Orthodox Christian Parenting
Orthodox Christian Parenting, hosted by Faithtree Resources Executive Director Michelle Moujaes, is a weekly podcast for parents and grandparents raising children in the Orthodox Faith. Each episode offers honesty, encouragement, and practical wisdom from the Church, creating space to exhale and freedom from perfectionism. The podcast aims to help listeners grow as they raise children who deepen their knowledge and love of Christ.
Episodes
Why Harvard Isn’t the Goal: An Orthodox Christian Approach to Choosing a College With Christopher Chiakulas
If you've got a teenager, you know how quickly the college search can take over: the rankings, the essays, the pressure to get into the "right" school. But what if this season is really a chance to help your child discern who God is calling them to be? In this episode, we talk with Christopher Chiakulas, a high school counselor and the founder of Orthodox Christian College Counseling, abo
What Should Orthodox Parents Let Their Kids Watch? With Paul and Cindy Karos
Your kid asks to watch the show everyone else is watching, and you want to say yes. But should you? Paul and Cindy Karos understand the tension of that moment, and they're here to help. In this episode, they explore practical ways to guard your child's heart when the world walks through your front door without knocking. If you're tired of saying no, take heart. You don't need more rules—y
Surrounding Your Son With Holy Men With Father Jacob Saylor
Can one parent—or even two—raise a faithful son alone? Father Jacob Saylor says no family was ever meant to. In this episode, he explains why boys need faithful men beyond their own father to show them Christ's version of masculinity, and how priests, godfathers, uncles and parish friends can help form the next generation. He also offers real encouragement to moms doing this without a fat
How to Stay Peaceful When Life Feels Chaotic With Dr. Philip Mamalakis
Some days the sacred feels impossibly far away—buried under the laundry, the backpacks, the dishes in the sink. In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis returns to the podcast with practical wisdom for parents worn thin by the chaos of daily life. He reminds us that a peaceful parent is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children, and offers a way to leave guilt and shame behind for g
Loving a Child Through a Medical Crisis Part 2 With Elias & Joy Hajjar
When their daughter needed a heart transplant, Elias and Joy Hajjar learned what it looks like for an Orthodox Church community to truly show up. In part two of this conversation, they share the next chapter of their journey including the remarkable relationship they built with the donor's family. They also speak directly to parents caring for a sick child and to the communities trying to
Loving a Child Through a Medical Crisis Part 1 With Elias & Joy Hajjar
As parents, we all have a plan for how our lives will unfold. But how do we hold onto faith when those plans shatter? In this episode, Elias and Joy Hajjar share their story of raising a child with a heart defect and navigating surgeries, hospital stays and eventually a transplant. They explain how their Church community held them up during the most difficult moments and discuss the steps
How to Raise Children Who Can Share Their Faith With Confidence and Joy With Fr. Constantine Nasr
How do we raise children who love the Faith and aren't afraid to talk about it? Fr. Constantine Nasr, a ninth-generation priest, shares why we don't need to turn our children into little evangelists. Instead, he says, we need to live the Faith with enough joy, humility and love for them to see something worth embracing. He also reveals three questions his father passed down to him that ar
What Your Marriage Is Teaching Your Kids With Paul & Karen Kinan
One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is a healthy marriage. In this episode, Paul and Karen Kinan join the podcast to explain how investing in their marriage has helped them raise a family who loves God and each other. As parents of adult children—and now grandparents—Paul and Karen also reflect on what worked well when they were raising their kids as well as what they wou
Why Orthodox Church Camp Changes Kids for Life With Father Andrew Andrews
Church camp offers an incredible opportunity to give your children a break from the noise of the world and surround them with a community of believers. In this episode, Father Andrew Andrews explains how camp can transform lives and form a faith that lasts beyond the weeks of summer. He also shares practical guidance for parents about who camp is for and how to overcome common fears aroun
How Perfectionism Hurts Parents and Their Kids With Dr. Philip Mamalakis
It's easy to get caught up in perfectionism in a world that gives us so much to worry about and so many "perfect" families to measure ourselves against. The question is what to do about it—and the Church, it turns out, has a lot to say. In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis is back to share his advice for overcoming perfectionism, building life-giving relationships with other parents, and
