Podcast
Catholic Founders
Hosted by Silas Mähner · EN
Catholic Founders is where Catholic Entrepreneurs and Business Owners go to learn how to integrate their faith into every aspect of how they run their business and life as a Catholic AND as a Founder.
In modern times, it's become more unclear than ever how to unite our faith with our work. It's even harder when you run a business. However, just as there is a holy way to live, there is a holy way to build and run our businesses.
Fundamentally, our skills were given to us by God so that we may become instruments of His will. These skills are not for our own use. Therefore, to waste or misuse them is a grave thing. This entire project is born out of a deep belief in this truth.
www.catholicfounders.com
www.catholicfounders.com
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#66 The Rise of the Catholic Solopreneur | Edmund Mitchell
1w ago00:54:48Tap to summarizeListen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * Shout out to Fio for sponsoring this recording at the recently held YCP Conference 🙌🏼* We have events happening in Houston, San Francisco, Dallas, Nashville, Wausau, and Columbus. Register to attend. * Luca at Fides is hosting an awards night on May 15th in NYC. We’re a sponsor. Sign up here. * I recently went on the BeatiDudes podcast. Check it out here. * We just launched a bot to help you learn from ALL the content we’ve produced. Join the Guild today to gain access. * Want to invest in other Catholic projects/companies/ventures? Subscribe (for free) to the Faithful Steward newsletter. Join the Catholic Founders Guild TodayGet access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory.Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining.With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time.Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic: Edmund Mitchell * Core Takeaway: AI is the Great Equalizer* Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Edmund Mitchell. Creator of Digital Continent, The Faith & AI Project, Real+True, Zealous Parish MinistersWelcome back to the pod! Today, we’re sharing an episode we recorded in person at the YCP conference in Dallas a few weeks back. I was joined by Edmund Mitchell. He and I had a lot of fun, probably because in so many ways we are very similar personalities, both just loaded with ADHD, ideas, and energy. You kind of get the picture.I learned about Edmund because he recently hosted a debate between Mark Barnes and Matthew Harvey Sanders about AI on his podcast called The Faith and AI Project. Edmund is dedicated to helping Catholics turn their obsessions into intellectual property, authority, and income by applying Catholic anthropology to modern marketing. Our conversation dives straight into the biggest world-changing shift of our time—Artificial Intelligence—which Edmund argues is uniquely geared towards entrepreneurs who are intrinsically motivated. For Catholic Founders, this is an immense opportunity to escape the corporate monkey life by leaning into our unique calling and putting our personality into our work.Invest in Other Catholic-Run BusinessesSign up today (for free) for the Faithful Steward. Our free, private, deal-flow newsletter for Catholic investors to discover Catholic-run business ventures to invest in. —> CatholicDealFlow.comWe gotta help each other out! Doing our part to connect the ecosystem.(Raising? Submit your deck here)Core Lesson: AI is the Great Equalizer, and Will Enable 100x More Catholic EntrepreneurshipWith AI, the barriers to starting a business are much lower. You can get started with very little pre-existing knowledge. Turning those ideas you dreamt up, or the ones you saw on Instagram, into a real business has a minimal barrier now. On top of this, more people will need to build out some sort of side hustle. Either they will be laid off because of AI, or they will need additional income because the rising cost of living makes it impossible for them to pay for their 10 kids. The ingredients are there for some spicy soup. As Catholics, who have true knowledge of our purpose, we must seize this moment to build business. To gain influence and prestige, to create a future that puts human flourishing at the center of society. (There are many other things I could have put from this episode, but this one stands out to me the most) God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas TalentIn LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses.Often, they’re treated as second-class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss.So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon).With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward.How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days.To get started, reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for, and we’ll get started.Key Episode References:* Digital Continent (Edmundo Reyes)* Zealous Parish Ministers* Real and True (digital content based on the catechism of Catholic Church)* Scott Hahn* Tim Ferriss* Richard Feynman* Working Genius* Murray Davis* Matthew Harvey Sanders vs Mark Barnes debate podcast* Magisterium AI* A Thousand True Fans - Kevin Kelly* Lucas Wall, Catholic University of America* Leviticus 3:16* The Righteous Mind - Jonathan Haidt* Dietrich Von Hildebrand* FIO* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youngcatholicprofessionals.org/conference?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=search_conference&utm_content=ba-conference&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19616218247&gbraid=0AAAAADNMwxSBKtSBGYadL1klIDXwqMEJw&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8PDPBhCeARI...
