Best Brian Mattocks Podcasts (2025)

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The Rough Ashlar Series – Part II: When Our Roughness Meets the World 6:22

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13h ago6:22

6:22

At the relational level, the Rough Ashlar is revealed through feedback, friction, and the way our unfinished edges land on other people. This episode explores how to invite honest feedback without collapsing into people-pleasing, how to ask better questions that generate real insight, and how compassion grows when we remember that everyone else is …

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The Rough Ashlar Series – Part I: The Material We Begin With 6:07

3d ago6:07

6:07

At the behavioral level, the Rough Ashlar represents the unshaped material of our habits, reactions, and instinctive responses. This episode grounds the symbol in everyday experience—how imperfection appears in our behavior, how it becomes visible through interaction, and why noticing our roughness is the first step toward meaningful refinement. 🔑 …

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The Three Knocks Series – Part III: Knocking, Integration & Awakening 6:02

6d ago6:02

6:02

In the final episode of the series, we arrive at “knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Here, the focus shifts from external searching and relational asking to an internalized integration—where effort, practice, and commitment solidify into identity. We explore the irreversible nature of certain choices, the opening of heart and mind, and how the…

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The Three Knocks Series – Part II: Asking and Feedback Loops 6:15

8d ago6:15

6:15

In this second episode, we move from seeking into “ask and it shall be given you.” Here, learning becomes relational: mentors, experts, and more capable others enter the picture. We reflect on how asking creates feedback loops that reshape our questions, refine our understanding, and gradually shift us from a purely internal process into an ongoing…

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The Three Knocks Series – Part I: Seeking and the Self 5:57

10d ago5:57

5:57

This episode explores the first phrase of the biblical pattern behind the three knocks: “Seek and ye shall find.” We unpack seeking as both a discovery process and a mindset—moving from raw curiosity into an iterative refinement of what we truly need to know. Along the way, we consider how openness, opportunistic attention, and the distinction betw…

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The Master Mason Series – Part III: The Workman and the Work 6:31

13d ago6:31

6:31

At the philosophical level, the Master Mason transcends the separation between creator and creation. In this final episode, we explore the systemic view of mastery — where the craftsman and the craft are one. Here, the act of creation becomes a dialogue with the universe itself, a cooperation between consciousness and form. The Master Mason does no…

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The Master Mason Series – Part II: The Stillness of Motion 6:22

15d ago6:22

6:22

Relational mastery is not found in control, but in composure. In this episode, we explore how the Master Mason remains centered amid change — resilient, adaptive, and fluid. To move through disruption without losing equilibrium is the essence of stillness in motion. This is the posture of mastery: flow maintained not by isolation, but by inner stab…

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The Master Mason Series – Part I: The Work of Flow 6:58

17d ago6:58

6:58

At the practical level, the Master Mason represents the craftsman in motion — no longer burdened by self-consciousness, but guided by instinct and alignment. In this episode, we explore flow as the behavioral expression of mastery: when the work performs itself through you, and action becomes an effortless extension of understanding. True flow is n…

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The Fellow Craft Mason Series – Part III: The Architecture of Understanding 6:24

20d ago6:24

6:24

At the systemic level, the Fellow Craft begins to see how all learning connects. This episode explores the architecture of understanding — how knowledge, skill, and experience integrate into a coherent structure. True mastery emerges not from accumulation, but from alignment: when what you know, what you do, and who you are begin to support one ano…

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The Fellow Craft Mason Series – Part II: The Work of Connection 5:37

22d ago5:37

5:37

The Fellow Craft’s journey deepens as the craftsman begins to see the web of relationships surrounding the work. This episode explores the relational dimension — how understanding one’s place within systems of trust, collaboration, and social capital transforms effort into influence. True craftsmanship is not only about skill, but about connection …

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The Fellow Craft Mason Series – Part I: The Work of Integration 6:07

24d ago6:07

6:07

The Fellow Craft represents the craftsman at work — no longer a beginner, yet still learning through practice. In this episode, we explore the practical level of the Fellow Craft’s path: how skills, habits, and understandings begin to interlock into coherent work. Integration is the bridge between repetition and mastery, where learning becomes deli…

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The Entered Apprentice Mason Series – Part III: The Cultivation of Wonder 6:36

27d ago6:36

6:36

At the systemic level, the Entered Apprentice teaches that the true foundation of wisdom is wonder. To see as a beginner is to live in curiosity — to acknowledge that every person, at every stage of life, is still learning. This episode invites reflection on how the beginner’s mind reveals unity within diversity, and how awareness of our shared unc…

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The Entered Apprentice Mason Series – Part II: The Humility of Following 7:24

