Today Fr. Anthony waves the "Good Idea Wand" (a cursed artifact to be sure) to come up with solutions to the problem of maladjusted clergy. He then invites Fr. Gregory to evaluate them. The ideas they discuss are; psychological evaluations, m

Where Do Thoughts Come From?

Jul 11th, 2022 1h 29m

Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Gregory about scientific theories about the origin of thoughts and how the Orthodox understanding covers and improves on them both theologically and practically. This should not be surprising as Orthodoxy grounds ant

Missions and Stewardship with Fr. Robert Holet

Jun 18th, 2022 1h 5m

Fr. Anthony continues his discussion with Fr. Robert, author of "The First and Finest: Orthodox Christian Stewardship as Sacred Offering" about some of the necessities, joys, and struggles that come with starting and nurturing a mission. This

Ritualizing Opportunities for Grace in Mission Work

Jun 6th, 2022 1h 13m

Fr. Anthony continues his discussion with Fr. Robert Holet, author of "The First and Finest: Orthodox Christian Stewardship as Sacred Offering" about mission work, this time focusing on the need to organize and routinize the work of the parish

Talking Missions (and Horses) with Fr. Robert Holet

May 24th, 2022 1h 3m

Fr. Robert Holet is the author of The First and Finest: Orthodox Christian Stewardship as Sacred Offering, one of the best practical guides to fostering a healthy parish culture that you can find. Fr. Robert is also one of Fr. Anthony's mentor

The Confusion of the Micro and Macro Domains

May 13th, 2022 1h 21m

Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Gregory Jensen about motivated reason and the consequences of mixing micro and macro domains. They suggest that our increasing tribalism is exacerbated of confusing pastoral and public communications - something that

The Confusion of the Micro and Macro Domains

May 13th, 2022 1h 21m

The Guru as a Dysfunctional Archetype

Apr 22nd, 2022 1h 8m

The Guru as a Dysfunctional Archetype with Anthony and Fr. Gregory Jensen, PhD, about guruism, why it is dangerous, and how to avoid it. Enjoy the show!

Talking About What Matters Most

Apr 16th, 2022 1h 13m

Fr. Anthony talks with evangelical author, blogger, and podcaster, John Michalak about grace, liturgy, and the need to "surrender subjectivity." John started attending services at Holy Resurrection in Waynesville NC a few months ago and shares

Fr. Gregory Jensen on Confession and the Cultivation of Repentance

Apr 7th, 2022 57m 47s

Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Gregory Jensen, PhD, about how NOT to elicit repentance during confession, some of the differences between confession, interrogation, and therapy, and why love and trust are foundational to the process of reconciliati

Love and Ministry in a Time of War

Mar 12th, 2022 24m 32s

Homily on the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). Fr. Anthony draws on his experience as a retired Army officer (USAR) and the teaching of St. Maximus the Confessor to provide perspective, consolation, and encouragement during this time of war.

Spotting Bad Research

Mar 3rd, 2022 1h 34m

Today Fr. Anthony talks with heterodox political scientist Matthew Woessner (PhD, OSU) about how to recognize bad research. We are being inundated by all kinds of misinformation (and disinformation!) through the press and social media, to incl

Alexandria, Moscow and the Canonical Status of Ecclesial Territory

Feb 17th, 2022 1h 14m

Today Fr. Anthony discusses the Moscow Patriarchate's establishment of an African Exarchate in the territory of the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria with canonist, Fr. Harry Linsinbigler. They talk about how this differs from other parallel

The Role of Repentance in Pastoral Care

Jan 18th, 2022 18m 37s

On the Sunday after Theophany (Ephesians 4:7-13; Matthew 4:12-17), Fr. Anthony offers a meditation on Christ's command to "repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand," focusing primarily on the fundamental role of repentance in discernment and

Liturgy, Logos, and the Harmony of the Spheres

Dec 16th, 2021 1h 1m

After sharing three commentaries on the Prologue of St. John, Fr. Anthony talks about the pattern of sound and how it works to perfect us and our community in Christ. This was first shared via Fr. Anthony's "My Fool Head" YouTube livestream on

Richard Rohlin - his origin story and preliminary thoughts on kata

Nov 24th, 2021 1h 4m

Join Fr. Anthony and Amon Sul co-host Richard Rohlin as Richard shares his origin story (the spider bite was a bilingual household!), some thoughts on kata, and his love of language. This edition serves as a warmup for their upcoming conversat

Three Ideal Types of Parish Music Programs (w/Dn. Michael Abrahamson)

Nov 1st, 2021 1h 11m

In this episode, Fr. Anthony talks with Dn. Michael about three ideal types of parish music; choir, kliros, and congregational. They discuss their attributes, what is required to sustain them, and the way each brings glory to God in its own wa

Sex Talk III - Scriptural and Canonical Protections

Oct 27th, 2021 1h 15m

In this episode Fr. Anthony talks with Fr. Harry, the Canonist for the UOC-USA, about the scriptural and canonical context and instructions about sex. Framing it within the context of holiness, they address real issues that Christians need to

Missions and Mission-Minded Priests

Oct 17th, 2021 1h 10m

In this episode Fr. Anthony talks with long-time mission priest Fr. Gabriel Rochelle about baking bread (Fr. Gabriel has a book on it!), caring for lampadas, and the special skills needed to plant and nurture missions. Enjoy the show!

Sex Talk II – Marital Intimacy and the Priesthood

Oct 13th, 2021 1h 33m

Fr. Gregory Jensen PhD and Fr. Anthony begin by talking about three (no four!) indicators of whether a man is a suitable candidate for seminary, then segue into the importance of a healthy marriage and family life (e.g. 1 Timothy 3). They use

How You Can Be Ready to Serve the New Wave of Inquirers

Oct 7th, 2021 1h 16m

Many clergy report an increase in people visiting our parishes. This wave is unique in Church history because these inquirers have primarily, perhaps even exclusively, learned about Orthodoxy on the internet.The growing number of internet eva

On the Duty of Withholding Sacraments

Sep 18th, 2021 1h 8m

In this episode, Fr. Anthony and Fr. Harry Linsinbigler address the often misunderstood necessity of withholding sacraments. Framing it as a normal process (to include preparation for Baptism/Chrismation) allows us to see it less as a politica

Sex Talk I - Celibacy, Marriage, and Chastity

Sep 15th, 2021 59m 48s

Fr. Gregory Jensen, PhD and Fr. Anthony Perkins talk about Orthodox sexuality, chastity, celibacy, and abstinence. Along the way they also discuss the negative effects the culture wars have had on Orthodox pastoral care. They hope to make thi

Politics as the New Idolatry

Aug 12th, 2021 1h 9m

Join Fr. Anthony and Fr. Harry as they talk about how artificially romanticizing the Golden Age of the Councils contributes to the polarization of our communities, how politics are the new idolatry, and why it is so easy to anathematize heretic

Some Challenges in the Selection and Training of Priests

Jul 27th, 2021 1h 37m

Fr. Anthony talks frankly with Fr. Gregory Jensen, PhD, about the how the selection of priests affects the quality of priestly ministry. From narcissism to the built-in preference for agreeableness - it's all grist for the mill. Enjoy the sho