Explore every episode of the podcast What God is Not
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tethered to our Altars | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:49:13 | |
This week Fr. Michael takes inspiration from a prayer said by the Maronite priests at the end of Divine Liturgy. He talks about how important the altar is to a priest and how the priest is "tethered" to the altar. He then expounds further into sacred spaces that are important to the lay people and monastics, and how each person can be reminded of this before or after leaving that space. Follow and Contact Us! | |||
| Formation by Osmosis | 12 Nov 2025 | 01:04:58 | |
This week Mother Natalia talks about how we are formed by the community around us. She gives examples of formation within a monastic community, family, and friends. She talks about how our formation can lead us down the wrong paths, but through God's grace how we can turn back to the truth. Follow and Contact Us! | |||
| Triumph of the Heart w/ Anthony D'Ambrosio and Andrew Holzschuh | 10 Sep 2025 | 01:10:52 | |
This week we’re delighted to welcome Anthony D'Ambrosio and Andrew Holzschuh who wrote, directed, and filmed the movie Triumph of the Heart about St. Maximilian Kolbe. We talk about some of the things that inspired Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia as they watched the film, the beauty found within the movie, and the message of Christian hope that we can take from the movie. References: Register for the Bridegroom's Banquet! Follow and Contact Us! | |||
| Mourning Well | 20 Dec 2023 | 01:10:36 | |
This week Fr. Michael expands on a mini-topic request on the death of infants. We talk about death and mourning, the various hymns of farewell used, why limbo came to be a concept, and the reality of evil and death. | |||
| Embodiment and Rancour | 13 Dec 2023 | 00:46:58 | |
This week Mother Natalia reflects on two different encounters she recently had. The encounters led her to reflect on being Jesus to others and gently evangelizing others. | |||
| Vesting Bishops | 06 Dec 2023 | 01:08:41 | |
We're in person this week! This week Father Michael walks through the prayers that are said as a bishop is vested at a hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Plus we've got a minitopic on confession. | |||
| Light: An Eastern Perspective | 22 Nov 2023 | 01:05:53 | |
This week Mother Natalia and Fr. Michael talk about places in scripture where we see the theme of light as they reflect on SEEK24’s theme of Be the Light. | |||
| The Ache Speaks with Mother Petra | 15 Nov 2023 | 01:14:46 | |
This week we're joined by special guest, Mother Petra! Mother Petra and Mother Natalia talk about experiencing an ache for beauty and how that ache can be given to us by God. We talk a lot about C.S. Lewis, a favorite of both Mother Petra and Mother Natalia. | |||
| Wyoming Byzantine Catholic | 08 Nov 2023 | 01:08:53 | |
This week we're joined by special guest Kyle Washut, president of Wyoming Catholic College. We talk about how our relationships across all areas of life impact each other, the founding of Wyoming Catholic College, and what it's like to intentionally create a college that "breathes with both lungs." | |||
| Byzantine Stuff You Should Know | 01 Nov 2023 | 00:58:49 | |
We've got a crossover episode! Fr. Michael records this week with Fr. Mike Rapp from Catholic Stuff You Should Know. Fr. Mike asks Fr. Michael all the questions about Byzantine tradition and practices. | |||
| Courage in the Cross | 25 Oct 2023 | 01:15:06 | |
This week Fr. Michael reflects on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. In this feast, we shower the cross in the church with flowers to show the significance and importance of the feast. Fr. Michael talks about the need for us to look at our personal crosses with this same sort of significance and reverence. | |||
| Useless but not Worthless | 18 Oct 2023 | 01:07:45 | |
This week Mother Natalia talks about usefulness vs worthlessness. Our worth is not found in what we do but who we are. This is certainly a hard topic for us to process and we need reminded of this regularly. | |||
| Garments of Skin | 11 Oct 2023 | 00:59:26 | |
