Politics and Religion are a prohibited topic inside a Masonic Lodge during their meetings. But why? It is no mystery that the topics of Politics and Religion can be incendiary and cause a lot of conflict among people. But how come a society that professes to be able to keep their passions within due bounds restrain from some of the topics that could best test that self-control? 

In this episode of The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast, I am joined by three Brothers of varied religious and political views to discuss this very puzzling feature of Freemasonry. 

...

How can we maintain consistency in Freemasonry? inconsistency in Freemasonry is a major problem when it interferes with the onboarding of new candidates, when it provides an inconsistent experience for its members, and when it gives outsiders a negative impression of our organization. 

In this episode of The Winding Stairs, we discuss Inconsistency in Freemasonry. I sit down with Bro. Andrew Rizzitello to discuss what aspect of Freemasonry need more consistency and which aspects can present benefits by being "inconsistent" or unique. 

Bro. Rizzitello is Past Master (2021) and current Tiler of Olive Branch Lodge No. 16, Fr...

What’s behind this Masonic Membership Decline and what can we do about it? Fraternal orders and non-profit organizations have seen a steady decline in membership and participation over the last few decades. If you are familiar with Freemasonry, you will agree that what it teaches men is desperately needed in today’s society. 

In this episode of The Winding Stairs, Bro. Tom McGuire (Founder of FossilBluff) and I sit down for a conversation where we explore the many reasons why our organization continues to face declining numbers and we provide some practical solutions to help us rever...

Masonic Membership has been in decline over the past half century and finding the reasons and formulating solutions for that decline becomes an ever-increasing priority in our circles. In this series (Ep.1/4), we will discuss 4 aspects of the Masonic experience that could use some intentional improvement to make sure that more good men are given the tools of Freemasonry to make themselves better men. 

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Lodge visitation is one of the greatest perks you have as a Freemason. As a Master Mason, you are entitled to visit other Masonic Lodges around the world. That means, that despite not knowing anyone in another country, you can go to a Lodge and instantly connect with a group of Brothers who will treat you like family. 

In this episode of The Winding Stairs, I have a conversation with Michael Radigan and Jeremy Barnes, the developers of the Mobile App called Amity. This app serves as your dues card, travel patent, lodge finder, etc. It is a...

I believe that Freemasonry has benefited greatly from the connectivity that the Internet has provided. Today, curious people from around the globe, who once only heard sporadically about this organization, can do a little research and even find a Lodge nearby for them to approach. However, the connectivity of the internet hasn’t only brought positive things to the fraternity, it has also served as a fertile ground for a mischievous creature I like to call… The CircumPunk.

You may have heard of the circumpunct before, that symbol of the point within a circle, which alludes to our...

This is a conversation with one of the most exciting TikTok creators who talk about Freemasonry on that platform. He has taken the task of combating some of the nonsense that people try to say about Freemasonry on social media. He comes with evidence and the proof necessary to put an end to these crazy conspiracies. 

Join us as we have a conversation with Bro. Widows Mijo. 

Please show your support to this episode's sponsor Fossil Bluff who was so generous to extend a special promotion exclusively to our listeners. Visit Https://FossilBluff.com/TWS

The cave degree in tennessee is a Master Mason Degree performed inside a natural cave in the mountains of Tennessee. Brothers from all over the country (and other countries) travel to Kingston Tennessee every year to take part in this memorable Masonic Degree. 

After hearing about the Cave Degree in Tennessee for many years, I finally decided to go and joined a group of Brothers from my jurisdiction to make this amazing Masonic pilgrimage to the Cave. 

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What's the role of the investigation committee in Freemasonry? How is the Masonic  investigation committee formed and what do they do to protect the Lodge and the Craft?

In this episode of The Winding Stairs, we discuss the dos and don'ts of participating in making sure the candidate is a good fit for our organization. We discuss some of the mistakes Lodge's make when investigating a potential candidate. 

