Uncommon Sense: Recent Episodes
Society of GK Chesterton
The podcast where we talk about all things Chesterton, which includes everything, and everything else. Learn more about Chesterton, his life, his books, his way of thinking.
Grettelyn Darkey and Joe Grabowski take up the most neuralgic subject in G.K. Chesterton scholarship: his defense of the French Revolution. Working through a 1921 Illustrated London News column, a 1905 Daily News essay setting the French and Russian revolutions side by side, and a 1918 New Witness piece that turns without warning to Prussianism, they trace his distinction between the ideals of a revolution and its working out, and his insistence that what a revolution exists to restore is the rights of man and not the wrongs of man.
In This Episode:
- Why G.K. Chesterton distinguished the motivations behind the French Revolution from its working out under Robespierre and the Terror
- The negative equality G.K. Chesterton faulted the revolutionaries for—abolishing things for everybody instead of extending them to everybody
- Why reading G.K. Chesterton on this subject without his British and monarchical audience in view produces anachronism, and what he held against Edmund Burke
- G.K. Chesterton on positive and negative liberalism, and his warning that the modern revolutionist is free to hate anything, liberty itself included
- The white post from Orthodoxy, radicalism as a return to the roots, and G.K. Chesterton's claim that revolution is the divine part of man
Resources Mentioned:
- The Rightness of the French Revolution by G.K. Chesterton
- Two Revolutions by G.K. Chesterton
- The Two Feasts of Freedom
- The Outline of Sanity by G.K. Chesterton (100th anniversary edition)
- The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton
Chapters:
- 00:00: Introduction
- 00:30: Welcome—Revolutions, Independence Day, and Bastille Day
- 03:55: "The Rightness of the French Revolution" (1921)
- 05:26: Negative Equality and the Rationalist Epoch
- 07:40: G.K. Chesterton's Audience and the Danger of Anachronism
- 10:01: Politically Homeless—Belloc, the Vendée, and Edmund Burke
- 13:12: Knowing What You Are Talking About
- 17:11: "Two Revolutions" (1905) and the Songs of the Revolution
- 23:46: The White Post and the Job of the Conservative
- 26:27: "The Two Feasts of Freedom" (1918) and the Prussian Paralysis
- 28:00: Revolution as the Divine Part of Man
- 35:38: Watt Tyler and Painting the Fence Post
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For the memorial of St. John Vianney, Joe Grabowski reads a rarely reprinted G.K. Chesterton essay—The Challenge of the Curé d'Ars—written as an afterword to F.J. Sheed's 1929 translation of Henri Ghéon's The Secret of the Curé d'Ars. Chesterton's portrait is not the gentle village priest most readers expect but a militant one, a walking contradiction who denied everything his century most confidently affirmed. You'll hear why Chesterton thought the critics who file the Church under the medieval past have misread her entirely, and why the Curé's holiness shone brightest in the full daylight of the age of reason.
In This Episode:
- Where to find G.K. Chesterton's rarely reprinted essay on St. John Vianney—and why it sits at the back of Ghéon's book rather than the front
- Chesterton's argument that the Church predates every nation, and why that makes "international" the wrong word for her
- The sharp line Chesterton drew between an apologia and an apology, and what Catholic argument lost when the two words collapsed into one
- Chesterton's reading of the Curé d'Ars as provocative rather than merely pious—a priest whose entire life functioned as a denial of his age
- How Chesterton used Lourdes and Ars to answer critics who treat the Church as a relic of a particular past
Resources Mentioned:
- Main biographies of the Curé d'Ars, including Abbé Francis Trochu's
- The Secret of the Curé d'Ars by Henri Ghéon, translated by F.J. Sheed
- The Challenge of the Curé d'Ars by G.K. Chesterton (1929 edition, full text)
- Act of Love of the Holy Curé d'Ars
Chapters:
- 00:00: Cold Open
- 00:26: Welcome and the Memorial of the Curé d'Ars
- 02:50: Making Reparation in the Aftermath of the Revolution
- 05:08: Introducing G.K. Chesterton's Essay on the Curé d'Ars
- 07:26: The Church, the Nations, and the Word Apologetics
- 09:43: A Militant Faith and the French Religious Quarrel
- 12:06: A Denial at the Height of the Revolution
- 14:26: Neither Medieval Nor Modern
- 16:44: St. John Vianney's Act of Love
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div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _]:min-w-0 gap-3 [&_>_:last-child]:mb-0 print:block print:[&_>__+_]:mt-3 standard-markdown"> A new Atlantic cover story argues that America is sliding into a postliterate age—but G.K. Chesterton diagnosed the same collapse in 1928, years before Marshall McLuhan or Neil Postman raised the alarm. Joe Grabowski goes solo to walk through Rose Horowitch's statistics on the death of reading, then turns to two Illustrated London News essays in which Chesterton describes a public that has stopped reading connected prose and now only kisses books it has never opened. What emerges is a practical challenge for anyone who wants to recover the habit Chesterton simply assumed his own readers still had.
In This Episode:
- Why G.K. Chesterton said so little about illiteracy—and what that silence reveals about how genuinely new this problem is
- Chesterton's 1928 warning that making reading "easier" signals a slump in reading rather than a boom
- What Chesterton meant by a public relapsing into the horn book and the cat on the mat—and why Joe Grabowski thinks he would have said much the same of reels, Shorts, and TikTok
- The 1921 essay in which Chesterton argued that the books shaping the world are the ones nobody has actually opened: Darwin, Marx, and the rumor that replaces the text
- Why Chesterton's critique lands on podcast listeners too—the risk of becoming the very type of person Chesterton described, taking opinions secondhand from influencers and favorite podcasters
Resources Mentioned:
- "The End of Reading Is Here" by Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic
- "On Reading, and Not Being Able To," The Illustrated London News, December 8, 1928
- What Mr. Belloc's Servile State Means by G. K. Chesterton
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Chapters:
- 00:00: Introduction—A Crisis Worth Paying Attention To
- 04:20: The Atlantic Article: Rose Horowitch on the End of Reading
- 06:42: The Numbers—Who Still Reads, and How Little
- 09:06: Schools, Screens, and the Warnings of McLuhan and Postman
- 11:29: Why It Matters: Media Literacy in an Age of AI
- 13:56: If No One Reads, Who Wants to Write?
- 16:19: Writers Come from Readers
- 18:31: Turning to G.K. Chesterton and His 1928 Essay on Reading
- 23:20: Newsprint Headlines, Reels, and the Attention Economy
- 25:38: The 1921 Essay—The Books the World Has Not Read
- 30:07: An Examination of Conscience
- 32:33: The Challenge: Take the Book Down off the Shelf
On the heels of the announcement that Sigrid Undset's cause for canonization has been opened, Grettelyn Darkey and Joe Grabowski consider the Nobel laureate through the lens of G.K. Chesterton—the writer she admired, collected, and translated into Norwegian before visiting him at his home in Beaconsfield. Received into the Church just two years after G.K. Chesterton, Undset shared his conviction that sanctity belongs to the ordinary life of the laity, and her vivid portraits of medieval saints carry the same paradoxical spirit that made Chesterton's own work startle and delight.
In This Episode:
- How Sigrid Undset's path into the Church paralleled G.K. Chesterton's—two converts of the same era drawn by the medieval and the Baroque
- Why G.K. Chesterton and Undset both located holiness in the vocation of the laity rather than the cloister
- The debt Undset owed to writers in G.K. Chesterton's orbit—Robert Hugh Benson's Lord of the World and the English Catholic revival
- Undset's translation of G.K. Chesterton's The Everlasting Man into Norwegian, and her reading of his distributism
- The shared Chestertonian paradox in Undset's fiction: making the strange familiar and the familiar strange
Resources Mentioned:
- The Everlasting Man by G.K. Chesterton
- Gilbert Magazine
- Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
- Catherine of Siena by Sigrid Undset
- Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson
Chapters:
- 00:00: Welcome and the news of Sigrid Undset's cause
- 02:12: Who Sigrid Undset was
- 06:20: What publishers wanted versus what readers loved
- 09:58: The Willa Cather parallel
- 11:51: Belief, doubt, and the interior life of the novel
- 16:41: Undset's road to conversion and Robert Hugh Benson
- 23:20: The radical cost of her conversion
- 24:04: Dorothy Day and saints who don't fit the mold
- 27:09: Collecting and translating G.K. Chesterton
- 30:38: When Undset met G.K. Chesterton
- 33:19: Holiness for the laity
- 38:15: Why Undset and G.K. Chesterton speak to today
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This episode is a re-air.
For Independence Day, Grettelyn Darkey and Joe Grabowski set conversation aside and let G.K. Chesterton speak. This special gathers a curated series of Chesterton's reflections on America—the idea of the citizen, the creed at the heart of the Declaration of Independence, the nature of true patriotism, the true soldier, and the difference between the right sort of patriot and the wrong sort of politician—woven together with the strains of the nation's great patriotic songs. Drawn largely from What I Saw in America, they reveal a Chesterton who saw the American experiment more clearly than most Americans do.
In This Episode:
- Why G.K. Chesterton called America "the one great state in the world in which many types and races are united by one idea"—the idea of the citizen—and "almost more like a great church than merely a great nation"
- G.K. Chesterton's case that America is "the only nation in the world that is founded on a creed," one set forth in the Declaration of Independence with "dogmatic and even theological lucidity"
- What G.K. Chesterton meant by true patriotism, and why he held that "my country, right or wrong" is something "no patriot would think of saying, except in a desperate case"
- G.K. Chesterton on the true soldier, who "fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him"
- G.K. Chesterton's account of "Americanization"—the making of "a nation out of exiles"—and why he found the process unlike anything else in the world
Resources Mentioned:
- What I Saw in America by G.K. Chesterton (Special Semiquincentennial Edition)
- The Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton
Chapters:
- 00:00: Introduction
- 00:51: America United by the Idea of the Citizen
- 01:28: Tradition and the Presence of Penn and Franklin
- 02:13: Equality, Patriotism, and the Divine Basis of Democracy
- 03:54: Testing Patriotism Through the Old Songs
- 04:48: The Only Nation Founded on a Creed
- 06:24: The True Soldier and the War Ballads
- 07:35: Americanization—A Nation Made of Exiles
- 08:51: Fighting the Representatives We Choose
- 09:38: Liberty and Obedience
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Everyone thinks they know G.K. Chesterton: the beer-loving, pipe-smoking, gluttonous genius who tossed off masterpieces without breaking a sweat. Joe Grabowski and Grettelyn Darkey take those popular myths apart one by one, and the man who emerges from behind the legend is more remarkable than the caricature—a relentless working journalist, a trained artist, a temperate wine-and-water drinker, and a mind so restless it composed whole paragraphs before pen ever touched paper.
In This Episode:
- Why Chesterton was first and foremost a journalist—not a "writer" in the grand literary sense—and why grasping that changes how you read everything else he wrote
- The truth about his writing process: not effortless genius, but a hard worker who composed and revised so thoroughly in his head that the finished prose only looked slapdash
- Journalism school or art school? His years at the Slade School of Art, the history courses alongside it, and how training as a sketch artist shaped the way he built an argument
- The drinking myth: a water-and-wine man at home, a generous buyer of rounds in company, and genuinely temperate—not the patron saint of ale
- The real story behind his size and his cigars: absent-minded grazing rather than gluttony, likely underlying health conditions, and why he smoked cigars and never a pipe
Resources Mentioned:
- Gilbert Keith Chesterton by Maisie Ward
- I Also Had My Hour: An Alternative Autobiography of G.K. Chesterton by Dale Ahlquist
- What I Saw in America: Special Semiquincentennial Edition by G.K. Chesterton
Chapters:
- 00:00: Sorting the man from the myths
- 01:40: Was Chesterton really a "writer"?
- 06:43: The truth about how he wrote
- 11:37: Journalism school or art school?
- 17:55: Chesterton the sketch artist
- 21:44: The patron saint of ale?
- 28:02: Did Chesterton overeat?
- 40:36: Pipe or cigar?
- 45:52: The man behind the myths
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div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> G.K. Chesterton published The Outline of Sanity* in 1926—a blueprint for a third way between capitalism and socialism, grounded in widespread property ownership, local accountability, and the rejection of mass dependence. A century later, the argument reads less like a footnote and more like a forecast. In this episode, hosts Grettelyn Darkey and Joe Grabowski—who wrote the introduction to the new ACS Books centennial edition—walk through Chesterton's economic vision section by section and make the case that his outline is still waiting to be built.
In This Episode:
- Why G.K. Chesterton refused to let "capitalism" stand for what he meant and what the naming problem reveals about the false choice between two economic systems
- How G.K. Chesterton identified big business and big government as natural allies before anyone else did and why he saw their collusion coming as early as 1926
- What G.K. Chesterton actually proposed: the section-by-section case for small ownership, fair regulation, and buying local over buying cheap
- Why G.K. Chesterton's warnings about advertising, standardization, and machinery anticipate the AI moment better than most things written in the last decade
- The tension G.K. Chesterton resolved that most economic thinkers never address: the difference between idealism, cynicism, and what he called sanity
Chapters:
- 00:00: Introduction and Welcome
- 01:09: The ACS Centennial Edition and Why This Year
- 03:15: The Origins of Distributism and G.K.'s Weekly
- 08:58: What to Expect from The Outline of Sanity
- 11:08: Defining Capitalism—Why the Name Was Stolen
- 18:22: Big Business and Big Government in League
- 24:30: What Chesterton Actually Proposes: Regulation and Reform
- 28:40: Vote with Your Wallet: Boycotts, Advertising, and Snake Oil
- 39:58: The Land, the Machine, and Chesterton's Prophetic Vision
- 45:15: The Practicality of Idealism: Not Cynicism, Not Naïveté
Resources Mentioned:
- The Outline of Sanity by G.K. Chesterton (ACS Books)
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div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> G.K. Chesterton wrote that there are two ways of getting home—stay there, or walk around the entire world until you arrive from the other direction. For graphic novelist Ben Hatke, that line from The Everlasting Man wasn't simply a meditation on returning with fresh eyes: it became a commission. In this episode, Joe Grabowski sits down with Hatke—author of the forthcoming graphic memoir Home/World*—to trace how one Chestertonian passage sent him east for 55 days across twelve countries, and how Chesterton's deepest convictions about man, story, and homecoming turned out to be more true the farther from home he traveled.
In This Episode:
- How a single passage from G.K. Chesterton's The Everlasting Man—the two ways of getting home—became the animating vision behind a 55-day circumnavigation of the globe
- What Chesterton understood about encountering the world with fresh eyes: the generosity of strangers, the power of a story to cross any language barrier, and the world that waits beyond the screen
- How Ben Hatke wove historical figures—Ibn Battuta, Nellie Bly, Saint Francis—into the narrative as "ghosts," and why the Chestertonian idea of the communion of saints gives this technique its deepest meaning
- G.K. Chesterton's imagery of the circle and the line—from The Everlasting Man to Orthodoxy to The Man Who Was Thursday—and what it reveals about why a first encounter with any place is irrepeatable
- Why creating the book proved as life-changing as the journey itself and what Ben discovered about story, memory, and the difference between what is factual and what is true
Chapters:
- 00:00: Welcome and Introduction
- 02:25: The Everlasting Man Quote Behind the Journey
- 06:01: Memory, Story, and How a Journey Becomes True
- 08:05: The Generosity of Strangers
- 13:37: Turkey and the Moment It Became an Adventure
- 22:33: Circumnavigating Post-COVID: The When and Why
- 31:02: "I Admire Your Life—It Looks Like Freedom"
- 35:03: Making the Book: Falling in Love with Storytelling Again
- 39:09: Historical Ghosts: Inviting the Past into the Journey
- 44:58: Circles and Lines: Chesterton's Vision of Coming Home
Resources Mentioned:
- Home/World: A Circumnavigation of Our Shared Earth — Ben Hatke (forthcoming)
- Ben Hatke's website
- Ben Hatke on Patreon
- Ben Hatke on Instagram
- The Everlasting Man — G.K. Chesterton
- "Drawing Inspiration from Chesterton, with Ben Hatke" — previous Uncommon Sense appearance
- 2026 Chesterton Conference
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G.K. Chesterton wrote in 1926 that "the heart of Christendom is a heart" and in this episode, Joe and Grettelyn discover that this single line unlocks his entire approach to apologetics. Recording just before the U.S. bishops' historic consecration of America to the Sacred Heart on the nation's 250th anniversary, they trace the providential thread connecting two Pope Leos, a 1926 essay from GK's Weekly, and Chesterton's lifelong practice of winning opponents through friendship and wonder.
