Counterflow with Buck Johnson
The Counterflow Podcast is a weekly show that features discussions and interviews with people who are critical of mainstream liberal and conservative politics. It challenges conventional narratives and addresses cultural, spiritual, lifestyle issues, philosophy, and geopolitics. Host Buck Johnson, a musician, firefighter, and Orthodox Christian, brings a unique perspective to the show.
Episodes
Ep. 423 - Inverting the Inversion: Reclaiming Culture, with Mano Elia
What happens when Orthodox Christians stop simply criticizing culture and start creating it? In this episode, Buck chats with his good friend Mano Elia—host of the Study of Stuff Podcast, founder of Spoon Records, and one of the driving forces behind the Bored No More movement—to discuss what it means to reclaim culture by creating art, music, film, and authentic community centered on Christ and
Ep. 422 - Truth, Beauty, and the Orthodox Way Out of the Occult, with Erika MacDougall
Before becoming Orthodox, Erika MacDougall spent years immersed in the occult. She practiced theistic Satanism, participated in blood rituals, worked with ritual magic, and was even paid to place curses on others. What promised power, hidden knowledge, and spiritual enlightenment ultimately led to bondage, fear, and despair. In this episode, Erika shares her remarkable journey to Christ and the O
Ep. 421 - Orthodoxy Beyond the Algorithm, with John Heers
In an age dominated by algorithms, outrage, and endless scrolling, what does it mean to become a truly human person? John Heers joins me for a wide-ranging conversation on modernity, the crisis of meaning, internet Orthodoxy, the rise of the "Orthobro," and why so many people are searching for identity. We discuss how social media shapes the soul, why information alone cannot heal us, the Orthod
Ep. 420 - When Validation Isn't Love: An Orthodox Psychologist on Truth and Healing with Dr. Anastasia Stewart
In this episode, Buck sits down with Dr. Anastasia Stewart, an Orthodox Christian psychologist and trauma specialist, to explore the relationship between modern psychology and the healing tradition of the Orthodox Church. Together they discuss where psychology contains genuine insights—and where it falls short without Christ. Drawing on decades of experience treating trauma, PTSD, women's m
Ep. 419 - Therapy, Trauma, and Theosis, with Fr. Turbo Qualls
In this post-conference conversation, Fr. Turbo Qualls joins me to reflect on the themes, insights, and discussions that emerged from the inaugural OINTMENT Conference—an event bringing together clergy, clinicians, and laypeople to explore the relationship between Orthodox Christianity, mental health, and the healing of the human person. Our discussion moves beyond the usual debates about therap
Ep. 418 - Built for War, Unprepared for Peace: A Navy SEAL's Journey Through PTSD and Spiritual Warfare, with Slade Cutrer
In this episode, I chat with former Navy SEAL Slade Cutrer for a candid conversation about military service, trauma, spiritual warfare, and the search for healing. After spending fifteen years in one of the most demanding military communities in the world, Slade found himself facing challenges that combat training could not prepare him for. We discuss the realities of life in the SEAL Teams, PTS
Ep. 417 - Growing Up Soviet, Finding Christ, and Ministering Behind Bars, with Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov
Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov grew up in the Soviet Union during the final years of state-sponsored atheism before immigrating to the United States on his own. After some life happenings and lots of revelations, he became an Orthodox priest. A fascinating aspect of his ministry has been in the prisons. We get into what that is and how it compares and contrasts with being a priest in a parish. In this conv
Ep. 416 - Writing the Collapse: Fiction, Faith, and Spiritual Warfare, with Andrew Edwards
In this episode, I chat with author Andrew Edwards to discuss his novel King of Dogs and the deeper realities that inspired it. While the conversation begins with fiction, it quickly expands into a wide-ranging discussion on spiritual warfare, civilizational decline, modern nihilism, masculinity, technology, geopolitics, and what it means to remain fully human in an age of fragmentation. We expl
Ep. 415 - Leaving Evangelicalism for the Ancient Church, with Fr. David Hovik
What happens when an Evangelical pastor begins seriously studying the early Church — and realizes modern Christianity looks very different from ancient Christianity? In this episode, I chat with Father David Hovik to discuss his remarkable journey from Evangelical ministry into the Orthodox Church, and how that journey ultimately brought much of his congregation with him. This story is truly capt
Ep. 414 - Orthodox Nationalism and the Israel Question, with Benjamin Michael
