Orthodox Christian Parenting

Your child asks who St. John Chrysostom is, and you realize you know the Liturgy is his and not much else. How do you introduce your kids to someone you barely know yourself? In this episode, we talk with Fr. George Dokos about who the Church Fathers and Mothers are and how their wisdom can guide our lives today. He shares some simple steps for getting started with young children and finding a saint whose story draws you in—without it feeling like homework. Download this week’s free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Fr. George Dokos about why the Church Fathers matter.
• Who are the Church Fathers and Mothers?
• How should we think about the teachings of the Church Fathers?
• Why were you drawn to St. Nikodemos?
• How can we help our kids discover the Church Fathers?
• How do the Fathers and Mothers pass down wisdom?
• What role should Tradition play in our reading of the Bible?
• Where can we start today?

Resources:

• Follow and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
• Download this week’s free Discussion Guide
• “Made for Union” by Fr. George Dokos
• “Paterikon for Kids” book series
• “Wounded by Love” by St. Porphyrios
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Preorder “Raising Orthodox Christians”
• Download The Encounter app
• Help us shape season 4

You’ve always prayed that your kids will grow up to love and serve the Church. But are you so focused on who they’ll become that you’re overlooking the role they can play right now? In this episode, we talk with Fr. Gary Kyriacou about raising kids who love the Church—not just someday, but today. He shares real-life examples of the ways our children can serve at any age and reminds us they’re learning from how we live. Download this week’s free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Fr. Gary Kyriacou about the role our children can play in the Church right now, not just someday.
• What was it like to come back and serve the church you grew up in?
• What’s the problem with saying that children are the future?
• How do we help our kids embrace the Church as their own?
• What does it look like to teach our children stewardship?
• How do we help our kids find their unique role?
• What pitfalls should parents try to avoid?
• Should we push our kids if they don’t want to be involved?
• If my son is shy, how can I encourage him to get involved in the Church?
• What should I do if my teenagers are pulling away 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
• Get the Divine Liturgy course

Your daughter says she’s the only one in her friend group who isn’t allowed to wear a two-piece bathing suit. You’ve said no, but is that the Church’s teaching—or just your gut? In this episode, we talk with Kh. Susan Wallace, who has raised three daughters and taught many women about their identity as the Bride of Christ. She shares how to talk about modesty at different ages, raise sons who treat girls with respect and respond when your kids compare your rules to another family’s. Download this week’s free Discussion Guide here.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Kh. Susan Wallace about teaching our children modesty.
• Why is identity the first step in conversations about modesty?
• How do we teach humility, and why is that so important?
• Why does it matter what we wear?
• What does it mean to dress for eternity?
• How can women and girls escape the trap of comparison?
• Is it OK for Christians to care about fashion?
• Where do we start teaching modesty?
• What role does confidence play, especially in the digital age?
• Why do you recommend that preteens and teens have mentors?
• How do we support our kids as they become adults?
• How do we talk about other people’s choices without being judgmental?
• Can you share some advice for talking to boys about modesty and respect?
• Where should we start the modesty conversation with young children?

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
• Preorder “Raising Orthodox Christians” by Cindy and Paul Karos
• Download the free “What Is Your Family Climbing Toward?” Check-In
• “Good Pictures Bad Pictures” by Kristen A. Jenson

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 onApple,Spotify orYouTube
• 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 onApple,Spotify orYouTube
• 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 onApple,Spotify orYouTube
• 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 onApple,Spotify orYouTube
• 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 onApple,Spotify orYouTube
• 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 onApple,Spotify orYouTube
• 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 onApple,Spotify orYouTube
• 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 onApple,Spotify orYouTube
• 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 onApple,Spotify orYouTube
• Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
• Download the free Discussion Guide
• Share your feedback on our Listener Survey
• Donate to support the podcast

One of you is strict, the other is more relaxed, and the kids are watching you sort it out in real time. In this episode, we revisit a favorite conversation with Cindy and Paul Karos about the Middle Way, the Orthodox practice of finding the path between two extremes. They explain how spouses who disagree can learn from each other, share a plan for scaling back an overloaded family calendar and offer practical advice on how to decide which shows are worth your kids' attention.

Listen to the full episode.

Episode Recap:

• Today we're talking with Cindy and Paul Karos about the Middle Way. (0:00)
• What is the Middle Way, and why do the church fathers teach it as a tool? (1:01)
• If humility is the middle, what do the two extremes look like? (2:30)
• Is the Middle Way just for the virtues, or does it apply to everyday areas of life like sports and screen time? (4:01)
• What false summits does the world tell us to chase, and why aren't they the goal? (5:55)
• What are the two extremes on entertainment, and what does the middle look like? (8:59)
• What do we do when we realize we've overcommitted as a family? (9:50)
• Hiba in Pennsylvania asks: How do we find the Middle Way together when one of us leans stricter and the other more relaxed? (12:06)

Resources:

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

If you believe that being a Christian means a clean house, well-behaved kids and mostly happy feelings, this week's episode with Dr. Philip Mamalakis may come as a relief. We're counting down to the launch of season three by revisiting some of the most practical moments from our archives, and this conversation is one of our favorites. Dr. Mamalakis explains why peace isn't the absence of chaos, shares why our kids need a peaceful mother more than a spotless home and reminds us that naming our guilt out loud can loosen its grip.

Listen to the full episode.