In This Episode:
- How a 1926 essay in GK's Weekly reveals the theological principle behind G.K. Chesterton's entire method of winning hearts and minds
- What Chesterton's contrast of Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel teaches about "the softening of strength by chivalry and charity"—and what it means for how the Church evangelizes today
- Why G.K. Chesterton's observation that "madmen are logical" explains his insistence on appealing to beauty, wonder, and friendship rather than syllogisms
- How G.K. Chesterton's famous friendships with his opponents—and the characters of The Ball on the Cross—embody the theology of the Sacred Heart before he ever named it
- What Pope Leo XIII's 1899 encyclical Annum Sacrum reveals about the providential timing of the USCCB's consecration and the arrival of a new Pope Leo
Chapters:
- 00:00: Introduction—The Sacred Heart and America at 250
- 02:29: The Providential Coincidence of Two Pope Leos
- 04:00: Background on the Sacred Heart Devotion
- 11:50: Why Consecrate a Nation?
- 13:57: Pope Leo XIII's Encyclical—What He Foretold About America
- 19:55: Reparations and the Burning Desire of Christ
- 23:22: What G.K. Chesterton Said About the Sacred Heart in 1926
- 26:43: Chesterton's Method—Apologetics of the Heart
- 33:31: Madmen, Small Circles, and Leading With Love
- 45:20: The Witness Consecration Calls Us To
Resources Mentioned:
- What I Saw in America—Special Semiquincentennial Edition
- USCCB Consecration Resources
- Annum Sacrum—Pope Leo XIII, 1899
- Dilexi te—Pope Leo XIV
- 2026 Chesterton Conference—Ave Maria
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Two of G.K. Chesterton's most unexpectedly prophetic essays take center stage in this issue of Gilbert Magazine: "An Architect's Nightmare," a 1928 piece that anticipates nearly everything being said today about AI, passive technology, and false progress, and "Freud on Slips of the Pen," a recently unearthed 1921 Daily Express article in which Chesterton dismantles psychoanalysis with surgical wit. Joe Grabowski and Grettelyn Darkey walk through the current issue of Gilbert—the official publication of the Society of G.K. Chesterton —drawing out what Chesterton saw about passive entertainment, the cyclical delusions of optimists and pessimists, and why art remains the irreducible signature of man.
In This Episode:
- What G.K. Chesterton's 1928 essay "An Architect's Nightmare" reveals about spaces built for man vs. spaces man is expected to serve—and why his critique of industrial-age optimism and pessimism maps almost perfectly onto today's conversations about AI
- The pattern Chesterton exposed over a century ago: enthusiastic builders of terrible things who become pessimists insisting nothing can be done—and why Chesterton holds that human will, not historical inevitability, is what truly separates man from the octopus
- "Freud on Slips of the Pen": a newly unearthed 1921 essay in which G.K. Chesterton takes apart the Freudian slip using Hamlet, Punch and Judy, and the plain observation that a man who writes something down and doesn't cross it out intended to write it
- Chesterton on the standardizing effects of the cinema—how the same concerns raised about silent films in the 1920s echo in every conversation about video games, social media, and passive screen entertainment today
- A tour of the current Gilbert: the Chesterton Schools Network's capstone Rome pilgrimage, an 11th-grader's essay on Dante, a takedown of Paul Ehrlich's famously wrong prophecies, and G.K. Chesterton's poem "After Reading a Book of Modern Verse"
Chapters:
- 00:00: Welcome and Introduction
- 02:24: Gilbert Magazine and the Legacy of G.K. Chesterton's GK's Weekly
- 05:30: The Current Issue: Cover Art and the Rome Pilgrimage Feature
- 11:29: "An Architect's Nightmare": G.K. Chesterton's 1928 Essay on Space, Man, and False Progress
- 19:05: The Optimist–Pessimist Cycle and What Chesterton Says About the AI Age
- 23:14: Virginia de la Lastra at the UN and Joe's Editorial on Passive Entertainment
- 29:10: Chesterton on Cinema, the Toy Theater, and the Imaginative Life
- 32:14: "Freud on Slips of the Pen": A Newly Unearthed 1921 Chesterton Essay
- 40:30: A Chesterton Poem, a Student's Essay on Dante, and Paul Ehrlich's Prophecies
- 44:24: Closing and How to Subscribe to Gilbert
Resources Mentioned:
- Gilbert Magazine
- 2026 Chesterton Conference—"The Outline of Sanity"
- What I Saw in America by G.K. Chesterton
- Chesterton Schools Network
- Become a Member of the Society
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G.K. Chesterton once observed that after learning to do a great many clever things, the next great task would be learning not to do them. That line, from an early essay on Queen Victoria, has taken on new force as American schools reverse decades of tech-first policies—test scores and students' mental health alike in decline. In this episode, Joe and Grettelyn trace the screen crisis back to first principles, exploring how Chesterton's warnings against educational fads, his conviction that machines make us like machines, and his insistence that a thing worth doing is worth doing badly all speak directly to what Jonathan Haidt's data is now confirming.
In This Episode:
- The G.K. Chesterton quote from Varied Types that frames the whole conversation—and why his intuition about educational tinkering was more than a hunch
- How the Chesterton Schools Network's longstanding tech-light philosophy has been vindicated by over 15 years of data, a UNESCO report, and the Fortune magazine story that started this episode
- What Chesterton's insight about machines making us like machines explains about the neuroscience of distraction—and why phone-free classrooms alone aren't enough
- Why G.K. Chesterton's principle that a thing worth doing is worth doing badly is the most important counter-argument to AI in education and the arts
- Practical steps for parents: building social pacts with other families, the case for delaying smartphones, and the Chesterton Schools Network as a proven alternative
Chapters:
- 00:00: Welcome and Introduction
- 01:15: The Chesterton Schools Network's Tech-Light Philosophy
- 03:38: G.K. Chesterton on Learning Not to Do Clever Things
- 05:42: Jonathan Haidt and the Books Behind the Movement
- 09:06: UNESCO's Findings on Technology and Learning
- 13:35: How Devices Short-Circuit Attention and Memory
- 19:47: Embodied Learning—Handwriting, Doodling, and What Screens Miss
- 28:21: Schools Reversing Course: The Fortune Magazine Story
- 35:11: A Thing Worth Doing Badly: Chesterton vs. AI
- 44:13: Practical Steps for Parents and a Path Forward
Resources Mentioned:
- Varied Types — G.K. Chesterton
- The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt
- The Coddling of the American Mind — Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
- Anxious Generation Action Resources
- Chesterton Schools Network
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Landon Loftin, editor of Chesterton and the Philosophers and a speaker at this summer's Chesterton Conference, joins Joe Grabowski to discuss the first book to put G.K. Chesterton in direct conversation with figures of the Western philosophical tradition. Together they trace how G.K. Chesterton's literary and journalistic genius concealed a rigorous philosophical mind that professional academia has been slow to recognize—and why that neglect says more about the academy than about Chesterton.
In This Episode:
- How a peer-reviewed journal's rejection of an essay on G.K. Chesterton and Hume sparked the idea for an entire edited volume
- Why G.K. Chesterton's best philosophical arguments are embedded in fiction and journalism rather than technical prose, and why that's a compliment to him, not a liability
- The essay on Chesterton and Aristotle, and how G.K. Chesterton understood virtue as a furious clash of opposites rather than a mild Aristotelian mean
- G.K. Chesterton's distinctive philosophical method: taking thinkers like Hume and William James more seriously than they took themselves, thereby dismantling their own arguments
- A preview of Loftin's Chesterton Conference talk on G.K. Chesterton as "the Edwardian Socrates," and what that comparison reveals about philosophy as a vocation versus a profession
Chapters:
- 00:00: Introduction
- 00:26: Welcome and introducing Landon Loftin
- 01:25: Loftin's background: teaching, Owen Barfield, and G.K. Chesterton
- 03:03: Chesterton and the Philosophers: overview and contributors
- 04:43: Origin of the book: the rejected Hume essay
- 08:13: Book structure and Joe's essay on Chesterton and Kierkegaard
- 14:20: Chesterton and Aristotle: virtue as furious clash of opposites
- 18:30: G.K. Chesterton's philosophical method: out-Huming Hume
- 24:46: G.K. Chesterton as defender of philosophy
- 30:35: G.K. Chesterton's model of disagreement: furious friendship
- 33:52: Conference preview: "The Edwardian Socrates"
Resources Mentioned:
- Chesterton and the Philosophers, ed. Landon Loftin (Wipf & Stock)
- 2026 Chesterton Conference — "The Outline of Sanity," June 25–27, Ave Maria, FL
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One hundred years ago, Frances Chesterton quietly entered the Catholic Church on All Saints Day—the feast she chose for herself. In this episode, Grettelyn and Joe sit down with Nancy Carpentier Brown, author of The Woman Who Was Chesterton, to explore Frances's spiritual journey ahead of Nancy's talk at the 2026 Chesterton Conference.
In This Episode:
- How Frances Blogg became a devout Anglican through the Clewer Sisters at St. Stephen's College—and why that formation made her path to Rome harder, not easier
- The branch theory, and why Frances's emotional attachment to Anglicanism was every bit as powerful as G.K.'s intellectual arguments for Catholicism
- Gilbert's extraordinary patience: four years of waiting, never pressuring Frances—and how the Chestertons' story mirrors that of Scott and Kimberly Hahn
- The pivotal moments behind G.K.'s 1922 conversion: his near-death illness, Frances's anguished letter to Father O'Connor, and the death of his father
- Frances's reception into the Church on All Saints Day, 1926—quiet, discreet, in High Wycombe with Father Walker—and the New York Times headline that followed a week later
Chapters:
- 00:00: Introduction & Welcome
- 01:00: Why 2026? The Year of Frances and St. Francis
- 03:24: G.K.'s Spiritual Formation Before They Met
- 06:29: Frances's Faith Journey and the Clewer Sisters
- 09:08: What Held Frances Back: Branch Theory and the Heart
- 13:22: G.K.'s Illness and Frances's Letter to Father O'Connor
- 16:27: G.K.'s Father, Cecil, and the Decision to Convert
- 20:09: Mutual Spiritual Freedom: Neither Held the Other Back
- 24:42: All Saints Day, 1926: Frances Enters the Church
- 30:00: Conference Preview and Closing Thoughts
Resources Mentioned:
- The Woman Who Was Chesterton by Nancy Carpentier Brown
- 2026 Chesterton Conference
- Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
- Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn
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In honor of May, Our Lady's Month, Joe and Gretalyn each bring a favorite Marian poem by G.K. Chesterton to share with the other—without any advance coordination. Gretalyn reads "Images," a meditation on six titles from the Litany of Loreto drawn from Chesterton's 1926 collection Queen of the Seven Swords, while Joe shares "Crooked," a lesser-known 1933 poem from GK's Weekly that captures a more introspective, mature side of his Marian devotion. Together they explore what these poems reveal about Chesterton's lifelong love for Our Lady, the apologetics of Marian devotion, and the paradox at the heart of his faith: that the world only looks right when you learn to see it through her.
In This Episode:
- How Chesterton's "Images" weaves six titles from the Litany of Loreto—Mirror of Justice, Tower of David, House of Gold, Tower of Ivory, Ark of the Covenant, and Seat of Wisdom—into richly layered verse
- Why 1926, the year Frances Chesterton entered the Church, gives "Images" a deeper biographical resonance
- What it means when Marian devotion troubles someone, and why Joe and Gretalyn suggest that reaction is worth examining carefully
- Chesterton's Marian apologetics in Lepanto—and the single line that cuts to the heart of the controversy
- What "Crooked" reveals about a quieter, more subdued Chesterton in 1933, writing in the shadow of a world beginning to come apart
Chapters:
- 00:00: Introduction & May as Our Lady's Month
- 02:36: Gretalyn Reads "Images"
- 07:06: Unpacking the Litany of Loreto
- 11:03: Chesterton's Lifelong Marian Devotion
- 14:38: Mary as a Touchpoint for Converts
- 21:16: Mary in Scripture: Luke and the Magnificat
- 23:59: Lepanto and the Defense of Mary
- 27:51: Joe Reads "Crooked"
- 28:17: Discussion of "Crooked"
- 33:16: Chesterton's Mature Mariology
Resources Mentioned:
- I Also Had My Hour: An Alternative Autobiography of G.K. Chesterton by Dale Ahlquist
- Gilbert Magazine
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Gretelyn Darkey and Joe Grabowski invite listeners to join them this June at the 2026 Chesterton Society Conference in Ave Maria, Florida. This year's conference celebrates three remarkable centenaries: the publication of The Outline of Sanity, The Queen of Seven Swords, and Frances Chesterton's conversion to the Catholic Church. With speakers including Dale Ahlquist and Nancy Brown, the conference promises talks on distributism, sanity in an insane world, and Frances's journey to Rome.
In This Episode:
- The 2026 conference returns to a university campus setting with dorm-style lodging at Ave Maria, recapturing the old-school Chesterton conference atmosphere
- Three major centenaries: The Outline of Sanity (1926), The Queen of Seven Swords (1926), and Frances Chesterton's conversion to Catholicism (1926)
- Dale Ahlquist will explore what Chesterton meant by sanity and how the modern world alters humans to fit conditions rather than shaping the world to fit the human soul
- Nancy Brown will speak on Frances Chesterton's four-year journey to Rome after Gilbert's conversion, offering hope for those navigating similar family situations
- Ave Maria's Catholic town center, built around a striking church, embodies Chestertonian localism and provides the perfect setting for this year's theme
Chapters:
- 00:00: Welcome and Conference Announcement
- 00:24: Ave Maria, Florida—Location and Registration
- 01:09: Return to University Campus Format
- 03:27: First Theme: The Outline of Sanity 100th Anniversary
- 06:40: Speakers on Distributism and Localism
- 16:09: Second Theme: The Queen of Seven Swords
- 19:59: Third Theme: Frances Chesterton's Conversion
- 25:19: Nancy Brown on Frances's Journey to Rome
- 28:05: Afterglow and Conference Experience
- 34:20: Closing Invitation
Resources Mentioned:
- Conference Registration
- The Woman Who Was Chesterton by Nancy Carpentier Brown
- Gilbert Magazine
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SUPPORT
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- Visit our Shop
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GK Chesterton was many things—journalist, philosopher, poet, and debater—but what does his life look like through the eyes of a young reader? In this episode, Joe sits down with Holly Gyger Lee, author of the new young reader's biography The Man Who Carried a Swordstick and a Pen, to explore what drew her to Chesterton, what surprised her in the research, and why a boy who didn't fit the classroom mold became one of the most prolific writers in the English language. From Charlotte Mason's "living books" philosophy to Chesterton's theology of play, this conversation is a delight for readers of all ages.
