This week Fr. Michael talks about anamnesis and relates it to our day-to-day life. He talks about the origins of anamnesis in Liturgy and how we can remember the good God has done in our individual prayers. He also talks about epiclesis and the...

This week we start out with a mini-topic on the icon of the Trinity. Then for the main topic, Fr. Michael reflects on a prayer that is said during matins where we beg God to save us through the intercession of the holy martyrs. He relates the i...

We're joined again this week by special guest, Fr. Chris. Fr. Chris is back with us to talk about Tolkien and Lord of the Rings. Fr. Chris talks about the difference between authority and power; mind and forming matter vs mind over matter; and ...

This week we're joined by special guest, Fr. Chris Seith. Mother Natalia and Fr. Chris talk about Aragorn's Today is Not that Day speech and how it relates to the spiritual life. Fr. Chris talks about some of Tolkien's intentions in wr...

This week Fr. Michael reflects on nostalgia, and the ways it can be manifest in both good and bad ways. He talks about how nostalgia is a way of thinking about the transcendent that we experienced in the past, which is ultimately our longing fo...

This week Fr. Michael reflects on Psalm 63, which he has felt the Lord calling him to give as a penance in confession. Fr. Michael walks through some of the verses in the Psalm and contemplates some ways we can link the passages to our daily li...

This week Mother Natalia and Fr. Michael reflect on the entrance of their friend and spiritual daughter, Maddie, into Christ the Bridegroom Monastery. Mother Natalia then reflects on one of her favorite stichera that we sing during the Nativity...

This week Fr. Michael reflects on a passage in Luke where Jesus encounters the man living with the legion of demons, which he then casts out. He talks about how the devil twists the truth and beauty and the world, perverting it which leads to s...

This Mother Natalia talks about her recent experience on a long run and how that compares to the spiritual life. She breaks down her run into three parts, each of them equating to us persevering in holiness.References:

This week Fr. Michael takes inspiration from Matthew's gospel to talk about Jesus not being accepted as a prophet in his own home. Fr. Michael takes this further to talk about the ways we can be jealous of others, even of the good that they're ...

This week Mother Natalia shares something that she asked for in prayer. She shares how that impacted her as she tried to remember that as she went about her day. Mother Natalia makes a suggestion to us on how to incorporate this into our lives ...

This week Fr. Michael unpacks two scripture passages that many find hard to receive, especially with our knowledge that God is good and loving.References:

This week we're joined by special guest, Bree Solstad. Bree is a new member of the podcast team and works as our video editor.In today's episode, Bree surprises Mother Natalia by telling her why she loves her. This conversation expands ...

This week we're joined by special guest, Bree Solstad. Bree recently joined the podcast team as our video editor. Thanks Bree!Mother Natalia, Bree, and Fr. Michael talk about responding to loss. This can be as the person who experiences...

This week Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about SEEK and their theme "Follow Me." They reflect on their experience at SEEK last year as well as the patron saint for SEEK25, St. Joan of Arc.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us ...

This week we're joined by special guests Sandy and Therese. Sandy and Fr. Michael talk a little about Humanality, a group that Sandy helps run. Then Fr. Michael, Sandy, and Therese share about the forming of the outreach from the Proto-Cathedra...

This week Mother Natalia uses this episode to prepare for a talk she's giving. She talks about accepting the state in which you find yourself. She uses some quotes from St. Faustina to help illustrate the point of keeping close to God in the mi...

This week Fr. Michael talks about some of the hidden sacrifices of parents. Fr. Michael talks about the hermeneutics of moms and dads with two separate stories of parents he knows who are living out their ordinary vocation.There's also ...

This week we're joined by special guest Dr. Gerry Crete. Dr. Gerry and Mother Natalia talk about some of their favorite Star Trek episodes and how they relate to parts work.References:

This week Mother Natalia reflects on two listener emails. One talks about welcoming people at church and the ways we can be stretched. Another talks about recognizing the humanity in Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia in the beginning episode bante...

This week Fr. Michael talks about the various aspects of Jesus we can encounter in confession. He highlights Jesus as healer, teacher, and judge. Fr. Michael talks about how we can naturally limit our understanding of Jesus to just those three ...

This week Mother Natalia reflects on self-worth despite no visible evidence of contribution to the greater good. This comes after she got COVID and struggled with fatigue, which impacted her day-to-day operations at the monastery.Ref...

This week Fr. Michael takes inspiration from a parishioner who asked for grace from his family as he was going to have a difficult week. Fr. Michael talks about the need for patience and grace that we all should be giving to our family members,...

This week Mother Natalia takes a mini-topic suggestion from one of our Patreon supporters and talks about it for a full episode! She talks about attachments to people, including family and celebrities, and how those can be wrongly ordered. She ...

Today we're joined by special guest Ivy Gates. Ivy and Fr. Michael met each other on the #redbusbestbus during a Holy Land pilgrimage.Ivy talks about authenticity and it's importance in her life. Fr. Michael shares some examples of Ivy ...