Host of "American Orthodoxy" a live Orthodox news show, Benjamin Michael (formerly Orthodox Luigi) is a prior Marine Corps Officer and now Orthodox Christian apologist and Independent Journalist. He engages in public debates, and creates educational content on Orthodox theology and various topics related to politics and religion, while also conducting advocacy work in Washington, D.C. He is the Di
Ep. 413 - Journey to Reality: Sacramental Christianity in a Secular Age, with Dr. Zachary Porcu
What if the biggest obstacle to understanding Christianity is not disbelief—but modernity itself? In this episode, Buck chats with Dr. Zachary Porcu to discuss sacramental Christianity, the modern secular mindset, and why so many people today—even Christians—struggle to see reality the way the ancient Church did. They explore the difference between treating Christianity as a system of ideas ve
Ep. 412 - If a Nation Loses Truth, What Is Left to Die For? with James Webb
In this episode, James Webb and I discuss the lessons America failed to carry forward from past wars, and why institutional memory seems to fade so quickly. We get into the current geopolitical landscape, including Israel, Iran, and the risks of escalation—and what's often left out of mainstream narratives. Jim breaks down how war is actually decided at the highest levels, and why the gap between
Ep. 411 - The Self-Help Trap: Therapy, the Passions, and the War for the Soul, with Fr. Turbo Qualls
We're living in a moment where everyone is "doing the work"—therapy, healing, boundaries, trauma language—and yet people seem more anxious, unstable, and internally fragmented than ever. In this episode, Fr. Turbo Qualls joins me to challenge the assumptions behind modern mental health culture and to ask a deeper question: are we misdiagnosing spiritual problems as psychological ones? We get
Ep. 410 - War, Truth, and the Battle You Can't See, with Darryl Cooper
In this episode, I talk with Darryl Cooper, host of the Martyr Made Podcast, and cohost of the Provoked Podcast (with Scott Horton as well) to talk about war, power, and the unseen forces shaping both. With a background as a Navy Aegis technician and a decade as a DOD engineer, Darryl brings a unique perspective on leadership, influence, and the gap between narrative and reality. We get into hi
Ep. 409 - (FIXED) Dying to the World in an Age of Distraction, with Fr. John Valadez
In this episode, I chat with Fr. John Valadez—Orthodox priest and the man behind Death to the World—to talk about what it actually means to die to the world in a culture that's built to keep you comfortable, entertained, and constantly distracted. We get into why modern life makes it almost impossible to be still, why silence feels threatening to people, and how we've replaced transformation wi
Ep. 408 - The Gut and the Soul: Health, Habit, and the Passions, with Dr. Mark Faries
In this episode, Buck sits down with Dr. Mark Faries, professor at Texas A&M and researcher in behavior change, to explore one of the most frustrating realities of modern life: Why do we know what's healthy… and still fail to do it? Dr. Faries breaks down the science behind human behavior—why people change, why they don't, and why most attempts at improving health fall apart over time. The convers
Ep. 407 - Beyond Feelings: Truth, Asceticism, and the Orthodox Path, with Fr. Justin Havens
What happens when faith is reduced to a feeling? In this episode, I sit down with Fr. Justin Havens, a missionary priest serving at St. Joseph the Hesychast Serbian Orthodox Church, to talk about one of the most important spiritual questions of our time: Is truth something you feel… or something you encounter? Drawing from years of missionary work in Utah—one of the most spiritually unique regi
Ep. 406 - Heaven on Earth: The Divine Liturgy and the Book of Revelation, with Fr. John Whiteford
In this episode, I'm joined by Fr. John Whiteford to explore one of the most misunderstood books in all of Scripture: the Book of Revelation. For many modern Christians, Revelation is treated as a roadmap of future geopolitical events—something to decode through headlines, wars, and speculation. But in the Orthodox Christian tradition, Revelation is something far deeper: a vision of heavenly wors
Ep. 405 - The Narcissism Behind the Neurodivergence Boom, with Dr. Hannah Spier
In recent years the language of autism and ADHD has moved from clinical psychology into mainstream culture. What was once a narrow medical diagnosis has expanded into a broad identity category embraced by millions online. But what explains this sudden rise? In this episode of Counterflow, Buck Johnson is joined by psychiatrist and writer Dr. Hannah Spier to explore the cultural, psychological, and
Ep. 404 - Christian Zionism: Political Ideology Disguised as Biblical Faith, with Michael Davis
In this episode, Buck Johnson sits down with author Michael W. Davis, general editor of the Union of Orthodox Journalists, for a serious discussion about Christian Zionism, theology, and geopolitics. Over the last century, Christian Zionism has become an influential framework shaping how many Christians understand the modern state of Israel, biblical prophecy, and the politics of the Middle East.