In This Episode:
- How Holly discovered GK Chesterton through C.S. Lewis—and why The Man Who Was Thursday wasn't the right entry point
- The Charlotte Mason "living books" philosophy that inspired Holly to write a biography for young readers
- What surprised Holly most in her research: Chesterton the unconventional student, and the headmaster's famous remark—"He is six feet of genius"
- The swordstick, the cloak, and how Frances shaped the image of a man who was a walking anachronism—out of time, and for all times
- Chesterton's theology of play and leisure, from the Toy Theater essay to his belief that the heavy work is the play
Chapters:
- 00:00: Welcome and Introduction
- 00:54: Holly's Background, Homeschooling, and Life in North Carolina
- 04:01: Discovering Chesterton Through C.S. Lewis
- 09:11: Charlotte Mason, Living Books, and the Inspiration Behind the Biography
- 13:39: The Swordstick, the Cloak, and Chesterton's Persona
- 16:18: Chesterton on Leisure, Play, and the Toy Theater
- 19:14: Taking Children Seriously—Chesterton, Tolkien, Lewis, and MacDonald
- 24:32: Research Surprises: The Unconventional Student
- 28:43: The Junior Debating Club, Frances, and a Life of Hospitality
- 33:37: Holly's Current Projects and Where to Find Her
Resources Mentioned:
- Get the Book
- Holly's Website
- Holly's YouTube
- Gilbert Magazine
- American Chesterton Society Shop
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What does it mean to be inconvenienced? Chesterton has a paradoxical answer. Joe Grabowski and Grettelyn Darkey unpack one of Chesterton's most beloved aphorisms — "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered; an inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered" — tracing it from its original context in a real 1906 London flood, through the essay "On Running After One's Hat," and all the way to Boethius, St. Lawrence, and the Christian vocation to embrace the cross.
In This Episode:
- The original context of the quote in Chesterton's essay "On Running After One's Hat" from All Things Considered, prompted by the great London flood of June 1906
- What running after a windblown hat has to do with Innocent Smith in Manalive—and why the sport of hat-hunting haunted Chesterton's imagination for years
- The difference between a sunny attitude and a genuinely Chestertonian embrace of inconvenience, and why it matters on a spiritual level
- Boethius, St. Lawrence, and St. Peter hanging upside down—what the saints reveal about the adventure of embracing the cross
- The thread running through all of Chesterton: how a single paradox in a flood-inspired newspaper column illuminates his entire worldview
Chapters:
- 00:00: Introduction
- 01:52: Parsing the Quote
- 04:50: Bilbo Baggins and Engaging with Life
- 07:49: The 1906 London Flood
- 20:23: Running After One's Hat
- 23:05: Innocent Smith in Manalive
- 28:41: The Thread of Chesterton's Philosophy
- 35:00: Daily Inconveniences
- 37:06: The Spiritual Dimension
Resources Mentioned:
- All Things Considered by G.K. Chesterton (includes "On Running After One's Hat")
- Manalive by G.K. Chesterton
- The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius
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Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios
div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> In this episode, Grettelyn Darkey and Joe Grabowski walk through three newly unearthed Chesterton essays from the latest issue of Gilbert Magazine*—exploring almsgiving, portraiture, and a delightful transatlantic linguistic puzzle—and invite you to discover why the magazine is one of the best-kept secrets in Chesterton studies.
In This Episode:
- Why Chesterton's "promiscuous charity" upends our instinct to vet the needy before giving—and what that reveals about the giver's own soul
- The overlooked personal dimension of almsgiving versus institutional philanthropy, and how Chesterton draws on virtue ethics to expose the difference
- A debate as old as the daguerreotype: does a photograph capture truth, or does a painted portrait go deeper—and what does Chesterton mean when he says truth is a "moral state"?
- Chesterton's fondness for paradox applied to art, literature, and the limits of realism
- How a single American phrase, "rare steak," sent Chesterton on a linguistic rabbit trail through Irish immigration and transatlantic idiom in 1934
Chapters:
- 00:00: Introduction
- 00:24: Welcome & the Gilbert Read-Along Format
- 02:12: The Significance of Almsgiving
- 04:07: "On Giving Money to Beggars"—Chesterton's Humor and Opening
- 10:03: Prudence, Charity, and Getting the Monkey Off Your Back
- 14:40: Personal Giving vs. Institutional Philanthropy
- 20:49: Transitioning to "Portraits"
- 22:00: Photography vs. Portrait Painting in 1901
- 26:29: Truth in Art and Chesterton's Paradox
- 36:28: "A Query for Philologists"—Why Americans Call It "Rare"
Resources Mentioned:
- Gilbert Magazine
- What I Saw in America by G.K. Chesterton
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Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios
Joe Grabowski sits down with Nick Bash, a Biola University alum who studied filmmaking alongside the Rhetoric Honors Great Books Program, to discuss his senior thesis short film The Last Bonaparte—a loose adaptation of Chesterton's The Napoleon of Notting Hill.
In This Episode:
- How film, as a relatively young art form, is still learning to match the depth and immersion of literature
- What Chesterton's Orthodoxy revealed to Nick about joy, and how that discovery drove the making of The Last Bonaparte
- The communal nature of filmmaking and how the process of telling a story begins to mirror its themes
- How setting the film in 2084 draws on Orwellian themes to sharpen Chesterton's critique of standardization and bureaucracy
- Why Tolkien's philosophical writings on creativity convinced Nick that faithful Christian storytelling means crafting a story, not a sermon
Chapters:
- 00:00: Introduction
- 00:36: Nick's Background: Biola, Great Books, and Chesterton
- 03:06: Film as a Young Art Form
- 05:50: Drama, Embodiment, and the Communal Art of Filmmaking
- 09:39: Film as Synthesis of the Arts
- 14:02: Reclaiming Joy in a Machine-Oriented World
- 18:52: Chesterton, Orwell, and the Year 1984
- 25:34: Tolkien on Adventure and Sub-Creation
- 28:42: Story vs. Allegory
Resources Mentioned:
- The Last Bonaparte
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Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios
In this episode, Joe talks about one of Chesterton's most famous, but still too little studied, poems, "The Donkey." Learn a bit more about the poem through a New Critical based reading, consider just some of the allusions that may have shaped the poem in Chesterton's mind, and - perhaps - discover anew a great source for Lenten meditation!
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Happy Saint Patrick's day! In this episode, Joe talks about some of Chesterton's insights upon and sympathies with the Irish, particularly their faith and culture.
Mentioned in this video:
"Irish Politics and Irish Religion" by G.K. Chesterton: https://library.chesterton.org/irish-politics-and-irish-religion-33426/
On Chesterton and Michael Collins: https://www.catholicarena.com/latest/chestertoncollins220822
On the "Turning the Tide" report: https://theway.ie/new-report-shows-shifting-religious-trends-and-signs-of-renewal-among-young-adults-in-ireland/
Archbishop Eomon Martin's introduction of the report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LO_7U2ME-k
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In this episode, Joe talks about a (in)famous Chesterton quotation, often misunderstood, sometimes misapplied. He digs into its origins and context(s) and shares some interesting facts about it you may not know!
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In this episode, Joe talks about how Chesterton can help us mark the year of America's semiquincentennial and previews some future chats about the subject that we'll be hosting on the channel.
Mentioned in this video: Our Groundhog Day episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n30P-YGf9FM
"On Neighbors and Nations" by G.K. Chesterton: https://library.chesterton.org/on-neighbors-and-nations-11054/
ACS Books new edition of Chesterton's "What I Saw in America": https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/what-i-saw-in-america-special-semiquincentennial-edition/
SPECIAL NOTE
Join us for Lent - still time if you haven't signed up! Visit https://www.chesterton.org/lent today!
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Happy Mardi Gras! In this episode, Joe extends a special invitation to join the Society this Lent to approach the paradox of suffering in the Christian life through the lens of Our Lady of Sorrows and with help from G.K. Chesterton.
Learn more about our offerings this Lent, about our proposed practice of lectio divina, and hear from Saint John Paul II on Mary's example of participatory suffering.
To sign up, visit: https://www.chesterton.org/lent
Mentioned in this video: Our most recent Advent campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFCXtUx17VA
Pope St. John Paul II's "Salvifici Doloris": https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1984/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_salvifici-doloris.html
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Recorded February 2, in this episode Joe reflects on the day's special occasion. Yes, that one. Which is to say both. Or, all three. Hear his musings on the Presentation (and the Purification), Simeon's prophecy, the "missing years" of Jesus' life, and... a certain famous Pennsylvania rodent.
Want to see Punxsutawney Phil's prediction? Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiHIkoPHdrc
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Have you ever noticed how quiet it is after a snowstorm? The silence reminds us of the noise we so easily tune out the rest of the time. But what about the other sources of noise in our life, the ones we deliberately tune into? Joe reflects on the snow and silence and why tuning out of the noise is sometimes a very necessary thing.
In this episode: Gerard Manley Hopkins' "The Habit of Perfection" - read online here: https://gerardmanleyhopkins.com/uncategorized/the-habit-of-perfection/
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Joe reads a brief essay from G.K. Chesterton about the meaning of a New Year.
Happy New Year!
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No new episode this week, but please see this special Christmas message from Joe Grabowski.
Visit https://give.chesterton.org/EOY2025 to make a Christmas gift to the Society today!
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Joe and Grettelyn speak about nostalgia, what it means, why Christmas is an occasion for feeling it, and what Chesterton says that might shed some light on it!
Please consider a year-end gift to the Society. Visit https://give.chesterton.org/EOY2025 to donate today!
Merry Christmas!
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FROM THE ARCHIVES: (Originally aired 12-3-2024)
Grettelyn and Joe speak with their colleague, Tyler Blanski, about Saint Nicholas, why Father Christmas shows up in Narnia, what Jupiter has to do with it, and more!
To sign up for the Society's daily Advent quotations from Chesterton, along with reflections and Scriptures on which to meditate, visit https://www.chesterton.org/advent
Check out our whole [2024] Advent & Christmastide series playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm8wkRUR11ar3uer8l1EJ0S9hgAR1Ddz1
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FROM THE ARCHIVES: (Originally aired 12-10-2024)
Grettelyn and Joe speak about some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding Christmas, and how we can respond to them (with Chesterton's help)!
To sign up for the Society's daily Advent quotations from Chesterton, along with reflections and Scriptures on which to meditate, visit https://www.chesterton.org/advent
Check out our whole Advent & Christmastide series playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm8wkRUR11ar3uer8l1EJ0S9hgAR1Ddz1
OTHER LINKS:
- G.K. Chesterton, "The History of Christmas": PART 1: https://library.chesterton.org/the-history-of-christmas-55156/ PART 2: https://library.chesterton.org/the-history-of-christmas-cont-35676/
- Who Were The Magi? (Dave Armstrong) - https://www.ncregister.com/blog/who-were-the-magi
- The Dating of Christmas (Jimmy Akin) - https://jimmyakin.com/2014/11/the-dating-of-christmas.html
- Christmas is Pagan REBUTTED (Joe Heschmeyer) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KBFfWe1KcQ
- Christmas and Pagan Roots (U.S. Catholic) - https://uscatholic.org/articles/202312/glad-you-asked-does-christmas-have-pagan-roots/
- Christmas, Pagan Romans and Frodo Baggins (Father Dwight Longenecker) - https://dwightlongenecker.com/christmas-pagan-romans-and-frodo-baggins/
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Stacey Bowman, VP Advancement for the Society of G.K. Chesterton, with a special message for Giving Tuesday 2025. Donate today at https://give.chesterton.org/EOY2025.
[RE-AIRING]
It's a Chestertonian Christmas Carol! Joe Grabowski joins the show to lead us down the path of G.K. Chesterton's take on Charles Dickens and his love of Christmas. It's a very, merry episode with no Scrooges allowed. Tune in to this episode! https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense #chesterton #gkchesterton #christmas #charlesdickens #achristmascarol #jesus #spirit #carol #dickens
Contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
Join us for Advent at chesterton.org/advent.
Get your Chestertonian Christmas gifts at chesterton.org/store/
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In this episode, Joe and Jen talk about the upcoming Advent reflection series from the Society of G.K. Chesterton, "Gifts of Gratitude." #advent #christmas #chesterton #gkchesterton #gratitude
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
Sign up for "Gifts of Gratitude" and download our free resources at https://chesterton.org/advent.
The "Snapdragon" episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH9sz7gDX94
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In this episode, Grettelyn interviews Emily Stimpson Chapman about faith, hospitality, community and the Catholic worldview. #theologyofhome #theologyofplace #chesterton #gkchesterton #community #hospitality
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
Learn more about Emily Stimpson Chapman: https://www.emilystimpsonchapman.com/
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[RE-UPLOAD] No new upload this week, but enjoy this re-airing from last year, appropriate for the season: Belloc and the Four Men!
In this episode, Joe talks with Deacon Nathan Allen, who annotated ACS Books' version of Hilaire Belloc's delightful novelette, "The Four Men."
#belloc #gkchesterton #hilairebelloc #chesterton #thefourmen
To buy ACS Book's "The Four Men" visit https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/four-men/
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
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In this episode, Joe talks about the newest Doctor of the Church, Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman, and some of the connections between his thought and G.K. Chesterton's. #chesterton #gkchesterton #johnhenrynewman #cardinalnewman #saintjohnhenrynewman
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
Mentioned in this episode:
Word on Fire Show: https://www.wordonfire.org/videos/wordonfire-show/
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Can you tell it's Joe's favorite time of year? Join him and Grettelyn as they discuss All Hallows', funerals, the customs of the poor, and more! We did have a slight technical hiccup in the making of this episode when Joe's camera went away for a bit. If you spot it, leave us a comment with the timestamp and the appropriate emoji (you'll know which that is). This is where we find out who watches the whole episode and who's reading to the show notes! #chesterton #gkchesterton #daysofthedead #halloween #allsaints #skeletons
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
Mentioned in this episode:
"The Hastiness of Modern Journalism" by G.K. Chesterton: https://library.chesterton.org/funerals-are-for-the-living-27276/
"A Defense of Skeletons" by G.K. Chesterton: https://library.chesterton.org/the-defendant-66905/#a-defence-of-skeletons
Last year's All Hallowstide Series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to5eTF2gAyE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtppIqGMrOs
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Joe talks about the hurry and haste of modern life, especially modern journalism, with some insights from G.K. Chesterton - and a couple cardiologists! What is "hurry sickness"? How can we resist the pressure to rush to judgment? What does it mean to be "Type A"? And why does Chesterton extol the benefits of sleeping in and being late to breakfast? Find out today! #chesterton #gkchesterton #journalism #hurry #hurrysickness
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
Essays mentioned in this episode:
"The Hastiness of Modern Journalism" by G.K. Chesterton: https://library.chesterton.org/the-hastiness-of-modern-journalism-68950/
"Type A behavior pattern: some of its pathophysiological components" by Meyer Friedman, MD: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1807381/
"Rendering to God" by Dr. Jacob Imam: https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2025/09/rendering-god-jacob-imam.html
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Joe and Grettelyn talk about finding "the heart in history," and how Chesterton can help us get excited to learn even about obscure things of the past — like the Battle of Hastings! Today is the anniversary of that great battle in 1066, which shaped the whole Western world. What does it mean for us? Why should we care? Listen in and read along! #chesterton #history #gkchesterton #battleofhastings #normaninvasion #williamtheconqueror
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
Essays mentioned in today's episode:
"Three Ways of Reading History": https://library.chesterton.org/three-ways-of-writing-history-27303/ "Introduction" to the Song of Roland: https://library.chesterton.org/introduction-18111/ "A View of William the Conqueror": https://library.chesterton.org/a-view-of-william-the-conqueror-86512/
Check out The Troubadours discussing "Belloc vs. Tolkien on 1066": https://www.youtube.com/live/fkjyAibwUlw?si=mdlr2c0tGrY-1pG1
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[RE-AIRING] Celebrating the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, Joe and Grettelyn look at some of Chesterton's Marian poems celebrating the "Queen of Victory." #chesterton #blessedmother #mary #virginmary #rosary #lepanto
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
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Joe and Grettelyn talk about Saint Therese of Lisieux, also known as "The Little Flower," on the eve of her feast day, and the many things she and Chesterton have in common. Learn about the similarities in their spiritualities, their common virtues, and more! #littleflower #thelittleflower #thereseoflisieux #chesterton
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
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Grettelyn is back! In this episode, she and Joe talk about the passing of seasons in life, the messages God and nature are trying to communicate, and how to pay attention to the important daily graces we receive without becoming distracting by an overwhelming news cycle. Also, pumpkin spice. #autumn #fall #pumpkinspice #pumpkinspiceseason #pumpkinspiceeverything
The essays mentioned in this episode are:
https://library.chesterton.org/the-silly-season-and-serious-discussion-92853/ https://library.chesterton.org/serious-things-in-holiday-time-london-82147/
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
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Joe interviews Dale about his brand new book, I Also Had My Hour: An Alternative Autobiography of G. K. Chesterton.