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The leadership system of a Masonic Lodge is one of predictable and progressive steps. When a Brother joins the officer line, we have a pretty good idea of who the leaders of the Lodge will be for the next 5 - 7 years. But only if things run smoothly. And you and I both know that if there is room for things to go wrong, they often do. But don’t worry, this is not going to be a gloom and doom episode, I will offer some potential solutions

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How does a man achieve Masonry family balance? The last thing you want to hear from your wife is, "Again? Are you going to be in Lodge every single night?”.

You know about the cable tow, you know that Family and Vocation come first. Unfortunately, there are many Brothers who ignore the cautionary tale and put Freemasonry above all else. Many times at the expense of their relationships.

Don’t worry, I know you love your Lady and I know you love being a Freemason. There is no reason why you can’t have both.

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Your Lodge may have a very interesting history to share but if it’s not being properly preserved, it will be lost forever. Preserving Masonic History becomes an important duty for all of us. A duty that  will ensure future generations of  Freemasons get to know the people and events that gave shape to the character of each Masonic Lodge. 

Join me as I speak with Bro. Alex Powers, the host of Historical Light Masonic Podcast, about the efforts he has made to preserve the history of his Lodge and to inspire countless Brothers to preserve theirs. This...

Have you ever seen someone who shortly after joining Freemasonry, goes all in. Eats and Breathes Freemasonry with such fury that you’d think nothing else in their world matters? 

If the masonic journey was a race, they would be going against all prudent advice from experts. Make sure to take care of your body, pace yourself, don’t ignore the signs of wear and tear, etc. 

Is Freemasonry good? Of course it is! Could it turn into a bad thing for you, if you put it above all other things? I think you know the an...

Did you know that the first words uttered by Man from the surface of the moon were not the ones most people think? The first words, as documented by NASA’s audio files, were “Contact Light”. These words were uttered by astronaut “Buzz” Aldrin. 

The irony of these words is that, not only was this the first time humans contacted the surface of another heavenly body, but it was the first time Freemasonry made physical contact with the moon. Among the personal items that Buzz Aldrin brought with him on this historic flight, he brought a Masonic Flag. Yes...

These are exciting times for Science! For months, astronomy enthusiasts have been excitedly awaiting the release of the first photos from the James Webb Space Telescope. A $10 Billion Dollar project to put the largest and most capable telescope out in Space. There are two primary reasons why every Freemason in the world should be excited about this event. 1. As Masons we are encouraged to study Astronomy (We answer why in this episode) and 2. This telescope was named after Brother James Webb… A Freemason.

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Did you know that if you belong to a group or organization that plans to overthrow the government by force or coercion, you can’t become a Freemason?

Is Freemasonry a Patriotic organization. What does Freemasonry teach us about loyalty to your country? Let’s explore the relationship between Freemasonry and Patriotism in this episode of TWS

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It is said that Freemasons part upon the square. If we recognize the symbolism of the Square, we will recognize that this means that Masons behave virtuously in their walking through life. In order for us to walk uprightly through life, extending our kindness and acting with virtue, it is important that we are clear about which virtues we are to exemplify. 

In this episode of The Winding Stairs, we will discuss how does a mason put into practice the virtuous lessons contained within the Craft. Let's make sure in everything we do, we part upon the s...

Improving Masonic education should be a top priority for every Lodge leader. But how does one go about making the Masonic learning experience better for our Brethren? 

In this episode of The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast, we have a conversation with Justin Taylor Jones and Dennis Yates from Masonic Improvement about their effort to improve Masonic education in the state of Texas.  

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The Lewis Jewel commemorates the long legacy of fathers and son who share a common bond with our Fraternity. 

Imagine having to lift and reposition hundreds or thousands of stones 

The Lewis is a tool used by operative masons to facilitate the lifting and positioning of heavy stones. It is a strong yet simple design that serves as the connection between the stone and a crane or pulley system. In speculative Masonry, the son of a Mason is referred to as a Lewis. 

In this episode of The Winding Stairs, lets explore the lew...

