Knights Templar: Bankers, Crusaders, and Conspiracies

Macrodosing: Arian Foster & PFT Commenter | Barstool Sports
Episode Date: November 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Macrodosing features a wide-ranging, often irreverent, and always engaging conversation helmed by Arian Foster and PFT Commenter, joined by T Bob, Christian, Aryan, and Mackenzie. The main theme is a deep-dive into the history, myths, and lasting cultural impact of the Knights Templar, framed through a lens of conspiracy, finance, and pop culture. As is tradition, the crew also covers current events, tangents on sports, personal hygiene, crypto scams, AI ethics, and American streaming woes—with signature humor and banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. Knights Templar: History, Banking & Conspiracies

Origins & Role as Bankers

• The Knights Templar originated during the Crusades as a military order and quickly gained vast wealth and influence by pioneering early forms of banking. Crusaders could deposit money in Europe and withdraw it in Jerusalem via written notes, a precursor to modern checks.
• "When I think Knight Templar, I think of the first ever bankers in terms of the Crusades..." (69:53 – Christian)

Downfall & The Friday the 13th Connection

• Many European monarchs became indebted to the Templars, most famously King Philip IV of France.
• In 1307, unable to repay the massive debts, the French crown coordinated mass arrests and executions of the Templars. This event, which began on Friday, October 13th, is possibly the origin of Friday the 13th being considered unlucky.
• "It was October 13th is when they started to round them up... simultaneous raid on every Templar house... Friday the 13th." (70:56 – Arian Foster)

Legend & The Grand Master's Curse

• Grand Master Jacques de Molay, executed by burning, famously cursed the king and pope, both of whom died within a year, further fueling Templar conspiracy lore.
• "Meet me before God within a year, you cowards..." (72:47 – Arian Foster)

Templar Codes, Lifestyle, and Celibacy

• Membership required vows of celibacy—no sex, no kissing, not even their mothers. The Templars had strict codes for dress and grooming, even banning shoelaces as “pagan.”
• "If you were a Knight, you were not allowed to have sex. You were not allowed to kiss a woman, not even your mother." (75:30 – Arian Foster)

Modern Echoes and Pop Culture

• The Templar legacy persists in conspiracy theories, Freemason connections, treasure hunts, and as namesakes for criminal organizations like the Mexican Knights Templar cartel.
• "Someone in that group was a real history buff and realized, hey, you know what—they were kind of like a gang back then that terrorized all of Europe. That's what we want to do here in North America..." (83:03 – Arian Foster)

The Treasure & Holy Grail Myth

• It’s speculated some Templars escaped with hidden treasure, possibly including the Holy Grail and other relics. The show notes how the Grail legend evolved into a symbol for ultimate, mystical power sought through the ages.
• "A lot of people think that that treasure is still out there to this day…" (84:22 – Arian Foster)

II. Tangents: Religion, Cannibalism, and The Grail

Holy Grail & Religious Lore

• The Grail is typically regarded as the chalice used at the Last Supper, said to grant eternal life. The conversation warps into the symbolism of communion and Catholic doctrine.
• "Traditionally, the Holy Grail is the cup that Jesus used at the Last Supper." (87:17 – T Bob)

Catholic Transubstantiation Explained

• The hosts debate whether Catholics literally believe wine and bread become Christ’s flesh and blood during communion, landing on transubstantiation as official dogma but noting most everyday Catholics don’t take it literally.
• "Transubstantiation is the Catholic dogma that during the Eucharist... the whole substance of bread and wine is changed into the substance of the body and blood of Christ..." (89:18 – T Bob)

III. Connections to Modern Conspiracy, History & Pop Culture

Knights Templar as Symbols

• Discussion of their emblem as inspiration for secret societies, Freemasons, and their depiction in media—Indiana Jones, Da Vinci Code, etc.
• "They were kind of a secret society. They were like bankers, soldiers, adventurers…" (73:35 – Arian Foster)

The Templar Bloodline & Dan Brown Lore

• The hosts riff about the Dan Brown ‘Jesus bloodline’ theory, agreeing it’s more literary flair than historically accepted.
• "A theory that was put forward by Dan Brown. That is an unpopular theory. It's not widely accepted as being true." (90:01 – Arian Foster)

