Counterflow with Buck Johnson

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 405 - The Narcissism Behind the Neurodivergence Boom, with Dr. Hannah Spier Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

In recent years the language of autism and ADHD has moved from clinical psychology into mainstream culture. What was once a narrow medical diagnosis has expanded into a broad identity category embraced by millions online. But what explains this sudden rise?

In this episode of Counterflow, Buck Johnson is joined by psychiatrist and writer Dr. Hannah Spier to explore the cultural, psychological, and social forces behind the modern "neurodivergence" movement.

Drawing from her widely discussed essays on autism, identity, and modern narcissism, Dr. Spier argues that the explosion of neurodivergent identity may say as much about modern culture as it does about mental health.

Together they discuss the expansion of autism diagnoses, the rise of self-diagnosis through social media, and the growing tendency to frame personality traits and social difficulties through psychological labels.

The conversation also explores how modern identity culture, social media validation, and new expressions of covert narcissism may be contributing to the neurodivergence boom.

Finally, Buck and Dr. Spier examine a deeper question: what happens to a culture when mental illness becomes identity?

For Dr Hannah's Substack, go here: https://substack.com/@psychobabblewithspier

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Ep. 404 - Christian Zionism: Political Ideology Disguised as Biblical Faith, with Michael Davis Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Buck Johnson sits down with author Michael W. Davis, general editor of the Union of Orthodox Journalists, for a serious discussion about Christian Zionism, theology, and geopolitics.

Over the last century, Christian Zionism has become an influential framework shaping how many Christians understand the modern state of Israel, biblical prophecy, and the politics of the Middle East. But how does this theology compare with the faith of the early Church and the witness of the Church Fathers?

Drawing on Scripture, Church history, and Orthodox theology, Buck and Michael explore the origins of Christian Zionism, its relationship to modern political movements, and the ways in which eschatology can shape political imagination.

They also discuss how prophetic language surrounding modern conflicts — including tensions involving Israel and Iran — can influence how Christians interpret war, peace, and the responsibilities of the Church in a fractured world.

Rather than approaching these issues through ideology or partisanship, this conversation seeks to recover the historic Christian vision of the Kingdom of God, which transcends nationalism, geopolitics, and modern political categories.

For more from Michael Davis, go here: https://substack.com/@michaelwarrendavis

...and here: https://uoj.news/author/michael-davis

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Ep. 403 - From Hip Hop to Holy Tradition, with J-Ro from Tha Alkaholiks Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a man who built his identity in hip hop walks away from the illusion of the industry and into the ancient Church?

James "J-Ro" Robinson rose to prominence in the golden era of West Coast hip hop as a member of Tha Alkaholiks, part of Los Angeles' influential underground scene. Fame, touring, culture, and credibility were all there.

But behind the curtain, things weren't what they seemed.

In this conversation, J-Ro opens up about:

• His childhood and the spiritual influence of his great-grandfather, a Christian minister • The formation of Tha Alkaholiks and life inside 90s hip hop culture • What he learned about the record industry that led to deep disillusionment • Why he eventually moved to Sweden • The tension between persona and personhood • Fatherhood and the call to something more rooted • Discovering the Orthodox Church • Life today in Tucson, Arizona, attending St. Anthony's Monastery • Asceticism, repentance, and redefining masculinity • What "keeping it real" actually means

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Ep. 402 - Orthodoxy and the Modern Markets, with Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

What do silver crashes, sovereign power, Vatican banking scandals, and free cash flow have in common?

In this conversation, Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson joins us to explore the moral psychology of markets and the spiritual dangers of fear-driven investing. From the 2026 silver collapse and what he calls the "Imperial Margin Call," to the collapse of the safe-haven narrative, to the deeper arithmetic behind margin-of-safety investing, this episode moves beyond headlines into first principles.

This is not merely a conversation about investing; it's about anthropology, empire, illusion, and sobriety. It's about whether modern markets form disciplined stewards or anxious speculators.

For more from Fr Emmanuel Lemelson, go here:

https://lemelson.substack.com

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Ep. 401 - Orthodoxy and the Medicine of the Future, with Dr. Michael Christian Kuhn Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

What if the future of medicine looks less like a laboratory… and more like the life of the Church?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michael Christian Kuhn, author of Orthodoxy and the Medicine of the Future, to explore the deep connection between spiritual life and physical health.