Buy a copy today! https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/i-also-had-my-hour/
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
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No new episode this week, owing to the Labor Day holiday. Instead, since this week is also the beginning of football season, we re-present this special episode on Chesterton's great Marian poem about (American) Football!
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
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Back to school! Joe and Lee talk about "back to school" season, the opportunities for reflection it affords, and reminisce about some special classes and teachers in their own lives.
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
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"The Catholic Church is like a thick steak, a glass of red wine, and a good cigar." "Fairy tales are more than true – not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten." "Do not be so open-minded that your brains fall out."
Joe and Lee look at some quotations commonly attributed to G. K. Chesterton and answer the question: did Chesterton really say that? They also rank the quotations investigated on a tier chart of plausibility. This is a fun one - don't miss it! #chesterton #fakequotes
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:30 - Topic Intro 03:25 - Introducing our Ranking Chart 04:33 - "Just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car." 07:45 - "If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God." 10:33 - "When Man ceases to worship God he does not worship nothing but worships everything." 15:42 - "The Catholic Church is like a thick steak, a glass of red wine, and a good cigar." 19:45 - "In Catholicism, the Pint, the Pipe and the Cross can all fit together." 23:20 - "A man knocking on the door of a brothel is knocking for God." 27:43 - "When it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow." 29:55 - "I've searched all the parks in all the cities and found no statues of committees." 32:37 - "A woman uses her intelligence to find reasons to support her intuition." 36:34 - "Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions." 39:47 - (Lee is sad.) "Fairy tales are more than true – not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten." 44:16 - "Do not be so open-minded that your brains fall out." 48:50 - The Complete Chart and Summing Up
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Joe and Lee chat about sundry summery things: the Chesterton conference, summer reading, and what's coming up in the Fall.
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
MOMENTS IN THIS VIDEO:
01:59 - Conference Recap - Overall Impressions 07:05 - Reconnecting with New and Old Friends 08:20 - New Orleans Fondly Remembered 10:36 - Marc Barnes on Jazz 18:03 - ACS Books Evangeline 22:04 - Father Brown Card Game Preview 25:26 - Joe and Lee's Summer Reading 42:03 - Society Check-in - Chesterton Schools Network 47:09 - The Knights of the Apostolate 52:21 - Wrapping Up
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Dale Ahlquist explores the Chestertonian way of the Church Militant, marching hopefully to our heavenly reward.
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
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Joe and Lee continue last week's conversation on the new revolution in technology and economics, so-called "Artificial Intelligence," and decide that we do, in fact, probably need a new Rerum novarum.
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
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We're down in the Big Easy for the 44th Annual Chesterton Conference!
While that means there's no new episode this week, it doesn't mean you need to go a full week without Chesterton in your life! Go to chesterton.org/conference today and sign up for a virtual registration for the conference. Watch all the talks live, participate in the Q&A, and meet friends old and new in the forum!
See you next week!
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Joe and Lee look at the new revolution in technology and economics, so-called "Artificial Intelligence," and consider the question: "Do we need a new Rerum novarum?"
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
Episode artwork credit: "Ameca humanoid - robot generation 1", Willy Jackson, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.
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Joe and Lee do a quick review and recap of the fundamental themes and principles of Catholic Social Teaching, as a bridge between their in-depth study of the work of Pope Leo XIII and future discussion about what the new Pope Leo might have to say on these topics...
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
Read the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church here: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
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Joe and Lee finish up their close reading of Rerum Novarum! Read along, and send us your questions. And stay tuned! We may be done with the encyclical, but we're far from done with the subject!
You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
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Joe and Lee dive into part two of their close reading of Rerum Novarum! Read along, and send us your questions! You can contact us at podcast@chesterton.org.
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Join us next week as we continue our deep dive into Rerum Novarum.
In the meantime, check out the Chesterton Schools Network: https://chestertonschoolsnetwork.org/
Please consider supporting our work; visit https://www.chesterton.org/give/
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Joe and Lee continue their series of episodes on Catholic Social Teaching, with the first of a two-part deep dive into Rerum Novarum!
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
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[RE-UPLOAD - Audio quality improved]
Joe and Lee kick off a series of episodes that will focus on Catholic Social Teaching, this time looking closely at Pope Leo XIII and Rerum Novarum!
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
Video of Pope Leo XIII is in the public domain, taken from Wikimedia Commons.
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This week, UncommonSense presents a re-airing of the May 2025 Summit of the Troubadours, focusing on the present Pope and great Popes past.
Come and see the Troubadours LIVE and in-person in New Orleans this summer at our conference! Register today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
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Joe and Lee speak with Julian Ahlquist about his experimentation with A. I. image generation, making pictures of the saints. He'll be speaking about this topic at this summer's Chesterton conference in New Orleans, and it's sure to be one of the more debated and controversial topics. Luckily, Chestertonians know how to disagree agreeably!
Register for the conference today to join the conversation: Visit https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
See examples of Julian's images here: https://www.reddit.com/user/nrsht/submitted/
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Joe and Lee speak with Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers about Walker Percy and G.K. Chesterton!
Register for the conference today to hear Cy's talks: Visit https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
Visit Catholic Answers at https://catholic.com/
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Grettelyn speaks with Theresa Martin about "untamed children," the topic of her talk for the annual Chesterton conference!
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
Learn more about Theresa and WCI: https://jp2rule.com/
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Joe and Lee speak with Don Flanagan, a retire English professor and co-leader of the St. Paul Chesterton Society, about his talk for the annual Chesterton conference on G.K. Chesterton and Sir Walter Scott!
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
University Faculty for Life: https://www.uffl.org/
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Joe speaks with Christopher Check, president of Catholic Answers, about his upcoming talk for the annual Chesterton conference on the history of the Acadian people and their expulsion.
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
Visit Catholic Answers at http://catholic.com/
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Joe speaks with Professor David Deavel of the University of St. Thomas, Houston, about Chesterton and the Saints, the theme of this summer's Chesterton conference, and the topic of David's talk! Join us July 24-26 in New Orleans to learn more about this fascinating and edifying subject!
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
David's writings at The Imaginative Conservative: https://theimaginativeconservative.org/author/david-deavel
David's writings at Catholic World Report: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/author/deavel-david/
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Grettelyn and Joe interview Nikola Bolsec from the Chesterton Society in Croatia and a speaker at this summer's conference. He discusses how he and other Croatians have experienced Chesterton, and a bit about his Father Brown Card game.
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
More about Croatian Chesterton Society: https://www.chesterton.hr/
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Grettelyn and Joe interview Ted Janiszewski from Saint Irenaeus Ministries, a speaker who will be joining us this summer, July 24-26 in New Orleans! Hear a little of what Ted will have to say about Chesterton and Nietzsche.
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
Saint Irenaeus Ministries: https://siministries.org/
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Grettelyn and Joe interview Joseph Pearce, a popular conference speaker, who will be joining us this summer, July 24-26 in New Orleans! Hear a little of what Joseph will be speaking about regarding Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem, Evangeline.
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
Find Joseph online at https://jpearce.co/
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Joe and Grettelyn speak with Society Chaplain, Father Spencer Howe, about some opportunities for pilgrimage that the Society is offering, but also about the spirituality and theology of pilgrimage, especially in the season of Lent.
If you're interested in joining the Society pilgrimage to Merrie Englands, visit our partner at ProRomeTours: https://prorometours.com/chesterton-society/
If you're interested in joining the Knights of the Apostolate and taking part in our summer pilgrimages in New Orleans, visit https://www.chesterton.org/knights/
To sign up for the summer conference, visit https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
Finally, if you haven't already done so, it's not too late to sign up to receive our daily Lenten reflections series delivered directly to your email inbox! Visit https://www.chesterton.org/lent-and-eastertide-2025/ to sign up today/
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Joe is joined by colleague Lee Sondeno to geek out about F. Scott Fitzgerald, the jazz age, The Great Gatsby, Chesterton and more! Join this fun conversation, and join the reprise in New Orleans this summer!
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
Music credit: Composition: traditional; Performance: United States Air Force Band of the West, Gateway Brass; Recording: United States Air Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Dale joins the show to talk about this summer's Chesterton conference, July 24-26 in New Orleans! It's a veritable Mardi Gras party for the podcast. Be sure to stick around until the end of the episode for a fun game, and test your knowledge of cajun cuisine!
Register for the conference today at https://www.chesterton.org/44th-annual-chesterton-conference/
Music credit: Composition: traditional; Performance: United States Air Force Band of the West, Gateway Brass; Recording: United States Air Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Grettelyn is joined by Jen Finke to talk about this year's daily Lenten reflection series on the theme of the virtues. Learn more or sign up at https://www.chesterton.org/lent-and-eastertide-2025/
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Joe reflects on Chesterton's poem, "The Arena" as an object lesson in reading Chesterton and taking a Chestertonian view of the world (including things like the Super Bowl).
To read Joe's annotations of the poem, visit https://www.joegrabowski.com/arena.html.
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Joe speaks with Dr. Ben Reinhard, author of a new book, "The High Hallow: Tolkien's Liturgical Imagination," from Emmaus Road Publishing. Learn more about #Chesterton and #Tolkien and what #Lewis called "the mythical radiance resting on our theology."
To buy the book, https://stpaulcenter.com/product/the-high-hallow-tolkiens-liturgical-imagination/
Find out more about Emmaus Road on IG: https://www.instagram.com/stpaulcenter https://www.instagram.com/emmausroadpublishing https://www.instagram.com/emmausroadpublishing
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Joe geeks out with colleague, Jen Finke, about G.K. Chesterton and Saint Thomas Aquinas!
To buy the book, visit https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/st-thomas-aquinas/ Read a chapter online here: https://www.chesterton.org/approach-to-thomism/ Learn more from Dale Ahlquist, here: https://www.chesterton.org/lecture-67/
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SUPPORT Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
Joe and Grettelyn speak with Deacon Chris Roberts, co-founder and President of Martin Saints Classical High School, a Chesterton Academy about the experience of founding a school, the difference of the Chesterton curriculum, and more!
Learn more: https://www.martinsaintsclassical.org/ https://chestertonschoolsnetwork.org/
FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc
SUPPORT Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
Joe and Grettelyn speak about the medieval "Festum Asinorum," the "Feast of Asses," which was celebrated on January 14th, and they discuss its very Chestertonian qualities. They also read Chesterton's great poem, "The Donkey," in honor of the Feast!
To read the Catholic Encyclopedia article cited in the episode, visit https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01798b.htm.
Check out our whole Advent & Christmastide series playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm8wkRUR11ar3uer8l1EJ0S9hgAR1Ddz1
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SUPPORT
Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
Joe and Grettelyn speak with Karin Öberg about her conversion experience, the influence of C. S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton, the relation of faith and reason in science, and get an astronomer's views on the Star of Bethlehem!
Check out our whole Advent & Christmastide series playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm8wkRUR11ar3uer8l1EJ0S9hgAR1Ddz1
Music used in this episode is in the public domain.
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Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
Grettelyn and Joe celebrate the coming New Year with their colleague, Tyler Blanski, chatting about paradox, resolutions, hope, fear, and the pronunciation of words!
Make a special year-end gift to the Society: https://give.chesterton.org/campaign/hope-for-the-year-ahead/c650439
Check out our whole Advent & Christmastide series playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm8wkRUR11ar3uer8l1EJ0S9hgAR1Ddz1
All music used is in the public domain. Closing track credit: We Wish you a Merry Christmas Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/; adapted for use.
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Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
Grettelyn and Joe speak about ... Christmas! And how the Chestertons celebrated it. They also share some of their favorite Chestertonian Christmas poetry.
Hear Mark Nowakowski's Chesterton Carol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1USODh49NU
FOLLOW US:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc
SUPPORT :
Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
Grettelyn and Joe speak with Kendra Tierney Norton of Catholic All Year ( @KendraTierneyCAY ) about keeping Advent and Christmas well and some of the traditions and customs you can try in your own home!
Kendra's website: https://catholicallyear.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrx2W0qQhrHCYY4NNMn1Ltg
To sign up for the Society's daily Advent quotations from Chesterton, along with reflections and Scriptures on which to meditate, visit https://www.chesterton.org/advent
FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc
SUPPORT Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
Grettelyn and Joe speak about some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding Christmas, and how we can respond to them (with Chesterton's help)!
To sign up for the Society's daily Advent quotations from Chesterton, along with reflections and Scriptures on which to meditate, visit https://www.chesterton.org/advent
OTHER LINKS:
G.K. Chesterton, "The History of Christmas": PART 1: https://library.chesterton.org/the-history-of-christmas-55156/ PART 2: https://library.chesterton.org/the-history-of-christmas-cont-35676/ Who Were The Magi? (Dave Armstrong) - https://www.ncregister.com/blog/who-were-the-magi The Dating of Christmas (Jimmy Akin) - https://jimmyakin.com/2014/11/the-dating-of-christmas.html Christmas is Pagan REBUTTED (Joe Heschmeyer) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KBFfWe1KcQ Christmas and Pagan Roots (U.S. Catholic) - https://uscatholic.org/articles/202312/glad-you-asked-does-christmas-have-pagan-roots/ Christmas, Pagan Romans and Frodo Baggins (Father Dwight Longenecker) - https://dwightlongenecker.com/christmas-pagan-romans-and-frodo-baggins/
FOLLOW US
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Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
Grettelyn and Joe speak with their colleague, Tyler Blanski, about Saint Nicholas, why Father Christmas shows up in Narnia, what Jupiter has to do with it, and more!
To sign up for the Society's daily Advent quotations from Chesterton, along with reflections and Scriptures on which to meditate, visit https://www.chesterton.org/advent
FOLLOW US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc
SUPPORT
Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
Grettelyn and Joe speak with Father Spencer Howe, Chaplain and Vice-Chair of the Society of G.K. Chesterton, about how to prepare for Advent and Christmas!
To sign up for the Society's daily Advent quotations from Chesterton, along with reflections and Scriptures on which to meditate, visit https://www.chesterton.org/advent
FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc
SUPPORT Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
Grettelyn speaks with Laurie Walsh about service, motherhood, Chesterton, and the Theology of the Body!
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Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
Grettelyn is joined by Society photographer, Jen Finke, who talks about seeing Chesterton conferences through her unique lens and shares some of her favorite Chesterton poems!
FOLLOW US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc
SUPPORT
Consider making a donation: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/
In light of US Election Day, there is no new episode of Uncommon Sense this week.
Tune in next week for a new episode, and in the meantime feel free to check out the archive at chesterton.org/uncommonsense!
In this episode, Grettelyn and Joe continue their conversation on the Church season of All Hallows' Tide, looking at Prayers for the Dead and the Church's discipline of Indulgences. Then, they wrap up with a brief chat about Halloween and how Christians can celebrate it, even some of the "spooky" bits like skeletons!
For the document Joe references in the episode, see https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_01011967_indulgentiarum-doctrina.html
For Chesterton's "A Defense of Skeletons" see https://library.chesterton.org/the-defendant-66905/#a-defence-of-skeletons
With the approach of All Souls' Day (November 2nd), Joe and Grettelyn chat about the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory, sharing a bit about Chesterton's views and trying to explain this very misunderstood and oft-maligned teaching to those unfamiliar.
For the document Joe references in the episode, see https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_01011967_indulgentiarum-doctrina.html
In this episode, Joe talks with Deacon Nathan Allen, who annotated ACS Books' version of Hilaire Belloc's delightful novelette, "The Four Men."
Learn more about Belloc, his poetry, and the Four Men Feast!
To buy ACS Book's "The Four Men" visit https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/four-men/
To learn more about The Four Men Feast, visit https://www.fourmenfeast.com/
Celebrating yesterday's memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, Joe and Grettelyn look at some of Chesterton's Marian poems celebrating the "Queen of Victory."
