As the world grappled with isolation during the pandemic, Priscilla Destiny Vargas (Priscillaxdestiny) found herself on a spiritual expedition through the corridors of faith, leading her from the familiarity of Protestantism to the hallowed traditions of Eastern Orthodoxy. Her tale, woven from poignant conversations and theological reflection during a time of global retreat, is a beacon for those seeking a deeper understanding of Christianity's diverse tapestry. With TikTok as her unlikely...

Icons have been part of Christian practice from the earliest of times in the Church.  Yet, there were eras where the practice was questioned and debated.  See how God used one woman's faithful courage to help preserve the use of icons for the world over. Embark with us on a narrative voyage through time, where the veils of history part to reveal the enthralling saga of Saint Theodora the Empress, a figure of clandestine faith in the 9th century Byzantine Empire. Experience the fervor and...

What does it truly mean to live with humility in the Christian Orthodox faith? Our latest conversation promises to guide you through the spiritual labyrinth of self-emptying, a journey that is neither about self-loathing nor ego, but about making space for divine grace. Jeremy, Nick, Robert, John, Joshua, Maximus, and Hannah join us to illuminate this contemplative path, revealing that the essence of fulfillment lies not in self-admiration but in becoming conduits for God's presence. In an...

Embark on an auditory pilgrimage through time as we unveil the captivating odyssey of a man whose faith forged a nation's destiny. Experience the enthralling tale of St. Patrick, from his dire enslavement to his ascension as the Patron Saint of Ireland. Our episode weaves the rich tapestry of Patrick's life, exposing his inner turmoil, the visions that led him back to Ireland, and his valiant stand against the druids on the Hill of Tara. Let the drama of his transformation inspire you as the...

Professional MMA fighter converts to Orthodox Christianity! Have you ever witnessed a fighter transform, not just in the ring, but spiritually? Our latest guest, Joshua Williams, a former MMA fighter and current black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, takes us on a gripping odyssey from the highs of his fighting career to the depths of his soul, and the extraordinary spiritual renaissance that followed. His journey from the self-focused doctrines of New Age thought to a profound spiritual awakening,...

Ready to talk about Race and Eastern Orthodoxy? Can we truly embrace a colorblind society while recognizing the diverse tapestry of racial identities? It's a hot-button issue that's sparked intense debate, and we're wading into the fray with our Orthodox Christian guest hosts Jeremy, Nick, John, Joshua, Dom, and Robert. We're dissecting the cultural pivot from a paradigm where an individual's character reigned supreme to today's era, where 'wokeism' and assertions of racial identity are...

Have you ever wondered how the ancient wisdom of Orthodox saints can be woven into the fabric of our hectic modern lives? That's what we unravel with Timothy from Orthodox Wisdom, a pioneer in bringing the richness of spiritual tradition to the digital age. Peeling back the curtain on his creative process, Timothy shares the meticulous care taken in selecting and sharing theological works that resonate with both Orthodox believers and seekers. Reflect to how he strikes a delicate balance,...

Could the next step in human evolution be an upgrade installed in our brains? Prepare to navigate the thought-provoking waters of transhumanism as we consider the future of human enhancement through technology. With the advancements like Neuralink, the line between humanity and machinery blurs, raising profound questions about consciousness and identity. Through the lens of Orthodox Christianity, we delve into the spiritual implications of such technology, balancing the seductive promise of...

A woman's question... a diabolical answer.  Listen at your own risk! Could your most fervent desires be your undoing? Join us as we probe the telling verses of a poem first recited by our esteemed guest, Camille Theodora.   Followed by a diabolical response from Screwtape himself.  A tale that holds a mirror to our own struggles and the unforeseen consequences they may bring. As the lines unfold, a chilling narrative emerges about a girl who seeks the grandeur of life's treasures in God's...

Have you ever wondered why guys with fish in their profile photos are such a catch in the online dating scene? Join me as we cast our net into the deep and sometimes murky waters of digital romance. With Veronica and a colorful crew of panelists, including two Johns, Jeremy, Robert, and Joshua, we'll navigate through the art of profile crafting, the strange lure of those fish photos, and the quest for genuine human connections in an era where swiping right is the new courtship dance. This...

When faith and life intertwine, extraordinary conversations blossom. That's precisely what unfolded as Rafael from Orthodox Review joined Cloud of Witnesses Radio, unveiling the interplay between his deep-rooted Christian beliefs and the everyday trials one endures. His moniker, "the guy with one and a half thumbs," isn't just an intriguing tag—it's a beacon of resilience, a story that underscores how life's twists can shape our spiritual journey. Nick and Jeremy's dialogue with Orthodox...

Prepare to be challenged and inspired as we tackle the complex dance of faith within the arena of cultural conflicts. Our special guests, John, Priscilla, Robert, Jeremy, and Veronica shed light on how Orthodox teachings of love and forgiveness can be executed in a society often marked by an 'us versus them' mentality. We dissect the provocations within Tom MacDonald's "Facts" featuring the unlikely rapper Ben Shapiro—a music video that has stirred up significant debate by questioning...

Have you ever pondered the delicate threads that tie together the vast spectrum of Christian beliefs? Austin Suggs of Gospel Simplicity joins Nick and Jeremy of Cloud of Witnesses Radio for a captivating exploration into Christian ecumenism, revealing Austin's mission to connect Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant followers through thought-provoking content. Austin Sugg's journey from a dorm room project to a key voice in interdenominational dialogue has sparked a library of spiritual...

