Ep. 25 - Rhinelanders, Rootedness, Religion, and Romance (w/ Alan Schmidt)

Ep. 28 - How a Trip to France Will Solve All Your Problems

Feeling spiritually dry? Stuck in a midlife rut? Interested in experiencing transcendence in an ancient monastery in France? Auguste brings on Catholic writer and consultant Peter Giersch to discuss his new book Talking of Michelangelo: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell in the Burgundy Region in which he recounts a trip to France that spiritually transforms him. As they talk, the two make plans to leave their families to enjoy the beauty and history of Paris along with the different ways to grow in the faith and how popes are like the weather. The two also consider a marvelous change in the Church as the old guard is gradually replaced by a new generation of Catholics who care about things like reverence and tradition.  Essays and books referenced in this episode: - Talking of Michelangelo: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell in the Burgundy Region by Peter Giersch - “A Trip to France Triggers a Midlife Crisis of Faith [https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2026/05/05/a-trip-to-france-triggers-a-midlife-crisis-of-faith/]” by August Meyrat - “Beyond Christian Nationalism [https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/beyond-christian-nationalism]” by Peter Giersch - “Prufrock on Retreat [https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2026/04/talking-michelangelo-peter-giersch-dwight-longenecker.html]” by Dwight Longenecker Music Credit: Artist: Andre Meyrat Song: “Vaporwave Statues” Copyright © 2025 Andre Meyrat. All Rights Reserved.

Ep. 27 - Don’t Worry, Bee Happy

With the world feeling so chaotic, is now a good time to feel optimistic? You bet! Trump has survived his third assassination attempt stronger than ever, the Supreme Court knocked down racist gerrymandering, opening up the possibility of a red wave this November and moving us away from racial grievance politics. Shadowy leftist money launderers like the SPLC are finally being called out for funding the very hate they pretend to fight. And colleges might finally be coming around to some level of sanity—of face well-deserved extinction. Auguste, Evan, and Adam try to make sense of all of it while telling stories about mystical bees, mentally impaired whales, and oblivious leftist professors. The future is bright, but only if we can hold on to our humanity. Articles referenced in this episode: - “The Yale Report Won’t Save American Higher Education [https://chroniclesmagazine.org/web/the-yale-report-wont-save-american-higher-education/]” by Paul du Quenoy - “☕️ INDEPENDENCE DAY ☙ Friday, May 1, 2026 ☙ C&C NEWS 🦠 [https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/independence-day-friday-may-1-2026]“ by Jeff Childers - “Imagine If People Cared About Their Own Countries As Much As They Do Timmy The Self-Beaching Whale [https://thefederalist.com/2026/05/01/as-germany-burns-its-elites-are-saving-timmy-the-self-beaching-whale/]” by Auguste Meyrat - “Canada Poised To Criminalize Christianity With Ban On Citing Biblical Truths [https://thefederalist.com/2026/04/10/canada-poised-to-criminalize-christianity-with-ban-on-citing-biblical-truths/]” by Auguste Meyrat Music Credit: Artist: Andre Meyrat Song: “Vaporwave Statues” Copyright © 2025 Andre Meyrat. All Rights Reserved.

Ep. 26 - Why Can’t We Make Pretty Buildings Anymore?

What’s with all the ugly modern buildings that suck the soul out a city? Why does the Obama library look like some weird angular version of the Death Star? What do architects do all day? Does The Brutalist with Adrian Brody accurately depict the life of an architect, or should we instead watch the classic comedy Click with Adam Sandler? Auguste brings on his architect brother Julien Meyrat who explains the current state of architecture. For the most part, the world has moved on from the boring bleak blocks of the mid-20th century, and architecture is a different thing than it used to be. The problem isn’t so much gray uniformity, but competing visions and styles that have all become possible with new technology and well-trained architects heeding their clients’ requests. Julien is hopeful for the future of his profession while Auguste looks for someone to blame for all the “misunderstood” buildings still existing in the world.  Music Credit: Artist: Andre Meyrat Song: “Vaporwave Statues” Copyright © 2025 Andre Meyrat. All Rights Reserved.

