My guest this week is Ben, host of Cleave to Antiquity. Formerly an associate pastor in a Protestant Evangelical church and active in online Protestant apologetics, Ben began to realize that many of the arguments he made against Orthodox theology and dogma didn't hold up. That realization forced him to confront some difficult truths and make major changes in his life.

Today, Ben is a catechumen in the Orthodox Church. We talk about his journey, what led him to re-examine his assumptions, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

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In this episode, we dig into the idea that the Antichrist might not show up as some dark, terrifying figure, but instead as a really nice guy. The article we're discussing suggests he'll look peaceful, tolerant, reasonable, and even compassionate. In other words, the kind of leader most people would cheer for.

We talk about why that kind of "niceness" can actually be the most dangerous form of deception. Modern culture often tells us that being a good person just means being kind, promoting unity, and making life comfortable, but the article points out that goodness without God slowly pushes real spiritual life out of the picture.

We get into how our culture's obsession with progress, peace, and material well-being makes it easy to confuse charm with truth. We also look at what the Church Fathers say about the Antichrist's personality: that he'll win people over with flattery and a gentle demeanor before revealing what he's really after.

In short, this is a conversation about discernment: how to recognize the difference between true goodness and a polished counterfeit, especially in a world that loves a friendly face.

For the article , go here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/inklesspen/p/the-antichrist-is-a-nice-guy

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In this deeply pastoral and wide-ranging conversation, Buck chats with Metropolitan Jonah to discuss the surge of interest in Orthodox Christianity, the spiritual formation of newcomers, and the timeless wisdom the Church offers to a restless modern world. From the inner life of the believer to practical struggles facing parishes today, this episode provides both clarity and compassion for anyone seeking to understand Orthodoxy more deeply — or walk it more faithfully.

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Protodeacon Patrick Mitchell returns to the show to discuss his new book, Christ as Truth and Truth as Christ. In this conversation, we explore what it truly means that Christ is Truth—not as a concept, not as a feeling, but as a living Person. Protodeacon Patrick helps us unpack the difference between objective truth and the modern world's obsession with "personal truth," showing how our understanding of Truth shapes everything from our love for others to our view of the world.

We then examine the five great enemies of Truth: Gnosticism, Romanticism, Anarchism, Nihilism, and Tribalism, each of which distorts the human mind and heart in its own way. Along the way, we discuss the God of Israel and the temptation to make the self the measure of all things.

This is a deep-dive into how Truth, rightly understood, leads us not into ideology or isolation, but into the life of Christ Himself.

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In this episode, I'm joined again by Mano Elia for a wide-ranging conversation on discernment, community, and the spiritual struggle of our time.

We're not in an age where truth is hidden anymore; everything, from truth to lies, is out in the open. The real challenge is no longer finding information, but seeing clearly through it. What we face now isn't a war of disinformation; it's a war of discernment.

Mano and I zoom out from the noise of world events to explore the deeper physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of our modern crisis. We discuss how evil reveals itself openly in today's culture, how digital life isolates us, and why the ultimate answer isn't political power or conspiracy-chasing, but a return to Christ, creativity, and tangible community.

The conversation also challenges common misunderstandings about the so-called "black pill" mindset. While many look for salvation in politics or cultural battles, Mano and I argue that the only true white pill is Christ Himself.

For more of Mano's content, go here: https://www.skool.com/the-bored-no-more-network-8401

...and here: https://borednomore.net

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My guest this week is someone you might remember from last year when we talked about his book, Antichrist: The Fulfillment of Globalization (from Uncut Mountain Press).

He's back with us today to dig into the themes from his recent article, Is God an Antisemite? (on Orthodox Ethos).

We get into what antisemitism actually means, the roots of Rabbinic Judaism, and how all of this connects to Christ and His Church — and what it all means for us today.

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This week on the podcast, I'm excited to feature Nicholas Mamey, an Orthodox Christian and psychotherapist. Nicholas joins me to discuss the positive and negative aspects of therapy and self-healing through an Orthodox Christian lens. In a world filled with pop-psychology "white noise" and self-obsession, Nicholas offers a unique perspective on what true healing entails. Tune in for this important conversation.

Learn more about Nicholas here: https://www.ngmtherapy.com/about

Support our friend Cooper Brooks in his time of need:
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This week, we are featuring one of the most unique interviews I've ever conducted. My guest, Justine Alter (a pseudonym), is an Orthodox Christian and author of the book *Outside of the World*.

In her book, Justine shares her incredible journey from a difficult childhood through the occult, her experiences as a psychic medium, and even her time as a cult leader, ultimately finding her way to the Orthodox Church.

During the interview, Justine uses a voice augmenter to disguise her identity due to multiple death threats she has received from individuals within occult circles.

You can order her book directly at: https://www.newmartyrpress.com

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