Family Adventures, Cattle Auctions, and Catholic Entrepreneurship with Karl Graham
Introduction: David and Adam welcome listeners to the 9th anniversary episode of The Catholic Man Show, started in 2016 as a Catholic radio show before becoming a podcast.
Drink Announcement: Celebrating with Old Rip Van Winkle 10-Year Bourbon, a gift from friend Blake Burger for their 100th episode, sourced again for this milestone.
Main Discussion
Family Adventures at the Wanamaker Gun Show
Adam shares his family outing to the Wanenmacher Gun Show in Oklahoma, one of the largest in the U.S., with ~10,000-15,000 attendees.
First weekend home in weeks; decided to spend time with family despite cold, rainy weather.
Spent 3 hours exploring ~40% of the massive expo (quarter-mile long).
All kids (except 2-year-old John) got pocket knives; Anna (Adam’s daughter) showed hers off at Mass.
Only one Band-Aid needed (Anna’s finger), considered a “miracle” for 4 pocket knives.
Cattle Auction Experience
Adam recounts taking his 6-year-old son, Leo, to a cattle auction in Checotah, Oklahoma (hometown of Carrie Underwood).
First-time experience; fast-paced, intimidating environment with bids decided in 5-10 seconds.
Auctioneers provide rapid info (weight, heifer/steer, vaccination status) while cows move in and out.
David bought two heifers and accidentally bid on a bull, later corrected to a steer with help from friend Jimmy Ritchie.
Leo loved the action-packed atmosphere, unaware they’d bought cows until Adam explained.
Cows are alive, thriving, and haven’t escaped fences yet.
Farm Life and Pig Processing
David awaits delivery of half a pig (named Chocolate Chip) from friend Juan Posadas, processed by Brandon Sheerd.
Juan sold piglets from David’s heifer; funny story of Juan transporting pigs to a baptism at Christ the King in summer heat.
Excitement for natural bacon cured with salt, free of commercial feed chemicals that affect fat flavor.
Guest Introduction: Karl Graham
Karl, a longtime friend from the Diocese of Tulsa, joins to discuss his journey as a geologist, family man, and Catholic entrepreneur.
Background: Grew up in Tulsa, studied geology in Colorado, returned in 2010, moved to San Antonio (2014), Houston, and back to Tulsa (2017).
Married to Lindsey (nurse); father of six, including twins born in San Antonio.
Professional path: Oil and gas industry (10+ years), MBA from University of Chicago, transitioned to entrepreneurship.
Break 1: Pilgrimage Sponsor
Select International Tours: For 34 years, leading pilgrimages worldwide with top guides and hotels. Visit selectinternationaltours.com for details.
Second Segment: Karl’s Professional Journey
Geology Career: Started in oil and gas in Tulsa post-undergrad, worked for a global company with offices in Perth, Cairo, Houston, etc.
Moved to San Antonio for a “skunk works” project; loved the ordinariate parish (Our Lady of the Atonement).
Realized geology wasn’t enough; aimed to become a business executive.
MBA Experience: Attended University of Chicago while working full-time, traveling every other weekend.
Moved from San Antonio to Houston during school; had twins and fourth child; graduated with five kids after moving back to Tulsa.
Industry contracted during this time, closing offices he’d hoped to work in (e.g., Cairo, Perth).
Wake-Up Call: Realized corporate life diverged from family goals; noticed family members thrived as entrepreneurs in smaller communities.
Left corporate job in Houston (despite stability) to join a small oil and gas startup in Tulsa with colleague Chris (now business partner).
Risky move: Lower salary, invested personal savings, rented home after multiple moves.
Break 2: Exodus 90 Sponsor
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Third Segment: Entrepreneurship and Risk
Oil and Gas Startup: Joined a 20-person company (down from 3,000 in corporate role).
2020 Challenges: COVID and negative oil prices (-$28/barrel) led to triage mode, layoffs (30 to 11 employees), and weekly vendor payment decisions.
