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Let’s be friends?
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Let’s be friends?
Want more Let’s be friends podcast? Join the Friendship Membership www.letsbefriendspodcast.com
Copyright: © 2024 Let's be friends
The episode starts out with a candid conversation with Kara Mosher and Fr. Turbo Qualls The conversation discusses grief, addiction, conversion, and what it really means to enter the Orthodox Church as a catechumen. The conversation centers on Kara’s experience with her fiancé Jody’s addiction and emergency baptism, then expands into a practical and pastoral discussion of purification, trauma, generational patterns, and healing through sacramental life.
Fr. Turbo brings his perspective as an Orthodox priest, addiction studies and trauma counselor, and spiritual father to many converts. Together they explore why people coming from the occult, new age, addiction, and psychological distress need patience, community, and real formation rather than quick fixes.
Father Turbo is an Orthodox priest and the rector at St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church in Kansas City, Missouri: https://stmaryofegypt.net/fr-turbo-qualls
Donate to Kara's Go Fund me
https://www.givesendgo.com/support-fo...
Want more? Let's be friends. Join the Friendship Membership. https://www.letsbefriendspodcast.com/...
Want to read my memoir, Here Comes Trouble? It's available now. Order your copy.
https://www.karamosher.com/store
Have you ever wondered what happens after we die? Where does our to souls go after our death in this world? Is "death" really the end?
After the unexpected and tragic passing of my spouse two months ago, I have become more curious about what happens to the soul after we pass. Join me in a deep conversation with Father Seraphim Holland about what happens after we die.
In this episode, we explore the Orthodox understanding of the soul after death, the significance of prayer for the departed, and the mysteries surrounding Hades, Heaven & Hell, the goal of Paradise, your guardian angel, saints, and the afterlife.
Father Seraphim of Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKinney, Texas shares insights on the power of praying for the departed, the meaning and importance of the 40 days after death, and understanding the afterlife, including the concepts of Hades and the toll houses. We also share our own personal grief stories, how faith and prayer can bring comfort and hope through life's challenges and losses.
Donate to Father Seraphim of Holland's church St Nicholas Orthodox Church: https://www.orthodox.net/index.html#d...
Donate to Kara's Go Fund me
https://www.givesendgo.com/support-for-kara
Find us on Social Media:
Instagram → @seraphimholland
@herecomestroublexo
@letsbefriends_podcast
Want more? Let's be friends. Join the Friendship Membership. https://www.letsbefriendspodcast.com/...
Want to read my memoir, Here Comes Trouble? It's available now. Order your copy.
https://www.karamosher.com/store
Orthodox Christian Prayers for the Dead https://orthodoxprayers.com/prayers-for-the-dead
Daniel's List for Prayers for the Departed - https://orthodoxprayers.com/daniels-list
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and guest introduction
03:39 Personal stories of loss and the importance of prayer
07:51 Why do we pray for the dead? The love that sustains us
12:01 The Orthodox understanding of the soul and life after death
15:26 The significance of the forty-day commemoration
18:15 Attachments, passions, and their impact on the soul
22:01 Practical ways to pray for the departed
27:43 Death as a return to God and the mystery of divine mercy
34:38 How saints are recognized and their miracles
38:19 The consciousness of the departed and their ability to remember
41:16 Prayers, scripture, and the process of sainthood
43:02 Practical prayer tips and closing thoughts
44:43 Prostrations and Their Spiritual Significance
45:12 Adapting Prostrations for Physical Limitations
46:56 The Role of Prayer in Healing and Salvation
49:31 Understanding the Afterlife: Hades, Purgatory, and Toll Houses
55:02 The Journey of the Soul: From Death to Resurrection
01:01:09 The Meaning of Joyful Sorrow and Grief
01:07:30 Living as Strangers in a World Not Our Home
01:13:48 Practical Steps for Spiritual Growth and Salvation
01:16:00 Prayers for the Living and the Departed
01:20:57 Building a Community and Church for Salvation
Two months ago the love of my life, my best friend and spouse of 16 years, passed away unexpectedly in a tragic accident. The past two months have been the hardest in my life. I'm going through my "Karapocalypse"... it's more then a mid life crisis, it's the end of my old life.
Join me for an open and honest conversation about my experiences and the tragic event of two months ago. Listen to my story and hear why I believe a miracle occurred. And through that miracle, God showed the purpose of life.
