Catholic in a Small Town

A podcast about a Catholic couple raising kids in a small town. Faith. Family. Fun...Scandalous.

CST #761: Ducks in a Row 06/20/2025

CST #761: Ducks in a Row Mac & Katherine are a little stressed out over lining up all the stars for the basement refinish, Kari-Lin brings (half of) her crew for a fun visit, Deep Cover on Prime is a fun take on the British crime story, and Mac is reminded (yet again) just how far away from sainthood he is by the simplest of things. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Books: Read along with Mac - Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/37095020

CST #760: Hebridean or Hebridian? 06/14/2025

CST #760: Hebridean or Hebridian? Mac, Kat & Jude head to Blakely. Mac starts demolishing part of the deck, and Kat is loving her book club. We revisit some old action classics and a new sci-fi comedy, and Katherine speaks at a homeschooling conference about the seeds we plant at home. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/37010190

CST #759: MI-8 is Enough 06/03/2025

CST #759: MI-8 is Enough Mac & Kat head to PA to pick up Jude, Ethan Hunt has a savior complex in Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning, and we discuss generalational generosity as we enter yet another new stage in life. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/36832655

CST #758: Granny Tats 05/28/2025

CST #758: Granny Tats Kat gets a haircut and is all “work, work, work.” Mac finishes up the school year, we are STILL looking for a car, and we will soon have two of our sons back in the nest. In preparation for the new Mission Impossible movie coming out, we revisit MI:2, MI:3 and MI:4. Last but not least, a lack of relationship in real life can lead to devastating online consequences (not for us) - no click bait here. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Other great stuff we like: from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/36756745

CST #757: Mustard in the Sink 05/22/2025

CST #757: Mustard in the Sink Mac may being going senile, Mother’s Day birdfeedery, and we had an earthquake! On Stranger Tides is a better book than movie, King Lear is better than Katherine expected, and we delve back into Captain America Civil War to revel in the archetypes. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Books: Read along with Mac - Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/36685040

CST #756: Catholicing 05/13/2025

CST #756: Catholicing Jude is home for a quick confirmation weekend, Mac puts in composting partly because we watched Lunatic Farmer, Free Guy taps into some deeper ideas and you may not have noticed, but we have a new pope! is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Books: Read along with Mac - On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/36681855

CST #755: John Williams: The Soundtrack of Our Childhood 05/08/2025

CST #755: John Williams: The Soundtrack of Our Childhood Mac plays Mr. Handyman while Kat goes camping with the girls, docs on Disney+ have been keeping us entertained. And we remember Pope Francis. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Books: Read along with Mac - Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/36479285

CST #754: Basil Pendergast Was Here? 04/23/2025

CST #754: Basil Pendergast Was Here? Mac & Kat go on a long tangent about fasting, A Complete Unknown isn’t a complete failure, Daredevil Born Again, breaks Mac’s heart like a bad guy’s leg, and Kat buys an old book that we could all stand to read more from. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Books: The complete Guide to Fasting by Jason Fung The Obesity Code by Jason Fung Read along with Mac - St. Francis of Asisi by GK Chesterton Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/36276250

CST #753: Buttons Aren’t Toys 04/14/2025

CST #753: Buttons Aren’t Toys Mac & Kat go to FDR State Park for Spring Break, we go down a supplemental rabbit hole, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves is still great, and in Catholic Stuff we take on fasting. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Books: Read along with Mac - The Everlasting Man by G.K. Chesterton Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/36127745

CST #752: Pickleball…Instead of Reading 03/31/2025

CST #752: Pickleball…Instead of Reading Mac has a busy week full of work parties, trivia hosting, and tennis matches. Kat HATES looking for cars. Not much has been that entertaining. And how relationships are far more important than things. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Books: Read along with Mac - St. Francis of Assisi by G.K. Chesterton Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/35953930

CST # 751: Volume of Hemina 03/24/2025

CST # 751: Volume of Hemina Mac is back from retreat, and we are spending money on house repairs, almost all of our watching lets us down, and why can’t Jesus just be clearer? is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Books: Read along with Mac - St. Francis of Assisi by G.K. Chesterton Movies: Riddick Waitress AI Aaron Webber: Signature Dish on YouTube: Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/35849790

