Uncommon Sense - The Official Podcast of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton

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! ##### 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/

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 ##### 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/ Join the Knights of the Apostolate: https://www.chesterton.org/knights Visit our Shop at https://www.chesterton.org/shop/

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! ##### 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 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! 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/

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 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/

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 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/

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/ 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 reads a brief essay from G.K. Chesterton about the meaning of a New Year. Happy New Year! 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/

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! 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 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! 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/

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 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/

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/ 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/

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 [email protected]. Join us for Advent at chesterton.org/advent. Get your Chestertonian Christmas gifts at chesterton.org/store/ FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/

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 [email protected]. 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 FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/

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 [email protected]. Learn more about Emily Stimpson Chapman: https://www.emilystimpsonchapman.com/ FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/

[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 [email protected]. FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/

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 [email protected]. Mentioned in this episode: Word on Fire Show: https://www.wordonfire.org/videos/wordonfire-show/ FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/

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 [email protected]. 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 FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/

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 [email protected]. 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 FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/

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 [email protected]. 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 FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/

[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 [email protected]. FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/

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 [email protected]. FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/

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 [email protected]. FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/

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 [email protected]. FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/

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 [email protected]. FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chestertonsociety Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanChestertonSociety X: https://twitter.com/chestertonsoc SUPPORT US DONATE TO THE SOCIETY: https://www.chesterton.org/give/ BECOME A KNIGHT: https://www.chesterton.org/knights/ SHOP IN OUR STORE: https://www.chesterton.org/store/