Sept. 28, 2025

MM#436--Reason and Revelation = Become a life long learner

FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text Message What does it take to create a truly flourishing life in today's distraction-filled world? Charlie Kirk's powerful challenge to read 50 books yearly and eliminate "soul-depraving" content offers a compelling answer that few of us want to hear but all of us need to consider. This episode explores the twin pillars of reason and revelation that built Western civilization—from the monotheistic foundations of Judaism through the rationa...

FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text Message

What does it take to create a truly flourishing life in today's distraction-filled world? Charlie Kirk's powerful challenge to read 50 books yearly and eliminate "soul-depraving" content offers a compelling answer that few of us want to hear but all of us need to consider.

This episode explores the twin pillars of reason and revelation that built Western civilization—from the monotheistic foundations of Judaism through the rational inquiry of Greek philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ. We examine how these complementary forces shaped not just history but continue to offer the surest path to personal wisdom and societal flourishing today.

Through a vulnerable sharing of my own faith journey, I reveal how returning to serious Catholic practice transformed me into what others describe as "a far better, more patient, more godly person." The communal aspect of faith development gets special attention as I highlight the decade-long impact of the "That Man Is You" men's group on my spiritual growth. This personal testimony serves as an invitation for listeners to consider how intentional faith practice might similarly transform their lives.

The practical takeaway is clear: commit to both revelation (putting God first through serious faith practice) and reason (becoming a lifelong learner through reading quality books) for at least 60-90 days. This dual commitment, I promise, will set you on the path to a flourishing life characterized by wisdom, virtue, and purpose. Will you accept the challenge to trade mindless scrolling for the timeless treasures found in great books and faithful living?

Key Points from the Episode:

• Reading 50 books per year on entrepreneurship, history, finance, and economics
• Cutting out "soul-depraving" content like excessive streaming media
• Reason and revelation as the twin pillars that built Western civilization
• The historical progression from Judaism through Greek philosophy to Christianity
• Taking faith seriously through regular practice and humble commitment
• Finding community through faith-based groups like "That Man Is You"
• Reading the Bible and classic books as complementary paths to wisdom
• Trading mindless scrolling for intentional learning and spiritual growth

Try committing to both revelation (putting God first) and reason (reading good books) for 60-90 days, and I promise it will change your life. Become a lifelong learner for Charlie Kirk, and you will be on the road to a flourishing life.

Other resources:

Want to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatly!

00:00 - Introduction and Charlie Kirk's Advice

02:57 - Reason and Revelation in Western Civilization

04:31 - Personal Faith Journey and Growth

07:00 - Putting God First in Life

08:20 - Reading Good Books and Bible

10:23 - Conclusion and Call to Action

WEBVTT

00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:21.199
Welcome to the Theory to Action Podcast, where we examine the timeless treasures of wisdom from the great books in less time to help you take action immediately and ultimately to create and lead a flourishing life.

00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:25.359
Now, here's your host, David Kaiser.

00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:29.199
Hello, I am David, and welcome back to another Mojo Minute.

00:00:29.440 --> 00:00:38.240
As is our custom, let's begin not with a quote from a book, but with a great piece of advice.

00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:40.000
Go on to the audio.

00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:45.759
Yeah, so so here's my here's my advice, especially if you you hear that a lot.

00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:53.119
Every single one of you now, thanks to these literal supercomputers, for no charge, you can take learning very seriously.

00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:54.399
Every single one of you should do this.

00:00:54.479 --> 00:00:56.640
If you want to be an entrepreneur, you have to be a lifelong learner.

00:00:56.719 --> 00:00:58.640
You should be reading at least 50 books a year.

00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:02.719
You should be listening to fulfilling soul-enriching content for two hours a day.

00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:08.560
You should cut out all of the soul-depraving Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, all of that.

00:01:08.719 --> 00:01:10.159
You want to be taken seriously?

00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:11.920
Read 50 books over the next decade.

00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:13.040
That's 500 books.

00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:15.439
50 books, 50 books a year for the next decade.

00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:16.560
That's 500 books.