In order for a structure to be soundly built, it has to rest upon a solid level foundation. Otherwise, the higher it rises, the more unstable it becomes. In Freemasonry, we stand before our Brothers as an Upright Man and are instructed to act as such. Today, we will discuss what it means to be an upright man. What does it mean to act by the proverbial plumb. This and more on this episode of The Winding Stairs. 

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What does it mean to meet on the level? It means that regardless of your economic, social, or religious background when you meet with other Brothers, you are equals. As Freemasons, we are called to regard the entirety of the human race as One Family. Therefore, whether we are meeting at Lodge, or out in the world employing our usual vocations, we are to treat all members of the human race as if they were our own family. 

In this episode of The Winding Stairs. I will share with you some tips that will make this important l...

What do Masons get out of traveling Masonically. In other words, what does a Freemason gain from visiting other Lodges and other Masonic Jurisdictions in their travels. The short answer is, A LOT!  On this episode of The Winding Stairs, we invite you to hop aboard a car with three Brothers and find out for yourself what Masons get out of Masonic Travels.

If you enjoyed The Winding Stairs Podcast, please show your support by visiting https://www.thewindingstairs.com/shop/ where you can find a growing collection of Masonic Art and Regalia, including genuine lambskin aprons. Thank you. Duration: 00:24:09

Our stated meetings don't have a reputation for being the most amazing in the world. Honestly, sometimes our meetings resemble more a HOA meeting than anything else. But it doesn't have to be that way. Our Fraternity has a long tradition of bestowing the meetings with elements of solemnity and ritual that have the potential of leaving a positive impression in the attendants mind.  On this episode of TWS, I sit down with W. Manny Lozada to revisit a conversation we had a few years ago , where we discuss Meaningful Lodge Experiences. Manny gives us an update on what things h...

Hey Juan, where have you been?

You may have been wondering why hasn't there been an episode of The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast in such a long time. Did I hang up my Masonic Apron? Did I turn in my Masonic Regalia and walked away from the Fraternity? In short, No. I never left.

In this candid episode, I open up about why I took an extended hiatus, what I decided to focus on, and what are my plans for this show in the future.

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Freemasonry Down Under | The Uniqueness of Australian Masonry

Freemasonry down under may be slightly different than what you may think. The structure of the organization is very interesting in a way that allows for the ritual to be separate from the administrative side of Masonry. For example, Victoria Freemasons have a CEO who handles the business side of the organization. Interestingly enough, in 2016 this male-only organization was led by a woman. 

In this episode of The Winding Stairs, I share with you an interview that I had thought I had lost forever. After almost having t...

Is a Freemason a Gentleman?

On this episode of The Winding Stairs, I share 3 easy-to-implement tips that can help us really make a d...

Have you ever been traveling and thought to yourself “I wonder if there is a Lodge nearby.”? Don’t you wish that you knew which Lodges are near you, when they meet, and if they are in amity with your Grand Lodge? Well, if you own a smartphone, you can do all that and more today!

In this episode, of TWS I have a candid conversation with Brothers Jeremy Barnes & Michael Radigan, the Brothers behind the convenient app called Amity. We discuss how it started, how it’s used today, and what are some of the exciting developments in store fo...

Although pop culture has a very twisted idea of what The Order of the Illuminati really is or was, there is scholarly work being done today by prominent historian and researchers. Fortunately, some of these professionals are Brothers and have done amazing work at documenting this history and revealing some of the mysteries that tie it to Freemasonry. 

In this episode of The Winding Stairs, we have a conversation with Brother Josef Wages to discuss his scholarly work on dusting off the details behind Adam Weishaupt's extensive work. Brother Josef is the author of "The Secret School of Wisdom: T...

Virtual Freemasonry

A replacement for traditional Lodges?

Masonic Music for Lodges

We hope you enjoy the insights Brother Joscar shared about his creative process and how these pieces were inspired.

If you are interested in learning more about Bro. Joscar's work...

