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Beer and Conversation Podcast

461: “The Northman” and how the Catholic Church can reclaim “enchantment” for a generation with no sense of meaning

Is it my imagination, or is there renewed interest in myth, ancient belief systems, and what some might call an “enchanted” worldview? Why do people pay to hear Jordan Peterson talk for hours on Genesis and not get past chapter 1 verse 1?

I don’t want to exaggerate the claim. Most people are only interested in what’s on their phone at the moment, but there is at least some reaction against what might be called the modern myth, which promotes a sterile, lifeless, meaningless (but allegedly “scientific”) worldview. People are bored. They feel adrift, and life doesn’t have any meaning beyond pleasure or worldly success.

Rod Dreher wrote an interesting substack about this called North Toward Valhalla. It’s well worth your time.

Dreher claims that films like “The Northman” tap into this fascination, depicting a world where ritual, ancestry, and the supernatural merge into a life of profound significance. (Here’s a great review of the film by The Critical Drinker.)

As Dreher reflects on tradition and modern faith he speaks to this longing for enchantment as something missing in the stripped-down, rationalized aspects of modern life. For young men, especially, who seek meaning and connection, this resurgence in mythic storytelling highlights a need for an identity rooted in purpose, honor, and spiritual wonder. It may help to explain why so many young men are addicted to games. They provide something like a sense of meaning or purpose.

The Modern Longing for Enchantment

Modern secular, technological society is a fantastic thing. It’s given us antibiotics and labor-saving technologies that are simply amazing. But there’s no dispute that it’s come at a cost. Secular society reduces life to the material, emphasizing logic, technology, and efficiency over mystery and meaning. While these advancements offer many benefits, Dreher argues that they leave a void, creating a sense of disconnection from life’s deeper meaning.

In stark contrast, the symbolic, hero-driven narrative of The Northman shows characters motivated by a sense of duty and destiny that transcends self-interest. It’s an appeal to something timeless and heroic. But beyond that, there’s a constant sense of immanent spiritual reality. The gods are as real in The Northman as the sky and the land.

Dreher’s analysis suggests that this type of worldview, which modernity often overlooks, fulfills a deep-rooted human desire to connect with the divine, the sacred, and the transcendent.

The movie is very interesting, and — if you can handle the gore — worth a watch. But I’d like to take a diversion and discuss the lessons it should present to the modern church.

Can the church re-enchant the world?

About a year ago (I think) Jordan Peterson issued a challenge to Christian churches. One element of that challenge was to put a big sign in front of the church that said “Young Men are Welcome Here.”

I have my doubts that young men will see that sign and say, “Gee, maybe I should give it a try.” But such a public display sets a mood and an expectation. The liturgy committee now has to address how their latest effemimate nonsense will affect young men. A public sign and commitment isn’t going to have an immediate effect, but it might work its leaven into the dough over time.

The Church has historically offered an enchanted view of the world, seeing life itself as part of a divine narrative. By recovering these elements, the Church can address the growing need for something beyond the immediate, something enchanted and mysterious.

Recovering Enchantment through the Sacramental Life

For the Catholic Church, a return to enchantment begins with a reemphasis on the sacraments as tangible encounters with the divine. As Dreher emphasizes, religious traditions that are rich in symbolism, ritual, and beauty resonate more deeply than those that have adopted a utilitarian approach. The Mass, confession, and even the act of lighting a candle are not mere symbols; they’re a way to participate in divine reality. They’re actions that remind believers of the divine presence permeating their lives.

Reclaiming the depth and beauty of the sacraments means encouraging believers to experience them as genuine encounters with God, where heaven and earth meet. This type of engagement fosters an understanding that every action has spiritual weight, just as in “The Northman” every oath and ritual has cosmic significance.

Art, architecture, and music have historically been a cornerstone of Catholic spirituality. Beautiful spaces and traditions serve as reminders of the divine, stirring a sense of reverence that words alone cannot convey. Dreher notes that traditional beauty in worship is not just about aesthetics but about reaching the soul.

Building Brotherhood and Purpose

Dreher frequently advocates for community as a vital aspect of spiritual life, especially in a fragmented modern world where people don’t even know their neighbors. Young men often desire to be part of something bigger than themselves, and they seek a sense of belonging and brotherhood. To foster this, the Church might focus on creating spaces where men can explore faith in a supportive, purposeful environment.