Episode Recap:

• Today we're talking with Dr. Philip Mamalakis about how to stay peaceful when life at home feels chaotic. (0:00)
• How do we stay focused on the sacredness of parenting in the middle of chaos? (1:25)
• What's a practical way to let go of wanting an Instagram-worthy home? (3:16)
• Can our kids have both a clean house and a peaceful mother? (5:25)
• How do we deal with the guilt and shame of feeling like we're failing everyone? (7:27)
• Why can't we heal from what we can't see? (10:35)
• What does Christ's peace look like on a night when nothing is going right? (11:49)
• How can a broken washing machine become part of our path to the kingdom of God? (12:40)

Resources:

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

If you've ever sat across from a doctor and heard news you weren't prepared for, you know how quickly your world can come apart. This week we're revisiting some of the most meaningful moments from our conversation with Elias and Joy Hajjar, whose daughter needed her first heart surgery at a week old and a transplant years later. They tell the story of a priest who came to pray over her in the middle of the night, explain what it looks like to show up well for a family in crisis and offer encouragement to any parent sitting in a hospital room today.

Listen to the full episode.

Episode Recap:

• Today we're talking with Elias and Joy Hajjar about loving a child through a medical crisis. (0:00)
• What did the doctors tell you the first night of Rosie's life? (0:57)
• What was it like to see your newborn after her first heart surgery? (2:03)
• How do you keep going when nothing in your life has prepared you for this? (3:58)
• What words got you through that first week? (4:59)
• Tell us about the night in the ICU when a priest came to pray over Rosie. (5:45)
• What happened when you reached out to your donor's family? (8:51)
• What was it like to meet the family whose son saved Rosie's life? (11:23)
• What do you want to say to a parent sitting in a hospital room right now? (15:52)

Resources:

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

Ask most people what school is for, and they'll say it's about getting into a good college and landing a well-paying job. But Liz Caddow, founder and head of school at Trinity Classical Academy, says school is really about who our children are becoming. In these highlights from our full conversation with her, she shares the advice she now gives mothers of teenage sons, explains how education forms the whole child—heart, mind and soul—and reflects on what our children lose when we step in to rescue them.

Listen to the full episode.

Episode Recap:

• Today we're talking with Liz Caddow about why school is about more than what our children are learning. (0:00)
• What does it mean to think of education as formation? (0:54)
• What is virtue, and what does it have to do with schooling? (3:03)
• What advice does Liz give parents of junior high and high school boys? (5:11)
• What does it look like for a dad to take the lead with his son? (6:20)
• Why is it so hard to let our children fail? (6:55)

Resources:

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

If you've ever apologized to your spouse in front of your kids, you've taught them something about forgiveness no lecture ever could. This week's episode revisits some of the best parts of our full conversation with Paul and Karen Kinan, who joined us to talk about how a strong marriage helps kids learn to love God and each other. They explain why the love between a husband and wife outweighs a lot of parenting mistakes, share what they'd change about their Sundays if they could go back, and reflect on what happens in a home when kindness gets offered before it's felt.

Listen to the full episode.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking with Paul and Karen Kinan about what your marriage teaches your children. (0:00)
• How do the friends you spend time with change the way you see your spouse? (1:23)
• What happens in a marriage when one person serves the other without being asked? (3:03)
• How do children learn strength and gentleness from watching their parents? (5:12)
• Why is loving your spouse one of the most important things you can do for your kids? (5:52)
• What if you don't feel like being kind to the person you're irritated with? (6:33)
• Why does apologizing first take more strength than standing your ground? (8:08)
• What does it look like to apologize when you know you were right? (10:01)
• What would Paul change about his family's Sundays if he could go back? (10:48)
• How do you help a child who doesn't want to be in church? (13:45)

Resources:

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

If you've ever struggled to keep a wiggly four-year-old quiet during the Anaphora, you know how easily our sense of success as parents can get tangled up with how our kids behave. This week's episode revisits some of the best moments from our full conversation with Dr. Philip Mamalakis, who joined us to talk about what success really looks like for Orthodox Christian parents. He walks through how to handle a meltdown in church without losing your peace, why asking questions works better than lecturing, and how modeling our own mistakes as parents might be one of the best gifts we can give our kids.

Listen to the full episode.

Episode Recap:

• Today we're talking with Dr. Philip Mamalakis about what success really looks like for Orthodox Christian parents. (0:00)
• What's the real win for us as Orthodox Christian parents? (0:52)
• What does long-term success look like for our children? (2:13)
• How do we stay peaceful when our own kids are the ones melting down in church? (5:10)
• Why does asking questions work better than lecturing? (7:32)
• How can modeling our own mistakes prepare our kids for adulthood? (8:58)

Resources:

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

If you've ever snapped at your child over nothing and then watched their face fall, you know how much damage one harsh word can do. This week's episode revisits some of the best moments from our full conversation with Father Stephen Muse, who joined us to talk about repentance. He tells a personal story about repairing a hard moment with his grandson, walks through how fear can quietly take over a household, and explains how our own children often help us heal the exiled parts of ourselves.

Listen to the full episode.

Episode Recap:

• Today we're talking with Father Stephen Muse about repentance, fear, and healing within our families. (0:00)
• What does it look like to repent to your own child after a moment of harshness? (0:44)
• How does fear take hold of our inner life, and how do we keep it in its place? (3:09)
• George in Michigan asks: How do we repent of patterns we didn't choose but still carry into our parenting? (5:21)

Resources:

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