New Venture: Co-founded Luminess Capital (real estate investment firm) with Chris, focusing on self-storage facilities.
Simpler than oil exploration; clear risks and opportunities.
Grew to 16 employees across four continents (U.S., Philippines, Zimbabwe, Panama, El Salvador, Mexico).
Rewarding to offer global team flexible work (e.g., no long commutes); 100% Catholic employees initially (unplanned, due to hiring in Philippines).
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Bet on skills, create opportunities for others, provide meaningful Christian work environments.
Break 3: Return to Discussion
Parish Involvement: Karl emphasizes using professional skills to serve the local parish, not as a factory but as stewards of resources (money, buildings, beauty).
Example: Volunteering on finance and school councils, proposing longer meetings (1 to 1.5 hours) to solve complex problems.
Encourages men to offer expertise (e.g., landscaping, maintenance) to save funds for higher-impact uses (e.g., Catholic education).
Podcast-Exclusive Segment: Evangelization and Magnanimity
Prestige and Humility: Pursuing professional excellence builds a platform for evangelization.
Example: JD Vance’s Catholic faith enhances his credibility as a statesman, inspiring others.
Opus Dei examination of conscience: Are you using professional prestige to spread faith?
Stereotype of poor Christians (e.g., Franciscans) shouldn’t deter success; wealth is a talent to steward, not squander.
Entrepreneurship Benefits: Creates jobs, fosters Christian work environments, offers opportunities (e.g., Good Friday off for Filipino employees).
Parish Engagement Challenges: Men’s clubs often feel like “another meeting”; Karl’s Knights of Columbus experience in San Antonio (casino trip focus) was uninspiring.
Solution: Social organizations should prioritize relationships (like Jesus’ three years with disciples), not formalities.
Example: Invite neighbors to casual parish events (e.g., BBQs) to share life, not just preach.
Stewardship Mindset: Treat parish resources (and personal gifts like homes, bodies) as God’s, fostering buy-in.
Example: Men landscaping parish grounds saves money for education and builds community stake (like past generations who built parishes).
Wichita’s model: Active parishioners get tuition discounts for volunteering time, creating a culture of giving.
Faith and Work: Kids didn’t shift Karl’s work focus initially (already driven), but now with six kids, he values flexibility to volunteer at school/parish.
Prayer to St. Joseph warns against “vain complacency in success”; Catholics should strive for constant excellence to reflect faith.
If Catholics excelled maximally, employers would seek them out.
Closing Thoughts
Encouragement for Men: Don’t shy away from parish involvement; offer specific skills (e.g., “12 guys to solve a problem”) without needing formal workdays.
Example: Karl’s parish has 90+ RCIA candidates; needs space solutions.
Story: RCIA candidate Curtis saw friend Anthony’s Catholic conversion change him, sparking his own journey.
Magnanimity: Use God-given talents for greatness in secular and church life to build the Kingdom.
Final Cheers: “We’re on the Lord’s team, the winning side. Raise your glass! Cheers to Jesus!”
Action Items for Listeners
Parish Involvement: Reach out to your pastor with a specific offer (e.g., “I’ll get 10 guys to landscape the grounds”).
Stewardship: Reflect on how you can use professional skills to serve your parish (e.g., finance, maintenance, education).
Evangelization: Build relationships through social parish events to share your faith naturally.
Magnanimity: Pursue excellence in your career to reflect Christ and expand your influence for the Kingdom.
Additional Notes
9th Anniversary Context: Show started when podcasts were niche; now over 500 episodes, outlasting most (average podcast stops after 3-5 episodes).
Old Rip Van Winkle: Exceptional bourbon; no alcohol burn, flavorful kick, lingers pleasantly. Shared generously per “festivity” philosophy (per Pieper).
Luminous Capital: Karl’s real estate firm grew from a self-storage thesis to a global team, emphasizing a Christian work culture.
Catholic Education: Reference to Bishop Connolly’s pastoral letter on stewardship in Catholic schools (e.g., Wichita’s model).
