In the final episode before the summer break, Steve and Christian discuss DC’s hit summer blockbuster Wonder Woman. They discuss the nature of human beings, the power of compassion, and (as always) how secularism has taken hold of our notions of the transcendent. They close with their Top 5 Heroines.

It’s another crossover episode of PCCH! This time Christina and Christian take on one of their favorite shows: Parks and Recreation! They discuss the interplay between communion and otherness, the theological value of beauty, and the redemption of all things, including our own pasts. They close with the Top 5 Parks and Recreation Quotes.

The guys watched Thor: Ragnorok and kind of liked it. They discuss Marvel’s presentation of “gods," the significance of things and places, and the predictable nature of evil. They end with their Top 5 Moments Where Everything Was At Stake.

The guys are huge fans of NBC’s hit comedy, The Good Place. They discuss popular conceptions of the afterlife, how relationships impact character, and the unity of the spirit and the flesh. They close with their Top 5 Supernatural Beings.

The guys are back to discuss Black Panther. They discuss how art breeds connection, how grace given is meant to be shared, and how stories shape our understanding of who we are. They close with their Top 5 Family Conflicts.

The girls take on the new star-studded Ocean’s 8. They discuss how it’s harder to look for God when things are going great, the impact of storytelling in our lives, and how community ought to be formed around a shared vision of a common goal. They close with their Top 5 Actresses That Weren’t in Ocean’s 8.

The guys watched the new Steve Martin and Martin Short comedy special on Netflix. They discuss how the age of authenticity impacts our sense of humor, the nature of the cult of celebrity, and the God-given role of humanity’s priesthood. They close with their Top 5 Performers of All Time.

For the Season 2 Finale of PCCH, the guys watched the new documentary on the life and work of Fred Rogers. They discuss the formative power of media, the inherent dignity of each human person, and whether the Gospel needs to be explicitly preached in order to be the Gospel. They close with their Top 5 Inspirational Public Figures.

Emma and Christina take on the Netflix film, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. They discuss the ways humans deal with suffering, how true love demands vulnerability, and how our choices impact the world around us. They close with their Top 5 Sister Friendships.

The girls take on Stephanie Storey’s Oil and Marble, a historical fiction novel based on the rivalry between Leonardo and Michaelangelo. They discuss true beauty and personhood as it can be portrayed through art, the power of true forgiveness, and the role of desire in the Christian life. They close with their Top 5 Old Testament Characters.

This week, the guys take on one of the greatest bands of all time: The Beatles. They discuss how the band represented a beacon of hope in a bleak time, the burden of the immanent frame, and how the human person must find ways to reach toward life. They close with their Top 5 Most Influential Musical Acts.

The guys take a hack at the Black Mirror’s groundbreaking choose-your-own-adventure episode, Bandersnatch! Besides being thoroughly creeped out by it, the guys discuss participatory culture, the role of freedom in the human life, and how our desire to control is born out of fear. They close with their Top 5 Breakings Though the Fourth Wall.

This week, the guys take on the new hit film, Captain Marvel. They discuss how our identity emerges in relationship, how being filled with God’s grace changes us deeply, and how compassion is often the first step toward transformation. They close with their Top 5 Origin Stories.

The girls take on one of the latest trends sweeping the nation: tidying up! They discuss the relationship between physical clutter and spiritual clutter, the importance of joy, and the need to give thanks to Christ for all things. They close with their Top 5 Organization Tips and Tricks.

The guys get back to the classics, this week taking on the 80's film, Big! They discuss the difference between innocence and naïveté, how the grass is not always greener somewhere else, and the reality that relationships help ground us in who we really are. They close with their Top 5 Coming of Age Stories.

The girls take on the highly acclaimed film, Eighth Grade. They discuss how each of us wants to be known for who we are, how true relationship demands actual closeness, and how we present images of ourselves instead of authentic self-revelation. They Close with the Top 5 Things Middle Schoolers Have Recently Said.

This week, the guys talk about Jordan Peele's new social horror flick: Us. They discuss the hidden power of the shadow self, the impact of generational trauma, and how all of us are implicated in the messages of the film. They close with their Top 5 Twist Endings.

This week, the girls have a conversation about Mary Oliver’s collection of poems, Devotions. They discuss the importance of gratitude, the power of paying attention, and how death acts as a frame from the beauty of life. They close with their Top 5 God Moments.

