EPISODE 32 - The Benedictine Book Binder

Josh Bowman talks with Matthew K. Michels OblSB, who is a professional bookbinder and writer, and the owner of Black Cowl Bindery. He is also an Oblate of the Order of Saint Benedict associated with Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

In addition to talking about the craft of bookbinding, we also discuss the idea of human scale, running a small business, common arts education, the trades, vocation, virtue, localism, Westerns, beer, and more! It's also painfully obvious that you're listening to two Midwesterners. 

Check out Black Cowl Bindery at https://www.blackcowlbindery.com/ 

We mentioned and highly recommend Matthew Crawford’s book, Shop Class as Soulcraft, though we apologize for getting the name wrong. (We said “shop craft” instead): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/301618/shop-class-as-soulcraft-by-matthew-b-crawford/ 

To learn more about us, our events, this Podcast, our journal, Pietas, to sign up for our newsletter, and make your tax deductible gift, please go to https://ciceroniansociety.org/

0:00 Introduction

1:56 What a Bookbinder Does

5:48 How He Got Started

10:00 Common Arts Education

16:15 Why Tradesmen Should Read

19:36 Glorifying God Through the Trades

25:10 Small Business

34:17 Local Connections

39:31 Westerns and Masculine Virtue

46:55 Where to Learn More