This week Fr. Michael talks about the parable of the wedding banquet found in Matthew, another scripture passage that has confused both him and Mother Natalia. We talk about inspiration we've had from the passage, linking it back to the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve's nakedness. We talk about our need to give up our attachments in order to accept the glorious garment given to us at the resurrection. Plus we've got a mini-topic from a Patron. Thanks to everyone who supports us on Patreon! References: Matt 22:1-14 The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis Be Not Afraid Episode Fear of the Lord Episode The Symbolic World Podcast Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit | |||
| SECRETS OF THE LITURGY REVEALED!!! | 03 Sep 2025 | 00:58:31 | |
This week Fr. Michael walks through some of the prayers that the priest prays during Divine Liturgy that the congregation does not hear. He talks about some of the intention behind the prayers, including when the celebrant is asking his fellow priests to pray for him. Register for the Bridegroom's Banquet! Follow and Contact Us! | |||
| Hot Mess Hot Takes | 04 Oct 2023 | 01:15:45 | |
This week Mother Natalia talks about the Protoevangelion of James and walks through some of the tradition found within it. We talk about traditions jointly shared between the Eastern and Western churches, and some of the traditions that are believed in the East. | |||
| Ministering to Monsters | 27 Sep 2023 | 01:07:50 | |
Today's episode is inspired by an episode from The Symbolic World. Fr. Michael uses the Pentecost for the Zombie Apocalypse episode to talk about ministering to those in the world and meeting people where they're at in their lives. | |||
| Check Yes or No | 20 Sep 2023 | 00:58:28 | |
This week we're joined by special guest Rachel Schmitt who is our Operations Manager. Rachel and Mother Natalia talk about saying yes in generosity and no in prudence when we're asked to do something. They talk about aligning your will with the Father's so you can know if your yes or no is the right decision, and they give some practical examples of this in action. | |||
| You Should Know Ephrem | 13 Sep 2023 | 01:06:48 | |
This week Fr. Michael talks about St. Ephrem, or St. Ephraim depending on your spelling preference. He highlights some key facts that we should all know about this great saint. | |||
| Tenderness | 06 Sep 2023 | 00:53:44 | |
This week Mother Natalia talks about tenderness and ways we experience the tender heart of the Father and Our Lady. She talks about the ways she's experienced tenderness from Fr. Michael and Fr. Boniface, tenderness in spiritual direction, and tenderness in interactions with others. | |||
| Fear of the Lord | 30 Aug 2023 | 00:43:32 | |
This week Fr. Michael continues his topic from last week on fear of the Lord. We talk about what the fear of the Lord is, what it is not, and how it's misunderstood. | |||
| Be Not Afraid | 24 Aug 2023 | 00:46:01 | |
This week's episode is part one of two on Fear of the Lord. Fr. Michael talks about self-reliance, relying on God, and not being afraid to ask for help. Tune in next week for part two! | |||
| The Light of His Eyes with Mother Iliana | 16 Aug 2023 | 01:03:33 | |
This week we're joined by Mother Iliana who has released a new book, The Light of His Eyes. We talk about how the book came to be, some concepts from the book, and ways Mother Iliana has seen the Lord working in her life. | |||
| Invitations to Chaste Leadership | 09 Aug 2023 | 01:04:18 | |
This week Fr. Michael talks about Alive in Christ, an aesthetical boot camp for Byzantine Catholic young men. He talks about the idea for the camp, the structure, and the ways that he sees the boys grow as leaders. Fr. Michael also gives an overview of the chastity talk he gave to the dads, and Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about invitations to chastity and unchastity. | |||
| Extravagant, Prodigal, Reckless Love | 02 Aug 2023 | 00:56:45 | |
This week Mother Natalia reflects on God's extravagance with us, our extravagance with Him, and our extravagance with each other. She gives examples of extravagance from Scripture and we have a mini-topic at the end of the episode. | |||
| Melodramatic Sanctity | 27 Aug 2025 | 01:00:42 | |
This week Mother Natalia reflects on some insights she had during a recent Theology of the Body retreat. She talks about the need to stay present in whatever you're doing, whether that's eating an orange, answering emails, texting a friend, etc. She talks about how to be a saint in our time, by exaggerating the things the world doesn't do well to inspire them to do those things well. References: Saint Thomas Aquinas by G.K. Chesterton Register for the Bridegroom's Banquet! Follow and Contact Us! | |||
