Sam Halligan, Des Moines city director of the Catholic men's movement Forge, joins hosts Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder to explore what authentic masculinity looks like when it's rooted in faith. Drawing on his own conversion story and years of missionary work, Sam explains how Forge's small-group model is forming thriving, apostolic, and orthodox men across central Iowa. The conversation also unpacks how wives can support their husbands' spiritual leadership and previews Forge's upcoming hog roast, retreat, and men's conference.
Meet Sam Halligan
Sam Halligan is the city director of Forge in Des Moines, Iowa. A Des Moines native (Saint Pius X and Dowling Catholic) who spent a decade serving with the young-adult mission Damascus, Sam and his wife, Whitney, recently moved back home with their kids. He shares the John 2:5 verse — "Do whatever he tells you" — that has anchored his marriage and their mission-driven family.
What Is Forge?
Forge is an on-the-ground movement of small groups dedicated to strengthening families by focusing on men. Sam breaks down Forge's guiding acronym, TAU (Thriving, Apostolic, Orthodox), and explains why reaching the heart of fathers changes the spiritual trajectory of an entire household. Since launching in late 2023, Forge has grown to 55 small groups across the Des Moines area — open to men of any faith background.
Redefining Authentic Masculinity
Julie and Chris dig into words like authority, dominance, and patriarch — terms the culture often paints as toxic. Sam makes the case for redeeming them, tracing masculinity back to Genesis, where Adam is called to till, keep, and protect the garden. He argues true masculine strength looks like Christ's: powerful, but exercised in humility and service.
How Wives Can Support Their Husbands' Leadership
Drawing on Edward Sri's book Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love, Sam and the hosts talk about the mutual responsibility spouses have to help each other flourish. Sam encourages women to offer affirmation rather than critique as husbands grow in their faith leadership, and Julie and Chris share personal stories of learning to trust their husbands' God-given roles.
Upcoming Forge Events
Learn more and register at Forge Events
Catholic Women Now airs on IowaCatholicRadio.com and wherever you listen to podcasts.
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