Orthodox Christian Parenting

Can one parent—or even two—raise a faithful son alone? Father Jacob Saylor says no family was ever meant to. In this episode, he explains why boys need faithful men beyond their own father to show them Christ's version of masculinity, and how priests, godfathers, uncles and parish friends can help form the next generation. He also offers real encouragement to moms doing this without a father prese...

Some days the sacred feels impossibly far away—buried under the laundry, the backpacks, the dishes in the sink. In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis returns to the podcast with practical wisdom for parents worn thin by the chaos of daily life. He reminds us that a peaceful parent is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children, and offers a way to leave guilt and shame behind for good. Down...

When their daughter needed a heart transplant, Elias and Joy Hajjar learned what it looks like for an Orthodox Church community to truly show up. In part two of this conversation, they share the next chapter of their journey including the remarkable relationship they built with the donor's family. They also speak directly to parents caring for a sick child and to the communities trying to love the...

As parents, we all have a plan for how our lives will unfold. But how do we hold onto faith when those plans shatter? In this episode, Elias and Joy Hajjar share their story of raising a child with a heart defect and navigating surgeries, hospital stays and eventually a transplant. They explain how their Church community held them up during the most difficult moments and discuss the steps they’ve...

How do we raise children who love the Faith and aren't afraid to talk about it? Fr. Constantine Nasr, a ninth-generation priest, shares why we don't need to turn our children into little evangelists. Instead, he says, we need to live the Faith with enough joy, humility and love for them to see something worth embracing. He also reveals three questions his father passed down to him that are simple...

One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is a healthy marriage. In this episode, Paul and Karen Kinan join the podcast to explain how investing in their marriage has helped them raise a family who loves God and each other. As parents of adult children—and now grandparents—Paul and Karen also reflect on what worked well when they were raising their kids as well as what they would do dif...

Church camp offers an incredible opportunity to give your children a break from the noise of the world and surround them with a community of believers. In this episode, Father Andrew Andrews explains how camp can transform lives and form a faith that lasts beyond the weeks of summer. He also shares practical guidance for parents about who camp is for and how to overcome common fears around sending...

It's easy to get caught up in perfectionism in a world that gives us so much to worry about and so many "perfect" families to measure ourselves against. The question is what to do about it—and the Church, it turns out, has a lot to say. In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis is back to share his advice for overcoming perfectionism, building life-giving relationships with other parents, and finding...

Whatever schooling option your family has chosen, you are your children’s primary educator! In this episode, Liz Caddow joins the podcast to talk about her work as the founder and head of school at Trinity Classical Academy. She explains why education is ultimately about a child’s formation, shares advice for parents on understanding their school’s curriculum and offers guidance on supplementing s...

We were never meant to raise our children alone, and one of our most valuable resources is one we often take for granted: grandparents! In this episode, Dr. Josh Mulvihill joins the podcast to break down the biblical role of grandparents and explain why the grandparent-child relationship is so vital. He also answers some of your most pressing questions about navigating the sometimes complicated bu...

Paul and Cindy Karos are back—and this time they're talking about one of the most quietly liberating teachings in the Orthodox tradition: the Middle Way. What does it actually mean to avoid the extremes of overzealousness and apathy? And what does that look like in the middle of an ordinary day with kids to feed and a thousand things pulling at your attention? Paul and Cindy bring the theology dow...

We all feel anger, but what does the Church say about what we should do when those feelings arise? In this episode, Father Ted Pulcini joins the podcast for a conversation about what anger is, why it's so prevalent in our world today and how we can manage it in our own lives as well as the lives of our kids. He shares practical advice and ancient wisdom about developing a secure identity in Christ...

What do we do when the bottom drops out from under us? And how can moments of suffering become pathways to transformation, both in our own lives and the lives of our children? In this episode, Dr. Rick and Dema Esper join the podcast to share their powerful testimony of finding strength in Christ after a stroke changed everything for their family. They reflect on how their struggles brought them c...

In a culture that’s always telling us we don’t have enough, how can we develop contentment in ourselves and our kids? In this episode, author, speaker and financial expert Rachel Cruze joins the podcast to share her best strategies for learning and teaching contentment. Whether you’re starting the conversation early with a young child, parenting teenagers, or examining your own relationship with m...

For parents, Holy Week brings packed schedules, big emotions and the challenge of keeping children engaged through it all. But this sacred time is also an incredible opportunity to help our children encounter Christ in new and meaningful ways. In this episode, Father Jim and Presvytera Donna Pappas join the podcast to explain why Holy Week is so important and to share their best advice for making...

Your parenting is not just about what you say and do; it’s a reflection of your inner life. In this episode, Father Stephen Muse joins the podcast to explain why repentance is one of the most important things we can cultivate as parents as we pursue eternity and seek to raise children who know and love God. He also encourages us to slow down, create room for exhale and accept that we won’t always...

What does it mean when we say that children are icons of Christ? And how should that awareness impact the way we relate to our kids? In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis returns to the show to answer these questions and more about raising children to love Christ and parenting in the midst of chaos. He shares practical advice for parents (and grandparents) of young kids and teenagers alike—includi...

As Orthodox Christian parents, we have one primary job and one goal: to help our children pursue a life of holiness. In this episode, Paul and Cindy Karos return to the podcast to discuss how we can help our children become Christlike—from actively participating in the life of the Church to making thoughtful choices in areas like extracurricular activities. They also explain the analogy of the pat...

We can’t (and shouldn’t) shield our kids from all adversity, but we can help them become strong, resilient people who know how to walk through challenges. In this episode, we talk with Father Nick and Dr. Roxanne Louh about what it means to raise resilient kids. They share their unique perspectives on parenting together as a priest and psychologist and answer listener questions about teaching sacr...

There are few things we love more on this podcast than getting to connect with listeners and answer real questions that matter. In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis returns to the podcast to tackle some of your top parenting questions about correcting bad behaviors, navigating relationships with friends and romantic partners, teaching discernment and much more. Whether you’re a young parent, a pa...

In a culture that’s pulling us in a thousand other directions, how do we raise our kids to love and stay close to the Church? In this episode, we’re joined by His Grace Bishop Anthony Michaels for a conversation that’s full of wisdom and encouragement for Orthodox parents everywhere. He shares about the importance of fostering real connections and relationships, explains how his parents raised him...

Anxiety is more common than ever today, but as Christians, we don’t have to navigate it alone. In this episode, our friend George Papageorge returns to the podcast to talk about all things anxiety — from the worries we feel as parents to the anxieties our children might face to the ways we can adjust our schedules, tech usage and perspectives in response. He also reminds us that anxiety is normal...

How can we teach our children gratitude in a world that’s constantly telling them (and us) that we should always want more? In this episode, Paul and Cindy Karos return to the podcast to share practical tips and encouraging words for parents who are looking for healthy alternatives to materialism. They talk about their own experience with raising their children to value gratitude, give generously...

Ever wonder if your kids are really noticing your faith or if anything you’re doing is sinking in? In this episode, Michelle sits down with musician Joe Ayoub to talk about the quiet, powerful ways parents shape their children’s spiritual lives without even realizing it. Joe reflects on how the lessons his parents modeled decades ago still shape his life today, and why love will always reach furth...

We all want to feel like we’re doing a good job raising our kids. But what does success actually mean for Orthodox Christian parents? In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis returns to the podcast to share his perspective on the long-term goals parents should focus on when raising children who know God and love the Church. He also offers some practical tips for prioritizing hard work over accolades,...