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#65 Holy Risk Taking | Crosspost: Silas' BeatiDudes Podcast Appearance
1w ago00:57:36Tap to summarizeListen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Join the Catholic Founders Guild TodayGet access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory.Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining.With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time.Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.First time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. More About the BeatiDudes Podcast:A while back, when I met Jeff Schiefelbein in person, he said I could come on the BeatiDudes podcast the next time I was in Dallas. It finally happened. He was true to his word. The BeatiDudes podcast is a religiously funny podcast that brings people closer to Christ. I joined hosts Jeff Schiefelbein, Paul Kolker, and Nick Bezner to cover a lot of big topics at their tiny table. We covered some of my story, being from Wisconsin. How I started Catholic Founders. We talked about how to take risks as a Catholic Founder and our relationship to risk, storytelling, prudence, and humility. I asked them some questions too. Including what held them back from doing what God called them to do. Overall, it was a lot of fun. Especially so because Jeff was running on very little sleep. Less sleep = more unfiltered = more fun. Enjoy the conversation! Hire Catholic Overseas TalentIn LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses.Often, they’re treated as second-class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss.So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon).With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward.How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days.To get started, reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for, and we’ll get started.Key Episode References:* Silas Marner by George Eliot* The Five Love Languages* Wild Leaders Assessment* Young Catholic Professionals (YCP)* Myers-Briggs Type Indicator* The Virtuous Leadership Institute (Alexandre Havard)* Everybody Matters by Bob ChapmanSelect Quotes:* "I started to wonder, what if Jesus was the CEO of a company? How would that look?" — Silas Mähner* "God created your soul in this particular time of history to those particular parents in whatever circumstances. You didn't choose that, right?" — Silas Mähner* "It's not to say we can't derail ourselves, but if we just lean into the track that He's laid out for us... whether or not you achieve great things in the eyes of the world or small things, it doesn't really matter because it's what God called you to." — Silas Mähner* "My way is not the way, it's just a way. There's certain things that are true and certain morals that are right and wrong, but everything else is just like the lens by which you're looking through stuff." — Jeff Schiefelbein* "What are my unique gifts that aren't replaceable? Or at least that only a handful of people can use, right? So that if I'm using them in my kind of circle, then I'm having the greatest impact for those people."— Paul KolkerKey Moments: (outline)* [00:00] - Intro : Silas introduces the crosspost of his appearance on the BeatiDudes podcast.* [06:26] - Jesus as CEO : Silas explains the original thesis behind Catholic Founders and his interest in clean tech.* [10:20] - Man of the Woods : A look into Silas’s upbringing in rural Wisconsin as the oldest of eight kids.* [13:20] - Co-creators with God : Discussing the inherent call to entrepreneurship and co-creation.* [17:01] - Identifying the Track : Silas shares what he has learned from interviewing 60 different founders.* [21:34] - The Dinner Format : Describing the intentional networking dinners Silas hosts in Nashville.* [24:19] - The Big Question : Silas asks the Dudes what they feel uniquely called to and what holds them back.* [36:39] - Prudence vs. Risk : A discussion on the balance between business risk and trusting in God’s providence.* [42:30] - Resilience through Failure : Jeff and Paul discuss how failures create the best stories and build character.* [52:56] - Outro : Final plugs for Catholic Founders and the BeatiDudes sponsors.Join the Catholic Founders Guild TodayStop building alone! There is a community of Catholic hustlers who, like you, are looking to escape corporate monkey life, make more money to provide for their family, or who just have a very specific calling. Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory.Annual membership is only $100; it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time.Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe
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#64 Two Years of Catholic Founders: Building the Post-AI World Through Catholic Entrepreneurship
2w ago00:29:28Tap to summarizeListen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Join the Catholic Founders Guild TodayGet access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory.Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining.With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time.Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.Two Years of Catholic Founders: Reflections, Rebranding, and the Future of Co-CreationToday marks a milestone that is deeply personal to me. It is May 1st — the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.As the son of a carpenter, this day has always held a special place in my heart. But today, it carries a double significance: it is the two-year anniversary of the public launch of my recruitment business and the birth of Catholic Founders.At the start, the key goal was to understand how to be a Catholic Founder. How to imitate the way Jesus would run a company today.The beginning was rough — my AI-generated logo and the sporadic blog posts. But it’s been two years, and things are a lot more refined. Not perfect, but it’s a good time for updates.I want to cover why I started this, what we’ve accomplished so far, and where we are going (what we’re evolving into).Why We Started: The Theology of EntrepreneurshipIn 2019, I was struck by a question that I couldn’t find a substantial answer to: If Jesus were the CEO of a company today, how would He lead?We have Theology of the Body and a lot of writing on the Theology of Money, but I saw a void where a Theology of Entrepreneurship should be. I knew there was more to the hustle culture of Gary V and Tai Lopez. Jesus wouldn’t be telling you about how to make money with a Lambo in the background.My hope in starting Catholic Founders was that I’d find others who were also curious about this question. Thankfully, I did.What We’ve Achieved So FarWhat was at first sporadic blog posts and a simple WhatsApp group chat has thankfully become a lot more than that.