In this episode I also discuss my current struggle and how I now understand grief. The most complex, painstaking continuation of the love we have for the people we lost. Many people have asked how they can support and help me right now. Please pray for me. Pray the Lord has mercy on John.
Other ways to support me...
Go Fund Me:
https://www.givesendgo.com/support-fo...
Sign up for the Friendship membership:
https://www.letsbefriendspodcast.com/...
Buy my book Here Comes Trouble:
https://www.karamosher.com/store
or on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0gvIM6ST
Video of Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCMt8KoaXbY
In this episode, Father Timothy Pavlatos shares his journey from Orthodox upbringing and academic pursuits in theology and psychology to his deep engagement with spiritual warfare, humility, and mental health. Our conversation explores the “Silent War”—the spiritual battle within the mind, the role of demons versus trauma, and how humility and prayer are essential in overcoming mental and spiritual struggles. We discuss the book “Saint Silouan the Athonite," touching on topics like fighting the evil within our hearts and not outside in the world, the withdrawal of grace from God, why it feels as though we are abandoned by God—how Adam must have felt in the Garden of Eden—and keeping thy mind in hell and despair not. We also discuss the profound opportunity suffering offers us to be sanctified for our salvation.
Father Timothy Pavlatos is the pastor of St. Katherine Orthodox Church in Chandler, Arizona.
Support the mission of St. Katherine Orthodox Church here: https://stkatherineaz.org/capital-campaign
Watch Video on YouTube
In this episode of the Let’s be friends podcast, we are joined by Anthony Westage. Anthony is the host of the Reversion Podcast and Substack, where he writes about current events, theology concerned with the end of the world, human history, and the final destiny of souls—a place where you can "reclaim your mind in the age of distraction."
Join Anthony and me as we discuss the hidden connections between the Protestant Reformation, Kabbalah, and the spiritual evolution of Protestant Christianity. Discover how esoteric beliefs have influenced modern Christianity by weaving their way in through the Protestant Reformation. Explore the deep ties between spirituality, technology, and esoteric traditions, including Kabbalah, the occult, and their influence on modern society and religion. This conversation delves into the history, symbolism, and spiritual implications of these themes, offering a unique perspective on the current spiritual and technological landscape.
Find guest Anthony Westgate:
Join Michaela Nikolaenko and me as we discuss how our view on spiritual warfare has changed. Michaela and I have a similar path; we are both ex-occultists and ex-Protestants and now newly Orthodox Christians. During our journey into the Orthodox faith, we both fell victim to misconceptions about spiritual warfare.
As occultists, we both encountered demons. Not realizing what they truly were yet, we were tricked into believing they were our spiritual "friends," trying to utilize them on our path to healing. Once Christ came into our lives, like many new Christians, we fell into not only Protestantism but also charismatic teaching. This experience gave us a whole other deceptive view on what we initially believed spiritual warfare was. By God’s grace, we both came to understand that what we had been taught about demons and spiritual warfare was not the truth, and we entered the Orthodox Church—the true church. Once there, we realized the true nature of spiritual warfare and that picking up your cross and following Christ meant an ongoing battle, but not with the eternal demons like we once believed—it was warfare within. A lifelong battle not just with demons, but against our passions and sin.
Watch Video on Youtube
If you enjoy this episode there is also a bonus chat where Michaela and I dive deeper into the topics discussed in this episode. Find it on The Friendship Membership.
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Main Topics:
Join Father Seraphim Holland as he shares his journey from grief to grace following the loss of his son, Daniel. Discover how prayer, fasting, and divine signs transformed his suffering into a profound spiritual awakening. This episode delves into the power of intercession, the significance of the 40 days after death, and the importance of fasting and how to fast as an Orthodox Christian.
The episode breaks down the spiritual importance of fasting, prostrations, and obedience—keys to spiritual strength amid life's chaos. From the lessons in Eden about desire and disobedience to modern struggles with addiction and pride, Father Seraphim offers practical advice rooted in the ancient teachings of the Church Fathers. You’ll learn why obedience, humility, and consistent prayer are essential for healing and why the saints are still alive, here to help.
Perfect for anyone facing grief, doubt, or the temptations of modern life and its passions. If you've ever wondered whether your loved ones are truly gone or how to find meaning in suffering, this conversation provides hope, insight, and a reminder: death is not the end—it's a doorway into eternity.
