#54 – Edmund Rhodes – Is An Honest Agnostic Closer to God Than a False Believer?

#54 – Edmund Rhodes – Is An Honest Agnostic Closer to God Than a False Believer?

Edmund Rhodes or “Mundo” doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. He feels comfortable to say what he thinks, even if it rubs you the wrong way — and if you disagree, good. He invites it. He doesn't back down from conflict, and he's not above stirring the pot.  But he wasn’t always comfortable in his own skin.  Growing up, Edmund was shy. It wasn't until he picked up the bottle that he discovered a version of himself that was confident, outgoing, and unafraid. Somewhere along the way, that version became the real one — though the path to get there was anything but straight. ATVs, airplanes, and horses ran through all of it — but so did change. Construction in Appalachia. Charleston. A first marriage strained by his drinking. Love found again in Costa Rica. A stint in India seeking healing through Ayurvedic medicine. Mundo has lived many lives, and found himself right back where he started: Bryn Athyn. But what makes this conversation compelling isn't necessarily Mundo's story—it's the question at its center: Is an honest agnostic searching for truth closer to God than someone who claims belief but never truly wrestles with it? Welcome to Episode 54. Elevate the Experience Help bring better audio, video, and filmed episodes to life: Venmo [https://www.venmo.com/u/TheEthanCLewinPodcast]. I tithe 10% of all contributions—half to the All Secure Foundation [https://allsecurefoundation.org/donate] (supporting soldiers’ transition home) and half to the Academy of the New Church High School [https://secure.qgiv.com/for/aotnc]. Stay Connected Contact: https://ethanchaselewin.com/contacthttps://ethanclewin.com/ [https://ethanclewin.com/] A Note from Me I’m inspired by the stories people carry, the power of honest feedback, and the magic that happens when creative minds connect. If you’re a brand interested in partnering, let’s talk: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanlewin]. Thanks for being part of this journey—PEACE!

#53 - Major General Ronald K. Nelson - Good & Faithful Servant

At 94 years young, Major General Ronald K. Nelson reflects on nearly a century of experiences — from flying President Eisenhower as a young Marine helicopter pilot, to simultaneously building two careers over four decades: rising to the rank of two-star general in the Marine Corps Reserve while spending those same years coaching, teaching, and mentoring generations of students at the Academy of the New Church High School in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. He coached wrestling for over 30 years, founded the lacrosse program, and was eventually inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. When it was his turn to speak at the induction, he walked to the podium, pointed to the crowd of former wrestlers, and said: "The only reason I'm here is because of you guys. If you guys didn't win, I wouldn't be up here." Despite a lifetime of accomplishments, Ron is always quicker to credit others than himself.  Welcome to Episode 53. Elevate the Experience Help bring better audio, video, and filmed episodes to life: Venmo [https://www.venmo.com/u/TheEthanCLewinPodcast]. I tithe 10% of all contributions—half to the All Secure Foundation [https://allsecurefoundation.org/donate] (supporting soldiers’ transition home) and half to the Academy of the New Church High School [https://secure.qgiv.com/for/aotnc]. Stay Connected Contact: https://ethanchaselewin.com/contacthttps://ethanclewin.com/ [https://ethanclewin.com/] A Note from Me I’m inspired by the stories people carry, the power of honest feedback, and the magic that happens when creative minds connect. If you’re a brand interested in partnering, let’s talk: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanlewin]. Thanks for being part of this journey—PEACE!

