Bobby interviews Fr. David Fontes, a priest, psychologist, and the author of the new Ancient Faith Publishing book In the Eyes of Your Creator: Truly Valuing Yourself and Others.

Host Bobby Maddex interviews Amandine Wanert, the French artist who just recently illustrated the beautiful AFP picture book In the Candle's Glow, written by Elizabeth Crispina Johnson.

Bobby Maddex interviews Presv. Constantina Palmer, the author of the new AFP book The Sweetness of Grace: Stories of Christian Trial and Victory.

Bobby Maddex interviews Sylvia Leontaritis, the author of the new AFP book Songs of Praise: A Psalter Devotional for Orthodox Women.

Bobby Maddex interviews—live!—Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger about their new AFP book Tending the Garden of Our Hearts: Daily Lenten Meditations for Families.

On another live pop-up edition of Ex Libris, Bobby Maddex interviews Sylvia Leontaritis, author of the blog Adventures of an Orthodox Mom and the new AFP book Songs of Praise: A Psalter Devotional for Orthodox Women

On a new Ex Libris, the podcast of Ancient Faith Publishing, host Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. John Strickland, the author of The Age of Paradise: Christendom from Pentecost to the First Millennium.

Bobby Maddex interviews Summer Kinard, the author of the new Ancient Faith Publishing book Of Such Is the Kingdom: A Practical Theology of Disability.

Bobby Maddex interviews Benedict Sheehan, Xenia Sheehan, and the poet Sydney Lea about the new AFP book The Shield of Psalmic Prayer by the late Donald Sheehan.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. John Strickland, the author of the new AFP book The Age of Division: Christendom from the Great Schism to the Protestant Reformation. This is volume two of a four-volume series called Paradise and Utopia: The Rise and Fall of What the West Once Was.

Palm Sunday and Holy Week present opportunities for us to see Christ exalted, holy, and victorious!

Fr.Wilbur continues his series on the Psalms of Ascent looking to the hills "from whence comes my help."

The Psalm of Ascent associated with the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy during Great Lent is Psalm 121 (122 in the Hebrew) where we "go up" to the House of the Lord.

Continuing with the Psalms of Ascent, Fr. Wilbur looks at Psalm 122 (123 in the Hebrew) which shows how we are given strength for the journey.

In the next Ode of Ascent, Fr. Wilbur shows us that God delivers us in close calls and close calls are the foundation of maturing faith.

Continuing through the Psalms of Ascent, Fr. Wilbur reflects on Psalm 124 (125 in the Hebrew) where we take comfort in being surrounded by the love of God.

In this Psalm, we reflect on the middle of our journey when the newness has worn off and the destination seems so far away.

In his continuing series on the Psalms of Ascent, Fr. Wilbur looks at Psalm 126 (127 in the Hebrew) and the assurance that God is with us in the journey.

We are now moving beyond the mid-point of our journey in the 15 Psalms of Ascent. Psalm 127 (128 in the Hebrew) talks about the "fear of the Lord" which is described as pure and enduring forever.

Fr. Wilbur begins the last set of the Psalms of Ascent with another familiar Vespers Psalm - "Out of the depths, I have cried to You, O Lord."

In his continuing series on the Psalms of Ascent, Fr. Wilbur looks at Psalm 130 (131 in the Hebrew) and says that the higher we rise into union with God, the lower we go from centering on ourselves.

In the first of his reflections on the Psalms we pray at the Pre-Sancified Liturgy during Great Lent, Fr. Wilbur looks at Psalm 119 (120) and the journey of a sojourner.

The 20/40 Young Adult Ministry of St Joseph Church, Houston, hosted Dr. John Mark Reynolds, Provost of Houston Baptist University (and Orthodox Christian) on four Fridays in March.

The 20/40 Young Adult Ministry of St Joseph Church, Houston, hosted Dr. John Mark Reynolds, Provost of Houston Baptist University (and Orthodox Christian) on four Fridays in March.

The 20/40 Young Adult Ministry of St Joseph Church, Houston, hosted Dr. John Mark Reynolds, Provost of Houston Baptist University (and Orthodox Christian) on four Fridays in March.

