

A Drink With a Friend
Tsh Oxenreider
Conversations about a life that values truth, goodness, and beauty above all else. Tsh Oxenreider, a writer, teacher, travel guide, and Catholic convert talks with friends about what it means to live in cooperation with what matters most. Pull up a chair and pour yourself a glass. thecommon.place
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 25, 2022 • 39min
What is the Liturgical Calendar?
We all have a liturgy to our lives, even if we don't call it that. So why bother with one that's old and global, too? Since Advent is the start of a new liturgical year, Seth and Tsh unpack what the calendar is and why it matters. Not so much a deep dive, this chat is more of a high-level perspective on why it's good to lean into a rhythm for marking time outside of ourselves.Seth's newsletter + websiteTsh's newsletter + websiteTsh's 2022 Gift GuidePick up a round of drinks!Our recommended readsA 101 on AdventTsh's Advent book, Shadow & LightThe Liturgical Year, by Joan ChittisterLiving the Christian Year, by Bobby GrossSounding the Seasons, by Malcolm GuiteThe Comfort Crisis, by Michael EasterMadison Cunningham This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Nov 11, 2022 • 51min
Why is In-Person Community Better Than Virtual?
Seth is joined by Myles Werntz, a professor of theology, and in this chat they unpack what's meant by community, a word we toss around a lot in our culture. What's the real difference between in-person and virtual communities? What do screens provide a community when they're needed, and what do they rob us of when they're not? And what's the takeaway for our day-to-day lives?p.s. - Seth & Tsh will be back together next episode!Seth's newsletter + websitePick up a round of drinks!Our recommended readsMyles' SubstackMyles on TwitterMyles' book, From Isolation to CommunityThe Brothers K, by David James DuncanThe Candy House, by Jennifer Egan This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Oct 28, 2022 • 35min
Why Should You Go to Ireland?
Tsh is joined by a good friend — her husband, Kyle! A late-night conversation, they reflect on how travel has affected their 20-year marriage and why you (yes, you!) should join them next summer in Ireland. ☘️Tsh's newsletter + websitePick up a round of drinks!Our recommended readsCreate your Rule of LifeCome to Ireland!Somebody Feed Phil in Ireland This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Oct 14, 2022 • 47min
Why is Seth Catholic? (part 1)
Both adult Catholic converts from a lifetime of Protestantism, Seth and Tsh each could do a 12-part series on why they swam the Tiber. In this chat, Seth unpacks with Tsh just a few items in his backpack worn on his journey to the Church. If you’re curious about what compelled him to walk this path, this episode’s for you.Seth's Newsletter + WebsiteTsh's newsletter + websitePick up a round of drinks!Our recommended readsCreate your Rule of LifePart 1 of Tsh’s journey to the Church Seth’s books: Coming Clean and The Book of Waking Up Hipbillies, by Jared PhillipsTsh’s Cozy Autumn playlist This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Sep 30, 2022 • 44min
Why Leave Instagram?
More and more folks are talking about the ills of social media, but the platforms remain hugely popular (and addictive). Seth asks Tsh about her recent decision to leave Instagram even though "they" say writers should be there if they want to sell books. She was willing to leave her large-ish following and decade-plus feed for something better — and she has zero regrets.Seth's Newsletter + WebsiteTsh's newsletter + websitePick up a round of drinks!Our recommended readsTsh's micro.blogConfessions, by St. Augustine (Sarah Ruden's translation) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Sep 16, 2022 • 51min
The Genesis of Gender
What does it mean to be a man or a woman? And just as important in today's culture, how do we have civil, truthful, loving conversations about that topic? Seth and Tsh are joined by author and professor Abigail Favale to talk about those things. She's written a book that's taking off like wildfire about one of the most pressing questions of the day — who are we as men and women?Seth's Newsletter + WebsiteTsh's newsletter + websitePick up a round of drinks!Our recommended readsThe Genesis of Gender, by Abigail FavaleAbigail on TwitterAbigail's free video series, Cultivating Catholic FeminismEndeavourFather Elijah: An Apocalypse, by Michael D. O'Brien This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Sep 2, 2022 • 49min
Why is Italy so Great?
We're back! Seth and Tsh recap Italy, but don't worry, it's not done in a way that bores you if you weren't there... They reflect on why it's always true that ordinary conversations with new friends over gelato are more meaningful than touring even the most jaw-dropping cathedrals and monasteries (though that's great, too). They also share recorded thoughts from some of the folks who joined them in Italy.We're all made for in-person connection, and this is why having a drink with a friend at your neighborhood cafe matters so much.Seth's Newsletter + WebsiteTsh's newsletter + websitePick up a round of drinks!Our recommended readsThe Genesis of Gender, by Abigail FavaleCS Lewis’ space/Ransom trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Jul 8, 2022 • 38min
What’s Good About Summer?
It's good to remember the good things in life, especially when the news is heavy (when is ever not anymore, right?). And since art has a season, Seth and Tsh share their summery music, movies, TV shows, and books they're into right now. Because good art tells good stories, even when they're lighthearted.Also: it's time for their annual summer break! Seth and Tsh will return in mid-August — in the meantime, enjoy the treasure trove of Drink archives, listen to other good shows, or just take a break and go outside.Seth's Newsletter + WebsiteTsh's newsletter + websitePick up a round of drinksCome to Italy with us — next month!Our recommended readsMagnolia WorkshopsThe Collection's Entropy albumMichael & MichelleTsh's Summer 2022 playlistSean HayesThor: Love and Thunder1971: The Year That Music Changed EverythingThe Hood Internet — top songs from each yearThe Genesis of Gender, by Abigail FavaleA Curious Faith, by Lore FergusonSea of Tranquility, by Emily St. John MandelLeisure: the Basis of Culture, by Josef PieperIn Other Words, by Jhumpa Lahiri This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Jul 1, 2022 • 58min
Why Publish New Classics?
Tsh talks to her good friend, Sarah Mackenzie, about what makes good stories (especially for our kids). She's got a HUGE new project in the works: not only a new children's book, but a new publishing house! When it's hard to publish new classics that tell timeless truths, you gotta start the company yourself. Why do we need more stories that tell us things that were as true a thousand years ago as they are today? Listen in.Tsh's newsletter + websitePick up a round of drinksCome to Italy with us — next month!Our recommended readsSarah Mackenzie's work: Read-Aloud Revival & Waxwing BooksA Little More Beautiful, Sarah's forthcoming picture bookJulia Cameron's morning pagesIra Glass' The GapTomie DePaolaBreaking Bread With The Dead, by Alan JacobsBreezy Brookshire on InstagramMiss Rumphius, by Barbara CooneyYou Can Draw in 30 Days, by Mark KistlerI Miss My Cafe + The Hole & Corner playlist This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe

Jun 24, 2022 • 40min
6 Months in a 100-Mile Radius
It's now Tsh's turn to update us on her six-month challenge: what she's learned living as best she can in a 100-mile radius. She and Seth talk about the importance of subsidiarity, reorienting our priorities, finding community IN an actual community (vs. online), and doing it all imperfectly. Is living locally worth the effort? Tsh has thoughts.Seth: Newsletter | WebsiteTsh: Newsletter | WebsitePick up a round of drinksCome to Italy with usOur recommended readsSeth's challenge: 6 months away from social mediaThe Life We’re Looking For, by Andy CrouchFree online classes from Hillsdale College — Tsh is taking Aristotle's EthicsMan and His Symbols, by Carl Jung This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecommon.place/subscribe