* The Podcast: In January 2025, we launched the podcast. We are now 64 episodes deep. We’ve been blessed to have heavy hitters like Alessandro DiSanto (Hallow), Andreas Widmer (CUA), Matthew Harvey Sanders (Magesterium AI), Tim Connors (Investor), John Johnson (Patmos), and many others.* The Saintly CEO & Faithful Steward: We launched a tactical Monday newsletter and a free private deal-flow newsletter to connect Catholic investors with Catholic builders.* The Community: We now have over 800 total subscribers, 109 paid members, and have hosted ~20 meetups, coffee hangs, and dinners. And the group chat is now a thriving WhatsApp community. (Join today)The Next Chapter: The Launch Pad For Catholic EntrepreneursAs we move into our third year, I have gained immense clarity on who we are here to serve. We are going all in on helping Catholics start and grow their businesses. The launchpad, so to speak.We’ll continue to provide value and create resources that serve those early needs.The four core types of people who would be a good fit for Catholic Founders are as follows.* The Aspiring Founder: You want to start a business but have no idea where to begin. Maybe it’s a side hustle to support a growing family; we are here to help you get off the ground.* The Struggling Entrepreneur: You have a business (likely under $1M in revenue), and you’ve hit a ceiling. You need mentors and peers to help you break through bottlenecks.* Seeking Friends Founder: You’re likely hitting your stride and winning, but you don’t want to go it alone. You want a community that cares about the same things you do.* The Mentor: You’ve achieved significant success and want to turn around and lend a hand to the next generation.This IS the Missing Layer: While great organizations like Legatus or SENT Ventures exist for established leaders, there is almost nothing for the beginner. We are filling that gap.Invest in Other Catholic-Run BusinessesSign up today (for free) for the Faithful Steward. Our free, private, deal-flow newsletter for Catholic investors to discover Catholic-run business ventures to invest in. —> CatholicDealFlow.comWe gotta help each other out! Doing our part to connect the ecosystem. (Raising? Submit your deck here)Why This Matters Now: The Post-AI CivilizationWe are at a crossroads. AI disruption is changing the nature of work, and many people are going to lose their jobs. But we know that work is good for man. God told us to dominate the earth before the fall of Adam. It’s part of our divine mandate.I believe, metaphorically speaking, society is about to experience a series of gargantuan earthquakes that will level the structures we take for granted. But when the dust settles, the Church and her faithful will still be standing — visible in the distance. Gleaming like a city on a hill.When people hit rock bottom, they become open to the Truth. This is a massive opportunity for evangelization. Think of the energy St. Paul would have today — he’d be on every podcast, in every forum, bringing the truth to a world in ruins.On top of this, we have a chance to shape the new civilization. Will it be vapid and utilitarian, or will it be beautiful, founded on truth, and full of the laughter of children?The future will be built by someone. Let’s make sure that someone is a group of Catholic entrepreneurs who love God.Join the GuildIf this resonates with you, I invite you to join the Catholic Founders Guild.We’ve priced it at $100 a year (or $10 a month) because I want it to be accessible to the person just starting. While there are many perks, I wouldn’t suggest joining for that reason. It’s about surrounding yourself with like-minded Catholics striving for both saintly greatness and professional excellence.You were created to create. Don’t forget that.Join us at: catholicfounders.com/subscribe Thank you for two incredible years. Here is to many more.God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas TalentIn LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses.Often, they’re treated as second-class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss.So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon).With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward.How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days.To get started, reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for, and we’ll get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...
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#63 The $300B 'Big Wedding' Problem: Why Catholics are the Future of Tech | James Reichert
2w ago00:58:37Tap to summarizeListen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * Sign up for the Faithful Steward private newsletter. As mentioned in the episode, we are launching the Faithful Steward. A private newsletter for Catholic Investors. 👉 Sign up to get deal flow here.👉 Submit your deck to be shared with the network here.* Wausau, WI Monthly Meetup: Sign up here (Last Saturday of each month)* San Francisco Meetup: May 14th, after mass at Star of the Sea (Feast of The Ascension, Holy Day of Obligation). Sign up here. * Houston, TX, and Columbus, OH, are close to getting something on the books - reach out if interested in attending. * Sponsor Catholic Founders to get in front of Hundreds of Catholic Business owners each week. admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild TodayGet access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory.Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining.With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time.Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic: James Reichert - Cana Wedding Group* Core Takeaway: Our daily evangelization mandate* Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:James Reichert | Cana Wedding GroupIn this episode, I sit down with James Reichert, the co-founder of Cana Wedding Group, to discuss how they are taking on the “big wedding” industry. ie: Zoho, The Knot, etc. You know, the companies that have turned marriage into a commercial activity and nothing more. His take (which I agree with) is that because Marriage is a sacrament, and we as Christians are the only ones really doing it properly, we should have a company to work with that doesn’t actively hate what marriage truly is. Not to mention, we’re the only ones with families, so we’re the ones who are creating their future customers. Aside from his story and what they are building, we also get into his thoughts on how Catholics should be building businesses, and how entrepreneurship is an incredible vehicle for evangelization. You’re going to enjoy this — I’m sure of that. Invest in Other Catholic-Run BusinessesSign up today (for free) for the Faithful Steward. Our free, private, deal-flow newsletter for Catholic investors to discover Catholic-run business ventures to invest in. —> CatholicDealFlow.comWe gotta help each other out! Doing our part to connect the ecosystem. (Raising? Submit your deck here)Core Lesson: Every Catholic-run business carries a mandate for daily evangelization, whether through direct witness or the pursuit of excellence in service.For too long, we’ve separated our professional lives from our spiritual calling. It’s what the world has demanded of us. But as Catholic entrepreneurs, we know we are created to be instruments of God’s will in the world. James points out, if your target market is fellow Catholics and you can offer a tool that avoids the woke friction of secular competitors, you have a unique opportunity to strengthen the faith of your customers.True success in business should be framed through the lens of excellence rather than blind ambition. While ambition can become vicious if it overlooks holiness, excellence glorifies God by utilizing the specific talents He has entrusted to us to their fullest potential.The goal of a Catholic venture is not just to survive in a secular market. It’s to build an uncancelable ecosystem where our values are preserved, and our businesses serve as a primary vehicle for sanctification. By creating high-quality alternatives like Cana, we reclaim territory in the modern world and provide living examples of what it means to be a “Man of the Kingdom”.God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas TalentIn LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses.Often, they’re treated as second-class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss.So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon).With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward.How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days.To get started, reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for, and we’ll get started.Key Episode References:* Magisterium AI* Leaving a Legacy - Johann Kurtz* St. Moses the Black* National Catholic Register article* EWTN articleSelect Quotes:* "It's a funny one too, if you're a Catholic and you run a company, there should be a level of evangelization every single day."— James Reinchert* “Shoot for excellence, not ambition. Blind ambition, can I think eventually become a bit vicious in the sense that like if you have ambition over empathy or ambition over compassion, ambition over holiness, that’s where things can be a bit dangerous. So shoot for excellence. Ambition can be a good thing. You want to funnel and use that ambition for excellence and to glorify God in whatever way you can, but just be careful about taking it to its logical extreme.”— James Reinchert* "The parable of the talents is a really important one, especially for the modern young man who, if he wants, he can sit on his couch all day long and play Fortnite... and never live up to the potential that he's supposed to."— James Reinchert* "Catholics should be owning marriage preparation, wedding preparation, wedding planning."— James Reinchert* “If you give, the Lord will give back. And that's not the reason why you should do it, but he really does love when you take the gifts that he's given you and you put them to good work.”— James ReinchertKey Moments: (outline)* [04:27] - Introducing Cana: James describes building the first Catholic and Christian alternative to secular wedding sites.* [10:18] - The Need for Catholic Alternatives: A discussion on why certain industries like marriage require uncompromised faith-based solutions.* [14:44] - Ambition vs. Excellence: James explores the fine line between healthy drive and blind ambition, emphasizing excellence for God’s glory.* [21:02] - Parable of the Talents: The importance of using God-given skills to avoid wasting potential on earthly distractions.* [35:12] - Honesty in Business: Why truthfulness creates a “spiritual resonance” in professional relationships and fundraising.* [44:35] - Sacrifice and Startups: James shares the personal challenges of building a venture wh...
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#62 Knowing When to Shut Your Business Down and How to Approach Failure | Nhan Dinh
3w ago00:59:18Tap to summarizeListen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * Sign up for the Faithful Steward private newsletter. As mentioned in the episode, we are launching the Faithful Steward. A private newsletter for Catholic Investors. 👉 Sign up to get deal flow here.👉 Submit your deck to be shared with the network here.* Wausau, WI Monthly Meetup: Sign up here (Last Saturday of each month)* Nashville Monthly CF Meetup: Sign up here* Sponsor Catholic Founders to get in front of Hundreds of Catholic Business owners each week. admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild TodayGet access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory.Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining.With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time.Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Nhan Dinh | Seller LabsStraight up, this is the most vulnerable conversation that we’ve had on the show. Normally, we talk a lot about success and winning. But part of every entrepreneur’s journey is failure. And in some cases, shutting down your company. Nhan, has started many projects and companies. He’s also shut down many of them. And this is all fresh for Nhan. He’s in a period of transition currently, seeking his next opportunity or company to build (so reach out if you’re interested in meeting him). However, despite all of these challenges, Nhan keeps the faith as he steps forward confidently, trusting in God that he will be able to feed his 9 children. His humility is inspiring to anyone with open ears. I encourage you to open yours. Enjoy the conversation! Core Lesson: Your fear determines what you are attached to; whatever you are most afraid of losing is exactly where your heart is bound. God is seeking to free you from that attachment. As Catholic founders, we often mistake our drive for stewardship when it’s actually a desire for control or recognition. Nhan challenges us to use the discernment of St. Ignatius to look at our businesses with “holy indifference,” being equally at peace with riches or poverty, success or failure. If the thought of your business being taken away today causes a tantrum in your heart, it’s a clear sign that you’ve shifted your trust from God’s providence to your own hands.Have the mindset that “I either succeed or I learn” so that you can grow. God will teach you and bring you closer to Him through these failures. The dark moments are times of blessing because they help bring us back to God. To trust in Him. Finally, learn to embrace the “necessary endings” required to stay true to our ultimate mission. Sometimes God calls us to shut a door so that we can walk through a new one, and while that new path might not be more glamourous, but it is the path of obedience. Whether it’s a business, a relationship, or a dream that no longer serves the goal of glorifying God, we have to be willing to let it go — before we are forced to.God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas TalentIn LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses.Often, they’re treated as second-class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss.So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon).With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward.How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days.To get started, reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for, and we’ll get started.Key Episode References:* Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud* The Culture Solution by Matthew Kelly (Culture is king)* St. Ignatius of Loyola - Spiritual Exercises and Discernment* The Surrender Novena* Raising Great Saints (Nhan Dinh’s youtube channel)* Mastermind* St. Maximilian Kolbe* The Faithful Steward (Catholic Investors)Select Quotes:* “Your fear will determine what you’re attached to; so whatever you’re most afraid of losing, that’s what you’re attached to.”— Nhan Dinh* “The odds of you closing a business is very high, so you gotta be prepared to go penniless.”— Nhan Dinh* “It’s like, are you doing it because you want to glorify yourself? Are you really like in it to glorify God? Because God will test you. Like, if your heart’s not pure, He will test you. And at that point, are you going to be able, it’s still, you know, running to Him to trust.Because if you do, then your faith grows. But if you don’t, then it’s going to drive you away from God.”— Nhan Dinh* “You don’t need to worry about not working hard enough. You need to worry about whether you’re trusting in God and going in the right direction.”— Nhan Dinh* “Either I succeed or I learn.”— Nhan Dinh* “Pray as if everything depended on God and work as if everything depended on you.”— Nhan Dinh (quoting St. Ignatius of Loyola)* “The problem with the entrepreneur is not that they give up, it’s just that they give up too late.”— Nhan Dinh* “I was like, how do I discern if I should continue a business or should just go get a job? And he's(spiritual director) like, your wife will tell you when you need to go get a job.”— Nhan Dinh* “The mission of the business is king and you need to have necessary endings.”— Nhan Dinh* “On your deathbed, which one are you gonna regret not making?”— Nhan Dinh* “Desiring and choosing only what is most conducive to the end which we are created, which is to praise, to adore, and to serve God.”— Nhan DinhKey Moments: (outline)* [00:00] - Intro: Fear and Attachment : Nhan explains how our fears reveal what we are truly attached to in business.* [01:08] - Mission: Becoming Saints through Business : Silas discusses the core mission of Catholic Founders—sainthood through entrepreneurship.* [04:27] - Background: The Vietnamese Immigrant Story : Nhan shares his family’s journey from post-war Vietnam to starting life with nothing in America.* [07:33] - Family: Raising Nine Kids as an Entrepreneur : Discussing the necessity of entrepreneurship when providing for a large Catholic family.* [08:49] - Risk: The Reality of Pennilessness</str...
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#61 An 80% Reduction in Crime Rates Through Real Estate and More w/ Ian Stroud
Apr 1601:05:41Tap to summarizeListen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * Sign up for the Faithful Steward private newsletter. As mentioned in the episode, we are launching the Faithful Steward. A private newsletter for Catholic Investors. 👉 Sign up to get deal flow here. 👉 Submit your deck to be shared with the network here. * Wausau, WI Monthly Meetup: Sign up here (Last Saturday of each month)* Nashville Monthly CF Meetup: Sign up here* Sponsor Catholic Founders to get in front of Hundreds of Catholic Business owners each week. admin@catholicfounders.comTrigger WarningNote to Listeners: This episode briefly mentions rape towards the end of the show. Viewer/listener discretion advised. Join the Catholic Founders Guild TodayGet access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Ian Stroud | Verti Commercial Real EstateToday, we’re talking about real estate. Our guest is Ian Stroud, a multifamily investment sales advisor who specializes in the 20 to 250-unit range across the Midwest. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because his brother Colin was on the show way back in Episode 6 talking about credit card points. Ian brings a different flavor to the table, focusing on the mechanics of apartment complexes and how Catholics can steward their capital through real estate.We cover a lot of ground here, from the boring back-office analysis that eventually led Ian to find his true calling, to the gritty reality of the current housing crisis. My mind was blown when Ian shared a story about a real estate investor who managed to drop crime rates in a neighborhood by 80% by simply engaging with his tenants. This is a prime example of what it means to be a Catholic entrepreneur — to use our role to bring Christ’s love to those around us, and make practical improvements as well. We also get into Ian’s personal faith journey — including his family’s conversion and how Exodus 90 eventually led him to his wife. In short, this is an example of how our interior and professional lives are meant to be woven together (like what Jeff Schiefelbein told