Ep. 403 - From Hip Hop to Holy Tradition, with J-Ro from Tha Alkaholiks
What happens when a man who built his identity in hip hop walks away from the illusion of the industry and into the ancient Church? James "J-Ro" Robinson rose to prominence in the golden era of West Coast hip hop as a member of Tha Alkaholiks, part of Los Angeles' influential underground scene. Fame, touring, culture, and credibility were all there. But behind the curtain, things weren't what they
Ep. 402 - Orthodoxy and the Modern Markets, with Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson
What do silver crashes, sovereign power, Vatican banking scandals, and free cash flow have in common? In this conversation, Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson joins us to explore the moral psychology of markets and the spiritual dangers of fear-driven investing. From the 2026 silver collapse and what he calls the "Imperial Margin Call," to the collapse of the safe-haven narrative, to the deeper arithmetic behi
Ep. 401 - Orthodoxy and the Medicine of the Future, with Dr. Michael Christian Kuhn
What if the future of medicine looks less like a laboratory… and more like the life of the Church? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michael Christian Kuhn, author of Orthodoxy and the Medicine of the Future, to explore the deep connection between spiritual life and physical health. We discuss how modern society has become increasingly disembodied — separated from rhythm, stillness, fasting, a
Ep. 400 - A Harder Kind of Beauty: Faith, Art, & Refusing the Easy Life, with Kate DeGraide
In this conversation, Kate DeGraide reflects on faith that rearranges a life rather than decorating it. We talk about making art without losing your soul, creating music with her husband, Neil, in Dirt Poor Robbins, raising children without turning belief into performance, and what it means to live in the world without being absorbed by it. This is a conversation about beauty and art that demands
Ep. 399 - Child Trafficking & the Orthodox War for the Innocent, with Tommy Green
What does it mean to confront real evil without letting it destroy your soul? In this episode, I'm joined by Tommy Green, vocalist of the band Holy Name and an Orthodox Christian deeply committed to ending child and sex trafficking. Tommy and his wife have an organization that helps young people getting out of this terrible life of being trafficked. We talk about what it's like to look directly at
Ep. 398 - Danzig, Darkness, and the Search for God, with Josh Lazie
In this episode, I talk with Josh Lazie, a former bassist for Danzig, to talk about a reality many of us live with but rarely name: the persistent sense that something is missing. For years, he tried to fill that void with music, drugs, success, and the constant noise of the rock-and-roll lifestyle. For a time, those things worked. Eventually, they didn't. We talk honestly about what that world ga
Ep. 397 - Brotherhood, Temptation, and the Cost of Isolation, with Fr Hans Jacobse
In this episode, we sit down with Father Hans Jacobse to discuss the crisis facing men today, and why isolation, secrecy, and private struggle are not compatible with the Orthodox life. Fr Hans started the St Paisios Brotherhood where men have been able to have a safe brotherhood for many years now. We explore the role of brotherhood in confronting temptation, forming men for marriage and family,
Ep. 396 - Powers & Principalities: The Unseen War Against the Church, with Fr Turbo
In this episode, Buck sits down with Father Turbo Qualls for a wide-ranging and sobering conversation about spiritual warfare, ecumenism, and the modern pressure on the Orthodox to trade truth for comfort. Beginning with reflections from St. Mary of Egypt and the Synaxis of Hagia Sophia, the discussion moves into how external forces — political, cultural, and spiritual — have repeatedly targeted t
Ep. 395 - January 6th: Power, Lies, and the Cost of Truth, with Stewart Rhodes
In this interview, we speak with Oath Keepers founder and firsthand participant in the January 6 events, Stewart Rhodes, to explore what actually happened that day, from early morning intentions to the chaos that unfolded, the legal aftermath, and the long-term personal consequences. We examine the gap between mainstream media narratives and lived experience, discuss federal involvement, accountab
Ep. 394 - Will the Catholic Church Reunite with the Orthodox Church? with Fr Emmanuel Lemelson
In this episode, Buck sits down with Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson to discuss a recent event widely framed as a historic step toward Christian unity, and why, from an Orthodox perspective, it feels anything but unifying. Drawing from firsthand experience and deep ecclesial memory, the conversation explores why language of "unity" often masks unresolved (and unresolvable) theological differences between Ro
Ep. 393 - The Orthodox Family Life, with Christina Taylor
In this episode, we're joined by Christina Taylor, founder of Orthodox Family Life, for a wide-ranging and honest conversation about marriage, parenting, education, and faithfulness in a desensitized modern world. Christina shares her personal journey into Orthodoxy, how her understanding of family life has deepened over time, and the unique pressures Orthodox parents face today—especially convert
Ep. 392 - What is Knowledge, and How Do We Actually Know the Truth?
