Getting back to basics, this is a conversation on how to start praying as an Orthodox Christian. After a short intro on our USA - Denmark - Russia connection, we cover starting prayer, the Orthodox prayer rule with pre-written prayers and spontaneous prayer, and then also cover a lot of praying as a family, particularly related to discipline.For fo…

This week I re-air Part II of an interview I did with Fr. Hans Zollner, a German Jesuit, theologian and psychologist, because his work is necessary to understanding an important event that took place in Rome this week. In 2012, Fr. Zollner founded and was president of the Center for Child Protection at Rome’s Jesuit-run Gregorian University. In Apr…

This week and next in the interview segment, I will re-air an interview I did with Fr. Hans Zollner, a German Jesuit, theologian and psychologist as his work is necessary to understanding an important event that took place in Rome this week. In 2012, he founded and was president of the Center for Child Protection at Rome’s Jesuit-run Gregorian Univ…

I have a return guest this weekend on Vatican Insider, Fr. Lawrence Carney of the diocese of Wichita, Kansas, known in the U.S. for his devotion to the Holy Face and his recent book, “The Secret of The Holy Face.”As you heard him tell us in Part I last weekend, after serving in the diocese for six years, he accepted the position as chaplain of the …

A conversation with Fr Michael, Fr Joseph and Paul on finding home in the Church, with a particular focus on participating in the fasts and feasts of the Church Year.For for information on Cry oft he Forerunner retreat, see: https://avg2alpha.com/cry-of-the-forerunnerFor the Pilgrimage to Essex with Fr Michael and Paul, check https://www.avg2alpha.…

This is a conversation between Fr Joseph Gleason and Paul on Fr Seraphim Rose's book: Nihilism: The Root of the Revolution of the Modern Age. We cover especially the first chapter of the book in the context of our conversations on Orthodox masculinity, and how it relates to conversations about science, philosophy and evolution. For for information …

In the interview segment of Vatican Insider on this first weekend of June 2024, I reprise an earlier conversation with Fr. David Hulshof, director of Apostolic Formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. This weekend is Part II. Part I aired last weekendThere are a number of apostolates that are mandatory for all seminarians during …

A modern man sits alone in his living room, staring at his phone, desperately looking for some way to distract himself from the loneliness and pain that he doesn’t want to admit he’s feeling...Fr Jospeh Gleason gives an Orthodox Christian approach to dealing with loneliness.To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group he…

In the interview segment of Vatican Insider on this final weekend of May 2024, I reprise an earlier conversation with Fr. David Hulshof, director of Apostolic Formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.By Vatican Insider

In this episode, Fr Michael Butler talks about the Noonday Demon, the passion of akedia, of listlessness, and describes what it does to us and how we can combat it. In addition, he shows that the Fathers’ advice on combatting listlessness is found in an updated way in a lot of contemporary self-development literature and that it is useful to us, as…

This Week, Vatican Insider visits Our Lady Of The Rosary Of Pompeii. May is the month of Mary and the month of the rosary and thus, a special time for such a wonderful story.By Vatican Insider

The first episode of a new season of the Iron Podcast, with our new co-host Fr Joseph Gleason. We talk about coming into an Orthodox Church and the peculiar blend of masculine strength and vulnerability found in the church. We then dive into an essential element of the Orthodox faith - spiritual fatherhood.For for information on the Pilgrimage to E…

Welcome to Vatican Insider on what was a busy week in the Vatican with the swearing in of new Swiss Guards on May 6 and, on Thursday, May 9, the reading of the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year 2025 during a ceremony in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica.After the new highlights stay right here for a Q&A and then Part II of my conversation with…

This week in the interview segment of Vatican Insider, I welcome Jacob Stein, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, who is working on his licentiate in dogmatic theology at the Angelicum in Rome. He has a fascinating story and passion and apostolate which he shares with us. That passion is called CRUX STATIONALIS and I am guessing many of you have seen his …

Welcome to Vatican Insider on this final weekend of April. I don’t know about you but I find it kind of scary how fast time flies! Tempus fugit, as my Mom used to say, especially at the end of summer vacation!In the interview segment this week, I feature Part II of my conversation with Michael Warsaw, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer…

Welcome to Vatican Insider on a special weekend here in the Eternal City. Sunday is April 21st and that is the Natale di Roma, the birthday of Rome. This year marks the 2,777th anniversary of the city’s legendary foundation by Romulus (of Romulus und Remus) on April 21, 753 BC! Lot of great events planned for Sunday!The interview segment this week …

This week, in what is normally the interview segment of Vatican Insider, I bring you on a pilgrimage with the Via Lucis!After the news segment and the Q&A on the Paschal candle, stay tuned for the special story about the Via Lucis, the Way of Light, basically a post-Easter journey through 14 stations of light, the light that fills our life because …