Ep. 25 - Rhinelanders, Rootedness, Religion, and Romance (w/ Alan Schmidt)

What is the fate of above-average individuals in declining small towns? How important is it to know one’s family history? How can we revive the parishes closing down all around us? How should men approach women in this cruel world? Auguste has a conversation with essayist and novelist Alan Schmidt to discuss these mysteries as well as Alan’s new book The Rhinelanders which covers these themes. Part of the solution seems to involve becoming a mix of Hank Hill, Mr. Darcey, and Daniel Day Lewis. Were any of our queries resolved? Not really, but we’re wiser now than we were before. If you want actual answers, go read Alan’s book.  Articles and books referenced in this episode: - The Rhinelander [https://www.amazon.com/Rhinelanders-Alan-Schmidt-ebook/dp/B0FN7148YX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3AHQRWQ0A1UE2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8xKYArJP79rCtxJTT6TeNa3-LwrgNffjgnmHinRqYUqSkGpkwHuf8RiZOLcl-OHhmCEz-QnyP59qmEKRAmk8NyjZng7i2VhTN654ReM9invm-Rog2TCIT5mI4OWB5oEClKHHFzr92QngCAF8fOPfcl79nzLmF_qq5W_sa-tbBJtffmk8Qvuz-OyCaPW1Z47TsI9KxljKOHICKJFeWQ6D_WewhjLxgEej7vqjannOdEs.vIUk088pxq8qWPmGS1QN_PNkUWQhb4KW_L9-yphU1wY&dib_tag=se&keywords=rhinelanders&qid=1774634992&sprefix=rhinelanders,aps,180&sr=8-1]s by Alan Schmidt - “Redeeming Nietzsche’s ‘Last Man’ [https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2026/03/13/redeeming-nietzsches-last-man/]” by Auguste Meyrat - “Hank Hill is Elite Human Capital [https://open.substack.com/pub/socialmatter/p/hank-hill-is-elite-human-capital?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer]" by Alan Schmidt - “Who Can Make Sex Great Again? [https://open.substack.com/pub/socialmatter/p/who-can-make-sex-great-again?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer]" by Alan Schmidt - “Recovering Love and Marriage in a Loveless and Divided Culture [https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/recovering-love-and-marriage-in-a-loveless-and-divided-culture]” by Auguste Meyrat - “The Problem of Destination Churches [https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/the-problem-of-destination-churches]” by Auguste Meyrat Music Credit: Artist: Andre Meyrat Song: “Vaporwave Statues” Copyright © 2025 Andre Meyrat. All Rights Reserved.

Ep. 24 - Iran (So Far Away)

So what should the everyman think about Iran? Auguste is primed and ready to trust the plan, but it’s difficult to say what that plan actually is. Meanwhile Adam has Iran fatigue, and Evan tries to take a cosmic yet somber view of the whole thing. Misgivings aside, both Auguste and Evan are generally supportive, but Adam is somewhat doubtful and wonders when the freedom loving Persians are going to arrive. The three also discuss Cuba, which somehow seems less controversial since a regime change over there does not involve oil or Israel. The conversation then moves to the (un)talented Mr. Talarico who will supposedly flip Texas blue. As Adam points out the Democrats’ hypocrisy on its treatment of Christianity, and Evan remarks the oddly ambiguous personal life of Talarico (is he gay?), Auguste notes how the Dems across the nation are launching a moderate normie offensive to win back the government. This conversation then leads to the passage of the SAVE Act, which all three doubt will pass due to the usual corruption and complacency of the Senate. Finally, the three discusses the Oscars, with Evan lamenting its demise and Adam hoping for a speedy end to the whole Hollywood era so that new voices can emerge. Auguste aims to continue his practice of ignoring the movies nominated and watch reruns of Babylon 5 instead.    Articles, podcasts, and videos referenced in this essay: - “The Art of the Decapitation [https://amgreatness.com/2026/03/10/the-art-of-the-decapitation/]” by Auguste Meyrat - “White Pill Radio, Episode 60: Plastic Surgery, LGBT Decline, AI Threats, and Liberal “Christianity [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-pill-radio-episode-60-plastic-surgery-lgbt-decline/id1487217338?i=1000753689605]" from Theology on Air  - “Texas just got a preview of how Democrats take over [https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/texas-just-got-a-preview-of-how-democrats-take-over]” by Auguste Meyrat - “Cuba Should Accept Trump’s ‘Friendly Takeove [https://chroniclesmagazine.org/web/cuba-should-accept-trumps-friendly-takeover/]r’” by Daniel McCarthy  - “The Masterclass [https://amgreatness.com/2026/03/10/the-masterclass/]” by Katya Sedgwick  - “Iran (So Far Away) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_h7hcK6pFs]” by Dr. Phoxotic Music Credit: Artist: Andre Meyrat Song: “Vaporwave Statues” Copyright © 2025 Andre Meyrat. All Rights Reserved.