Donate to Father Seraphim of Holland's church St Nicholas Orthodox Church: https://www.orthodox.net/index.html#d...
Father Seraphim's YouTube→ / @orthodoxnet
Father Seraphim's Instagram→ / seraphimholland
Welcome back to the Let's be friends podcast, with us today is returning guest and friend Buck Johnson.
In this episode Buck and I dive into the mysteries and revelations we are currently facing today. In our convesratioin we discuss the profound book "Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future" by Fathe Serpahim Rose. We also explore the hot topic of UFOs, the controversial Epstein files, and the intricate web of conspiracies laid, meant to trap us and lead us astry. We also unravel the facade of fake Christianity and delve into the profound insights of Father Seraphim Rose, whose teachings illuminate the path to true spiritual awakening. Buck Johnson shares his transformative journey from atheism to Orthodoxy, offering a unique perspective on the spiritual warfare that shapes our world today. Prepare for an eye-opening discussion that will leave you questioning the very fabric of our existence.
I didn't grow up a Christian; in fact, I never even believed Jesus was real until 5 years ago, when I had a radical encounter with Jesus while I was knee-deep in the occult, working as a psychic medium.
I always believed in God; I just didn't know who he was, so I went searching in the psychedelic realm for him. I didn't like what I thought Christianity was, and since I didn't believe in Jesus, I automatically thought the Bible and Christians were fake too.
Most of my life I dealt with mental instability, depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and panic attacks. When I was 29 years old, I was misdiagnosed as bipolar. I tried everything to heal myself. It wasn't until I started following Christ that I started to actually change.
I found out after 8 years of being told I was bipolar I'd been misdiagnosed...I was on 20 pills a day at that time. I got off pills during 2020, when the world was experiencing the insanity of COVID-19. As I got off pills, my mind came back alive, and I started questioning reality for the first time in almost a decade. But soon after I fell deeper into the occult. Until 2021, when I had my experience with Christ. This made my worst fear come true—I became a Christian.
Something didn't sit right with me as a new Christian; there were so many denominations all believing something different. I'd been deceived so many times before I was scared I would be again, so I started questioning Christianity. All my questioning led me to the true church, the Orthodox church, where real healing begins.
Join me as I share my story of not only why I became a Christian but also why I was baptized this past summer as an Orthodox Christian.
Welcome back to the Let's be friends podcast. Back on the show, Father Peter Heers is here for part 2 of our chat about baptism.
You may know Father Peter Heers from his popular online and YouTube account, Orthodox Ethos. Father Peter is a priest of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States of America and assistant priest of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God Orthodox Church in Houston, TX. He is also the founder of Uncut Mountain Press.
In this episode we discuss the unvarnished truth about Orthodox baptism and the overused practice of economia—what the church fathers truly teach and why modern departures threaten our salvation. When does a deviation undermine the very mysteries of the faith? And how does the historical patristic consensus challenge today's widespread laxity?
In this compelling episode, Father Peter Heers unpacks the vital distinction between legitimate economia and dangerous innovations that distort the sacred mysteries. You’ll learn how saints like Saint Basil and Canon 47 of St. Basil of the Council of Trullo uphold the necessity of proper reception for converts and how recent shortcuts risk undermining the divine grace bestowed through authentic sacraments. We break down the crucial criteria set by the church to distinguish temporary pastoral exceptions from systemic errors, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to the Fathers' teachings.
In the episode, we discuss Father Peter’s book, The Reception of the Heterodox into the Orthodox Church, which offers clarity on complex issues such as improper reception, rebaptism, and the dangerous shift from canonical practice to ecumenical compromise. You’ll discover why the practice of pouring water instead of immersion is not only heretical but also spiritually perilous, and how saints and councils historically handled such deviations.
Join us to understand how the loss of proper baptism and adherence to the church’s tradition risks opening the door to spiritual danger, including the influence of heresies and the rise of anti-Christian forces. Equip yourself with the knowledge to defend the divine mysteries with confidence, and help restore the sacred posture of the church in our tumultuous times.
Make sure to listen to part 1: "The Hidden History of the Great Schism & It’s Impact on Christian Unity Today"
Father Peter Resources & Links:
Connect with Father Peter Heers: