In this episode, the dogs discuss different experiences of time (8:15). Rob shares his recent trip to Nebraska for FOCUS training (3:18), Connor gives a brief lecture on metaphysics (14:50), and Michael Metz thinks the Sacred Heart of Jesus is "really cool" (35:10). Quotes:“There’s a particular grace of old friendships that’s deep magic of the human experience." (Rob, 12:45)“Heaven is entering into eternity.” (Connor, 14:40)“We are perfectly open vessels to God’s infinite love and being as he pours himself out into us.” (Connor, 18:50)“God really is always working.” (Michael Metz, 27:16)“We have access to eternity as the image of God, but we are also radically conditioned by our bodies, which change and grow and die.” (Connor, 33:00)“Things pass away, but nothing is really lost.” (Connor, 33:20)“The infinite love of God pours itself into a human heart and yet it contains the totality of God’s love.” (Michael Metz, 36:00)“It gives me peace to live in the reality that things that are not fully reconcilced in my life are okay, because God is there.” (Michael Metz, 40:18)Shout-Outs:Drew and Emily HinesFr. Ben HoldrenMitch and Sarah MinarickAnne Marie BrummerWalterMedia Mentions:EzekielPaul J. Griffiths' Decreation: The Last Things of All CreaturesSheldon Vanauken's A Severe MercySt. Augustine's ConfessionsC.S. Lewis' Mere ChristianityThe Matrix (1999)Tig Notaro ("Can you believe it?")References: St. Cecilia of RomeFr. Gus BelauskasBishop Robert BarronFr. Bob SchoensteneLincoln, NebraskaFOCUSSouthern Illinois UniversityFort BraggChampaign, Illinoismetronomic time vs. systolic timechronos vs. kairosSt. Thomas Aquinas (God is pure act; ipsum esse subsistens)World War IIHans Urs von BalthasarJohn MulaneyThe Sacred Heart of JesusSerenity PrayerFollow us on instagram @threedogsnorthContact us at [email protected]

In this episode, the dogs celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi (2:20) by sharing their love for the Eucharist (11:50), the privilege of being a priest (12:55), and the joy of sharing the deposit of faith with God's people (20:35).  Quotes:“All I need to do is show up and Jesus is going to be there (about the Mass).” (Michael Metz, 3:30)“When all else fails, the Eucharist is our home.” (Connor, 6:40)"That’s the deposit of faith- all we have to do is not inhibit the flow of God’s grace. There’s an unbelievable richness to it and yet it’s so simple.” (Michael Metz, 20:30)“Jesus gives people hope and life.” (Michael Metz, 21:00)“Hold onto the Eucharist, hold onto Jesus.” (Michael Metz, 21:40)“The paschal mystery will unfold in ways you could never expect.” (Rob quoting another priest, 32:47)“Abiding conversion comes from being with Jesus (in Eucharistic adoration).” (Rob, 34:55)"Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I love you!" (Connor quoting St. Augustine's Confessions, 35:55)“Jesus truly is the axis around which all of reality spins.” (Michael Metz, 40:30)“There is nothing in the human experience that is outside of the reality of God’s love for us.” (Michael Metz, 41:40)Shout-outs:Bobby and Katie Fredericksen (from The Catholic Couple)Media Mentions:Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky BobbyErasmo Leiva-Merikakis' Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word (Volume IV)John 10:10The Simpsons "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Guest Star" (season 16 episode 21)References: The Feast of Corpus ChristiArchbishop J. Peter SartainCardinal Francis GeorgeSeattle, WANational Eucharistic PreachersNational Eucharistic RevivalAbnerBoazMissionaries of CharityYemenFr. Jim RaffertyPope Leo XIII exorcism prayerJustin MartyrSt. Boniface (English born "Apostle to the Germans")St. Charles Lwanga (Uganda)Apollo (Greek god)St. Katherine of SiennaMelchizedekAbrahamMosesSt. John Paul II Newman Center at UICBlue Island, ILSt. JeromeFOCUSLifeTeenBlessed Chiara BadanoRomeHaitiGlossary: autobasileia: the kingdom in personFact check: Did JPII proclaim more saints than all predecessors?Follow us on instagram @threedogsnorthContact us at [email protected]

