What God is Not

What God is Not episodes:

• 05.01.2024

  Despair Not

  This week Mother Natalia talks about attacks of the devil that lead to despair. She vulnerably shares some personal examples, and talks about people in her life who encouraged her during these moments of despair. Mother Natalia shares some writings...

  
• 04.24.2024

  Becoming an Altar

  This week Fr. Michael reflects on the names of Adam and Noah, how they're linked, and how they reflect the new Adam. Fr. Michael talks about becoming an altar and how we can live that out in our day-to-day lives. Want...

  
• 04.17.2024

  Weak Forever

  This week Mother Natalia comes to us with some hot takes fresh off her poustinia. She talks about fear, love, vulnerability, and weakness. She talks about each of those in our relationship with God as well as our relationship with...

  
• 04.10.2024

  Learning to Pray

  This week Fr. Michael talks about how to pray and providing suggestions to friends who ask for help in praying. He talks about how prayer methods (rote prayer, contemplative prayer, etc.) work differently for each person, but ultimately how important...

  
• 04.03.2024

  If I Knew Jesus Loved Me #SEEK24

  This week’s episode was recorded live at SEEK24. Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia are joined by Fr. Boniface Hicks. They talk about how our lives would change if we inherently knew that Jesus loved us. They talk about ways this...

  
• 03.27.2024

  Great & Holy Week Part 3

  Today we conclude our series of the liturgies for Great and Holy Week. This week’s episode covers Great and Holy Friday, Great and Holy Saturday, and Pascha Sunday. This is our 200th episode. We're so grateful to our listeners for your...

  
• 03.20.2024

  Great & Holy Week Part 2

  This week we continue our series of the liturgies for Holy Week. Today's episode covers Presanctified Liturgy on Holy Wednesday, matins for Holy Thursday, and Divine Liturgy on Holy Thursday. References: The Year of Grace of the Lord by A Monk of...

  
• 03.13.2024

  Great & Holy Week Part 1

  This week we're kicking off a three part series where we walk through the liturgies for Holy Week. Today's episode covers Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. References: The Year of Grace of the Lord by A Monk of the Eastern Church Great Lent...

  
• 03.06.2024

  Creative Almsgiving

  This week Fr. Michael reflects on the encounter of Simeon and Anna with the child Jesus when Jesus was presented in the Temple. Fr. Michael also shares some creative ideas for almsgiving that you can incorporate during the Great Fast...

  
• 02.28.2024

  The Ache Yells

  This week Mother Natalia continues her discussion from a few episodes about the ache and longing we have in our hearts for eternity. She talks about the exodus and pilgrimage through this life, the goods that we can ache and...

  
• 02.21.2024

  Collision of Themes

  On this week's episode, Fr. Michael works through some ideas he has for a homily he's giving later that day. He talks about the need to be cognizant of the work God is doing in our lives, our heads, and...

  
• 02.14.2024

  Martyrdom and Fasting

  This week Mother Natalia takes a mini-topic request on recent Byzantine saints and also talks about fasting. Her discussion on fasting covers some of the reasons she likes fasting, the ways she can grow, and then some general practicalities on...

  
• 02.07.2024

  Confusing our Prejudices

  This week Fr. Michael uses the story of Zacchaeus as inspiration for this week's episode. He talks about the childlikeness found in Zacchaeus as well as his curiosity. Fr. Michael talks about all the ways that Zacchaeus' sin is pointed...

  
• 01.31.2024

  Infallibly Belayed

  This week Mother Natalia shares about a recent experience rock climbing. She talks about healthy and unhealthy fear, recognizing the help that others around us provide, and ultimately how rock climbing relates to the spiritual life. References: Scruples and the Sacraments The Four...

  
• 01.24.2024

  Fawn and Flight with Kristin Molitor

  This week we're joined by Kristin Molitor from the Institute for Ministry Formation. Kristin talks about the fawn response to danger, perceived danger, and trauma. We talk about where the fawn response can show up in our relationships well after...

  
• 01.17.2024

  Await and Hasten

  This week Mother Natalia uses a scripture passage from 2 Peter as inspiration for her episode. She talks about being patient while waiting but also hastening towards our call, or whatever we're waiting for. We give some practical advice on...

  
• 01.10.2024

  Heroic Act of Charity

  This week Fr. Michael talks about the ordinariness lived out in a mother's vocation and her hiddenness in that ordinariness. He talks about three women who have given reflections on specific Gospel passages, and how those passages have convicted the...

