Uncommon Sense

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!