Orthodox Christian Parenting

Cindy and Paul Karos noticed during Liturgy that some families had their adult children standing beside them and some didn’t. Their own three were 6, 4 and 2, and this question wouldn’t leave them: What can we do now to help our children love Christ and His Church when they’re grown? Their new book, “Raising Orthodox Christians,” shares the answers they found over the next 20 years of searching Scripture, studying the Church Fathers and learning from other Orthodox families. In this episode, they tell us where to start—whether we’re chasing toddlers, raising teenagers or sending kids off to college. Download this week’s free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Cindy and Paul Karos about what it takes to raise Orthodox Christians.
• What is the summit our families should be climbing toward?
• How do we keep from getting distracted by other good things as we climb?
• Why is it so important for our kids to stay engaged in the Church?
• What tools does the Church provide to help us with the climb?
• Where do we start if we feel like we’re already behind?
• Why do you focus so much on finding the Middle Way between two extremes?
• What would you say you got right, and what would you change?
• What would show us what our family is really climbing toward?
• What is your biggest hope for parents who read the book?
• How do you make time for church when your child is a competitive athlete?
• Why do you hope parents will read this book in a group?

Resources:

• Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
• Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Download The Encounter app
• Preorder “Raising Orthodox Christians” by Cindy and Paul Karos
• Download the free “What is Your Family Climbing Toward?” Check-In
• Download “Navigating the Digital Tsunami” 

Your daughter sits alone at lunch every day, and you’re lying awake wondering whether she’s going to be okay. You’re both struggling—but in different ways. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Philip Mamalakis about why your first move should be calming yourself down, not solving her problem. He also walks through the fears he gets asked about most: the phone your kid won’t put down, the teen who doesn’t want to go to church and the spouse who isn’t Orthodox. Download this week’s free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Dr. Philip Mamalakis about what to do when our kids are struggling.
• How do we separate our struggle from our child’s struggle?
• Are our kids facing more dangers than we did?
• What can a kale salad teach us about raising kids?
• How can we set boundaries and guardrails?
• What do boundaries around technology look like?
• How does leaning on our community teach our kids to be adults?
• What do we say to teenagers who don’t want to go to church?
• How do we teach our kids the faith when our spouse isn’t Orthodox?

Resources:

• Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
• Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Download The Encounter app
• Download “Navigating the Digital Tsunami”
• “Parenting Toward the Kingdom” by Dr. Philip Mamalakis

Your 10-year-old daughter tells you straight up that Bible reading is boring. So do you push back or let it go? Tripp Prince, head of content at Dwell, says there’s a third answer—and it starts with taking her seriously. He explains why repetition matters more than quizzes, how Sunday readings can carry into the rest of the week, and what to do when a child finds the Bible hard to understand. Download this week’s free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Tripp Prince about how we can help our kids love Scripture.
• Why listen to the Bible instead of only reading it?
• How should we be thinking about Scripture in our daily life at home?
• Is there a way to read Scripture together that doesn’t feel like homework?
• How can we help our kids connect Liturgy and daily life?
• What does a Scripture habit look like in a real family?
• How do we help our kids see the Bible as one story?
• What can we do to grow our own love of Scripture?
• What can Mister Rogers teach us about being present at home?
• Where do we go when we want to understand Scripture better?
• Why is repetition important?
• What role should listening play when reading the Bible with our kids?
• What do I do if my child thinks the Bible is boring?
• Where should I start if understanding the Bible feels too hard?

Resources:

• Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
• Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Download The Encounter app
• Get the Foundations of Faith Cards
• Download the Dwell app

Your son drapes a towel over his shoulders to bless the dog, and your daughter arranges her dolls on the bedroom floor for Sunday school. Are those just picture-worthy moments—or more? In this episode, we talk with Father Michael Prevas about cultivating our children’s God-given gifts. He explains what to do when gifts aren’t obvious, shares what brings them to the surface and walks us through helping a child find a place to serve in the Church. Download this week’s free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Father Michael Prevas about recognizing and growing our children’s gifts.
• What was it like growing up in a community that cultivated so many priests?
• How do we keep our children’s attention on God when they’re pulled in so many directions?
• How can we teach our kids to use their gifts?
• Is it OK to redirect our kids when something isn’t a natural gift?
• What should we say if our child feels called to the priesthood?
• How did you make the Church the center of your children’s lives? 
• What makes you feel hopeful about the next generation? 
• What’s one concrete thing parents can do to cultivate their children’s gifts?  

Resources:

• Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
• Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Get the Foundations of Faith Cards
• Download The Encounter app

Your son calls from his dorm and mentions casually that he hasn’t been to Liturgy for the last few weeks. What do you do when a call like that ends? In this episode, we talk with Pastor Will Browning about how to respond when a child walks away from the faith or makes choices we never expected. He names the shame that convinces parents they’re at fault, returns to the story of the prodigal son and offers ways to stay close without losing hope. Download this week’s free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Pastor Will Browning about how we can respond when our children make unexpected choices.
• Why is open conversation about this topic so important for parents?
• Why do so many parents feel shame when a child struggles?
• What can we learn from the story of the prodigal son?
• How can we stay hopeful and prayerful while watching our kids make mistakes?
• Why does our presence matter, even when it doesn’t seem to be working?
• What are some internal pitfalls that parents should watch out for?
• How do we find the balance between discipline and encouragement?
• What does it look like to respond well to an adult child’s choices?
• Is there ever a time to create distance from our own child?
• What’s the next right move for a parent struggling today?