Just as “The Northman” appeals to the timeless call of honor and bravery, the Church can focus on stories of saints, martyrs, and biblical figures who faced trials with courage and conviction. There is a heroic tradition in Christianity, and it can inspire young men to see themselves as part of a grand, meaningful narrative.

Rekindling Mystery and the Transcendent

Dreher points out that the search for mystery is not about answers but about opening oneself to questions that resist easy explanation. Accepting mystery can be powerful, encouraging believers to see their faith as a journey of discovery rather than a set of conclusions (blech!). The Church’s emphasis on prayer, meditation, and the mysteries of the faith invite believers to embrace the unknown with reverence, engaging with God in a dynamic, personal way.

By reawakening a sense of enchantment and mystery, the Catholic Church can speak directly to the modern heart’s deep yearnings. A return to an “enchanted” vision of life — one that celebrates meaning, beauty, community, and purpose — may well be the antidote to the secular malaise that leaves so many young men adrift. Through the sacraments, sacred art, and stories of valor and sacrifice, the Church can inspire a generation longing for meaning, offering them a path into a life where the sacred and the heroic are not relics of the past but living realities.

460: George Soros and his political philosophy

The boys drink and review “Beast of Both Worlds,” a “Bi-Coastal IPA” from Lagunitas.

George Soros has become a whipping boy for the right. The man was born a Hungarian Jew and lived through both Naziism and communism, but made his respectable pile of money in the United States. P&C start off with a brief biography, but move on to speak about his underlying philosophy and the causes he promotes.

Soros was deeply influenced by the philosophy of Karl Popper and his concept of open and closed societies. In an open society individuals are free to think and act independently with minimal government control. An open society has pluralism and tolerance, democratic governance, change and reform (because no one holds the ultimate truth), and a commitment to our own limitations (fallibilism).

If giving to political causes qualifies a person as a philanthropist, Soros is a big one. His foundation supports …

  • Democracy and human rights
  • Education
  • Criminal justice reform
  • Public health
  • LGBTQIDYSDLKSDH rights
  • Immigration and refugee support
  • Racial and social justice
  • Economic equity
  • Media freedom
  • Climate change and environmental protection

All of these flow logically from his commitment to the “open society” concept, and Soros takes a very liberal stance on all these issues.

459: Woke yard signs and what they really mean

You’ve seen the sign.

Science is real
Black Lives matter
Love is love
No human is illegal
Climate change is real
Women’s rights are human rights
Kindness is everything

What does that sign really mean? P&C break it down, line by line.

But there are other versions, like this, from a public school (if you can believe it).

The American dream is a scan
Policing originates from runaway slave patrols
Capitalism exploits
Colonialism is evil
The founding fathers were racist
American imperialism must end
America was built on genocide and slavery
This country is on stolen, indigenous land

458: The D.C. tour — thoughts on architecture and its meaning

With special guest Longinus, the boys drink and review Slightly Mighty IPA by Dogfish Head brewing, then discuss their recent jaunt down to Washington, D.C., to review the architecture on some key buildings.

Their trip took them to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, St. Matthews cathedral, the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Capitol.

Longinus was able to give Pigweed and Crowhill some insights into the history and architecture of these amazing buildings.

The boys discuss the psychological effect and message of these buildings, but the show isn’t only about architecture. They discuss issues related to the freemasons, the Catholics, and the U.S. government.

457: 5 Short Stories from Stephen King

With special guest Longinus, the boys drink and review Southern Tier’s Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale, then discuss five stories by the master of horror.

After a brief bio on King, they review …

The Jaunt — King presents a futuristic story where teleportation, or “jaunting,” allows instant travel but comes with a terrifying caveat: while the physical body arrives safely, the mind remains conscious in a timeless, endless void during the journey. When a young boy defies the rules and jaunts while awake, the horrifying consequences reveal the true nightmare of experiencing eternity alone.

The Raft — Four college students, two men and two women, take a late-year visit to a lake where they hope to swim out to the raft that’s used by the summer visitors. They run into an unexpected visitor.

Survivor Type — a disgraced surgeon stranded on a deserted island resorts to extreme measures to survive, including self-amputation and cannibalism. The story, presented through the character’s journal entries, reveals a descent into madness as he makes horrifying sacrifices in a desperate struggle for life.

Gramma — a young boy named George is left alone to care for his ailing, bedridden grandmother, whose dark and supernatural powers begin to reveal themselves in terrifying ways. As the night progresses, George’s fear escalates as he realizes his grandmother harbors a sinister secret that threatens his safety.