In this episode, I speak with Fr. Deacon Ananias about Orthodox epistemology and the claim that true knowledge is not grounded in autonomous reason but in God's self-revelation. Contrasting Athens and Jerusalem, this conversation explores why Orthodoxy understands truth not as an idea, but as a Person: Jesus Christ. We discuss revelation as theophany, the limits of philosophy, the apophatic tradit
Ep. 391 - From Protestant Pastor to Orthodox Christian, with Ben from Cleave to Antiquity
My guest this week is Ben, host of Cleave to Antiquity. Formerly an associate pastor in a Protestant Evangelical church and active in online Protestant apologetics, Ben began to realize that many of the arguments he made against Orthodox theology and dogma didn't hold up. That realization forced him to confront some difficult truths and make major changes in his life. Today, Ben is a catechumen in
Ep. 390 - The Antichrist is a Nice Guy, with Fr Zechariah Lynch
In this episode, we dig into the idea that the Antichrist might not show up as some dark, terrifying figure, but instead as a really nice guy. The article we're discussing suggests he'll look peaceful, tolerant, reasonable, and even compassionate. In other words, the kind of leader most people would cheer for. We talk about why that kind of "niceness" can actually be the most dangerous form of dec
Ep. 389 - The Spiritual Formation of Men & Women, with Metropolitan Jonah
In this deeply pastoral and wide-ranging conversation, Buck chats with Metropolitan Jonah to discuss the surge of interest in Orthodox Christianity, the spiritual formation of newcomers, and the timeless wisdom the Church offers to a restless modern world. From the inner life of the believer to practical struggles facing parishes today, this episode provides both clarity and compassion for anyone
Ep. 388 - Christ as Truth and Truth as Christ, with Protodeacon Patrick Mitchell
Protodeacon Patrick Mitchell returns to the show to discuss his new book, Christ as Truth and Truth as Christ. In this conversation, we explore what it truly means that Christ is Truth—not as a concept, not as a feeling, but as a living Person. Protodeacon Patrick helps us unpack the difference between objective truth and the modern world's obsession with "personal truth," showing how our understa
Ep. 387 - It's Not a War of Disinformation; It's a War of Discernment, with Mano Elia
In this episode, I'm joined again by Mano Elia for a wide-ranging conversation on discernment, community, and the spiritual struggle of our time. We're not in an age where truth is hidden anymore; everything, from truth to lies, is out in the open. The real challenge is no longer finding information, but seeing clearly through it. What we face now isn't a war of disinformation; it's a war of disce
Ep. 386 - Antisemitism and the Church, with GM Davis
My guest this week is someone you might remember from last year when we talked about his book, Antichrist: The Fulfillment of Globalization (from Uncut Mountain Press). He's back with us today to dig into the themes from his recent article, Is God an Antisemite? (on Orthodox Ethos). We get into what antisemitism actually means, the roots of Rabbinic Judaism, and how all of this connects to Christ
Ep. 385 - Modern Therapy and the Forgotten Soul, with Nicholas Mamey
This week on the podcast, I'm excited to feature Nicholas Mamey, an Orthodox Christian and psychotherapist. Nicholas joins me to discuss the positive and negative aspects of therapy and self-healing through an Orthodox Christian lens. In a world filled with pop-psychology "white noise" and self-obsession, Nicholas offers a unique perspective on what true healing entails. Tune in for this important
Ep. 384 - From Medium to Messenger: An Orthodox Journey Out of the Occult, with Justine Alter
This week, we are featuring one of the most unique interviews I've ever conducted. My guest, Justine Alter (a pseudonym), is an Orthodox Christian and author of the book *Outside of the World*. In her book, Justine shares her incredible journey from a difficult childhood through the occult, her experiences as a psychic medium, and even her time as a cult leader, ultimately finding her way to the O
Ep. 383 - A Report on Russia, Moldova, and the Church, with Conrad Franz
Conrad Franz, co-host of the World War Now podcast, joins us from Moscow, Russia, where he's in the midst of a journey that included Moldova as well. He gives us some details regarding the attempted takeover of the Church in Moldova by NATO and Western powers. Conrad also went to the Donetsk region where he was nearly hit by a missile fired by the Ukrainian military. This episode has a lot of valu
Ep. 382 - An Orthodox Look at the Legacy of Charlie Kirk, with Fr. Peter Heers
In this episode, Fr. Peter Heers reflects on Charlie Kirk's legacy following his public execution, viewing it through an Orthodox Christian lens. He emphasizes that many will now turn to the Church, so believers must be prepared with love, truth, proper catechism, and vigilance against personal pitfalls. Sponsors: Fox n Sons Coffee: https://www.foxnsons.com Code: BUCK15 Podsworth App: https://pod
Ep. 381 - Finding Truth Through All the Lies, with Dr Naomi Wolf
This is a re-run of an episode that was very powerful... so powerful it got deleted from YouTube. This is my wish to release it again to you and see if we can keep it up this time! Dr. Naomi Wolf joins me to go over the serious information that her team uncovered in the Pfizer documents. At dailyclout.io, she assembled a team of over 3,500 medical experts to comb over the thousands and thousands o
Ep. 380 - The Horrors of the Foster Care System, with Nina Morris
My guest this week is my friend Nina Morris, an Orthodox Christian and mother who grew up in the Texas foster care system. I had no idea about the kinds of experiments and challenges these children endured, but Nina lived through them, and she opens up about her experience in this episode. Despite attempts to break her spiritually and mentally, by the grace of God, she came through on the other si
Ep. 379 - Domesticating the Ortho-bros, with Protodeacon Patrick Mitchell
This week, Patrick Mitchell joins us to discuss the oft-discussed topic of the "Ortho-bros". Some use it in a humorous way, some as a pejorative, but whatever the case, there are a lot of zealous young men flocking to the Church. Are we to tame them? Shouldn't we be celebrating them? We get into a wonderful deep discussion on this issue. For Protodeacon Patrick's writings and books, go here: https
Ep. 378 - El Tonto Por Cristo, with Josh Jordan
While we rarely dedicate an episode to a single movie, this film is a special exception. "El Tonto Por Cristo" is told through luminous vignettes, following a brotherhood of monks on the Texas Gulf as they strive for sainthood while grappling with their human struggles. Inspired by the ancient tradition of the Holy Fool and set within the quiet rhythms of monastic life, it stands as the first Engl
Ep. 377 - An Orthodox Look at War and the Military, with Fr George Hill and Alex Braszko
My guests this week have a very good new podcast called War Priest. They're both Orthodox Christians and have extensive military careers. In this episode, we discuss morality when it comes to war, the responsibilities at the top, just war theory, loyal disobedience, and more. Watch their podcast here: https://youtube.com/@warpriest Sponsors: Podsworth App: https://podsworth.com Code: BUCK50 for H
Ep. 376 - On the Heresy of Dispensationalism, with Fr. John Whiteford
This week, Father John Whiteford is back with us to explore some topics in and around the false theology of dispensationalism. While it may be nearing the end of its cycle, there are still many faithful Christians that believe in this false teaching. We explore why this came about, the pre-tribulation rapture, the funding of Hamas by Netanyahu, the claim that modern men can better translate Script
BONUS: Fake vs. True Israel, Occult Feminism, and More, with Tom Woods
I was honored to join the great Tom Woods on his show for this episode recorded live at the Ron Paul 90th birthday BBQ event. Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow Visit my website: https://www.counterflowpodcast.com Audio Production by Podsworth Media: https://www.podsworth.com Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!
