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Have you ever wanted to get to know the wonderful people behind Draw Near Designs, the producers of the popular beautiful children's calendar? On today's episode, Matushka Melissa Naasko introduces listeners to the women behind the project. Caroline Gann Caroline is a graphic designer and content creator. She has a passion for engaging children in recipes and crafts that connect them with the fullness of our faith, as well as the culture of those who have so diligently preserved it. She seamlessly designs the Orthodox Children’s Calendar, coloring books, and other products for Draw Near Designs. Caroline has three children, and loves that her work with Draw Near Designs helps educate herself, her children and all Christian families in God's love. Marian Adams Since Kindergarten, every teacher has noted how art was the one thing Marian would spend endless amounts of time on— and not much has changed since then! She loves watercolor painting, detailed line drawings, and creating digital drawings. Her illustrations appear in the Orthodox Children’s Calendar, coloring books, advent and Lenten calendars, Snuggly Saints dolls, and other products from Draw Near Designs. She also illustrated the children’s books “A Visit to the Monastery” and “We Believe". Marian is married to a professor of Radiography, is the mother of 4, and she also loves to cook, garden, read, and travel. She is endlessly grateful to be doing work that glorifies God and points others to Him. Mat. Jennifer Levine: Matushka Jennifer is married to an active duty Orthodox Chaplain, and they frequently move with the military. Her jobs have changed everywhere she's lived. She's been a counselor, teacher, program director, grant writer, artist, event coordinator, quilter, and more. She homeschooled her two boys all the way through high school and now has two grandchildren. Jennifer is also the sister of Marian's husband, and it's been a joy to work alongside family sharing Orthodoxy with others. Orthodox Children's Calendar 2027: https://www.drawneardesigns.com/calendars/orthodoxchildrenscalendar-e6f9f

Long-time Saint Emmelia mom Cheryl Floyd sits down with Mindi to discuss Christopher Nolan's Odyssey. How does it hold up as an adaptation? As an isolated film? Cheryl also shares how literature can be used as education.

In this talk, originally given at the 2026 Pennsylvania Homeschool Family Picnic, Fr. Noah Bushelli shares how to center our homeschooling and family life on the Beatiudes.

Originally from our Saint Macrina Lecture Series, Saint Emmelia mom Rachel offers an Orthodox perspective on the role of women.

Former intern Caroline discusses why it's important to talk about books, how contemporary novel can develop our love for others, and what books have shaped her during high school.

Former head intern Cecilia talks about her senior thesis project, the books that have shaped her high school years, and what the land of faerie has to do with Jane Austen.

In this talk, originally given online for our Saint Macrina Lecture Series, Fr. David Hyatt explores the role of the internet/social media and how to use this technology as tools and not let it rule us.

In this talk, originally given at the 2023 SOUTH Conference, Adam Lockridge describes the "beginning and end of an Orthodox Education."

Continuing the conversation about "Mom Guilt," Mindi, Mat. Melissa Naasko, and Pres. Jennifer Souza discuss repentance, forgiveness, boundaries, and how all these things intersect with our feelings of guilt.

In today's episode, Saint Emmelia Ministries Assistant Director Mindi Popovich-Schneider takes over hosting duties and puts Mat. Melissa Naasko in the hot seat. Mat. Melissa and Pres. Jennifer Souza break down the concept of "Mom guilt"-where these feelings come from, how they affect us, and how we, as Orthodox Christians, can combat them.

On today’s episode, Matushka Melissa interviews Presbytera Jennifer Souza about the new Orthodox homeschool health class being offered by the Classical Learning Resource Center often known as CLRC. The course features presentations by well known and respected Orthodox clergy and scholars. Early enrollment will be for live classes and is a unique opportunity to help shape the recorded classes that will be offered later. For more information, visit: https://www.clrconline.com/orthodox-health-course-for-parents/ About today's guest: Presvytera Jennifer Souza is a classical teacher and curriculum developer with over 17 years of teaching experience. Jennifer completed her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies & English from Belmont Abbey College, is a CiRCE certified Classical Teacher, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Theological Studies, with a concentration in Patristics & Pedagogy, at Hellenic College Holy Cross. She has taught humanities, logic, writing, rhetoric, and the fine arts since 2009. She is the founder of Eastern Orthodox Charlotte Mason Homeschoolers Facebook group, was a contributing author for The Lost Tools of Writing Level 1, published by The CiRCE Institute, and is the former co-host of The Classical Homeschool Podcast. Her research interests include Classical Rhetoric, Classical Pedagogy, The Liberal Arts, Literature, Letters, and Fine Art Studies, The Intersection of Education and Healing, Education and Pedagogy through the lives and writings of the Saints, Patristic Fathers, and Iconography.

Christopher talks with Megan Bonynge about the transition from high school to college for Orthodox Christian students, highlighting the importance of support systems, the common struggles of anxiety, depression, relationships, stress, and trauma, and the increase in loneliness.

Presbytera Krista Fedorchak focuses on the shift in responsibility for food decisions from parents to students and the logistical challenges of budgeting and scheduling meals. For Orthodox Christians in particular, this transition can be especially difficult during fasting periods. Pres. Krista shares her ideas for how students can nourish their bodies during these years when there is so much emphasis on the mind.

Christopher talks with Kh. BethAnn Hyatt about the challenges and joys of the high school-to-college transition from a parent's perspective, specifically detailing her family's non-traditional path, which involved homeschooling, a period in public school, and the very different struggles and paths her two oldest sons experienced after high school. Kh. BethAnn offers tips and advice for homeschooled students, especially how to overcome challenges.

In this talk, taken from the Saint Macrina Lecture "Teamwork: Marriage is not 50/50 (It's 100/100)," Fr. Luke Carpenter (St. Philip's Orthodox Church in Souderton, PA) describes a theological understanding of marriage.