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.

A message from Dom Bettinelli of Starquest

We need your help to continue to produce our great Catholic shows that explore the intersection of faith and modern culture and look at the ... Read more

Fireworks

Join Dom and Melanie as they discuss their kids seeing real fireworks for the first time; their latest homeowner challenges; a better Taco Bell ... Read more

We Were Enemies

On Sunday, St. Paul declared us "enemies" of Christ who yet died for our sins, so Dom and Melanie unpack the enormity of that truth, and ... Read more

Make Your Amen Matter

The story of a Eucharistic miracle gives new insight into the Feast of Corpus Christi for Dom and Melanie, who also discuss a book by a ... Read more

Fireball Facial

In yet another cooking mishap, Dom got a face full of a fireball, but he's okay. He and Melanie discuss what else they've been cooking: some ... Read more

Shaking the Rafters

An amazing trilingual Pentecost Mass shakes the rafters of Dom and Melanie's parish church and leave them in awe of its beauty; the kids are ... Read more

Birthday Girl

Their oldest turning 17 and getting a senior citizen discount combine to make Dom feel old. Meanwhile, Melanie has found her new favorite ... Read more

Hanging with Hounds

After a weekend with Scouts learning about wilderness search and rescue, including bloodhounds, Dom and Melanie talk about Pillsbury biscuit ... Read more

Is Fiction A Waste of Time?

Are novels frivolous? Dom and Melanie discuss an essay that argues that fiction is vital to creating understanding and empathy and return ... Read more

Art, Trauma, and Beauty

How much should a family of 7 spend on food? Dom and Melanie discuss their menu planning and food budgeting; discuss how art is a response to ... Read more

Seek Him

With a brief glimpse of summer weather, Dom and Melanie went on a brief adventure to Cape Cod and a military cemetery; visit with family for ... Read more

Christ is Risen!

Happy Easter! Dom and Melanie take a break from Easter festivities to talk about what they saw and heard at the Easter Vigil and how they were ... Read more

Dive Into Holy Week

Even if your Lent hasn't been great, now is a great time to dive into Holy Week and make it a great Easter. Dom and Melanie discuss their ... Read more

Jesus Wept

At the raising of Lazarus, Jesus wept, so Dom and Melanie discuss how this gives us permission to mourn loss and death while also believing in ... Read more

Danny Boy

Because of St. Patrick's Day, Dom and Melanie heard an unusual song at church, which prompted an unusual reaction from Dom, which they discuss. ... Read more

All is Wells in Scripture

Water wells show up a lot in the Bible and Dom and Melanie discuss why as they talk about the Gospel of the woman at the well. Plus, keeping a ... Read more

How’s Your Lent Going?

A couple weeks in, how is your Lent going? Dom and Melanie catch up on their spiritual practices for this Lent; discuss another family ... Read more

It’s Wicked Hot, Y’All

When a Texan goes native in Boston, her speech gets interesting, as Dom and Melanie discuss. Plus, they talk about their latest cooking ... Read more

Endings and Beginnings

This week, Dom and Melanie attend the funeral for his Mom, but also celebrate the birth of new niece and the birthday of a sister. They also ... Read more

Remembering Mom

Just a few months after losing his dad, Dom's mom has died, so Dom and Melanie take time to remember her place in his life and his family's ... Read more