Who Your Children Are Becoming Matters More Than Grades With Liz Caddow
Whatever schooling option your family has chosen, you are your children’s primary educator! In this episode, Liz Caddow joins the podcast to talk about her work as the founder and head of school at Trinity Classical Academy. She explains why education is ultimately about a child’s formation, shares advice for parents on understanding their school’s curriculum and offers guidance on supple
What Time With Grandparents Does to a Child's Faith With Dr. Josh Mulvihill
We were never meant to raise our children alone, and one of our most valuable resources is one we often take for granted: grandparents! In this episode, Dr. Josh Mulvihill joins the podcast to break down the biblical role of grandparents and explain why the grandparent-child relationship is so vital. He also answers some of your most pressing questions about navigating the sometimes compl
What the Middle Way Means for Orthodox Christian Parents With Paul and Cindy Karos
Paul and Cindy Karos are back—and this time they're talking about one of the most quietly liberating teachings in the Orthodox tradition: the Middle Way. What does it actually mean to avoid the extremes of overzealousness and apathy? And what does that look like in the middle of an ordinary day with kids to feed and a thousand things pulling at your attention? Paul and Cindy bring the the
Orthodox Wisdom on Anger in a Culture of Rage With Father Ted Pulcini
We all feel anger, but what does the Church say about what we should do when those feelings arise? In this episode, Father Ted Pulcini joins the podcast for a conversation about what anger is, why it's so prevalent in our world today and how we can manage it in our own lives as well as the lives of our kids. He shares practical advice and ancient wisdom about developing a secure identity
When Life Falls Apart: Faith, Suffering and Raising Kids Through It With Dr. Rick and Dema Esper
What do we do when the bottom drops out from under us? And how can moments of suffering become pathways to transformation, both in our own lives and the lives of our children? In this episode, Dr. Rick and Dema Esper join the podcast to share their powerful testimony of finding strength in Christ after a stroke changed everything for their family. They reflect on how their struggles broug
Raising Content Kids in an “I Want More” Culture With Rachel Cruze
In a culture that’s always telling us we don’t have enough, how can we develop contentment in ourselves and our kids? In this episode, author, speaker and financial expert Rachel Cruze joins the podcast to share her best strategies for learning and teaching contentment. Whether you’re starting the conversation early with a young child, parenting teenagers, or examining your own relationsh
Helping Your Kids Experience Holy Week With Father Jim and Presvytera Donna Pappas
For parents, Holy Week brings packed schedules, big emotions and the challenge of keeping children engaged through it all. But this sacred time is also an incredible opportunity to help our children encounter Christ in new and meaningful ways. In this episode, Father Jim and Presvytera Donna Pappas join the podcast to explain why Holy Week is so important and to share their best advice fo
How Repentance Transforms the Way We Parent With Father Stephen Muse
Your parenting is not just about what you say and do; it’s a reflection of your inner life. In this episode, Father Stephen Muse joins the podcast to explain why repentance is one of the most important things we can cultivate as parents as we pursue eternity and seek to raise children who know and love God. He also encourages us to slow down, create room for exhale and accept that we won’
What Changes When You See Your Children As Icons of Christ With Dr. Philip Mamalakis
What does it mean when we say that children are icons of Christ? And how should that awareness impact the way we relate to our kids? In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis returns to the show to answer these questions and more about raising children to love Christ and parenting in the midst of chaos. He shares practical advice for parents (and grandparents) of young kids and teenagers alik
The Primary Goal of Orthodox Parenting With Paul and Cindy Karos
As Orthodox Christian parents, we have one primary job and one goal: to help our children pursue a life of holiness. In this episode, Paul and Cindy Karos return to the podcast to discuss how we can help our children become Christlike—from actively participating in the life of the Church to making thoughtful choices in areas like extracurricular activities.They also explain the analogy of
Raising Emotionally Resilient Kids With Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh
We can’t (and shouldn’t) shield our kids from all adversity, but we can help them become strong, resilient people who know how to walk through challenges. In this episode, we talk with Father Nick and Dr. Roxanne Louh about what it means to raise resilient kids. They share their unique perspectives on parenting together as a priest and psychologist and answer listener questions about teac