us on episode 9)Core Lesson: True stewardship in real estate requires moving beyond the ‘greedy landlord’ trope to actively engage in the flourishing of the community and the tenants.The common narrative around real estate often boils down to a supply and demand math problem, but Ian challenges us to see the human element behind the numbers. While it is true that we are facing a massive housing shortage — needing roughly 5 million units annually just to stay flat — the role of a Catholic owner isn’t just to fill a gap in the market. It’s about recognizing that the property is a tool for human flourishing. When an owner engages with tenants rather than treating them as mere entries on a rent roll, it can transform an entire neighborhood’s safety and culture.Again, it’s simple (not easy but simple). Engage with your tenants, as children of God, and you could reduce the crime rate of an entire neighborhood by ~80%. This ultimately leads to an increase in your property value. Ultimately, for the Catholic business owner, real estate is a way to diversify excess profit while participating in God’s creative work. Whether it’s through multifamily investments or simply being a virtuous landlord, the goal is to be a Faithful Steward of the physical spaces where families live and grow. It’s a reminder that doing the right thing for your tenants often aligns with the long-term value and profitability of the asset itself.God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas TalentIn LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often, they’re treated as second-class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started, reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for, and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:* The Faithful Steward Newsletter* Verti Commercial Real Estate* Cornfields and Cap Rates Newsletter* EWTN* Exodus 90* Wild at Heart by John Eldredge* Save Your Parish by Patrick Neve* Walsh University* Patrick Madrid* Jamie Baxter* Catholic Founders Episode 6: Colin Stroud* St. Francis of Asisi* James 2:14-26* Litany of HumilitySelect Quotes:* “I think we're always driven to provide. And if we're not providing, then what are we? And I think that's tough. It's a question I have no idea how to answer because I've never encountered it. I don't think I will for a while.” — Ian Stroud* “I was in my suit and tie, asleep on the living room floor. I was just exhausted. And even though I was bored, it was like it was more draining because I was bored than if I was engaged. And I think a lot of people probably feel that way about their job is when you get bored, you can just kind of implode a little bit.”— Ian Stroud* “There's a difference… where it's like you know something out there and then kind of taking it and internalizing it. And that was the point for me that I was able to kind of, to take what I knew to what my brain knew to be true and move it into my soul and kind of to bring it home.”— Ian Stroud* “But we did it as a community and living with the guys that I was doing it with was the best possible way I could have done it because every morning we're complaining about the cold showers. But it's also, we're com...
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#60 Trusting In God's Providence In Your Business Journey | Zuhair Madanat
Apr 900:58:37Tap to summarizeListen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * Wausau, WI Monthly Meetup: Sign up here (Last Saturday of each month)* (April 12th) Catholic Founders Guild Dinner in Dallas, TX. Register here (2 spots left)* Sponsor Catholic Founders to get in front of Hundreds of Catholic Business owners each week. admin@catholicfounders.comJoin the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Zuhair Madanat | Auto Glass ExpertsWelcome back to Catholic Founders. Our guest for this episode is Zuhair Madanat, the founder of Auto Glass Experts based out of Charlotte, North Carolina. He started as a middle school religion teacher and ended up as the founder of a fast-growing service business doing auto glass repair and replacement. I love Zuhair’s story because it shows how rewarding it is to fully rely on God in our business journeys. To set aside our will and plans, and to allow God’s to fill us and move us as He pleases. No, it’s not always sunshine and roses, but it’s what He desires of us. And that’s all we should ever want. You’ll learn a lot today, I’m sure. Zuhair’s got a lot of good perspective on upholding the dignity of his employees, focusing on quality, and treating himself as a servant to his team. Perhaps most critically, he also shows us how each interaction with a customer or employee is an opportunity to be God’s hands in the world — to carry out His will. Enjoy the episode! Core Lesson: True business leadership is found in the radical commitment to being a "servant of servants" by prioritizing the human dignity of every person within the organization.Adopting the role of a “servant of servants” transforms the traditional hierarchy of management into a community of mutual care. When a leader focuses on providing for the needs and growth of their employees, those employees are naturally empowered to extend that same level of care to the customers. This creates a sustainable ecosystem where the business thrives because it honors the inherent value of every individual involved in the transaction.Scaling a venture requires a profound death to self, particularly regarding the need for total control. Zuhair highlights that trusting God with the timing and the results of a business allows for a peace that surpasses market volatility or unprofitable years. By acknowledging that the founder is merely an instrument, the pressure of “owning” the outcome is replaced by the joy of stewardship, allowing the business to serve as a genuine conduit for grace.Integrating faith into a service-based industry means looking beyond the transaction to the human connection. Whether it is keeping humans on the phone instead of AI or treating a windshield repair as an act of service, the goal remains the same: glorifying God through excellence. This approach ensures that the work itself becomes a form of prayer and a means of sanctification for the founder, the team, and the community.God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:* Managing as if Faith Mattered* The Prayer of St. Philaret of Moscow* St. Joseph the Worker* St. Josemaria Escriva* St. Andrew* St. Paul the Apostle* Proverbs 16:3* Matthew 5:16* The Trisagion Prayer (Holy God, Holy Mighty One)Select Quotes:* “It’s hard to take credit, and when you just know He’s been a part of everything, it’s hard to—I know that He uses me and I’m His instrument in this world, and I’m bringing His light into the world. But yeah, it’s just it’s really humbling.”