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The four levels of happiness are interconnected and there is a natural progression moving up the four levels. However, one of the four levels is going to be most dominant in your life. The choice you make reveals which level of happiness is your priority. As you repeatedly resolve conflicts of desire in favor of one particular level, that kind of happiness becomes your meaning in life. You start living for it and the other levels fade into the background.
The desires of Level 2 motivate us to pursue many good things. It is very good to achieve a lot with our lives—to further our education, to have status, security, self-esteem, and the power to get things done. But people who get caught up in the "comparison game" can find themselves trapped. Moving on to Levels 3 and 4 becomes necessary if they are to avoid unhappiness.

The Comparison Game

In our society today, the most divisive and extreme outlets get the most clicks and views. Ridiculous opinions are the best route to popularity. This doesn&#39;t only apply to political commentators. It also applies within the Church. 
It always saddens me that the non-Catholic world typically encounters two extremes of Catholicism. On the one hand, you have progressive Catholics like Fr. James Martin, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and the like. On the other hand, you have the ultra-trad conservatives who preach endless negativity and a standard based on preferences disguised as requirements for holiness. 
The sad reality I&#39;ve come to see as a content creator is that these two extreme groups have the easiest path to gaining support for their content. I&#39;ve found this to be pretty discouraging. 
In today&#39;s episode, I share some of my experiences and some recent things that I&#39;ve come across that support these distinctions.
 
<a href="https://youtu.be/T7Aw5izFsZk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Here is the link</a> to the Lila Rose / Patrick Bet David interview I referenced! 
 
To support the podcast,<a href="seekingexcellence.locals.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"> join our Locals channel here</a>

Ep 229 | Extreme Catholics are the Popular Catholics

Addiction to pornography is a growing epidemic in our country and around the world. These alarming statistics have only gotten worse over the last decade:
<ul>
 <li>Pornography is very prevalent in our society, and porn addiction affects about 5-8% of adults.</li>
 <li>People addicted to porn spend at least 11 to 12 hours per week viewing porn.</li>
 <li>Most people who have a porn addiction say that porn hurts their personal relationships.</li>
 <li>Many conditions co-occur with porn addiction, including anxiety, depression, sex addiction, social anxiety and substance use disorders.</li>
</ul>
 
What can you do to battle addiction to pornography or help others who are facing that battle themselves? Find out in today's episode with my friend Julia Hoyda.&nbsp;
Julia is a PhD candidate in neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati. She is a cradle Catholic born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She is a graduate of Hillsdale College and the Associate Director of Special Projects for <a href="https://www.magdalaministries.org">Magdala Ministries</a>, a rapidly growing organization that helps women battle sexual addictions.

Ep 153 | Battling Addiction to Pornography feat. Julia Hoyda

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
04:16 The Misconception of Single Income Family
06:42 The Challenges and Realities of Multiple Income Streams
13:26 Choosing What to Sacrifice and Suck At
17:20 The Importance of Momentum and Deadlines
23:27 The Journey of House Hacking and Airbnb
29:02 Financial Benefits and Tools for Airbnb
30:29 Planning and Anticipating Future Needs
30:58 Tracking Finances and Projected Profits
33:24 Forced Appreciation through Home Renovations
36:13 Building Community and Intentional Friendships
41:24 Balancing Work and Family Life
55:27 Finding Creative Opportunities to Increase Income
 
 
Summary
In this conversation, Nathan and Emily Crankfield discuss their journey as a single-income family and how they created multiple streams of income through house hacking and Airbnb. 
 
They share their experiences and challenges in finding a house that could be converted into an Airbnb, the renovations they had to do, and the importance of setting and respecting deadlines. They also talk about the financial benefits of having an Airbnb and how it replaced Emily&#39;s income from her job in youth ministry. 
 
They emphasize the importance of community and intentional friendships, as well as the need for balance and support in their roles as a stay-at-home mom. They encourage listeners to be proactive in building community and exploring opportunities to increase income.

Money Mindset For A Catholic Family w/ Emily Crankfield

About a month ago, there was a very interesting blog released from the truly excellent Catholic ministry The Young Catholic Woman. This blog was titled Why I unfollowed you: An open letter to Catholic influencers. Knowing that I, myself, have had a number of frustrations with popular catholics on social media and in the big time catholic speaker circle, you can assume that I was eager to read what the author had to say. 
She broke down her reasons for unfollowing into three main categories. One I wholeheartedly agreed with, one I mostly disagreed with, and one was about 50/50. In today's episode, I break down her three reasons and share my thoughts on each of them. 

Disclaimer:  I have a great deal of respect and appreciation for the work that is done at The Young Catholic Woman. I also have no hard feelings toward the author of the blog, since I have never interacted with her in any way. I would have gladly posted this same blog on my own website, because I agree with many points that it makes and believe we have to be open to tolerating things that we may disagree with, so long as they don't lead people away from the Church or the Truth. 

