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Recommended Reading: "The No Bull Briefing" - October 2025

 

The No Bull Briefing The Monthly Newsletter of the Samson Society October 2025

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The Captain's Log: Join Us in November

Brothers, This November 7–9, we’re gathering at Glorieta Adventure Camp outside Santa Fe, New Mexico for the annual Samson Summit, and you don’t want to miss it. This year, we are honored to welcome Chris Bruno—author, counselor, and guide for men reclaiming the lost art of true initiation and rites of passage. Chris has spent his life helping men step into their strength, courage, and wholeness not through bravado, but through honest vulnerability and sacred brotherhood. The Summit is a chance to step out of the noise of daily life and into a space where you can reconnect with your story, your brothers, and your God. Together we’ll explore what it means to walk through life’s thresholds as men who are deeply known and fully alive. And there’s more: you can choose to arrive a day early—Thursday, November 6—for a special time of fellowship and gathering. This extended time will give you the chance to deepen your recovery journey and begin the weekend already rooted in connection. Don’t miss this opportunity to walk shoulder to shoulder with men on the same path as we rediscover our story. We’ll see you at Glorieta. Learn More

Shop Your 2025 Souvenir Summit Shirt

Grab your official Samson Summit 2025 shirt today and show up to Glorieta already geared up. This isn’t just a shirt! iI’s a marker of your journey and a reminder that you’re not walking alone. Snag yours now and wear it with pride when we gather in Santa Fe. Shop Today

There's Something For Your Partner Too!

The Wild & Sacred Journey: A Weekend of Exploration, Reclamation, and Healing November 7-9 in Esposito, New Mexico This transformative weekend retreat is designed exclusively for women to reconnect with the wild, playful, and sacred aspects of themselves. Learn More

Samson Resources At Your Fingertips Curious about how to step into deeper healing, brotherhood, and honest conversations around faith and sexuality? Click the button below for resources, events, and connection points we’ve gathered for you. You don’t have to walk this road alone.  Samson Linktree

Your support is crucial to keep Samson House running smoothly and effectively. Your financial contributions help cover the essential expenses that keep our operations going strong. DONATE

Recommended Viewing

The one time I had the privilege to hear Pastor Voddie Baucham was during a weekend men's conference here in Mississippi.  This was around 17 years ago (2008).  All I recall is that he exposited the first few chapters of Genesis, and it was so unlike anything I'd ever heard executed within a "men's conference" - type setting.  Prior to this, I'd attended a handful of stadium-filling "Promise Keepers" events, and these served as my only point of reference.  In contrast to those, Voddie preached to us men throughout the entirety of the conference, WITH FULL EXPECTATION that we'd stay focused therein on his exposition - no matter it's length / concept.  That weekend demanded so much more than anything I'd ever been part of (in light of it being labeled as a conference specifically designed for men).  

The guys that attended with me were three younger Presbyterians from our church, one of which organized our small group's involvement.  None of these men were close friends, though interestingly enough, one did eventually get fully immersed within Samson Society (& he did know my story at the time).  

Notice within this video Voddie's voice.  Specifically, how much blank space(s) is intentionally left within his speech.  As such, his words have reference and austerity, and what I mean by that last descriptor is how very deliberate he was with his diction.

You will be missed Voddie Baucham.

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Do Not Neglect the Gift You Have | Desiring God

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The Real Reason You Can’t Quit Porn

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When We Must Walk Alone | Desiring God

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https://charper.substack.com/p/the-gospel-of-drift?utm_source=substack&publication_id=1235283&post_id=174636290&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=5ck3f3&triedRedirect=true

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https://archive.is/EAXx2

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Recommended Reading / Is It Okay To Be "High As A Kite" (Marijuana Use) Whilst Attending A Samson Society Meeting?

Spiritual Dangers of Recreational Marijuana | Desiring God

I host "Transparent Training Union" (virtual Samson Society meeting) Sundays at 5 PM CST.  As such, I have a non-regular attendee who's a pothead, and he's not shy about being "high as a kite" whilst attending "TTU".

As you can imagine, he's not one to contribute much of anything (of any substance), whilst being inebriated, due to his impaired state of mind.

I've told him (one-on-one during "TTU's" after meeting) that I don't believe his recovery is benefiting in anyway by his marijuana use (whether it's prescription or recreational or some combination).  He respectfully disagrees whilst letting me know that I'm "entitled to my opinion".

I recently asked my Samson Hero about this situation.  Here's my email below:

"Another item that's arisen, that I need your help with, are pot heads that come to TTU high.  And I know they're high on marijuana because they gloat about it.  

These brothers can't / don't share anything of any substance because they're inebriated.  Plus, I have no idea if they're clearly hearing anything else that's being shared or even truly remembering to keep everything in strictest confidence.  Since I've no experience with marijuana, I have no point of reference.

If TTU was an in-person meeting, I'm assuming an inebriated brother wouldn't be allowed in (assuming he somehow made it to the meeting).

During TTU's after meeting tonight, I was left with an inebriated guy, and after disclosing (again - he's done this in other TTU meetings he's chosen to attend) that he was high as a kite, I let him know that I believed using marijuana wasn't helping his situation.  He respectfully disagreed with me.

What are your thoughts?  Should I simply look the other way as a meeting host, or do I take steps to barr him from TTU or something in between?