The 20/40 Young Adult Ministry of St Joseph Church, Houston, hosted Dr. John Mark Reynolds, Provost of Houston Baptist University (and Orthodox Christian) on four Fridays in March.

Dr. John Mark Reynolds discusses the views that modern Christians have as they perceive Hell.

Why is our culture obsessed with death, and how can remembrance of death help us to overcome it?

Returning to the podcast after a personal break, Wesley ask, "Can doctors and other healthcare providers be forced to provide medical proceeds, like abortions, when it goes against their convictions?"

How did our society become so accepting of a culture of death - from Dr. Jack Kevorkian, Terri Schiavo, and Planned Parenthood?

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA's research center responsible for robotic space missions, will lay off more workers before the year ends due to budget constraints. JPL Director Laurie Leshin has announced in a memo addressed to employees that the reduction will affect 325 people, or about five percent of its whole workforce. Leshin explained that the lab took various measures to meet its budget allocation for the 2025 fiscal year and to minimize the adverse effects of a limited budget on its workers. In the end, though, JPL "reached the difficult decision" to make "one further workforce reduction."

The lab already cut 530 employees and cut over 100 contractors from its roster earlier this year because of uncertainty over the final budget that the Congress will give NASA for 2024. It also froze hiring in response to the dilemma. The main reason why the lab had to implement those measures was because the Mars Sample Return Program was allocated a much smaller budget than it needed. NASA had requested $950 million for the mission, but only $300 million was allocated for it. 

NASA's original plan was to bring home the samples collected by the mission in 2040. But its budget ballooned from $7 billion to $11 billion, and as The Washington Post notes, the government found the return date "unacceptable." For the 2025 fiscal year, NASA only requested $200 million for the project that could go through significant changes. The agency is now looking for ways to alter the mission and is even considering proposals from private companies. 

Leshin said that the layoffs will affect all areas of the lab, including its technical, business and support divisions. "[W]e had to tighten our belts across the board, and you will see that reflected in the layoff impacts," she said. JPL's director also said that the US presidential election results have nothing to do with the reduction that the "action would be happening regardless" of its outcome. 

Professor David Frost continues his exploration in the field of ethics and tries to find an answer to the question, "How do we discover and apply a Christian standard?"

Professor David Frost, the Principal of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, speaks about "Christian and other ways of deciding what is right" in this first of two lectures on ethics.

Dr. Christine Mangala Frost has lectured widely on comparative religion and is a published novelist with two books to her name exploring the consequences of religious belief for human action. She is currently working on a study comparing and contrasting Hindu and the Christian Orthodox beliefs. Here she presents a reflection on the theme of theodicy in relation to the Book of Job.

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware futher explores the foundation of Eastern theology and its historical roots in the writings of the Fathers and the Orthodox life.

When we are silently aware of the presence of Christ, the whisper of His name will bring healing to us and spill out to others.

Our communion with God springs from the heart - our all important "inner space."

Dr. Rossi talks about the jungle of wicked thoughts in our minds and the need to not judge others.

Why is there suffering in the world? Is God trying to punish us? Dr. Rossi addresses this important topic and helps us understand that there is purpose in suffering.

None of us can avoid death. So as Orthodox Christians, how should we look at death and grief in a healing manner?

We hear so much about "living in the present moment" but what does that mean and how do we do it?

What is the difference between a career and a vocation? Dr. Rossi tells a personal story from his days as a Monk.

Today, Dr. Rossi talks about thankfulness for all things—good or bad. It's an attitude we all need to cultivate.

Dr. Rossi talks with graduate student and old friend Danielle Xanthos about the ministry and martyrdom of Mother Maria of Paris.

Dr. Rossi selects some of his favorite sayings from the beloved Desert Father, Abba Poemen.

Listen to this beautiful interview with Alexis, an Orthodox Christian living with schizophrenia and someone who has a relationship with Christ which is a powerful witness to the love of God.

Dr. Rossi share his experience with the Orthodox blessing of a child.

Dr. Rossi shares his thoughts on the meaning and purpose of the trees in the Garden of Eden for us today.

Dr. Rossi reflects upon the power of a sense of wonder in how we approach life and God.

Dr. Rossi reflects upon the Gospel account of the temptation of Jesus in light of his trip to the Mount of Temptation Monastery in the Holy Land.