How does a Meaningful Lodge Experience look like? When you first set foot into a stated meeting as a Master Mason, was the experience everything you expected it to be? Do you think that your Lodge's meetings have room for improvement?

On this episode of The Winding Stairs, I sit down with Bro. Manny Lozada of Orange Blossom Lodge No. 80 in Sunny Kissimmee, Florida. We had a conversation about how we can make our Lodge meetings more memorable and meaningful. 

Listen as we share some small and easy to implement improvements that can have a big impact l...

In this episode, I sit down for a conversation with a very talented Brother who is a composer, writer, and film-maker. As the Director and Producer of films like 33 & Beyond and the upcoming documentary titled “Illuminated”, Bro:. Royal pulls back the curtain on Fraternal Orders like Freemasonry and the Illuminati with accuracy and impeccable style.

Support for The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast

This program is made possible in part by the generous support of our exclusive group of supporters on Patreon.com   In this episode we would like to extend a special thanks to:

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Masonic Lodge Secretary

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Masonic Ritual Music may not be prominent in today's Lodges, but being one of the most evolved Liberal Arts, it can have a profound effect in an initiates experience. Join me as I share an amazing composition for Piano by W. B. Joscar Poerschke that can be used in your Lodge Ritual today.

100 Days | A Conversation with Robert Bone of In The Chair Podcast

Do you love Masonry? Do you love playing with Lego Building Blocks? If you answered yes to these two seemingly disparate questions, then you are up for a treat! On this episode of The Winding Stairs, I speak with Bro. Joshua Poole about a proposed model of The House of The Temple, which has the potential of being added to the Architecture line of Legos. The good thing is that you can help us make this a reality. 

To vote for the House of the Temple Set, visit: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/159780

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Do you know yourself? Really, think about it... Do you really know yourself?
http://www.TheWindingStairs.com/KnowThyselfBook

I had the pleasure of sitting with Bro. Michael "The Voice" Schiavello to speak about the proper way to use the lessons of Freemasonry (What some may call the Secrets of Freemasonry) to improve one's life.

The lessons that have been part of Freemasons for centuries have left an indelible mark in our society, and to incorporate those lessons into our lives should be one of our top priorities. But, why?

Listen in on this conversation...

22 Months | A Conversation with Bro. Jon Ruark

I hope that you find this episode edifying.

Do you enjoy T...

Duration: 00:37:42

Blue Lightning | A Conversation with Bro. Chris Hodapp

Behave Like a Mason

The 4 Places you are expected to behave like a Mason

On this episode of The Winding Stairs, we tackle a very contentious topic, One Day Classes. I recently asked The Winding Stairs Facebook Group Members "What is your opinion about One Day Classes in Freemasonry?" and the result was shocking. Not only did I discover that the majority of respondents had a negative opinion regarding One Day Classes, but many held some sort of animosity towards Brothers who have joined the fraternity in this manner. Dismayed by the negative dynamics that I witnessed within the threads, I contacted two Brothers who I admire greatly. Brother Chris Hodapp, author of Freemasons f...

Living Stones A conversation with Robert Herd On this episode of The Winding Stairs, we have a conversation with Brother Robert Herd, publisher of Living Stones Magazine. Bro. Herd discusses his early days in Freemasonry, the importance of the Liberal Arts and Sciences in Freemasonry. For those Brothers who may not be getting from their Lodge what they expected when they initially joined, there is sound advice to make your experience significantly better. On this episode we discuss Bro. Herd's participation in the origin of what we know as the Traditional Observance Movement. This is episode 2 of 2 from a very i...

  Living Stones A conversation with Robert Herd On this episode of The Winding Stairs, we have a conversation with Brother Robert Herd, publisher of Living Stones Magazine. Bro. Herd discusses his early days in Freemasonry, the importance of the Liberal Arts and Sciences in Freemasonry. For those Brothers who may not be getting from their Lodge what they expected when they initially joined, there is sound advice to make your experience significantly better. This is episode 1 of 2 from a very informative and motivating conversation I had with this incredible Brother. [clear] Do you enjoy The Winding Stairs? Please take one min...

