Counterflow with Buck Johnson

Ep. 426 - When Truth Became Dangerous: COVID, the Church, and Forgiveness, with Fr. Zechariah Lynch

Fr. Zechariah Lynch joins me to talk about something a lot of people would rather forget: what the COVID years actually did to us. We get into fear, mandates, "misinformation," the pressure to conform, and the damage done to people who simply asked questions. Fr. Zechariah also gets personal about what he and his family went through within the Church during that time and why he describes some of it as psychological abuse. We also talk about repentance, forgiveness, and how we move forward without pretending none of it happened. Read Fr. Zechariah's article, Social Trauma, Dr. Fauci, Covid Mandates, the Church, and Forgiveness: https://inklesspen.blog/2026/07/30/social-trauma-dr-fauci-covid-mandates-the-church-and-forgiveness/ Subscribe to his Substack here: https://substack.com/@inklesspen Sponsors: Ludwell Orthodox Fellowship Conference, Sept 12th 2026 Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow Podsworth App: https://podsworth.com  Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order! Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast! Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: https://youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA  Full Ad Read AFTER processing: https://youtu.be/J6trRTgmpwE Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!

Ep. 425 - Beyond Denominations: Worship, Story, and the Search for the True Church, with Neil DeGraide

In this episode of Counterflow, I'm joined by Neil DeGraide, musician, songwriter, and founding member of Dirt Poor Robins. Neil spent years in the Evangelical world leading worship and creating Christian music before beginning a journey that ultimately led him to the Orthodox Church. We talk about what changed, the assumptions he had to unlearn, and why he came to believe the search for the true Church is about much more than denominations. We also dive into Christianities, the upcoming documentary Neil is helping produce alongside Fr. Peter Heers and John Heers. The film explores the biggest questions in Christianity by interviewing voices from across the Christian world while inviting viewers to seriously consider the claims of the ancient Church. Along the way we discuss worship, storytelling, imagination, culture, filmmaking, and why the stories we live inside shape us far more than we often realize. We Discuss: * Neil's journey from Evangelicalism to Orthodoxy * Leading worship—and why his understanding of worship completely changed * Dirt Poor Robins and storytelling through music * The upcoming documentary Christianities * Why there are so many expressions of Christianity today * The search for the historic Church * Story, imagination, and the Christian life * Recovering a richer vision of worship * The role of artists in rebuilding Christian culture * Why beauty, truth, and story belong together * Hope for the future of Christianity Learn More: Dirt Poor Robins Dirt Poor Robins on YouTube Christianities Documentary Sponsors: Ludwell Orthodox Fellowship Conference, Sept 12th 2026 Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow Podsworth App: https://podsworth.com  Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order! Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast! Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: https://youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA  Full Ad Read AFTER processing: https://youtu.be/J6trRTgmpwE Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!

Ep. 424 - How Logos Cinema Is Building an Orthodox Culture Through Story, with Andrew Stokich

For decades, Christians have lamented the decline of culture. We criticize Hollywood, complain about entertainment, and point out everything that's wrong with the stories shaping our civilization. But what comes after the criticism? My guest, Andrew Stokich, co-founder of Logos Cinema, believes the answer isn't retreat—it's creation. In this episode, we explore why storytelling has always been one of the primary ways civilizations pass on their values, why beauty matters as much as truth, and why the battle for culture begins in the imagination long before it reaches politics. We discuss the failures of modern Christian filmmaking, the unique vision of Orthodox storytelling, and how Logos Cinema hopes to cultivate not just better films, but stronger communities rooted in the life of the Church. Andrew also shares the vision behind the Logos Parish Roadshow, the importance of moving from digital platforms to real-world relationships, and why building culture ultimately requires artists, families, parishes, and ordinary Christians working together. If you've ever wondered what it actually looks like to "build culture" instead of simply critiquing it, this conversation offers a hopeful and practical vision for the future. Learn more about Logos Cinema Sponsor: Ludwell Orthodox Fellowship Conference, Sept 12th 2026 Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow Podsworth App: https://podsworth.com  Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order! Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast! Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: https://youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA  Full Ad Read AFTER processing: https://youtu.be/J6trRTgmpwE Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!

