The Trench artwork

The Trench

36 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 7 years ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratings

Relationships and Faith

Christianity Religion & Spirituality greek orthodox youth young adult teens relationships church christian faith
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Episodes

What We Love Matters

December 21, 2016 15:33

In the final episode of The Trench, Christian explores how what we love orients our way of being in the world and how what we love is shaped by what we do. Join Christian as he says goodbye to the series by asking, "What do we truly love?"

You Can't Share What You Don't Have

December 16, 2016 14:29

Join Christian this week as he explores the reality that we cannot share a real love for Christ if we don't possess it ourselves.

You Can’t Share What You Don’t Have

December 16, 2016 14:28 - 5 minutes - 4.17 MB

Join Christian this week as he explores the reality that we cannot share a real love for Christ if we don't possess it ourselves.

The Mirror of Friendship

December 08, 2016 16:34

This week, Christian explores how our friends help us see ourselves clearly. Sometimes, this may mean we see some encouraging things, and other times we may see the yucky parts of ourselves. Both of these realities are what make friendship such an essential part of our walk with Christ.

How to Survive the Holidays

November 22, 2016 19:24

For many, the holidays can be a stressful time when it comes to reconnecting with family members. Join Christian this week as he explores some things to keep in mind as we interact with family over the holidays.

Practicing Death by Fasting

November 17, 2016 19:28

It's the beginning of another fasting season as we prepare for the Nativity of Christ. This week, Christian explores how our practice of fasting is also a practice at stepping outside of ourselves so that we can live for others.

Living for Others

November 11, 2016 14:52

This week, Christian explores how our lives are meant to be lived for others rather than used to serve ourselves.

Being Ourselves

November 01, 2016 13:04

Have you ever struggled with being content with your own life? Accepting your own strengths? This week Christian (with a little help from Kylo Ren) explores how we must live into our own lives if we have any hope of serving the Lord.

Loving Our Enemies

October 27, 2016 14:05

Connect with us at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries! youth.goarch.org

Being Married

October 18, 2016 19:28

This week, Christian is joined by his wonderful wife, Michaela. Together, the two reflect on what marriage has taught them both about an experience of God's Love.

The Mystery of Children

October 14, 2016 15:51

Over the last couple weeks, Christian has explored how God reveals Himself through different relationships in our lives. This week, Christian explores what children can teach us about the Mystery of God.

The Joy of Friendship

October 07, 2016 13:09

Friendship is a wonderful mystery wherein people share a heart. This week, Christian explores what our friendships can teach us about a relationship with Christ, the One who invites us into eternal and everlasting friendship with Himself.

The Importance of Mentors

September 27, 2016 18:25

Mentors play vital roles in our lives, helping us discern the movement of God. Join Christian this week as he has some help in exploring how Christ reveals Himself through these unique relationships.

Relating to Parents

September 20, 2016 19:05

Connect with us at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries!

How Much People Love Me

September 13, 2016 17:03

In the first episode of the new season, Christian reflects on his summer and the many people he saw who bring him Christ's love in a real way.

Our Mother, The Church

June 22, 2016 16:18

Young people keep leaving the Church, and most of us are very concerned about this. This week, Christian explores this phenomenon through Attachment Theory and suggests that perhaps the Church is losing her young people because she has failed to be there for youth in the way that they need

How Our Thoughts Impact Others

June 02, 2016 20:31

Ever noticed how your thoughts seem to impact your day in a big way? This week, Christian explores this phenomenon, pointing toward how our thoughts also impact other people.

How Your Brain Works

May 27, 2016 14:35

After a long hiatus, Christian returns to discuss neurobiology and some of its implications for how we live our lives as Christians.

How To Build Community

April 06, 2016 17:47

This week, Christian is joined by Jacob Saylor, youth director at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Together they explore some of the foundational points of building a Christian community.

