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Artwork for Hearts and Minds
Religion & Spirituality

Hearts and Minds

Fr. John Oliver, and Ancient Faith Ministries

Personal Renewal and Cultural Change

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  • 20 episodes
  • Updated July 6

Episodes20

Newest first
  • July 6

    Control Is an Illusion

    In an age of ever increasing anxiety and uncertainty, we can look to the lives of Sts. Peter and Paul as examples of how we can deepen our relationship with Christ--even in the most dire historical moments.

  • June 19

    Dark Basement Syndrome

    Do you suffer from heightened emotion, limited reason, hidden fears, and a general distortion of facts? You might have Dark Basement Syndrome. In this episode, Fr. John walks us through how our subconscious minds can have a dark influence on our thoughts and actions, and ultimately how the light of Christ illumines all--even the darkest recesses of our minds.

  • May 27

    What Is Beauty? Wrong Question

    What do a facial scanning website and the Gospel of John have in common? Both claim to have knowledge the nature of beauty, but only one is the product of an encounter with the living incarnation of beauty.

  • May 5

    Mavis and Her Strong Feelings

    Father John discusses ways in which we can practice discernment in our inner life, prayerfully separating the thoughts inspired by God from those planted by the demons.

  • April 27

    Jesus Saves, But How? The Wonder of Communicatio Idiomatum

    What does it really mean to say “Jesus saves”? In this episode, Fr. John reflects on the first four Ecumenical Councils and the controversy surrounding Nestorius, exploring the mystery of how Christ’s divine and human natures are united in one Person and what that means for receiving Communion, praying the Jesus Prayer, and understanding salvation.

  • January 21

    Prepping for the Polycrisis

    Fr. John ponders the question, "What do The Ten Lepers, The Poseidon Adventure, and one minute of our life have in common?"

  • January 15

    Show of Hands: Who Wants a Cold Universe?

    Fr. John reflects on losing faith, the Gospel of John, the presence of Christ, and perhaps finding faith once again through hope rather than intellect, reason and arguments.

  • January 9

    Basketballs, Bells, and a Leather Belt

    Fr. John weaves together the punishment of an entire basketball team for one member's failed prank and the camel hide belts worn by the prophets to teach us about the consequences of the fall and the Incarnation for all of humanity.

  • January 7

    Porphyrios Visits the Prostitutes: A Theophany Story

    Fr. John reflects on Theophany, how God regards humanity, and how His perspective differs from the gods of paganism. He shares a story from the life of St. Porphyrios as an example of how one can put God's perspective on humanity into practice in our daily interactions.

  • January 5

    Christ Is the Question

    Fr. John reflects on a disastrous diplomatic miscommunication brought about by AI and God's communication through the incarnation of Christ.

  • Dec 29, 2025

    Where Meaning Gathers Its Strength

    Fr. John reflects on a simple cake mix, a marketing failure, the nature of effort, and our need for meaning in our salvation.

  • Dec 19, 2025

    Why Listening is Better than Knowing

    Fr. John reflects on road trips, vacations, and an unusual wedding homily about journeying as husband and wife under God's mysterious directions.

  • Nov 28, 2025

    To the Young Men Searching for Orthodoxy

    Fr. John reflects on the convert surge and spiritual warfare. As "prisoners of war," do we pursue rescue according to our earthly expectations, or higher, spiritual realities?