The last episode for this season from Paul on perhaps the most relevant for Western converts and clear truth speaking Orthodox writer of the recent Western World, Fr Seraphim Rose. This is a humble and poor expression of appreciation and inspiration Paul has received from discovering and diving into the work of Fr Seraphim. Works mentioned in the e…

Welcome to Vatican Insider as we mark the three holy days of the Triduum and then the glorious news of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday.As we approach Easter weekend, I want to give you a heads-up about the Special I have prepared for the interview segment where I try to answer the question, “Who is the Man of the Shroud?”Fo…

I sincerely hope you can join me on “Vatican Insider” this Palm Sunday weekend and start of Holy Week as I share a very special story about a two-millennia old piece of cloth linked to the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Known as the the Shroud of Turin, I try to answer the question, “Who is the Man of the Shroud?”For decades, as worship…

This week we enter into the fast of Great Lent and it is also the day that we celebrate the Uncovering of the Holy Cross. We read up the story again and then we recount the homily of St John Chrysostom on the Holy Cross.If you would like to join a community run by Fr Michael and Paul focused on supporting men to live a more integrated life, then si…

This weekend, in what is normally the interview segment, I offer a mini-pilgrimage of sorts as we visit some of the Lenten Station churches in Rome, very special churches that tell a beautiful story over the 40 days of Lent, a story found only in Rome. I note at the start that, every year on Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, Popes process from t…

In this episode, Fr Michael Butler tells the life of St Maximus the Confessor, his struggle against imperial policy and the heresies of his day, and how he came to earn the title of “Confessor.”If you would like to join a community run by Fr Michael and Paul focused on supporting men to live a more integrated life, then sign up for Maniphesto Core …

This week in Part II of the interview segment, I again feature two amazing men, two friends, Craig Johring and Danny Leger, who are truly doing the Lord’s work of caring for the least of our brethren through HOPE OF THE POOR, an amazing organization they co-founded in Nebraska with headquarters in Omaha and Mexico City. The motto is “Alleviating th…

This week in the interview segment I feature two amazing men, two friends, Craig Johring and Danny Leger, who are truly doing the Lord’s work of caring for the least of our brethren through HOPE OF THE POOR, an amazing organization they co-founded in Nebraska with headquarters in Mexico City and Omaha. The motto is “Alleviating the poverty of being…

Join me on “Vatican Insider” as we approach the final stretch of the shortest month of the year, even though 2024 is a leap year and we will have a February 29. This weekend also marks the return of the Pope and Roman Curia officials to work after a retreat that began Sunday afternoon.Papal and curia retreats have their own history and that is what…

A summary of the life and work of St Gregory Palmas with specific attention on his life affirming vision of the whole man in his work, the Triads. You can find an english translation of the Triads here: https://www.agape-biblia.org/orthodoxy/Gregory_Palamas_The_Triads_Classics_of_Western_Spirituality.pdfIf you would like to join a community run by …

You must tune in this weekend to listen to my two special guests in the interview segment as they talk of their call to the priesthood – what they feel, what they expect but most importantly, the very joy they feel at the mere idea of being a priest! My guests are two remarkable young men, seminarians at the Pontifical North American College in Rom…

In this episode, we are joined again by Fr Joseph Gleason who shares the life and lessons on true financial wisdom from St Lawrence of Rome.If you are interested in seeing more of the work of Fr Joseph, then check him out on Substack here: https://substack.com/@movingtorussia or join his Telegram group "Ask an Orthodox Priest" here: https://t.me/+J…

You must tune in this weekend to listen to my two special guests in the interview segment as they talk of their call to the priesthood – what they feel, what they expect but most importantly, the very joy they feel at the mere idea of being a priest!My guests are two remarkable young men, seminarians at the Pontifical North American College in Rome…

A conversation with Fr Michael Butler, Fr Joseph Gleason and Paul Robson on the application of the early saints on our life in society today. Particularly we cover issues around an Orthodox view on the concepts of time and progress, drawing together the main points of the previous three episodes, and considering how we experience first hand the unf…

Join me this weekend for the interview segment of “Vatican Insider “for Part II of my conversation with Msgr. Terence Hogan, Coordinator of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums.As you heard last weekend in Part I, he is a wonderful story teller! This week we learn even more about the Patrons – the Chapters around the world, various restor…

In this episode, Paul shares the life of perhaps the most important, and certainly the most prolific and central of the Church Fathers, St John Chrysostom of the Golden Mouth.Please join us and followers of this podcast on Telegram for continuing discussion and Christian fellowship among like-minded Orthodox men: https://t.me/isipodcast. Thanks for…

My special guest in VI’s interview segment this week is Msgr. Terence Hogan, Coordinator of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. He is a wonderful story teller and we learn about the Patrons’ history, the Chapters around the world, various restorations projects – tapestries, wood, mosaic, painting, sculpture, etc. and some little known s…