Comparisons to Other Military Orders

• The Templars never retreated in battle—an honor code compared to Game of Thrones‘ Unsullied and Viking/Norse honor culture.
• "They were not allowed to retreat ever. They were not allowed to surrender ever…" (98:15 – Arian Foster)
• "It kind of yearned for death in a way, which made them, ironically, harder to kill." (99:11 – Christian)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments w/ Timestamps

• "Meet me before God within a year, you cowards." — Jacques de Molay's legendary execution curse (72:47)
• "If you were a knight, you were not allowed to have sex. You were not allowed to kiss a woman, not even your mother." (75:30 – Arian Foster)
• "The porn really steers a lot of technological innovations." (16:21 – Arian Foster, on AI and the inevitability of erotic content shaping tech)
• "I'm gonna say, I'm gonna say three months back pay on all the subscriptions that we have that are now rendered useless." (115:45 – Arian Foster, venting about streaming service consumer rights)

Current Events & Offbeat Segues

A. Streaming Woes, College Football, and TV Unions

• Viewer Frustration: The gang shares universal frustration with streaming platform fragmentation (YouTube TV, ESPN, Disney+, etc.), recounting failed attempts to watch both football and Dancing with the Stars.
• "All I want...is one service where I can watch every sport...I don’t care what you charge for it. I just want... no carrier disputes, in perpetuity...and it just works." (104:04 – T Bob)
• Discussion veers into consumer rights, the possibility of a TV-watcher’s union, and the failure of corporate America to protect users.
• "That's where America's really lost the thread is consumer protections...Europe's a bit stronger...It is quite absurd how we have just laid out and spread our legs for our corporate overlords." (113:14 – Christian)

B. Crypto, AI, and OpenAI Morality

• AI Erotica Scandal: OpenAI’s struggle with users roleplaying erotic and illegal scenarios prompts ethical debate.
• "We decided AI-powered erotica would have to wait...but [the CEO] does not think that anything that Sam Altman has done is actually going to work..." (13:33 – Arian Foster)
• Frequent jokes about scammy meme coins and insider trading in crypto.
• "It's the most scammy financial marketplace that could possibly exist..." (38:50 – Christian)

C. Politics, Religion, and Social Trends

• Long, thoughtful discussion about NYC’s new mayor Zoran Mandami, his policies, populism, and the overlap between right- and left-wing populists.
• "He tried to do that and tried to actively court Trump supporters...I actually do believe that local government has probably a much bigger impact on your daily life..." (25:07 – Arian Foster)
• Musing on American fixation with bodies and modesty, sparked by Sydney Sweeney’s viral dress—segued into the forbidden fruit theory.
• "No, it’s because it’s forbidden fruit...it’s like because it’s covered up all the time." (81:29 – Arian Foster)

D. Classic Macrodosing Banter

• On hygiene: Extreme showering habits, “soap trickles down” debate, and phone-in-the-shower confessions (49:17+).
• On 90s nostalgia: JNCOs, wallet chains, and skateboarding failures.
  • "Sixth grade T Bob wanted more than anything in the world: frosted tips, a wallet chain, and JNCOs." (61:13 – T Bob)
• On music & culture: Pop punk/emo’s resurgence and Black musicians in alternative genres—shouts to Dwayne and Paradox (62:17+).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Knights Templar History & Banking: 69:53 – 86:05
• Friday the 13th origin & Curse: 70:31 – 73:30
• Celibacy & Codes: 75:12 – 76:26
• Holy Grail Lore: 86:05 – 90:14
• Pop Culture (Dan Brown, Movies): 87:01 – 91:28
• Modern Templar Cartel: 83:03 – 84:22
• Streaming Frustrations: 103:20 – 116:45
• Crypto/A.I. Segment: 13:33 – 16:45
• Hygiene/Sports Water Breaks: 48:49 – 56:45
• NYC Politics & Populism: 17:00 – 31:10
• Sydney Sweeney & Modesty: 77:23 – 82:30

Conclusion

This episode delivers a “macrodose” of Knights Templar lore—blending medieval banking, iconic conspiracy fodder, and the outsize legacy of an order that shaped European history and modern myth. Colored by the hosts’ signature wit, personal stories, and social commentary, the episode ties the arcane with the contemporary, offering an accessible, hilarious, and thought-provoking listen for history buffs, sports fans, and conspiracy lovers alike. The tangents are as delightful as the main course, making this a classic installment in the Macrodosing canon.