Have you ever felt misunderstood and isolated as a parent of a child with disabilities, or struggled to know how to educate members of your community regarding your child's needs? This month Angela Karadsheh shares her advocating approach and offers suggestions for those who find advocating to be challenging. Being a mom to a neurodivergent son has opened her heart to the Parental understanding of God, and what it means to be fully human.
Beth Thielman joins the conversation on disability in the church, clarifying that creating inclusive environments in our parish settings and ministries is more than saying "everyone is welcome," and then not taking steps to remove barriers for full participation in worship and church life. When we make pivots in the way we operate in order to make church life accessible, we offer a love that removes barriers which are for some of the faithful, like mountains.
Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr. Sofie Azmy regarding John Gottman's well-known metaphor describing four communication styles that often predict difficulties in a marriage relationship–and how to change course toward a healthier bond.
This Father's Day Edition features a conversation with Fr. Dean Panagos of St. John's Greek Orthodox Church in Blue Point, NY. Father Dean shares honestly about his initial reluctance for his community to apply to become a pilot parish in the GOARCH Initiative funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. On Behalf Of All: Toward an Accessible Divine Liturgy for Children with Disabilities; and, how attending the Gathered As One Body Conference in May opened his heart to see what he had not seen before in deca...
Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Randa Anderson regarding the potential benefits as well as the potential risks related to gaming, including the incorporation of Orthodox values in the decision-making process
Meet Amanda Chagnon, mom to three beautiful boys including her youngest, Alexios, who has medical complexities due to a condition called Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disease that causes non-cancerous tumors or lesions to grow in the brain and other areas of the body, including the eyes, lung, heart, kidneys, and skin. Amanda shares how motherhood and her nursing background have intertwined, and the blessings and difficulties of homeschooling, esp...
Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Dimitrios Moraitis on the collateral damage that family and friends often endure when a loved one is struggling with substance abuse - and advice on how to establish healthy boundaries and support for their loved ones in recovery.
Fr. Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Peter Spiro, Director of the GOA National Human Trafficking Awareness Ministry, on who are the traffickers, who are the victims, and what parents need to know to protect their children.
Meet Jeremy Swartz, a recent addition to the Center for Family Care team as the On Behalf of All Grant Assistant Director. Jeremy brings his experience in project management, studies in philosophy and theology, and lived experience as a caregiver of a child with disabilities to our ministry. Listen as he shares how life with his family and their unique journey has taught him to pivot on his paternal expectations into a position of embracing, accepting, and doing the daily work of creating connec...
Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Theo Nikolakis, CIO of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, on positive internet usage, child safety, and related software for families.
Pres Melanie speaks with Marissa Eliades, the cofounder of the Like a Daisy Foundation in memory of her sister Samantha Eliades, who had Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Samantha passed away, unexpectedly, on September 28, 2023. Marissa shares the origins of her family's journey with special needs in the church, beginning with participation in the Challenge Liturgies for families with disabilities established at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church of Port Washington Roslyn Heights, NY; the devel...
Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr David Ford, professor at St. Tikhon's seminary, on the historical and theological understanding of the sacrament of marriage and its practical application for us today.
Lindsay Pals-Bieberich is a clinical social worker and psychotherapist who speaks with Pres Melanie about her clinical specialties working with religious and spiritual trauma, PTSD, and late diagnosis ADHD in women. They explore reasons that many girls receive inaccurate diagnoses in childhood. Her passion is to help clients reframe their experiences from shame to acceptance of physiological differences; and for believers, inviting God into the process of self-discovery.
Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Sarah Riccardi-Swartz on social media's impact on family dynamics, interpersonal communication, and social development - and how parents can change the narrative in the home.
Pres Melanie shares a framework and some ideas for making connections to Christ's birth and Nativity Season traditions with atypically developing children.
Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr George Stavros regarding the following question: "Is it possible for parents to get along and send a consistent message to children even when their styles conflict?"
Presvytera Melanie offers a reflection in honor of Archangel Michael and the angelic hosts, whose assistance and messages for us may be mostly invisible and inaudible to our physical senses; but at times get delivered through unassuming human helpers who ignite our spiritual perceptions.
Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Panteleimon Papadopoulos about wisdom he received regarding marriage from an unlikely source.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the US, and Pres. Melanie welcomes Dr. Mary O'Callaghan, a mother, legal advocate, educator and ethicist in the Catholic Church who speaks on behalf of the human dignity of pre-born babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome and other disabilities. She discusses her research on the history of Selective Abortion, describes existing ministries which provide support to parents who receive difficult prenatal diagnoses, and offers hope-filled, alternative perspect...
October is Blind Awareness Month in the US, and this conversation highlights the lived experience of Dr. Lauren Barron -- a licensed counselor, wife, and mother -- who humbly offers wise counsel for families experiencing diagnoses of disabilities and other life challenges. Blind herself, she found new insight regarding her disability when becoming Orthodox. Dr. Barron shares encouraging messages for families experiencing visual impairments, and tips for their seeing fellow parishioners.
Matushka Carrie Foley and Presv. Melanie present helpful advice for parents on easing into and building trust of support staff who will care for their vulnerable family members, as well as creative suggestions to make refreshing family vacations/getaways possible, even when budgets are tight.
Matushka Carrie Foley shares personal lessons learned regarding the vitalness of self-care and times of refreshment for sustainable caregiving. In Part 1 of 2 of this conversation, common roadblocks to rest and relaxation are addressed including guilt, anxiety, and lack of resources, along with practical suggestions for finding ways around them.
Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Christopher Chiakulas, founder of Orthodox Christian College Counseling, a platform that supports teenagers and their parents in navigating the high school journey, focusing on the college search, application, and selection process from an Orthodox perspective.
As many celebrate the USA's Independence Day, Presvytera Melanie reflects on the societal ideal of independence, examined through the lens of Trinitarian relationship and interdependence. How do families raising children with disabilities strike a balance in encouraging their children's independence, while being at peace with, and understanding where, extra supports are needed? How independent is any human being, truly? Saints Seraphim of Sarov and Theodore of Tobolsk help answer these questions...
Elissa Bjeletich Davis of AFR's Everyday Orthodox joins the Fully Human conversation, sharing her family's experience of serious, early childhood health challenges (and beyond) and the tragic passing of her infant son to SIDS. Presvytera Melanie and Elissa particularly focus on how the enemy of our souls can attempt to twist our fears and grief into destructive thoughts and actions, and what to do with misappropriated maternal guilt.
Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Edith Humphrey on the holy opportunities for parents and children while reading Scripture as a family.
A continuation of Pres Melanie's conversation with Summer Kinard, who shares valuable resources for making churches accessible to all.
Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Calliope Couchell-Wilson on her book that addresses the stages of divorce and practical advice on forging a new life.
Orthodox Christian, Autistic author, publisher, and faith educator, Summer Kinard, shares her family's intimate experiences as Autistics and offers practical theological insight and encouragement. How are Autistic people like flower bees? Listen and learn!
Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Rev. Dr. George Parsenios, professor of New Testament at Holy Cross School of Theology, on the biblical and theological understanding of God the Father, helping to reorient us to a healthier relationship with our heavenly father and earthly fathers.