The Reach — elderly Stella Flanders faces her fear of crossing the frozen stretch of water separating her island home from the mainland, drawn by visions of deceased loved ones calling her to the other side. As she traverses the ice, Stella experiences a haunting journey that blends life and death, ultimately finding peace in accepting her fate.

456: Halloween and its pagan origins. Plus, what is paganism anyway?

The boys drink and review a pumpkin beer from Sam Adams, then discuss the origins of Halloween and paganism in general.

Halloween came from something called Samhain, which was a pagan feast for the end of the year. In the years before capitalism and industrial food production, this was a time of year where you desperately hope and your family won’t starve over the winter.

At Samhain, ghosts and spirits walk around on earth. The veil between this world and the world of the dead gets thin. To scare away the spirits our ancestors would dress up as scary characters. They’d also carve vegetables with scary faces.

When the Scots and other Europeans came to America they brought some of these customs with them. It wasn’t until the middle of the 20th century that we got full-blown Halloween in the United States. So we’d buy candy and costumes and such.

They then review paganism in general. Its history. What the word means? Who are the pagans? What did they believe? And so on.

Unfortunately, we don’t know much. Even the Druids and the cult of Mithra — both very influential in their time — are not well known.

455: Election Preview. Will it be Trump or Harris?

The boys drink and review Lord Maltimore, a Marzen from Key Brewing Company, then discuss the state of the election and their predictions.

Pigweed starts off ripping Kamala as a phony with no talent and little brains. Crowhill says she’s mean and vapid. She slept her way to the top and has no idea what she’s doing.

No one is voting for Harris. They’re voting against Trump.

Harris gets three groups. (1) The “not Trump” vote. (2) The “it’s time for a black woman” vote. (3) The “pull the D lever” vote. In addition, Harris has the media, Hollywood, the arts, academia, and the entrenched bureaucrats all pulling for her.

Is that enough to win?

The polls don’t look that way. Trump has a slight edge nationally and seems to be winning in enough states to become president.

P&C recount some of Trump’s failings, but believe he’s still the man for the hour.

454: Columbus Day vs. Indigenous People’s Day

The boys drink a shandy and talk about Indigenous People’s Day.

Pigweed suggests various ways to celebrate the holiday, observing some of the customs of the indigenous people.

The boys review some of the negative aspects of indigenous cultures — such as human sacrifice — and point out how silly it is to measure people in the past by modern moral standards. If we’re going to hold Columbus to modern standards, why not the indigenous people too?

Columbus had his faults, but he also brought about an incredible sequence of events that led to functional, modern societies in the western hemisphere.

Trigger warning: This is a very politically incorrect episode.

453: P&C rank popular conspiracy theories

The boys compare Crowhill’s homebrewed dopplebock against Paulaner’s Salvator, then discuss conspiracy theories.

Pigweed found a chart that characterized conspiracy theories in ascending order of craziness, from actually true, to you have left the world of sanity. Pigweed and Crowhill go through a list and rank them from true to impossible.

Some conspiracies actually happened, like the Tuskegee experiment, MK Ultra, the FBI spying on Martin Luther King, etc.

Then there’s completely nutty things. Like chemtrails. Is the white trail behind jets really condensation, or is it a chemical the government is using on us to manipulate our behavior?

The boys go through a long list of conspiracies, including …

* Did the government aim the hurricane at Trump voters?
* Was Maui a controlled burn so Oprah could buy cheap land in Hawaii?
* Did Epstein kill himself?
* Did the Titanic really sink?
* Is Joe Biden a robot?
* Are white people being replaced?

This is a fun and somewhat silly show. Enjoy.

452: Are your devices spying on you?

The boys drink and review Flannel Fest, a dunkel from Sam Adams, then wonder whether our electronic devices are spying on us.

There are levels of spying. A pixel phone is always listening to you because it has to be ready to respond when you say “Okay Google.” The question is not whether it’s listening, but whether it’s recording what you say.

A lot of people their phones are spying on them because they talk with friends about some topic, they then see ads on that topic. Is that confirmation bias in action, or is it actually happening?

The tech platforms claim they are not doing this, but there are companies that claim they are doing it, and are trying to sell that service to advertisers.

It’s not just the phones. Video doorbells are spying on us. The maps we use in our cars are spying on us. Health devices are spying on us.

The boys discuss the positives and negatives of these services.

For some other information on the same topic, try these.

Mark Hurst: “Even more devices are spying on you.”