| Marian Apparitions and Miracles | 26 Jul 2023 | 00:59:46 | |
This week Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about Marian apparitions, the Catholic belief surrounding Mary, and their interactions and experiences with the Mother of God. Thank you to our patrons on Patreon for suggesting the topic! | |||
| Scruples and the Sacraments | 19 Jul 2023 | 01:07:38 | |
This week Mother Natalia talks about her recent poustinia camping experience with Sister Onuphria. We hear about the general humanness of the experience, but then Mother Natalia is able to relate it to the spiritual life and scrupulosity. | |||
| God's-Will Sized Family with Sean and Rebecca O' | 12 Jul 2023 | 01:06:51 | |
This week we're joined by Sean and Rebecca O'Loughlin, brother and sister-in-law of Father Michael. We talk about their early friendship and dating, realizing love for each other, and family life. We also talk about pregnancies and births, both easier and difficult, miscarriages, fostering, and adoption. | |||
| Love Cuts Deep | 05 Jul 2023 | 00:58:38 | |
This week Mother Natalia reflects on her recent retreat which used some of the steps from AA as inspiration. She talks about discovering ways in which she bargains with God on giving up certain sins, and talks about the hurt and healing that comes in the process of giving up sins. | |||
| Our Beautiful Faith | 28 Jun 2023 | 01:02:00 | |
On today's episode, Fr. Michael reflects on his recent trip to the Holy Land. He talks about community found in our faith and seeking the truth. Fr. Michael talks about the different ways we can be led to the faith, and how God uses those different ways to help us see the good, true, and beautiful. | |||
| Untwisting Intentions | 21 Jun 2023 | 00:43:26 | |
On today's episode Fr. Michael talks about seeing good in the midst of negative interactions with people. He talks about how God created everything good and how when we sin we're still seeking the good. | |||
| Always Seeking What is Good | 14 Jun 2023 | 01:02:50 | |
Today Mother Natalia reflects on Pentecost, the return of praying the Heavenly King prayer, and kneeling and penance that is reintroduced after the celebration of Pentecost. Plus we’ve got a mini-topic on angels! | |||
| How Do You Talk to Jesus? | 07 Jun 2023 | 00:41:24 | |
This week Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about prayer. Mother Natalia talks a little bit about what the term "spousal prayer" means at her monastery. We talk about the "outcome" of prayer and advancing in prayer. | |||
| Be Yourself. Be Present. Be Healed. | 31 May 2023 | 01:01:12 | |
This week Mother Natalia talks about healing, living in the present moment, and allowing Our Lord to work in the present reality. | |||
| Multiplication and Metanoia | 24 May 2023 | 01:07:17 | |
This week Father Michael links the story of the loaves and the fishes to the story of the Samaritan woman. He talks about how we can see God working in our lives and differentiating that from the "work that we're doing." | |||
| The Beauty Beneath the Mask with Keith Nester | 20 Aug 2025 | 01:21:07 | |
Mother Natalia was recently on Catholic Feedback with Keith Nester and we're dropping the episode in your feed today! Mother Natalia talks a bit about how she found the Byzantine Catholic church, hiding beneath masks, sin, beauty, and how she ended up at the monastery. Thanks to Keith and his team for recording our audio and video for this week! Register for the Bridegroom's Banquet! Follow and Contact Us! | |||
| Faith and a Crisis with Barry Alvord | 17 May 2023 | 01:03:19 | |
Today we're joined by special guest, Barry Alvord, father of Beth from our media team. Barry talks about a time in his life when he experienced three big crises, how he realized he was struggling with negative thoughts, and how he sought to counteract them. | |||
| Fellowship and Foot Washing | 11 May 2023 | 01:05:49 | |
Today's episode was inspired by a talk on Fellowship that Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia gave for God with Us Online. Fr. Michael uses today's episode to talk about all the stuff they didn't have time for in that talk. Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about the importance of fellowship, serving others, and foot washing. | |||
| God Promises, God Fulfills | 03 May 2023 | 01:02:52 | |