We discuss how modern society has become increasingly disembodied — separated from rhythm, stillness, fasting, and community — and how many of today's chronic health struggles may reflect that deeper fragmentation.

This conversation is not about rejecting modern medicine. It's about recovering wholeness.

If you're Orthodox — or simply curious about how faith shapes health — this episode will help you think more clearly about the unity of body and soul.

For more from Dr Mike, go here:

https://www.orthodoxhealth.com/orthodox-health-podcast

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Ep. 400 - A Harder Kind of Beauty: Faith, Art, & Refusing the Easy Life, with Kate DeGraide Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

In this conversation, Kate DeGraide reflects on faith that rearranges a life rather than decorating it. We talk about making art without losing your soul, creating music with her husband, Neil, in Dirt Poor Robbins, raising children without turning belief into performance, and what it means to live in the world without being absorbed by it. This is a conversation about beauty and art that demands something of us—about choosing a whole life over an easy one, and learning to remain human in the process. We also discuss challenges for women coming into the Orthodox Church, Covid years, Kate's worship music background, and more.

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Ep. 399 - Child Trafficking & the Orthodox War for the Innocent, with Tommy Green Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

What does it mean to confront real evil without letting it destroy your soul?

In this episode, I'm joined by Tommy Green, vocalist of the band Holy Name and an Orthodox Christian deeply committed to ending child and sex trafficking. Tommy and his wife have an organization that helps young people getting out of this terrible life of being trafficked.

We talk about what it's like to look directly at the darkest expressions of human sin, and how the Orthodox Church, prayer, and the Holy Name of Christ provide a framework for fighting evil without becoming it.

Tommy's organization: https://www.irunagainsttraffic.com

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Ep. 398 - Danzig, Darkness, and the Search for God, with Josh Lazie Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I talk with Josh Lazie, a former bassist for Danzig, to talk about a reality many of us live with but rarely name: the persistent sense that something is missing.

For years, he tried to fill that void with music, drugs, success, and the constant noise of the rock-and-roll lifestyle. For a time, those things worked. Eventually, they didn't.

We talk honestly about what that world gave him, what it cost him, and the moment he realized that nothing he was chasing would ever make him whole. We explore the restlessness beneath addiction and ambition, the fear of stillness, and why silence can be more confronting than chaos.

Now a catechumen in the Orthodox Church, he reflects on how faith didn't simply distract him from emptiness, but began to heal it—through discipline, repentance, and a reorientation of what it means to live fully.

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Ep. 397 - Brotherhood, Temptation, and the Cost of Isolation, with Fr Hans Jacobse Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we sit down with Father Hans Jacobse to discuss the crisis facing men today, and why isolation, secrecy, and private struggle are not compatible with the Orthodox life. Fr Hans started the St Paisios Brotherhood where men have been able to have a safe brotherhood for many years now. We explore the role of brotherhood in confronting temptation, forming men for marriage and family, and grounding masculine identity in the life of the Church.

This conversation addresses pornography, marriage, community, and the unique role Orthodox brotherhood plays in forming whole men capable of serving their families, parishes, and the world.

For more on this, go here: https://www.stpaisiosbrotherhood

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Ep. 396 - Powers & Principalities: The Unseen War Against the Church, with Fr Turbo Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Buck sits down with Father Turbo Qualls for a wide-ranging and sobering conversation about spiritual warfare, ecumenism, and the modern pressure on the Orthodox to trade truth for comfort.

Beginning with reflections from St. Mary of Egypt and the Synaxis of Hagia Sophia, the discussion moves into how external forces — political, cultural, and spiritual — have repeatedly targeted the Church, often in ways that are subtle, coordinated, and unseen.

Father Turbo revisits a past conversation with Buck about the COVID era, exploring how major disruptions in Church life coincided with key feasts, fasts, and liturgical moments — not as a matter of human conspiracy, but as part of a deeper "powers and principalities" reality that operates beyond individual actors.

For more from Fr Turbo and to see his hand-painted icons, go here: https://www.desertwisdombookstore.com/shop ...and his parish : https://stmaryofegypt.net ...and here: https://www.skool.com/synaxisofsophia

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Audio Production by Podsworth Media: https://www.podsworth.com

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