To join the Knights of the Apostolate, visit https://chesterton.org/knights.
Joe chats with Kerry McDonald ( @liberatedpodcast ) about the wave of interest in alternative options for education, including the Chesterton Schools Network (https://chestertonschoolsnetwork.org) and the current state of school choice throughout the country.
For more about Kerry: https://fee.org/people/kerry-mcdonald/ https://twitter.com/kerry_edu
To join the Knights of the Apostolate of Common Sense: https://chesterton.org/knights
Grettelyn chats with Ben Hatke about his books and illustrations, his connection to Chesterton, and his circumnavigation of the globe!
To learn more about Ben and his work, visit his website: https://benhatke.com/
Greg Pyne joins Grettelyn and Joe to talk about enjoying Chesterton's writings and passing that joy on to students.
Grettelyn speaks with Ryan Whitaker, filmmaker and author.
For more about Ryan, visit his website: https://www.ryanwhitakerfilm.com/
For his books:
http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/ryan-whitaker-smith/3539
https://www.moodypublishers.com/winter-fire/
Joe and Grettelyn talk to Mike Creavey of The Gracious Guest about appreciation for creation and how to bring Chesterton into students' lives.
For more from Mike, visit https://www.thegraciousguest.org/
Grettelyn and Joe speak to Father Michael Rennier about his work, writing, and the importance of beauty.
Links:
https://www.dappledthings.org/
https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-forgotten-language/
Joe and Grettelyn talk with Dr. Alex Plato of Franciscan University about Chesterton and Belloc's socio-economic thought and how it is more relevant today than ever before.
To learn more about Alex, visit https://spt.franciscan.edu/faculty/plato-alex/.
To learn more about New Polity, visit https://newpolity.com/
In this episode, Grettelyn and Joe speak with Mark Adderley, author of the McCracken adventure series of books.
To learn more about Mark, visit https://mark-adderley.com
Grettelyn speaks with Lee and Valiree Sondeno about their conversion influenced by the reading of G.K. Chesterton and by the Apostolate of Common Sense!
Help support our work bringing people closer to Christ and His Church. Visit https://chesterton.org/give to give today.
We just wrapped up a very successful 43rd Annual Chesterton Conference! We will be back with a new episode next week.
Grettelyn speaks with Fabiola Garza, author of Princesses of Heaven from Word on Fire books (https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/princesses-of-heaven).
To see Fabiola, join us at the 43rd Annual Chesterton Conference! Visit https://www.chesterton.org/43rd-annual-chesterton-conference/ today.
Grettelyn speaks with Dan Kerr, President of Saint Martin's Academy and one of the Troubadours. Come see Dan at the Chesterton Conference!
Saint Martin's: https://saintmartinsacademy.org/
Tuesdays with the Troubadours: https://saintmartinsacademy.org/troubadours/
43rd Annual Chesterton Conference: https://www.chesterton.org/43rd-annual-chesterton-conference/
Joe speaks to Jason Craig of Fraternus (https://fraternus.net) and Sword and Spade magazine(https://swordandspade.mykajabi.com/).
Jason is also author of Leaving Boyhood Behind (https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/product/leaving-boyhood-behind-reclaiming-catholic-brotherhood) from OSV and a contributor to the new volume on Localism from Sophia Press co-edited by Dale Ahlquist (https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/localism-coming-home-to-catholic-social-teaching/)!
Come see Jason and other speakers at the Chesterton Conference! https://www.chesterton.org/43rd-annual-chesterton-conference/
This is a special presentation of a recent bonus episode from our Everlasting Man Online Book Club!
To sign up for the Book Club and see future live streams, visit https://chesterton.org/everlastingman
To buy Nancy's book, visit https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/frances-chesterton/
In this episode, Grettelyn speaks with Brady Stiller, author of "Your Life is a Story" from Word on Fire publishing, and a speaker at this summer's Chesterton conference!
For Brady's book, visit https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/your-life-is-a-story
For the Chesterton conference visit https://www.chesterton.org/43rd-annual-chesterton-conference/
In this episode, Grettelyn speaks with Carrie Gress, author and fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
To learn more about Carrie, visit her website: https://www.carriegress.com/
For the Chesterton conference this summer, visit https://www.chesterton.org/conference
Chris Check of Catholic Answers (https://catholic.com) joins Joe and Grettelyn to talk about his talk at this summer's Chesterton Conference (https://chesterton.org/conference) about Saint Gregory the Great and his tremendous influence on the history of Christianity.
Popular Catholic YouTuber and speaker Brian Holdsworth joins Grettelyn and Joe to talk about evangelizing online, good literature and culture, and more!
To learn more about Brian, visit his website: https://brianholdsworth.ca/
To register for this summer's Chesterton conference, visit https://www.chesterton.org/conference.
In this episode, Joe Grabowski chats with Joseph Pearce about the dynamic friendship between G. K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc, which will be the topic of Joseph's talk at this summer's Chesterton Conference!
To learn more about Joseph, visit jpearce.co.
To register for this summer's Chesterton Conference, visit chesterton.org/conference.
In this special episode, Joe and Grettelyn talk about the Society of G.K. Chesterton's ambitious goal of recruiting 150 new members to the Knights and Ladies of the Apostolate of Common Sense, a special group of supporters who by their prayers and financial support help us bring Chesterton's wit and wisdom to a world direly in need of his joyful witness to the Gospel.
To learn more visit https://chesterton.org/knights.
To sign up for this year's Chesterton conference, visit https://www.chesterton.org/conference.
To join our Everlasting Man Online Book Club visit https://www.chesterton.org/everlastingman.
Thank you for your support, and may God bless you!
In this episode, Dale Ahlquist joins Grettelyn and Joe to remember the great Chestertonian, Aidan Mackey, who passed away on May 4th at the age of 101. Please join the Society in praying for the happy repose of Aidan's soul, and the comfort of his loved ones and friends.
We also chat about the upcoming 43rd Annual Chesterton Conference and preview some of the great talks you'll hear if you join us, either in-person or online! To learn more, visit chesterton.org/conference.
For this week's episode, we have a special re-presentation of the kickoff meeting of our Everlasting Man Online Book Club! Don't miss out on this great opportunity to tackle one of Chesterton's greatest works with friends old and new!
To sign up and join us for future weeks' live events, visit https://www.chesterton.org/everlastingman/ today!
In this episode, Joe and Grettelyn get a preview of one of the upcoming talks at this year's Chesterton conference from speaker Joe Walsh, who will be looking at commonalities between G. K. Chesterton and Whittaker Chambers!
To register for the conference, visit https://www.chesterton.org/43rd-annual-chesterton-conference/ today!
Grettelyn and Joe speak with Amber Knorr, a sacred and fine artist whose portraiture work includes a painting of G. K. Chesterton. To learn more about Amber or to see or buy prints of her work, visit her website: amberknorrart.com/
In this episode, Joe and Grettelyn chat briefly about some news from the Society and an exciting new online Book Club that YOU can join.
To learn more or to sign up, visit chesterton.org/everlastingman.
In this episode, Joe talks with James Matthew Wilson - poet, author and scholar - about G.K. Chesterton, T.S. Eliot, modern poetry, and more. Plus, James shares some of his own work from his upcoming publication, "Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds." Don't miss it!
To get James's book or to learn more, visit jamesmatthewwilson.com.
To sign up for this year's Chesterton conference, visit chesterton.org/conference.
In this episode, Joe and Grettelyn speak with Noelle Mering about her book, "Awake, Not Woke: A Christian Response to the Cult of Progressive Ideology," as well as the "Theology of Home" initiative.
To buy the book or learn more, visit https://theologyofhome.com/.
IN THIS VIDEO:
0:00 Introduction
1:39 What is Wokeism?
3:25 The Mechanisms of Manipulation
6:31 Chesterton and the Breakdown of Society
10:15 Confusion and Compassion
12:38 "The Capture of the Institutions"
15:55 Needing a "Manalive" Moment
17:46 Chesterton a Helpful Antidote
19:48 The Absence of Teleology & The Problem of Progress
23:19 A Movement of Destruction
27:43 The Curse of Babel
29:28 The Theology of Home
36:58 The Importance of Reconciliation 45:40 Wrapping Up
In this episode, Joe and Grettelyn speak with Chris Stefanick about spreading the love of Christ, helping people live holier lives and marriages, and more!
Chris is the founder and president of Real Life Catholic. Real Life Catholic is an organization that shares the love of Jesus and helps others do the same. Go check out their life-changing courses today coaching.reallifecatholic.com.
For the new marriage course mentioned in the video, visit reallifecatholic.com/marriage.
For Dale Ahlquist's book, The Story of the Family, visit chesterton.org/store/product/the-story-of-the-family.
For the Annual Chesterton Conference, visit chesterton.org/conference.
For the Chesterton Schools Network: chestertonschoolsnetwork.org.
# # # # #
IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 Introduction 1:20 Focusing on the local 3:09 What is Real Life Catholic? 4:09 Back to basics 6:38 The transforming love of Christ 8:25 Quoting Chesterton! 10:57 Chris's experience of the Chesterton Schools Network 12:29 The mystery of the Incarnation (and no heresy) 14:25 Renewed: Real Life Catholic's new marriage initiative 17:36 The gift of marriage 19:09 The importance of renewing marriage commitments 21:37 How God forms us in marriage 25:20 Signing off
In this first "Conference Preview" episode of the season, Grettelyn and Joe discuss this summer's event, and in particular Joe's talk about the changing state of friendship. Don't miss it!
\To register today visit chesterton.org/conference.
In this episode Grettelyn and Joe speak with Father Ryan, a former Chesterton Schools Network headmaster and a Chesterton enthusiast, about how Chesterton's insights and spirituality can impact anyone, at any stage of life!
Grettelyn and Joe interview Katie (a.k.a. "Mrs. Ruvi"), the founder of The Good Egg Fund. Learn about this fascinating and inspiring initiative, and chip in if you want to help. Visit goodeggfund.org today.
In this episode, Grettelyn interviews Thomas Banks of the Literary Life podcast about Chesterton and Dickens.
https://www.theliterary.life/
Joe and Grettelyn talk about this year's Lenten reflections (chesterton.org/lent) and how Chesterton's appreciation for paradox can assist in a more meaningful approach to the season.
In today's episode, Grettelyn speaks with Jeanette Flood, a freelance writer who worked as an editor for Ignatius Press on several of the volumes of the Collected Works of G.K. Chesterton!
Jeanette's book: https://ignatius.com/eight-ways-of-loving-god-ewlgp/
In this episode, Grettelyn speaks with Thomas Finke, a Latin teacher for Chesterton Academy of the Twin Cities and the Latin curriculum author for the Chesterton Schools Network.
Grettelyn talks to Susan Sucher, the Local Societies Coordinator for the Society of G.K. Chesterton, about the great gift of our local societies and how she's helping people form and sustain ones of their own.
To learn more, to find a local society near you, or to inquire into getting one started in your area, visit https://www.chesterton.org/local-societies/.
To learn about the Frances Chesterton Rosary League, visit https://www.chesterton.org/frances-chesterton-rosary-league/.
For the essay discussed in today's episode, visit https://library.chesterton.org/the-extension-of-the-family-33027/.
This week on Uncommon Sense, we are proud to present a recording of a talk given last year to the Chesterton School's Network conference by our president, Dale Ahlquist, entitled "Why G. K. Chesterton is Classical... and Why Classical Education is Chestertonian."
Joe talks with Dr. Robert L. Jackson, an expert in classical education and the new Senior Fellow for the Chesterton Schools Network (CSN). Hear about the new renaissance in classical education, the origins of the movement, and the difference that Chesterton makes.
Links:
https://chestertonschoolsnetwork.org/careers
https://chesterton.org/give
IN THIS VIDEO:
- 0:00 Introduction
- 1:17 Rob's background
- 3:57 Joining the CSN
- 4:52 What is a classical education?
- 5:46 The liberal arts
- 8:30 What we mean by classical
- 10:12 G.K. Chesterton's education
- 11:50 What changed in education?
- 12:35 The rise of Pragmatism
- 17:27 The recovery of classical
- 22:20 Rob's work with CSN
- 30:36 Importance of this work
- 33:42 The CSN is hiring!
- 38:21 We need your help
- 41:13 The Chesterton difference
- 47:20 Closing thoughts
This week, we are proud to air an encore presentation of a Virtual Open House for the Chesterton Schools Network hosted by Dale Ahlquist and featuring Andrew Youngblood, author of the new book from Word on Fire "Know Thyself." We hope you enjoy!
In this episode, Grettelyn speaks with Ted Janiszewski of St. Irenaeus Ministries about Saint Irenaeus Ministries and about how to winsomely present Catholic truth in its full historical and joyful dimensions.
https://siministries.org/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzV2YYCue4QaJNhm7uoYnZg
This Christmas, the Society of G.K. Chesterton celebrates "The Gift of Chesterton." Join us for this special episode, as a few members of our community reflect upon the difference Chesterton has made in their own lives and how he has helped lead them closer to Christ.
Thank you for letting us share the gift of Chesterton with you.
God bless you, and Merry Christmas!
Dale Ahlquist joins Joe and Grettelyn to look at some of the highlights for the Society of GK Chesterton in the coming year!
Please support our work! Visit chesterton.org/give today.
Grettelyn and Joe interview Dr. Mark Nowakowski about being a Catholic composer and making a beautiful piece of a simple Chesterton Christmas poem.
Grettelyn and Joe speak to Holly Ordway, author of a brand new spiritual biography of the beloved author, J.R.R. Tolkien, published by Word on Fire.
To buy Holly's books, visit https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/pages/holly-ordway.
Grettelyn and Joe speak to John Sharp, co-founding director and publisher with IHS Press, which seeks to bring back classic works on economic, political, and social thought by Chesterton and his contemporaries.
Grettelyn speaks Dr. James Breen about the Benedict Medicine Consortium, an attempt to bring the practice of medicine back into line with the Social Teachings of the Church.
For more info, visit benedictmedicine.org.
Joe and Grettelyn speak with Andrew Youngblood about his exciting new popular book from Word on Fire, "Know Thyself: Classical Catholic Education and the Discovery of Self." Learn more about the exciting momentum in the classical education movement!
To register for November 15th's Virtual Open House visit here: https://chestertonschoolsnetwork.org/virtual-open-house-november-2023
To buy Andrew's book (on backorder) write to orders@chesterton.org.
Joe and Grettelyn speak with Alan Harrelson of Pipe Cottage about his journey to the Catholic Church, his experience reading Chesterton, his love nature, and more!
To learn more about Alan, visit pipecottage.com or his channel.
To learn more about the Southern Agrarians, visit Wikipedia.
Our past interview about Father Vincent McNabb.
Alan Cornett's talk on Russell Kirk.
Nancy joins Grettelyn to discuss her newest book, and a great present for this Christmas: The Chestertons and the Top Meadow Troupe!
To get Nancy's book, visit chesterton.org/tmt (for "Top Meadow Troupe").
For the first volume, The Chestertons and the Golden Key, visit chesterton.org/goldenkey today!
Joe and Grettelyn look at Chesterton's historic newsmaking trip to Notre Dame University in October, 1930.
For a sample of Father O'Donnell's poetry, see https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=13532.
To hear Notre Dame's recent podcast episode about Chesterton, visit https://stories.nd.edu/podcasts/g-k-chesterton-and-notre-dame/.
Joe and Grettelyn talk about the call issued by the Bishops of the United States, in solidarity with that of the Bishops of the Holy Land, for a day of prayer and fasting for peace.
Episode resources:
ِA Call for Prayer and Fasting for Peace from Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land
Salvifici Doloris - on Human Suffering, by Pope Saint John Paul II
Hope through Suffering by Karlo Broussard (Catholic Answers Magazine)
Fatima Shrine Boston (Prayers and Resources)
The Queen of Seven Swords by G.K. Chesterton
Message for the 46th World Day of Peace by Pope Benedict XVI
Saint Francis's Prayer for Peace
Psalm 83, Psalm 85, and Psalm 90
Joe and Grettelyn talk about some news and updates from the Society of GK Chesterton. To catch the Virtual Society LIVE this week, visit https://www.youtube.com/@AmCHESTERTONsoc/live.
