I’m T.J. Haines - I launched The Forge as a hub for commentary and analysis that stands out from the noise and mistruths of the web and social media.

Through articles, and the Fire Branded podcast forming a collective voice, I serve the Truth, not popular opinions. Bold, clear, unapologetic—clarity with charity and Truth with Integrity.

WHAT IS THE FORGE?

The Forge is not a publication, but a commentary hub for readers and video/podcast fans alike.

• Articles and opinion pieces with passion, fire, and clarity.

• Catholic and Secular news, culture, occasional spirituality pieces

• Faith formed, faith guided, in fidelity to the Church and her magisterium. Steeped in Catholic thought, not political party lines or group-think.

• Balanced opinion that doesn’t pretend to be neutral

• Home of the Fire Branded podcast - Faith and fire, without the fluff

• No controversy or outrage journalism. It’s Truth with Integrity

What Subscribers Can Expect

When you subscribe you’ll get two to three emails per week.

• Major article or feature

• The latest podcast episode

  • Emailed as a Show Notes “article”, giving you a guided tour of the episode, short clips and links to the episode. Whether a reader, or a podcast fan, you’ll enjoy these. Here’s an example

• Occasional rundown of other content published that week if content cadence is high. It spaces your inbox! Here’s an example

Paid Subscription

As a paid member of The Forge you get an expanded experience, and access to The Inner Circle. You also help a Catholic evangelizer put food on his family’s table.

• Extended Podcast Segments & The Vault (After-shows, and archived episodes not available publicly)

• Signature Series Articles - Fathers Know Best, Night Watch, and future original series.

• Access to The Inner Circle Writing - audio, and video that belong backstage—not on the public stage.

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About Me

I’m not a journalist. I’m a career communicator (Catholic and secular media) and I’ve been a “worker in the field” of evangelization for most of my life.

I didn’t start The Forge to run my mouth. I started it because:

• Truth matters to me at a moral level, not just an intellectual one.

  • Many in media (even some in independent Catholic media) are not serving the Truth, they’re serving a narrative.

• I believe most people aren’t being empowered to discern Truth — they’re being trained to react.

• I want to enable and empower people, not just inform them.

• I don’t want people to merely be more knowledgable, I want them to be empowered to discern Truth, and to identify mistruth/lies even when they’re very well disguised as the Truth.

• And I’m convinced Catholic faith isn’t an accessory to analysis — it’s the essential foundation for it.