Counterflow with Buck Johnson
by Buck Johnson
The Counterflow Podcast is a weekly show featuring discussions and interviews with people who are outside of and critical toward mainstream liberal and conservative politics. Counterflow challenges the conventional narratives sold to us as truth. The show features thinkers from all backgrounds, who do not fit into the narrow framework of fashionable opinion. The show addresses cultural, spiritual and lifestyle issues as well as philosophy and geo-politics. Host Buck Johnson (formerly of the Death To Tyrants Podcast) is a musician, firefighter and Orthodox Christian and has always had an interest and drive to go one way while everyone else runs the other direction.
Episodes
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Ep. 438 - The Third Temple: A Theology of Delusion, with Father Tom Soroka
What happens when bad theology becomes the foundation for an entire political and religious worldview? Fr. Tom Soroka joins me to discuss the Third Temple, Christian Zionism, and the theological assumptions that have shaped much of modern evangelical Christianity. We examine the dangers of...
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Ep. 437 - The Great Inversion: Ecumenism, Ideology, and the Soul, with Fr. Peter Heers
Fr. Peter Heers returns to Counterflow for a conversation about ecumenism, ideology, and the proper ordering of both the human soul and the Church. We begin with a warning Fr. Peter gave me years ago during our time together on Mount Athos: that ecumenism would be one of the greatest challenges...
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Ep. 436 - The Ruins of Empire: Orthodoxy Beyond Ideology, with William George
What happens when the institutions running a country seem more interested in extracting its wealth than preserving its future? I'm joined by William George, an Orthodox Christian living in England, to discuss the decline of the West, the interests of political and financial elites, and the...
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Ep. 435 - Crowned for Sacrifice: The Orthodox Understanding of Marriage, with Fr. Justin Havens
What if we've completely misunderstood the purpose of marriage? In this episode, recorded live at my parish, St. Andrew's ROCOR Orthodox Church in Lockhart, Texas, I'm joined by Fr. Justin Havens to discuss the Orthodox Christian understanding of marriage and how it differs from what we've come…
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Ep. 434 - A Mother's Prayer: From the Brink of Death to Life in the Church, with Longinus and Sophia
Longinus was at the point where he didn't want to live anymore. His mother, Sophia, was at the point where all she could do was pray. They join me to tell the story of what happened next—a suicide attempt, time in a psychiatric hospital, years of struggle, and eventually, an unexpected path into...
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Ep. 433 - Addiction, Recovery and Repentance, with Father Michael Marcantoni
Father Michael Marcantoni joins me to talk about addiction, recovery, repentance, and the Orthodox spiritual life. Father Michael shares his own journey through alcoholism and sobriety, what "rock bottom" actually means, his experience with AA and the 12 steps, and the surprising similarities...
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Ep. 432 - Strength Under Control: Jiu-Jitsu, Meekness, and the Orthodox Life, with Jeff Messina
This week I'm joined by Jeff Messina, a longtime Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and Orthodox Christian. We get into what happens when the mat exposes your ego, why knowing how to fight doesn't mean looking for a fight, and what jiu-jitsu can teach us about humility, discipline, and self-control.…
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Ep. 431 - Baptism Before Death: Love, Loss, and Salvation, with Kara Mosher
I've known Kara Mosher for a few years now and she has one hell of a story. Her road to Orthodoxy was already pretty wild. She spent years involved in the occult, New Age spirituality, psychedelics, and all kinds of things she thought might give her answers or healing. Eventually, that search led...
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Ep. 430 - The Price of Knowing: Psychics, Demons, and Spiritual Deception, with Justine Alter
Justine Alter joins me to discuss her book How Could I Possibly Convert to Orthodox Christianity?, written specifically for psychics, magicians, occult practitioners, and others attempting to leave that world behind. Justine writes from firsthand experience with the occult and now approaches…
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Ep. 429 - The Danger of Being Right: Finding Orthodoxy Without Losing Humility, with Kenneth B.
Kenneth B., writer of Becoming Orthodox, joins me for a great conversation about his journey to the Orthodox Church and what he's learned along the way. We get into Scripture and Tradition, the saints, the Theotokos, the ancient Jewish world Christianity emerged from, and why more young people…
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Ep. 428 - From Ancient Faith to Ideology: Protestantism's Drift and the Orthodox Way Back, with Dr. Clark Carlton
In this episode, I'm joined by my friend and one of my favorite authors, Dr. Clark Carlton, for a conversation about Protestantism, Orthodoxy, and what happens when Christianity becomes less a lived, sacramental faith and more an ideology derived from a text. Clark takes us through the history of...