Today's episode is a recording of the talk Mother Natalia gave at the SoCal Byzantine Retreat Day in March. Mother Natalia talks about the promises God makes to us and that He fulfills His promises. She uses the scripture of the day for the feast of the Annunciation to link the promises in the Annunciation to the promises made in the Old Testament, and then talks about ways we can see God's promises to us in our lives. | |||
| Preventing Shame | 26 Apr 2023 | 01:00:17 | |
Today Fr. Michael talks about shame, the causes of it and what we can do to prevent it. We talk about how Jesus approaches us in our sin, looking to cover our shame but not hide our sin, and how we can use that same approach with ourselves and others we encounter. We have practical discussion about "shaming" others, and how that can be problematic when we do not know the entire story. | |||
| Beyond Checking Boxes | 19 Apr 2023 | 01:08:16 | |
This week Fr. Michael talks about how we're all called to live authentic Catholic lives, striving for salvation of souls and not necessarily "checking the Catholic boxes". He specifically talks about how parish priests and monastics can help the laity in this regard, and how the needs of parishes differ from one parish to the next. | |||
| Sharing Graces Live | 12 Apr 2023 | 01:12:24 | |
Father Michael and Mother Natalia recorded this episode live in California! On today’s episode they talk about the longing Israel had for God to fulfill His promises, and how we also have desires God longs to fulfill. Our aches and His promises are gifts. | |||
| Letting Gifts be Gifts | 05 Apr 2023 | 00:59:11 | |
This week Mother Natalia continues with her topic of goodness from her last episode, and uses a homily as a jumping off point to talk about gifts. The homily followed the reading about Noah and the flood, and talked about how Noah and the people in the Ark were waiting for the gift of land to be able to live. Mother Natalia also talks about the difference between gifts and the giver, and how we can have attachments to the gifts instead of the giver. | |||
| Homily Writing with Fr. Nathan Symeon | 29 Mar 2023 | 01:06:23 | |
This week Fr. Michael is joined by special guest, Fr. Nathan Symeon. Fr. Nathan and Fr. Michael walk through the readings for that Sunday and talk about the themes they're hearing in the readings which they use for a homily. | |||
| Word from a Poustinik: Goodness | 22 Mar 2023 | 00:59:45 | |
This week Mother Natalia reflects on goodness and our inherit goodness given to us from God. She talks about the ways in which we are less than human when we do not choose the good and the ways that our free will is supposed to help us choose the good. | |||
| Children in Church | 15 Mar 2023 | 01:12:01 | |
Today we're joined by special guest Pauline Meert. Pauline is the co-founder of Sophia Montessori Academy in Denver, Colorado. Pauline gives some practical suggestions of engaging kids in church, how our expectations should change for the children based on their age, and why we should bring our kids to church. | |||
| Shared Beauty is Real Beauty | 13 Aug 2025 | 01:16:52 | |
This week's episode was recorded live at the Byzantine Assembly in Indiana! This week Mother Natalia reflects on a grace shared by a pilgrim about beauty. She talks about sharing beauty with people and with God. We also have some Q&A at the end of the session. Thanks to WJOB in Indiana for recording the audio and video for this episode. References: Register for the Bridegroom's Banquet! Follow and Contact Us! | |||
| Immortal Combat | 08 Mar 2023 | 01:13:12 | |
This week Mother Natalia talks about ways she's encountered God and His joy, despite going through a very hard time in her life. She talks about her grandmother's funeral and how that impacted her and her family, and she vulnerably talks about her prayer life and her candid prayers. | |||
| Word From a Homilist: Looking at God | 01 Mar 2023 | 01:12:57 | |
In today's episode Father Michael reflects on homilies for our pre-Lenten gospels, Zacchaeus Sunday and the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. The homilies are ones he's given as well as homilies given by other priests. | |||
| Spousal Love and Suffering Children with Hannah Crane | 22 Feb 2023 | 01:09:22 | |
Today we're joined by special guest, Hannah Crane. Hannah is one of Mother Natalia's spiritual daughters. Hannah talks with honesty about the reality of living a holy marriage and what it's like to raise children. | |||