Real Answers to Your Biggest Parenting Questions With Dr. Philip Mamalakis
There are few things we love more on this podcast than getting to connect with listeners and answer real questions that matter. In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis returns to the podcast to tackle some of your top parenting questions about correcting bad behaviors, navigating relationships with friends and romantic partners, teaching discernment and much more. Whether you’re a young par
Helping Children Stay Rooted in Christ With Bishop Anthony
In a culture that’s pulling us in a thousand other directions, how do we raise our kids to love and stay close to the Church? In this episode, we’re joined by His Grace Bishop Anthony Michaels for a conversation that’s full of wisdom and encouragement for Orthodox parents everywhere. He shares about the importance of fostering real connections and relationships, explains how his parents r
Understanding Anxiety in Your Kids and How to Support Them With George Papageorge
Anxiety is more common than ever today, but as Christians, we don’t have to navigate it alone. In this episode, our friend George Papageorge returns to the podcast to talk about all things anxiety — from the worries we feel as parents to the anxieties our children might face to the ways we can adjust our schedules, tech usage and perspectives in response. He also reminds us that anxiety i
Gratitude & Overcoming Materialism With Paul and Cindy Karos
How can we teach our children gratitude in a world that’s constantly telling them (and us) that we should always want more? In this episode, Paul and Cindy Karos return to the podcast to share practical tips and encouraging words for parents who are looking for healthy alternatives to materialism. They talk about their own experience with raising their children to value gratitude, give ge
How Love at Home Shapes Faith That Lasts With Joe Ayoub
Ever wonder if your kids are really noticing your faith or if anything you’re doing is sinking in? In this episode, Michelle sits down with musician Joe Ayoub to talk about the quiet, powerful ways parents shape their children’s spiritual lives without even realizing it. Joe reflects on how the lessons his parents modeled decades ago still shape his life today, and why love will always re
What Success Looks Like for Orthodox Parents With Dr. Philip Mamalakis
We all want to feel like we’re doing a good job raising our kids. But what does success actually mean for Orthodox Christian parents? In this episode, Dr. Philip Mamalakis returns to the podcast to share his perspective on the long-term goals parents should focus on when raising children who know God and love the Church. He also offers some practical tips for prioritizing hard work over a
Why You Should Connect Before You Correct With George Papageorge
It’s normal to feel afraid for our children and worry about their futures. But when we let those feelings take control, it often leads to a style of parenting that doesn’t consider our children's emotional lives. In this episode, George Papageorge explains how we can embrace peace and prioritize heart-to-heart communication that makes our children feel known and loved. He also reminds us
Guiding Our Kids to Use Tech with Wisdom With Dr. Felicia Wu Song
The culture around us can make it seem like technology use is just inevitable. But as a parent, you have the power to choose what role you want technology to play in the life of your family. In this episode, Dr. Felicia Wu Song joins the podcast to share some of her best advice and encouragement for parenting in the digital age. She explains why intentionality is so important when it come
Raising Kids Who Love the Faith With Paul & Cindy Karos
We all want to raise our kids to love God and love the Church, but what are the practical strategies that can help us do that? In this episode, Paul and Cindy Karos reflect on the biggest lessons they learned from parenting three children who have stayed deeply rooted in the Church into adulthood. They share some of the tactics that worked well for them, like surrounding their family with
What Sets Orthodox Parenting Apart with Dr. Philip Mamalakis
Orthodox Christian parenting is about forming our children’s hearts and minds in light of eternity. For our very first episode of the podcast, we’re thrilled to share this conversation with Dr. Philip Mamalakis, author of “Parenting Toward the Kingdom.” Philip explains why theosis, or union with God, is the ultimate goal of parenting, and he shares some practical examples of how this atti
Welcome to Orthodox Christian Parenting
Parenting in today’s world isn’t easy — but you don’t have to walk it alone. Orthodox Christian Parenting, hosted by Faithtree Resources Executive Director (and mom of four!) Michelle Moujaes, is a weekly podcast for parents and grandparents navigating the holy struggle of raising kids in the Holy Orthodox Faith. Each episode offers honesty, encouragement, and practical wisdom from the Ch
