Steve the Builder

Episodes

1. 49

   The Prayer of St. Ephraim in the Digital Age

   The internet and social media are a permanent part of our lives now. It opens the door to a lot of opportunities for good but are also the key that opens the doors to temptations and our passions. In this Lenten retreat Steve discusses the two parts of the Prayer of St. Ephraim: "Take from me..."...

   Apr 17, 2025
2. 48

   Orthodox Asceticism in Real Life for Lay-people

   There are always questions about how to keep fasts and prayer rules etc., especially during holidays and with non-Orthodox family, young children, sometimes under difficult life circumstances. Steve discusses a lot of topics pertinent to living ascetical disciplines in "real life": How people...

   Nov 18, 2024
3. 47

   How I Am

   Steve learns that he and his ego crucified Christ from a ten year old child.

   Jan 17, 2021
4. 46

   My God, My God Why Have You Forsaken Me?

   Steve discusses his struggle with his recent diagnosis with cancer while caregiving his dying parents. He takes an honest, hard look at the common sayings and spiritual counsels often given to people who are suffering.

   May 29, 2020
5. 45

   Where Am I?

   Steve discusses physical and spiritual dementia and remembrance in the sacramental life of the Church".

   Apr 6, 2019
6. 44

   Death, Life, and Love

   Steve discusses his death at birth, his life-long desire to be old, his "death wish," and what it means to "live is Christ and to die is gain."

   Mar 26, 2019
7. 43

   An Ordinary Christmas

   On an ordinary night, like ten thousand other nights the shepherds experience the extraordinary: The transcendent God is revealed in our ordinary flesh.

   Mar 24, 2019
8. 42

   Staying Orthodox

   Steve discusses the realities of becoming Orthodox, being Orthodox, and staying Orthodox.

   Mar 15, 2019
9. 41

   Mediocrity

   Steve discusses mediocrity, the struggle with being ordinary, and the reality of what it means to be an "everyday saint."

   Mar 15, 2019
10. 40

    The Mitt

    Mar 13, 2019
11. 39

    A Life Update

    In this podcast, Steve Robinson brings us up to date on his life, a four-year-old catechist, signing a death warrant and a prison release, and the challenges of caring for aging and dying parents.

    Jan 29, 2018
12. 38

    The Domestic Monastery

    Steve discusses both his desire to be a monk and marriage and family as the "domestic monastery."

    May 27, 2016
13. 37

    The Domestic Church

    Steve begins a series on "the domestic church" and reflects on the liturgy of life, love, and family living with four generations in his house.

    May 4, 2016
14. 36

    Orthodoxy in the Office

    Steve discusses working in an office environment, the disease of being awesome, black robes, fake humility, the illusions of self-employment, and the importance of donuts.

    Apr 13, 2016
15. 35

    The Will of God for Our Life

    Steve answers listener email and discusses our human fear of free will. Ultimately, we are created FOR paradise, not BY paradise.

    Mar 25, 2016
16. 34

    Steve the Builder Awakens: Reflections at 63

    Steve returns to podcasting after five years of silence. He reflects on "the will of God for your life" in light of his recent life events.

    Mar 10, 2016
17. 33

    StB Goes to the Movies

    Steve the Builder reviews Inception. But after seeing the movie, he's not sure if Ancient Faith Radio is real. Nor is he sure if the idea for the podcast was planted in his head by Leonardo DiCaprio or by a night out at the park with friends in 1969. But maybe the movie is more real than the…

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    May 11, 2014
18. 32

    Love Wins: An Orthodox View of Salvation

    In response to Rob Bell's controversial book Love Wins, Steve ventures into the world of video and gives a short summary of the difference between the mainstream Protestant view of salvation and an Orthodox view. Listen to the short audio introduction below, then watch the video.

    Dec 1, 2012
19. 31

    On Growing Old

    Steve reflects on turning 59, the past, work, family, a change of careers and facing old age.

    Aug 6, 2011
20. 30

    Miracles or Deceptions?

    Steve discusses his experiences with miracles as a Protestant and now as an Orthodox Christian.

    Mar 1, 2011
21. 29

    Cleaning House

    What REALLY happens when the wife is gone for ten days and the husband realizes he has 24 hours to prepare for her homecoming? Listen to Steve give away the "man secrets" and why cleaning house is a part of our salvation.

    Feb 15, 2011
22. 28

    The Story of Joe

    What happens when someone puts a gun to your head and you don't believe in Jesus?

    Feb 15, 2011
23. 27

    Fr. Meletios Webber on Priesthood and Spiritual Fathers, Part Three

    Steve finishes his interview with Fr. Meletios and discusses spiritual directors, accountability groups and obedience.

    Feb 15, 2011
24. 26

    Fr. Meletios Webber on Priesthood and Spiritual Fathers, Part Two

    Steve continues his interview with Fr. Meletios Webber and they discuss the role of the parish priest as a Father/confessor, confession and counseling, penances, clairvoyance and much more.

    Feb 7, 2011
25. 25

    Demolition, Canons and Spiritual Direction

    Steve reflects on the limitations and dangers of the tools of his trade and how it applies to how we approach the Canons of the Church.

    Jan 31, 2011
26. 24

    If I Were a Rich Man… Dadadadada….

    Steve the Builder is on the road again and spent a week insulating and remodeling the Abbot's cell, a 60 year old building at St. Michael's Monastery in northern New Mexico.

