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://www.chesterton.org/january-one-essay/

https://chesterton.org/uncommonsense