Ep. 375 - Masculinity, Technology, and AI, with Cyprian
Our friend Cyprian, formerly known as Vin Armani, is back with us today. We will be continuing our theme on masculinity and then taking the discussion into technology and AI. These topics are related, and you'll see how during this episode. Sponsor: Perfect Spiral Capital: https://PerfectSpiralCapital.com/counterflow Get the new Counterflow T-shirt before it sells out! Visit https://www.counterflo
Ep. 374 - Has Feminism Destroyed Relationship Dynamics? with Rachel Wilson
Rachel Wilson is the author of "Occult Feminism: The Secret History of Women's Liberation" and she joins us today to discuss the topic of feminism and relationships. There's a default assumption that feminism was a necessary evil. But has it done more harm than good? Has it done any good at all? Why were the founding voices in the movement also into the occult? We discuss the modern day relationsh
Ep. 373 - Orthodox Masculinity, Orthodox Femininity, with Father John Peck
Fr. John Peck is back with us this week. We dive into a topic with a ton of low frequency noise in our current society. I wanted to get a more grounded, truthful view of what healthy masculinity and femininity look like. We hear all kinds of wild versions of this which sometimes sound legitimate but aren't rooted in Truth. For more from Fr. John Peck, go here: https://goodguyswearblack.org Sponso
Ep. 372 - Epstein Matters, with J. Burden
J Burden is back with us this week. You can find his work over at jburden.substack.com. We are discussing the situation with the Jeffery Epstein "files", why this whole story does indeed matter, and how if Trump misses on this, it will ultimately be very bad for his Presidency. Why do the people that keep telling us that what Epstein did doesn't matter all fit a similar profile? Sponsors: Fox n So
Ep. 371 - Teaching the Nations Orthodoxy, with Father Silouan Brown
My guest this week is a priest monk who heads up the Orthodox Africa mission. He is Father Silouan Brown. We discuss what missionary work looks like in the Orthodox Church, the trials and tribulations Father Silouan has been through to get things going, the blessings from St. John Maximovich, and more. This is an edifying and touching discussion. To find out more about this mission, go here: https
Ep. 370 - Theistic Satanism, Presbyterianism, and Orthodoxy: Oh My! with Shane Jarvis
My guest this week has had a journey full of twists and turns on his way to the Orthodox Church. He was raised as a charismatic and became and avid reader. His intellectualism drove him to question his parents and their faith. Once they had no answers, he fell away from that faith. Join us as we take you through the journey that followed, including a stop at theistic satanism. The good news is tha
Ep. 369 - An Orthodox View of Health, with Dr. Michael Christian & John
My guests this week host the great new "Orthodox Health Podcast". They take a very Orthodox Christian approach toward physical, mental, and spiritual health. We get into self-help, vaccines, microbiomes, water, yoga, and more. It's refreshing to get a legitimate medical take on these issues while maintaining a holistic Orthodox view on them. For more from these guys, find their podcast on any podc
Ep. 368 - The Church IS Israel, with Dr Clark Carlton
Clark Carlton is back on the show this week to discuss a topic that is VERY MUCH needed right now. Many of us saw Texas Senator Ted Cruz make a complete fool of himself in his recent interview with Tucker Carlson. He stated that he believes that the "Israel" mentioned in the Book of Genesis is the same as the current State of Israel which was founded in 1948. Unfortunately, there are many folks wh
Ep. 367 - Zelenskyy's War on the Orthodox Church, with Catherine Whiteford
This week, Catherine Whiteford joins me to discuss the issues with the Orthodox Church inside of Ukraine. You may have heard that there's a new "church" sponsored by the US State Department in Ukraine. Yet the government is trying to close out and ban the real Church that has been in existence there for over 1000 years. In this video, Catherine breaks all of this down for you and explains the diff
Ep. 366 - From Calvinism to Orthodoxy, with Ambrose McReynolds
My guest today was raised wonderfully by a loving family in the Protestant Calvinist church. He grew to become so involved in the church that he was giving sermons and leading youth groups, Bible studies, veterans groups, and so on. One day his sister, previous Counterflow guest Monique Mathiesen, introduced him to the Orthodox faith. This challenged Ambrose to confront the possible wrongs of Calv
Ep. 365 - Kabbalah, the Reformation, and Christianity, with Anthony of Westgate
Anthony of Westgate from the Reversion Substack joins us this week. Anthony writes and speaks about a number of issues including Judiasim, Zionism, Kabbalah, the Reformation and Chrisitianity. Today, we get into several of those issues. How did Kabbalah play a role in the founding of the US? Why did it impact Protestantism and the reformation? What does Zionism have to do with American Christianit
Ep. 364 - Power & Cover Ups: The Papacy, the Feds, & More, with Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson
Reverend Father Emmanuel Lemelson is a force of nature—a Greek Orthodox priest, activist investor, and social commentator who fearlessly confronts the collision of faith, finance, and power. In this episode, we get into a discussion on the issue of Papal infallibility and the structures of power within the Catholic Church. It has led to many coverups and abuses throughout the decades. Fr. Emmanuel
Ep. 363 - Orthodox Fasting Could Save the World, with Dr Peter Patitsas
My guest this week is author of "The Athos Diet" and director of the emergency department at UPMC, Dr. Peter Patitsas. Informed by his Greek Orthodox heritage, he has discovered a method to stay healthy with high energy to meet the daily grind. Dr. Pete visited Greece many times as a youth and lived there after graduating college. He was forever impacted by his journey to Mt. Athos and has spent c
Ep. 362 - Let's Talk About Joseph Smith and Mormonism, with Erick K.