  
• 01.03.2024

  What Sensitivity is Not with Fr. Boniface Hicks

  This week we're joined by special guest Fr. Boniface Hicks. Mother Natalia and Fr. Boniface talk about sensitivity. They talk about being a person who is perceived as "too sensitive" and interacting with people who are more sensitive than ourselves. References: What...

  
• 12.27.2023

  Open to Healing

  This week Mother Natalia talks about being open and vulnerable, receiving healing the Lord provides, and the general brokenness which both of them have. We talk about online personalities and how the personalities should not become our end-all be-all in...

  
• 12.20.2023

  Mourning Well

  This week Fr. Michael expands on a mini-topic request on the death of infants. We talk about death and mourning, the various hymns of farewell used, why limbo came to be a concept, and the reality of evil and death. References: The...

  
• 12.13.2023

  Embodiment and Rancour

  This week Mother Natalia reflects on two different encounters she recently had. The encounters led her to reflect on being Jesus to others and gently evangelizing others. References: Evil Thoughts Five through Eight (the one about anger) The Philokalia Volume 2 Father Michael and...

  
• 12.06.2023

  Vesting Bishops

  We're in person this week! This week Father Michael walks through the prayers that are said as a bishop is vested at a hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Plus we've got a minitopic on confession. References: CSYSK Episode on Priestly Vesting Prayers Lord of the...

  
• 11.29.2023

  Serving the Servant

  This week we're joined by Alex from Voice of Reason! We recorded this episode live at the Metropolitan Assembly in New Jersey. Fr. Michael and Alex talk about living a life of service and holiness, imitating the holy people around...

  
• 11.22.2023

  Light: An Eastern Perspective

  This week Mother Natalia and Fr. Michael talk about places in scripture where we see the theme of light as they reflect on SEEK24’s theme of Be the Light. References: Romans 13:12 1 John 1:5-7 John 4:7-42 Hymns for the feast of the Theophany...

  
• 11.15.2023

  The Ache Speaks with Mother Petra

  This week we're joined by special guest, Mother Petra! Mother Petra and Mother Natalia talk about experiencing an ache for beauty and how that ache can be given to us by God. We talk a lot about C.S. Lewis, a...

  
• 11.08.2023

  Wyoming Byzantine Catholic

  This week we're joined by special guest Kyle Washut, president of Wyoming Catholic College. We talk about how our relationships across all areas of life impact each other, the founding of Wyoming Catholic College, and what it's like to intentionally...

  
• 11.01.2023

  Byzantine Stuff You Should Know

  We've got a crossover episode! Fr. Michael records this week with Fr. Mike Rapp from Catholic Stuff You Should Know. Fr. Mike asks Fr. Michael all the questions about Byzantine tradition and practices. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and...

  
• 10.25.2023

  Courage in the Cross

  This week Fr. Michael reflects on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. In this feast, we shower the cross in the church with flowers to show the significance and importance of the feast. Fr. Michael talks about the...

  
• 10.18.2023

  Useless but not Worthless

  This week Mother Natalia talks about usefulness vs worthlessness. Our worth is not found in what we do but who we are. This is certainly a hard topic for us to process and we need reminded of this regularly. We also...

  
• 10.11.2023

  Garments of Skin

  This week Fr. Michael talks about the parable of the wedding banquet found in Matthew, another scripture passage that has confused both him and Mother Natalia. We talk about inspiration we've had from the passage, linking it back to the...

  
• 10.04.2023

  Hot Mess Hot Takes

  This week Mother Natalia talks about the Protoevangelion of James and walks through some of the tradition found within it. We talk about traditions jointly shared between the Eastern and Western churches, and some of the traditions that are believed...

  
• 09.27.2023

  Ministering to Monsters

  Today's episode is inspired by an episode from The Symbolic World. Fr. Michael uses the Pentecost for the Zombie Apocalypse episode to talk about ministering to those in the world and meeting people where they're at in their lives. References: Pentecost for...

  
• 09.20.2023

  Check Yes or No

  This week we're joined by special guest  Rachel Schmitt who is our Operations Manager. Rachel and Mother Natalia talk about saying yes in generosity and no in prudence when we're asked to do something. They talk about aligning your will...