29d ago7:24

7:24

To follow well is to learn deeply. In this episode, we explore the relational dimension of the Entered Apprentice — the apprenticeship of humility, listening, and repetition. Progress in Masonry and in life begins when we release the need for mastery and learn to serve the work itself. This is where obedience becomes understanding. 🔑 Key Takeaways …

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Digital Marketing Convo with Luke Eccles 28:49

30d ago28:49

28:49

Dive into the dynamic world of digital marketing with the self-taught maestro Luke Eccles on this episode of "Hard To Market Podcast". From the roots of social media marketing to the blossoming tree of AI integration, Luke shares insights on authentic content, niche marketing, and the beauty of learning through failure. Here are a few topics we’ll …

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The Entered Apprentice Mason Series – Part I: The Work of Beginning 7:17

1M ago7:17

7:17

Every Masonic journey begins with openness — the willingness to learn, to labor, and to make first attempts. In this episode, we explore the behavioral dimension of the Entered Apprentice: the mindset of curiosity and the courage to start imperfectly. True initiation is not marked by ceremony alone, but by the decision to engage with life as a lear…

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Dark Rhetoric Series – The Game of Definitions: When Meaning Becomes a Maze 7:16

1M ago7:16

7:16

When reason fails to persuade, some retreat into semantics. This episode explores the game of definitions — a rhetorical tactic that twists clarity into confusion. By constantly redefining words, manipulators trap conversations in endless loops, transforming truth-seeking into a contest of control. 🔑 Key Takeaways The game of definitions transforms…

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Dark Rhetoric Series – Baiting: How Provocation Becomes Power 7:04

1M ago7:04

7:04

Baiting is the dark art of pulling others off balance. In this episode, we unpack how manipulators provoke emotional reactions to seize control of the narrative. What begins as a seemingly innocent jab or challenge often becomes a battle for composure — a test of who can stay centered while the other weaponizes volatility. 🔑 Key Takeaways Baiting p…

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Dark Rhetoric Series – Ad Hominem: How Ego Replaces Evidence 7:03

1M ago7:03

7:03

When logic fails, ego often steps in. In this episode, we explore the ad hominem attack — the rhetorical sleight of hand that targets a person instead of their ideas. By shifting focus from argument to identity, manipulators trade truth for dominance, and discourse for dismissal. Recognizing this move is the first defense against its power. 🔑 Key T…

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Dark Rhetoric Series – Gatekeeping: How Power Hides Behind Standards 6:30

1M ago6:30

6:30

At its surface, gatekeeping appears to be about quality, tradition, or protecting standards — but beneath it lies a hunger for control. In this episode, we explore how gatekeeping functions as a subtle form of exclusion, transforming shared ideals into barriers. When standards become instruments of ego, the pursuit of excellence turns into the defe…

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Dark Rhetoric Series – Tone Policing: How Control Masquerades as Civility 7:24

1M ago7:24

7:24

When emotion enters a conversation, truth often follows close behind — but so does discomfort. In this episode, we examine tone policing, a manipulative tactic that silences authenticity under the guise of calm. By exploring how this rhetorical maneuver transforms vulnerability into disqualification, we uncover what genuine civility truly demands o…

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Dark Rhetoric Series – Weaponized Ignorance: When Not Knowing Becomes a Shield 9:13

2M ago9:13

9:13

Ignorance can appear humble—an admission of “not knowing.” But when used strategically, it becomes a shield and a weapon: a way to flatten discourse, deflect accountability, or silence expertise. In this episode, we examine the mechanics of weaponized ignorance—how it masquerades as curiosity while concealing hostility—and what it takes to meet it …

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Liberation Begets Liberation 7:02

2M ago7:02

7:02

When you’ve untangled your own loops, you start to see the loops in others. Real help begins when projection ends—when you can observe behavior cleanly, without the need to rationalize, explain, or fix. In this episode, we explore how self-liberation becomes the groundwork for liberating others. The clearer you see, the more naturally you can act i…

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Everyone You Know Starts Out as an Imaginary Friend 7:03

2M ago7:03

7:03

Before we ever meet someone as they truly are, we meet the version of them in our minds—the story we create based on fragments, memory, and meaning. In this episode, we explore how relationships begin in imagination, shaped by projection, perception, and expectation. Freemasonry challenges us to see others—and ourselves—more clearly by learning to …

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We do live in a simulation - The real question is who's? 7:17

2M ago7:17

7:17

By Brian Mattocks

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Choosing Real Community Over Algorithms 8:45

2M ago8:45

8:45

Algorithms can provide us with endless streams of curated content, but they cannot replace authentic community. In this episode, we reflect on the difference between being passively fed online and actively engaging with real people—whether in Lodge, in gatherings, or even in authentic online spaces where relationships are mutual. Freemasonry calls …

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The Square and the Lens: Depths of Focus in the Craft 7:21

