The Saint Emmelia Podcast

On today’s episode, Matushka Melissa Naasko talks with Father Pedro Sarsama. Father Pedro is a recent seminary graduate and a priest serving in the Orthodox Church of America. Father and Matushka Keely and their family serve in Fargo, North Dakota. Today’s topic is vocations and why (and why not) to go to seminary as well as how the process works.

A common criticism of homeschooling is the perceived lack of socialization. In this episode, Mindi and the 2026-2027 Interns discuss their experiences with extracurriculars and other social opportunities—as well as the blessings and challenges that homeschooling has added to their social lives.

Have you ever wanted to get to know the wonderful people behind Draw Near Designs, the producers of the popular beautiful children's calendar? On today's episode, Matushka Melissa Naasko introduces listeners to the women behind the project. Caroline Gann Caroline is a graphic designer and content creator. She has a passion for engaging children in recipes and crafts that connect them with the full...

Long-time Saint Emmelia mom Cheryl Floyd sits down with Mindi to discuss Christopher Nolan's Odyssey. How does it hold up as an adaptation? As an isolated film? Cheryl also shares how literature can be used as education.

In this talk, originally given at the 2026 Pennsylvania Homeschool Family Picnic, Fr. Noah Bushelli shares how to center our homeschooling and family life on the Beatiudes.

Originally from our Saint Macrina Lecture Series, Saint Emmelia mom Rachel offers an Orthodox perspective on the role of women.

Former intern Caroline discusses why it's important to talk about books, how contemporary novel can develop our love for others, and what books have shaped her during high school.

Former head intern Cecilia talks about her senior thesis project, the books that have shaped her high school years, and what the land of faerie has to do with Jane Austen.

In this talk, originally given online for our Saint Macrina Lecture Series, Fr. David Hyatt explores the role of the internet/social media and how to use this technology as tools and not let it rule us.

In this talk, originally given at the 2023 SOUTH Conference, Adam Lockridge describes the "beginning and end of an Orthodox Education."

Continuing the conversation about "Mom Guilt," Mindi, Mat. Melissa Naasko, and Pres. Jennifer Souza discuss repentance, forgiveness, boundaries, and how all these things intersect with our feelings of guilt.

In today's episode, Saint Emmelia Ministries Assistant Director Mindi Popovich-Schneider takes over hosting duties and puts Mat. Melissa Naasko in the hot seat. Mat. Melissa and Pres. Jennifer Souza break down the concept of "Mom guilt"-where these feelings come from, how they affect us, and how we, as Orthodox Christians, can combat them.

On today’s episode, Matushka Melissa interviews Presbytera Jennifer Souza about the new Orthodox homeschool health class being offered by the Classical Learning Resource Center often known as CLRC. The course features presentations by well known and respected Orthodox clergy and scholars. Early enrollment will be for live classes and is a unique opportunity to help shape the recorded classes that...

Christopher talks with Megan Bonynge about the transition from high school to college for Orthodox Christian students, highlighting the importance of support systems, the common struggles of anxiety, depression, relationships, stress, and trauma, and the increase in loneliness.

Presbytera Krista Fedorchak focuses on the shift in responsibility for food decisions from parents to students and the logistical challenges of budgeting and scheduling meals. For Orthodox Christians in particular, this transition can be especially difficult during fasting periods. Pres. Krista shares her ideas for how students can nourish their bodies during these years when there is so much emph...

Christopher talks with Kh. BethAnn Hyatt about the challenges and joys of the high school-to-college transition from a parent's perspective, specifically detailing her family's non-traditional path, which involved homeschooling, a period in public school, and the very different struggles and paths her two oldest sons experienced after high school. Kh. BethAnn offers tips and advice for homeschoole...

In this talk, taken from the Saint Macrina Lecture "Teamwork: Marriage is not 50/50 (It's 100/100)," Fr. Luke Carpenter (St. Philip's Orthodox Church in Souderton, PA) describes a theological understanding of marriage.

Mindi and three of the Saint Emmelia interns--Sophia, Caroline, and Christina--have a roundtable discussion about often overlooked classics, and why they should be read. Books mentioned: Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose Coriolanus by William Shakespeare Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte The Idiot by Fyodr Dostoevsky The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot The Prof...

Saint Emmelia Ministries mom Rachel shares some thoughts on stewardship as we enter the Nativity season of almsgiving.

On today’s episode, we discuss AI and how it originated, how it works, and what it all means. Matushka Melissa Naasko is joined by her husband, Father Benjamin Naasko, who discusses the philosophical aspect not only as an Orthodox priest but also as an instructor of philosophy, and Ronald Stempien, a computer science PhD student who is able to explain how AI functions in clear and concise language...

In today's episode, our Head Intern Londyn narrates her essay "Listening Well," which previously appeared on our blog. Londyn reflects on the importance of being a good listener, and offers suggestions for how to listen well.

With this episode, we conclude our series, With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation. Christopher Chiakulas, founder of Orthodox Christian College Counseling and the author of Paving the Road to College Through an Orthodox Christian Perspective, offers insights on different considerations for discerning whether college is the right path. Paving the Road to College…is Saint Emmelia Publishing’...

Welcome to a special series, With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, where we will be exploring topics related to the decisions that young adults face as they transition out of high school. In this episode, Marcy interviews financial advisor and entrepreneur Razvan Mirica, who discusses the pros and cons of college, the tough financial considerations, and steps parents can take to save for...

Welcome to a special series, With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, where we will be exploring topics related to the decisions that young adults face as they transition out of high school. Marcy interviews Denise Yurchak, a certified senior HR specialist who is now getting her master’s degree in Counseling and Pastoral Care from Antiochian House of Studies. Denise shares how personality–a...

Welcome to a special series, With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, where we will be exploring topics related to the decisions that young adults face as they transition out of high school. In today’s episode, Brett Schaller and Brennan Nokelby, two admissions counselors from Hillsdale College, talk with Mindi about the importance of relationships–at any college–and offer practical advice...