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.

That’s Not the Moon, That’s the Space Station

Inspired by SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission, Dom and Melanie discuss watching the liftoff and splashdown then stargazing and seeing the ISS pass ... Read more

Apple Season

Is apple-picking season the best season? Dom and Melanie make the case, talk about their favorite orchard, then discuss some new recipes, ... Read more

Blue Skies

The best New England season is beginning and the Betts are ready for it, including starting with homeschooling, getting out in the great ... Read more

Transitions

From summer to fall, it's a time of transition and Dom and Melanie are experiencing some of them. From long-delayed Scouting promotions to ... Read more

Exploring Cape Cod Canal

While the oldest kids are off at summer camp, Dom and Melanie lear nwhat it's like to have only two kids again; go camping themselves; make ... Read more

Summer Camp

It's a new phase for Dom and Melanie as their oldest kids go to sleep-away summer camp for the first time; they sneak in an anniversary ... Read more

Ice Cream for Solanus

Why did Dom and Melanie celebrate Bl. Solanus Casey with ice cream? Plus it's Melanie's birthday; Dom goes to an Episcopal service; great ... Read more

Wild Weather Canoe Camping

On a canoe trip, Dom and some of the kids get some wild weather, while Melanie and the other kids who stayed home lose a valued "friend". Plus ... Read more

Crazy Critters

This week, the Betts go critter crazy with unusual animals; make some new chicken and curry dishes; re-watch all the Loki-related MCU movies, ... Read more

If It Ever Stops Raining

Independence Day party, power outage, and a birthday are just the start for the Betts this week, plus a superior potato salad recipe; finishing ... Read more

By Georges Island

On a rainy day, the Betts visited the spooky and historic Georges Island in Boston Harbor. They also discover Looney Tunes as an incentive for ... Read more

Little Girl, Arise!

This summer, the Betts are making it a point to spend more time out of the house than last summer; plus reading The Code Book, watching Bosch ... Read more

Project Hail Mary: Full of Grace

The new book, Project Hail Mary, has some surprising themes that give the Betts plenty of fodder for discussion (we give spoiler warnings); ... Read more

Mustard Seeds of Faith

Celebrating St. Anthony with ice cream, the Betts disagree on how best to eat it; talk about the practice of naming houses near the ocean; and ... Read more

Beach Stroll

On the one hand, the Betts were able to go to the beach, return to a favorite restaurant, and go swimming at a relative's pool. On the other, ... Read more

First Communion

It's time for Lucia's First Confession and First Communion, plus a niece's graduation party, and the Betts are celebrating. Plus a ... Read more

Spring Has Sprung

A busy week for the Betts as they welcome a house guest, celebrate a birthday, prep for a First Communion, and head out on the water for some ... Read more

Ready Our Empty Vessels

In the nine days between Ascension and Pentecost, the Betts discuss how we are called to ready our "empty vessels" to receive the Holy Spirit. ... Read more

One Hundred

It's our 100th episode! The Betts note the milestone and then discuss a COVID scare in their family; what's fresh from the farmers market; ... Read more

Derby Day

The long-delayed Pinewood Derby is finally here, the farmers market is back, and the Betts fix all the broken things. Plus sourdough vs. ... Read more