Speaking about Chesterton

Episode 20: "Chesterton and Science - Part 2"

Welcome to the second of our mini-series devoted to "Chesterton and Science,"--a big subject, of course, but it is one which is often ignored, possibly because it doesn't seem very Chestertonian. But we agreed in the last conversation about the subject, that this importance should not be overlooked.

Episode 19: Book presentation - An Earthly Story with a Heavenly Meaning–Father Ian Boyd’s Essays on G.K. Chesterton

Today’s episode is the recording of the presentation of the Chesterton Institute’s special publication of a collection of essays on Chesterton by the internationally renowned scholar, Father Ian Boyd, founder of the Institute. The episode includes an introduction by Sarah Ponichtera, Assistant Dean Special Collections and Gallery; opening remarks by Gloria Garafulich-Grabois, director of the Institute and Patrick Manning, Ph.D., director of the Center for Catholic Studies; followed by special remarks by Professor Dermot Quinn, editor of The Chesterton Review.

Episode 18: “Chesterton and Science"

Welcome to a new episode of our podcast “Speaking about Chesterton.”
In today’s episode we will speak about “Chesterton and Science.” It is an unusual subject because we do not often associate Chesterton with science, and because he did not have any formal training or particular expertise on the subject. In his “Autobiography” he wrote: “It is true that I could never be called a scientific character, and even as between the Classical and Modern sides of my old school, I should always have chosen to idle at Greek, than to idle at Chemistry.” These are Chesterton’s own words on why he was not a scientist. It is now agreed that his views on Science are important, not just for Chestertonians like ourselves, but for everyone.
This is the first of two episodes about Chesterton and Science.

Episode 17: "Pope Leo XIV and the Challenge of Catholic Reform A lecture with Christopher Altieri"

On October 21st, the Catholic Studies Program and the G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture  presented a special event at Seton Hall University on "Pope Leo XIV,” — a lecture by Christopher R. Altieri on Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, who is now Pope Leo XIV. 

Episode 16: "Chesterton and Leo XIV"

Today's podcast is the second of a series of two, entitled "Chesterton and the Two Leos." The Leos in question are Pope Leo XIII (who was pope from 1878 to 1903) and Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost, originally from Chicago and then a missionary in Peru, who was elected pope earlier this year and who will be with us, we hope, for many years to come).   In today’s episode Gloria Garafulich-Grabois and professor Dermot Quinn will speak about Chesterton and Pope Leo XIV.What would Chesterton have made of Pope Leo XIV? Can we see Chesterton connections? That's the question we'll explore in this conversation.

Episode 15: "Chesterton and Leo XII"

Today's podcast is the first of a series of two, entitled "Chesterton and the Two Leos." The Leos in question are Pope Leo XIII (who was pope from 1878 to 1903) and Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost, originally from Chicago and then a missionary in Peru, who was elected pope earlier this year and who will be with us, we hope, for many years to come).   
In today’s episode Gloria Garafulich-Grabois and professor Dermot Quinn will speak about Chesterton and Pope Leo XIII.
What did Chesterton make of Pope Leo XIII and what would he have made of Pope Leo XIV? That's the question we'll explore in the next two conversations. 

Episode 14: “An Earthly Story with a Heavenly Meaning”— Father Ian Boyd’s Essays on G.K. Chesterton

Welcome to a new episode of “Speaking about Chesterton” – the podcast of the G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture at Seton Hall University.
In today’s episode, Mrs. Gloria Garafulich-Grabois and Professor Dermot Quinn will speak about the upcoming publication of the Chesterton Institute entitled “An Earthly Story with a Heavenly Meaning”—Father Boyd’s Essays on G.K. Chesterton.
Father Ian Boyd was an internationally renowned scholar and founder of both the Chesterton Institute and The Chesterton Review. The publication honors his life-long work dedication to promoting Chesterton’s thought and writings and the Institute he founded in 1974.
Today’s conversation is an introduction about this important publication and an invitation to our listeners.

Episode 13: “Elizabeth Ann Seton meets G.K. Chesterton” a thought-provoking dialogue

Welcome to a new episode of “Speaking about Chesterton” – the podcast of the G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture at Seton Hall University.
Today’s episode “Elizabeth Ann Seton meets G.K. Chesterton,” was presented a part of Seton Hall University’s 2025 Charter Day celebrations  by the  G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture  and the Center for Catholic Studies.
A thought-provoking discussion on the state of Catholic higher education today, viewed through the perspectives of two monumental figures in Catholic theology and education: G.K. Chesterton and Elizabeth Ann Seton. We invite you to listen to the engaging dialogue on the enduring impact of these two figures and their relevance to Catholic higher education today.
Today’s guests are:- Catherine O’Donnell, Ph.D., a historian at Arizona State University and author of the award-winning biography Elizabeth Seton: American Saint, will bring the perspective of Mother Seton to the conversation.
And professor Dermot Quinn, D.Phil., a historian at Seton Hall University, will offer insights into the thought and influence of G.K. Chesterton. 
Today’s conversation will be moderated by Professor Patrick Manning, Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at Seton Hall University.

Episode 12: CHESTERTON AROUND THE WORLD SERIES: "Chesterton and Italy"

In 1929, G.K. Chesterton traveled to Rome to attend the beatification of the English Martyrs, while there he had private audiences with both Mussolini and Pope Pius XI. 
From the Hotel Hassler at the top of the Spanish Steps, he had one of the best views of the city. For a man who never was at a loss of words, it seems it was hard for him to describe the Eternal City, however, he wrote and reflected on his time in room in his book “The Resurrection of Rome.”  In it he writes about: the outline of the city; the story of the status, the pillar of Lateran; the return of the Gods, and the return of the romans, finishing with a chapter about the Holy Land 
 He remarked: “Rome is too small for its greatness, or too great for its smallness.”   
"Roman civilization is at the heart of G.K. Chesterton’s historical imagination. Nowhere is this more evident than in his 1925 book "The Everlasting Man," which challenged a materialist, evolutionary perspective on history and highlighted the distinctive place of the Christian Church in the development of civilization."--Susan Hanssen, Dept. of History, U. of Dallas, Texas

Episode 11: CHESTERTON AROUND THE WORLD SERIES: "Chesterton and France"

Welcome to Speaking About Chesterton. In this episode of our Series Chesterton around the world, Dr. Dermot Quinn and I will speak about Chesterton and France. We will discuss Chesterton’s writings and thoughts of France and the French people.
France was the first country he visited as a young man in 1892 with his father at the age of 18. After this first trip, he writes that he was “grateful for seeing France as a young man as a traveler and not as a tourist.” 
He visited again in 1908, and in 1935 with his wife Frances and with Dorothy Collins