CST #750: You’ve Been Lied To 03/13/2025

CST #750: You’ve Been Lied To Jude is home for his birthday, Gladiator II is an epic disappointment, The Resort is a welcomed surprise, and you’ve been lied to about the natural order of relationships… and it matters. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/35677930

CST #749: JPD 03/09/2025

CST #749: JPD The Barron house plays host to nieces, House of David is pretty good, A Real Pain is just fine, and Kat walks us through her thoughts on Conclave. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Books: Read along with Mac - The Everlasting Man Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/35590840

CST #748: Retreat! 02/28/2025

CST #748: Retreat! A neighborhood is going up next to ours, local beef is the best, Nosferatu is just as disturbing as you’ve heard, and we talk about deliberate discernment of your Lenten practice. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Woodworking safety stickers: Books: Read along with Mac - The Everlasting Man by GK Chesterton Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/35484755

CST #747: ENS, a Self-Diagnosis 02/20/2025

CST #747: ENS, a Self-Diagnosis The benches are done! Mac & Kat make a delivery to Swaisboro, catch lunch with old friends, Tenet is impenetrable, The Gorge is just right, Mac doesn’t get Man Who was Thursday, and sometimes it’s good to inspect the landscape of our faith. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/35374280

CST #746: Everything Hurts 02/10/2025

CST #746: Everything Hurts Mac & Kat are both in need of ibuprofen, after cleaning out the garage, Mac watches a whole bunch of TV, and Kat walks us through the existential, philosophical poetry of True Detective Season 1. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Books: Read along with Mac - Current book is The Man Who was Thursday by GK Chesterton I’m almost done with this one so get your emails in about it and we can talk about it on our next show. Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/35225720

CST #745: LoQuisha, the Space Vampire 01/31/2025

CST #745: LoQuisha, the Space Vampire Mac & Kat are still settling into the new empty nest routine, no stellar movies but Carry-On is pretty good, folks are moving over to locals, and Katherine sees WAY more problems in Balthazar than Mac does. Read along with Mac - Current book is Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton I’m almost done with this one so get your emails in about it and we can talk about it on our next show. Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/35127605

CST #744: More Cowbell! 01/23/2025

CST #744: More Cowbell! Kat & her siblings clean out the last attic space in the family house, Mac watches depressing movies all alone, and it’s crazy cold here in the South. is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. Books: Read along with Mac - Current book is Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton. I’d love to hear your thoughts and for you to help me unpack old GKC. Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/34986265

CST #743: Snow Day! 01/15/2025

CST #743: Snow Day! Most of the chickens come home to roost for a snow day, Fandor Nodor takes on a big topic, and listening to the Holy Spirit can lead to small consolations or big life changes. Our locals page is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. https://catholicinasmalltown.locals.com/ Books: Read along with Mac - Current book is I’m almost done with this one so get your emails in about it and we can talk about it on our next show. Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/34853130

CST #742: 20+C+M+B+25 01/13/2025

CST #742: 20+C+M+B+25 Jude logistics, a low-key New Year, an Epiphany party and a first time ever Epiphany home blessing at the Barron’s. Also, we look back over our entertainment consumption for 2024 and talk about our top (and bottom picks) Our locals page is now accepting subscriptions! Move over from Patreon so more of your tips go to us and not Apple. https://catholicinasmalltown.locals.com/ Books: Read along with Mac - Current book is I’m almost done with this one so get your emails in about it and we can talk about it on our next show. Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Other stuff our family does: Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/34837840

CST #741: A Griswold-level Situation 12/30/2024

CST #741: A Griswold-level Situation It's a different Christmas for the Barrons as we get used to empty nesting, we take a trip to South GA, Homestead might be the worst movie this year, Locals is coming, and we talk about St. Thomas Becket. Our locals page: https://catholicinasmalltown.locals.com Books: Movies & TV: Homestead 8-bit Christmas Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. Our other show: /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/34663030

CST #740: Homesteading Cocktails 12/21/2024

CST #740: Homesteading Cocktails Lots of plaid, pipes, and John Senior talk at the Liturgy of the Land conference, Red One has remarkable heart, and conversion today is going to come from our story and our lives. Movies & TV: Red One Books: Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. Our other show: /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/34559120

