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.

Hug A Tree and Survive

This week, Dom and Melanie discuss a program that teaches kids how to survive to be rescued if lost in the wilderness; a symphony experience ... Read more

Deadly Butter Chicken

Is there a connection between detective fiction and food? Dom and Melanie discuss this question as well as the surprising candidate for most ... Read more

De-decorating Christmas

Is de-decorating a word? Dom and Melanie discuss post-Christmas; recipes for bang bang shrimp and coconut shrimp; Netflix series Kaleidoscope ... Read more

Magi and the Star

The Star of Bethlehem was the Magis' GPS and Dom and Melanie talk about what their spiritual GPS is. Plus lots of movies and books, including ... Read more

Happy New Year

As the New Year begins, Dom and Melanie discuss their Christmas celebration; the death of Pope Benedict; family health issues; Jacques Pepin's ... Read more

A Long Trip in Texas

They're home! Dom welcomes Melanie home and back to the show. It was an unexpectedly long trip to Austin for Melanie and the girls and they ... Read more

Introducing Lucia

With Melanie away, Dom welcomes a special guest, their 9-year-old daughter Lucia. They discuss what a pushover Dom is without Melanie there; ... Read more

The Great Passage

Ikea trip and scouting trip! Dom and Melanie get a weekend free for some home improvement; Melanie reads a Japanese novel about words and life; ... Read more

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

Dom Bettinelli, CEO of StarQuest, has a special Advent and Christmas greetings for all listeners and an important message about the mission of ... Read more

A Wedding and A Holiday

Another Bett is married! Dom and Melanie went to another nephew's wedding; had another near-disaster on a holiday (but everything's OK!); gush ... Read more

Christ the King

On Christ the King Sunday, Dom and Melanie take a walk on the beach, discuss whether published recipes can ever be modified, talk about how The ... Read more

The Four Last Things

It's the time of year when the Church discusses the Four Last Things and Dom and Melanie discuss how instead of being a downer, it's very ... Read more

When Will You Love Jesus?

It was Halloween and Dom's birthday, plus a camporee with the girls; a bunch of great books; a recipe for chicken thighs and buttered leeks and ... Read more

The Best Chicken Noodle Soup Ever?

Is Pho Ga the best chicken noodle soup? Dom and Melanie discuss how much the family loved this Vietnamese soup; the fun of tramping through the ... Read more

Walk in the Woods

The Betts went hiking in an old ammo depot, plus Dom and Melanie discuss the best clam chowder Dom has made; the book The Golden Enclaves; why ... Read more

Everybody Loves a Parade

It's a parade! Dom and Melanie's hometown celebrates its 150th anniversary and all the kids march, with the girls leading the way. Plus, apple ... Read more

Autumn is Here

The beautiful season has come and Dom and Melanie discuss some of the soups and stews they've been making; plus Melanie's premonition; the ... Read more

Gone From My Sight

After his dad's wake and funeral, Dom and Melanie catch up on what's been happening, including sick kids, lots of soup, good books, and ... Read more

Remembering Dad

After his dad passed unexpectedly, Dom and Melanie share memories of Dom's dad, of his faith, of his big personality, and of how he always ... Read more

Not Hiking the Mountain

Camping at the foot of the second-most hiked mountain the world and not hiking it. Dom and Melanie discuss Dom's latest Scout camping trip; ... Read more