Episode 150

No Small Endeavor: The Hillbilly Thomists

Published on: 5th June, 2025

What do bluegrass, bourbon, and Bible have in common? How about a group of Hillbilly Thomists? Today, we share an episode from the Signal Award-winning podcast, No Small Endeavor. Produced by PRX and Great Feeling Studios, No Small Endeavor explores what it means to live a good life.

In this episode, you’ll hear from the Hillbilly Thomists, the Billboard-charting bluegrass band made up entirely of Catholic Dominican Friars. They talk about their theology and vocation, as well as how they manage life on the road as priests who have taken a vow of poverty. Plus, they give live performances of some of their finest songs.

When they are not contemplating, studying, and preaching, the Hillbilly Thomists are writing songs. They've released four albums including

Hillbilly Thomists, Living for the Other Side, Holy Ghost Power, and

Marigold. Marigold spent 3 weeks on the Billboard bluegrass charts, debuting at #2. The friars also have a Christmas album in the works.

Proceeds from album sales, donations, and merchandise sales allow the friars to continue to produce and perform music, while providing ongoing support to the formation of friars at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.

Thanks to No Small Endeavor for sharing this episode with us.

For other episodes like this one, follow No Small Endeavor on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app.

Learn more about the Hillbilly Thomists

Learn more about No Small Endeavor

Attend a Living Church conference

Give to support this podcast

All Episodes Previous Episode

Sign up for more from The Living Church!

Join our email list to be notified of all work The Living Church is doing within the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion.
Thank you, you have been subscribed.
Show artwork for The Living Church Podcast

About the Podcast

The Living Church Podcast
The Living Church Podcast explores ecumenical topics in theology, the arts, ethics, pastoral care, and spiritual growth — all to equip and encourage leaders in the Episcopal Church, Anglican Communion, and beyond. A ministry of the Living Church Institute.