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Episode 6: Breaking Bad and Dealing with Darkness

Steven and Christian discuss being exposed to darkness through art and whether or not there is merit in pressing through things that are difficult to watch. They deal with themes of light and dark, weaker brothers and stronger brothers, and why neither of them could make it past (or in Christian’s case through) the first episode of the critically acclaimed Breaking Bad. As always, the guys end with a top 5 list.




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Episode 10: Pop Culture Simpsons Hour, Live!

Live from the Saint Iakavos Retreat Center in Kansasville, Wisconsin, Steve and Christian explore some of the deeper themes of one of America’s most beloved and longest-airing television families: the Simpsons! They discuss marriage, despondency, and how The Simpsons models repentance within the context of family life. This time, the guys close with their top 5 Simpsons quotes of all time!




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Episode 11: Aliens and Independence Day

The guys watched “Independence Day: Resurgence.” Christian enjoyed it. Steve? Not so much. They discuss what worked in the movie, as well as what didn’t, and wildly speculate about the theological implications of alien life. Plus, they wrap up with their Top 5 favorite alien characters of all time.




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Episode 20: The Lion, the Witch, and the Podcast

Steve and Christian take a look at the classic children’s books The Chronicles of Narnia. They discuss transcendence, transformation, and using allegory to point to Christ. They close with their top 5 Narnia characters.




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Episode 28: Living Under the Light Between Oceans

This week, Emma and Christina read (and watched) A Light Between Oceans. Join them as they discuss the danger of spiritual delusion, the path toward true love and repentance, and how the film adaptation missed the heart of the novel. They close with their Top 5 Worst Book-To-Film Adaptions.




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Episode 42: This Is Our American Life

The girls take on the popular podcast This American Life. They discuss how a culture of confession brings people together, the need to empathize with our larger society, and the ways we're all torn between belief and doubt. They close with their Top 5 Podcasts.




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Episode 58: Looking for Light on Wildflower Hill

The girls are back to discuss Kimberley Freeman’s novel, Wildflower Hill. They tackle the book’s portrayal of religious people, how shame ought to lead to repentance, and how judgment can be transformed into love through the lens of suffering. They close with their Top 5 Worst Popular Books.




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Episode 60: Wrinkling Time

The girls take on the film adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time. They discuss how Christian themes might covertly intersect with art, how God’s grace works in weakness, and the uncompromising nature of Truth. They end with their Top 5 Mrs. Who Quotations.




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Episode 66: A Podcast You'll Forget for the Rest of Your Life

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.




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Episode 70: To All The Listeners We've Loved

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.




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Episode 71: Working Through Life with The Office

You asked for it, so the guys did it. They finally took on The Office. They discuss the beauty of the ordinary, the centrality of relationship, and the dynamics of human personality. They close with their Top 5 Bosses.




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Episode 72: A Royale Game of Flies

The girls take on not one, not two, but three dystopian stories! They take a look at Battle Royale, The Hunger Games, and Lord of the Flies, in order to discuss the question of whether human beings, at their core, are good. They also cover how fear drives people to commit heinous acts, how perfect love casts out fear, and how sacrifice is the ultimate expression of God’s love. They close with their Top 5 Dystopian Books.




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Episode 87: A Life of Lore

The girls discuss Aaron Mahnke's podcast, Lore. They discuss the story-telling instinct of humans, how the world used to be filled with wonder, and how folklore stories have helped us protect ourselves from fear. They close with their Top 5 Mischievous Spirits.




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Episode 91: A Little Bit About “Big”

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.




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Episode 102: A Big Little Podcast on Big Little Liars

Christina and Emma take on the HBO series, Big Little Liars. They discuss the many reasons people lie, how repentance can improve even the most impossible situations, and how the ultimate goal of life is to be healed. They close with their Top 5 Big Little Liars.




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Episode 103: The Life of Luxury (and Three Rockin' Priests)

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.




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Episode 110: Falling in Modern Love

The girls discuss the podcast-gone-Amazon series, Modern Love. They reflect on the nature of "modern" love, how love makes us vulnerable, and how true love calls us to become real. They close with their Top 5 Love Stories That Are Not About Romantic Love.




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Episode 111: True Life in Luxury

A couple months ago, the guys watched a documentary following the band, Luxury. They were so impressed by the band and their music, they decided to focus this week on Luxury's album, Trophies. The guys discuss how the world is in decay, how we still need to be affirming of life, and how grace and repentance mean we actually have to change our lives. They close with their Top 5 Things They Are Thankful to God For.




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Episode 113: Lord of the Rings Live! (Feat. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick)

Live from New York, it’s PCCH! The guys discuss the epic trilogy, Lord of the Rings. The touch on topics such as friendship, the human obsession with power, and where hope can be found. Fr. Andrew joins the guys for a Q&A;, as well as a special quiz designed just for him.