In honor of this coming Saturday's feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto, we are re-airing this interview from the archives with Christopher Check, President of Catholic Answers.
Buy Chesterton's poem Lepanto with Dale Ahlquist's commentary here: https://www.chesterton.org/shop/lepanto/
Chris's longer talk on the battle with his recitation of the poem: https://shop.catholic.com/lepanto-the-battle-that-saved-the-west-mp3/
On this special episode, we feature the keynote address from this year's Chesterton conference, where His Excellency, Most Rev. Robert Barron, of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and of Word on Fire Ministries, provides a fresh reading of Chesterton's great book on Saint Francis of Assisi!
In this episode, Joe speaks with Matthew Kelly, the drummer of the Dropkick Murphys about keeping the faith while rockin' around the world. Don't miss it!
In this episode, Joe and Grettelyn speak with W. Joseph DeReuil, Editor Emeritus of The Irish Rover, an independent student newspaper at the University of Notre Dame.
To learn more about Joseph, the Rover, and the lawsuit mentioned in this episode - or to donate to help - visit:
https://irishrover.net/author/joe-dereuil/
https://irishrover.net/2023/07/we-will-not-be-silenced/
https://irishrover.net/2023/07/donate/
In this episode, Joe and Grettelyn speak with Collin Konetzke about his part-time work as an iconographer and his membership in the Brotherhood of Saint Joseph.
Links:
https://www.catholicicons.com/
https://www.brotherhoodofsaintjoseph.com/
https://ignatius.com/the-spirit-of-the-liturgy-commemorative-edition-splcep/
In this episode, Joe and Grettelyn speak with Andrew McNabb, a lay Dominican and the great-grandnephew of Father Vincent McNabb, OP, the great Distributist and contemporary of Chesterton. Andrew's new book, Walking with Father Vincent, is on sale now!
Links:
chesterton.org/mcnabb
andrew-mcnabb.com
President of the Society of GK Chesterton Dale Ahlquist joins us to recap this year's Chesterton conference!
In honor of the Solemnity of the Assumption, we present a special encore of our recording of an interview with author Nancy Brown on her book on G.K. Chesterton and the Mother of God.
Buy the book today! https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/g-k-chesterton-and-our-lady/
In this episode, Grettelyn speaks with Michael Steele from We Are One Body Catholic Radio about appreciating Chesterton's unique philosophical perspective.
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
https://www.waob.org/
In this episode, Grettelyn interviews Katherine Kersten, Society Board Member and Senior Policy Fellow at the Center of the American Experiment, about her work advocating in education and the promise she finds in the Chesterton Schools Network model.
https://www.americanexperiment.org/
https://www.chesterton.org/
https://www.chesterton.org/42nd-annual-chesterton-conference/
https://chestertonschoolsnetwork.org/
In this special episode, we revisit the interviews over the past several weeks with guests who will be speaking at this year's Chesterton conference and let them make the case, in their own words, as to why YOU should come!
https://www.chesterton.org/42nd-annual-chesterton-conference/
Join us for this short special episode as we share some quotations from Chesterton about patriotism, politics, and liberty, along with music and images celebrating the heritage of the United States of America. Happy Fourth of July!
All music is in the public domain.
Works cited:
- "To the Americans" (1917)
- "Revolutions in History," Illustrated London News 7-21-1928
- "Some American Cities" in What I Saw in America (1922)
- "The Future of Democracy" in What I Saw in America (1922)
- "A Defence of Patriotism" in The Defendant (1901)
- "Patriotic Poetry: What Is Patriotism?," Illustrated London News 11-11-1901
- "What Is America?" in What I Saw in America (1922)
- "The American King and the English President," The New Witness 7-29-1921
- "Publicity and the Psycho-Analyst," G.K.'s Weekly, 8-18-1928
- "The Story of the Family" in The Superstition of Divorce (1920)
We speak with Haley Stewart, Author and Editor of Word on Fire Spark and of the Sister Seraphina mysteries, about children's literature, detective fiction, our upcoming conference, and more!
LINKS:
This year's Chesterton conference: https://www.chesterton.org/conference
Haley's Pauline media author page: https://paulinestore.com/books/featured-authors/haley-stewart.html
Haley's website: https://www.carrotsformichaelmas.com/
Haley's previous UncommonSense interview: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/24654408
Word on Fire Spark: https://books.wordonfire.org/sparkwaitlist
We speak with Father Spencer Howe, Chaplain of the Society of GK Chesterton, about Chesterton's spirituality, Saint Francis of Assisi, our upcoming conference, and more!
LINKS:
This year's Chesterton conference:
https://www.chesterton.org/conference
We speak with Christopher Check, President of Catholic Answers, about the power of storytelling in evangelization and apologetics, and more!
LINKS:
This year's Chesterton conference: https://www.chesterton.org/conference
Catholic Answers: https://www.catholic.com/
Catholic Answers Conference: https://www.catholicanswersconference.com
Dan Burke Conversion Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHuouyFQ2GQ
We speak with Gilbert columnist and upcoming conference speaker Susan Sucher about the vocation of a "Domestic Empress." Don't miss it!
LINKS:
Susan's 2022 conference talk: https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/the-emancipation-of-domesticity/
This year's Chesterton conference: https://www.chesterton.org/conference
In this episode, Grettelyn and Joe wrap up their two-part discussion of Chesterton's book, Saint Francis of Assisi, in preparation for the summer Chesterton conference!
LINKS:
https://chesterton.org/conference
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
The book: https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/st-francis-of-assisi/
In this episode, Joe and Grettelyn begin a two-part discussion of Chesterton's book, Saint Francis of Assisi, in preparation for the summer Chesterton conference!
LINKS:
https://chesterton.org/conference
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
The book: https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/st-francis-of-assisi/
In this episode, Grettelyn speaks with Joseph Pearce about his upcoming talk at the 42nd Annual Chesterton Conference.
Links:
https://jpearce.co/ https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense https://chesterton.org/conference
On this episode, we speak with Society President, Dale Ahlquist, about the Society and our upcoming summer conference!
chesterton.org/uncommonsense
chesterton.org/conference
chestertonschoolsnetwork.org
On this episode of Uncommon Sense, we speak to Deacon Tom Martin about his upcoming talk at this year's Chesterton Conference on Chesterton and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
UncommonSense: https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
Annual Chesterton Conference: https://chesterton.org/conference
On this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn speaks with Maria Jansen, co-founded of Chesterton Academy of St. Louis, about the difference the Chesterton model makes and how the Chesterton Schools Network guides parents to success.
LINKS:
UncommonSense: https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
Chesterton Schools Network (CSN) https://chestertonschoolsnetwork.org
Annual Chesterton Conference: https://chesterton.org/conference
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, we talk with Troubadour Dan Kerr, President of St. Martin's Academy, about the unique boarding school experience offered there and how it helps to shape young men.
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
St. Martin's Academy: https://saintmartinsacademy.org/
The Troubadours: https://saintmartinsacademy.org/troubadours/
42nd Annual Chesterton Conference: https://chesterton.org/conference
Alan Cornett of the Cultural Debris Podcast joins us on this episode of Uncommon Sense to talk about Russell Kirk's conservative vision and its Chestertonian resonances.
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
Cultural Debris Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cultural-debris/id1535399801
Cultural Debris Twitter: https://twitter.com/culturaldebris
Cultural Debris excursions: https://bgcts.com/the-leadership-experience/
Annual Chesterton Conference: https://chesterton.org/conference
In this episode, we speak with Jacob Imam, co-editor of New Polity and co-founder of the College of St. Joseph the Worker in Steubenville, OH. We speak about economics, almsgiving, and the importance of friendship and localism.
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
New Polity website: https://newpolity.com/
New Polity "Redeeming Politics" conference: https://newpolity.com/events/redeeming-politics-2023
Annual Chesterton Conference: https://chesterton.org/conference
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, we talk with John Walker, Associate Professor of Theater and Fine Arts at the Franciscan University in Steubenville, and star of EWTN's "Chesterton Station."
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
https://www.encountergkchesterton.com/home.html
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, we talk with one of the Troubadours, Professor William Fahey, President of the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (https://thomasmorecollege.edu/), about how he came to Chesterton and what he most appreciates in reading him.
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
On this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert interview Tim Streiff, the Program Director of Catholic Rural Life. We talk about how Catholic Rural Life relates to Chesterton's thoughts on social economy. All of that and more on this episode of Uncommon Sense!
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
Catholic Rural Life https://catholicrurallife.org/
On this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert interview JonMarc Grodi, the Executive Director of The Coming Home Network. JonMarc discusses how he discovered Chesterton and the great Chesterton adventure that brings so much joy to his own life. All of that on this episode of Uncommon Sense.
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
The Coming Home Network
https://chnetwork.org/
On this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert speak with Eileen Douglass, the Head of School of Chesterton Academy of the St. Croix Valley. She talks about her journey to leading a Chesterton Academy as well as the important role that the classical education plays in the lives of the high school students. Tune in to this episode!
Take a Lenten journey with G.K. Chesterton. Grettelyn and Albert look at the 2023 Lenten Campaign, Mercy Triumphs. They will take a some of their favorite relfections from the campaign and share their thoughts on Chesterton and what it means for us today. You are invited to join the Lenten campaign and have those reflections emailed to your inbox everyday. Please find the link below and tune in to this episode!
Lent 2023 Campaign: https://chesterton.org/lent
On this episode of Uncommon Sense Grettelyn and Albert interview Matt Swaim, the Director of Outreach for the Coming Home Network. Matt talks about his own conversion and the role that Chesterton played. This rocker turned radio host shares all that and more on this episode!
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
41st Annual Conference Talk featuring Matt Swaim: https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/chestertonian-conversions-panel/
Join the Uncommon Sense team as they make a triumphant return to video! For this special episode Grettely and Albert have Dale Ahlquist back on the show to take a look at the year ahead as well as some very special celebrations that rounded out the last year. Tune in to this episode of Uncommon Sense!
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
https://chesterton.org/conference
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn takes some time to get to know the staff of The Society of G.K. Chesterton. She talks with Jen Finke, the Media Specialist for the society and finds out more about who she is and what she does. Tune in! Our 2023 Lenten Campaign Sign-Up https://chesterton.org/lent
In this episode of Uncommon Sense Grettelyn and Albert read and discuss "A Hymn: O God of Earth and Altar." Once again, Chesterton's words take a prophetic stance in the world and find much relevance in modern times. Tune in for this poetic episode!
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, it's a Headmaster Highlight. Grettelyn and Albert talk with Fr. Ryan Adorjan, the Headmaster of Chesterton Academy of the Holy Family in Lisle, IL. They both talk with Fr. Ryan about his journey of faith and how the role of being a priest impacts his role as a headmaster. All that and more on this episode! https://www.chestertonschoolsnetwork.org/
https://www.chesterton.org/uncommonsense
Grettelyn and Albert take on Chesterton's essay regarding the Book of Job. Together they dicuss how Chesterton saw Job in a way that many do not. Tune in and listen! Introduction to the Book of Job (chesterton.org)
https://www.chesterton.org/uncommonsense
On this special bonus episode of Uncommon Sense, Albert and Grettelyn are joined by Joe Grabowski, VP of Evangelization and Mission for the Society, and Father Spencer Howe, the Society's chaplain. Together, they discuss the life and legacy of Pope Benedict XVI and how he touched their lives, along the way noting some Chestertonian connections. You don't want to miss it!
Uncommon Sense Website
Start your New Year, with and old and reliable friend. Who might that be? G.K. Chesterton of course! For the first Uncommon Sense episode of 2023, Grettelyn and Albert expand upon commentary from Chesterton on the New Year and find out that there is much more to consider than waiting for a shiny ball to drop. Tune in to this episode of Uncommon Sense. Happy New Year!
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert share favorite Christmas stories and traditions from the staff at the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton. Cozy up to this warm and memorable episode that will be sure to leave a smile on your face and fill your heart with the true meaning of Christmas!
It’s a Chestertonian Christmas Carol! Joe Grabowski joins the show to lead us down the path of G.K. Chesterton’s take on Charles Dickens and his love of Christmas. It’s a very, merry episode with no Scrooges allowed. Tune in to this episode!
https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense
We raise our glasses and enjoy a pint or two with David Bates, the host of the podcast dedicated to C.S. Lewis, Pints With Jack. We open the conversation about C.S. Lewis and ask the ultimate question, where does Chesterton fit in? All that and more on this episode!
https://pintswithjack.com
This week on Uncommon Sense, Dr. Eric DeMeuse, a Chesterton Schools Network Academic Dean, returns to the show to talk about all things Chesterton Academy. We get his take on the importance of forming saints for a brighter future and how a classical education modeled after G.K. Chesterton plays a role in that formation. It will be a truly educational experience!
https://chestertonschoolsnetwork.org
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert talk with Fr. Spencer Howe, Pastor at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Minneapolis as well as Chaplain to the Society of G.K. Chesterton. They talk with Father Spencer about his early discovery of Chesterton, his own journey of faith and the importance of G.K. Chesterton’s spirituality.
Advent is almost upon us! Join Grettelyn and Albert as they take a sneak peek into the 2022 Advent Campaign for the Society of G.K. Chesterton. They talk about Chesterton's own thoughts on the importance of wonder as well as pick out a few of the reflections to discuss. Please enjoy this preparation for the coming Advent season as we ready ourselves for the coming of our saviour, Jesus Christ.
To sign up for the campaign, please visit: chesterton.org/advent
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert talk Chesterton and friendship. They will look at some of Chesterton's quotations on friendship and open them up for discussion. If you are feeling friendly, this a good episode to tune into.
https://www.chesterton.org/quotations/friendship
In this epsiode of Uncommon Sense, we feature in our Headmaster Highlight, Dr. Joshua Russell, the Headmaster of Chesterton Academy of the Sacred Heart in Peoria, IL. We talk to this once commercial-pilot-turned-headmaster about what it's like to lead a Chesterton Academy. Dr. Russell also talks about the importance of music in the lives of the students. All that and more coming up in this episode.
In this fantastical episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert talk with author, Joseph Pearce about J.R.R. Tolkien and all things Middle Earth. They discuss the connections to Christ and Chesterton and much more. Tune in to this episode to hear all the details!
https://jpearce.co
On this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert catch up with Dale Ahlquist and get the latest updates for the Society of G.K. Chesterton as well as the Chesterton Schools Network. From celebrations to conferences, there is a lot going on and Dale fills in all the blanks. Tune in!
https://www.chesterton.org/store/membership
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert interview Gregory K. Martin, the founder of the Squires, a new part of the Society of G.K. Chesterton that involves teenagers in the mission to pray, read and support the mission of The Society with G.K. Chesterton as their guide. Tune in to this episode to hear this energetic youth who is paving the way for future Chestertonian youth.
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettely and Albert interview Haley Stewart, an author who has released her first children's fiction story, entitled, The Pursuit of Pilfered Cheese. They talk with Haley about her inspiration for creating these wonderful characters that just happen to live under the floor of G.K. Chesterton's house. We find out more about Haley and her love of literature, all in this episode of Uncommon Sense. Tune in!
The Pursuit of the Pilfered Cheese | Pauline Books and Media (paulinestore.com)
In this episode, Grettelyn and Albert interview Brent Forrest, a long time member of the Society of G.K. Chesterton. They discuss with Brent his time of being a member and why the work of The Society is so needed in today's world. Tune in to hear more!
https://chesterton.org/knights
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert talk with Joe Grabowski, the new VP of Evangelization and Mission for the Society of G.K. Chesterton. They discuss with Joe the plans in store to help the community of Chestertonians that are engaged with The Society. Great things ahead! Tune in to find out more!
https://chesterton.org
https://chesterton.org/knights
In this episode Grettelyn and Albert talk with Maria Romine, the founder of Swords and Roses, a stage-combat show. They talk with Maria about the talk that she gave at the 41st Annual Chesterton Conference regarding Chesterton and Our Lady. That's all coming up in this episode.