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Ep. 427 - From Stand-Up to Sitting Down: Comedy, Orthodoxy, and Stories, with Carollynn Xavier
My guest this week is Carollynn Xavier—Orthodox catechumen , longtime touring comedian, and now host of a brand-new interview show coming to Logos Cinema. We get into Carollynn's years doing stand-up and touring, what life as a comedian actually looks like, how Orthodoxy fits into all of it, and...
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Ep. 426 - When Truth Became Dangerous: COVID, the Church, and Forgiveness, with Fr. Zechariah Lynch
Fr. Zechariah Lynch joins me to talk about something a lot of people would rather forget: what the COVID years actually did to us. We get into fear, mandates, "misinformation," the pressure to conform, and the damage done to people who simply asked questions. Fr. Zechariah also gets personal…
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Ep. 425 - Beyond Denominations: Worship, Story, and the Search for the True Church, with Neil DeGraide
In this episode of Counterflow, I'm joined by Neil DeGraide, musician, songwriter, and founding member of Dirt Poor Robins. Neil spent years in the Evangelical world leading worship and creating Christian music before beginning a journey that ultimately led him to the Orthodox Church. We talk…
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Ep. 424 - How Logos Cinema Is Building an Orthodox Culture Through Story, with Andrew Stokich
For decades, Christians have lamented the decline of culture. We criticize Hollywood, complain about entertainment, and point out everything that's wrong with the stories shaping our civilization. But what comes after the criticism? My guest, Andrew Stokich, co-founder of Logos Cinema, believes…
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Ep. 423 - Inverting the Inversion: Reclaiming Culture, with Mano Elia
What happens when Orthodox Christians stop simply criticizing culture and start creating it? In this episode, Buck chats with his good friend Mano Elia—host of the Study of Stuff Podcast, founder of Spoon Records, and one of the driving forces behind the Bored No More movement—to discuss what it...
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Ep. 422 - Truth, Beauty, and the Orthodox Way Out of the Occult, with Erika MacDougall
Before becoming Orthodox, Erika MacDougall spent years immersed in the occult. She practiced theistic Satanism, participated in blood rituals, worked with ritual magic, and was even paid to place curses on others. What promised power, hidden knowledge, and spiritual enlightenment ultimately led…
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Ep. 421 - Orthodoxy Beyond the Algorithm, with John Heers
In an age dominated by algorithms, outrage, and endless scrolling, what does it mean to become a truly human person? John Heers joins me for a wide-ranging conversation on modernity, the crisis of meaning, internet Orthodoxy, the rise of the "Orthobro," and why so many people are searching for...
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Ep. 420 - When Validation Isn't Love: An Orthodox Psychologist on Truth and Healing with Dr. Anastasia Stewart
In this episode, Buck sits down with Dr. Anastasia Stewart, an Orthodox Christian psychologist and trauma specialist, to explore the relationship between modern psychology and the healing tradition of the Orthodox Church. Together they discuss where psychology contains genuine insights—and where…
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Ep. 419 - Therapy, Trauma, and Theosis, with Fr. Turbo Qualls
In this post-conference conversation, Fr. Turbo Qualls joins me to reflect on the themes, insights, and discussions that emerged from the inaugural OINTMENT Conference—an event bringing together clergy, clinicians, and laypeople to explore the relationship between Orthodox Christianity, mental...
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Ep. 418 - Built for War, Unprepared for Peace: A Navy SEAL's Journey Through PTSD and Spiritual Warfare, with Slade Cutrer
In this episode, I chat with former Navy SEAL Slade Cutrer for a candid conversation about military service, trauma, spiritual warfare, and the search for healing. After spending fifteen years in one of the most demanding military communities in the world, Slade found himself facing challenges…
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Ep. 417 - Growing Up Soviet, Finding Christ, and Ministering Behind Bars, with Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov
Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov grew up in the Soviet Union during the final years of state-sponsored atheism before immigrating to the United States on his own. After some life happenings and lots of revelations, he became an Orthodox priest. A fascinating aspect of his ministry has been in the prisons.…
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Ep. 416 - Writing the Collapse: Fiction, Faith, and Spiritual Warfare, with Andrew Edwards
In this episode, I chat with author Andrew Edwards to discuss his novel King of Dogs and the deeper realities that inspired it. While the conversation begins with fiction, it quickly expands into a wide-ranging discussion on spiritual warfare, civilizational decline, modern nihilism, masculinity,...
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Ep. 415 - Leaving Evangelicalism for the Ancient Church, with Fr. David Hovik
What happens when an Evangelical pastor begins seriously studying the early Church — and realizes modern Christianity looks very different from ancient Christianity? In this episode, I chat with Father David Hovik to discuss his remarkable journey from Evangelical ministry into the Orthodox…
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Ep. 414 - Orthodox Nationalism and the Israel Question, with Benjamin Michael
Host of "American Orthodoxy" a live Orthodox news show, Benjamin Michael (formerly Orthodox Luigi) is a prior Marine Corps Officer and now Orthodox Christian apologist and Independent Journalist. He engages in public debates, and creates educational content on Orthodox theology and various topics...