Resources:

•  Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
• Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Download The Encounter app
• “10 Things Every Orthodox Parent Should Know”
• “Doing Life with Your Adult Children” by Jim Burns
• Magnolia Church

The hardest part of raising kids in the Church is that you don’t find out whether it stuck for another 20 years. In Season 2, we talked with Paul and Karen Kinan about what they got right and what they’d do over—and now we’re sitting down with their three adult children to learn the other half of that story. They tell us about the traditions that lasted, the rules they didn’t appreciate at the time and what they’re repeating as parents themselves. Download this week’s free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Vanessa Farha, Lucas Kinan and Marcus Kinan about the parenting decisions that helped keep them in the Church. 
• What was your household like growing up?
• How much of parenting is learning, and how much is instinct? 
• How did your grandparents instill a faith that would carry through generations? 
• What did your parents do that you loved most?
• How can parents present as a united front?
• Is there anything you’d do differently as a parent now? 
• How does each of you parent differently?

Resources:

• Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
• Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Download The Encounter app
• “10 Things Every Orthodox Parent Should Know”

Listening can be hard, even for adults. So how can we raise children who listen well—to us and to the other people around them? In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis returns to the podcast to share his best advice for modeling and teaching the art of listening. He explains why actions matter more than words and reminds us that our goal should be learning, not just compliance. Download this week’s free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Dr. Philip Mamalakis about teaching our kids to listen.
• How do we get our kids to listen?
• What does good listening look like?  
• How can we model listening for our children? 
• What would you say to parents who feel like they don’t have enough to give?
• What does it mean to teach through actions, not words?
• How can grandparents build meaningful connections from afar?
• How can listening to others strengthen our relationship with God?

Resources:

•  Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
• Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Download The Encounter app
• “10 Things Every Orthodox Parent Should Know”
• “Parenting Toward the Kingdom” by Dr. Philip Mamalakis

Have you ever yelled at your kid to stop yelling? Same. This week we're revisiting our conversation with Fr. Ted Pulcini about anger: the kind that shows up in our own kitchens and the kind we see in our culture. He traces anger back to a self-protective reflex we all share, explains why God never gets angry the way we do, and offers a question you can ask your child in the middle of a blowup.

Listen to the full episode.

Episode Recap:

• Today we're talking with Fr. Ted Pulcini about anger. (0:00)
• Why are people with a strong sense of self less threatened by people who differ from them? (1:14)
• From a Christian perspective, what's happening in us when we get angry? (3:48)
• Is anger always a sin, or is there such a thing as righteous anger? (6:59)
• Susie in Nashville asks: What should I do in the moment when one of my children is angry? (8:55)
• How do we get our kids to a heart posture of compassion instead of self-protection? (10:56)

Resources:

•  Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Download the free Discussion Guide
• Share your feedback on our Listener Survey 
• Donate to support the podcast 

There are seasons when the most honest prayer you can manage is asking God to help you get through the next hour. This week we're revisiting highlights from our conversation with Dr. Rick and Dema Esper about the year that followed Rick's stroke. Rick tells us what got him out of bed on the mornings his body wouldn't cooperate, Dema describes how gratitude took the place of pride, and both explain why apologizing to your children teaches more than any lesson on forgiveness.

Listen to the full episode.

Episode Recap:

• Today we're talking with Dr. Rick and Dema Esper about parenting through Rick's stroke and the year of recovery that followed. (0:00)
• What happened the morning Rick's stroke began? (1:00)
• What was it like for Rick to wake up in the ICU unable to move? (5:15)
• What did it take for Rick to get out of bed each morning during his recovery? (7:42)
• How did Dema find enough resolve to see them both through Rick's recovery? (8:01)
• How did Rick's anger at God eventually give way to acceptance? (10:25)
• What did Dema mean when she said suffering can lead to gratitude? (12:06)
• How does Rick apologize to his daughter when he loses his temper? (14:57)

Resources:

•  Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Download the free Discussion Guide
• Share your feedback on our Listener Survey 
• Donate to support the podcast 

Your kid begs for a new toy, plays with it for a week, and then starts begging for the next one. Rachel Cruze, a bestselling author, financial expert, and mom of four, joins us to talk about how gratitude—not more rules—can break that cycle. She explains what contentment really means, shares how small everyday moments shape kids' money habits, and responds to a parent asking how to hold the line on a tight budget.

Listen to the full episode.

Episode Recap:

• Today we're talking with Rachel Cruze about raising content kids in a culture that's always telling them to want more. (0:00)
• What does contentment actually mean, and how do we know when we've found it? (1:00)
• How did Rachel's parents teach her the value of money without ever sitting her down for a lecture? (4:21)
• Why does gratitude toward God change the way we handle money? (7:05)
• What's really driving that urge to buy something new? (8:46)
• What's the one question to ask yourself before making a purchase? (10:52)
• Christine asks: How can I cultivate contentment for my teenage boys while we're on a tight budget after my divorce? (12:26)

Resources:

•  Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Download the free Discussion Guide
• Share your feedback on our Listener Survey 
• Donate to support the podcast