2M ago7:21

7:21

Focus is often misunderstood as an on-or-off switch—something you either have or don’t. In this episode, we reframe focus as a spectrum of depth: near, mid, and distant, across both time and space. Freemasonry teaches us to bring the Square to our focus, aligning our attention not just on what is immediate, but on what lies ahead, ensuring our work…

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Tracing the Path to This Moment 6:33

2M ago6:33

6:33

Every present moment is the result of countless causes: generations of ancestors, chance encounters, technological progress, and the choices we and others have made. In this episode, we pause to reflect on the extraordinary convergence that brings us here, now. The Craft reminds us that the present moment is sacred—an opportunity shaped by history …

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Beyond Silence: What Freemasonry Teaches About Risk and Openness 8:06

2M ago8:06

8:06

Silence can be powerful—but beyond silence lies the deeper work of vulnerability. In this episode, we examine what vulnerability really means, why it feels risky, and how openness allows us to grow in relationship with others. Freemasonry challenges us not only to be quiet in reflection but to risk exposure in ways that create genuine connection an…

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The Lodge in Stillness: Silence as a Tool for Growth 7:51

2M ago7:51

7:51

Silence is more than the absence of noise—it is a discipline, a tool, and a posture of openness. In this episode, we explore how cultivating silence creates space for reflection, helps us solve problems, and resists the distractions of modern life. Just as the Lodge is prepared for sacred work, so too must we prepare ourselves with the stillness ne…

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The Lodge and the Open Space: Making Room for Growth 7:49

2M ago7:49

7:49

Patterns and rituals give us structure—but they can also crowd out possibility. In this episode, we explore the Masonic lesson of creating space: setting aside time, habits, and expectations so new opportunities can arise. Just as the Lodge is a sacred space made ready for work, so too must we make space in our lives to welcome growth and transform…

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From Stone to Ashlar: Softening the Hardened Heart 7:12

2M ago7:12

7:12

In tumultuous times, it is easy to harden ourselves against pain and call it strength. But endurance without openness risks becoming pride in suffering for its own sake. In this episode, we explore how the Craft reframes suffering not as identity, but as catalyst—inviting us to soften the heart of stone and move toward refinement, compassion, and t…

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The Pillar of Faith: Testing What We Truly Trust 7:10

2M ago7:10

7:10

Faith is more than religion—it is the unseen ground upon which we build our lives. In this episode, we explore faith as the foundation for identity, belief, and behavior. Freemasonry challenges us to examine what we actually place our trust in, and whether those foundations are strong enough to carry us through adversity, growth, and change. 🔑 Key …

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The Apron and the Ego: Rewriting the Story of Who We Are 7:46

2M ago7:46

7:46

Identity is less fixed than we imagine—it is the story we tell ourselves about who we are and who we want to be. In this episode, we explore the relationship between identity, ego, belief, and faith, and how Freemasonry challenges us to refine that story. Just as the apron marks a Mason’s work, so too does our self-story evolve as we discard what n…

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Cognitive Dissonance and the Work of the Craft 7:07

3M ago7:07

7:07

When our beliefs, identity, and behaviors don’t align, we face the uncomfortable tension of cognitive dissonance. In this episode, we examine how Masons often rewrite their identity narratives to justify behavior rather than making real change. The Craft calls us instead to reconciliation: to square our actions, refine our beliefs, and align our id…

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The Point Within the Circle: Reconciling Expressed Identity and Lived Belief 7:40

3M ago7:40

7:40

Identity is the story we tell ourselves and others. Belief is revealed by how we act. In this episode, we explore the tension between expressed identity and lived belief, and how Masonry challenges us to move beyond social labels toward a truer alignment. The conversation invites us to reflect on where our behaviors speak louder than our self-conce…

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Staying Unfinished - Holding Tension Between Work and Result 6:17

3M ago6:17

6:17

Advice often seems contradictory: focus on the work, but don’t ignore the results. This episode explores the paradox between process and outcome, using the Masonic lens of building a temple never truly complete. Through reflection and analogy, we consider how to balance patience with accountability—trusting the process without surrendering our resp…

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The Tyler’s Sword: Fear as Guardian of the Threshold 6:42

3M ago6:42

6:42

Fear is often painted as an enemy, but in truth it serves as one of our most vigilant protectors. In this episode, we explore fear as the Tyler’s Sword—standing guard at the threshold, sharpening our awareness, and signaling danger when it matters most. The challenge is learning when to let fear guide our vigilance and when to step past it into gro…

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Emotional Geometry: Giving Desire Its Shape 8:25

3M ago8:25

8:25

Desire is not inherently hedonistic or destructive—it is a force, like a line waiting for form. In this episode, we reframe desire as emotional geometry: a function that becomes meaningful only when given direction, boundaries, and proportion. By understanding the shape of our longings, we can refine raw appetite into purposeful action. 🔑 Key Takea…