#52 — Tony Rose - Turns the Tables on Ethan

I would like to say 52 weeks and 52 episodes flew by but I really can't. It's been long, rewarding, uncomfortable at times, and... really, really good for me. I was reluctant to be in the guest seat but Tony refused to let me off the hook and I'm glad he didn't. Tony did a great job keeping it grounded, using me as the lens to reflect on the podcast, the people, the stories, and what it's actually meant to show up 52 times in a row. We talk about how this journey has helped me become more present and curious, why I'm drawn to uncomfortable conversations, and how a lot of that comes from wanting answers myself. Most of all, this one is a thank you. To every guest who trusted me enough to share their story. To everyone who's listened, reached out, or told me to keep going. Tony ends by asking what's next and the answer is simple: we're going to keep chuggin'. I cannot believe I am saying this… and at the same time I can. Welcome to Episode 52. Check Out: Episodes 0-51  [https://open.spotify.com/show/1ItHkx8TweBbwIv6ZNige3?si=dd2fd8551d5c4583] Elevate the Experience Help bring better audio, video, and filmed episodes to life: Venmo [https://www.venmo.com/u/TheEthanCLewinPodcast]. I tithe 10% of all contributions—half to the All Secure Foundation [https://allsecurefoundation.org/donate] (supporting soldiers’ transition home) and half to the Academy of the New Church High School [https://secure.qgiv.com/for/aotnc]. Stay Connected Contact: https://ethanchaselewin.com/contacthttps://ethanclewin.com/ [https://ethanclewin.com/] A Note from Me I’m inspired by the stories people carry, the power of honest feedback, and the magic that happens when creative minds connect. If you’re a brand interested in partnering, let’s talk: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanlewin]. Thanks for being part of this journey—PEACE!

#51 - Ben Pendleton - Milk & Honey

“This is going to be a pretty dark interview… with suicide, Islamic dreaming, jihad… it may get a little dark. But anyhow, it is what it is, I guess. Welcome to my life.” There you have it — straight from Ben himself. Hard to top an introduction like that. But I will add this: beneath all the darkness Ben deeply cares. And despite the weight of the conversation, we shared a lot of laughs too. Ben Pendleton was born into a family deeply affected by mental illness — and as he openly shares, he didn’t quite dodge that bullet himself either. As we discover, his love of religion and inner spiritual struggle have helped him make meaning of his own suffering, his sibling’s, and others’. Ben served in the United States Marine Corps, reported from Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War in 1983, and in 1991 photographed and interviewed legendary Afghan resistance commander Ahmad Shah Massoud. Ben introduced me to a side of Islam, poetry, and the Middle East I likely never would have explored on my own. As Ben says, afterward he went back to working construction — “boringly, scraping paint.” Well… I’m not sure I quite buy that. You can decide for yourself. I feel genuinely lucky to bring Ben’s story, and in many ways the parts of ourselves we often wrestle with most, to you. Welcome to Episode 51. Check Out: Ben’s page: The Use of Dreams in Islamic Jihad (@benyameenp) [https://x.com/benyameenp] Caleb’s Café: 583 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA (normally open Saturdays 8am–2pm) Book Recs & Related Material: Massoud: An Intimate Portrait of the Legendary Afghan Leader — Marcela Grad [https://www.amazon.com/Massoud-Intimate-Portrait-Legendary-Afghan/dp/0982161506] To the Mountains: My Life in Jihad from Algeria to Afghanistan — Abdullah Anas [https://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Life-Jihad-Algeria-Afghanistan-ebook/dp/B07PC347J5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UX7ZCDL6GVA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lNyFqM86RZtDuv-UZGCOOQ.K9fVNM1w5pcS4jA4Q5oixlUv3ch6Qdxovm07xKcXEhM&dib_tag=se&keywords=To+the+Mountains%3A+My+Life+in+Jihad+from+Algeria+to+Afghanistan+%E2%80%94+Abdullah+Anas&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1778861250&s=books&sprefix=to+the+mountains+my+life+in+jihad+from+algeria+to+afghanistan+abdullah+anas%2Cstripbooks%2C110&sr=1-1] The Dream in Islam: From Qur’anic Tradition to Jihadist Inspiration — Iain R. Edgar [https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Islam-Tradition-Jihadist-Inspiration-ebook/dp/B01H6A7WH0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WGE97TD256V2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._DlQuRPoO4AsXwC2BncsKfLKf4hd6UMjYhrbzlji2JXnbWL2Mc4ur8NryWOlZEDt27gGJ9c4WknktsB8g-I7NIdvt3fg0JZC_6yPvqWWKuk656C5Os_RVJy_Wse8HNiSmV_2g_4qLkq_UlGY0dmPpkQC16g_BygODeLQjgIA0-L5-Sl6ohmMy7UnUWOcVx1yTVTmxZC7xG8o2cPSOqjvfdSbE-bIBFbKstolgZKv9bA.9Gqn1wlX2Rd7MyQnfT8FxzNweV8uTCuueijZaxLvezU&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Dream+in+Islam%3A+From+Qur%E2%80%99anic+Tradition+to+Jihadist+Inspiration+%E2%80%94+Iain+R.+Edgar&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1778861267&s=books&sprefix=the+dream+in+islam+from+qur+anic+tradition+to+jihadist+inspiration+iain+r.+edgar%2Cstripbooks%2C67&sr=1-1] Surah Yusuf (Qur’an, Chapter 12) [https://quran.com/12]  “Song of the Bow” (David’s lament for Saul) [https://youtu.be/XXy-gU8-xi4]  New Church Writings Arcana Coelestia (full text archive) [https://dn790000.ca.archive.org/0/items/arcanacoelestiah01swed/arcanacoelestiah01swed.pdf] - see numbers 1975-1983 Arcana Coelestia (Elliott), AC 5091 [https://www.e-swedenborg.com/writings/static/d8086/5091.htm] Spiritual Experiences (#8) [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/spiritual-experiences-odhner/contents/80]  The Heavenly City, A Spiritual Guidebook #269 [https://share.google/enVFa1g99e2Fs3cMy] Divine Providence 326 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/gtw?l=123&w=18&p=326] Elevate the Experience Help bring better audio, video, and filmed episodes to life: Venmo [https://www.venmo.com/u/TheEthanCLewinPodcast]. I tithe 10% of all contributions—half to the All Secure Foundation [https://allsecurefoundation.org/donate] (supporting soldiers’ transition home) and half to the Academy of the New Church High School [https://secure.qgiv.com/for/aotnc]. Stay Connected Contact: https://ethanchaselewin.com/contacthttps://ethanclewin.com/ [https://ethanclewin.com/] A Note from Me I’m inspired by the stories people carry, the power of honest feedback, and the magic that happens when creative minds connect. If you’re a brand interested in partnering, let’s talk: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanlewin]. Thanks for being part of this journey—PEACE!

