That Orthodox Mama’s Show
That Orthodox Mama’s Show is where faith meets real life. Join Stefani as she explores Orthodox Christianity, marriage, parenthood, and purpose — with honest reflections and conversations to help us grow closer to Christ in today’s world.
Episodes
Ep. 28: Staying Close to Christ in College
College can be an incredible season of growth, but it can also bring new freedom, new friendships, new pressures, and new temptations. For many young adults, it may be the first time they have to truly choose for themselves what role their Orthodox faith will have in their lives.In this episode, I share practical ways to keep Christ at the center of your college years and beyond. And for the paren
Ep. 27: Redeemed: Saints Who Were Transformed by Christ
No one is too far gone for Christ.In this episode, I look at the incredible stories of St. Paul, St. Mary of Egypt, St. Moses the Black, and St. Polydoros—four very different lives that remind us of the transforming power of repentance and redemption through Christ.Our past does not have to define our future. In Christ, we can become new. Whether we feel lost, unworthy, or far from God, the lives
Ep. 26: Orthodoxy FAQs: Prayer Ropes
You’ve probably seen an Orthodox Christian wearing a prayer rope. But what is it actually for, and how are we supposed to use one?In this latest edition of my Orthodoxy FAQs series, we’re talking all about the prayer rope: what it is, where the tradition comes from, why the knots and colors have meaning, and how it can help us grow in prayer.The prayer rope isn’t jewelry or something magical, but
Ep. 25: Are You Making Time for God?
If someone looked at your daily schedule, would they see that Christ is at the center of your life?In my last solo episode, I talked about why we belong in church. But what happens after Sunday? We attend Divine Liturgy, and then what?In this episode, I share practical ways to keep Christ at the center of our lives every day. But I'm certainly not speaking as someone who has this all figured o
Ep. 24: Keeping Christ at the Center as Working Parents
Between work, raising children, keeping up with the home, and everything else that fills our days, how do we make sure Christ doesn't get pushed to the side?In this episode, my husband Polydoros joins me to answer a listener question about balancing work, family, and our Orthodox Christian faith.We certainly don’t have it all figured out, and we’re learning each and every day. But together, we
Ep. 23: Don't Give Up on Church
Whether you've never been to church or it's been years since you've walked through the doors, this episode is for you.Have you ever found yourself wanting to grow closer to God, yet struggling to make it to church consistently?In this episode, I share why church attendance matters, what the research says about its impact on our well-being, and why gathering for worship is essential to the Orthodox
Ep. 22: Finding What Was Lost: The Story of Saint Phanourios
Have you ever lost something and prayed for help finding it?In this episode, I share the incredible story of Saint Phanourios, the beloved Orthodox saint known for revealing what is lost. We’ll explore the miraculous discovery of his icon among the ruins of a church on the island of Rhodes, and why Orthodox Christians turn to him for his intercession. I also share a recent personal experience of
Ep. 21: Faithful Marriage in Today’s World with Father Panteleimon Papadopoulos
The strongest marriages aren't the ones without problems...They're the ones that face them with Christ ☦️In this episode, I sit down with Father Panteleimon Papadopoulos of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Resurrection in Brookville, New York to discuss what faithful marriage looks like in today's world.We discuss what happens spiritually when a husband and wife are married in the
Ep. 20: Discipline in the Orthodox Christian Life
Why is discipline harder than ever?In this episode, my husband and I sit down to discuss discipline in the Orthodox Christian life and the challenges Christians face in a world filled with distractions, technology, and instant gratification.We share some of the spiritual disciplines that have most impacted our faith, including prayer, fasting, reading the Scriptures, church attendance, confession,
Ep. 19: The Proverbs 31 Woman
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” — Proverbs 31:30 ☦️In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation about the Proverbs 31 woman and what this passage has personally meant to me throughout different seasons of my life.This passage isn’t meant to be a checklist of perfection or a reason to feel like we are falling short. It’s an image of w
Ep. 18: Living Alcohol-Free as an Orthodox Christian
Today, I’m sharing a more personal conversation about my journey living alcohol-free as an Orthodox Christian. I open up about my own past with alcohol, why I ultimately decided to stop drinking, and the physical, emotional, and spiritual changes I experienced throughout that journey. Most importantly, I reflect on what the Lord has shown me through it all. This episode is in no way meant to conde
Ep 17: Orthodoxy FAQs: Wedding Edition
Have you ever wondered why Orthodox couples wear crowns during the wedding ceremony? Why they walk around the table three times, hold candles, or don’t exchange vows?In this episode of my Orthodoxy FAQs series, I explore some of the most meaningful traditions within the Orthodox wedding ceremony and the spiritual symbolism behind them.This episode is especially beneficial for newly engaged and mar
Ep. 16: Navigating Difficulties As An Orthodox Couple
In this episode, I’m joined by my husband Polydoros as we have an honest and heartfelt conversation about navigating the difficulties of marriage through our Orthodox faith.We reflect on what it means to remain a team in Christ, especially in challenging seasons, and learning to let struggles refine our marriage rather than harden it. We talk about expectations vs. reality, extending grace to one
Ep. 15: The Power of a Praying Mother
“When mothers pray, hell trembles…”-Saint Paisios the AthoniteThis episode is a personal reflection on prayer in motherhood, during the busyness, long days, good and hard times, and all the moments in between.I share with you some encouragement from Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Paisios, as well as some of my own experiences so we can try to stay faithful everyday as strong mothers in Christ.If