The Pact A conversation with Robert P. Lewis On this episode of The Winding Stairs, we have a conversation with Former Green Beret and Author Bro:. Robert P. Lewis. He joins us for an insightful conversation about his life journey and the role that Freemasonry has had in it. He recounts that his life changed after the events of September 11 and we will learn how those events and the subsequent decisions he made have reshaped his life. [clear] Do you enjoy The Winding Stairs? Please take one minute to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes: www.TheWindingStairs.com/iTunes Me...

Measured Improvements You can't improve what you don't measure. As we continue to mature, we become aware of areas of our life that need improvement. Although we might have the right intention to improve upon those areas of our life, we may fail to make any significant progress, if we fail to keep some sort of record of our progress. We may fall into a false sense of security, that convinces us that we are making progress merely because we are aware of the situation. This is not an effective way to improve, it can be deceiving you into remaining s...

Replacing Habits Hijacking the triggers that keep you stuck! We are creatures of habits. Sometimes we unconsciously fall into cycles and habits that are very challenging to overcome. It is not that we are not strong enough, but the mechanism by which we adopt these habits is very effective and to be able to replace these behaviors, we need to understand how it all works. I recorded this brief installment of The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast, while going out for a jog. As soon as I was done running, I spontaneously decided to record some of my thoughts on the...

5 Art Mediums That Support The Pillar of Beauty We continue our conversation with Masonic Artist Ryan J Flynn. Which 5 Art Mediums support the Pillar of Beauty in Freemasonry? On the second installment of our conversation with Bro. Ryan Flynn, we discuss 5 Art Mediums that help support the effective visual lessons in Masonic Education. Learn, which are our top 5 mediums for depicting lessons in Morality and Virtues. On this episode of The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast, we have the privilege of exploring the topic of Art in Freemasonry with our talented Brother Ryan J Flynn. Join us, as we discuss the a...

Art in Freemasonry | The Pillar of Beauty Masonic Artist Ryan J Flynn joins us for an informative conversation about the importance of Art in Freemasonry. The Masonic Lodge is supported by three pillars, which are Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. Great importance should be given to each one of these, as they have a very important purpose in the instruction of the Mason. We have inherited a rich Artistic history in Freemasonry, but the Pillar of Beauty can often be neglected in the pursuit of strength and wisdom. How prominently does Art figure in your Lodge? On this episode of The...

Art in Freemasonry | The Pillar of Beauty Masonic Artist Ryan J Flynn joins us for an informative conversation about the importance of Art in Freemasonry. The Masonic Lodge is supported by three pillars, which are Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. Great importance should be given to each one of these, as they have a very important purpose in the instruction of the Mason. We have inherited a rich Artistic history in Freemasonry, but the Pillar of Beauty can often be neglected in the pursuit of strength and wisdom. How prominently does Art figure in your Lodge? On this episode of The...

Illuminati Rituals Revealed An interview with Bro:. Josef Wages, Editor of the book The Secret School of Wisdom How many times have you heard some outlandish Pop Culture claim about the Illuminati? The liberty with which people claim that there is a Secret Elite Group of people conspiring to bring about a New World Order, is simply fascinating. Is Beyonce and JayZ at the pinnacle of this great conspiracy? Are all these Hip Hop artists being murdered by this secret organization? I think the answer is, NO! But you don't have to take my word for it. We are fortunate th...

Bound by Rituals How rituals influence Freemasonry, Society and our Personal Life. Rituals are extremely important in Freemasonry, but the importance of ritual extends far beyond into all aspects of our life. When we think of rituals, we often limit our imagination to spiritual ceremonies, but we engage in rituals on a daily basis. Do you have a specific set of steps that you follow every morning when you wake up? Do you have a predetermined sequence of things you do when you prepare to go out? Rituals have a profound effect in the way we enjoy life and the v...