  
• 09.13.2023

  You Should Know Ephrem

  This week Fr. Michael talks about St. Ephrem, or St. Ephraim depending on your spelling preference. He highlights some key facts that we should all know about this great saint. References: Cereal and the Prayer of St. Ephraim Serial (2 of 2) and...

  
• 09.06.2023

  Tenderness

  This week Mother Natalia talks about tenderness and ways we experience the tender heart of the Father and Our Lady.  She talks about the ways she's experienced tenderness from Fr. Michael and Fr. Boniface, tenderness in spiritual direction, and tenderness...

  
• 08.30.2023

  Fear of the Lord

  This week Fr. Michael continues his topic from last week on fear of the Lord. We talk about what the fear of the Lord is, what it is not, and how it's misunderstood. References: Episode 1 - Be Not Afraid Follow and Contact...

  
• 08.24.2023

  Be Not Afraid

  This week's episode is part one of two on Fear of the Lord. Fr. Michael talks about self-reliance, relying on God, and not being afraid to ask for help. Tune in next week for part two! References: Lord of the Spirits Podcast Bridegroom's...

  
• 08.16.2023

  The Light of His Eyes with Mother Iliana

  This week we're joined by Mother Iliana who has released a new book, The Light of His Eyes. We talk about how the book came to be, some concepts from the book, and ways Mother Iliana  has seen the Lord...

  
• 08.09.2023

  Invitations to Chaste Leadership

  This week Fr. Michael talks about Alive in Christ, an aesthetical boot camp for Byzantine Catholic young men. He talks about the idea for the camp, the structure, and the ways that he sees the boys grow as leaders. Fr....

  
• 08.02.2023

  Extravagant, Prodigal, Reckless Love

  This week Mother Natalia reflects on God's extravagance with us, our extravagance with Him, and our extravagance with each other. She gives examples of extravagance from Scripture and we have a mini-topic at the end of the episode. Follow and Contact...

  
• 07.26.2023

  Marian Apparitions and Miracles

  This week Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about Marian apparitions, the Catholic belief surrounding Mary, and their interactions and experiences with the Mother of God. Thank you to our patrons on Patreon for suggesting the topic! References: Prelest For Little Eyes by...

  
• 07.19.2023

  Scruples and the Sacraments

  This week Mother Natalia talks about her recent poustinia camping experience with Sister Onuphria. We hear about the general humanness of the experience, but then Mother Natalia is able to relate it to the spiritual life and scrupulosity. References: The Spiritual Life...

  
• 07.12.2023

  God's-Will Sized Family with Sean and Rebecca O'

  This week we're joined by Sean and Rebecca O'Loughlin, brother and sister-in-law of Father Michael. We talk about their early friendship and dating, realizing love for each other, and family life. We also talk about pregnancies and births, both easier...

  
• 07.05.2023

  Love Cuts Deep

  This week Mother Natalia reflects on her recent retreat which used some of the steps from AA as inspiration. She talks about discovering ways in which she bargains with God on giving up certain sins, and talks about the hurt...

  
• 06.28.2023

  Our Beautiful Faith

  On today's episode, Fr. Michael reflects on his recent trip to the Holy Land. He talks about community found in our faith and seeking the truth. Fr. Michael talks about the different ways we can be led to the faith,...

  
• 06.21.2023

  Untwisting Intentions

  On today's episode Fr. Michael talks about seeing good in the midst of negative interactions with people. He talks about how God created everything good and how when we sin we're still seeking the good. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on...

  
• 06.14.2023

  Always Seeking What is Good

  Today Mother Natalia reflects on Pentecost, the return of praying the Heavenly King prayer, and kneeling and penance that is reintroduced after the celebration of Pentecost. Plus we’ve got a mini-topic on angels! Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and...

  
• 06.07.2023

  How Do You Talk to Jesus?

  This week Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about prayer. Mother Natalia talks a little bit about what the term "spousal prayer" means at her monastery. We talk about the "outcome" of prayer and advancing in prayer. References: Beginning to Pray by...

  
• 05.31.2023

  Be Yourself. Be Present. Be Healed.

  This week Mother Natalia talks about healing, living in the present moment, and allowing Our Lord to work in the present reality. 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...

  
• 05.24.2023

  Multiplication and Metanoia

  This week Father Michael links the story of the loaves and the fishes to the story of the Samaritan woman. He talks about how we can see God working in our lives and differentiating that from the "work that we're...