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Episode 116: Big Talk about Little Women

The girls discuss the newest version of the classic story, Little Women. They take on topics such as death, the place and shape of gratitude in our lives, and the role of women in society. They close with their Top 5 Movies Based on Classic Novels.




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Episode 118: This Was Your Afterlife

The guys revisit the NBC hit, The Good Place, after the Series Finale, and they were...a little disappointed. They discuss images of the afterlife, how love is other people, and visions of "the good." They close with their Top 5 Season Finales.




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Episode 119: PCCH LIVE! Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Podcast (Pt. 1)

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.




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UPDATE: Pop Culture Coffee Hour LIVE (Every Week)!

Since we're all trying to be socially responsible and live in a state of self-imposed quarantine, Christian Gonzalez and Steve Christoforou want to offer a little bit of lightheartedness. That's why they will be going LIVE every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Eastern/9:30 a.m. Pacific with a brand-spanking new episode of Pop Culture Coffee Hour! Join them at www.y2am.org/PopCultureLive and be a part of the conversation!




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Episode 122: Going Live with Groundhog Day!

This week, the guys take to Zoom before a live digital audience to discuss the classic movie, Groundhog Day! They discuss life under quarantine, how the divine desires the salvation of all, and how change occurs in the heart. The close with some Q&A;! Make sure to join every week at www.y2am.org/PopCultureLive!




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Episode 124: Living the Dream

The guys reflect on the 2010 film, Inception. They discuss the nature of consciousness, the relationship between the mind and the human person, and the importance of conversion over inception.




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Episode 125: Vulnerability Hour

Steve Christoforou and Christian Gonzalez open up for a vulnerable conversation where they share what they're struggling with, how they're doing, and how they're still finding God at work in the midst of a global pandemic.




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Episode 164: Life is Beautiful

"Buongiorno, principessa!" Steve, Christian, Emma, and Christina watched the classic Italian film, "Life is Beautiful." This is our season finale. We'll be back later in the year!




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Episode 176: The Lightkeeper

SPOILER ALERT The girls discuss the Ancient Faith Publishing book, The Lightkeeper. They discuss the relationship between suffering and salvation and how love is both a choice and painful, but it is ultimately essential for a meaningful life.




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Relics

Fr. Philip reflects on the lives and witness of the early Christian martyrs and saints in Rome.




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Cross Politics

To be Christ's disciple requires taking up a cross, denying oneself, and losing one's life in the world.




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Children of Light

Fr. Philip calls us to open our eyes to those areas of our own lives which need to change, as we become children of light.




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Publican

Fr. Philip calls us to begin the journey into Great Lent with the mindset of the Publican rather than the self-righteousness of the Pharisee.




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The Blindman

Are you experiencing healing from the blinding power of sin and death through the resurrection of Jesus?




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Ascending with Christ in Holiness

Are we ascending in holiness with Christ through the pains and challenges of this world?




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On Being the Light of the World

Fr. Philip encourages us to be the light of the world by serving Christ in our immediate circumstances.




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Our Hope for Eternal Life:  Homily for the Dormition

The dormition of the Theotokos is an icon of our hope for eternal life.




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The Pharisee and the Publican

Is pride derailing your spiritual life? The season of Great Lent helps us see our need for repentance and humility.




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Sunday of the Blind Man

Each of us are in need of the healing and illumination of our risen Lord, opening the eyes of our souls to himself.




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Healing of the Demon Possessed Men from Gergesene

Being set free from those things which possess us is just the beginning of the process of salvation.




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Light of the World

Jesus called his followers to become the light of the world by becoming holy, united through the healing and transforming grace of the One who is the Light of the World.




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Dying to Live in Christ

Each one of us are invited into new life in Christ. However, we must be willing to die to those things which hold us back if we are to become a 'new creation' in Christ like the Theotokos.




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Living Temple

Who do you think you are? Is it leading you more and more into the likeness of Jesus?




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The Healing of the Demon Possessed Man of Gadarene

Our favorite sins drive us into the isolation of the wilderness, away from the healing power of Jesus. Once healed, the best witness to the transforming power of Christ is the personal story of those set free.




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The Light of Advent

As we prepare for the coming nativity of Jesus, we need to follow the example of Blind Bartimaeus who opened his life to the Light of Christ in humility.




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The Battle of the Christian Life

The point of the Christian life is a participation in the healing of the human person, struggling against the forces of evil in our own souls.




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Our Family History and the Healing Work of Christ

Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the genealogy of Jesus, and healing work of redemption that comes through Christ.




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Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee

Fr. Philip LeMasters calls us to open our lives to the Holy God in humility, following the example of the Publican.




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The Healing of our Souls

Fr. Philip LeMasters addresses the healing of our souls in light of the Saints like Sts. Cosmas and Damian the Holy Unmercenaries.




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The Light of the World

Fr. Philip LeMasters calls us to live as the reflection of the One who is 'Light of the World.'




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Humble Faith, Not Legalism

Fr. Philip LeMasters calls us to a life of humility, that goes beyond a prideful legalism, leading to the healing of our souls.