Heavy Things Lightly

Fr. Paul Girgis, an Antiochian Orthodox priest and creator of Floridoxy, talks parish life, balancing priesthood and family, and homeschooling teens. He reflects on Lebanese heritage, nuanced views of Hezbollah and Palestinian issues, and the blessings and dangers of online Orthodoxy. Conversations touch on hospitality, cultural differences, and how communal practices like supra dinners point toward renewal.

Find this episode on YouTube:Dr. Nicole Roccas has been researching and writing about time from both a historical and theological perspective for nearly ten years. In addition to being a writer and editor, she lectures at the Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College (Toronto). You can find more of her writing on her Ancient Faith podcast and blog, Time Eternal.Discover more about Nicole: https://www.nicoleroccas.com-----------------------Conrad's Deli - The best jerky you'll ever have: https://conradsdeli.com/ use promo code "FIRST THINGS" for 10% off.-----------------------✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society: https://supradinner.com/🏖️ Tailormade tours that give back: https://www.gratitude-travels.com/home🔎 Discover the non-profit behind Heavy Things Lightly: https://first-things.org/ ✈ Become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities📢 First Things Telegram: https://t.me/firstthingsfoundation🥂 Keipi Restaurant: https://keipirestaurant.orgPlease leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the only alternatives hiding out in the hills or burying yourself in books? With an air of levity and a touch of humor, John Heers teaches how to examine the confusing New World by calling upon the mind and wisdom of oft-forgotten Old. Heavy Things, Lightly.--- Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

Jonathan Pageau, Canadian artist behind the Symbolic World project, discusses Symbolic World Summit plans and why gatherings and after-hours su​pras matter. He talks about Orthodox voices in public life and offers a cautious take on political engagement. They parse Pete Hegseth’s Pulp Fiction prayer and riff on the idea of clown world and political symbolism.

Find this episode on YouTube: Jonathan Pageau is back for a short chat, because we have to talk about clown world and Hegseth, and what in the world is going on in American politics. BUT! Also, we have to mention Symbolic World and especially the upcoming conference. Hope to see you all in Ohio, follow the link below for more info!Symbolic World Summit: https://symbolicworldsummit.com/-----------------------Conrad's Deli - The best jerky you'll ever have: https://conradsdeli.com/ use promo code "FIRST THINGS" for 10% off.-----------------------✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society: https://supradinner.com/🏖️ Tailormade tours that give back: https://www.gratitude-travels.com/home🔎 Discover the non-profit behind Heavy Things Lightly: https://first-things.org/ ✈ Become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities📢 First Things Telegram: https://t.me/firstthingsfoundation🥂 Keipi Restaurant: https://keipirestaurant.orgPlease leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the only alternatives hiding out in the hills or burying yourself in books? With an air of levity and a touch of humor, John Heers teaches how to examine the confusing New World by calling upon the mind and wisdom of oft-forgotten Old. Heavy Things, Lightly.--- Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

Find this episode on YouTube: Let's take a look at what's happening in Iran, Israel, Ukraine. How are we 'waging' war? Well, the answer is more nuanced than you think. And St. Basil has a couple of words for us near the end.-----------------------Conrad's Deli - The best jerky you'll ever have: https://conradsdeli.com/ use promo code "FIRST THINGS" for 10% off.-----------------------✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society: https://supradinner.com/🏖️ Tailormade tours that give back: https://www.gratitude-travels.com/home🔎 Discover the non-profit behind Heavy Things Lightly: https://first-things.org/ ✈ Become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities📢 First Things Telegram: https://t.me/firstthingsfoundation🥂 Keipi Restaurant: https://keipirestaurant.orgPlease leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the only alternatives hiding out in the hills or burying yourself in books? With an air of levity and a touch of humor, John Heers teaches how to examine the confusing New World by calling upon the mind and wisdom of oft-forgotten Old. Heavy Things, Lightly.--- Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

Find this episode on YouTube (subbed in Russian as well): Frederica Mathews Green on what it means to be a guest or a host at the Art of the Tamada event in Greenville, SC 2025."The Art of the Tamada" by the First Things Foundation (FTF) is a transformational cultural experience and fundraising event modeled on the traditional Georgian Supra (a feast led by a toastmaster or Tamada). It is designed as a weekend-long, intimate event that explores the philosophy of true hospitality, community, and the "Old World" way of interaction.Art of the Tamada: https://first-things.org/aot✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/🥂 Keipi Restaurant: https://keipirestaurant.orgPlease leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the only alternatives hiding out in the hills or burying yourself in books? With an air of levity and a touch of humor, John Heers teaches how to examine the confusing New World by calling upon the mind and wisdom of oft-forgotten Old. Heavy Things, Lightly. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