In this episode, the dogs talk about the importance of fruitful relationships in the context of space travel (8:55), post-apocalyptic horror movies (31:40), and everyday life (35:40). Quotes:“My priesthood, to be meaningful, must have a horizon beyond my life.” (Connor, 28:25)"We're supposed to exist for other people." (Michael Metz, 38:00)“In our human existence, we will always be in that tension, to truly totally forget ourselves. And yet, that is God; he is perfect, he does not need anything, he enjoys himself, but he also utterly shares himself at no cost.” (Connor, 40:05)"We are made for relationship." (Connor, 41:00)“The drive for communion results in you needing to make a sacrifice.” (Connor, 41:20)Media Mentions:Passengers (2016)Interstellar (2014)Megan Ulrich's Hell, Bring the Kids TooMegan Ulrich's Return Unto MeThomas Jefferson's The Life and Morals of Jesus of NazarethA Quiet Place (2018)The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005, 2008, 2012)References: Eucharistic PreachersKalamazoo, MichiganMichael ScottMen's WarehouseChris PrattNetflixJennifer LawrenceMETAAdam and EveNoah's ArkEmily BluntFOCUSJohn Krasinski Rome, GAJordan B. Peterson (on self-consciousness and anxiety)  St. JosephShout-Outs:Fr. Thomas ByrneFollow us on instagram @threedogsnorthContact us at [email protected]

In this episode, the dogs talk about being attentive to the "right things" (9:10). Michael Metz offers a tutorial on the art of pranking (23:45), and Connor shares how naming what is true helps him find peace in frustrating circumstances (35:30). Quotes:"You gotta know when to win." (Rob quoting Doug Johnson, 3:55)"I'm at that stage in my life where I keep myself out of unnecessary arguments, so, even if you tell me 1+1=5, you're absolutely correct, enjoy." (Connor quoting Keanu Reeves, 4:45)"What do I attend to and why?" (Michael Metz, 11:00)“His (Justin's) high philosophy was answered by the simplicity of the humanity of Christ.” (Michael Metz, 26:35)“We need to live in the truth; our consciences demand it.” (Connor, 27:10)“There’s something in us that wants to live the lie that we can be something else.” (Connor, 27:55)“The will of God is the current circumstances you find yourself in; living holiness is accepting that.” (Connor summarizing Ciszeck, 28:05)“It is good that I am here and God is here sustaining me and strengthening me to do his will, whatever it may be.” (Connor, 29:20)"I really enjoy golf course confrontation." (Rob quoting Michael Metz, 37:30)Media Mentions:Three Dogs North S11 E76- Soft boysMiguel de Cervantes' Don QuixoteWarGames (1983)- "The only winning move is not to play."Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)The Matrix (1999)Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual ExercisesArthur C. Brooks' From Strength to StrengthFr. Walter Ciszek's He Leadeth MeReferences: METAFacebookAkedoChatGPTYouTubeMatthew BroderickNeoThe Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF)Trinity Sunday 2026MemphisJustin Martyr (Justin the Philosopher)Junius RusticusThe Battle of the BulgeChicagoWordpressJiu-JitsuBruce LeeShout-Outs:WalterDoug JohnsonGlossary:Murder- group of crowsAboriginal Vicar of Christ- voice of God speaking directly inside usImpassible- incapable of suffering painImmutable- unchangingPantsing- pull down someone's pants (prank)Tabletopping- when someone is tripped backward by a person crouching behind them (prank)Follow us on instagram @threedogsnorthContact us at [email protected]

In this episode, the dogs discuss Pope Leo's encyclical (1:00) and the inherent sacredness of the human face and voice (7:05). Michael Metz recounts his ongoing battle with META (13:55), Connor reflects on how Jesus' humanity was formed through his relationship with his mother (19:28), and Rob gives a brief lesson on soteriology (30:00). Quotes:“It’s inherently relational (our face and voice), they express us most authentically but they are also invisible to us except in relationship to someone else looking at us and listening to us.” (Connor, 7:55)"We are all born into the world looking for someone looking for us." (Connor quoting Curt Thompson, 18:15). “Jesus’ humanity was formed by Mary not just biologically but psychologically.” (Connor, 19:30)"To be human is relational.” (Connor, 20:05)Media Mentions:Ezekiel 36:26 "I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh"Pope Leo XIV's Magnifica HumanitasPope Leo XIII's Rerum NovarumJohn Paul II Gift and MysteryC.S. Lewis' That Hideous StrengthMumford & Sons' The CaveJoseph Ratzinger's Jesus of NazarethThe ChosenArmageddon (1998)Men in Black (1997)C.S. Lewis' Till We Have FacesThe Dark Knight (2008)J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring ("Not all who wander are lost.")References: The Postal ServiceDeath Cab for CutieBen GiffordJimmy TamborelloNetflixFacebookMETADante AlighieriTronick's Still Face ExperimentMarySt. Thérèse of LisieuxGlossary:Soteriology: "What is not assumed cannot be saved"PalagianismFollow us on instagram @threedogsnorthContact us at [email protected]

In this episode, the dogs discuss the power of good stories (15:40) and how they can help us make sense of our own lives (36:00). Mike reflects on what can be both consoling and frustrating about belonging to large institutions (18:30).Quotes:"Culture is what is celebrated, tolerated, and presumed." (Connor quoting Dr. Henry Cloud, 28:00)"It's way easier to destroy things than build them." (Connor, 32:30)"The power of narrative helps me see how deeply meaningful this life is." (Rob, 36:10)Media Mentions:Shadow Force (2025)AvengersWilla Cather's Death Comes for the ArchbishopJ.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingMaster and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)References: Toulouse, FranceChicago, IL2012 SEC Championship GameT.J. YeldonTrent RichardsonDerrick HenryAlec OgletreeGeorgia BulldogsAlabama Crimson TideThe Big TenWhite ClawBishop Robert BarronBishop Louis William Valnetine DuBourg (1766- 1833)Louisiana PurchaseBishop John Carroll (1735- 1815)Boston, MAPhiladelphia, PANew York, NYBardstown, KentuckyNapoleonSt. Louis, MOSir Ernest ShackletonSt. John Neumann (1811- 1860)St. DominicSt. FrancisTom CruiseThe Dominican OrderSociety of Jesus (Jesuits)St. John Paul II Newman CenterMichelle DuppongFOCUSBlessed Chiara BadanoNASAThe Apollo ProgramShout-Outs:Pat MetzRebecca BerryBenBrother FranciscoEmilie Ann Poletti Kevin MetzFollow us on instagram @threedogsnorthContact us at [email protected]

