What God is Not

Today we're joined by special guest, Hannah Crane. Hannah is one of Mother Natalia's spiritual daughters. Hannah talks with honesty about the reality of living a holy marriage and what it's like to raise children. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our...

Today's episode was recorded at SEEK23. This week we're joined by special guest, Cameron Fradd, from the Among the Lilies podcast. Fr. Michael and Cameron discuss how Cameron continues to learn what it means to be “child-like” through the raising of her children, as well as sharing some heart-wrenchingly beautiful stories of God’s goodness in the midst of fear and suffering. Follow and C...

On today's episode Mother Natalia takes a listener question on Ecumenism. We talk about some practicalities around ecumenism and the good desire for unity with others outside the Catholic faith. Mother Natalia also talks about the need for compassion as we interact with others, not just with those who are visibly suffering, but also with those whose pain and struggle are hidden. References: C...

In today's episode Mother Natalia walks through two questions she's been reflecting on and challenges us to think about these same questions. At the very end she gives us homework - a third question to consider! References: John 1:34 John 4:1-42 (the woman at the well) John 4: 39-42 Matt 3:17 John 5:6 Mother Natalia and Father Michael Out and About Mother Natalia was recently on the Bein...

This week we’re back with another episode recorded at SEEK23! This week Fr. Michael is joined by special guests Joseph and Cesca O’Loughlin. They talk about truth and beauty found in the church and Jesus, and how it is our job to show that truth and beauty to those seeking Jesus.  Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michae...

This week we're joined by special guest, Fr. Travis Crotty. Fr. Travis was recently named vocational director for the Diocese of Sioux City, as well as the chaplain of Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City. Fr. Travis joined Fr. Michael at SEEK23 to talk about vocations and how to handle a "no" in the discernment process. It's a short episode this week! References Sp...

This week Mother Natalia talks about neediness and how it's necessary to be needy in our relationship with God. Mother Natalia talks about areas we can be needy, imitating children in their neediness, and how our need for fulfillment is ultimately fulfilled in heaven. References Matt 25 with James Parisi Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Faceboo...

This week Fr. Michael talks about miracles, and the daily miracles that happen in our lives. He talks about the ways in which we should seek out miracles, how we can ask for them, and then how to surrender even as we’re asking for a miracle. He  talks about St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and how we can ask for miracles through his name. References: Darr Mine Disaster The Trisagion Prayers (starts a...

This week we're joined by special guest, James Parisi. James is a seminarian in the diocese of Cleveland. He offers a personal reflection he's had on Matthew 25, which includes how do we see and love Jesus in the people next to us. References: Matt 25: 31-46 Father Michael and Mother Natalia Out and About Mother Natalia wrote a poem reflecting on love Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on...

This week we're joined by special guest Shaylee O'Loughlin, Fr. Michael's niece! Shaylee talks about her experience as a new college student, the importance of making friends and getting a bit outside of your comfort zone, her love of music, and the importance of music within the liturgy. References: Childlikeness - Episode from Catholic Stuff Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Ins...

This week we're joined by special guest Sister Onuphria, then Olivia. She talks about one of her favorite topics, naked saints! More specifically she talks about how their nakedness can remind us of the interior stripping we should do with God, to give him everything and allow him to guide us and care for us. References Servant of God Michelle Duppong My Elder Joseph the Hesychast by Elder Ep...

This week Mother Natalia talks about surrender and surrendering to God's will. She talks about the need for direct surrender instead of passive surrender, and the reality of how hard it is to surrender to His will. References Arise O God: The Gospel of Christ's Defeat of Demons, Sin, and Death by Fr. Andrew Damick He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek Sweet Surrender by John Denver Man of G...

This week Father Michael reflects on the call from Isaiah to expand the tent, which is reflected in the Church's Synod on Synodality. We talk about how it is important to be in relationship with people, even those who are not in communion with the church. Father Michael talks about the practice of use of the narthex and how we could incorporate that back into our regular practice. References:...

We're so excited to have been invited by FOCUS to record an episode ahead of SEEK23! On today's episode, Mother Natalia walks through St. John Paul II’s apostolic letter, Orientale Lumen, The Light of the East. This apostolic letter is responsible for the foundation of Christ the Bridegroom monastery, Mother Natalia’s community, so it’s near and dear to her heart. We talk about the beaut...

We're back with part 2 of the eight evil thoughts. This week Mother Natalia covers anger, dejection/sloth, listlessness/acedia, vainglory, and pride. References: Part One: Three of Eight Evil Thoughts The Philokalia Antirrhetikos (or Talking Back) by Evagrius Time and Despondency by Nicole Roccas Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodr...

This week we talk about three of the eight evil thoughts: gluttony, lust, and avarice. Mother Natalia gives some background on how the eight evil thoughts came into the common understanding and how they relate to the seven deadly sins. From there we move into a detailed description of these thoughts and how we can see them "in action" in our lives. Mother Natalia and Father Michael talk...

Today we're joined by special guest, Fr. Boniface Hicks! Fr. Boniface is a Benedictine monk from St. Vincent Archabbey in Pennsylvania. In today's episode we talk about humility, both what it is and what it isn't. We talk about some practical examples of humility in action and there's some Greek and Latin review here too. References: Word from a Poustinik: Humility Companions o...

This week Father Michael talks about the wrestling and grappling with God that we must undertake daily as part of our Christian life. References: For the Life of the World by Alexander Schmemann Gen 32: 22 - 32 Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonpro...

This week Fr. Michael reflects on four saints that inspire him to holiness and persistence despite the perceived dangers or negative perceptions from the world. Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia reflect on the inspiration these saints bring and how we can imitate them in our daily lives. References: Orthodox Wisdom Podcast Blood Sweat and Joy Dispassion, Vulcans, and Gethsemane Follow and Contact Us!...

This week we're  joined by special guest Matt Fradd of Pints with Aquinas . Mother Natalia talks about our online interactions and the way we perceive and interact with  people online vs in-person. This topic is an extension of some of her reflection on the Bridegroom's Banquet video, so check that out if you haven't already! References Bridegroom's Banquet Videos Patris Corde...

This week’s episode starts as a mini topic and then becomes a full blown topic! This week Father Michael takes a listener question on vocations and talks about how we can each live out our call within the church. Father Michael and Mother Natalia talk about areas we can serve the church directly in the liturgy but then also out in the wider community. References: Sophia Montessori Academy and thei...

On this week’s episode Mother Natalia talks about running and how different experiences of a run can equate to experiences in our spiritual life. References Into Great Silence (Trailer) Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube ! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us Fan Mail Supp...

This week we have another in-person, live episode, this time with many guests! Father Michael talks about feasting and fasting, and how they're both intertwined. We have a few guests talk about memories of their favorite feasts. References Live IG Recording For the Life of the World by Fr. Alexander Schmemann Convo with a Cradle Copt Mother Natalia and Father Michael Out and About Mother Nata...

This week Mother Natalia talks about her retreat and the fruits of her retreat. She talks about how this retreat helped her learn or relearn to “just be” with Jesus, not necessarily learning anything, or having a divine revelation, but just learning to be and rest. References: The Diary of a Russian Priest by Fr. Alexander Elchaninov Sister Clare Crockett: Alone with Christ Alone by Sister Kristen...

This week we're joined by special guests Fr. Nathan Symeon and his wife Ali. Fr. Nathan Symeon and Ali talk about married priesthood from their own perspective and experience. They talk about the joys and struggles, and ultimately how this path they're on is the one they believe is for their sanctification and holiness. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We'r...