00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:20.159
On entrepreneurial, on American history, on finance, on economics.

00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:21.519
There's no lack of them, right?

00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:22.239
They're all out there.

00:01:22.400 --> 00:01:27.680
By the way, most of them, they're like 20 bucks a pot, but if you want to, there's like free versions, there's YouTube lectures.

00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:33.040
There is no excuse for anybody in this room to not take learning seriously.

00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:34.959
Okay.

00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:41.280
So most of you will know that that voice was that of Charlie Kirk.

00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:46.000
He was a passionate lifelong learner until his death.

00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:50.799
I actually did not know he was reading 50 books a year.

00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:53.120
So he was a man after my own heart.

00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:58.319
He loved books, and as you know, I love, love, love the good books.

00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:02.400
Now I will tell you that reading 50 books a year is hard.

00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:03.680
That's a lot.

00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:07.280
That's very, very hard.

00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:09.520
But I agree.

00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:11.599
I agree with Charlie.

00:02:11.759 --> 00:02:25.520
I agree so much with Charlie that before I knew him or even of his cause, that's exactly what I found myself doing in my life, in the world of social media, scrolling, and wasting tons of time.

00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:34.479
We have a huge treasure trove of wonderful, if not incredible books we can learn from.

00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:37.680
We all have to become lifelong learners.

00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:44.639
You know, reason and revelation is what built our Western civilization, the greatest civilization the world's ever seen.

00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:49.439
And the United States is the greatest country the world has ever seen.

00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:54.159
And the United States is built upon reason and revelation.

00:02:55.120 --> 00:02:56.800
So how did all this happen?

00:02:57.039 --> 00:03:08.400
Well, over time, hundreds of people began believing in reason and revelation, especially the revelation with Judaism and the monotheistic worship of God.

00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:12.240
Then after that, the Greeks came with reason.

00:03:12.560 --> 00:03:18.080
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, among the top ones of the Greeks.

00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:23.840
And then came Jesus Christ as a fulfillment of both reason and revelation.

00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:36.560
And over time, say that thousand to fifteen hundred years from the time of Moses and the Ten Commandments up until the time of Christ, hundreds, if not thousands, of people began to follow that way of life.

00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:52.479
And like we said, then came Jesus Christ, and from a small band of twelve, then a hundred, then hundreds of followers of Christ began to spread out throughout the world.

00:03:53.439 --> 00:04:01.199
And that hundred to thousand began to be more than a thousand, began to be tens of thousands.

00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:02.479
And what were they doing?

00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:06.240
They were using reason and revelation to live their lives.

00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:11.840
We have to practice our faith with a seriousness that God requires of us.

00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:18.800
Now, here's just a little bit of my story in the hope that it helps you find your way.

00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:21.279
Because that's what we're all doing.

00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:24.240
We're all trying to find our way in this world.

00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:29.439
I had found God and was baptized at age of 24 into the Catholic Church.

00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:33.439
And I certainly wasn't taking my faith seriously at the beginning.

00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:34.879
And I knew better.

00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:44.560
I wasn't reading the Bible, I wasn't practicing the sacraments, monthly confession, at least, was not happening, and Holy Mass each and every Sunday was not happening.

00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:49.839
For us Catholics, those are the minimums, at least for a practicing Catholic.

00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:54.399
But over time, I began to read more.

00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:57.680
And I began to read the Bible more.

00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:05.839
So reason and revelation began my call back to the church.

00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:13.439
Along with finding a wonderful group, it's a national group within the Catholic Church called That Man Is You.

00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:22.800
Our local parish had a That Man Is You literally 10 years ago, started up, and this group is a wonderful Catholic men's group.

00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:27.040
I'd encourage you to find it anywhere that is close to you.

00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:37.680
You can just Google Catholic men or That Man Is You if you're a Catholic, and you can find the local groups almost, well, many, many parishes.

00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:41.199
I won't say almost every parish, many parishes have them.

00:05:41.519 --> 00:05:43.680
Our local group is wonderful.

00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:52.160
Wonderful guys, all trying to practice their Catholic faith, all coming with a humble heart.