No Stone Unturned A Way of Life for the Traveling Brothers We often go through life in a hurry. Whether it is because of our career responsibilities, our family's expectations or our over-commitment to the various organizations we support, we can miss out on many great life experiences unless we slow down and leave no stone unturned. On this episode of The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast, you will become a passenger in our road trip up to Columbus Georgia. Brother Victor Rosario and I visited Columbian Lodge No. 7 earlier this year, where I gave a presentation titled "Bridging the Gap". A...

Walter, The Ghost of the Retlaw Hotel How the Life and Legacy of a Brother Lives On It is prudent to remember that our time on this Earth is finite. That we ought to be diligent in improving ourselves in order to contribute to the life of those who surround us. Today I introduce you to Bro. Walter Schroeder, a man who decades after his death is giving people something to talk about. On this episode of The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast, I share a portion of the life of Bro. Walter, a Businessman, Civic Leader, Philanthropist and… Ghost? Is th...

Unfinished Books Do you have a collection of books which you have not finished reading? Does it almost feel like that stack of books is calling out to you to finish reading them? That's how I feel too. On this episode of The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast, I share with you 5 tips to go through that stack of unfinished books and increase the number of them that you actually finish. Of course, there are books which are better skimmed or used as reference books. Those you don't have to finish, but there might be a few others which are begging...

Lessons from My Mother Chipping at The Stone I have to admit that I was very fortunate to have the Mother I had. She was very wise and charismatic. She was very talented and inspiring. I owe a lot to her for the Man I turned out to be and I hope that I am able to make her proud with the decisions I make in my life. I was very fortunate to spend the time I did with her before she was taken away too soon by Breast Cancer. I recorded this episode on October 10th, which would have b...

  Chipping at The Stone Progress is found in the repetition of small strikes. We are that rough ashlar hewned from the Quarry. But our journey to become part of a perfect building doesn't happen abruptly. It is through small, calculated changes, which remove the superfluities from our life. Are you not making fast progress in becoming a better Man and Mason? Don't worry, you are not in this journey alone. In this episode of The Winding Stairs, I share some stories that prove that we are all in this together. That we serve as inspiration to one another and that b...

Bridging the Inner Gap Look Inside Yourself It is sometimes easier to look at circumstances outside ourselves to blame for what happens in our life. But many times the problems in which we find ourselves is a direct result of things that are happening within us. As we continue exploring the podcast series Bridging the Gap, we turn our sights inward after two episodes of looking at circumstances outside of us. We have looked at how a Gap of Expectations and a Gap of Wisdom can interfere with our progress in life. Today we look at our own shortcomings...

Bridging the Gap of Wisdom Second installment of the Bridging the Gap Series On the first installment of the series Bridging the Gap, we discussed how disappointment can be detrimental to the progress of a Mason. Disappointment can discourage a Man's pursuit of further goals, because it is a natural reaction to avoid those things which cause us pain or discomfort. In particular, Brothers who become disillusioned with Freemasonry, because of the seemingly unbridgeable gap that exists between his expectations and what actually happens behind a Tyled door. On this segment of the series, I want to speak about the g...

Bridging the Gap of Expectations in Freemasonry Avoiding disappointment and making the journey more fulfilling Before Men join Freemasonry, they might have an expectation of what really happens behind closed doors. That expectation, often-times fantastic and unrealistic, tends to be shaped by misinformation and ignorance. A members of this Fraternal organization, we should understand before hand, what people expect of us and how much of those expectations we can actually meet. Are you tired of hearing people bad-mouthing our Order? Did you expect things out of Freemasonry, which never materialized? Is there anything you can do as an individual to...

The Importance of your Masonic Travels An inside look at a Masonic Conversation while traveling. On this episode of The Winding Stairs, you will join Brother Juan Sepulveda and Brother Victor Rosario by riding along on a road trip. While driving to Columbus Georgia for a speaking engagement in February 2014, The Traveling Bros had the good idea (in our biased opinion) to record a conversation to give the listeners an inside look into what our conversations can be like. We hope that you enjoy the conversation and are able to imagine yourself riding along with us. Among the topics discussed...