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Ep. 413 - Journey to Reality: Sacramental Christianity in a Secular Age, with Dr. Zachary Porcu
What if the biggest obstacle to understanding Christianity is not disbelief—but modernity itself? In this episode, Buck chats with Dr. Zachary Porcu to discuss sacramental Christianity, the modern secular mindset, and why so many people today—even Christians—struggle to see reality the way the...
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Ep. 412 - If a Nation Loses Truth, What Is Left to Die For? with James Webb
In this episode, James Webb and I discuss the lessons America failed to carry forward from past wars, and why institutional memory seems to fade so quickly. We get into the current geopolitical landscape, including Israel, Iran, and the risks of escalation—and what's often left out of mainstream...
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Ep. 411 - The Self-Help Trap: Therapy, the Passions, and the War for the Soul, with Fr. Turbo Qualls
We're living in a moment where everyone is "doing the work"—therapy, healing, boundaries, trauma language—and yet people seem more anxious, unstable, and internally fragmented than ever. In this episode, Fr. Turbo Qualls joins me to challenge the assumptions behind modern mental health culture…
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Ep. 410 - War, Truth, and the Battle You Can't See, with Darryl Cooper
In this episode, I talk with Darryl Cooper, host of the Martyr Made Podcast, and cohost of the Provoked Podcast (with Scott Horton as well) to talk about war, power, and the unseen forces shaping both. With a background as a Navy Aegis technician and a decade as a DOD engineer, Darryl brings a...
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Ep. 409 - (FIXED) Dying to the World in an Age of Distraction, with Fr. John Valadez
In this episode, I chat with Fr. John Valadez—Orthodox priest and the man behind Death to the World—to talk about what it actually means to die to the world in a culture that's built to keep you comfortable, entertained, and constantly distracted. We get into why modern life makes it almost...
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Ep. 408 - The Gut and the Soul: Health, Habit, and the Passions, with Dr. Mark Faries
In this episode, Buck sits down with Dr. Mark Faries, professor at Texas A&M and researcher in behavior change, to explore one of the most frustrating realities of modern life: Why do we know what's healthy… and still fail to do it? Dr. Faries breaks down the science behind human behavior—why...
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Ep. 407 - Beyond Feelings: Truth, Asceticism, and the Orthodox Path, with Fr. Justin Havens
What happens when faith is reduced to a feeling? In this episode, I sit down with Fr. Justin Havens, a missionary priest serving at St. Joseph the Hesychast Serbian Orthodox Church, to talk about one of the most important spiritual questions of our time: Is truth something you feel… or something...
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Ep. 406 - Heaven on Earth: The Divine Liturgy and the Book of Revelation, with Fr. John Whiteford
In this episode, I'm joined by Fr. John Whiteford to explore one of the most misunderstood books in all of Scripture: the Book of Revelation. For many modern Christians, Revelation is treated as a roadmap of future geopolitical events—something to decode through headlines, wars, and speculation....
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Ep. 405 - The Narcissism Behind the Neurodivergence Boom, with Dr. Hannah Spier
In recent years the language of autism and ADHD has moved from clinical psychology into mainstream culture. What was once a narrow medical diagnosis has expanded into a broad identity category embraced by millions online. But what explains this sudden rise? In this episode of Counterflow, Buck...
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Ep. 404 - Christian Zionism: Political Ideology Disguised as Biblical Faith, with Michael Davis
In this episode, Buck Johnson sits down with author Michael W. Davis, general editor of the Union of Orthodox Journalists, for a serious discussion about Christian Zionism, theology, and geopolitics. Over the last century, Christian Zionism has become an influential framework shaping how many...
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Ep. 403 - From Hip Hop to Holy Tradition, with J-Ro from Tha Alkaholiks
What happens when a man who built his identity in hip hop walks away from the illusion of the industry and into the ancient Church? James "J-Ro" Robinson rose to prominence in the golden era of West Coast hip hop as a member of Tha Alkaholiks, part of Los Angeles' influential underground scene....
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Ep. 402 - Orthodoxy and the Modern Markets, with Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson
What do silver crashes, sovereign power, Vatican banking scandals, and free cash flow have in common? In this conversation, Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson joins us to explore the moral psychology of markets and the spiritual dangers of fear-driven investing. From the 2026 silver collapse and what he calls...