Uncle Seth, a Chicago teacher and father known for candid, contentious commentary, watches and dissects the State of the Union. He questions whether America has passed its peak and whether current leaders are serious. Conversations jump from generational cynicism and conspiracies to race, immigration, elite networks, spiritual shifts, and whether political differences can survive friendship.

Find this episode on YouTube: Pavel Schelin sits down once more with John to talk about the tragic story of Marc Antony and those characters around him. What happens when massive Dionysian energy has no true master? It's a story of a bad Tamada, or Trump, or crazy college parties - and understanding this can help us all order our lives a little better.We invite you to join Pavel's new course at the Symbolic World - Plutarch: Symbolism in History. The course reads Plutarch’s Lives as a grammar of symbolism embodied in history to better understand the patterns that govern human political order and disorder.▶ Discover more and register here: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/plutarch-symbolism-in-historyEarly bird discount available. Live sessions · Wednesdays · 4–6 PM ET · Starting March 18th-----------------------Conrad's Deli - The best jerky you'll ever have: https://conradsdeli.com/ use promo code "FIRST THINGS" for 10% off.-----------------------✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society: https://supradinner.com/🏖️ Tailormade tours that give back: https://www.gratitude-travels.com/home🔎 Discover the non-profit behind Heavy Things Lightly: https://first-things.org/ ✈ Become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities📢 First Things Telegram: https://t.me/firstthingsfoundation🥂 Keipi Restaurant: https://keipirestaurant.orgPlease leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the only alternatives hiding out in the hills or burying yourself in books? With an air of levity and a touch of humor, John Heers teaches how to examine the confusing New World by calling upon the mind and wisdom of oft-forgotten Old. Heavy Things, Lightly.--- Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

Find this episode on YouTube: Fr. Andrew Damick and Rev. Mike Landsman of the Areopagus podcast (https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/areopagus/) join the show to talk the state of Protestantism in America, what's happening in the world of Christianity in general, and the different flavors of folks coming into the church.Discover more of these fine gentlemen here:youtube.com/@frandrewstephendamickyoutube.com/@mikelandsman8993Conrad's Deli - The best jerky you'll ever have: https://conradsdeli.com/ use promo code "FIRST THINGS" for 10% off.-------------------------------------------✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society: https://supradinner.com/🏖️ Tailormade tours that give back: https://www.gratitude-travels.com/home🔎 Discover the non-profit behind Heavy Things Lightly: https://first-things.org/ ✈ Become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities📢 First Things Telegram: https://t.me/firstthingsfoundation🥂 Keipi Restaurant: https://keipirestaurant.orgPlease leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the only alternatives hiding out in the hills or burying yourself in books? With an air of levity and a touch of humor, John Heers teaches how to examine the confusing New World by calling upon the mind and wisdom of oft-forgotten Old. Heavy Things, Lightly.--- Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe

Discover more about the Svanes, their mission and support their efforts here:The Story:Support: https://helligebebudelsen.no/en/help-us-build-a-sacred-space-in-norway/Conrad's Deli - The best jerky you'll ever have: https://conradsdeli.com/ use promo code "FIRST THINGS" for 10% off.-----------------------✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society: https://supradinner.com/🏖️ Tailormade tours that give back: https://www.gratitude-travels.com/home🔎 Discover the non-profit behind Heavy Things Lightly: https://first-things.org/ ✈ Become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities📢 First Things Telegram: https://t.me/firstthingsfoundation🥂 Keipi Restaurant: https://keipirestaurant.orgPlease leave a review with your comments! Your support keeps this podcast alive and allows us to broaden our discussion. ---This “Enlightened” New World utopia isn’t turning out to be all it was cracked up to be. Society is disenchanting, but are the only alternatives hiding out in the hills or burying yourself in books? With an air of levity and a touch of humor, John Heers teaches how to examine the confusing New World by calling upon the mind and wisdom of oft-forgotten Old. Heavy Things, Lightly.--- Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe