Mahon McCann

Robert Freese converted to Catholicism in 2020 after 20 years of practicing and eventually teaching Vipassana meditation. He and his wife Gosia are volunteers in the Faustinium, the lay order of Saint Faustina who initiated the devotion to Divine Mercy.In this conversation, Robert shares his profound journey from a secular upbringing in Texas to exploring Buddhism and eventually returning to Catholicism. He discusses the influence of his family background, the transformative power of meditation, and the importance of community in spiritual practices. Robert reflects on his experiences with Vipassana meditation, the challenges of balancing spiritual commitments with worldly responsibilities, and the ongoing quest for self-discovery and meaning in life. In this conversation, Robert Freese shares his profound journey of faith, detailing his experiences of encountering Jesus during meditation, the integration of his Buddhist practices with Catholicism, and the transformative power of suffering and grace. He reflects on the significance of communion, confession, and the importance of bringing one’s suffering to God, emphasising the deep connection between personal experiences and spiritual growth.Chapters00:00 Journey of Spiritual Exploration10:11 The Shift to Buddhism19:57 Deepening the Practice29:49 Teaching and Transformation39:57 Navigating Challenges in Spiritual Life49:51 Encountering Jesus in Meditation54:00 The Cross and Personal Suffering58:08 Navigating Faith and Personal Crisis01:01:22 The Journey to Catholicism01:07:20 Integrating Buddhism and Catholicism01:14:14 Desire, Suffering, and Spiritual Growth01:20:50 The Role of Confession and Grace Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

Martin McManus is a Lukewarm Catholic to anti-Catholic psychology postgrad to schismatic traditionalist to now a normal Catholic devoted to Our Lady and working to help others back to their home, the Catholic Church.In this conversation, Martin shares his profound journey from a lukewarm Catholic upbringing in Longford to a period of atheism influenced by modern psychology and prominent atheists. He discusses his struggles with nihilism and the eventual rediscovery of faith, sparked by the works of Jordan Peterson and his experiences in the mental health field. Martin emphasizes the importance of community and tradition in his return to Catholicism, particularly through the Legion of Mary, and advocates for sharing faith with love and understanding.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Martin’s Journey02:39 Early Catholic Upbringing and Its Impact05:34 Drifting Away from Faith and Academic Pursuits08:27 Encountering Atheism and Intellectual Influences11:12 The Shift Towards Seeking Meaning13:56 Exploring Freedom and Reality16:44 The Role of Jordan Peterson in Rediscovering Faith19:42 The Paradox of Freedom and Responsibility22:34 Finding Harmony in Faith and Reality28:04 Awakening to Faith30:20 Exploring Different Christian Denominations32:04 The Search for Truth in Catholicism35:09 Understanding the Magisterium38:29 The Role of Doctrine and Tradition40:49 Living Out the Faith in Modern Times47:15 Engaging with the Legion of Mary52:32 Encouragement for Faith Sharing Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

In this lecture, we delve into the Good! Particularly Plato’s analogy of the Sun, and the Divided Line from ‘The Republic’ to explain the un-hypothetical first principle of everything. After a quick re-cap of the Philosopher Kings, we discuss the change from politics to philosophy in the Republic book six. Plato’s analogy of the ship for the state, and why Philosophers know appearance from Reality and the three roles of the Good in Plato’s ethics, epistemology and ontology. Finally, the lecture summarises the dialectic process leading to the Form of the Good, emphasising its critical role in understanding reality and achieving a just society.Chapters:00:00 Plato’s Good and the Divided Line00:26 Philosophers as Kings02:39 The Analogy of the Ship04:13 Corruption and Education07:17 The Form of the Good09:18 The Sun and the Divided Line17:21 The Nature of Ultimate Reality19:23 Conclusion and Next Steps Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

In this fifth installment of Mahon McCann’s lecture series on Plato’s Republic, we delve into Book Five to explore one of Plato’s most influential and controversial ideas: philosopher kings. McCann, a philosophy PhD researcher and lecturer, breaks down the concepts of love of wisdom, the distinction between appearance and reality, and the significance of forms in understanding true knowledge. This episode specifically addresses why Plato argues that philosophers should be rulers and provides an in-depth analysis of the philosopher king’s characteristics and their ability to discern real justice from mere appearances.Chapters: 00:00 Philosopher Kings in Book Five of Republic00:17 Overview of Book Five01:02 The Concept of Philosopher Kings02:21 Philosophy vs. Politics02:59 The Nature of Philosophical Love05:04 Plato’s Theory of Forms13:48 Conclusion: Why Philosophers Should Be KingsWant to support the series and the production of more lectures like these?? Consider sharing or becoming a patron 👇👇 Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

Dom, creator of The Logos Project and a thought leader in theology and philosophy, delves into the intricate relationship between modernity and the Catholic Church. He discusses how modernity's rise has created a secular-religious divide and the impact of the Renaissance on individualism. The conversation emphasizes the importance of a relational ontology, advocating for a blend of theology and philosophy. Dom also reflects on Vatican II's efforts to overcome dualisms and the need for a return to tradition in addressing contemporary issues.

This video explores the 'Meaning Crisis,' a profound cultural and historical phenomenon affecting mental health and existential stability in the West. Drawing inspiration from John Vervaeke's extensive lecture series and works, we delve into the scientific revolution, materialism, and their impacts on traditional cosmologies and personal worldviews. The discussion highlights key figures like Nicholas Copernicus, Galileo, and Jordan Peterson, analysing their contributions and effects on modern thought. The video also addresses the resurgence of interest in Christianity, proposing that a reclamation of the core Christian structure could solve the ongoing crisis. The conversation touches upon the role of online media in fostering new avenues for faith and community, suggesting a pivotal moment for re-evangelising secular spaces. Talk was given at the Legion of Mary Young Adult Apologetics conference in Dublin, 2025. Disclaimer: the views expressed in the talk are the speaker's own and do not represent any of the thinkers mentioned or John Verveake's original framing of the meaning crisis. Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Meaning Crisis00:20 John Verveake and the Historical Context02:14 Scientific Revolution and Its Impact03:57 Materialism and Its Consequences05:20 The Mechanical Universe and Nihilism11:27 Reconnecting Morality and Mythology15:57 21st Century Revival and Online Influence21:46 Challenges and Opportunities for Modern Evangelism23:58 Q&A and Personal Reflections Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

In the fourth part of our lecture series on Plato's Republic, we delve into Plato's concept of the tripartite psyche and the four cardinal virtues. We explore how the three parts of the psyche—the appetite, the rational self, and Thymos—interact and often conflict with one another, causing inner turmoil. Plato's model is foundational for many subsequent theories in psychology, from Freud to modern generative and predictive processing models. Learn how Plato's notion of justice as psychological integration provides a framework for reducing inner conflict and fostering alignment among the different parts of the psyche, ultimately leading to a more harmonious and connected existence. A good deal of the content from this lecture is inspired by John Verveake's Awakening From the Meaning Crisis Part 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neDutbcedUY&ab_channel=JohnVervaeke Introduction to the series: https://youtu.be/TZ8_rQNFfLU Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Plato's Republic Lecture Series 00:56 The Appetite: Immediate Desires and Motivations 02:42 Thymos: The Social and Emotional Self 07:54 Consequences of Inner Conflict and Injustice 10:31 Conclusion: The Intrinsic and Consequential Good of Justice Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