In this episode, the dogs record their final in-person cast from Maryville (00:08). The guys reflect with gratitude on the trip (3:50) and discuss how joyful it is when different parts of your life intersect (8:10). They also share their experience visiting some of Rob's parishioners (31:40) and discuss "the power of comedic melancholy" (47:30). The episode concludes with their highs, lows, and God moments from the overall trip (48:40).  Emilie Ann Poletti passed away on May 23, 2026. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for those who mourn her passing. Quotes:"It grows gratitude in me when people from difference chapters of my life can meet each other.” (Rob, 4:30)“You get this unique part of a person when you are around people that know them from a different lense.” (Rob, 5:05)“They’re part of your life, so we want to know them.” (Rob quoting Emily Hennish, 7:10)"It’s kind of a way to build up the kingdom of God and see the embers get together and create fire, it’s really beautiful.” (Michael Metz, 8:35)“If you have this lady praying for you, you’ve got your butt dipped in butter.” (Connor quoting other priests, 10:40)"I should find friendship upon the way, secret and unlooked for." (Elrond in The Fellowship of the Ring, 15:50)“Christ can call us to the hard good over the easy lie." (Michael Metz, 18:00)“As Christians, it’s so important for us to pursue joy.” (Michael Metz, 19:10)“The crosses that come in life are also unlooked for.” (Connor, 22:40)“Heaven is just wherever Jesus is.” (Connor quoting Rob, 22:50)“I can just be a gift. I don’t have to do anything to make that happen.” (Connor, 31:50)"The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I've ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was just the pleasure of feeling the stuff peel off." (Eustice from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, 36:30)“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” (Viktor E. Frankl, 38:00)“Life is so full and so rich.” (Rob, 1:00:10)Media Mentions:J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings3DN S11 E70 (live)- Fire! and FriendshipSt. John of the Cross' Dark Night of the SoulC.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of NarniaThomas Nagel's The View from NowhereWalker Percy's "Loss of the Creature"Matthew 18:203DN S11 E73- Cultivating an openness to epiphanyReferences: FOCUSLincoln, NebraskaWalterBishop Mark BartosicSea of GalileeThe Holy FamilySt. Joseph the Worker82nd Airborne DivisionWWIIBlessed Chiara BadanoThe Oh HellosChicagoIPFJiminy CricketTinker BellBraveWilliam Shakespeare (April 23, 1564- April 23, 1616)Adolf HitlerColumbine (April 20, 1999)Maryville, ILCardinals baseballIllinois Fighting IlliniKeaton WaglerShout-Outs:Matthew and Maggie TrutyDrew and Emily HennishMary Margaret MetzCharlieEmilieJoeFollow us on instagram @threedogsnorthContact us at [email protected]

In this episode, the dogs continue their in-person visit in Maryville, Illinois (00:13). They discuss how the trip is going so far (2:30) and swap stories from trips to Alaska (9:50), Lyon (24:30), Paris (29:40), and elsewhere. Michael Metz frames the discussion around the difference between approaching travel with authentic receptivity versus consumerist self-indulgence (13:10), setting the stage for reflections on leisure (14:50) and the nature of authentic self-care (21:15).  Quotes:“Who I am is a gift; to God, and to myself, and to other people.” (Connor, 17:18)“Every baptized person is bringing the light of Christ wherever they go.” (Connor, 20:20)"My take on reality is so tiny and yet I have access to the totality in God.” (Connor, 28:00)“... It’s not through transcending our humanity that we then feel full; it’s through recognizing our limitedness and embracing it. Where is the glory? It’s in the simple encounter.” (Connor, 29:00)Media Mentions:Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)3DN S3 E1 "The one where the sound is better." 3DN S3 E3 "The one with Fr. Barron (part 1 of 2)"3DN S3 E4 "The one with Fr. Barron (part 2 of 2)"3DN The Ocho 25 "Something else (with Bp. Barron)"Bishop Barron's What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene CreedCarnivoresMario Kart 64New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe"I hit bombs!"Josef Pieper's Leisure: The Basis of CultureJohn 17:24 "Father, they are your gift to me."Father Willard F. Jabusch's "Whatsoever You Do"Parks and Recreation ("Treat yo self")References: Maryville, ILBishop Robert BarronNintendo SwitchFOCUSSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE)Todd PetersonLSU baseballPhil MickelsonPost hoc ergo propter hocAlaskaMount Saint EliasSt. PatrickIrelandLourdes, FranceOur Lady of Lourdes, Virgin MarySt. Thérèse of LisieuxThe Camino de SantiagoThe Holy FamilyHaitiLyon, FranceMother of Perpetual Help Catholic ChurchBobby's Frozen CustardNotre- Dame CathedralBabelBanks of the SeineAnalogy of Being (Thomas Aquinas)Shout-Outs:Joseph DeckertWalterScott (and the whole crew)Sister AgapeFollow us on instagram @threedogsnorthContact us at [email protected]

