The girls take on the long-awaited sequel to the classic film, Mary Poppins Returns. They discuss how true life stands in contrast to despair, how our perspectives shape our realities, and the role of wonder in the spiritual life. They close with their Top 5 Imaginary Places.

The girls discuss the Amazon Prime original show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. They discuss the importance of family, the common incongruence between “who we are” and “what we do,” and the nature of our true identity in Christ. They close with Emma’s Top 5 Comedians.

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.

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.

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.

The guys discuss the first live-action Star Wars TV Series: The Mandalorian. They touch on the interplay between nostalgia and creativity, the role of choice in identity formation, and the self-sacrificial love. They close with their Top 5 Westerns.

This week the girls revisit the critically acclaimed Amazon Prime show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. They discuss the need to be clear on our lives priorities, how where we are shapes who we become, and how each of us is called to follow Christ authentically. They close with their Top 5 Songs Released in 1960.

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.

Christina Andresen, Steve Christoforou, and Christian Gonzalez finish up their conversation on Harry Potter. They discuss how youth ministry should look like Defense Against the Dark Arts, how sacrifice shows true mastery over death, and who they think the true hero of the story is. They close with their Top 5 Things (and an Accidental One) They'd Make Into Horcruxes. Listen to Part 1 at https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/popculture/episode_119_pcch_live_harry_potter_and_the_half_blood_podcast_pt_1.

What if magic were real? The guys explore the new Disney feature film, "Onward." They explore the truth in stories, the challenges of a disenchanted world, and the ways Disney films present love.

“Dude!” Steve and Christian watched the new film, "Bill and Ted Face the Music." The guys discuss the failures of past generations, ways to empower younger people, and the unity of all people. We're also shining a light on Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, which serves those who are incarcerated and their families, and provides resources, training and support to their ministry partners so that lives are transformed and God is glorified. Learn more on their website: theocpm.org.

"Wherever I go, he goes." Steve and Christian watched season 2 of the amazing Disney+ series, "The Mandalorian." The guys discuss the difference between tradition and traditionalism; the empire's evil; and discerning the Way. Philanthropy Spotlight: We're also shining a light on the Astoria Food Pantry, a neighborhood mutual aid project that provides high-quality fresh food to 200 people per week. In 2021, they plan to both continue the programs that they started in 2020 and expand operations to some new projects to serve the community. Learn more on their website: https://www.astoriafoodpantry.com.

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.

"What is grief, if not love persevering?" Steve and Christian watched the new Disney+ series in the MCU, "WandaVision." The guys discuss grief, justice, power, and the cross-pressure of Secular3. Philanthropy Spotlight: We're also shining a light on "Philoptochos," the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Philoptochos fulfills its mission to “help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, those with disabilities and the victims of disasters through its National and Metropolis Boards and its 26,000 members and more than 400 active chapters, nationwide. Philoptochos responds immediately to needs and crises and its philanthropic outreach extends to each area of the country and throughout the world. In 2019, National Philoptochos distributed $1.7 million in philanthropic aid. Learn more on their website: philoptochos.org

Steve and Christian discuss the new Christianity Today podcast, "The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill." This is part 1. They discuss authority, celebrity, and spiritual abuse. christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill Additional Resource: markdejesus.com/14-signs-spiritual-abuse Subscribe to "Pop Culture Coffee Hour" on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. 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 are back to continue their discussion on the new Christianity Today podcast, "The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill." They explore authority, culture wars, and celebrity. christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill Additional Resource: markdejesus.com/14-signs-spiritual-abuse Subscribe to "Pop Culture Coffee Hour" on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. 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.

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 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.

On Thomas Sunday, we are reminded that Christ rose victoriously with his wounds and that we too may bring our bodily limitations and challenges into the redeeming light of the risen Christ.

Do you understand the Gospel as being good news for all, even for those whom you hate?

Like the Saints, our path to holiness will be through the daily struggle to be faithful in small ways that few will notice or celebrate.