The guys are pumped to talk about the final chapter of the first decade of the MCU, Avengers: Endgame! They discuss how grief and loss affect everyone differently, the sticky implications and universal appeal of time travel, and how sacrifice will always win the day. They close with their Top 5 Final Chapters.

The girls take on Delia Owens’ novel, Where the Crawdads Sing. They discuss how love is central to the human experience, the duality of nature, and whether the heart is affected by concealing sin. They close with their Top 5 Outcasts.

The guys discuss The National’s newest album, I Am Easy To Find. They touch on the complexity of being human, how longing touches on the most universal of human desires, and how hard it is to make peace with pain. They close with their Top 5 Sad Songs.

The girls take on the latest Disney re-make, Aladdin. They discuss how true power is made manifest in service, how compassion makes a ruler strong, and how our hearts are not necessarily shaped by our circumstances. They close with their Top 5 Supernatural BFFs.

This week, the guys take on the Netflix documentary, Social Animals. The documentary follows three teens and their relationship with Instagram. Conversation topics include the Age of Authenticity, the role of the true self and false self in the construction of identity, and how our words have a lasting impact on others. They close with Steve’s Top 5 Social Media Tips.

The guys are back to kick off season 5 by discussing Dave Chapelle’s new comedy special, Sticks and Stones. They discuss whether Chapelle’s humor is puerile or prophetic, the need to speak truth fearlessly, and the complicated nature of the modern moral order. They close with their Top Next 5 Comedy Specials.

Steve and Christian discuss Parallel Love, a documentary that follows the trajectory of the rock band, Luxury. One cool thing about this band: 3 members are Orthodox priests. The guys discuss the disruptive nature of art, the ongoing process of conversion, and how all of us are called to be priests of creation. They close with their Top 5 Christian Artists and Musicians.

This week the guys discuss Kanye West’s latest release, Jesus is King. They discuss materialism, the importance of honesty in repentance, and the cost of following Christ. They close with their Top 5 Christian Albums.

Steve Christoforou and Christian Gonzalez are joined by Christina Andresen for this special live episode of Pop Culture Coffee Hour! Recorded at the 2020 Youth and Camp Workers Conference in Phoenix, they discuss why Hogwarts is a CPS call waiting to happen, how friendship makes us better, and whether youth can be trusted with the Church. They close with a brief Q&A; and a promise to finish what Dumbledore started. Listen to Part 2 at https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/popculture/episode_120_harry_potter_and_the_half_blood_podcast_pt_2.

This week, the guys discuss the frantic comedy game show, Billy on the Street! They discuss how important a name is, the abnormality of social distancing, and the desire to return to life.

"And even in this not particularly flattering light, you are without a doubt the five and a half most wonderful wild animals I've ever met in my life. So let's raise our boxes - to our survival.” – Mr. Fox The guys explore the Wes Anderson film: "Fantastic Mr Fox." They discuss art, what our "real" nature is, and the way we can only be truly united in our diversity.

"There is only one way this war ends. Last man standing." Steve Gonzalez and Christian Christoforou watched the World War I film, "1917." The guys discuss just war, violence, human nature, and finding beauty in the midst of pain. We're also shining a light on the Theotokos Orphanage and St Ignatius School in Bakeswar, India. Run nearly singlehandedly for over a decade by Sister Nektaria of Corinth, Greece, these programs strive to provide the children of Kolkata and Bakeswar with the love of Christ and a quality education (a crucial tool in breaking the cycles of poverty). Learn more on their website: fili-inc.com.

The girls discuss Taylor Swift's newest album, touching on themes such as how growing up changes your perspective, how we grow aware of our own failings, and how love fills the background of much of our lives.

The girls take on the Netflix series, The Queen's Gambit. They discuss the needs to take responsibility for ourselves, how love is not the same as turning a blind eye, and the need for healthy emotional boundaries.

The girls take a listen to Taylor Swift's new new album, evermore. They discuss dealing with mistakes, life after death, and how repentance is not the same as getting off the hook.

The girls watched the Netflix film, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. They discuss the emphasis on community over individualism, how death impacts life (and vice versa), as well as issues between races.

The girls discuss the poetry of Amanda Gorman, the young poet who read her work at the inauguration and Super Bowl. They discuss themes of light and darkness, the way burdens can be inherited, and a vision of God's Kingdom.

