Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/B50C1AlD3ao

What if the things that slow you down… are the very things God wants to use to form you?

In this slow, soulful conversation, Jerrad sits down with Jake Weidmann—a master penman (yes, that’s a real thing) and artist whose life and work are marked by discipline, creativity, and deep intentionality. From carving sacred art to raising four kids, Jake shares how slowing down has reshaped not just his craft—but his soul.

They talk about the connection between beauty and time, why being creative has nothing to do with being “artsy,” and how discipline and delight can co-exist in the life of a godly man. Jake opens up about the doubts that haunted his early career, what it means to “exult in monotony,” and the emotional moment he hoisted an Amish barn beam onto his shoulder—realizing he was quite literally taking up his cross.

This episode is a breath of fresh air in a world that worships speed.

What You’ll Learn:

Why slowing down might be the most spiritual thing you do today
How discipline, doubt, and beauty all shape a man’s soul
The lost art of doing one thing well over a long time
What it means to create as a reflection of the Creator
How parenting and craftsmanship have more in common than you think
Why creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s for every man made in God’s image
The surprising story behind Jake’s “Old Rugged Cross” artwork

Mentioned in This Episode:

Jake’s book and artwork: https://jakeweidmann.com
G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy
The story of the “pen wizard” and the golden age of handwriting
Benedictine wisdom: To work is to pray
Jerrad’s mantra: “Decades over days”

🔗 Resources:
Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB
Watch the episode on YouTube and subscribe!

Episode Five

Alternate Shots with Richard Haass and John Ellis

Intro

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