Nancy Brown's book, G.K. Chesterton and Our Lady:
https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/g-k-chesterton-and-our-lady/
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert welcome back Nancy Brown to discuss her newest book, G.K. Chesterton and Our Lady. They discuss why the book was written and open up some of the writings on the inside. It is a wonderful insight into Chesterton's admiration of The Blessed Mother.
The book is available at:
G.K. Chesterton and Our Lady – Store | Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton
JOIN THE KNIGHTS!!
Interested in Nancy's new book, Chesterton and Our Lady? Now through October 7, 2022, receive a free copy when you sign up to be a Knight of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton. Learn more at chesterton.org/knights
For this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert take a break to let the ladies from the Pints With Chesterton podcast lead the way with their own review from attending the 41st Annual Chesterton Conference that took place in Milwaukee, WI this past July 2022. Tune in!
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert discuss the Chesterton essay, A Piece of Chalk. They look at Chesterton's view on these small, colored artistic tools and how that unique view is so very important and relevant to all of us today.
A Piece of Chalk-American Chesterton Society
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert discuss the Chesterton essay, A Piece of Chalk. They look at Chesterton's view on these small, colored artistic tools and how that unique view is so very important and relevant to all of us today.
A Piece of Chalk-American Chesterton Society
In this episode Grettelyn and Albert talk with Michael Lavrish, a volunteer who is using his talents and his love for Chesterton to work on a project that involves digitizing all of Chesterton's written works. Tune in!
In this "not-so-live" episode, Albert and Grettelyn were in Milwaukee for the 41st Annual Chesterton Conference. They talked about their time at the conference, favorite talks, great people and much more. Tune in for this conference wrap-up on this edition of Uncommon Sense.
In this episode Albert will be asking Grettelyn all the "new guy" questions he can come up with about the upcoming 41st Annual Chesterton Conference. They'll talk about everything from keynotes to after glows. The new guy gets taught by the veteran on the is episode of Uncommon Sense.
John Walker, a professional actor, joins this episode of Uncommon Sense and talks about his own journey through Hollywood and how he eventually ended up taking up the role of playing G.K. Chesterton himself.
On this episode of Uncommon Sense, Christopher Check, the President of Catholic Answers, talks with Albert about the upcoming 41st Annual Chesterton Conference and his presentation on Christopher Columbus and the important role he played in the founding of this country.
On this episode of Uncommon Sense, Grettelyn and Albert are joined by renowned author Joseph Pearce. Joseph talks about his upcoming talk at the 41st Annual Chesterton conference as well as the topics of America and freedom.
On this episode of Uncommon Sense, Susan Sucher joins the show to highlight her talk from the upcoming 41st Annual Chesterton Conference titled, The Emancipation of Domesticity: G.K. Chesterton and Motherhood. Susan talks with Grettelyn and Albert about how Chesterton has played a role in shaping her life as a wife and mother.
In this episode of Uncommon Sense Grettelyn and Albert discuss the Chesterton poem, "The Convert". They open up what's hiding inside of this beautiful poem and talk about how it is still a relevant poem in today's society.
On this episode of Uncommon Sense, Dale Ahlquist, the President of the Society of G.K. Chesterton, joins the show to talk about the upcoming 41st Annual Chesterton Conference with the theme Chesterton and Conversion: Learning How to Think Again. Dale talks about this year's theme and some of the conference highlights.
In this episode of Uncommon Sense, meet the new hosts, Grettelyn Darkey and Albert Saenz. They take over the reins and continue the adventure of bringing everything Chesterton to light in the most "Uncommon" ways they can. They kick off their hosting with discussing some of their favorite Chesterton quotes.
The Romance of Orthodoxy Christianity is the greatest romantic adventure!
chesterton.org
pintswithchesterton.org
The Eternal Revolution G.K.C. discusses the importance of Christ always making things new and Christians not becoming complacent. It is a revolution in the soul of the Christian every day in the journey toward our heavenly home.
chesterton.org
pintswithchesterton.com
The Paradoxes of Christianity
G.K.C. explains how the critics and skeptics of Christianity did more to convert him than Christian apologists!
chesterton.org
pintswithchesterton.com
The Flag of the World
Chesterton claims that both optimists and pessimists are completely wrong in how they think about the world. How can this be? How does belonging to the world and being a citizen of it change us and where should it guide us?
chesterton.org
pintswithchesterton.com
The Ethics of Elfland
This week we’re continuing Orthodoxy! We are discussing Chapter 4, The Ethics of Elfland.
chesterton.org
pintswithchesterton.com
Marie and Grace discuss Chapter Three of Orthodoxy. A joint project of Pints with Chesterton and UncommonSense.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
Marie and Grace discuss Chapter Two of Orthodoxy.
A joint project of Pints with Chesterton and UncommonSense.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
Marie and Grace begin to discuss Orthodoxy, Chesterton's masterwork. This is Chapter One. A joint project of Pints with Chesterton and UncommonSense.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
Father Howe reflects on Chesterton’s insights on the significance of birthdays and his affirmation of the goodness of existence.
chesterton.org
Marie and Grace discuss another Father Brown mystery written by G.K. Chesterton which is entitled “The Flying Stars”.
A joint project of Pints with Chesterton and UncommonSense.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
Chesterton and Artificial Intelligence
Mark Matthews, Senior Software Engineer
Mark separates AI fact from fanciful extrapolation, and applies the timeless wisdom of Chesterton about man and technology to this rapidly advancing domain.
Conference, Summer 2021, Lisle, IL
chesterton.org
Marie and Grace discuss another Father Brown mystery written by G.K. Chesterton which is entitled “The Queer Feet”.
A joint project of Pints with Chesterton and UncommonSense.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
Marie and Grace discuss another Father Brown mystery written by G.K. Chesterton which is entitled “The Secret Garden”.
A joint project of Pints with Chesterton and UncommonSense.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
Marie and Grace from Pints with Chesterton jump into a Father Brown mystery written by G.K. Chesterton which is entitled “The Blue Cross”.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
Joseph Pearce, Director of Publishing, The Augustine Institute
Joseph Pearce shows how Chesterton’s virtue infuses his
sense of humour, his joie de vivre, his use of paradox and his Christian witness to the inextricable unity of faith and reason.
Summer Conference 2021 Lisle, IL
chesterton.org
Nancy Brown is joined by Susan Sucher to discuss another of our favorite Chesterton essays, Babies and Distributism.
This essay is found in the book The Well and the Shallows.
Listen to this lively discussion. Feedback welcome at nancy@chesterton.org
chesterton.org
Nancy Brown reads Babies and Distributism (or is it Babies and Localism?) from the G.K. Chesterton book The Well and the Shallows.
Next week, Nancy and Susan will discuss this essay, so if you want to be prepared, listen to this first!
chesterton.org
Eric DeMeuse, Headmaster, Chesterton Academy, Milwaukee Dr. DeMeuse describes the power that stories and healthy discourse have to teach people to encounter crisis with discernment and joy.
Summer Conference 2021, Lisle, IL
chesterton.org
Host Nancy Brown is joined by co-host Noel Culbertson and guest Susan Sucher to discuss one of our favorite Chesterton essays, The Emancipation of Domesticity.
This essay is found in the book What's Wrong with the World, in Part Three: Feminism, or, The Mistake about Woman.
Listen to this lively discussion. Feedback welcome at nancy@chesterton.org
chesterton.org
Nancy Brown reads The Emancipation of Domesticity (and fractures the French sentence it contains) from the G.K. Chesterton book What's Wrong with the World, Part III: Feminism, or, the Mistake about Woman.
Next week, Nancy, Noel and Susan will discuss this essay, so if you want to be prepared, listen to this first!
chesterton.org
Kyle Mann, Editor-in-Chief, The Babylon Bee
The secular left is killing satire by turning reality into a parody of itself and by censoring satirists they don’t like. And they accomplish the latter by mischaracterizing satire as misinformation. What would Chesterton say?
Summer Conference, 2021, Lisle, IL
chesterton.org
Irrational Optimism and Chesterton’s Theology of the Ordinary
Lydia Webster, Boyce College, Louisville, KY
This Chesterton scholar discusses how irrational optimism is not mere positive thinking, but a powerful manifestation of the Christian virtues of hope and love.
Summer 2021 Conference Lisle, IL
chesterton.org
Learn about the Archbishop’s exciting vision to save Christianity in post-ISIS Iraq by serving families who courageously remain in their homeland.
From the Annual Chesterton Conference in July, 2021 Lisle, IL
chesterton.org
This week Marie and Grace are finishing Book 2 of Manalive , reading the final chapters, “The Wild Weddings; or, the Polygamy Charge” and “How the Great Wind Went from Beacon House”.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
A joint project of the Society of G.K. Chesterton's UncommonSense podcast and Pints with Chesterton.
Pints with Chesterton's Marie and Grace continue through Manalive… This week they read and discuss Book 2 Chapter 3, The Round Road; or, The Desertion Charge.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
A joint project of the Society of G.K. Chesterton's UncommonSense podcast and Pints with Chesterton.
Marie and Grace continue through Manalive… This week they read and discuss Book 2 Chapter 2, The Two Curates; or, The Burglary Charge.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
A joint project of the Society of G.K. Chesterton's UncommonSense podcast and Pints with Chesterton.
Grace and Marie are continuing through Manalive… This week they read and discuss Book 2 Chapter 1, The Eye of Death; or, The Murder Charge.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
A joint project of the Society of G.K. Chesterton's UncommonSense podcast and Pints with Chesterton.
This is a rebroadcast of the video located here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDDNzdFnwMI The Transatlantic Chesterton: Reflections on the 100th Anniversary of Chesterton's Visit to America We were honored to welcome Mr. Dale Ahlquist to deliver our 3rd Annual Notre Dame Chesterton Lecture. Dale, as is well-known, is a leading Chestertonian in the US, and perhaps the world. We were so grateful for his wonderful wit and wisdom in conveying not only the life and work of G.K. and Frances, but also Chesterton's spirit. It was a remarkable gift to all of us! Dale reflected on the striking observations Chesterton made about America and the unique perspective of America he gave us. He also shared an update on the great and growing appreciation of Chesterton outside of his native England. chesterton.org
Grace and Marie are continuing through Manalive… This week we’re reading Chapter Five, The Allegorical Practical Joker.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
A joint project of the Society of G.K. Chesterton's UncommonSense podcast and Pints with Chesterton.
Grace and Marie are still reading Manalive! This week we’re reading The Garden of the God, chapter four.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
Grace and Marie are back again reading Manalive! This week we’re reading The Banner of Beacon, chapter three.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
Continuing on their Manalive journey, Grace and Marie discuss the second chapter of Chesterton’s comedic novel, Manalive, The Luggage of an Optimist.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/manalive-ignatius/
Grace and Marie begin Chesterton’s comedic novel, Manalive, discussing the first chapter which is entitled “A Great Wind Came to Beacon House”.
pintswithchesterton.com
chesterton.org
https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/manalive-ignatius/
In this first episode of Manalive, Grace and Marie introduce themselves and explain why they liked this particular book of G.K. Chesterton and how you can read along with them.
PintswithChesterton.com
https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/manalive-ignatius/
chesterton.org
Jeremy Tate of the Classical Learning Test's Anchored podcast interviews Dale Ahlquist about a wide range of Chesterton topics and even quizzes Ahlquist on his knowledge of Chesterton quotes and their sources. Enjoy!
https://www.cltexam.com/podcast
chesterton.org
Nancy Brown and Noel Culbertson welcome Grace Krause and Marie Bates of Pints with Chesterton to talk about their Chesterton journey. Find out the best way to read Orthodoxy and more.
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Welcome back! We start a new season with Nancy Brown, our original host, and her new co-host, Noel Culbertson. Find out how they each got involved with G.K. Chesterton himself, with his writing, the Society and more on this episode of UncommonSense.
Get ready to read Manalive with our friends Grace and Marie of Pints with Chesterton by ordering your book today from: https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/manalive-ignatius/
Find Pints with Chesterton at: https://pintswithchesterton.com
Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton: chesterton.org
We welcome back host Nancy Brown as she turns the tables and interviews Adrian Ahlquist. In this episode, we talk about Uncommon Sense, favorite Chesterton quotes, and so much more.
Back by popular demand! If there’s one thing we love about G.K. Chesterton, it’s his quotes. Chesterton is perhaps the most quotable writer there is. So we thought we’d pull from the archives an episode where Dale Ahlquist reveals what his favorite Chesterton quotes are and what makes them so inspirational.
Back by popular demand! If there’s one thing we love about G.K. Chesterton, it’s his quotes. Chesterton is perhaps the most quotable writer there is. So we thought we’d pull from the archives an episode where Dale Ahlquist reveals what his favorite Chesterton quotes are and what makes them so inspirational.
What do you think Chesterton’s IQ was? Fellow Chestertonian Henry Haverstock has a good guess. Henry is a member of Mensa, which is the oldest high IQ society in the world. In this episode, we explore the intellect of G.K. Chesterton and how it may have affected his spiritual virtue.
Most of you probably don’t know about the G.K. Chesterton Collection at the University of Notre Dame London Global Gateway. It is a magnificent collection of Chesterton’s writings and personal items. In this episode, Nancy Brown and Adrian Ahlquist interview the priest who provides oversight to the collection, Fr. Jim Lies. You won’t want to miss this episode of Uncommon Sense!
Even though the Covid shutdown days were extremely difficult and dark times for many people, God was at work. Listen to the story of Lee Sondeno, a former Pentecostal, whose conversion began through watching Mass online only airing because of the pandemic.
What does a theology professor have to say about humor? In this episode of Uncommon Sense, find out from Dr. David Deavel how humor is connected to morality and why it is essential in today’s world. David Deavel is a Catholic Studies professor at the University of St. Thomas and a frequent contributor to Gilbert Magazine.
We should all know by now that C.S. Lewis was deeply influenced by G.K. Chesterton. But there is another renowned English writer who looked to Chesterton for inspiration: Poet, crime writer, and translator Dorothy L. Sayers. Listen to Crystal Downing, director of the Marion E. Wade Center, give a fascinating history of how Chesterton affected the philosophy and writings of Dorothy Sayers.
Listen to Dale Ahlquist’s journey from reading Chesterton for the first time to becoming the world’s leading expert on him. We are returning to the archives for this episode of Uncommon Sense. This is an interview of Dale on the Wade Center Podcast, hosted by David and Crystal Downing.
Alan C. Duncan returns to Uncommon Sense, but instead of talking about C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton, this time we will be trying to figure out what Chesterton would have thought of modern rap music. Join us for this extremely entertaining and surprisingly insightful episode of Uncommon Sense!
Our 40th Annual Chesterton Conference is this Thursday through Saturday in Lisle, IL. Don’t worry, if you can’t join us in person, you can attend the conference virtually. Register at www.chesterton.org/conference. In this episode, Nancy Brown is back with us to share why the Chesterton Conference will be one of the greatest experiences of your life!
Actor, singer, and songwriter Jeromy Darling is back and he is one of our guest speakers at the 40th Annual Chesterton conference on July 29-31. In this episode, get a sneak peek of his talk, “On Becoming a Boy Again.”
Chesterton has something to say about everything, right? What about the world of medicine? Virginia de la Lastra, a medical doctor and infectious disease specialist from Chile, reveals that Chesterton has been secretly a doctor this whole time. He has a diagnosis for a world that is sick, but he also has the cure. Find out what it is on this episode of Uncommon Sense.
On this Independence Day Special, Dale Ahlquist shares what Chesterton had to say about the Declaration of Independence and the founding of America. Happy Independence Day!
John Walker, a professional Hollywood actor, portrays G.K. Chesterton in a new show on EWTN. This fascinating tale of how he imitates Chesterton both on stage and in life is not to be missed.
You might know something about relics of the saints and other holy people, but would you be able to tell if a relic is real or fake? Sean Pilcher, a uniquely qualified expert, is one of the few individuals in this country that can verify relics. In this episode, Sean explains how he actually verifies a relic, why we venerate them, and at the end of the episode, we'll look at some relics of G.K. Chesterton, which are in Dale Ahlquist's possession.
