In this month of November when we celebrate National Gratitude Month and the American Feast of Thanksgiving, the Center for Family Care is spotlighting the virtue of gratitude. In this conversation, Pres. Kerry Pappas interviews Pres. Pat Tsagalakis, the Assistant Director of the Family Wellness Ministry for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco on the importance of gratitude for a faithful life in Christ and how to cultivate a heart of gratitude in our personal and family life.

October is designated as Clergy Appreciation Month (CAM) for all Christian churches in the US, honoring St. Paul's exhortation to acknowledge those "who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you," and to "hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work" (1 Thess. 5:12-13). In honor of CAM, Pres. Kerry Pappas speaks with Fr. Louis Christopulos, a priest of over 40 years who presently serves as the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver about the importance of showing appreciation for all members of the body of Christ and specifically for our priests and their families.

October highlights many disabilities as awareness days/month in the US, and this month's podcast seeks to create awareness on one family's experience with Spina Bifida. Kevin Deutsch, an On Behalf of All (OBOA) Initiative pilot parish liaison, shares how he and his wife Nicole met a test of faith early in their pregnancy when their daughter Kora was confirmed to have Spina Bifida. Turning to God in their challenging moments, seeking pastoral guidance from their priest, and enjoying their daughter as a blessing in their community, has helped them grow in their trust of God, and in understanding of what it means to be fully human.

Presvytera Kerry Pappas speaks with Fr Alex Goussetis, the outgoing host of the Family Matters podcast series, about what he learned about marriage and family life as Director of the Center for Family Care these past nine years. He offers advice for married couples, parenting tips, and insights into the parish's role in strengthening the home.

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 Theilman 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 decades of ministry. He recognized the painful isolation disabled people experienced when they were not welcomed or valued in their communities; and alternatively, the joy they experienced when they were met with respect and friendship in their church families. For him, a bigger picture became clearer: intentions toward removing barriers for people with disabilities answers Christ's salvific call to us toward oneness as members of His Body.

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, especially when caring for a medically complex child. Honest about her struggles, other caregivers may find this conversation refreshing and learn from the ways she has found to manage her internal and external struggles.

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 connections with and for his daughter.

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 development of Project SAM, a ministry which seeks to reconnect people who are isolated with special needs and their families with their Faith Tradition; and most recently, her family's establishment of the Like a Daisy Foundation which offers support and life-changing experiences to the special needs community.

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?"