Please go check out the Young Catholic Woman on Instagram @theyoungcatholicwoman

Be your best!

Ep 143 | Catholic Influencers

Catholics often talk about the need to honor the body through chastity, which is undoubtedly of the utmost importance. But honoring our bodies, the very temples of the Holy Spirit, is not just about what we ABSTAIN from doing, it's also about what we actively choose to do.&nbsp;
Fitness, nutrition, and rest are critical to being a good steward of the body God has blessed you with. As a former professional athlete, Josie Kuhlman should know! She has experienced the great ups and downs of constantly pushing herself mentally and physically.&nbsp;
Today, she shares her journey with fitness and how it has become so intertwined with her spiritual growth!
Follow Josie @mjkuhlman and check out her other episodes!&nbsp;
Follow SE @seeking365 and be sure to share this episode with a friend!&nbsp;
Oh and subscribe!!!

Episode 72 | Train Your Body, Train Your Soul w/ Josie Kuhlman

This is Episode #274 of the Seeking Excellence Podcast.
To support the podcast and to get access to exclusive swag, resources, and daily content, <a href="https://seekingexcellence.locals.com/">⁠join our Locals community.⁠</a>
Seeking Excellence provides purpose, direction, and motivation to young men and women who are striving to fulfill their potential and get the most out of life.
For daily inspiration, follow Nathan on Instagram, Twitter, Gettr, and at @nathancrankfield
For clips from the podcast, follow SE on Instagram @seekingexcellence_
For exclusive video content, subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@seekingexcellence365" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube channel here</a>

Daycare, Nannies, or Stay at Home Moms? | Jessica Kramer | Ep 274

You may have heard it said that the Devil's greatest strategy is convincing people that he does not exist. If that's true, then his second best strategy must be convincing people that his weapons do not exist or that they are irrelevant. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Pornography is one of the greatest evils of our time. The addiction rates have increased rapidly over the past two decades as access to pornographic materials has become easier than ever. Kids who aren't even in middle school are being exposed to pornographic material. &nbsp;
&nbsp;Luckiy, we have some incredible people fighting the battle to end our society's addiction to porn. Sean Clifford is the CEO of Canopy, an incredible software company that helps block pornographic material from mobile devices. &nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://canopy.us">Learn more about Canopy here</a>

Ep 132 | Fighting Our Addiction to Pornography w/ Sean Clifford

For deeper content and discussion, <a href="https://seekingexcellence.locals.com/">join our Locals community.</a>
This is Episode #197 of the Seeking Excellence Podcast hosted by Nathan Crankfield.
The Seeking Excellence Podcast exists to help people take extreme ownership of their lives so they can intentionally strive to fulfill their potential.
To learn more, head to our <a href="http://thosewhoseek.org/">website</a>.
You can follow Nathan on Instagram, Twitter, Gettr, and TikTok at @nathancrankfield
You can follow SE on Instagram @seekingexcellence_
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@seekingexcellence365">YouTube channel here</a>

Ep 197 | Spiritual Excellence

See below for more information on All Saints Parish
Visit their website: http://allsaintscatholic.net/
Subscribe to their YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3KWSNfE
Listen to their podcast: https://allsaintsparish.podbean.com/
Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allparish
Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allparish/

Sunday Homily: Repay to God What Belongs to God

Seeking Excellence Podcast Episode 165&nbsp;
 
We all find ourselves in a dark place from time to time. Life is filled with adversity and hardship, so it is inevitable that we will find ourselves in a slump. We can fall off the grind mentally, relationally, physically, spiritually, professionally, etc. A slump in one area of life usually leads to slumps in another.&nbsp;
What can we do to work our way out of these downtimes? Are we just a victim of our circumstances? Do we have the ability to change the trajectory of so many areas of our lives? In today's episode, we talk about some practical ways I have dug myself out of some dark holes in life, using a very recent and real example to draw lessons from.&nbsp;
 
Follow me on Instagram @nathancrankfield and @seekingexcellence ! 
 
Be your best!&nbsp;

Ep 165 | Fighting Mental Darkness

Maddie Gramling and I first met through a Students For Life of America social media group. I was very impressed by how outspoken and bold she was on some of the most important issues of our time and in her apologetics for the Catholic faith. 
 
To describe Maddie as a firecracker would be an immense understatement. After her conversion to Catholicism, she wrote her family a bold and incredible letter that outlined her reasons for converting along with cited resources to support those reasons. You can find that letter <a href="https://yourcoolgrandmascloset.squarespace.com/journal/2020/1/28/my-conversion" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">here</a>! 
 
Maddie also shares her experience in the Catholic dating world and we discuss some of the biggest challenges single Catholics face in dating today! 
 
Follow Maddie on Instagram @yourcoolgrandmascloset_
 
To support the podcast, <a href="https://seekingexcellence.locals.com/">join our Locals community.</a> 
 
This is Episode #219 of the Seeking Excellence Podcast. 
 
