PODCAST

What God is Not

Father Michael O"Loughlin and Mother Natalia

A Byzantine Catholic Podcast about Divine Mystery WhatGodIsNotPodcast@gmail.com

religion & spirituality christianity

All Episodes

57:09

Learning to Listen

What God is Not ·

2026/03/11

This week Fr. Michael talks about learning to listen for God's voice. He talks about how we can start to encounter God in prayer and hearing Him in our daily life. He reflects on how we know what our our friends and those we love need, and how in a similar way, we can know the voice of God. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send a text Sup...

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76:18

Meeting God Face to Face with Our Maddie

What God is Not ·

2026/03/04

This week we're joined by special guest, Maddie! Maddie is currently a dokimos at the monastery. Maddie talks about C.S. Lewis' book, Till We Have Faces, and how it was so impactful to her in the her time of discernment. She shares themes of the book and how we can see these in our day to day life. References: Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis Dr. Peter Kreeft's Lecture on Till We Have Faces Part 1 and Part 2 Hundredfold by Sister Agnes Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Faceboo...

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59:13

THIS IS SPARTA...no pun intended (or included)

What God is Not ·

2026/02/25

This week Mother Natalia has a few short topics. First she talks about making her smart phone less smart to help her grow in virtue. Then she talks about spiritual motherhood in response to an email from a listener. Finally, she gives a quick overview of a talk she's giving. References: Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul Hinnebusch Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Web...

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65:00

The Flesh and Bones of a Vocation

What God is Not ·

2026/02/18

This week Fr. Michael recounts his recent visit to Taiwan. He talks about the people he encountered, especially Fr. Raymond. He shares how Fr. Raymond interacts with his parishioners who span a wide geography. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send a text Support the show

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36:20

Critical and Contagious

What God is Not ·

2026/02/11

This week Mother Natalia shows us how criticism is contagious. She gives a few examples in her life and talks about how she's noticed this in herself and others. She talks about how our interactions with people give them a hint of who we are when we aren't with them, and the way we might build them up or tear them down to others. References: Setting the Table by Danny Meyer Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Tw...

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38:18

The Attack on Memory

What God is Not ·

2026/02/04

This week Fr. Michael talks about ways the devil may have attacked Adam and Eve's memory, putting shame into memories where there was no shame before. He talks about ways that shame can prevent a full relationship with God. References: Descent into Light Podcast Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Support the show

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57:57

Moderation Shmoderation

What God is Not ·

2026/01/28

This week Mother Natalia shares a recent conviction she had about being silent during periods of silence. She uses that to give suggestions on what we can do for the Great Fast, moderate things instead of grand gestures. References: The Philokalia, Volume 2 Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by Alexander Schmemann Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Se...

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54:13

Resting in Tradition

What God is Not ·

2026/01/21

This week Fr. Michael reflects on tradition vs canon, inspired by his recent Christmas tree decorating. (Yes, this was recorded a few weeks back!) He talks about ways to identify tradition vs canon in our individual life, our family life, and our parish life. He talks about the importance of setting norms, even for adults, but also being able to identify when flexibility is needed. Fr. Michael also talks about setting aside work for the sake of rest. References: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewi...

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60:18

Love, Father and Mother

What God is Not ·

2026/01/14

This week Fr. Michael talks about prayer and being sincere in prayer, both directly with God and also when asking the saints for assistance. He also talks about spiritual fatherhood and some of the ways he's experienced some of the "normal" experiences that biological fathers experience. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Support t...

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55:09

"I know..."

What God is Not ·

2026/01/07

This week Mother Natalia reflects on the Visitation, and how Mary may have felt seen by Elizabeth. She talks about the importance of being seen by others and the importance of us seeing each other. Mother Natalia also talks about the healing that comes from being seen by Christ in confession. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Suppor...

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56:29

Yearning Better

What God is Not ·

2025/12/31

This week we have two mini-topics. First we talk about priestly celibacy and married priesthood, the spousal relationship with the church and the spousal relationship with Christ. Then we make a shift and talk about the cycles within the church, daily reception of the Eucharist, and how some of the norms around daily reception of the Eucharist came to be. References: Behold a Great Light: A Daily Devotional for the Nativity Fast through Theophany by Stephen De Young Follow and Contact Us! Fol...

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51:59

Mighty Man of God

What God is Not ·

2025/12/24

This week Fr. Michael talks about the archangel Gabriel and the meaning of his name. He talks about the manly strength of God and how Gabriel shows us this strength in his actions. Fr. Michael talks about fear of the Lord and how that differs from our fear of people or things that could happen to us. References: Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word by Erasmus Leiva-Merikakis Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter...

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50:33

Nothing but Banter (Seriously...)

What God is Not ·

2025/12/17

This week we've got a banter only episode. Enjoy! References: Finding God in the World: An Introduction to Josef Pieper's Sacramental Worldview The Good News About Being Human in the Age of AI by Hope Schneir Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Support the show

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52:50

Be Attentive

What God is Not ·

2025/12/10

This week Fr. Michael walks through the phrase "Let us be attentive. Peace be to all. Wisdom, be attentive!" that we hear during Divine Liturgy. He talks about the etymology of some of the words, the purpose of the sentences, and how we're called to be especially attentive after hearing those commands from the priest or deacon. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Websi...

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63:42

Beautiful Suffering

What God is Not ·

2025/12/03

This week Mother Natalia talks about finding beauty in the midst of suffering. She gives examples of saints lives who were able to find beauty despite their suffering. She also talks about how God draws good out of suffering, despite suffering being an evil. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Support the show

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52:07

Lacuna Matata

What God is Not ·

2025/11/26

This week Mother Natalia reflects on her recent retreat in Colorado. She talks about the rest she had during retreat and the moments of rest she has during her busy life. She talks about the importance of purposefully finding rest throughout our day, week, month, and year. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Support the show

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49:13

Tethered to our Altars

What God is Not ·

2025/11/19

This week Fr. Michael takes inspiration from a prayer said by the Maronite priests at the end of Divine Liturgy. He talks about how important the altar is to a priest and how the priest is "tethered" to the altar. He then expounds further into sacred spaces that are important to the lay people and monastics, and how each person can be reminded of this before or after leaving that space. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Gro...

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64:58

Formation by Osmosis

What God is Not ·

2025/11/12

This week Mother Natalia talks about how we are formed by the community around us. She gives examples of formation within a monastic community, family, and friends. She talks about how our formation can lead us down the wrong paths, but through God's grace how we can turn back to the truth. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Suppor...

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66:54

Is There a Place for a Celibate Byzantine Parish Priest?

What God is Not ·

2025/11/05

This week Fr. Michael talks to Fr. Nathan Symeon and Fr. Joel Barstad about married priests and celibate priests in the Eastern Catholic Churches. They talk about considerations that need to be taken for each option. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us a text Support the show

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46:34

Saved in (but not from) the Storm

What God is Not ·

2025/10/29

This week Mother Natalia reflects on the Gospel passage where Peter walks on water and asks Jesus to save him. She talks about realizing that God works to save us in the midst of the storm, but doesn't necessarily have the storm cease. Fr. Michael prepares for the homily for the upcoming Sunday, reflecting on the Epistle and the Gospel as well. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Mo...

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What God is Not

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