Have you ever wondered what the connection is between Star Wars and the Vatican II? That would be surprising if you have. Julian Ahlquist is here to present the case that the Star Wars saga could be an apt analogy for the history of Vatican II. In this episode of Uncommon Sense, you’ll get an entertaining way to learn about this important event in Church history.
We are right between Chesterton’s birthday and future Feast Day, so why not talk about both? Dale Ahlquist joins again to give us all the details about the bookends of Chesterton’s life. He’ll tell us what Chesterton said about his own birthday, he’ll tell what the reactions were to his death, and he’ll reveal which famous figures were present at his funeral.
Have you signed up for our 40th Annual Chesterton conference this summer? Find out about our fascinating speakers, joyful fun, face-to-face conversations and the famous AfterGlows await those who will attend. Returning on this episode of Uncommon Sense is our beloved former host, Nancy Brown!
There are many people who converted to Catholicism because of G.K. Chesterton. Each story is unique, but Robert Asch’s may be the most surprising. Robert was an Reform Jew who was devout and highly educated in his faith. He converted after reading Chesterton. He even went on to cofound the St. Austin Review with Joseph Pearce. What was it that Chesterton said? Listen to Robert's story on this episode of Uncommon Sense.
What do we actually know about G.K. Chesterton’s cause of death? What illnesses did Chesterton have, physical or mental? And in the end, was Chesterton healthy or not? These are the questions that William Griffiths sought to answer in his medical research on Chesterton. Find out his official diagnosis.
What causes someone to go from being a radical right-wing nationalist to a faithful Catholic and charitable fundraiser? The answer is G.K. Chesterton. This is the story of Stuart McCullough, who went on to found the Catholic G.K. Chesterton Society. Listen to Stuart's inspirational story of how Chesterton changed his life.
ChesterCon21 is LIVE and back in person (and virtual) this summer! The theme of the 40th Annual G.K. Chesterton Conference is The Laughing Prophet: Finding Hope and Joy in this Crazy World. Why this theme? And what will you experience at this year’s conference? Dale Ahlquist answers these questions and more in this episode of Uncommon Sense.
Did you know that G.K. Chesterton had a profound influence on C.S. Lewis? Much of what Lewis wrote was inspired by what he read by Chesterton. Alan C. Duncan has gone through Lewis’ original manuscripts and documented the proof! In this episode of Uncommon Sense, we get to discuss with Alan the book he recently completed, Gilbert & Jack: What C.S. Lewis Found Reading G.K. Chesterton.
Have you ever asked yourself why God allows evil? Do you have an answer but you just can’t articulate it? In this episode, we seek the help of a brilliant Chesterton headmaster, Eric DeMeuse, from the Chesterton Academy of Milwaukee where he also teaches theology. In our conversation, we not only explore tough theological mysteries, we show how theology can be taught through literature.
Meet our new Director of Development, John Smith. John is passionate about creating a culture of gift. What does that mean exactly? In this episode, we break down the philosophy of giving and why it plays a significant role in Christian life.
The Easter mystery, the Resurrection of the Body, and Chesterton’s short poem, “The Donkey," are all part of this Uncommon Sense episode featuring Chesterton Society President Dale Ahlquist.
Why is music so important that we require it at Chesterton? And how does it relate to anything else? Dr. Joshua Russell may have an answer for you. Joshua is the headmaster of Chesterton Academy of the Sacred Heart where he also teaches courses in history, literature, music, and writing. On top of all of that, he is a concert pianist. Listen to how Joshua explains how music reflects culture and how it’s tied to everything else.
Chesterton in Iraq? The last place anyone imagined there could be a Chesterton Academy, let alone, to find out there is devotion to G.K. Chesterton in Iraq! But yes—the Kurdish regional Ministry of Education has approved a Chesterton Academy to open in Erbil, Kurdistan, an autonomous region within Iraq. Listen to the story of the exciting trip to Erbil from Laura Hassan, Director of International Programs for the Society of GK Chesterton, and Andrew Youngblood, the Director of Curriculum for the Chesterton Schools Network.
Join the Apostolate in prayer by starting a group within the Frances Chesterton Rosary League (FCRL). Victoria Darkey, our coordinator of the FCRL, explains how easy it is and how important this mission is to the Apostolate of Common Sense. Learn why Gilbert’s wife Frances is the patron of the Rosary League and the significant role she played in her husband’s spiritual life.
A professor of economics at Rawls College of Business—Texas Tech University, Alex Salter leads us on a fast-paced defense of Distributism and the main idea economists miss about it. We also discuss his up coming book on the topic, Property and Liberty.
Could the 1964 Walt Disney film Mary Poppins be about the Holy Mother of God? Julian Ahlquist explains his intricate theory about this cinematic masterpiece, and it’s practically perfect in every way.
Alyssa Bormes, author or The Catechism of Hockey, teaches theology at Chesterton Academy, and she gets a front row seat to watching miracles happen.
This Lent, we go on a very different journey – with St. Joseph. But how can we journey with St. Joseph, when he wasn't even alive when Jesus suffered and died? Chesterton connects Joseph with Jesus in his usual paradoxical way. Find out more with our guest, Dale Ahlquist.
David Cooney, writer of the blog Practical Distributism, joins us to explain the principles of Distributism and what he thinks of the new name, Localism. We also discuss the GameStop phenomenon and what the stock market would look like in a localist society.
If you’re a longtime fan of the podcast, you’ll recognize the voice of our next guest, Nancy Brown, who hosted our Uncommon Sense podcast for over ten years. Nancy talks about her book, The Woman Who Was Chesterton, her current role as project manager for our online school, Chesterton Cor Jesu, and the Frances Chesterton Rosary League. Join us!
Joseph Pearce is a Catholic apologist who has written bestselling books on G.K. Chesterton, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Shakespeare. In this episode, Joseph takes us on a journey through his past, his present and his future. The debt he owes to Chesterton plays a large part. We talk about everything from his knowledge on Shakespeare to his interview with Solzhenitsyn to how much he can bench press.
Did you know the Chesterton Schools Networks has an online high school called Chesterton Cor Jesu? Andrew Youngblood, the headmaster of Chesterton Cor Jesu and Director of Curriculum for the network, explains how our online Chesterton Academy works and what makes our curriculum so great.
It is the 100th year anniversary of G.K. Chesterton visiting the United States. In this episode of the Uncommon Sense podcast, Dale Ahlquist gives all the details of Chesterton’s trip, including which states he visited, who he met, what messages he delivered, and how Americans responded to him.
Father Brown Investigations: The Death of Sir Percy Coldwell, is a tabletop card game based on the beloved priest-detective created by G. K. Chesterton. We talk to the creator of FBI Nikola Bolšec of the Croatian Chesterton Society about his detective game you will not want to miss. Joining us is Joe Grabowski, a partner in marketing for this entrepreneurial adventure. Consider supporting this venture by donating to their Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fbi-game/father-brown-investigations-the-death-of-sir-percy-coldwell?ref=2raq1y
Host Adrian Ahlquist talks with Richard Vigilante, Board Chairman of Teach for Christ. Richard and Adrian discuss developing a Mission Culture. Teach for Christ’s mission is to support struggling Catholic schools in socio-economically challenged areas.
The moment all Catholic economists have been waiting for. We finally have a new name to replace Distributism. Learn what this social economic theory is, how it’s tied to Chesterton, and what the new name is.
Dale and Adrian Ahlquist read their favorite Chesterton quotes about Advent and Christmas and discuss the practical wisdom he had to share.
Jason Adkins, the executive director for the Minnesota Catholic Conference, gives his inside take on how our government operates, what’s wrong with it, and what we can as individuals can do to fix it.
We are wish you a very blessed Thanksgiving! Tune into this week’s episode with our very own Dale Ahlquist as he explains the significance of Thanksgiving and why it’s more than just an American holiday. Please consider supporting the Society in its mission to promote education, evangelization, and Catholic Social Teaching by donating at www.chesterton.org/donate
Clark Durant is a board member of the Society of GK Chesterton with a background in politics. Clark uses his political experience to weigh in on the ongoing election. Join us in this episode of Uncommon Sense as we discuss what the United States is missing, but also the hope we have for our country’s future. Clark's story is also featured in My Name is Lazarus, which is a collection of conversion stories influenced by G.K. Chesterton. Go to chesterton.org/shop/my-name-is-lazarus/ to pick up a copy.
Adrian and Dale Ahlquist discuss the 2020 election, and more importantly, what's next for our world.
Dale Ahlquist explains why Chesterton is a saint, responds to the objections, and gives an update on the status of his cause for sainthood.
Carl Olson, editor of the Catholic World Report, explains The Da Vinci Hoax, his book that exposes the Da Vinci Code as an erroneous and deceitful piece of anti-Catholic literature. We also have an in depth conversation about jazz!
Tod Worner gives fascinating insights into the world of medicine and where morality fits in. Tod is the managing editor of Bishop Barron’s Evangelization & Culture, the Journal of the Word on Fire Institute. He is also an Internal Medicine Physician & Teaching Faculty of the Abbott Northwestern Internal Medicine Residency Program.
Noel Culbertson is the graphic designer and social media director for our Society. She is the one in charge of every single Chesterton quote that appears on Facebook and Instagram. Her conversion story is also featured in My Name is Lazarus.
In honor of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto, Christopher Check, the president of Catholic Answers, describes in beautiful detail the significance of the battle and Chesterton's glorious poem.
This week we discuss the connection between theater and the Catholic faith with Kevin O'Brien. Kevin is a brilliant actor, writer, and Chestertonian. He is also a Catholic convert whose story is featured in My Name is Lazarus, available on our website.
In this episode we get into what is needed to implement Ditributism and combat Globalism. Joseph Grabowski is the head of of the Southeast Pennsylvania Chesterton Society and also a prominent voice on the topic of Distributism.
Brother Titus, a Chesterton alumni and good friend of Adrian Ahlquist, is visiting us from St. Michael's Abbey in Orange County, California. In this episode, he describes what it is like to be a Norbertine.
Scott Hambrick and Karl Schudt are the hosts of The Online Great Books Podcast. Listen to our conversation about the problems with our political and economic systems and how to fix them.
Amy Hunt is the Director of Formation for our Chesterton Schools Network. Amy served in the US Navy for over 24 years. She has directed military planning and operational training for the Navy SEALs, and has even served as the Commanding Officer of a Navy and Marine Corps Reserve installation. Listen to why she decided to retire from the Navy and help us deliver a classical education to our Society.
Stuart Kolner explains how he went from being a scientistic atheist, who swore he would never become Catholic, to being a devout Catholic. Just like Brandon Vogt and Brent Forrest, Stuart is both a board member for the Society of GKC and a convert whose story is featured in My Name is Lazarus.
Actor/singer/songwriter Jeromy Darling shares how the deeply Catholic art of theater has impacted his life and faith.
Jeromy Darling is an amazing actor/singer/songwriter. Listen to his moving story about his life and his conversion to Catholicism.
Brent Forrest is a former professional magician, and has performed thousands at thousands of shows. One time he even drove a car blindfolded. In this episode, he reveals the magic that led to his conversion.
Brandon Vogt is back to discuss how young people in our culture can connect with G.K. Chesterton.
Our special guest, Brandon Vogt, lends his expertise on how to talk about the Catholic Faith in our modern culture. Next week, Brandon will be back to discuss how millennials and gen z can relate to G.K. Chesterton.
Adrian grills Dale Ahlquist with tough questions about Chesterton.
Send in your questions to podcast@chesterton.org
Don't miss next week's interview with Brandon Vogt!
Dale and Adrian discuss what Chesterton had to say about fathers, fatherhood and the role of the father in society.
A conversation with Dale Ahlquist and his son, Adrian, about Chesterton's wisdom for our times.
Read Dale's article, The Solution, which was published in The Catholic World Report.
This is a rebroadcast of a talk from Nancy Brown from the 2014 Chesterton Conference.
Join us at our 2020 Chesterton Conference!
Become a member of the Chesterton Society and support the Apostolate's work!
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Nancy Brown joins to talk about what the Chestertons might be doing in a quarantine pandemic and things that we can be doing with our time!
Support the podcast and the Society!
Books Nancy mentions:
The Woman Who Was Chesterton by Nancy Brown
G.K. Chesterton: A Biography by Ian Ker
Dale recites poetry by Chesterton and it the poetry is amazing.
Get (out of print!) books of collected Chesterton poetry at the Chesterton store here.
Become a member to support our Apostolate!
The poem's read in the podcast:
Elegy in a Country Churchyard By G.K. Chesterton
The men that worked for England They have their graves at home; And bees and birds of England About the cross can roam.
By they that fought for England, Following a falling star, Alas, alas for England They have their graves afar.
And they that rule in England, In stately conclave met, Alas, alas for England They have no graves as yet.
The Happy Man By G.K. Chesterton
To teach the grey earth like a child, To bid the heavens repent, I only ask from Fate the gift Of one man well content.
Him will I find: though when in vain I search the feast and mart, The fading flowers of liberty, The painted masks of art,
I only find him at the last, On one old hill where nod Golgotha's ghastly trinity – Three persons and one god.
A Chord Of Colour By G.K. Chesterton
My Lady clad herself in grey, That caught and clung about her throat; Then all the long grey winter day On me a living splendour smote; And why grey palmers holy are, And why grey minsters great in story, And grey skies ring the morning star, And grey hairs are a crown of glory.
My Lady clad herself in green, Like meadows where the wind-waves pass;Then round my spirit spread, I ween, A splendour of forgotten grass. Then all that dropped of stem or sod, Hoarded as emeralds might be, I bowed to every bush, and trod Amid the live grass fearfully.
My Lady clad herself in blue, Then on me, like the seer long gone, The likeness of a sapphire grew, The throne of him that sat thereon. Then knew I why the Fashioner Splashed reckless blue on sky and sea; And ere 'twas good enough for her, He tried it on Eternity.
Beneath the gnarled old Knowledge-tree Sat, like an owl, the evil sage: 'The World's a bubble,' solemnly He read, and turned a second page. 'A bubble, then, old crow,' I cried, 'God keep you in your weary wit! 'A bubble - Have you ever spied The colours I have seen on it ?'
Fantasia By G.K. Chesterton
The happy men that lose their heads They find their heads in heaven As cherub heads with cherub wings, And cherub haloes even: Out of the infinite evening lands Along the sunset sea, Leaving the purple fields behind, The cherub wings beat down the wind Back to the groping body and blind As the bird back to the tree.
Whether the plumes be passion-red For him that truly dies By headsman's blade or battle-axe, Or blue like butterflies, For him that lost it in a lane In April's fits and starts, His folly is forgiven then: But higher, and far beyond our ken, Is the healing of the unhappy men, The men that lost their hearts.
Is there not pardon for the brave And broad release above,Who lost their heads for liberty Or lost their hearts for love? Or is the wise man wise indeed Whom larger thoughts keep whole? Who sees life equal like a chart, Made strong to play the saner part, And keep his head and keep his heart, And only lose his soul.
Dale and Matt discuss an article: Common Sense Apostle & Cigar Smoking Mystic
Watch the Chesterton Minute video series on YouTube.
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Dale and Matt go back and forth with more Great, Knowledgable Chesterton quotes.
Read more Chesterton! Here are some essential quotes to start with.
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Dale Ahlquist talks about what GK Chesterton wrote about Easter and the Resurrection of Christ.
Join the Chesterton Society!
Watch the Chesterton Minute video series.
Brandon Vogt gives a talk from the 2018 Chesterton Conference on 5 things Chesterton would have loved about the internet, and 5 things he would have despised about the internet.
Tell us your favorite part about this episode! Send us an email at live@chesterton.org or comment on our post on Instagram @chestertonsociety.
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The Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton presents: Uncommon Sense
In this episode, Dale Ahlquist and Matt Martinusen discuss the many, many, many prophecies the Chesterton wrote about and that came true!
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