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.

The girls watched the new adaption of the classic musical West Side Story. They explore how time can change your perspective, the tension between hope and the reality of hurt, and the tragedy of rejecting Love.

The girls discuss a pair of podcasts, "Spectacle: An Unscripted History of Reality TV" and "Am I Normal?" They touch on topics like whether something being a cultural "norm" necessarily means it's "good," how we can build empathy for others, but also how easy it can be to slip into judgment and inauthenticity, plus, what they're cooking.

The girls discuss the novel, A River Enchanted. They touch on how music has power, how love means trust and loyalty, and how home provides comfort. Plus, what they're cooking for meatfare week!

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

The girls discuss Cinderella and the various themes associated with her stories. This includes friends as helpers, the line between truth and lies, and the power of resilience in the face of adversity. All this, plus what they're cooking!

Steve and Christian explore the new Netflix movie, "The Adam Project." Spoilers ahead! They explore formation, character, and repentance.

Christina and Emma invite Hibbah to join the conversation around the fourth season of the Amazon Prime Original, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. They discuss questions of what it means to be a woman, different types of friends, and community. All that, plus what they're cooking!

Erin joins Steve and Christian to explore the new Disney+ movie, "Turning Red." Spoilers ahead! They explore growing up, emotions, and love.

Christina and Emma discuss the docuseries, Cheer. They touch on themes of belonging and healing, idolatry (even of the good stuff), and love. As always, they share what they're cooking.

Steve and Christian explore the series finale of "Nathan for You," a stand-alone film called "Finding Frances." Spoilers ahead! They explore love, regret, and reality.

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 explore the new DC superhero movie, "The Batman." Spoilers ahead! They explore lies, power, trauma, and radicalization.

Christina and Steve watched the new film about Saint Nektarios, "Man of God." Spoilers ahead! They explore struggle, salvation, and the choice to live as faithful Christians.

Steve and Christian are back to discuss the new MCU film, "Spiderman: No Way Home." Spoilers ahead! They explore restorative justice, loss and sacrifice, and identity.

Christina and Emma are back to discuss the new Downton Abbey movie! They discuss themes of growing up, changes, and preparation for death. As always, what they're cooking. Leave your comments for the 200th episode at 917-524-7483 (call or text).

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 discuss the new Netflix series, "The G Word with Adam Conover." They explore Christian approaches to politics, power, and the Kingdom of God. Leave your comments for the 200th episode at 917-524-7483 (call or text) by July 1, 2022.

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.

Christina and Emma, along with special guest and Effective Christian Ministry Cohort Director, Dr. Pres. Athanasia Kostakis, discuss the fantasy novel, Uprooted. They touch on how many gifts can work together, the responsibility of discipleship, and friendship. As always, 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.

Steve Christoforou and Christian Gonzalez discuss the new Disney+ series "Obi-Wan Kenobi." They explore the self, sacrifice, and the allure of the Dark Side.

It's been a wild ride, and now, after seven years, Christina, Steve, Emma, and Christian gather for the final episode Pop Culture Coffee Hour. They discuss the high points of the last 200 episodes, play some games, and have a whole lot of laughs. Listener voicemails and blooper reels abound in this series finale. Join the Wonder Twins and Headscarf Mafia as they lovingly say goodbye to the podcast and the faithful thirteen. All this and the introduction of a brand new, canine-based childhood curriculum. Agni Parthene (Dance & Do Not Sin Remix) was written and produced by Jim John Marks of Generative Sounds; this song and his other works can be found at generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com.

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

In the name of freedom, we easily enslave ourselves to our own desires and passions in ways that make it very hard to set things right once again.

Jesus Christ calls his followers to something much more profound than being friendly, decent, or thoughtful.

In order to accomplish anything, we have to accept who we are, stay focused, and faithfully fulfill the duties that our particular calling gives us. Otherwise, we will likely fail in what we set out to do.

Christ does not ask us to fix our own personal problems, much less to end wars or feed thousands. All that he asks us to do is offer what little we can to Him for blessing with the faith that He will do with it what is best.

Contrary to many contemporary Christians, Jesus and the Apostles did not seek a happy or successful life.

The Feast of the Dormition calls us to embrace the fullness of life—the deepest reality of what it means to be a human being in the world as we know it.

It is a mistake to approach the life in Christ as a list of chores to be checked off.

Many times in the Bible, cultivated land is a sign of our relationship with God.

Our baptismal garment gives a profound responsibility throughout our lives to live in a way that shines with the divine glory—that radiates the light of Christ to a world so filled with darkness, death, and despair.

To believe in the power of Christ's Cross is to bet our lives on His sacrificial offering.

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

Have you lost your sense of wonder at God's presence in your life?

Becoming a blessing to others is the way to be blessed ourselves.

We must tend or care for the seeds and the growing plants of our souls if they are to have any realistic hope of producing a good crop.

Fr. Philip explores the significance of St. Luke, the patron saint of his parish.

We must accept a kind of death in order to become our true selves—one that includes a rejection of legalism and self-justification.

The story of the Good Samaritan calls us to treat everyone as our neighbor through the love of God for the whole world.

Fr. Philip challenges the foolishness of pursuing wealth, power and politics in place of the true salvation of our lives.

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.

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.

Fr. Philip encourages us to find ourselves in the story of the Prodigal Son, and to come home to the Father who is ready to forgive.

Fr. Philip remembers St. Gregory Palamas by calling us to bring our whole personhood - body, soul and spirit - into our relationship with God.

Fr. Philip encourages us at this midpoint of Great Lent to take up our cross and follow Jesus.

On this Sunday of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent," by St. John Climacus, we are called to ever greater heights of union with God by lowering ourselves through humble repentance.

Fr. Philip calls us to a life of repentance like St Mary of Egypt.