CST #739: He was the Doggiest of Dogs 12/12/2024

CST #739: He was the Doggiest of Dogs We say goodbye to our beloved golden retriever, Max. Mac embraces full handimanhood, Fly Me To the Moon is fine, and we wander through the Advent Blues. Movies & TV: Nutcrackers Fly Me to the Moon Silver Linings Playbook Ari’s Use code ADVENT24 for 15% off your entire purchase at checkout. Ben’s short film: Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. Our other show: We use Amazon affiliate links. We may get a little kickback if you use the link above to purchase from Amazon. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/34409180

CST #738: Thanksgiving in a Box 12/01/2024

CST #738: Thanksgiving in a Box The Barrons call in help for a post-wedding Thanksgiving, the newlyweds show back up, Kat takes in Wicked, and we talk about whether The End of the Affair is catholic literature. Movies & TV: Wicked The Sound of Music Thelma Books: The End of the Affair by Graham Greene Ari’s Use code ADVENT24 for 15% off your entire purchase at checkout. Ben’s short film: Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. Our other show: /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/34214080

CST #737: Bouquet Grenade 11/26/2024

CST #737: Bouquet Grenade Ladies and gentlemen: Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Barron! The kids are married!! All about the mess of family and guests and rehearsals and speeches and logistics. Also, Gladiator and the young couple as archetypes. Movies & TV: Gladiator Ari’s Use code ADVENT24 for 15% off your entire purchase at checkout. Ben’s short film: Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. Our other show: We use Amazon affiliate links. We may get a little kickback if you use the link above to purchase from Amazon. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/34156735

CST #736: Where’s the Remote to my Candles? 11/14/2024

CST #736: Where’s the Remote to my Candles? Katherine is in charge of the booze for the wedding, Mac gets a taste of the “good” life, Reality Bites actually rules, the Aeneid is crazy violent, and pre-advent slipped right past us…did we mention a wedding coming up? Movies & TV: Reality Bites Books: The Aeneid by Virgil Ben’s short film: Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. Our other show: We use Amazon affiliate links. We may get a little kickback if you use the link above to purchase from Amazon. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/33923767

CST #735: A Kathrocentric Universe 11/07/2024

CST #735: A Kathrocentric Universe We get the chance to adult with our adult children, lots of tennis for Mac, and wedding rehearsal prep for Katherine. Nobody Wants This is sharp, A Room with a View is British, and Katherine has some medieval views of our place in the whole grand scheme of things. Movies & TV: Nobody Wants This A Room with a View Ben’s short film: Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. Our other show: We use Amazon affiliate links. We may get a little kickback if you use the link above to purchase from Amazon. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/33840052

CST #734: Draw a Line 10/29/2024

CST #734: Draw a Line The Barrons head to Birmingham to heckle Paul Kingsnorth, Mac finds the best pipe shop ever, Goodbye Christopher Robin fails to endear you to any of the characters, and we talk about ways we can resist the machine in our everyday lives. Movies & TV: Fools Rush In Bad Monkey Goodbye Christopher Robin Ben’s short film: Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. Our other show: We use Amazon affiliate links. We may get a little kickback if you use the link above to purchase from Amazon. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/33658792

CST #733: A Kegerator Phase 10/17/2024

CST #733: A Kegerator Phase Kat waxes on about her pilgrimage, tis the season for scarier stuff (The Stand, Cloverfield), Mac actually finishes a book, and a listener goes way back in our archives. Movies & TV: The Stand (2021) Cloverfield Books: Declare by Tim Powers Ben’s short film: Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. Our other show: We use Amazon affiliate links. We may get a little kickback if you use the link above to purchase from Amazon. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/33505932

CST #732: Cheesy Sugar 10/09/2024

CST #732: Cheesy Sugar Our dogs become those people who send back food at a restaurant, Kat stresses out about upcoming events, Colby takes refuge at our place and Mac takes a big test. Several spooky movies pepper the season and we both are surprised by Surprised by Oxford. Movies & TV: The Thing Salem’s Lot (2024) Frighteners Surprised by Oxford Ben’s short film: Other great stuff we like: Retreat Center from Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey PDF Mac’s book! Find us on Theme song by Mary Bragg. Our other show: We use Amazon affiliate links. We may get a little kickback if you use the link above to purchase from Amazon. /episode/index/show/catholicinasmalltown/id/33385152

Catholic in a Small Town

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