The Seeking Excellence Podcast exists to help people take extreme ownership of their lives so they can intentionally strive to fulfill their potential. 
 
You can follow Nathan on Instagram, Twitter, Gettr, and TikTok at @nathancrankfield 
 
You can follow SE on Instagram @seekingexcellence_
 
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@seekingexcellence365">YouTube channel here</a>

Ep 217 | Maddie Gramling | The Crazy World of Catholic Dating

If there's anything that we can all agree on it's that growing up is not easy. There's so much to learn when it comes to handling adult responsibilities, and many of us find ourselves unprepared and under developed once we get out into the real world.&nbsp;
But is "adulting" really as hard as we make it out to be? Today's episode takes an honest look into that question and lays out several ways we can practically make the adult life easier and more fulfilling!&nbsp;

Ep 160 | Is Adulting Actually Hard?

Is your soul clean? | Sunday Homily

You know we like to bring the heat, which is why we had to get Carrie Gress on the podcast!
Carrie wrote one of my favorite books of all time: &nbsp;Anti-Mary Exposed: &nbsp;Rescuing the culture from toxic femininity
She is such an amazing example of the Catholic faith in action, boldly charging forward in some of the most controversial and intimidating battlegrounds. Carrie and I had a great discussion on the book, what's changed in her life since writing it, her experience with being censored and canceled, toxic feminism, and so much more!
Carrie shares the reality of what's causing so much division, pain, and hatred in our world today. We believe the world needs to encounter the truth in regards to what is making them miserable. If you agree, please share this episode with others!
You can learn more about Carrie <a href="http://www.carriegress.com/abouthttp://www.carriegress.com/about">here</a>! Be sure to go and follow Carrie @carrie.gress
Buy your copy of this life-changing book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Mary-Exposed-Rescuing-Culture-Femininity/dp/1505110262https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Mary-Exposed-Rescuing-Culture-Femininity/dp/1505110262">here</a>!
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it on social media! It does a TON to help us spread our message!

Ep 98 | Anti-Mary Exposed w/ Carrie Gress

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ryan_themortgageguy/">Follow Ryan on Instagram&nbsp;</a>
Learn more about Ryan's work <a href="https://mydenverhomeloan.com/about-ryan/">here</a>!
 
To support the podcast, <a href="https://seekingexcellence.locals.com/">join our Locals community.</a>
This is Episode #201 of the Seeking Excellence Podcast.
The Seeking Excellence Podcast exists to help people take extreme ownership of their lives so they can intentionally strive to fulfill their potential.
To learn more, head to our <a href="http://thosewhoseek.org/">website</a>.
You can follow Nathan on Instagram, Twitter, Gettr, and TikTok at @nathancrankfield
You can follow SE on Instagram @seekingexcellence_
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@seekingexcellence365">YouTube channel here</a>

Ep 201 | Ryan Pettigrew | Home Buying 101

Masculinity is good. Masculiity is needed. But masculinity is far too often missing. &nbsp;&nbsp;
How can we reawaken the men in our lives, and maybe even ourselves, to be what God created them to be? &nbsp;&nbsp;
Today's guest, Jason Ball, helps men to do just that. He shares many insights and practical tips on ways we can understand the true power of masculinity and learn to live wild at heart. &nbsp;
Jason serves as the VP of Missions and Operations for Lifeteen. He is leading a men's retreat for 150 men in the mountains of Georgia from March 4-6, 2022. &nbsp;&nbsp;
I highly recommend attending this retreat. We also have a discount code for 15% off your registration fee. Use code: SEEKING15 to access that. &nbsp;
I'm not lying when I say that some of my most formitive moments in my journey of manhood came from Dahlonega, GA, where mountain phase of Ranger School is held. This could be a life changing weekend for you. If it weren't for it being 2 weeks before my wedding, I'd most certainly be there! &nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://lifeteen.com/events/life-teen-mens-retreat-2022/">Visit this link to learn more about the retreat!</a><a href="https://lifeteen.com/events/life-teen-mens-retreat-2022/"> &nbsp;</a>

Ep 120 | Reviving Manhood w/ Jason Ball

This episode finishes the basic philosophy of how to set up a strong financial defense. This includes topics like credit cards, budgeting, paying off debt, and much more!&nbsp;
 
If you haven't yet, go back and listen to part 1 first! Part 3 will be coming soon. Stay tuned!&nbsp;
 
If this episode was helpful for you, please consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review! Be sure to follow us on social media @seeking365 and @ncrank23. Sign up for our newsletter to get access to all of our recommended financial resources at thosewhoseek.org

Ep 109 | Financial Excellence Pt. 2

Follow Louis Damani Jones @louisdamani
Follow Seeking Excellence @seeking365
Resources discussed on this episode: 
 
<a href="https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html">Gaudium Et Spes</a>
<a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html">Populorum Progressio&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative">Find your representative&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/45907/jewish/Eight-Levels-of-Charity.htm">8 Levels of Charity&nbsp;</a>