Fr. Philip calls us to engage in the practices of prayer, fasting and generosity - the basic building blocks of Christian faithfulness.

Are we participating in the new creation that Christ offers to us through his life, death and resurrection?

During the coming Lenten season, spiritual disciplines like prayer are intended to help us humble ourselves before the Lord and make us aware how far we are away from God. Pride threatens to weigh us down, while humility lifts us up to God.

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

Christ calls us to ascend with Him into the Kingdom of Heaven, becoming like Him in His holiness even now in the Church.

We must open the eyes of our souls to the truth of where we stand before Christ. And then, when we know our own inadequacy, it will be possible to offer ourselves truthfully to Him.

Are you willing to look at what your life truly is like? It is the grace of God that moves us more and more into the life of Christ, crucifying our shame and despair.

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

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

Fr. Philip LeMasters draws together the meaning of the Transfiguration of Christ and the Dormition of the Theotokos for our participation in the healing of our corrupt humanity.

Fr. Philip LeMasters helps us to understand the deeper meaning of the parable of the Good Samaritan so that we too can live the Gospel with our Neighbor.

Fr. Philip LeMasters addresses the violence in our world today by reflecting on the call to love our neighbor in the story of Lazarus.

Fr. Philip LeMasters draws our attention to the estrangement of the prodigal son by his self-centered desire, and the love of the Father upon his return.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the Feasts of the Transfiguration of our Lord and the Dormition of the Theotokos.

Fr. Philip LeMasters gives a homily on the Gospel reading on the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish.

In preparing for Great Lent this year, we must remain on guard against the temptation of self-exaltation in any form.

As we begin our Lenten journey, we remember today how Adam and Eve stripped themselves naked of the divine glory and were cast out of Paradise into a world enslaved by death. During Great Lent, we follow the path that leads back to Paradise.

Lenten practices are not instruments of punishment or legalism, but blessed tools for becoming more fully our true selves as living icons of God.

Regardless of the particulars of our life circumstances, let us use the challenges posed by the global pandemic as reminders of the folly of making life in this world our false god.

Whenever we give our time, resources, or attention to help anyone who is in need in any way, we embrace an opportunity to serve our Savior and participate more fully in His life.

The Lord said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The only way to shine like a city on a hill or a lamp on a stand in a world darkened by sin is to live in a way that provides a beacon of hope for the fulfillment of the human person in God.

People try to serve two masters because they lack the spiritual clarity to see that the good things of the creation are not God’s equals or rivals, but blessings to be offered back to Him for the salvation of the world.

It is easy to think that we are spiritually strong and healthy when life is good and things are going our way. It is a very different matter, however, when things are falling apart and we find that we have no place to stand.

As we celebrate the Exaltation of the Cross, let us examine ourselves to see if our lives appear foolish and scandalous by the standards of the world because of our faithfulness to Jesus Christ.

Instead of obsessing over how we measure up, we should simply focus all our energies on finding healing for our passions as we reorient our disordered desires for fulfillment in God. If we persist in doing so and call out for the Lord’s mercy whenever we stumble and fall, we will come to know the joy of those liberated from the tomb, clothed in the divine glory, and finally in our right minds.

Both the bleeding woman and Jairus were at the end of their rope. They faced circumstances so dark that they could not imagine how they would be delivered from them. The gravity of their challenges is reflected by how little these characters speak in their encounters with Christ. They did not use many words to show whatever level of faith they had in Him, perhaps because what was at stake was beyond their ability to name.

As we prepare to receive the Lord in faith at Christmas, we must use our freedom to follow St. Paul’s instruction in today’s epistle reading: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

It is easy for people to fall prey to the passions of fear, worry, and anger in response to the great challenges that our nation and world face today, as well as to those we encounter in our families and in other areas of our lives. In such circumstances, we must not ignore the importance of one of the most basic virtues necessary for human flourishing, namely, gratitude.

During Great Lent, we will follow the path that leads back to Paradise.