Interview with Artist and Author Michael Karpovage On this episode of The Winding Stairs I interview Brother Michael Karpovage. Author, illustrator and entrepreneur, who's work has been influenced by Freemasonry. Join me as I have an insightful conversation with a fellow artist, who happens to be a Mason. Some of the topics discussed in this episode: Bro: Michael's beginnings in art and the early life decisions that led him there. How he stumbled upon a member of the fraternity and asked. The influence Freemasonry has had in his life and his literary work. We discuss some amazing stories of Freemasons...

Interview with Artist and Author Michael Karpovage On this episode of The Winding Stairs I interview Brother Michael Karpovage. Author, illustrator and entrepreneur, who's work has been influenced by Freemasonry. Join me as I have an insightful conversation with a fellow artist, who happens to be a Mason. Some of the topics discussed in this episode: Bro: Michael's beginnings in art and the early life decisions that led him there. How he stumbled upon a member of the fraternity and asked. The influence Freemasonry has had in his life and his literary work. We discuss some amazing stories of Freemasons...

ART IN FREEMASONRY The Power of Symbols and Creativity in Freemasonry By now you probably already know how important art is to Freemasonry, but there are several reasons why. The way in which Freemasonry delivers its lessons, is through allegories illustrated by symbols. Therefore, there are many stories, which are easier to remember than simply pure facts and those allegories have their respective symbols. By this way, one only has to look at the symbol, which recalls the story associated with it and thereby the applicable lessons to our life. "Freemasonry is a Science of Morality, Veiled in Allegory and...

Imagine traveling through space at 67,000 miles per hour. That is how fast this pale blue dot is traveling through space, making its yearly orbit around the sun. We all get very excited about the end of one year and the beginning of another. But, do we ever stop to think what this really means? It is very likely that you, along with millions of people around the world, have considered which things you can change in your life this upcoming year. In this episode of The Winding Stairs, we discuss the relationship between the "REVOLUTION" of Planet Earth around the...

We have seen Freemasonry portrayed in film before, in movies like National Treasure and Dan Brown's Angels & Demons. But now, a new film by a fellow Freemason brings freemasonry to the spotlight in an exciting suspense film called The Freemason. This is part 2 of a 2 part interview (part 1) with a prolific entrepreneur, who will surely inspire you to reach out for your dreams, regardless of how impossible they might seem.We continue our conversation with the executive producer of The Freemason Movie.  In this portion of the interview, we talk more in depth about the three films that Joseph James ha...

Have you ever watched a movie where your see someone wearing a Masonic ring? Or in the background you see some symbols related to Freemasonry? On this episode we speak with Joseph James, he is an actor, writer and producer, who happens to also be a Freemason. His last three films center around the subject of Freemasonry, its history and its influence in modern society. We talk about what took him to Hollywood, his experience in Freemasonry, the importance of mentorship and apprenticeship among many other things. This is part 1 of a 2 part interview with a prolific entrepreneur, who will s...

You probably already know that life is comprised of a series of ups and downs; Twists and turns which end up testing us to the core. Hopefully, in our formative years, we were able to establish a solid foundation upon which to continue constructing the building that will ultimately be our life's biggest achievement. Even if we were fortunate enough to be standing upon a solid foundation, the solidity and stability of that foundation is bound to be tested from time to time. For some, a challenging situation could present itself in the form of a medical diagnosis, the loss...

Imagine losing 100% of your eye sight in the blink of an eye. How would that change your attitude towards life and the life of those who surround you.? On this episode of The Winding Stairs Masonic Podcast, we sit down with a best-selling author, public speaker and extraordinary Brother, who can answer these questions from a first person perspective. In this interview Marcus Engel talks to us about his journey in life and how he has made the best out of the horrible experience that almost took his life. In this interview we learn about: The importance of a Story...