— Zuhair Madanat* “If small business owners knew that this was the way that our faith is guiding us to run their business, it would look way different.”— Zuhair Madanat* “I was like, all right, God, if this goes away, then just let it go away and just show me whatever I'm supposed to do. I'm doing this just to glorify you in the world, to provide for my family, but I could do anything. It doesn't matter.”— Zuhair Madanat* “I tell them like I’m the servant of servants. So I’m here to serve you so that you can then serve the customer. And the way that I serve you is the way that I want you to serve the customer.”— Zuhair Madanat* “The tasks that a computer or AI, whatever, can handle, we let them handle it so that we have more human-to-human interaction so that the customer service reps aren’t feeling rushed on the phone and like they have to hang up to get to something else.”— Zuhair MadanatKey Moments: (outline)* [00:00] - The Universal Human Experience: Zuhair discusses how his time teaching middle school religion taught him that human problems remain constant throughout history.* [00:39] - Intro: Silas introduces Zuhair Madanat and the mission of Catholic Founders to help entrepreneurs become saints through their work.* [04:12] - From Classroom to Auto Glass: Zuhair explains his transition from teaching to starting Auto Glass Experts and the leap of faith involved.* [12:45] - Stewardship in Business: A discussion on the mindset shift from “owner” to “steward” and how it changes daily operations.* [18:30] - Servant Leadership: Zuhair breaks down what it means to serve your employees so they can effectively serve the customers.* [25:50] - The Challenges of Scaling: Insights into the growing pains of moving from a solo operation to multiple physical locations.* [38:15] - Faith in the Workplace: How to integrate Catholic identity into a secular service industry without being performative.* [42:05] - Spiritual Disciplines: Zuhair shares his daily prayer routine, specifically the importance of the Prayer of St. Philaret.* [55:20] ...
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#59 Lessons From Running a Hotel Company Through Covid | Rob Hays
Mar 2600:58:27Tap to summarizeListen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * Wausau, WI Monthly Meetup: Sign up here (Last Saturday of each month)* (April 12th) Catholic Founders Guild Dinner in Dallas, TX. Register here (~5 spots left) * Sponsor Catholic Founders to get in front of Hundreds of Catholic Business owners each week. admin@catholicfounders.com* NOTE: There will be no podcast next week as we take time off to observe Holy Week and enter into the Triduum. (We’re still trying to get a Monday newsletter out, let’s see if we get to that)Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic - Rob, CEO of Publicly Traded Hotel Brand - Now Investor* Core Takeaway - * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Rob Hays | Investor & EntrepreneurThis episode is legendary! Why? Because Rob is legendary. If you’re not familiar with him, he took over as CEO of a publicly traded hotel brand days before COVID. Crazy! He had to furlough most of the company. And did what he could, little by little, each day to see them through that crisis (of having zero revenue). Rob has spent a lot of time thinking about how to integrate his faith into what he does. Which makes him a great guest for us. He’s got some incredibly fiery takes. In this episode, we dive into how that crucible of crisis refined his faith and why he believes professional prestige and mundane tasks are essential components of a founder’s sanctificationCore Lesson: Professional prestige is a byproduct of excellence. That excellence serves as the "bait" for apostolic influence. Which in turn, gives us more credibility to share our faith (because they see we are good at what we do). Seeking prestige often feels like an act of pride, yet Rob reframes it as a functional necessity for the personal apostolate. People naturally seek advice and leadership from those who demonstrate mastery in their craft. By striving for excellence as an input, we create the credibility required for others to take our witness seriously.This perspective shifts the focus from self-glorification to professional stewardship. When we prioritize excellence in our roles as founders, fathers, and husbands, the resulting prestige becomes a tool to wield for the sake of the Gospel and human flourishing. We must remain detached from the output of prestige while remaining fiercely committed to the inputs of excellence and prayer.(I should probably write more about this in the future)God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:* St. Josemaria Escriva Institute* New Horizons Podcast* St. Josemaria Escriva* The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist* The Matter with Things by Iain McGilchrist* OptimalWork* Kevin Majors* Uniformity with God’s Will by St. Alphonsus Liguori* Time for God by Father Jacques Philippe* Sent Ventures* Triumph of the Heart (Film)* Anthony D’Ambrosio* Dante’s Inferno* Jeff Bezos on Work-Life Harmony* Dr. Daniel Tataje - #49 He Beats PE Firm’s With Lower Bids* St. Catherine of Siena* St. Thérèse of Lisieux* St. JosephBible Passages* 1 John 4:8 - God is Love* Exodus 12:5 - The Unblemished Lamb* Matthew 16:24 - Take up your cross* Matthew 26:34 - Peter’s Denial* Luke 2:51-52 - The Hidden Life at Nazareth* Luke 3:23 - Jesus at Age 30* Matthew 6:9-13 - The Our FatherSelect Quotes:* “St. Josemaria’s thesis was that he did that to show us that the mundane and the, and both the company of the mundane, ordinary things of life, know, family, living in a little village, going to work every day, but then also work is a part of the salvific plan of God and is part of our own redemption.” — Rob Hays* “Jesus was a carpenter or blacksmith and doing mundane tasks as God of the universe. That’s completely insane. But that is the example that he gave us.” — Rob Hays* “Who cares about what someone says who is bad at what they do?” — Rob Hays* “Prestige, for lack of a better word, is effectively the ‘bait’ for the apostolate.” — Rob Hays* “If I am in fact excellent at those things, there very well likel...