Do civilizations crumble under the weight of shifting gender norms? Our dynamic panelists spark a riveting dialogue about this very question. We convened a panel, including Jeremy, Nick, Mary, Maximus, and Robert, to dissect the phenomenon that Murray proposes: the focus on gender identity as a harbinger of societal decline. As we traverse through our cultural landscape, from pop songs to policy debates, our episode delves into the heart of why gender conversations have become so pervasive in...

LISTEN AT YOUR OWN RISK. Words are no mere breaths of air; they can be as brutal as any fist. In the latest episode/letter Screwtape peels back the curtain on the transformation of violence in the age of the internet, where the battlegrounds aren't just physical spaces but the vast, interconnected realms of social media. With the guidance of our insightful "guest" (Screwtape), we navigate the treacherous waters of Twitter, Facebook, and beyond, where character assassinations are executed in...

Are we witnessing a storytelling crisis in the realm of modern cinema? Oh yeah we are! And the Critical Drinker gets it! Tune into our latest Cloud of Witnesses Radio episode, where we dissect the heavy-handed integration of social politics in today's films and series with our special guests Jeremy, Nick, John, Joshua, Dom, and Robert. We'll unravel the trend of humor overload, often labeled 'Marvel humor', and the polarizing effect of gender and role-swapping within cherished franchises....

Against the relentless tide of the USSR's state atheism stood Abbas Antonina, a figure whose story of resistance and faith we explore in our latest episode. Her tale begins with the Bolsheviks' desecration of a holy convent, the sorrowful demise of her sisters, and the GPU's ominous bounty on her head. We follow Antonina's journey of narrow escapes, including a betrayal that could have sealed her fate, and the divine twist that left her pursuers grasping at shadows. But the heart of this...

This weekend was the 2024 Walk for Life San Diego.  In light of this event supporting pro life views, our Cloud of Witnesses: Yes...But... panel discusses the issue of abortion rights and the moral and spiritual implications of the choice between life and death. Imagine uncovering a secret that shakes the very foundation of your existence: you were almost never born. This revelation isn't just a plot twist from a novel—it's the starting point of our latest conversation, where we navigate the...

Join the celebration with the beloved Sister Vassa of "Coffee with Sister Vassa" as we mark a milestone on our podcast journey. In a heartwarming commemoration, we navigate the entwined paths of the saints and our own faith journeys, discovering how these venerated figures from the past continue to shape our contemporary spiritual lives. As we laugh and muse together, Sister Vassa imparts her engaging wisdom on making saintly narratives resonate with the modern believer, turning historical...

Quigley, a gorilla has become aware of its own death...but can science help him deal with its implications...? Ever pondered the idea of animals contemplating their own mortality? Prepare to be whisked away on a wild (and funny!) intellectual safari as Jeremy, Nick, Robert, and Tirzah tackle the absurdities and truths of existence. Through the lens of an uproarious mockumentary by The Onion, we explore what happens when a gorilla named Quigley is taught to grapple with the concept of death....

It's a mystery how these letters came into our hands, yet we cannot but share them with the world - to warn you.  Screwtape has returned...Listen at your own risk... Ever found yourself laughing in the face of New Year's resolutions, knowing that your grand plans for self-improvement might just be the first joke of the year? Get ready for Screwtape to wake us up, take a stab at the annual tradition of boldly setting goals only to watch them crumble faster than our post-midnight snack...

Welcome to our NEW series that we call "YES!...But..." Embark on a thought-provoking journey with us as we scrutinize Fiducia Supplicans, Pope Francis' new and very confusing proclamation concerning gay couples/union/marriage and their blessing in the Roman Catholic Church...  Embark on a journey to comprehend the Vatican's nuanced stance on same-sex blessings, a theological tightrope act stirring hearts and minds across Christendom. Explore with us the ecclesiastical tremors sent through...

CAN the Dead, or even death itself, teach us any profitable lessons?? A young monk is BEWILDERED by the advice of Elder Macarius, the famous ascetic of ancient Sketis, Egypt. Maybe it's ridiculous advice--but maybe not...out of faith and obedience, this young monk decides to follow Abba Macarius' advice.... Ever wrestled with the thorny issue of pride and the elusive grace of humility? We've all been there, in the thick of our own internal battles. Get ready to push past your limits as we...

Welcome to our NEW series that we call "YES!...But..." Embark on a thought-provoking journey with us as we scrutinize the motivational messages of Jordan Peterson, dissecting the complex interplay of desire, sacrifice, and the quest for meaning. Amidst our exploration, we unearth insights with the aid of Tirzah, John, and Daniel Paul, delving into how Orthodox Christianity shapes our life's ambitions and provides a steadfast moral compass often absent in popular self-help narratives....

It's a mystery how these letters came into our hands, yet we cannot but share them with the world - to warn you.  Screwtape has returned... Could the relentless pursuit of material wealth be overshadowing the spiritual heart of our holiday traditions? Explore this question and journey beyond the tinsel with us as Cloud of Witnesses Productions examines the intersection of Christmas's sacred roots and the pervasive forces of consumerism. Our latest episode peels back the layers of festivity...