The Saint Emmelia Podcast
by Melissa Naasko, Fr. Noah Bushelli, Mindi Popovich-Schneider, Marcy Fox, and Ancient Faith Ministries
The Saint Emmelia Podcast provides inspiring and informative resources and experiences that equip homeschooling families to educate the next generation of Orthodox faithful in North America.
Episodes
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Interview with Fr. Pedro Sarsama, Part 2
On today’s episode, Matushka Melissa Naasko talks with Father Pedro Sarsama. Father Pedro is a recent seminary graduate and a priest serving in the Orthodox Church of America. Father and Matushka Keely and their family serve in Fargo, North Dakota. Today’s topic is vocations and why (and why not)...
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Interview with Fr. Pedro Sarsama, Part 1
On today’s episode, Matushka Melissa Naasko talks with Father Pedro Sarsama. Father Pedro is a recent seminary graduate and a priest serving in the Orthodox Church of America. Father and Matushka Keely and their family serve in Fargo, North Dakota. Today’s topic is vocations and why (and why not)...
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Growing with Grace: The Social Life of the Orthodox Homeschooler
A common criticism of homeschooling is the perceived lack of socialization. In this episode, Mindi and the 2026-2027 Interns discuss their experiences with extracurriculars and other social opportunities—as well as the blessings and challenges that homeschooling has added to their social lives.
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Interview with Draw Near Designs
Have you ever wanted to get to know the wonderful people behind Draw Near Designs, the producers of the popular beautiful children's calendar? On today's episode, Matushka Melissa Naasko introduces listeners to the women behind the project. Caroline Gann Caroline is a graphic designer and content...
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Hiding in the Library: Homer Adaptation: You Ody-ssey It?
Long-time Saint Emmelia mom Cheryl Floyd sits down with Mindi to discuss Christopher Nolan's Odyssey. How does it hold up as an adaptation? As an isolated film? Cheryl also shares how literature can be used as education.
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Spiritual Nuggets: The Beatitudes of Homeschooling
In this talk, originally given at the 2026 Pennsylvania Homeschool Family Picnic, Fr. Noah Bushelli shares how to center our homeschooling and family life on the Beatiudes.
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Spiritual Nuggets: "The Glory of Woman"
Originally from our Saint Macrina Lecture Series, Saint Emmelia mom Rachel offers an Orthodox perspective on the role of women.
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117 - Hiding in the Library: Senior Reflections with Caroline
Former intern Caroline discusses why it's important to talk about books, how contemporary novel can develop our love for others, and what books have shaped her during high school.
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116 - Hiding in the Library: Senior Reflections with Cecilia
Former head intern Cecilia talks about her senior thesis project, the books that have shaped her high school years, and what the land of faerie has to do with Jane Austen.
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115 - Spiritual Nuggets: Chastity & Technology
In this talk, originally given online for our Saint Macrina Lecture Series, Fr. David Hyatt explores the role of the internet/social media and how to use this technology as tools and not let it rule us.
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114 - Spiritual Nuggets: Rooted in Piety - Adam Lockridge
In this talk, originally given at the 2023 SOUTH Conference, Adam Lockridge describes the "beginning and end of an Orthodox Education."
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113 - Mom Guilt, Part 2
Continuing the conversation about "Mom Guilt," Mindi, Mat. Melissa Naasko, and Pres. Jennifer Souza discuss repentance, forgiveness, boundaries, and how all these things intersect with our feelings of guilt.
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112 - Mom Guilt, Part 1
In today's episode, Saint Emmelia Ministries Assistant Director Mindi Popovich-Schneider takes over hosting duties and puts Mat. Melissa Naasko in the hot seat. Mat. Melissa and Pres. Jennifer Souza break down the concept of "Mom guilt"-where these feelings come from, how they affect us, and how...
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111 - Interview With Pres. Jennifer Souza - Orthodox Homeschool Health Course
On today’s episode, Matushka Melissa interviews Presbytera Jennifer Souza about the new Orthodox homeschool health class being offered by the Classical Learning Resource Center often known as CLRC. The course features presentations by well known and respected Orthodox clergy and scholars. Early...
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110 - Next Steps: An Interview with Megan Bonynge
Christopher talks with Megan Bonynge about the transition from high school to college for Orthodox Christian students, highlighting the importance of support systems, the common struggles of anxiety, depression, relationships, stress, and trauma, and the increase in loneliness.
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109 - Next Steps: An Interview with Pres. Krista Fedorchak
Presbytera Krista Fedorchak focuses on the shift in responsibility for food decisions from parents to students and the logistical challenges of budgeting and scheduling meals. For Orthodox Christians in particular, this transition can be especially difficult during fasting periods. Pres. Krista...