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Ep. 401 - Orthodoxy and the Medicine of the Future, with Dr. Michael Christian Kuhn
What if the future of medicine looks less like a laboratory… and more like the life of the Church? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michael Christian Kuhn, author of Orthodoxy and the Medicine of the Future, to explore the deep connection between spiritual life and physical health. We…
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Ep. 400 - A Harder Kind of Beauty: Faith, Art, & Refusing the Easy Life, with Kate DeGraide
In this conversation, Kate DeGraide reflects on faith that rearranges a life rather than decorating it. We talk about making art without losing your soul, creating music with her husband, Neil, in Dirt Poor Robbins, raising children without turning belief into performance, and what it means to…
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Ep. 399 - Child Trafficking & the Orthodox War for the Innocent, with Tommy Green
What does it mean to confront real evil without letting it destroy your soul? In this episode, I'm joined by Tommy Green, vocalist of the band Holy Name and an Orthodox Christian deeply committed to ending child and sex trafficking. Tommy and his wife have an organization that helps young people...
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Ep. 398 - Danzig, Darkness, and the Search for God, with Josh Lazie
In this episode, I talk with Josh Lazie, a former bassist for Danzig, to talk about a reality many of us live with but rarely name: the persistent sense that something is missing. For years, he tried to fill that void with music, drugs, success, and the constant noise of the rock-and-roll...
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Ep. 397 - Brotherhood, Temptation, and the Cost of Isolation, with Fr Hans Jacobse
In this episode, we sit down with Father Hans Jacobse to discuss the crisis facing men today, and why isolation, secrecy, and private struggle are not compatible with the Orthodox life. Fr Hans started the St Paisios Brotherhood where men have been able to have a safe brotherhood for many years...
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Ep. 396 - Powers & Principalities: The Unseen War Against the Church, with Fr Turbo
In this episode, Buck sits down with Father Turbo Qualls for a wide-ranging and sobering conversation about spiritual warfare, ecumenism, and the modern pressure on the Orthodox to trade truth for comfort. Beginning with reflections from St. Mary of Egypt and the Synaxis of Hagia Sophia, the...
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Ep. 395 - January 6th: Power, Lies, and the Cost of Truth, with Stewart Rhodes
In this interview, we speak with Oath Keepers founder and firsthand participant in the January 6 events, Stewart Rhodes, to explore what actually happened that day, from early morning intentions to the chaos that unfolded, the legal aftermath, and the long-term personal consequences. We examine…
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Ep. 394 - Will the Catholic Church Reunite with the Orthodox Church? with Fr Emmanuel Lemelson
In this episode, Buck sits down with Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson to discuss a recent event widely framed as a historic step toward Christian unity, and why, from an Orthodox perspective, it feels anything but unifying. Drawing from firsthand experience and deep ecclesial memory, the conversation…
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Ep. 393 - The Orthodox Family Life, with Christina Taylor
In this episode, we're joined by Christina Taylor, founder of Orthodox Family Life, for a wide-ranging and honest conversation about marriage, parenting, education, and faithfulness in a desensitized modern world. Christina shares her personal journey into Orthodoxy, how her understanding of…
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Ep. 392 - What is Knowledge, and How Do We Actually Know the Truth?
In this episode, I speak with Fr. Deacon Ananias about Orthodox epistemology and the claim that true knowledge is not grounded in autonomous reason but in God's self-revelation. Contrasting Athens and Jerusalem, this conversation explores why Orthodoxy understands truth not as an idea, but as a...
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Ep. 391 - From Protestant Pastor to Orthodox Christian, with Ben from Cleave to Antiquity
My guest this week is Ben, host of Cleave to Antiquity. Formerly an associate pastor in a Protestant Evangelical church and active in online Protestant apologetics, Ben began to realize that many of the arguments he made against Orthodox theology and dogma didn't hold up. That realization forced...
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Ep. 390 - The Antichrist is a Nice Guy, with Fr Zechariah Lynch
In this episode, we dig into the idea that the Antichrist might not show up as some dark, terrifying figure, but instead as a really nice guy. The article we're discussing suggests he'll look peaceful, tolerant, reasonable, and even compassionate. In other words, the kind of leader most people...
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Ep. 389 - The Spiritual Formation of Men & Women, with Metropolitan Jonah
In this deeply pastoral and wide-ranging conversation, Buck chats with Metropolitan Jonah to discuss the surge of interest in Orthodox Christianity, the spiritual formation of newcomers, and the timeless wisdom the Church offers to a restless modern world. From the inner life of the believer to...
About this show
The Counterflow Podcast is a weekly show featuring discussions and interviews with people who are outside of and critical toward mainstream liberal and conservative politics. Counterflow challenges the conventional narratives sold to us as truth. The show features thinkers from all backgrounds, who do not fit into the narrow framework of fashionable opinion. The show addresses cultural, spiritual and lifestyle issues as well as philosophy and geo-politics. Host Buck Johnson (formerly of the Death To Tyrants Podcast) is a musician, firefighter and Orthodox Christian and has always had an interest and drive to go one way while everyone else runs the other direction.
Hosted by
Buck Johnson
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