Orthodox Christian Parenting

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 and responding in love—even to the people who don't agree with us. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking about anger with Father Ted Pulcini. 
• Why is anger so prevalent in our culture today?  
• What should we do when we encounter people who don’t agree with us?  
• How do we teach our kids to respond to differing opinions?  
• What is anger?  
• How can a secure identity help us avoid reacting in anger?  
• Is anger always a sin?  
• What should we do when we feel anger?  
• How can we respond when our kids are angry?  
• We don’t have to accept the world’s view of anger.   

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”

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 closer to Christ and offer practical advice on how to show up for your kids in the midst of suffering. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking about finding strength in the midst of suffering with Dr. Rick and Dema Esper. 
• What did your lives look like before everything changed?  
• Can you tell us about the stroke and your recovery process?  
• How did you find the motivation to keep going?  
• When did you realize God was transforming you through this? 
• How did you learn to find gratitude in the most difficult times?  
• What did your children learn from this experience?  
• What spiritual changes have you experienced in the years since the stroke? 
• Can you share some advice for parents going through a difficult time?  
• How did you show up for your children when you didn’t have the energy?  
• How do you stop feeling guilty for being changed by difficult circumstances?  

 
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”

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 money, this conversation will give you practical tools to use today. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

●  Today we’re talking about contentment with Rachel Cruze.

●  What does contentment mean to you?

●  Can you tell us your story of learning to connect the financial and the spiritual?

●  How did your parents’ lessons impact you as you grew up?

●  What practical strategies can parents use to teach contentment?

●  When is the right time to start having these conversations?

●  How can we protect ourselves and our kids from the comparison trap?

●  What can we do if our kids are showing signs of discontentment?

●  What’s one thing you’d recommend parents do today?

●  How can we decide what “enough” looks like?

●  How do we cultivate contentment when finances are tight?

●  How do we teach our kids contentment when we don’t feel it ourselves? 

 
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”

●  Shop Rachel’s books and journal

●  Listen to Rachel on “The Ramsey Show”

●  Follow Rachel on Instagram

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 the experience tangible for children of all ages. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here. 

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking about parenting during Holy Week with Fr. Jim and Pres. Donna Pappas. 
• What makes Holy Week so special and sacred? 
• How can we help our kids experience Holy Week tangibly, not just abstractly? 
• Lent is a joy, not a burden! 
• How might parents develop their own family traditions around Holy Week? 
• Should we bring our kids to every service? 
• What three priorities would you encourage parents to focus on? 
• How can parents balance church attendance with not overextending themselves? 
• What tips would you give to a parent who is new to the faith?  
• Don’t forget to experience Holy Week for yourself, too.

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” 

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 have all the answers. Download this week's free Discussion Guide here. 

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Father Stephen Muse about parenting in repentance.
• How can pursuing eternity transform our parenting? 
• Parenting is not about knowing the answers.
• What does it mean to parent from an attitude of repentance?  
• How do we slow down when we feel like we don’t have the margin?  
• What does moderation look like in a world that values busyness?  
• How can we keep fear from taking control in our parenting? 
• What gives you hope right now?  
• How can repentance lead to actual lasting change?  
• What advice do you have for someone struggling with patterns from their childhood?
• How should we respond if our adult children are straying from the Church?

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 and join our Lenten book club
• “10 Things Every Orthodox Parent Should Know” 
• “Parenting in Repentance” by Fr. Stephen Muse

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—including warning signs that signal we’re drifting off track.

Episode Recap:

• Today Dr. Philip Mamalakis is returning to the podcast.
• Why are children icons of Christ, and how should that impact how we treat them? 
• What does it look like to recognize Christ’s presence in the daily chaos of family life? 
• How do we build stamina as parents? 
• Can you share some tips for treating teenagers as icons of Christ? 
• What are some signs that we’re drifting off track? 
• The goal of parenting is not to be a good parent—it’s to be responsive to our children.
• How can we approach dating intentionally with our children? 
• Do you have advice for grandparents whose children aren’t part of the Church?

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
• ”Handing Down the Faith: How Parents Pass Their Religion On to the Next Generation” by Christian Smith, Amy Adamczyk, et al. 

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 path and the summit and share what it can teach us about living our daily lives in pursuit of holiness and union with God.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Paul and Cindy Karos about the goal of Orthodox Christian parenting.
• Why is helping our children pursue holiness the most important thing?
• The journey of faith is a journey toward the summit, which is union with God. 
• The path of becoming Christlike is one we’re called to follow our entire life.
• How do we teach our children to follow the path? 
• Can you share some practical examples of following the path in the context of extracurricular activities?
• How do we help kids pursue their talents while also staying close to the life of the church?
• Look at where you’re spending time and money to understand what you value. 
• How can you introduce Orthodoxy to kids for the first time? 
• There’s no better path or summit than this one! 

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” 

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 sacrificial love, letting our kids experience obstacles and more. Follow the podcast for more content like this as we kick off Season 2! 

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Father Nick and Dr. Roxanne Louh about raising resilient children.
• What inspired you to write “Renewing You”?
• How do we make space for our kids’ feelings while also setting boundaries?  
• What does it look like to build values-based boundaries?  
• How can we build resilience in our own lives?  
• Is resilience a learnable skill?  
• Why is discernment so important for kids, and how can we help them develop it? 
• How can we help kids balance sacrificial love and strength? 
• How might well-meaning parents be unintentionally hurting their kids’ resilience?

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” 
• “Renewing You” by Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh

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 parent of adult children, or even a grandparent, this episode is full of practical insights and encouragement! 

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re answering your top parenting questions with Dr. Philip Mamalakis.
• What do I do if my kids are dismissive toward me? 
• Is it ever too late to change your parenting?
• How do I respond if my adult child dates someone of a different faith? 
• What advice can you give to grandparents whose children have left the Church? 
• How do we teach our kids discernment? 
• How should we respond to and love our kids’ friends?
• What do I do when another adult corrects my child? 
• How do I best support my special needs child? 
• What do I do if my child tells me they’re questioning their sexuality? 
• How do we teach our children to be compassionate, prayerful people? 

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

Take our quick listener survey and help shape Season 2

Support Faithtree this Giving Tuesday

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 to love the Church from a young age, and reminds us that we’re probably doing better than we think. You don’t want to miss this one! 

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking about raising kids who love the church with Bishop Anthony Michaels.
• How did your parents help cement your love for the Church? 
• How can parents foster a faith community outside the walls of the Church? 
• Why do you say most parents are doing better than they think?
• Why is isolation one of the biggest dangers for young people? 
• What can parents do to help kids with feelings of loneliness? 
• How can we balance planning with surrendering control?
• How can parents help kids build a faith that’s all their own?
• Thank you, parents!

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 and shop our Black Friday sale

Take our quick listener survey and help shape Season 2