    Jan 17, 2011
27. 23

    Orthodox Evangelism

    You'd think by now that people would figure out that what is hip, cool and relevant today will elicit LOL's on YouTube 30 years from now. What does this mean for Orthodox Christians, cultural relevance and evangelism?

    Oct 27, 2010
28. 22

    Fr. Meletios Webber on Priesthood and Spiritual Fathers, Part One

    Steve interviews Fr. Meletios Webber, the Abbot of St. John's Monastery, on what the "grace of the priesthood" bestows on a man and what the priest's authority and role is in the life of the parish and in his relationship with his parishoners as his spiritual children.

    Sep 28, 2010
29. 21

    On The Priesthood

    How does someone know they are called to the priesthood? Steve discusses his lifelong "call" and where he was ordained.

    Aug 19, 2010
30. 20

    Orthodoxy and Homosexuality, Part Two

    In Part Two Steve answers email from listeners in a Question/Answer format.

    Aug 4, 2010
31. 19

    Orthodoxy and Homosexuality, Part One

    In this podcast Steve references an article he wrote for AGAIN Magazine on the Orthodox Church and same sex attraction. In it he shares the results of several interviews with Orthodox men and women who shared their backgrounds and experiences as homosexuals before and after becoming Orthodox...

    Mar 20, 2010
32. 18

    The Orthodox Chameleon

    They say "Clothes make the man"... Steve gives up his Hawaiian shirt and learns a hard lesson.

    Mar 4, 2010
33. 17

    Valentine's Day and Marriage

    Listen in on Steve's reflections on learning to love, his marriage and his Valentine's day wish for his wife.

    Feb 10, 2010
34. 16

    Ask Me About Jesus

    Or, maybe you shouldn't... there are other people who are more authoritative. I'll tell you where to find them.

    Jan 30, 2010
35. 15

    The Boat

    Join Steve as he stands in line with some fellow shipmates on the economic downturn boat and talks about navigating rough financial waters.

    Jan 23, 2010
36. 14

    Ain't I Great?

    Sometimes we ask, "If I die young, how many great things might I have done?" Perhaps we should ask, "If I live long, will I die a human being?"

    Dec 15, 2009
37. 13

    Happy Holidays

    When Jesus came as The Gift to the world as a stranger, He encountered politics, and it was politics that ultimately killed the Gift. In Houston Texas, politics once again kills the Gift of Christmas.

    Dec 9, 2009
38. 12

    A Life Well Lived

    Steve has been dealing with friends and family who are facing death for the past few weeks. Listen in as he talks about his father and friends and the difference between a good life and a life well lived.

    Nov 25, 2009
39. 11

    Capital Punishment, Part 5

    Why does God allow imperfect and fallen human beings make life and death decisions? Have Christians permitted the atheists to define our doctrines? Who has a greater problem justifying being against the death penalty, the Christian or the atheist? What does iconography have to do with the death...

    Oct 10, 2009
40. 10

    Capital Punishment, Final

    In the final podcast in the capital punishment series Steve discusses punishment, retribution and hell in light of "God is love". Can Christians legitimately believe in retributive punishment and a loving God? And finally, what is the responsibility of Christians to those on death row?

    Sep 10, 2009
41. 9

    Capital Punishment, Part 7

    Is the death penalty really a deterrent? Is there a need to kill evildoers if we can keep society safe through the prison systems? Is punishment a primitive concept not fit for modern enlightened society?

    Sep 3, 2009
42. 8

    Capital Punishment, Part 6

    This week Steve discusses the woman taken in adultery, would Jesus "flip the switch" on the electric chair, and should evildoers be given life in prison in hopes that they will eventually repent?

    Aug 27, 2009
43. 7

    Capital Punishment, Part 4

    What are the pitfalls of a "Christian State"? Can or should the State govern according to the Gospel? Can "forgiveness of enemies" be a valid principle of civil order? What do the Fathers of the Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches say about the relationship of Church and State in…

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    Aug 14, 2009
44. 6

    Capital Punishment, Part 3

    In Part 3 of the series, Steve begins a discussion of the Church and State. How do we view Judaism as a theocracy? Is Jesus anti-death penalty? What is the purpose of civil authority? Is the State constrained to function on the level of the Gospel and should it?

    Aug 7, 2009
45. 5

    Capital Punishment, Part 2

    In the second part of the series Steve discusses the Flood as the dividing line in human history in regard to the meaning of death, fear and capital punishment. Did the Mosaic Law abrogate the covenant with Noah? What do the atheist and the Christian have in common in regard to capital punishment?

    Aug 1, 2009
46. 4

    Capital Punishment, Part 1

    Steve begins a four part series on "Capital Punishment". In Part One he chronicles his work with emotionally disturbed children and the beginning of his shift from radical pacifism to a reconsideration of the death penalty.

    Jul 23, 2009
47. 3

    All Dogs Go to Heaven

    I had to put one of my dogs to sleep. He was young, healthy but had been abused. He started biting visitors to our home. I was confronted with the question, "What does love demand?" When our pets die, or we have to kill them, what do we tell our kids? What do we do for closure? Do our pets go to...

    Jul 3, 2009
48. 2

    Dining Out Like a Christian

    In this podcast Steve gives a simple way to get to know someone quickly: take them out for dinner. He discusses how both CEO's of international corporations and the scriptures tell us that how people treat waiters and waitresses says volumes about their personality, ethics and spiritual life.

    Jan 23, 2009
49. 1

    Circle of Life

    In his first episode, Steve reflects on fish, turtles, Disney, life and death.

    Jan 16, 2009