This week, I have an ex-Mormon on the show. For the sake of anonymity, he will go by Erick K. Erick and I have been talking a lot about Mormonism offline, so I wanted to bring him on because, if you knew as little about the LDS as I did, this is definitely worth the education. Are Mormons Christian? Who was Joseph Smith? How do they differ from the Orthodox Church? We get into some fascinating det
Ep. 361 - From Medical Hospitals to the Hospital for the Soul, with Stevie Rudko
Stevie Rudko joins me this week to discuss the ups and downs of the wild adventure that has been his life. Born to a Pentecostal preacher and loving mother, Stevie grew up in the Protestant faith. After a painful heel shattering incident, he slowly became addicted to pain pills. After that, predictably came a heroin addiction. Fast forward and he's a loving husband and father who's about to be bap
Ep. 360 - Geopolitics and the Prophecies of the Saints, with Conrad Franz
Conrad Fraz is back with us this week. Conrad is one of the two excellent hosts of the World War Now podcast. Conrad and I discuss the kinetic conflicts going on in several hot spots around the globe as viewed from an Orthodox lens. We discuss what happened in Syria as well. Why is Israel always pushing for war and conflict around the globe? Many Orthodox Christian Saints have prophecies they've m
Ep. 359 - Questioning Heresies and Looking for Truth, with Jay Dyer
My guest this week needs no introduction. Jay Dyer is back with us to discuss what eventually led him to Orthodoxy. This discussion allows us to look at heresies within Protestantism and Catholicism which Jay encountered during his time in each. We get into dispensationalism, John Hagee, Judaism, John Nelson Darby, Papism, the value of Jay's online debates, and lots more. For all of Jay's work, go
Ep. 358 - An Orthodox Look at Christian Nationalism, with Ben Dixon
Ben Dixon is back with us this week, and we are discussing Christian Nationalism. Ben is the Editor-in-Chief of the North American branch of the Union of Orthodox Journalists as well as the author of the "Where the Wasteland Ends" Substack. Ben contrasts what he calls Christian Patriotism with Christian Nationalism and what he sees as the Orthodox view of each. We get into Ukraine/Russia, Trump, c
Ep. 357 - Scofield, Darby, Dispensationalism, and Bad Theology, with Father John Whiteford
Father John Whiteford is back with us this week to discuss C.I. Scofield, J.N. Darby, and their incorrect theology. The Scofield Reference Bible is a very common Bible found in homes and churches all across America. It is where the very modern ideas of dispensationalism, the pre-tribulation rapture, and a few other incorrect theological issues come from. We discuss who invented these ideas, how Zi
Ep. 356 - Hermeticism, TikTok Spirituality, and the Truth, with Mano Elia
My guest this week is Mano Elia from the Study of Stuff Podcast and the Bored No More Network. Mano was born into an Orthodox Christian family and strayed from the faith as he ventured into Hermeticism and the Dark Arts. He has now returned to the Orthodox faith, is well versed in the occult, and is here to warn folks against it. Hermeticism is the inverse of Christianity and in this chat, he expl
Ep. 355 - A Sinner in the Hands of a Loving God, with Joseph Beard
This week, my guest is Joseph Beard. Joseph is a catechumen and soon-to-be baptized Orthodox Christian. He grew up the son of a Baptist preacher, and his family moved from town to town as various controversies followed his father. Along the way, he got into various subculture scenes and was able to maintain his faith as God sprinkled breadcrumbs along the way that would ultimately lead him to the
Ep. 354 - The Death of the Legacy Media, with Charlie Robinson
Charlie Robinson is back with us this week. Charlie runs the MacroAggressions podcast, is an author, and owns the Activist Post and Natural Blaze. Today we are covering a very happy and beautiful topic: the death of the legacy media. This is a very well deserved and self-inflicted death. Charlie goes over stats and ratings with us as well, and it is truly fascinating just how poorly these multi-mi
Ep. 353 - The Growth of Orthodoxy and Truth, with Fr Joshua Genig