Ep 14: Orthodoxy FAQs: Fasting Edition
Have you ever wondered why we fast from certain foods? Why we abstain from meat and dairy on Wednesdays and Fridays?In this episode of my Orthodoxy FAQs series, I walk through some of the most common questions about fasting as an Orthodox Christian and the meaning behind these sacred practices.Whether you’re a new convert, an inquirer, or have been Orthodox your entire life, this conversation offe
Ep 13: The Real Work of Lent with Father Demetrios Kazakis
When many people think about Lent, the focus immediately goes to food… what we’re giving up, what’s on our plate, and whether we’re “keeping the fast.”But the fast was never meant to stop there.In this episode, I sit down with Father Demetrios Kazakis of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Paul in Hempstead, NY, for a thoughtful conversation about the deeper purpose of Lent and what the Church i
Ep 12: Spiritual Encouragement for the Emotionally Burnt Out
Are you exhausted… but not just physically?In this episode, my husband Polydoros and I are talking about burnout — what it actually is, why so many of us (especially young adults and parents) are feeling it, and how it’s quietly affecting our relationships, our homes, and even our walk with Christ.While the term originally described workplace stress, many of us are experiencing it in parenthood, m
Ep 11: Finding a Godly Spouse
What’s guiding your dating decisions right now? We talk a lot about finding “the one.” But we don’t talk enough about discernment.Why don’t we think about this when we’re dating? Because dating culture tells us to go with the flow, not overthink it, follow the butterflies and see where it goes.In this episode, I share my personal experience and the moment I realized I needed to stop “going with th
Ep 10: Why Church Matters More Than Ever with Father Nikiforos Fakinos
In a world where we’re more connected than ever, so many people are quietly struggling with loneliness, exhaustion, and a loss of meaning.Why is that? And what does the Church offer that nothing else can?In this episode, I sit down with Father Nikiforos Fakinos of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Merrick, NY for an insightful conversation about faith, community, and why the Church still ma
Ep 9: Orthodoxy FAQs: Liturgy Edition
Have you ever wondered why we kiss the priest’s hand, light candles when entering the church, or stand throughout the Divine Liturgy?In this episode (the first in my Orthodoxy FAQs series), I walk through eight commonly asked questions about Orthodox Christian liturgy and the meaning behind these sacred practices.Whether you’re a new convert, an inquirer, or someone who has been Orthodox your enti
Ep 8: Building Healthy Spiritual Habits
How do you build spiritual habits that actually last? In this episode, we share five Orthodox Christian practices shaping our faith and family life. The New Year often feels like a fresh start. While many of us focus on fitness or financial goals, our spiritual life deserves our attention first and foremost.For this episode, I sit down with my husband, Polydoros, to talk about five spiritual habit
Ep 7: Why The Dinner Table Shapes Faith
In this episode, I reflect on the importance of family meals through the lens of Orthodox Christianity. The dinner table is not just a place where we eat. It can become a place of prayer, gratitude, and spiritual transformation, especially for our children.I share why family meals matter spiritually, how the Orthodox practice of praying before and after meals shapes a child’s (and even adult’s) aw
Ep 6: The Spiritual Life Today: Marriage, Social Media & Prayer with Father John Vlahos
Feeling distracted, stretched thin, or unsure how to keep Christ at the center of your life and marriage?I had the privilege of sitting down with Father John Vlahos of St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Shrine Church in Greenlawn, NY for a much-needed conversation on keeping our hearts anchored in Christ in a noisy world.Father offers practical, pastoral wisdom on prayer, marriage, spiritual burnout, an
Ep 5: The Case For Christian Music
What did your Spotify Wrapped summary look like this year? It’s always fascinating to see not just how much music we listen to, but the kinds of songs and themes that fill our playlists.I absolutely love and adore our Orthodox liturgical music, it is truly one of the most beautiful gifts of our Church and pillar of our services!But day to day, I (and I think most of us) listen to other genres of m
Ep 4: The Spiritual Power of Gratitude
In this Thanksgiving episode, you’ll get to meet my husband, someone I am deeply grateful for!Together we talk about gratitude as a spiritual discipline, the moments we struggle with it, and the small, everyday practices that help us stay rooted in thankfulness.We also explore how gratitude looks in different seasons of life, including the challenging ones, and how it can reshape the way we see Go
Ep 3: A Modern Miracle & Raising Orthodox Teens: A Conversation with Father Demetrios
A miraculous tearing icon… and yes, I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes.In this episode 3, I had the blessing of sitting down with Father Demetrios Kazakis of St. Paul Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Hempstead, NY. Father shares the powerful story of this modern-day miracle connected to the Panagia, along with the history of the special shrine inside the cathedral.We also dive into a deeply needed conv
Ep 2: Grief, Hope & The Call To Priesthood with Father Flavianos
I was honored to have the opportunity to interview Father Flavianos Katerinakis of St. Paul Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Hempstead, NY for this very special video.In this episode, Father speaks about losing both of his parents and how that impacted his path toward the priesthood.He also touches upon grief and faith, discerning God’s presence during tough times, and how St. Nektarios shaped much of
Ep 1: My Background & Praying to the Saints
Welcome to the first episode of That Orthodox Mama’s Show! In this episode, Stefani shares some of her background as a Greek Orthodox Christian so you can get to know her.She then speaks about the importance of praying to the Saints and tells a personal story about Saint Nicholas.Please like and subscribe to the channel, your support is beyond appreciated!Always remember that He is the way, the tr
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