5 Reasons why reading is not a waste of time Have you ever thought about reading a book and instead chosen to work on something else? or Have you ever felt the desire to just lay back on your favorite couch with a book on your hands, but changed your mind after thinking that it would be a waste of time? Think again! On this episode I want to share with you, 5 reasons Why reading daily is not a waste of time. Reason #1 Reading Reduces Stress. We are used to a fast paced lifestyle with many different things trying to get...

5 Simple Tips to help improve your Masonic Education Experience As you already know, the stability of a building is dependent on the strength of its foundation. Similarly, the educational foundation of every newly-initiated Mason is equally as important to their growth and progression through life. I have seen many Brothers who, soon after being accommodated in the North East corner of the Lodge, are anxious to rush through the Degrees of Craft Masonry. They are anxious to get through their memory work, to quickly get started learning what the York Rite, the Scottish Rite or any other Appendant Body of...

We are Honorable Men and should always act as such. Being an honorable man and behaving honorably are qualities that should set every Man and Mason apart. As members of the Most Honorable fraternity in the world, we are called to lead exemplary lives, which model the virtuous tenets inculcated in Freemasonry. Our Masonic Duty calls us to work daily in improving ourselves and become a better fit to the improvement of society. Join us as we explore a few ways in which we can lead by example and live a life worthy of a Master Mason. We are not...

  I In my search for light, I have found why "common sense" is so rare  am sure that you have heard the expression "common sense". I am also sure that by now you have probably noticed that there is nothing common about common sense.and why we should use the word "PRUDENCE" instead. I suggest we first look at prudence by exploring various definitions of the word. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, prudence is defined as: 1: the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason 2: sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs 3: skill and good jud...

The Winding Stairs Episode 5 Where is your Courage? Not everything in life comes easy to us. There are many things that are difficult and sometimes downright intimidating. When we face these things which intimidate us, our default reaction might be to avoid them and engage in other things. Although this might be a natural reaction or an instinctual response, it does not always serve its intended purpose. If we think about human evolution, we can understand that the spirit of self-preservation would have moved primitive humans to avoid overly dangerous or challenging situations. However, in today's world we retain that...

The Winding Stairs Episode 4:  Veiled in Allegory Freemasonry is described elegantly as a Science of Morality, Veiled in Allegory and Illustrated by Symbols. If there is nothing sinister in a science of morality, then why should it be veiled? On this episode we explore the reasons behind the allegorical teaching method and how well it works with the human mind. We introduce two new segments to our program: Masonic History Masonic Conspiracies by Bro:. Robert Johnson from Whence Came You? Podcast. Masonic History Masonic Apron Protects County Documents During the civil war, In Brunswick County Virginia, an act of benevolence, per...

The Winding Stairs Podcast: Episode 3 What makes a man a good fit to become a Mason? In the construction of a building, the stability and suitability of the foundation is crucial in its longevity; Similarly, the moral, social and spiritual upbringing of a man can be described as his foundation and what makes him suitable to become and remain a Freemason. Masonic Education Revisited In episode 2 of The Winding Stairs (http://TheWindingStairs.com/002) we discuss various ways in which a man can acquire Masonic Light. Among them we discuss the continuous study of Masonic Literature, which today has become more...

The Winding Stairs Episode 2: Masonic Education When a man decides he wants to learn more about Freemasonry, often times it is because they see something admirable on others who are already members of the Fraternity. It often stems from the desire to grow as human beings and serve as an example for others. However, merely joining the Fraternity is not enough. It is important that a Man stays desirous of Light in order for that wish of improvement to become a reality. Therefore, it is through the conscious effort to learn and apply the tenets of Freemasonry, that a Man...

Thank you for joining me in this program. The Winding Stairs Podcast is intended to be a documentation of a journey, which we can enjoy together. This journey is one of discovery and growth. Who Am I? I am a professional artist and Master Mason, who is very interested in the history of Freemasonry and the application of its tenets for self improvements. What qualifies me to create a program about Freemasonry? Although I began my Masonic Career rather recently (2009) and I am in an early phase of my growth as a Mason, I have been diligent about acquiring Masonic...