Orthodox Christian Parenting

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?

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Download this episode’s free Discussion Guide
Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
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“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)

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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:
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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:
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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 on Apple, Spotify or YouTube
Explore the full library of Faithtree Resources
Download the free Discussion Guide
Share your feedback on our Listener Survey 
Donate to support the podcast