In a world where city lights never dim and life rarely slows down, a new EWTN series is asking an age-old question with fresh eyes: what does it really mean to live well—and live together? The answer might just lie in some unexpected soil.
EWTN’s newest five-part series, On Good Soil, is not just about growing food—though there’s plenty of that.
It’s also about growing roots, building relationships, and reconnecting with something deeper, whether you’re in the countryside or a suburban neighborhood.
The show airs nightly at 5:30 p.m. ET from Monday, July 7 to Friday, July 11, with encore episodes at 2:30 a.m. the next day.
It’s Not Just Farming—It’s a Way of Life
At first glance, you might expect On Good Soil to be a how-to guide for rural living.
But it’s much more than that. Each 30-minute episode explores how modern people—especially Catholic families—can find meaning in their daily lives through intentional living, even if they’re not on a traditional farm.
Host Jason Craig digs into ideas around what makes a home truly rooted.
He asks questions like: what’s the difference between a house in the suburbs and a homestead? Why do so many families today feel isolated or disjointed? And how can the teachings of the Catholic Church—especially the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas—help us rethink how we build community?
The Power of Real, Human Connection
In Episode 5, the series takes on the myths surrounding small-town life.
Craig points out that in a true community, people don’t just enjoy each other’s company—they depend on one another.
That kind of interdependence creates bonds that run deeper than what we typically find in urban settings, where people often group by hobbies or income levels.
This perspective challenges the idea that success means constant motion or individual achievement.
Instead, On Good Soil asks viewers to consider a life where connection, stability, and service to others take priority.
One Family’s Journey to a Catholic Homestead
The series also introduces us to families who’ve made radical choices to live differently—including Brian and Johanna Burke, a former military family who had grown weary of moving every few years.
They eventually relocated to a Catholic community in the countryside.
Johanna says their goal was never just to escape the cycle of relocation—it was to find real community.
“We knew that if we were going to do this, we needed friends with the same lifestyle,” she explains.
Their search led them to a Catholic farm group where those values of shared life and mutual support are front and center.
A Community Built From the Ground Up
Thanks to a chance meeting with a couple at their local parish, the Burkes found mentors and began inviting others to join them.
Now, their neighborhood hosts regular monthly gatherings where families share knowledge, support one another, and collaborate on everyday tasks.
Brian Burke explains how it works in practice: someone might say, “Hey, I’m working on this project—does anyone have experience?” And before you know it, another neighbor might be teaching a workshop on it.
It’s less about individual survival and more about communal flourishing.
Why This Message Matters Now
At its heart, On Good Soil is about rediscovering what it means to live with purpose and with people.
Whether you’re raising chickens or kids, the series reminds us that isolation doesn’t have to be the norm—and that we can build something richer, together.
With Catholic teachings woven throughout, the series offers not just a lifestyle guide, but a spiritual framework for anyone seeking a more grounded, connected, and faithful life—no matter where they live.