In this episode, Paul retells the story of St Justin the Martyr and Philosopher as well as drawing out central points from his First Apology to the Roman Emperor. You can find the original text of the letter here: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htmPlease join us and followers of this podcast on Telegram for continuing discussion and Christi…

Tune in this weekend to Vatican Insider not only for a Vatican news roundup but to listen to a Special I have prepared in lieu of an interview!For many in Italy – institutions, churches, businesses and families – the Christmas season lasts up to and including the February 2 feast of the Presentation. For decades under Popes John Paul and Benedict X…

In this episode, Fr Michael Butler relates the trial of St Basil the Great before the Praetorian Prefect Modestus and the meeting of St Basil with the Arian Emperor Valens on the Feast of Theophany, which resulted in a decrease in the persecution of the Orthodox by the Arians. Basil’s trial before Modestus includes the famous exchange, "No one," sa…

As I wrote last week, I was a member of the Historical Commission for the Cause of Canonization of Servant of God Joseph Dutton who, as you know, worked for 44 years on Molokai with Saints Damien and Marianne caring for the victims of leprosy. When such a commission closes its work, a meeting must be held in the diocese of the cause for canonizatio…

In this episode, Fr Michael Butler gives a reading of The Martyrdom of St Polycarp, the last living disciple of St John the Theologian and bishop of Smyrna. St Polycarp’s martyrdom illustrates great patience and courage in the face of adversity. It includes the famous lines of his confession, “86 years have I have served him and he has done me no w…

I was a member of the Historical Commission for the Cause of Canonization of Servant of God Joseph Dutton who, as you know, worked for 44 years on Molokai with Saints Damien and Marianne caring for the victims of leprosy. When such a commission closes its work, a meeting must be held in the diocese of the cause for canonization with all members pre…

In this the fifth and last talk, Fr Michael talks about the "Voice of the Father," which, in contrast to the "Voice of the Accuser," is full of grace and mercy. As adoptive sons of God, we, too, can hear the Father affirm that we are His beloved sons, in whom He is well pleased.This talk was the introduction to an exercise in which the men were abl…

Welcome to Vatican Insider on this Christmas season weekend. Yes, we are still within the twelve days of Christmas! I have a special gift to you this weekend in the interview segment. I will read Pope St. John Paul’s beautiful and compelling 1994 Christmas Letter to Children – still a gift for the young and young at heart all these many years later…

Joan has prepared a Special this weekend for the interview segment of Vatican Insider and offer you a journey to the Vatican and the Eternal City of Rome to experience the traditions celebrated for Christmas and the New Year.By Vatican Insider

In this, the fourth talk, Fr Hans Jacobse reviews some of the social and cultural lies about masculinity and contrasts it with the Orthodox understand of man's role as the mediator of creation. Full presentation and Q&A following.To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast…

Join me this weekend on Vatican Insider for my off-the-cuff interview with Fr. John Paul Kimes, Canon law professor at the university of Notre Dame and member of the Historical Commission for the cause of canonization of Servant of God Joseph Dutton. Dutton, a layman was companion, caregiver and friend for 44 years, alongside Sts. Damien and Marian…

In this, the 3rd talk of the Beloved Sons Retreat, Paul Robson details the elements that make up a good brotherhood of men. Paul is the initiator and organiser of the European Men's Gathering and has been professionally running men's groups for some 8 years. In this talk he covers "What is a men's group?", "Why should you join one?" and "What can y…

In this, the second video from the Beloved Sons Retreat, Fr Hans Jacobse talk about the father wound every man bears and why brotherhood--a community of men--is necessary for its healing and for the wellbeing of every man.To ask questions or get in touch with us, please join our Telegram Group here: https://t.me/isipodcast…

Welcome to a new edition of Vatican Insider, the last weekend before I depart for Honolulu. I am on the Historical Commission for the Cause of Canonization of Servant of God Joseph Dutton who, as you know, worked for 44 years on Molokai with Saints Damien and Marianne caring for the victims of leprosy. When such a commission closes its work, a meet…

In this first talk at the Beloved Sons Retreat, Fr Michael describes some of the wounds men bear, especially the verbal wounding we receive from our dads, from siblings, bullies, and other men in our lives, as well as the harsh self-talk in which we engage every day. There is some coarse language here. "Satan," or "Shaitan" in the original Hebrew, …

My guest this week in the interview is Paulist Fr. Matt Berrios. The Paulist Fathers have been in Rome 99 years, administering to the Catholic American community and other English-language Catholic residents or visitors. We now have two Paulist priests at St. Patrick’s – Fathers Steve Petroff, the rector and Joe Ciccone, vice rector – but a third P…