This week the ladies discuss one of Christina’s all-time favorite books, A Swiftly Tilting Planet. They discuss the reality that all things are connected, the healing power of the transcendent, and the habitual sticking power of every virtuous (or vicious) decision we make. They close with their Top 5 Books from Childhood.

Christian and Steve take a dive into the world of stand-up comedy with the John Mulaney’s Netflix special The Comeback Kid. The guys discuss views of masculinity, the power of self-reproach and honesty, and the ability of comedy to take heavy topics and make them approachable-if-irreverent. They close with their Top 5 Comedy Specials.

This week the guys listen to Crack-Up, the triumphant return of the Fleet Foxes after a 6-year hiatus. They wrestle with this complex album while exploring disappointment with social structures, the ambivalence of self-reliance, and the Christian promise of hoping in Christ. They close with their Top 5 Artsy Albums.

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.

At the beginning of the new season, Steve and Emma stir things up with the first ever crossover episode of PCCH! They take a look at HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones. They address the controversy surrounding the show’s grittier content, the possibility of personal transformation, and the only true battle that matters: the battle between Life and Death. They close with their Top 5 Tragic Heroes.

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 the new Orthodox documentary Becoming Truly Human. They discuss the nature of conversion stories, the role of parents in journeys through faith, and how doubt can be central to our spiritual walk.They close with their Top 5 Martyr Stories.

It’s finally time for the annual Star Wars PCCH, and the guys are stoked. They discuss relating with the past, the balance between light and darkness, and how great it was to see Luke Skywalker return to the silver screen. Spoilers abound, including this one: No Top 5. Just pure, unadulterated Star Wars.

The girls watched Netflix’s Original Series The Crown. They discuss portrayals of marriage, the need for leaders to be held to higher standards, and questions of what it means to be authentically oneself. The end with their Top 5 British-isms.

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 watched the haunting Netflix special, The Push. They discuss the influential nature of authority, the reality of having limited willpower, and the complexity of moral decision making. They close with their Top 5 Difficult Moral Choices.

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 guys spend this week discussing the Netflix series, Magic for Humans. Besides both being magic enthusiasts themselves, the guys were interested in how magic opens the door to wonder, how mystery preserves faith, and how love demands our engagement with otherness. They close with their Top 5 Magic Tricks They’ve Ever Seen.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“I used to think that being blacklisted would be grist for the mill until I realized I’m still here.” - Fiona Apple The guys explore the new Fiona Apple album: "Fetch the Bolt Cutters." They discuss life under quarantine, cycles of sin, and how Christ breaks us free.

“Take her to the moon for me. Okay?” The guys explore the beautiful Pixar movie: "Inside Out." They discuss the importance of learning to handle our emotions, the danger of suppressing (rather than processing) negative emotions, and how sadness leads to empathy.

“Don't kill me.” - George Floyd The guys were going to talk about the Netflix series: Bonfire of Destiny. But important things are happening. And we, as a nation and a Church, need to talk about them. Steve Christoforou and Christian Gonzalez have a tough conversation about the unjust slaying of George Floyd on May 25 and the protests that have developed since. They discuss race in America, violence and virtue, and the theology of the cross.

"I have called you by name; you are Mine!" (Isaiah 43:1) For the series finale of "Pop Culture Coffee Hour," the guys explore season 1 of the new TV series "The Chosen." It's the first ever multi-season exploration of the life of Jesus. The guys discuss Christian art and theology, the call of the Gospel, and the transformative power of real, authentic Christianity. https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen

"I’m just like my country—I’m young, scrappy, and hungry, and I am not throwing away my shot." Steve, Christian, Emma, and Christina are all back for the series premiere of "Pop Culture Coffee Hour." They explore the popular musical, "Hamilton." They discuss the cost of honor, the beauty of forgiveness, and the complexities of race in the American story.

”There are only two industries that call their customers ‘users’: illegal drugs and software.” Steve Christoforou and Christian Gonzalez watched the new Netflix documentary, "The Social Dilemma." The guys discuss vulnerability, disconnection, and the polarizing effects of social media. They close by reflecting on changes we can each make to unplug and reconnect.

The girls discuss the sit-com, New Girl. They talk about self-knowledge, how love takes work, and how we are formed by the spaces we inhabit.

“I’m not the season I’m in...You’re not the season you’re in.” Steve and Christian listened to the new album by Fleet Foxes, "Shore." The guys discuss connection vs isolation, tradition vs traditionalism, and the beauty of forgiveness.

The girls discuss Dracula. They touch on what makes for good horror, as well as what horror seeks to reveal, namely that true life is not given by taking it from others, nor is life the end in itself, but true life involves Resurrection.

"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.

“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.

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 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.

"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.

"Families can be hard, but they're so worth fighting for. They might be one of the only things that are." Steve and Christian watched the new Netflix film, "The Mitchells vs. The Machines." The guys discuss family, belonging, and being corrects vs being connected. Philanthropy Spotlight: Christ's last words to the Apostles were "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all people". Since 1987, OCMC has sent Missionaries and Mission Teams to work, worship and witness around the world. Continue this tradition by joining a Virtual Mission Team. If not you, then who? Find out more at www.ocmc.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!

"We all have our secrets, we just didn't get to yours yet." Steve and Christian watched Daniel Craig's final movie as James Bond, "No Time to Die." They discuss redemption, sacrifice, and violence. 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.

Dn. Rico Monge joins Steve and Christian to discuss "Matrix Resurrections." Spoilers ahead! They explore humanity, freedom, and love.

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 are joined by Gregg Webb to discuss the new Netflix documentary, "Pray Away." Spoilers ahead! They explore struggle, identity, and pastoral care. Leave your comments for the 200th episode at 917-524-7483 (call or text) by July 1, 2022.

Fr. Philip calls us to become vessels of the shocking love of God that is the salvation of the world.

Fr. Philip LeMasters describes the way that the early Christians, like Zacchaeus, were transformed by their encounter with Jesus Christ.