00:05:52.560 --> 00:06:03.519
And I will tell you, showing up every morning on Saturday mornings for the last 10 plus years has made me a 10 times better Catholic, 10 times better person.

00:06:03.839 --> 00:06:11.439
And along with reading and revelation, that has helped me to become a better person.

00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:26.160
And everyone that says that about me, who's around me day in and day out, says that that I'm that I'm a far better patient person, far more godly person, far more, not that I'm still not a sinner.

00:06:26.319 --> 00:06:29.279
We all are certainly still a sinner.

00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:47.120
But if we remain humble and we acknowledge our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is our God and we are not our gods, and we submit to his will, then over time we will all get better practicing the virtues.

00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:51.600
And that is the point of this whole podcast to live a flourishing life.

00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:58.959
So I would suggest the first step is to begin by finding our Lord Jesus Christ as your God.

00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:10.639
If you're a baptized Catholic and you've been away from the church, find the nearest confessional time, make a good examination of conscience, make a good confession, and then you're back in the fold.

00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:15.839
There's plenty of resources to help you make a good exam and a good confession that are free online.

00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:17.279
Just Google it.

00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:20.959
And begin to practice your faith seriously.

00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:28.639
If you're a Christian, make a humble confession and begin to practice your faith seriously.

00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:36.240
If there's one thing Charlie Kirk taught us and led by example, is to take your faith seriously.

00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:39.600
And we always talk about this on the Catholic corner.

00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:42.480
We cannot put our faith in the corner.

00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:46.800
We have to take it out of the corner and put it first in our life.

00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:48.319
So that's the first step.

00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:49.439
Put God first.

00:07:49.839 --> 00:07:53.120
And the second, and that's the revelation side.

00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:56.399
If we put God first, that's the revelation side.

00:07:57.360 --> 00:08:03.279
And second, reason helps us by beginning to read the good books.

00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:11.439
The books that we've all known we should be reading for the last for all of our lives, but have been written over the last 3,000 years.

00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:19.920
The classics, the modern classics, the books that help us, as Charlie said, add to our soul.

00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:24.959
When you're reading a book, you can know if it's adding to your soul or depriving you.

00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:32.559
And frankly, that's what I began doing over 15 years ago, and I cannot agree more with Charlie.

00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:35.679
We have to be lifelong learners.

00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:47.919
Books have helped me to become a better person, to increase my virtues, to increase my knowledge, and more importantly, increase my wisdom of the universal laws that are eternal.

00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:54.320
And part of that reading plan as a lifelong learner is reading the Bible, the Holy Bible.

00:08:54.639 --> 00:09:06.320
So reason and revelation are the two pillars that have upheld and further gave progress to our Western civilization.

00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:11.039
Western civilization has lasted for the last 3,000 plus years.

00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:22.080
If we are professed Christians and Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, why would we not take him up on that promise?

00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:28.639
Why would we not make it our prayer for him to teach us the way, the truth, and the life?

00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:29.440
Try it.

00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:31.759
Try it for 60 to 90 days.

00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:34.639
I promise it'll change your life.

00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:45.360
So in today's mojo minute, revelation and reason are and is the good map for all Christians.

00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:46.399
It's the blueprint.

00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:49.120
Read your Bible and read the good books.

00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:55.440
Not Howard Zinn's garbage that every college student and high school student has been mandated to read.

00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:56.559
That's rubbish.

00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:58.240
Read the good books.

00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:05.039
If you don't know what the good books are, listen to this podcast for the last 400 plus episodes.

00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:08.000
You'll peel out all the good books.

00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:12.639
So read the good books and read your Bible.

00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:14.720
Become a lifelong learner.

00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:17.759
Become a lifelong learner for Charlie Kirk.

00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:21.840
And then you will be on the road to a flourishing life.

00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:25.519
Thank you for joining us.

00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:28.799
We hope you enjoyed this theory to action podcast.

00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:38.159
Be sure to check out our show page at teammojoacademy.com, where we have everything we discussed in this podcast as well as other great resources.

00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:41.759
Until next time, keep getting your mojo up.