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108 - Next Steps: An Interview with Kh. BethAnn
Christopher talks with Kh. BethAnn Hyatt about the challenges and joys of the high school-to-college transition from a parent's perspective, specifically detailing her family's non-traditional path, which involved homeschooling, a period in public school, and the very different struggles and…
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107 - Spiritual Nuggets: Marriage as Teamwork
In this talk, taken from the Saint Macrina Lecture "Teamwork: Marriage is not 50/50 (It's 100/100)," Fr. Luke Carpenter (St. Philip's Orthodox Church in Souderton, PA) describes a theological understanding of marriage.
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106 - Hiding in the Library: Underrated Classics
Mindi and three of the Saint Emmelia interns--Sophia, Caroline, and Christina--have a roundtable discussion about often overlooked classics, and why they should be read. Books mentioned: Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose Coriolanus by William Shakespeare…
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105 - Spiritual Nuggets: Stewardship
Saint Emmelia Ministries mom Rachel shares some thoughts on stewardship as we enter the Nativity season of almsgiving.
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104 - Interview with Fr. Benjamin Naasko and Ronald Stempien
On today’s episode, we discuss AI and how it originated, how it works, and what it all means. Matushka Melissa Naasko is joined by her husband, Father Benjamin Naasko, who discusses the philosophical aspect not only as an Orthodox priest but also as an instructor of philosophy, and Ronald…
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103 - Spiritual Nuggets: Listening Well
In today's episode, our Head Intern Londyn narrates her essay "Listening Well," which previously appeared on our blog. Londyn reflects on the importance of being a good listener, and offers suggestions for how to listen well.
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102 - With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, Part 7
With this episode, we conclude our series, With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation. Christopher Chiakulas, founder of Orthodox Christian College Counseling and the author of Paving the Road to College Through an Orthodox Christian Perspective, offers insights on different considerations…
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101 - With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, Part 6
Welcome to a special series, With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, where we will be exploring topics related to the decisions that young adults face as they transition out of high school. In this episode, Marcy interviews financial advisor and entrepreneur Razvan Mirica, who discusses…
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100 - With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, Part 5
Welcome to a special series, With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, where we will be exploring topics related to the decisions that young adults face as they transition out of high school. Marcy interviews Denise Yurchak, a certified senior HR specialist who is now getting her master’s...
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099 - With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, Part 4
Welcome to a special series, With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, where we will be exploring topics related to the decisions that young adults face as they transition out of high school. In today’s episode, Brett Schaller and Brennan Nokelby, two admissions counselors from Hillsdale...
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098 - With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, Part 3
Welcome to a special series, With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, where we will be exploring topics related to the decisions that young adults face as they transition out of high school. We’re excited to be joined by Noah Hyatt, an alumni of Saint Emmelia Ministries. Noah shares his...
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097 - With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, Episode 2
Welcome to our new series in the Saint Emmelia podcast: With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, where we will be exploring topics related to the decisions that young adults face as they transition out of high school. Today, Holden Spain from Hellenic College Holy Cross shares how the...
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096 - With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, Episode 1
We’re excited to introduce a new series in the Saint Emmelia podcast: With Humility & Gentleness: Exploring Vocation, where we will be exploring topics related to the decisions that young adults face as they transition out of high school. In this episode, Mindi Popovich-Schneider, Marcy Fox, and...
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095 - Hiding in the Library: Find the Light
We are so excited and honored to have Autumn Krause join us on the podcast! Autumn is a Kirkus-star winning Young Adult author, homeschool alumna, and Orthodox homeschool mom. Her books, A Dress for the Wicked and Before the Devil Knows You're Here, were published by mainstream companies, with…
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094 - Stories from Homeschooling, with Fr. Theodore Petrides
In this episode, we talk to Fr. Theodore Petrides, who draws from his own experience homeschooling his 6 children, to share both practical and spiritual wisdom to homeschooling parents.
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093 - Redefining Common Culture Through Stories
Meet Deacon Nicholas Kotar: author, translator, teacher, and fellow homeschool parent. In this un-depth discussion, Deacon Nicholas shares an author's perspective on American Orthodoxy, building culture through folktales, and creating roots of faith through storytelling.
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092 - Interview with Subdeacon Herman Tyler Ward
Mat. Melissa Naasko interviews Subdeacon Herman Tyler Ward. A technology expert for a school district in California, Sbdn. Herman shares his insights on AI and internet safety. You can hear his previous episode here:...
