What does it mean to be fully seen — not just for our struggles, but also for our gifts? In this conversation with Apostolos Christos Lianos, a remarkable young man living with Tourette’s Syndrome, we meet someone whose daily life includes challenges many of us may not fully understand, but whose witness reveals something deeply human: the desire to be known, accepted, and embraced. Together, we’ll explore some common misconceptions about Tourette's Syndrome, and how family, friends, and fellow parishioners can build access for people with disabilities like Tourette's whose tics and vocalizations often lead to misunderstandings, stigma, and isolation, especially in church settings where quiet and controlled behavior is the expected norm.

Deacon Demetrius Romanczuk serves Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Mission in North Carolina, is a retired educator with a background in special education, an Accessibility Coach with the On Behalf of All initiative: Toward an Accessible Divine Liturgy for Children with Disabilities, husband of Matushka Cathy, and devoted father to Luke and Kate, who have level 3 autism. Honest about his family's challenges, he shares how he and his wife approach them with a sense of humor, with the knowledge that this life includes a struggle of becoming more Christ-like, and the hope that in eternal life all will be understood. For more information on the On Behalf of All Initiative, visit: https://www.goarch.org/oboa

Further information on substance abuse resources: https://afm.box.com/s/krmo5uy493i2wezjvqh698cu2lm6l32u Father Nikolas Delaveris, the Director of the Saint Anastasia Fellowship, and Adriana Makrov, the Program Manager, join Presvytera Kerry Pappas for a discussion about the origin and mission of the Fellowship, which serves those who are navigating addiction from a Christ-centered perspective, grounded in prayer and worship. Following a brief history of the origins, purpose, and ministries of the Fellowship, they discuss the impact of addiction on marriage, family and community relationships. Father Nikolas and Adriana offer profound insights for anyone impacted by addiction. For more information, visit https://saintanastasiafellowship.org/.

Father Peter J. Spiro, Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's FREEDOM (Faith-based Resolve to Eradicate Enslavement: Didactic Outreach Ministry) joins Presv. Melanie to discuss how human traffickers seek to manipulate and capitalize on any human vulnerability, including vulnerabilities associated with disabilities. He offers practical steps families can take to protect their children and other vulnerable loved ones from abuse or manipulation. Fr Peter shares the key issue that makes children most vulnerable to being trafficked. It all starts "at the top."

Abby Vlahos is the co-liaison for the On Behalf of All (OBOA) initiative's pilot parish, St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, Illinois. Her youngest child, Cosmas, is 9 years old and was born with a rare genetic syndrome causing a range of disabilities including intellectual disabilities and autism. She supports disability advocacy and ministry efforts in her work, her parish, and her Metropolis. In this interview Abby shares highlights of their parish experience in the first year as one of twelve pilot parishes chosen to work toward an accessible divine liturgy for children with disabilities through the OBOA initiative. St John's has been doing the holy work of making a way of belonging for families with disabilities for decades, and a few years ago established a high support needs Sunday School class. If you are interested in improving accessibility in your church community, St John's is a forerunner worth following.

Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Yagze, currently the Pastor of St George Orthodox Church in Fishers, Indiana and Fully Human Steering Committee member, shares insights on keeping our relationship with God open and authentic every day, and specifically during the challenging times in our lives. He lifts up examples of people in Holy Scriptures who remained in conversation with God in the midst of trials and suffering, and how we can revisit prayers in the Holy Eucharist — literally translated from the Greek as Holy Thanksgiving — to express gratitude to God. Father also shares how Christ carried him through personally painful family experiences, and what we can do to grow gratitude in our hearts. The answer is a life focused on and immersed in Jesus Christ Who offers us the Way, as He offers us Himself entirely unto our healing and wholeness. Listen more to hear particular ways we can focus on and live in Christ's love.

In this month of November when we celebrate National Gratitude Month and the American Feast of Thanksgiving, the Center for Family Care is spotlighting the virtue of gratitude. In this conversation, Pres. Kerry Pappas interviews Pres. Pat Tsagalakis, the Assistant Director of the Family Wellness Ministry for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco on the importance of gratitude for a faithful life in Christ and how to cultivate a heart of gratitude in our personal and family life.

October is designated as Clergy Appreciation Month (CAM) for all Christian churches in the US, honoring St. Paul's exhortation to acknowledge those "who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you," and to "hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work" (1 Thess. 5:12-13). In honor of CAM, Pres. Kerry Pappas speaks with Fr. Louis Christopulos, a priest of over 40 years who presently serves as the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver about the importance of showing appreciation for all members of the body of Christ and specifically for our priests and their families.

October highlights many disabilities as awareness days/month in the US, and this month's podcast seeks to create awareness on one family's experience with Spina Bifida. Kevin Deutsch, an On Behalf of All (OBOA) Initiative pilot parish liaison, shares how he and his wife Nicole met a test of faith early in their pregnancy when their daughter Kora was confirmed to have Spina Bifida. Turning to God in their challenging moments, seeking pastoral guidance from their priest, and enjoying their daughter as a blessing in their community, has helped them grow in their trust of God, and in understanding of what it means to be fully human.

Presvytera Kerry Pappas speaks with Fr Alex Goussetis, the outgoing host of the Family Matters podcast series, about what he learned about marriage and family life as Director of the Center for Family Care these past nine years. He offers advice for married couples, parenting tips, and insights into the parish's role in strengthening the home.

Have you ever felt misunderstood and isolated as a parent of a child with disabilities, or struggled to know how to educate members of your community regarding your child's needs? This month Angela Karadsheh shares her advocating approach and offers suggestions for those who find advocating to be challenging. Being a mom to a neurodivergent son has opened her heart to the Parental understanding of God, and what it means to be fully human.