Uncommon Sense
Nancy C. Brown
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.
- 40 minutes 9 seconds"The Ireland That We Dreamed Of"
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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17 March 2026, 4:00 am - 31 minutes 56 secondsA Thing Worth Doing is Worth Doing Badly?
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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10 March 2026, 4:00 am - 23 minutes 41 secondsPreparing for a Patriotic Year, with G.K. Chesterton
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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24 February 2026, 5:00 am - 27 minutes 13 secondsA Special Invitation for Lent!
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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17 February 2026, 5:00 am - 34 minutes 22 secondsOf Groundhogs and Grace
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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3 February 2026, 5:00 am - 17 minutes 4 secondsThe Snow and the Silence
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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27 January 2026, 5:00 am - 8 minutes 9 secondsChesterton on the Meaning of a New Year
Joe reads a brief essay from G.K. Chesterton about the meaning of a New Year.
Happy New Year!
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13 January 2026, 5:00 am - 3 minutes 8 secondsMerry Christmas! A Special Message from the Society
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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30 December 2025, 5:00 am - 32 minutes 33 secondsChesterton, Christmas, and Nostalgia
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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23 December 2025, 5:00 am - 42 minutes 51 secondsRE-AIRING: Saint Nicholas, Santa, & Father Christmas!
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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16 December 2025, 5:00 am - 40 minutes 47 secondsRE-AIRING: Is Christmas Pagan? (No, it isn't)
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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9 December 2025, 5:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App