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091 - Hiding in the Library: Of Monsters and Monkeys
Mindi is joined by Monica Chilbert, an Orthodox Christian wife, mother, homeschool co-op teacher, and of course, avid reader. Monica and Mindi discuss assessing books for their kids, and the role of monsters in books. Books mentioned: The Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke The Chronicles of Narnia...
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090 - History
Meet our board of Spiritual Advisors! Fr. Nikolai Meyers is the priest of Sts. Peter and Paul in Topeka, KS and is our advisor for the diocese of Wichita and Mid-America. He has been invaluable to Saint Emmelia's, advising us on communications, helping with the SOUTH conference the past few…
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089 - Interview with Marcy Fox
On today’s episode, Matushka Melissa talks with St Emmilia Ministries financial officer about the scholarship programs funded by our organization as well as managing homeschooling when you have lots of small children at home. It’s a fun and informative interview that will give the listener lots…
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088 - Interview with Maria Ross
On this special episode, Matushka Melissa talks with her oldest daughter, Maria Ross. Maria is a former homeschooler and a 2023 graduate with honors from Michigan State University with a double major in Math and Secondary Math Education with a minor in Biology. Maria uses her personal experience…
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087 - Growing with Grace: On Modesty & The World
Some of the Summer '24 Interns--Cecilia, Caroline, Londyn, and Sevastiane--are joined by Fr. Noah Bushelli to discuss issues around modesty and peer interactions that teens encounter.
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086 - Interview with Dr. Philip Mamalakis
On this episode, Dr Philip Mamalakis shares advice and reflections as well as his motivation for writing Parenting Towards the Kingdom which Matushka Melissa and her husband, Fr Benjamin, recommend as THE parenting book every Orthodox Christian needs. The companion book is spiral bound making it...
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085 - Spiritual Nuggets
Taken from the Saint Emmelia Ministries Vocation Fair event, Fr. Noah Bushelli talks about what vocation means and how we can go about discerning what God intends for our lives.
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084 - Hiding in the Library: So Many Stories
In this episode, Summer '24 interns Juliana, Sevastiane, and Londyn join Mindi to talk about their reading habits, as well as why certain stories have such a strong pull on readers. Books and Authors mentioned in this episode: Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh The End of the Affair - Graham...
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083 - Interview with Summer Kinard
On this episode, we talk with Summer Kinard about creating accessible environments at home and in church school. Summer has both a masters of theology and a masters of divinity and she speaks and writes on disability access as an Orthodox Christian. She also owns Park End Books publishing. Summer...
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082 - Hiding in the Library
Mindi is joined by her husband, Calvin Schneider, to discuss how his unique educational experience impacted his relationship to reading, as well as how books reveal the Incarnation. Books mentioned: Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury The Unsettling of...
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081 - Interview with Subdeacon Herman Ward
Today on the podcast, Melissa Elizabeth Naasko talks technology with Subdeacon Herman Ward. Subdeacon Herman is a husband and father and holds his masters degree in library science. He works as a technology expert with a public school district in California. His wife works as a teacher with St...
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080 - Spiritual Nuggets
Fr. Peter Kavanaugh offers guidance on how to address some of the challenging questions with which parents will be faced.
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079 - Interview with Casey Kassiani Newman
On today’s episode, Melissa Elizabeth Naasko interviews Casey Kassiani Newman, an iconographer, mother, and wife of a deacon . She maintains her studio, Kassiani’s Art Studio from which she produces icons and children’s art and iconography educational materials. She is the creator of the…
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078 - Spiritual Nuggets: Beauty
Fr. Ignatius Green reflects on the importance of and need for beauty. Fr. Green is St. Emmelia's Spiritual Advisor for the OCA.
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077 - Interview with Amanda Chagnon
Amanda Chagnon is a wife and mother of three who is now using her professional experience as a nurse to care for her medically fragile child. She talks with Melissa Elizabeth Naasko about the joys and challenges in homeschooling with chronic illness.
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076 - Hiding in the Library: Risky Business
In this episode, Fr. Noah Bushelli (Saint Emmelia Ministries Director) joins Mindi to discuss the spiritual aspects of reading, especially selecting books. Books mentioned: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery The Cosmere series (and other works) by Brandon Sanderson The Harry Potter books by...
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075 - Spiritual Nuggets: Friendship
Fr. Peter Kavanaugh offers suggestions for helping our children to form good Orthodox friendships.
About this show
The Saint Emmelia Podcast provides inspiring and informative resources and experiences that equip homeschooling families to educate the next generation of Orthodox faithful in North America.
Hosted by
Melissa Naasko, Fr. Noah Bushelli, Mindi Popovich-Schneider, Marcy Fox, and Ancient Faith Ministries
Categories