Having a Spiritual Father

April 01, 2016 16:33

A relationship with a spiritual father is one of the most important relationships in an Orthodox Christian's life. Join Christian and his pastor, Fr. James Coles, this week as they explore the role and the reason for the spiritual father, particularly in the mystery of confession.

How Forgiveness Heals Us

March 17, 2016 18:52

It can be easy enough to say "I'm sorry," or even to forgive someone who slights us. But do we really understand the depth of the act of forgiving? Join Christian this week as he explores the role of forgiveness in our transformation into the likeness of Christ.

What Christians Can Learn From CrossFit

March 09, 2016 18:21

As Christians seek to form a community, the fitness phenomenon, CrossFit, has a great deal to teach us! Join Christian this week in exploring how CrossFit can show the Church what it means to be a community.

Sharing Christ With Others

February 10, 2016 17:04

After the disciples encounter Christ, they run through the dark night back to Jerusalem to share the good news with the other disciples. Join Christian this week as he explores what sharing Christ with others looks like for Orthodox Christians.

Encountering Christ

February 03, 2016 20:17

We can't share Jesus Christ with other people unless we know Him ourselves. Join Christian this week as he explores how Christ comes to meet us through the Scriptures and the Breaking of the Bread in Liturgy.

Faith is Personal

January 26, 2016 19:20

Sometimes we can get stuck in talking about the Orthodox Faith as though it were a set of beliefs and ideas that are right, rather than looking at it as a Tradition that points us toward and leads us into an encounter with Christ. Join Christian this week as he explores Orthodoxy as the Faith that rests in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Caring For Those Who Are Poor

January 15, 2016 16:27

Join Christian this week as he discusses the responsibility that every Christian has in serving those who are poor and in need. Christian suggests that like any other of our relationships, serving those in need demands our reflection on its priority.

Relating with Coworkers

December 26, 2015 17:33

Join Christian and Steve Christoforou, host of "Be The Bee" and Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries, as they reflect on what it looks like to share the experience of the Kingdom of God within the workplace

Protecting Our Relationships

December 08, 2015 17:10

Connect with us at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries!

Understanding Boundaries

November 18, 2015 18:44

Boundaries are a confusing topic for Christians, often because we feel like we are supposed to be really nice and help everybody with everything. Join Christian this week as he explores the importance of boundaries for establishing Christian relationships as well as the implications of poor boundaries on the health of our relationships.

How to Empathy

November 03, 2015 18:15

Last week, we explored how we tend to speak when should be listening, offering advice based on our experience. Join Christian this week as he explores how we can actually use our experience to foster connection through empathy, instead of using it to foster disconnection through sympathy.

The Art of Listening

October 27, 2015 14:10

Sometimes we undercut relationships by jumping to offer advice over identifying with people's problems. Join Christian this week as he explores an alternative route to sharing in the suffering of others.

Getting Vulnerable with Others

October 21, 2015 17:53

Last week, we explored how Christ shows us the path of the Cross is the path of willing vulnerability. This week, Christian discusses the role of vulnerability in our lives as we seek close and intimate relationships.

Getting Vulnerable with Jesus

October 14, 2015 17:51

Vulnerability is one of the most important and least understood parts of developing deep and intimate relationships. Join Christian as he explores how Jesus Christ shows us what vulnerability looks like and why it is so scary.

Having a Relationship with God

October 08, 2015 17:50

Having a relationship with God is just that—a relationship. It is personal, dynamic, and shareable. Join Christian this week as he explores the primary relationship in our lives: our relationship with the Lord.

Why Relationships Matter

September 29, 2015 13:33

As human beings, we find that we are surrounded by relationships everywhere we go. Could it be that relationality is something about what it means to be human? Join Christian as he discusses what it is to be human through the lens of being relational beings made in the image of a relational God.

So What Is “The Trench”?

September 24, 2015 17:45

So what is "The Trench”? In episode one, Christian discusses why "The Trench" and the centrality of relationships in the Christian life.

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