#50 - John Rienstra - Under the Helmet

John Rienstra was drafted ninth overall in the 1986 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and later played for the Cleveland Browns. He played under Chuck Noll, Bill Belichick, and Bruce Arians — coaches who combined for 11 Super Bowl rings. He was nicknamed The Raging Rhino. At his peak, he could total over 2,000 pounds in powerlifting.But there was always an unseen side. Since his first year at Temple, John battled crippling anxiety and panic attacks — often so severe that the only way through them was to vomit before every game. He hid it for a long time. And when coaches eventually did find out, the way they handled it said a lot about the era he played in. What John and I really dig into today is the full arc — from a boarding school dorm room in Bryn Athyn to the NFL, and everything that came after: More than 20 surgeries. Teammates who died and were posthumously diagnosed with CTE. Going from a first-round pick salary to essentially starting over. From lifting 2,000 pounds to not being able to bench 10.  John is living with the cognitive effects of a career's worth of repetitive head injuries and has been part of the NFL concussion lawsuit for over two decades. His story is a hard one. But John tells it like it is, and I admire him for it — and I think you'll walk away seeing football, and a lot of other things, in a completely different light. Check Out: Penn Sports Live Podcast with John Rienstra [https://pennsports.live/podcast/talking-college-football-history-john-rienstra] A Quiet Warrior, The Story of Former NFL Player [https://www.summitdaily.com/news/a-quiet-warrior-the-story-of-former-nfl-player-frisco-local-john-rienstra/#:~:text=Despite%20his%20athletic%20abilities%2C%20Rienstra,only%20relieve%20them%20by%20vomiting]   Elevate the Experience Help bring better audio, video, and filmed episodes to life: Venmo [https://www.venmo.com/u/TheEthanCLewinPodcast]. I tithe 10% of all contributions—half to the All Secure Foundation [https://allsecurefoundation.org/donate] (supporting soldiers’ transition home) and half to the Academy of the New Church High School [https://secure.qgiv.com/for/aotnc]. Stay ConnectedContact: https://ethanchaselewin.com/contacthttps://ethanclewin.com/ [https://ethanclewin.com/] A Note from Me I’m inspired by the stories people carry, the power of honest feedback, and the magic that happens when creative minds connect. If you’re a brand interested in partnering, let’s talk: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanlewin]. Thanks for being part of this journey—PEACE!