Skeptoid: “How Your Driving Is Being Tracked”

Joseph Cox: “Here’s the Pitch Deck for ‘Active Listening’ Ad Targeting

451: Oktoberfest and Oktoberfest beers: a quick explanation

The boys discuss the origins of the Oktoberfest custom, then drink and review a couple Oktoberfest beers. They discuss and explain the differences between three different styles: Marzen, Oktoberfest, and Festbier.

In Germany, only 6 breweries are allowed to brew authentic Oktoberfest beer. The boys drink an authentic Oktoberfest beer from Hacker-Pschorr and an American Oktoberfest beer from Sam Adams.

The German Oktoberfest beers have moved more towards the “festbier” style, which is less intense and less malty than a Marzen. American Oktoberfest beers generally stick with the Marzen style.

In general, the German Oktoberfest beers are going to be a little lighter in body and alcohol than the American versions.

450: Animal Farm by George Orwell

With special guest Longinus the boys drink and review a “cold IPA” by Jailbreak Brewing, then discuss a short novella.

Crowhill starts with a brief bio of the author, then the boys review the structure and plot of Animal Farm by George Orwell.

The book was written at a time when large numbers of the so-called intellectual elites were enamoured of communism.

The novel starts on Mr. Jones’ farm. He’s not the best or kindest of farmers, and the animals decide to rebel. They take over the farm with some high ideals.

All animals are equal, and they don’t serve humans.

One of the big themes in the book is the appeal to “equality,” but that doesn’t last. (It never does.) The pigs quickly take over leadership and become “more equal than others.”

The pigs go on to break all the original commandments of the commune, but they maintain their authority.

It’s an interesting allegory for the Soviet Union and other communist states, which pretend to believe in equality, but never practice it.

449: The Communist Manifesto

The boys drink and review an IPA from Cigar City, then discuss the communist manifesto.

With special guest Longinus, Pigweed and Crowhill review the famous manifesto, starting with a brief bio of Marx and Engels.

In order to understand Marx and Engels, you have to think about the context — the industrial revolution and the horrible circumstances of workers in those days.

The boys start with giving the manifesto an honest shot. What does it say, and what does it mean?

Marx says that all of history is the story of class struggle: the oppressor vs. the oppressed. There are two groups: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. There is no bond between men but naked self interest. Capitalism is about profit at any cost.

After giving the document the fairest reading they can, the boys move into criticism.

Longinus and Pigweed have a few points they want to defend. Crowhill despises the whole thing.

The boys work through the main premises of the manifesto and tear them to shreds.

448: “Am I Racist?” by Matt Walsh

P&C drink and review an English pale ale from Guilford Brewing, then discuss Matt Walsh’s new comedy, “Am I Racist?”

The movie is a combination of a documentary and a comedy — if you consider Walsh’s incredibly dry humor funny. It’s often Office-style cringe humor. Walsh has a gift for allowing situations to get incredibly awkward and letting them play out.

Here’s the premise: Walsh goes on a journey to discover if he’s as racist as the race experts claim. In the process he gets certified as a DEI expert!

He also sneaks his way into a “Race to Dinner” event, where “DEI experts” help white women deal with their racism.

Walsh has several interviews with leading DEI “experts,” exposing the wackiness of the whole race-hustling, DEI-grifter, “anti-racist” perspective.

After talking to the DEI “experts,” he asks some ordinary folk about race. The responses are quite illuminating.

The movie is definitely worth seeing. Don’t expect too much humor, but it does a very good job at deflating the whole racist, race-hustling industry. You’ll never think of “DEI” the same way again.

447: Censorship in America and around the world

The boys drink and review one of Pigweed’s homebrews then discuss censorship (starting about 4:25).

There seems to be an increase in censorship around the world.

We seem to have lost our understanding of why free speech is important. P&C review.

– In the sciences, if people can’t bring up new ideas, you get stuck. You need a free marketplace of ideas.

– Free speech acts as a restraint on government power.

The governor of California recently signed a bill outlawing “deep fake” videos that “misinform.” Since when do we trust the government to decide what is true and false information?

In the UK, Scotland Yard is going after citizens (maybe even American citizens!) who say things the government doesn’t like.

The censorship industrial complex has evolved to the extend that they now have new words for us. Misinformation. Disinformation. Malinformation.

Some legislation wants to stop the spread of “hate.” But who defines what hate is?

What has happened to make censorship such an issue today?

– Technology allows it to spread faster.
– Government has access to new tools.

P&C review all the issues and come to some clear conclusions. Take a listen.