Family Matters

Fr Alex Goussetis offers an encouraging message on how the parables of Jesus can impact our family's spiritual life.

Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Dn. Stephen Muse on what makes for a healthy and vital marriage.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with an "anonymous" guest on the blessings and travails of being a wife and mother in a step-family.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Matushka Wendy Cwiklinski, founder of the private Facebook group "Koinonia for Exceptional Orthodox Families," about her family's experience of misconceptions of behaviors related to invisible disabilities, the difficult decision to speak on and publish material about such, the gift that persons with disabilities are to their "typical" community members, and more!

Fr. Alex Goussetis offers a book review and encouragement to consider using this workbook during the upcoming Advent season.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Evelyn Bilias Lolis on how to recognize the emotional needs of our children and methods of responding with tenderness and compassion.

Presvytera Melanie shares a personal reflection on how recognizing the fragility of life can make us more thankful for the idiosyncrasies of our loved ones.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Jennifer Hock about her experience as a parent of both biological and adopted children with a variety of special needs, and the challenges of being a foster parent with limited access to medical history. She shares how attending weekly weekday liturgies at the encouragement of a parish priest was like a "hospital stay" for her, providing yearned-for peace and a transformation of goals.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Susan Zacharia-Sanders on the practical and emotional dimensions of suicide that families face when a loved one is considering taking their life.

Fr. John and Khouria Alexis discuss how they had a "long distance relationship" until the past year, and how intentional communication, even when they didn't feel like it, got them through all the time apart. They also discuss how marriage is constant important work and how they figured out how to fight by deciphering whether issues were really about each other or about other things.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Charlotte Riggle about her familial experience of invisible disabilities; how she came to see God's commandment to not bear false witness against one's neighbor as the virtue of philoxenia—the love of strangers—the Giant Cookie Test; and the value of online support for families with special needs.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr George Stavros about rising above the sometimes routine and drudgery of daily life and experiencing sacred moments of transcendence, boundlessness, interconnectedness, and spiritual grace.

Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr. Philip Mamalakis on the trends in society and what conversations we can encourage with our children.

Anna and James discuss how they met at the Naval Academy, how they see their differing Christian faith backgrounds (Orthodox and Catholic) as an opportunity instead of a hinderance, how their combined military experience and James' deployment in Afghanistan have shaped their perspective on what real “problems and challenges" are in life, and how they maximize their time together despite their different jobs in the Coast Guard and Marine Corps.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with social worker Melinda Johnson regarding the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America’s Directory of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals, an excellent resource for families.

In "Out of the Mouths of Babes You Have Perfected Praise: A Discussion at the Intersection of Anthropology and Theology," Presvytera Melanie speaks with Sarah Riccardi-Swartz about her involvement with disability rights, how her Autistic daughter further developed her advocacy role, the need for the Church to listen to and incorporate the stories of those with disabilities and their guardians to develop a theology of disability, and the pure-hearted offerings to God in triumphant "Amens!" and Daniel Tiger songs.

Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Prevytera Melanie DiStefano about the launching of a new podcast series that is dedicated to special needs families.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Matt and Louise Heusel on medical practitioners' adverse reactions to prenatal discoveries of disabilities and the pressure put on parents to abort their children, how their daughter with Down Syndrome has enriched their family life, and the special gifts she contributes to their parish family.

Presvytera Melanie continues her conversation with William Christy, this time including his father and mother, Father Paul and Presvytera Mary, and his twin sister, Gabriella. Each family member shares their personal perspective related to William's diagnosis of cerebral palsy—the joys, challenges, and the way their love for God and his love for them was made manifest through their experiences.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh on theological "whys" of disability, the need for all of us to learn an etiquette regarding disability, and his exhilarating experience on an OCF Real Break mission trip when visiting "The Four Homes of Mercy," a group home for persons with disabilities.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Presvytera Elaine Stavropoulos regarding her daughter's Autism diagnosis, and the ministry to families with disabilities which blossomed forth as a result.