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Emotional Logic: Understanding the Causes of How We Feel 7:19

3M ago7:19

7:19

Emotions feel immediate and uncontrollable—but Freemasonry reminds us that our long-term responses are shaped by our own discernment. This episode explores the logic behind our emotions, showing how circumstances may spark a reaction but our interpretations sustain it. By understanding emotional responsibility, we discover the power to refine our r…

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Depression, Endurance, and Growth: How to Know Which Is Which 8:08

3M ago8:08

8:08

Adversity is inevitable—but how we respond determines whether it becomes a weight, a test, or a path forward. In this episode, we distinguish between depression, endurance, and growth: three very different experiences that can look the same on the surface. The conversation challenges us to discern when we are stuck, when we are holding steady, and …

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The Rough Ashlar and the Burden: Making Sense of Challenge and Suffering 5:40

3M ago5:40

5:40

Life presents us with both chosen challenges and unchosen suffering. In this episode, we explore how Freemasonry helps us discern between the two, and how both play a role in shaping us into more refined stones. The conversation asks: what does it mean to grow through adversity, and how do we bear the burdens that are not of our choosing? 🔑 Key Tak…

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The Hoodwink and the Unknown: Learning to Trust Yourself 6:03

3M ago6:03

6:03

Self-trust is one of the most difficult—and most necessary—skills to develop. In this episode, we explore how risk-taking becomes the pathway to growth, why the unknown is a powerful tool, and how Freemasonry’s symbols remind us that trust is not blind, but cultivated through experience. Thank you Bro. Brenden P.M. Fritz Lodge #308 in Conshohocken …

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Beyond the Cornerstone: Why Leaders Must Build More Than One Pillar 7:30

3M ago7:30

7:30

Strong teams—and strong lodges—cannot rest on the shoulders of one or two exceptional members. In this episode, we explore the hidden risks of over-relying on “get it done” people, and how leaders can intentionally cultivate broader competence across their membership. The conversation challenges leaders to think beyond efficiency and toward sustain…

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Beyond Titles: What the Craft Teaches About Leading Well 8:32

3M ago8:32

8:32

Leadership in the Craft is more than a seat in the East—it’s a practice grounded in clarity, decisiveness, and service. This episode explores how to identify and resolve organizational friction, the importance of early wins, and the deeper responsibilities that come with guiding others in a Masonic context. 🔑 Key Takeaways True leadership starts wi…

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The Cycle of the Lodge: From Apprentice Eyes to Master’s Hands 7:31

3M ago7:31

7:31

Every Mason walks both paths: learning under guidance and leading with wisdom. This episode explores the cyclical nature of leadership and followership in the Craft—how the two inform each other, and how both are essential for the vitality of the Lodge. We look at the mentorship that shapes new Masons and the humility that sustains experienced lead…

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Beyond the Veil: What Freemasonry Demands Beyond Esotericism 6:19

3M ago6:19

6:19

Esotericism promises hidden power—but Masonry’s real strength comes from truths that have always been present. In this episode, we strip away the romantic fog of secrecy to uncover what remains when the illusion of “hidden knowledge” is gone. The conversation challenges listeners to anchor their work in what is real, enduring, and already within re…

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From the Cave to the Lodge: Escaping the Shadows of Superstition 8:55

4M ago8:55

8:55

From childhood superstitions to unexamined beliefs in adulthood, our development follows a one-way path. Drawing on the Platonic allegory of the cave, this episode explores how we move from the shadows of illusion toward the light of agency — and why, once we’ve stepped into that light, we can’t truly return to the darkness. Through a Masonic lens,…

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The Pavement We Stand On: History as Context, Not Completion 7:45

4M ago7:45

7:45

Freemasonry treasures its history, but history alone is not the work. In this episode, we explore how fascination with the craft’s past—its legends, figures, and origins—can sometimes obscure the immediate labor of self-improvement. Using the Pavement as our guiding symbol, we reflect on how historical study provides the ground beneath our feet but…

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Dialogue with the Disowned: The Second Person as Masonic Practice 7:36

4M ago7:36

7:36

Some voices within us remain silent—not because they have nothing to say, but because we’ve decided not to listen. In this episode, we explore the act of speaking from the perspectives we disown: parts of ourselves, others we reject, or emotions we avoid. By adopting the second person in writing and speech, we create space for these exiled parts to…

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Perspective Is a Ritual: How We Learn to See From Other Angles 7:06

4M ago7:06

7:06

Freemasonry teaches us to square our actions—but what lens are we using to observe them? In this episode, we explore how shifting between first, second, and third person perspectives reveals more than just situational awareness—it unlocks the rituals of self-observation, empathy, and clarity. Through everyday examples and symbolic reflection, we co…