movies…

Adam Kendall, Curator for the Grand Lodge of California

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Listen in as Masonic Central talks with the Curator of Collections, Adam Kendall, with the Henry Wilson Coil Library & Museum of Freemasonry for the Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of California.

Some of the topics in the discussion will be:

  • Programs of California Grand Lodge
  • The now past Freemasonry and Women Symposium
  • Henry Wilson Coil Library
  • Who was H.W. Coil?
  • Why a library?
  • How California is entering the 21st century.
  • Symbolism in Masonry-its importance (or unimportance)?
  • Ideas on how to help foster Masonic education in lodges?
  • The Masonic Society
  • One-Day Classes and their merits.
  • And some ideas about the future of Masonry.

Adam is a very knowledgeable Freemason and with a definitive “left” coast perspective coming from one of the larger Grand Lodge jurisdictions. It’s going to be a great program and one not to be missed!