Family Adventures, Cattle Auctions, and Catholic Entrepreneurship with Karl Graham

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