Why the podcast?
Well to be quite honest, for myself, the podcast was, in the beginning, born out of a desire to vent about the politics that I was seeing take place in my Mother Lodge. It was born out of something that was, in and of itself, not the most noble of aspirations. But after the first two or three shows, it quickly became something entirely different. The first shows had a soothing and cathartic effect on me. I soon was able to release the vitriol I had stored up and with the company of the GOOD Brothers, I found something quite different than that which I expected. I found, or rediscovered perhaps, fellowship, friends and Brotherly love. I found a way to continue to explore this wondrous thing called Freemasonry. My work schedule does not allow me to make meetings nearly as often as I would like. I’m lucky if I get to make it to the business meeting, let alone a degree meeting, as they tend to start earlier. The podcast is a way for me to remain an active Mason, though I might not get to an actual meeting, or be performing ritual work, I am doing something of a Masonic nature and doing it with my Brothers. It is a good excuse to get together with the boys and hang out. Break bread, enjoy an adult beverage, talk Masonry and laugh. By my Brothers I don’t just mean Mitch, Jason and Steve. I have come into contact with some damn fine men and Masons. Without the podcast I may have never had the pleasure of knowing these guys. Men like W.B. Jeff Dyer, Bro. Chris Chrizanowski, not to mention all the guys out to Walled Lake Lodge over in MI. (Hi Alan!) None of these men have I met in person, I might not even know them if they walked up to me on the street, they’re my Brothers none the less, and damn fine men, to boot. None of them would I have come into contact with, without the podcast. It also is a very gratifying feeling when we get messages from Brothers that are inspired to go back to Lodge after listening to the show. The running theme in these messages is that they had forgotten how fun it was, and what a good feeling it was to hang with Brothers, smoke, and tell jokes. In short The Setting Maul has gone from something for me, to something for you guys. Well, no that isn’t exactly true either. It is for all of us. (I know, I know, gag.) Ok, enough mushy stuff.
I am very excited for the changes that may be happening in the near future. I think it will be good for the show, if we go forward with these things, I believe it will force us to raise the bar and give you boys something more, a bonus shall we say. Moreover I think it will open opportunities for us, all of us, to do MORE GOOD with the podcast. I know, not everyone will be onboard for the (possibly) coming changes, but I hope the majority of you guys stick around. I think you will be pleased, and that it will be worth it.
In closing, I just want to express my gratitude for the support that we have received from Brothers not just here in Utah, but from those all around the globe. It is truly humbling. Thank you, thank you, a million times thank you. You guys have done so very much for me, and have taught me a true Masonic lesson, that of Brotherly love. I also would like to address something real quick, if you don’t mind… good I’m going to anyway. You may have noticed that throughout this missive, I have capitalized the word Brother throughout. The reason for this is not bad grammar, necessarily, but rather I make it a point to emphasize the word. If you go and look at my older posts and writings I have done it there too. This is because you guys are my family. I really mean that.
I love you Brothers, Remember to love one another, laugh more, and avoid the Salmon at the banquet.
Your Brother,
Bob Owens
Master Mason
PS don’t forget you can find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1018255398#!/pages/The-Setting-Maul/31468984692?ref=ts
or you can email me at jubelum@thesettingmaul.com
