Category Archives: Raising the Betts

A family podcast by Domenico Bettinelli and Melanie Bettinelli, who are raising five kids in the Boston area. They discuss marriage, homeschooling, Catholic faith, their adventures far and wide, cooking exotic dishes, exploring nature, engaging culture and more.

Sea Shanty TikTok

You could tell from our intro music and podcast tagline, the Betts are big into sea shanties and so we discuss the new TikTok sea shanty trend; ... Read more

Changing the Routine

As the kids are getting older, Dom and Melanie switch up the evening routine; they go for a hike on a cold, but beautiful winter's day; ... Read more

Happy New Year

The Betts ring in the new year watching Avengers and then celebrate Lucia's birthday on liturgical Epiphany with sushi, pho, and Grogu. Melanie ... Read more

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Betts! It's a low-key, stay-at-home Christmas this year and the Betts have experienced the sacraments, opened the ... Read more

Mary, Do Not Delay

This week, the Betts get snowed in and prepare for Christmas; face an allergy obstacle; discuss the three kinds of Christmas movies--including ... Read more

Blessed Advent, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from StarQuest

StarQuest (SQPN) wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are grateful for all your support in 2020 whether by listening to our ... Read more

Slingshot

Scout day! Dom and some of the Betts spend the day in the great outdoors doing Scouting, while Melanie and Lucia spend the day making Santa ... Read more

Season of Lights

The Betts celebrate an allergy milestone; decorate for Christmas earlier than usual; talk about what makes The Mandalorian so great--and not ... Read more

I Flipped the Bird

The Betts celebrate Thanksgiving with a bigger than usual bird; go to Mass as a whole family for the first time in 8 months; have a Star Wars ... Read more

Give Thanks

The Betts are back together! Melanie updates on her recovery from surgery, Dom relates how he's keeping the household together, they discuss ... Read more

Meet Isabella

While Melanie recovers from minor surgery, Dom welcomes their eldest daughter Isabella to the show to find out more about one of these Betts ... Read more

A Light in the Darkness

The Betts make lemonade from the lemons of a cancelled camping trip; make tasty smoked fish dip from freezer scraps; enjoy a English poet's ... Read more

Snowy Halloween

This year's Halloween trick was an unexpected snowstorm. The Betts also discuss subdued trick-or-treating, the new season of the Mandalorian, ... Read more

Preparing for Halloween 2020

The Betts get ready for a Halloween unlike any previous, wondering how trick or treating will happen; give some food tips that make leftover ... Read more

Sr. Karla’s Final Vows

This week, the Betts (virtually) celebrate the final profession of vows of their friend, Sr. Karla; rejoice at a child's return to Mass after ... Read more

What’s In Your Lasagna?

The Betts discuss their DNA and genealogy; golden spider silk and an arachnid visitor; what's in a proper lasagna; a sticky chicken recipe; why ... Read more

An Important Update from StarQuest’s Dom Bettinelli

An important thank you message and update from StarQuest's Dom Bettinelli. Read more

Homeschool is NOT the Ideal?

The Betts address a claim that Catholic school is the ideal form of education for all and that homeschool should only be for necessity. Plus, ... Read more

In the Pumpkin Patch

This week, the Betts spend some time in a pumpkin patch, teach some scouts camp cooking techniques, make a broccoli, potato & cheese soup; ... Read more

Workers in the Vineyard

The Betts say farewell to a nephew off to serve in the Army; finish Lord of the Rings; make Vietnamese meatballs; have a charcoal ash tip; get ... Read more