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Intro to the Guest and Topic
Core Takeaway: Build Family-Centered Company Culture
John is the founder of Patmos, Albertus Magnus Institute, and Pizza Norcia. Today, we discuss ambition in Catholic men, the dignity of employees, the stewardship of wealth, and the integration of faith and AI in business. John shares his unique perspective on building successful enterprises while staying true to Catholic principles. This is a truly inspiring episode.
PS: We apologize for the poor audio quality in some places — I made some mistakes setting up the recording and we had to do some patching together in order to salvage the audio at all. Poor as the audio quality is, we feel very strongly that the content is top-tier.
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Catholics must build company cultures that promote family values, because family is the basis of society.
At Patmos, they pay bonuses when employees get married or have babies. Recently, they agreed to pay the salaries of the spouses of their employees who are affected by the government shutdown (repayable without interest).
Where most corporate cultures promote a culture of death, Patmos is upholding the culture of life. They are also treating their employees with respect as individuals, which leads to the flourishing of the human individual. No more just surviving and suffering through endless bureaucracy and HR rules.
In case you’re not already sold on listening to the episode, here are some killer quotes.
“Ignorance is my superpower. If I had any idea what I was getting into these things, I never would have done it.” — John Johnson
“We have an amazing potential to be co-creators, not just generators of our progeny.” — John Johnson
“There’s a real problem with it, especially men who have grown addicted to comfort over the years, where we’re so addicted to security, ease, then golden handcuffs.” — John Johnson
“If you can sell Jesus to teenagers, you can pretty much sell anything.” — John Johnson
“If anybody really wants to be successful, there’s no better practical way of forming yourself than through a real liberal arts education.” — John Johnson
“You have to first understand the reality of material things... things of the material world elicit in us a great desire that when we have them, they make us miserable.” — John Johnson
“Money is like fun. If you set out trying to have it, you’re not going to.” — John Johnson
“First employees have names and infinite dignity. No matter who they are, no matter what the background is, they’re worthy of respect.” — John Johnson
“We have bonuses for when employees have babies. We have bonuses for when employees get married. Big tech base employees effectively to abort their progeny. We do the opposite.” — John Johnson
Join the Catholic Founders Guild Today!
It’s $10/month or $100/year so anyone can afford it.
Don’t build alone -- join 50+ Catholic business owners building, learning, and praying together.
https://www.catholicfounders.com/subscribe
Key Moments: (outline)
00:00 Introduction to John Johnson and Patmos
03:49 Overview of his current ventures: Patmos Hosting and Albertus Magnus Institute
05:04 Ambition in Catholic men and its origins
06:03 The superpower of ignorance for a founder
07:02 Theological meaning of entrepreneurship as co-creation
08:40 Hesitation of Catholic men towards entrepreneurship and addiction to comfort
10:00 Risk tolerance in entrepreneurs and the journey of self-discovery
12:08 Squaring ambition with God’s calling and the reality of material things
13:18 Spiritual things are genuinely fulfilling
14:41 Importance of a mission in business
15:18 Importance of learning theology and liberal arts education
18:40 Balancing ambition with family and religious duties
22:25 Challenges in the growth phase: transitioning from personal heroics to scalable systems
24:15 Importance of an operator and chief visionary
26:03 Treating employees with dignity and respect
27:42 Family-promoting policies for employees
28:28 Wage theory and paying based on needs
30:40 Stewardship of wealth and the “health and wealth gospel”
32:22 Parable of the talents and taking risks
34:59 Investing excess income and charitable contributions
36:34 Loving your neighbor in the particular
37:24 Blending Catholic and secular employees in company culture
40:15 Hiring for culture over qualifications
41:09 Thoughts on AI: beware the counterfeiting of the human person
44:11 Guidelines for interacting with AI and its potential dangers
46:29 Favorite scripture for entrepreneurs: John chapter 20 and the use of enthymemes
48:33 Favorite entrepreneur: his dad
49:36 Favorite saints: St. John, Blessed Mother, St. Agnes, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Gregory the Great
50:54 Favorite devotions: Rosary and the Office of Compline
51:32 Call-outs for Patmos and Albertus Magnus Institute, and a request for prayers
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Discussion about this video
Catholic Founders
Catholic Founders is where Catholic Entrepreneurs and Business Owners go to learn how to integrate their faith into every aspect of how they run their business and life as a Catholic AND as a Founder.
In modern times, it's become more unclear than ever how to unite our faith with our work. It's even harder when you run a business. However, just as there is a holy way to live, there is a holy way to build and run our businesses.
Fundamentally, our skills were given to us by God so that we may become instruments of His will. These skills are not for our own use. Therefore, to waste or misuse them is a grave thing. This entire project is born out of a deep belief in this truth.
Catholic Founders is where Catholic Entrepreneurs and Business Owners go to learn how to integrate their faith into every aspect of how they run their business and life as a Catholic AND as a Founder.
In modern times, it's become more unclear than ever how to unite our faith with our work. It's even harder when you run a business. However, just as there is a holy way to live, there is a holy way to build and run our businesses.
Fundamentally, our skills were given to us by God so that we may become instruments of His will. These skills are not for our own use. Therefore, to waste or misuse them is a grave thing. This entire project is born out of a deep belief in this truth.
