Start with Ancient Faith Radio. It’s the main hub for Orthodox podcasting in North America, and it’s where you’ll find the most reliable content for someone exploring the faith.
Ancient Faith Ministries (ancientfaith.com) hosts dozens of podcasts by Orthodox clergy and laypeople. Some are perfect for inquirers. Others get into deeper theological territory. The key is knowing where to start.
For People Just Starting Out
If you’re new to Orthodoxy, don’t dive into a 45-episode series on Patristic theology. Begin with something short and accessible.
Fr. Thomas Hopko’s “Speaking the Truth in Love” is probably the best place to start. These are brief teaching talks that cover the basics of Orthodox faith and practice. Fr. Tom (who reposed in 2015) was a beloved teacher in the Orthodox Church in America, and his voice is warm and clear. He doesn’t assume you know anything. His series “The Names of Jesus” and “Worship in Spirit and Truth” are also excellent for catechumens trying to understand what’s happening in the Liturgy.
Ancient Faith also offers daily devotionals. These are just a few minutes long. If you’re driving to work at the refinery or sitting in traffic on I-10, they’re a good way to start your day with something Orthodox without committing to a long episode.
“Ancient Faith Today” is another solid choice. It’s an interview show covering faith, theology, culture, and history. The host talks with different guests about topics that matter to Orthodox Christians. You’ll hear a range of voices and perspectives, which helps when you’re trying to get a feel for how Orthodox people think about things.
Moving Deeper
Once you’ve got your bearings, you might want something more substantial.
Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick hosts several shows, including “The Whole Counsel of God” with Fr. Stephen De Young. This one walks through Scripture from an Orthodox perspective. It’s not a quick listen, but if you’re coming from a Protestant background where Bible study was central, you’ll appreciate hearing how the Church reads the text. The approach is different from what you learned at First Baptist, but it’s grounded in the Fathers and the liturgical tradition.
“Search the Scriptures” is another Bible-focused program. These longer series work well for people who’ve been received into the Church but are still building their theological foundation.
“Lord of Spirits” (also Fr. Damick and Fr. De Young) explores the spiritual world, angels, demons, and the unseen reality that Scripture talks about but modern Christianity often ignores. It starts accessible and gets progressively deeper. Wait until you’ve been around a few months before tackling this one.
What About Antiochian-Specific Content?
The Antiochian Archdiocese doesn’t run a separate podcast network. Most Antiochian clergy who podcast do so through Ancient Faith. That’s not a problem. It just means you’re looking for shows hosted by Antiochian priests rather than a dedicated antiochian.org feed.
Fr. Tom Soroka, an Antiochian priest, hosts “Ancient Faith Today Live.” Many Antiochian parishes recommend this show because it tackles real questions Orthodox Christians are asking right now. Why do people leave the Church? How do we talk to our Baptist relatives about icons? What does the faith say about suffering? It’s practical and pastoral.
Your best bet is to ask what podcasts your catechism class or parish recommends. Many Antiochian parishes curate a short list of episodes specifically for inquirers. That’s more useful than wandering through 78 different podcast feeds trying to figure out what’s appropriate.
A Word of Caution
Ancient Faith hosts a lot of voices. Not every show is equally helpful for someone just learning the faith. Some podcasts assume you already know the liturgical calendar, the lives of the saints, and the basics of Orthodox theology. Others represent one person’s opinion on a debatable topic. That’s fine for someone who’s been Orthodox for years and can discern what’s what. It’s confusing for a catechumen.
This is why I keep saying: ask your parish. If you’re meeting with a catechist or attending inquirer classes, they can point you to specific episodes that fit where you are right now. You don’t need to listen to everything. You need to listen to the right things at the right time.
What About the OCA?
The Orthodox Church in America doesn’t run a big podcast network either, but OCA clergy show up all over Ancient Faith. Fr. Thomas Hopko was OCA. Many of the Bible study programs feature OCA priests. The Antiochian Archdiocese and the OCA are in full communion and share the same faith, so there’s no theological problem with listening to content from either jurisdiction.
Some OCA parishes post their own sermon recordings or lecture series. Same with Antiochian parishes. If you want local content, check the websites for St. Nicholas in Cedarburg or Holy Ascension in Mount Pleasant (both OCA parishes with good online resources), or look at what other Antiochian parishes in Texas are posting. But for a curated, reliable podcast library, Ancient Faith is still your main resource.
How to Actually Use Podcasts
Don’t try to listen to everything. Pick one show and work through it. If you’re a catechumen, maybe that’s Fr. Hopko’s “Speaking the Truth in Love.” Listen to an episode, think about it, maybe talk about it with your sponsor or catechist. Then move to the next one.
Podcasts are a supplement, not a replacement for being in church, reading Scripture, praying, and talking to actual Orthodox Christians in your parish. They’re helpful when you’re driving or folding laundry or walking the dog. But the faith is lived in community, not through earbuds.
If you’re serious about exploring Orthodoxy, come to a service at St. Michael’s. Meet people. Ask questions. Then when you’re listening to a podcast and Fr. Hopko mentions the Theotokos or the Trisagion, you’ll know what he’s talking about because you’ve experienced it. That’s when podcasts really start to make sense.