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Natalie Kapeluck Nixon, the Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and founder of the St. Nicholas Program, a church camp experience for persons with special needs of all ages, and their families. https://www.uocyouth.org/stnicholasprogram

William Christy - On Faith, Wheelchair Basketball, and How The Teachings of the Fathers Shape His Response to His Disability Presvytera Melanie speaks with William Christy about being a young adult with cerebral palsy, a PK (priest's kid), his love for English literature, wheelchair basketball, and how the teachings of the Fathers of the Church encourage him and inform his worldview.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Philip Mamalakis on the trends in society and what conversations we can encourage with our children.

Meet Bruce & Natalie Batson, an Orthodox couple from Indiana who have been married for 4 years with three children from Bruce’s previous marriage. They discuss moving across the country after meeting once, going from Buddhism to Orthodoxy via YouTube, what it’s like being a blended family, the emotional struggle that comes with being a step-parent, and how they overcome challenges that arise in life.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Martie Johnson on social and faith perspectives of racism and conversations to consider with our families.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Timothy Pavlatos on Scriptural and Patristic resources, as well as practical suggestions, on the impact of judging others, being judged, and judging ourselves.

Meet Athanasia and Niko, an Orthodox couple from Colorado who have been married for 8 years with 2 children. They discuss how they struggled in their first years of marriage, dealing with stay-at-home mom “guilt," how doing activities together is important for their marital bond, and finding that "magic button" for communication.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Vasilia Vamvakis on the challenges and opportunities of balancing the demands of family and career.

Mari & Despina interview Fr. Kosmas & Anna Kallis, a clergy couple who have been married for almost 8 years with 2 children (their youngest was born just weeks after this podcast was recorded). Fr. Kosmas & Anna discuss the joys of being seen by their children, the struggle with the loss of freedom in parenting, and how structuring/scheduling each week is important for marital connection.

Mari & Despina interview Evvie & Justin Tillich, a dynamic Orthodox couple who have been married for almost 15 years with 3 children. Evvie & Justin discuss their parenting philosophies and the joys and challenges they have experienced in their marriage and family life.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Leonard Herrem, a marriage & family therapist and parish priest, on the challenges and opportunities presented by Covid on relationships.

Welcome to the newest series on Family Matters called Spotlight on Orthodox Families! Once a month Mari McMullen and Despina Ellis will be interviewing couples from around the country in order to share the stories and lives of Orthodox families as a source of support and inspiration to others. In this first episode, Mari & Despina interview each other in a "Get to Know Your Hosts" segment.

Fr Alex Goussetis interviews Paulette Geanacopoulos, licensed social worker and Director of Social Services for the Greek Orthodox Philoptochos Society, on the warning signs and resources available for victims of domestic violence.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Mena Mirhom, an Orthodox psychiatrist, on what families need to consider when discussing pharmaceutical options, and how to integrate our Orthodox Christian faith into the decision-making process.

Fr Alex Goussetis offers analysis and praise for an excellent resource for strengthening your marriage relationship

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Presvytera Mary Christy, a licensed CPA, on establishing a financial plan for your future.

Fr Alex Goussetis offers a reflection on the breads of the world, the Eucharist, and a family activity for this holiday week.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Kristi Marx, a clinical social worker, regarding the issues facing the growing senior population and how families can respond.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Stavros Akrotirianakis on the impact of encouragement on our marriages, families, and our own souls.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Ioana Popa and Sebastien Falardeau on navigating through the many facets of grief, especially during this time of the pandemic.

Fr Alex Goussetis offers a reflection on the medical and theological effects of loneliness, and by contrast, the benefits of community life.

Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Steven and Anastasia Valassis on the challenges and blessings of the crisis on marriage and family life.

Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Dn. Joseph Clark on his experience of race, racism, interracial marriage, and serving in the Orthodox Church.

Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr David Alexander on the spiritual wisdom of the recently glorified St Sophrony of Essex and the impact on marriage & family life.

Fr Alex Gousstis offers a brief reflection, including questions for discussion, on parenting styles and decision-making in our families

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Theodore Petrides regarding the power, effectiveness, and inspiration of sharing the stories of saints with our children.

Fr. Alex Goussetis interviews Eddie Bocanegra, who offers his amazing journey from inmate to Orthodox Christian to community leader.

Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Michael Shanbour on his newly published book for pre-teen children, and how parents can use this resource to educate and illuminate their families.

Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Christine Chambers-Monkowski on the practical, medical, and emotional dimensions of organ donation that families should consider.