Fr. Joshua Genig is the rector of St. Innocent of Irkutsk Russian Orthodox Church & Chapel of St. John the Wonderworker in Redford, MI. They have seen a massive growth in the number of parishioners in the last five years. With this can come many important challenges, including proper catechesis, baptism, teaching, and more. There has been an age of revelation in recent years where many people are
Ep. 352 - Unseen Warfare and the Inner Self, with Father John Valadez
My guest this week is the priest at https://www.sttimothy.net and the head man at https://deathtotheworld.com. We are discussing the battleground where unseen and spiritual warfare takes place. We also talk about the weapons the Church gives us in this battle. Fr. John gets into the soul after death, Fr. Seraphim Rose, the Saints, Great Lent, and the importance of family within the Orthodox Church
Ep. 351 - The New Political Reality, with Charles Haywood
My guest this week is Maximum Leader over at TheWorthyHouse.com, Charles Haywood. I still enjoy chatting about politics, and this current moment we are in is like no other in my lifetime. Charles is here to help break it all down, from the massive defeat of the Left, to Trump, Elon, Vance, Gabbard, and the whole new facelift of the political power elite. Sponsors: Tiger Fitness: https://www.tigerf
Ep. 350 - Should Christians Resist Evil? with Father Zechariah Lynch
My guest this week writes at inklesspen.blog and is a priest in the Orthodox Church. He is Father Zechariah Lynch. Fr. Zechariah and I get into the issue of Christians resisting evil... or not. If we call out something as wrong, evil, or dangerous, some are quick to tell us that we are being judgmental and not very Christian. Are we to be pacifists and let people do as they will? What about during
Ep. 349 - Channeling Occult Knowledge and Seeking Truth, with Kara Mosher
Kara Mosher is our guest this week, and we are discussing her wild journeys that ultimately led her to the Orthodox Church. Her new book, "Here Comes Trouble", is a very good read filled with interesting stories, some of which we cover in this episode. Kara was deep into the occult as well as being a psychic medium. Once she discovered the reality of Christ, she turned to Christianity. This took h
Ep. 348 - The Sons of God, Nephilim, and Genesis 6, with George Michalopulos
Today, my friend George Michalopulos is back on the show to discuss the themes in his new book, "For Fear of the Angels: Who Were the Sons of God in Genesis 6 1-4?" We get into the main theories regarding this question. We discuss how angels have come and interacted with humans, what these angels were about, the Nephalim, the giants, Cain, The Book of Enoch, and more. This is a fascinating topic,
Ep. 347 - Answering Protestant Critiques of Orthodox Christianity, with Jim Jatras and Fr. John Whiteford
Today, I have Fr. John Whiteford and Jim Jatras back on the show. We are breaking down and answering critiques that were presented by Pastor Joel Webbon, Pastor J. Chase Davis, and others in a podcast from Right Response Ministries called "Why Young Men Are Flocking To Eastern Orthodoxy" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lqNfibn0IM&t=3101s). Right Response Ministries is a Protestant group, and the
Ep. 346 - We Confess One Baptism, with Father Peter Heers
Father Peter Heers is back on the show, and we are discussing the themes in the book, "On the Reception of the Heterodox Into the Orthodox Church", published by Uncut Mountain Press. There are some converts to Orthodoxy who want to be baptized into the Church, yet they are told their previous baptism was just fine, so they only need Chrismation. Is this the view of the Church Fathers? What is the
Ep. 345 - The Myth of Judeo-Christianity, with Bailey Mullins from Unto Ages
My guest this week runs the fantastic YouTube channel, Unto Ages. We are discussing a much used term that is based in an obvious contradiction: Judeo-Christianity. Why are these two words combined to mean something coherent when they aren't at all the same? It may seem trivial to some, but it's having very negative effects on geopolitics. It's also incorrect theology, so we feel it helpful to expl
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