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Day 9: St. Joseph Novena
Mar 1900:06:38Tap to summarizeA day late. I should probably work on my posting skills. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe
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#58 Third Gen Succession Planning Advice | Francisco Lara
Mar 1901:02:30Tap to summarizeListen on: Fio (Catholic Spotify) | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube News / Updates: * Wausau, WI Monthly Meetup: Sign up here (Last Saturday of each month)* (March 24th) We invite you to the in-person Nashville Meetup (next week) * (March 26th) Tim Busch, major Church donor, wine and hospitality mogul, is speaking at a Fides event in NYC that we are helping sponsor. Register here (only a few spots left)* (April 12th) Catholic Founders Guild Dinner in Dallas, TX. Register here.* Sponsor Catholic Founders to get in front of Hundreds of Catholic Business owners each week. admin@catholicfounders.comGet the full Ultimate Catholic Founders Resource Guide here (including more events). Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today Get access to all CF Guild online events, the recordings, paywalled content, the CF Guild community/group chat, and CF Guild member directory. Many members have reported doing business with other CF Guild members within months of joining. With an annual membership fee of $100, it’s a total no-brainer to join. Consider this an association of Catholic business owners, not a high-commitment community that will sap your time. Join today for $100 a year or $10 a month.In Today’s Issue:* Intro to the Guest and Topic* Core Takeaway * Episode References* Select Quotes* Key MomentsFirst time here? Learn more about our mission. And don’t forget to subscribe. Today’s Topic & Guest:Francisco J. Lara | Catholic University of AmericaThere are a LOT of businesses that need buyers — a lot of wealth being transferred (or not) to the next generation in the coming years. If you’re looking to buy a business, the time is now. That’s what we are discussing today. How one should do succession planning. How you’d buy a business in a way that respects human dignity. How to work well with your family as it’s passed from generation to generation. And perhaps most importantly, how to maintain the family business even if none of your generation want to run it, in its current form. Core Lesson: Succession requires a moral discernment that prioritizes the common good over lineage.We often feel this massive weight to pass our businesses down to our children, assuming that lineage is the only path to protecting the legacy we’ve spent decades building. However, true stewardship requires us to recognize that our businesses are essentially communities of persons rather than simple family assets. If the next generation lacks the specific skills or the genuine desire to lead, forcing them into that role can actually jeopardize the very community we are trying to preserve. We have to approach succession as a rigorous moral discernment where the long-term health of the company and the well-being of the employees take priority over keeping a specific last name on the ownership docs.This is where Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) becomes such a vital tool for the Catholic founder. By opening the door to a searcher, someone with the hunger and talent to lead but perhaps lacking the capital to start from scratch, you are essentially identifying a spiritual heir for your life’s work. It aligns perfectly with the principles of business stewardship we frequently discuss on the Substack and in our previous sessions. Much like our conversation with Andreas Widmer in Episode 15, we have to remember that leading a business is a vocation. Finding the right person to carry that vocation forward ensures the business continues to serve the common good and provides a stable foundation for the families who depend on it.God Bless & Happy Building!~Silas MähnerHire Catholic Overseas Talent In LatAm and the Philippines, there are millions of Catholic remote workers (across all domains) who want to work for ethical bosses. Often they’re treated as second class citizens or work for organizations that ask them to do questionable things. They reach out to us in search of a Catholic boss. So, we started ParacleteVA (website coming soon). With ParacleteVA, we’ll find you vetted, Catholic overseas talent who will help you move your business forward. How it works: Pay a $500 finders fee when the candidate starts and $500 if you’re still happy with them after 30 days. To get started reach out to catholicfounders@gmail.com with what you’re looking for and we’ll get started. Key Episode References:Bible Passages* The Parable of the Talents* The Promise of the HundredfoldSaints & Devotions* St. Joseph* Pope St. John Paul II* The Holy Eucharist* The Holy MassBooks & Documents* The Pope and the CEO by Andreas Widmer* The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship by Andreas Widmer* Rerum Novarum* Laborem Exercens* Centesimus Annus* Stanford 2024 Search Fund Study* Stanford/IESE 2022 International Search Fund StudyOrganizations & Academic Institutions* Catholic University of America (CUA)* University of Navarra* IESE Business School* Polytechnic University of Valencia* Catholic University of Valencia* Lagar Brothers* Stanford Graduate Business School* Harvard Business School* Wharton School* Fiber (Fiverr)* Castfeed* SingularuEpisode Connections* <a target="_blank" hr...
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