The girls discuss the novel The Big Finish, and they contemplate themes such as struggling with the passions, how we perceive other people, and the reality that salvation is messy.

"Eww." Steve and Christian watched the CBC TV series, "Schitt's Creek." The guys discuss repentance, gratitude, and love. We're shining a light on RIP Medical Debt, a non-profit that uses donor funds to wipe our medical debt from the neediest cases up. Medical debt destroys the financial stability of large segments of America’s most vulnerable communities: the sick, the elderly, the poor, and veterans. It also targets the middle class, driving many families who are barely getting along into poverty. Medical debt isn’t the result of bad decisions. It’s a debt of necessity. Learn more at their website: ripmedicaldebt.org.

"I don’t know about you guys, but, um, you know, I’ve been thinking recently that… that you know, maybe, um, allowing giant digital media corporations to exploit the neurochemical drama of our children for profit… You know, maybe that was, uh… a bad call by us. Maybe… maybe the… the flattening of the entire subjective human experience into a… lifeless exchange of value that benefits nobody, except for, um, you know, a handful of bug-eyed salamanders in Silicon Valley… Maybe that as a… as a way of life forever… maybe that’s, um, not good." Steve and Christian watched Bo Burnham's new Netflix comedy special, "Inside." They discuss the pandemic, feeling trapped "inside," and technology. We do more than simply offer reviews. Just like a bee can take good things from flowers (and leave the rest behind), we can learn to take the good things from pop culture as we seek to open ourselves to Christ and His saving work in our lives. It's Orthodox Christian engagement with today's culture.

Steve and Christian were asked to keynote the Mid-Atlantic Parish Life Conference, and rather than giving a lecture, they decided to do an episode of Pop Culture Coffee Hour! They discuss the big question of identity and its individual, communitarian, and cosmic sources, doing so through their favorite fictional universes of Star Wars, Harry Potter, and the MCU!

"You may have noticed, I’m not like normal Dads." Steve and Christian watched the new Amazon Prime series, "Invincible." They discuss identity, power, and responsibility. We do more than simply offer reviews. Just like a bee can take good things from flowers (and leave the rest behind), we can learn to take the good things from pop culture as we seek to open ourselves to Christ and His saving work in our lives. It's Orthodox Christian engagement with today's culture.

Steve and Christian explore the series finale of "Nathan for You," a stand-alone film called "Finding Frances." Spoilers ahead! They explore love, regret, and reality.

Christina and Emma discuss the 2004 film, Finding Neverland. They discuss themes such as how stories help us make sense of reality, the importance of the imagination for holding onto joy, and how the grief we carry transforms who we are. And as always, what they're cooking!

Steve and Christian explore the new DC superhero movie, "The Batman." Spoilers ahead! They explore lies, power, trauma, and radicalization.

Christina and Steve watched the new film about Saint Nektarios, "Man of God." Spoilers ahead! They explore struggle, salvation, and the choice to live as faithful Christians.

Steve and Christian are back to discuss the new MCU film, "Spiderman: No Way Home." Spoilers ahead! They explore restorative justice, loss and sacrifice, and identity.

Christina and Emma are back to discuss the new Downton Abbey movie! They discuss themes of growing up, changes, and preparation for death. As always, what they're cooking. Leave your comments for the 200th episode at 917-524-7483 (call or text).

Christina and Emma discuss The Time Traveler's Wife. They touch on themes such as trusting in God's providence, absence and waiting, and sticking with the present moment. And, of course, what they're cooking. Leave your comments for the 200th episode at 917-524-7483 (call or text) by July 1, 2022.

Steve and Christian discuss the new Netflix series, "The G Word with Adam Conover." They explore Christian approaches to politics, power, and the Kingdom of God. Leave your comments for the 200th episode at 917-524-7483 (call or text) by July 1, 2022.

Steve and Christian are joined by Dn. Rico Monge and David Paddison to discuss Kendrick Lamar's new album, "Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers." They explore identity, transformation, and trauma. Leave your comments for the 200th episode at 917-524-7483 (call or text) by July 1, 2022.

Christina and Emma, along with special guest and Effective Christian Ministry Cohort Director, Dr. Pres. Athanasia Kostakis, discuss the fantasy novel, Uprooted. They touch on how many gifts can work together, the responsibility of discipleship, and friendship. As always, what they're cooking. Leave your comments for the 200th episode at 917-524-7483 (call or text) by July 1, 2022.