This is new territory for Rob."

I'm looking forward to hearing back.

Lagniappe

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Boom times and total burnout: three days at Europe’s biggest pornography conference | Pornography | The Guardian

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"The No Bull Briefing" - September 2025

The No Bull Briefing The Monthly Newsletter of the Samson Society September 2025

DONATE

The Captain's Log: A Note from Aaron

Gentlemen, I can’t believe it’s already September. I don’t know what your summer looked like, but mine was anything but ordinary—full of schedule shifts and some big life changes. Getting back into a steady rhythm hasn’t been easy. You’d think that knowing I’ve managed good routines before would make it simpler to jump back in, but if I’m honest, it hasn’t worked that way for me. Maybe you can relate. What does help me, though, is being around other men. That’s what always brings encouragement. Next week, Nate and I will be heading overseas to spend some time with our brothers. Please pray for this trip, especially for Don, who is inviting soldiers from a nearby military base to join us. We’re also gearing up for the annual Summit on the second weekend in November. If you’d like to come a day early, we’ll be gathering informally to prepare our hearts and minds for what God has in store. I hope you’ll be there. We’ve got guys coordinating airport rides and logistics, so let us know what you need and we’ll do our best to help. Another exciting update: for the past six months, a dedicated group has been working hard to launch our new website. The goal is for it to be a central hub—for online groups, virtual and in-person connections, training, updates, and more. (Sorry, no virtual hugs—still figuring that one out!) Stay tuned for details on how to log in and keep your meetings and connections running smoothly during the transition. That’s all from me for now. I’m looking forward to sharing real hugs and some rich conversations around campfires in the months ahead. aaron

Who Should Board the Pirate Monk Podcast Next?

Fellow Samson men, Pull up a chair by the fire and lend me your ear! The Pirate Monk Podcast crew is always hunting for new voices, fresh stories, and hard-won wisdom to bring aboard our humble ship. But even the bravest crew needs a lookout from time to time… and that’s where you come in. Is there a brother, counselor, author, or swashbuckler of faith whose story you think would challenge, comfort, or crack open a new horizon for us all? Maybe someone whose honesty or experience has charted new waters in your own journey? Now’s your chance to throw their name in the hat and, if you’ve got it, pass along a way for us to contact them (aye, their POC: point of contact). Drop anchor and fill out this short form to nominate a guest:

Nominate Podcast Guest Tell us:     •    Who is this shipmate and what makes him worth bringing aboard?     •    What tale or topic should we let him share?     •    And where in these seven seas might we find him (email, phone, etc.)? The wind’s in our favor, but we need your eyes on the horizon. Let’s fill our sails with stories that matter and voices that carry. Ready to help us plot our next course? Click the link above and let’s keep this brotherhood strong. Yours in the fellowship, Justin (and the Pirate Monk crew)

Don't Miss the Boat: Upcoming Events

Manhood feels muddy. You want to be a strong, loving, dependable man—faithful to your calling as a husband, father, and friend. But let’s be honest: for most of us, the path forward isn’t clear. Culture is loud with extremes—hypermasculinity that crushes vulnerability, or a disconnected model of manhood that denies strength and risk. Too often, the messages we receive—from society, and sometimes even from the church—leave men with silence, shame, or shallow answers. And for many of us, no father, mentor, or guide ever walked us through what it really means to be a man. The Restorative Manhood Digital Summit offers men something more than hype, shame, or silence. You’ll hear honest, story-rich conversations with therapists, pastors, scientists, artists, adventurers, and sages. The kind of guidance that doesn’t lecture—but walks with you. The kind of wisdom you wish your dad had offered. It’s a space to rediscover a hopeful, grounded vision of masculinity—and the man you were created to be. Register for FREE

2025 Samson Summit November 7-9 outside Santa Fe, New Mexico Explore your story, deepen your relationships, and live out your story as fully as God intended. Learn More Invite Your Partner! November 7-9 in Santa Fe, New Mexico This transformative weekend retreat is designed exclusively for women to reconnect with the wild, playful, and sacred aspects of themselves. Learn More

Take Us With You On Your Adventures!

Check out the Samson Swag Store and stock up on awesome gear like mugs, shirts, and journals. Whether you’re sipping coffee at a meeting, wearing a conversation-starting tee, tackling trails, or jotting down reflections in your journal, these items are a great way to stay connected to the mission and brotherhood of Samson. Every purchase helps support the work of the Society, so grab your swag today! Shop Today

Samson Resources At Your Fingertips Curious about how to step into deeper healing, brotherhood, and honest conversations around faith and sexuality? Click the button below for resources, events, and connection points we’ve gathered for you. You don’t have to walk this road alone.  Samson Linktree

Big News on the Horizon! We’ve heard you. Between meeting links, podcasts, resources, messages, and Marco Polo threads, Samson has felt a bit… scattered. That’s about to change. We’re working behind the scenes to de-silo the Samson experience and bring everything under one roof — a brand new Samson Society app, launching soon on both the Apple and Google Play stores. Think: meetings, messaging, updates, resources, and more — all in one place. No more digging. No more guessing. Just one tap to connect with your brothers. Stay tuned.

Your support is crucial to keep Samson House running smoothly and effectively. Your financial contributions help cover the essential expenses that keep our operations going strong. DONATE