Jordan Hall is a philosopher, futurist, and recently, a Christian. He played a significant role in the digital media landscape at MP3.com and later as the founder and CEO of DivX, a company instrumental in the online digital video revolution. After this, Hall focused on stopping the “Meta-crisis” and co-founded the Game B movement, seeking alternative societal structures to address systemic challenges. SummaryIn this conversation, Mahon McCann and Jordan Hall explore the concept of the meta-crisis, emphasising its roots in spiritual warfare and the breakdown of modernity. They discuss the implications of digital culture on virtue, identity, and community, advocating for a return to the sacred and the importance of accountability in the digital realm. The dialogue highlights the need for reconciliation among Christians and the transformative power of faith in navigating contemporary challenges.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Context of the Meta Crisis02:45 Understanding the Nature of the Meta Crisis05:46 The Role of Spirituality in Crisis08:49 Virtue vs. Virtue Signaling in the Digital Age12:05 Transitioning from Modernity to Digital Age15:01 Digital Identity and the Commons18:01 The Need for Accountability in Digital Spaces20:55 The Sacred and the Governance of Digital Identity24:09 Reconnecting with the Sacred in a Digital World27:00 The Foundation of Virtue and Relationship with God31:33 The Nature of Virtue and Conviction34:08 Grounding in Relationship with God36:44 The Challenge of Modernity and Faith39:36 Understanding Faith as Relationship43:25 Restoring Meaning and Language47:28 The Weight of Responsibility in Faith51:13 The Process of Growth and Transformation52:51 Navigating the Meta Crisis56:15 The Spiritual Challenge of Growth58:43 Listening to God and Mutual Commitment01:00:05 The Dance of Relationships and Digital Encounters01:03:00 The Challenge of Love and Presence01:05:56 Hierarchy and Leadership in Crisis01:08:55 The Universal Church and Reconciliation01:12:10 The Role of Tradition and Interpretation01:18:01 The Call to Action and Personal Mission Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

Colin Deyoung is a personality psychologist, personality neuroscientist, the creator of the Cybernetic Big Five Personality theory and professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota. Adam Safron, Ph. D., is a Cognitive Scientist and psychologist who studies the nature of preferences and motivation from mechanistic, developmental, and evolutionary perspectives. Recently, he has proposed a model of embodied agency and free will and is working on a unified mechanistic account of psychedelics. This conversation delves into the complex nature of the self, exploring its psychological, philosophical, and practical implications. The discussion begins with the distinction between the 'I' and 'me' aspects of self, as articulated by William James, and extends to the illusory nature of self as viewed in Buddhist philosophy. The speakers examine how consciousness functions as a model that shapes our understanding of reality and the self. They also discuss the importance of values in defining identity and the challenges of integrating conflicting goals. The conversation concludes with reflections on the implications of selfhood in the context of artificial intelligence and future developments.Check out the papers: https://journals-sagepub-com.dcu.idm.oclc.org/doi/full/10.1177/10888683221083777Timestamps:00:00 Exploring the Concept of Self07:07 The I and the Me: Understanding Selfhood10:40 Epistemology vs. Ontology: The Nature of Consciousness18:03 Illusions of Self and Consciousness22:45 The Role of Consciousness in Action34:28 Transformations of Self: Continuity and Change36:36 The Nature of Self and Values39:12 Core Values and Personality41:03 Understanding Self Through Values43:58 The Journey of Self-Discovery46:32 Integration and Self-Realization49:22 The Role of Goals in Self-Understanding54:05 AI, Selfhood, and Alignment Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Father Benedict McGlinchey ( ⁨@irishdominicans⁩ ) shares his journey to becoming a Dominican friar, reflecting on his upbringing in Northern Ireland, the impact of a positive Catholic experience, and the challenges posed by secularism and new atheism. He discusses the importance of intellectual rigor in faith, the revival of interest in spirituality among younger generations, and the need for creating spaces for divine encounters in modern life. The dialogue emphasizes the search for meaning and happiness in a world increasingly detached from traditional religious practices.Chapters:00:00 Journey to Faith: A Personal Background11:06 The Role of Positive Experiences in Faith13:50 Cracks in the Foundation: The Decline of Faith17:29 Political Context and Its Impact on Faith20:01 The Rise of Secularization and New Atheism20:19 Materialism vs. Spirituality: The Celtic Tiger Effect22:07 Transitioning from Law to Religious Life23:40 A Journey of Faith and Illness25:47 Reevaluating Life Choices26:43 Discovering Dominican Spirituality28:35 The Role of Preaching in Modern Faith32:15 The Shift in Cultural Perception of Faith35:05 The Revival of Faith in Contemporary Society40:20 Experiencing the Divine in Modern Life43:31 Creating Spaces for Spiritual ExperienceWant to support the Wisdom Dojo? Consider sharing this post or becoming a patron 👇 Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe