Dear subscribers to Catholic Firebrand—my inner circle:
I have some news that I’m sharing with you first and—for now—exclusively.
I’m announcing the secret soft-launch of my new site, firebranded.fm and I’m inviting you to be the first to try it out. It’s my “dream platform” that I’ve been planning for some time, and I think you’re going to love it.
Here are the quick details - Five major points/questions you’re likely to care about most right now. The deeper details will be down below.
1. It’s an evolution, not a change
This isn’t a shift away from what you signed up for when you subscribed to CatholicFirebrand.com. It’s an evolution—it’s more of what you enjoy (if you want it), or it’s just a newsletter if that’s all that you want.
2. The Forge’s littler brother.
Where The Forge focuses on editorial but includes the podcast, firebranded.fm focuses on the podcast, related content, and things podcast fans are likely to enjoy, and also includes commentary/editorial.
3. The Inner Circle
My favorite part! It’s about relationship! You’re already in my inner circle at Catholic Firebrand but the new site expands what I can do with it, and allows me to keep it free, while also offering optional paid content.
4. “plus’
If you want to support my work, there’s “plus” content at the new site for $5/month. This is explained in more detail below
5. Replacing/ Not-Replacing
CatholicFirebrand.com will be decommissioned by Easter. That’s why I’m bringing you along with me to firebranded.fm The Forge is still HQ and it isn’t going anywhere. The work continues! firebranded.fm is just another expression of the same voice.
Firebranded isn’t replacing The Forge, neither is it redundant. Both sites are the same voice, different expressions of it, appealing to distinct—but overlapping—audience types.
Next Steps
You don’t have to do anything but enjoy the ride! I’m moving my subscribers (you) to the new site, and you probably received a welcome email already.
Check your inbox. If you were sent an email from the new site, it came just before this one did. Otherwise, just go to the site, and log in with the same email you used when you registered for CatholicFirebrand.com.
Ready to dive in? Just keep in mind, this is a soft-launch. There are some rough edges I’m working out, so some of what you see there now may shift, change, be refined. Please be patient with the process.
DEEPER DETAILS
What is It?
The new firebranded.fm will be the hub for podcast-related content, and other content that podcast fans will enjoy.
It’s The Forge’s little brother. But where The Forge focuses on editorial, firebranded.fm focuses on podcasts/audio/video. Both sites have commentary articles, but firebranded.fm will have shorter and punchier pieces.
Here’s what you can expect at the new site:
1. Podcast episodes (obviously) including
Show Notes (No longer posted to The Forge)
They provide a written, guided tour of an episode, and include short clips. It’s a great way to preview an episode.
Post-Show reflection/reactions (No longer at The Forge)
MiniCasts (NEW FEATURE)
5-10 minutes long, MiniCasts are the best segment of a long-form episode of Fire Branded.
“The Live Sessions” Coming soon, these will be audio or video podcasts of my live sessions on TikTok or X Spaces. They wont’ be available anywhere else!
Sound Bites (New Feature) - Coming soon, sound bites are too short for a reel, but loaded with fire. They’ll be very short audio or video clips, with very short write-up (two or three paragraphs).
2. The Inner Circle
This feature means a lot to me. At The Forge I’m not able to wall-off content from the public content unless I charge for it. But there are things I want to share with “an inner circle” without making it available to the public, and without asking you to pay for it.
Now I’m able to provide that Inner Circle content for free, without it being available to the public eye. And I can offer expanded content for people in The Inner Circle who’d like to support my work for $5/month. This isn’t a money grab, this is mostly free stuff. Check it out.
The Inner Circle (free)
It’s like going backstage for content not intended for the public stage!
My private thoughts/reflections. Things I want to share, but I don’t want to share them with just anybody (the general public)
Extra commentary pieces
Behind the scenes, when available.
You’ve already been in “The Inner Circle” at CatholicFirebrand.com but the new site enables me to enhance that free experience considerably.
“plus” ($5/month)
It’s still The Inner Circle, but with a little more of what you love, for $5/month. It’s similar to a paid subscription at The Forge, but more podcasty
After-Shows when available.
Afterthoughts - Extended writing beyond what’s available to the public
Extended segments - Portions of an episode of Fire Branded that are good but I pulled them out in editing because they made an episode too long. It’s good stuff, but it’s a little too much for the public.
The Vault - Episodes or segments from podcasts no longer available to the public
Occasional Signature Series articles from The Forge (Fathers Know Best, Night Watch, and others)
“Plus” content is published as it’s available each week. It isn’t every feature, every week But it’ll be one or two of those features each week.
I don’t expect to send out a newsletter with every post, because it may be too much action for your inbox. But I’ll send out at least two each week. You can unsubscribe any time. As always, it keeps the connection between you and me, without an algorithm getting in the way.
I hope you enjoy firebranded.fm. I’ve been working hard in the planning phase and building phase. There are still some things to tighten up, so be patient with it—and with me.
Let me know what you think! God bless and be with you