In this episode, the dogs discuss why their time in seminary was both uniquely formative (4:00) and deeply universal (10:28). Connor highlights the importance of lifelong formation (16:00) and the dogs reflect on how that has played out in different parishes (24:50). They close the cast by pondering the eschatological tension of God's "already and not yet" kingdom (43:40)... and loud SunChips bags (49:45). Quotes:"It was what it should be." (Rob on seminary, 6:00)“I think our experience of life is abnormal compared to most of human history. The seminary is artificial... but there is something kinda more normal about it too.” (Connor, 15:10)“I’m not in control, ultimately. Everything I build could be destroyed in a night and that's okay because Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Connor, 32:30) "Catholicism stands on it’s own and it feeds hungry people.” (Michael Metz, 35:40)"Wait... did Barron kill new athiesm?" (Connor, 37:00)"Stanley Rother didn't go to Guatemala to do things. He went to Guatemala and things happened around him." (Connor, 39:50)"The whole point of celibacy is that you are forgoing created beauty for the source of beauty.” (Connor quoting Deacon James Keating, 40:00)Media Mentions:Saint Augustine's ConfessionsCatholic Stuff You Should Know's What is a Parish?Act 3:6Michael Metz on creatineReferences: Baked LaysFr. Isaac CoulterFr. Michael BrungardtFr. Michael SteffesMichigan State SpartansMichigan Wolverines ("Go Blue!")Carmelite MonasteryDes Plaines, ILAll Saints Catholic CemeteryBishop Robert BarronSt. John's Catholic Newman CenterUniversity of Illinois (UIUC)Fr. Larry HennessyFr. Daniel SiwekThe Institute for Priestly FormationFOCUSRenew My ChurchChicago, ILFr. Thomas ByrneSt. Francis Xavier of Our Lady of Mercy ParishFr. Thomas ByrneWin. Build. Send.COVIDJeff BezosMark ZuckerbergBurger KingFOCUS parishNew AtheismFriedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche Vatican IIDeacon James KeatingBlessed Stanley RotherGuatemalaOklahomaThe Catechesis of the Good ShepherdFr. Victor MoseleSierra LeoneSt. John Paul II Newman CenterSpiral NebulaSun ChipscreatineChatGPTRussiaCrimeaThorMegamindFollow us on instagram @threedogsnorthContact us at [email protected]

In this episode, the dogs discuss Walter's upcoming 101st birthday (3:44). Inspired by Walter's wisdom on perseverance, the conversation shifts to celibacy (7:30) and the "problem of evil" as it confront individuals (29:10). In the midst of it all, Michael Metz reenacts a self-titled "genius" homily (19:00) which is admittedly beautiful. Quotes:"The self-possession to be able to see goods that you can't have, to be moved by the beauty of things you cannot possess.” (Connor, 10:40)"You cannot have everything you want." (Connor, 12:40)“If the grass is always greaner on the other side, it’s time to water your lawn." (Connor quoting Hennessy, 14:24)"We get to see the examples of the disciples (in the Acts of the Apostles). They are people living in the reality of the full promises of God in the midst of a fallen world; that's the church, that's what the church looks like." (Michael Metz, 21:20)"When you see a guy (Walter) who goes through suffering like that, it's a form of worship." (Michael Metz 24:30)"Suffering is not victorious, Jesus is victorious." (Michael Metz, 24:45)"You know how it is, Mose." (Connor 27:35)"Angels can’t suffer. The highest drama in being is in the human heart because we are so vulnerable and yet called to image God in our freedom.” (Connor, 29:55)Media Mentions:Fulton Sheen's Life of ChristJohn 6Acts of the ApostlesJ.R.R. Tolkien's The SilmarillionBenedict XVI/ Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger ("God writes straight on crooked lines")Joshua 24:15Not Dead Yet podcastRoss Douthat's "How Ben Sasse Is Living Now That He Is Dying"John 14:13Psalm 23References: JumpmasterFort Benning82nd Airborne DivisionD-Day (Normandy)Fr. Patrick J. BoyleSt. Thérèse of LisieuxAaron (Moses' brother)Ben Sasse (former United States Senator)NebraskaUniversity of FloridaNew York TimesShout-Outs:WalterFr. John KartjeFr. Larry HennessyFollow us on instagram @threedogsnorthContact us at [email protected]