Ep. 423 - Inverting the Inversion: Reclaiming Culture, with Mano Elia

What happens when Orthodox Christians stop simply criticizing culture and start creating it? In this episode, Buck chats with his good friend Mano Elia—host of the Study of Stuff Podcast, founder of Spoon Records, and one of the driving forces behind the Bored No More movement—to discuss what it means to reclaim culture by creating art, music, film, and authentic community centered on Christ and His Church. Mano shares the vision behind Bored No More, a growing network of Orthodox Christian creators dedicated to producing meaningful media, cultivating community, and encouraging artists to create work rooted in Christ. He also discusses Bored No More's partnership with Logos Cinema, where the network's growing catalog of content will soon be available alongside a broader streaming platform devoted to faith-centered films and entertainment. Rather than merely reacting to a culture in decline, Mano challenges Orthodox Christians to what he calls "inverting the inversion"—reclaiming the very spaces that have been distorted and restoring them to the service of God. Buck and Mano also discuss the spiritual condition of Canada, the growing sense of isolation and nihilism they see throughout the country, the expansion of medically assisted suicide, and what these trends reveal about a society that has lost hope. They also explore the blessings and pitfalls of online Orthodoxy, why internet debates should never replace life in the parish, and why our hardworking priests deserve far more grace and gratitude than criticism. Topics include: * What "inverting the inversion" really means * Why Orthodox Christians should create culture instead of merely critique it * The vision behind the Bored No More movement * Bored No More's partnership with Logos Cinema * Spoon Records and cultivating meaningful music * Canada's growing spiritual crisis * Loneliness, nihilism, and medically assisted suicide * The strengths and weaknesses of online Orthodoxy * Why faithful parish life matters more than internet arguments * Showing grace and appreciation for our priests Learn more about Mano's work: Bored No More Community Support the mission Bored No More Study of Stuff Podcast (YouTube) Study of Stuff on Instagram Logos Cinema Sponsor: Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow  Podsworth App: https://podsworth.com  Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order! Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast! Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: https://youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA  Full Ad Read AFTER processing: https://youtu.be/J6trRTgmpwE Visit my website: https://www.counterflowpodcast.com  Audio Production by Podsworth Media: https://www.podsworth.com  Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!

Ep. 422 - Truth, Beauty, and the Orthodox Way Out of the Occult, with Erika MacDougall

Before becoming Orthodox, Erika MacDougall spent years immersed in the occult. She practiced theistic Satanism, participated in blood rituals, worked with ritual magic, and was even paid to place curses on others. What promised power, hidden knowledge, and spiritual enlightenment ultimately led to bondage, fear, and despair. In this episode, Erika shares her remarkable journey to Christ and the Orthodox Church while exploring the deeper spiritual realities behind the modern resurgence of occult practices. Together we discuss astrology, tarot, manifestation, yoga, spiritual warfare, beauty, motherhood, repentance, and why so many people today are searching for transcendence everywhere except the Church. We also explore why evil cannot create—only imitate and invert—and why Orthodoxy offers the fullness of truth, beauty, healing, and freedom found in Jesus Christ. In This Episode: * Erika's journey from the occult to Orthodoxy * Blood rituals, ritual magic, and placing curses * Astrology, tarot, manifestation, yoga, and modern spirituality * Spiritual warfare and discernment * Beauty, icons, and the Orthodox vision of creation * The body, motherhood, and authentic healing * Repentance, forgiveness, and finding freedom in Christ Learn More About Erika: Shire Skincare creates handcrafted products inspired by a Christian vision of beauty, creation, and caring for the body. Explore Erika's skincare line, articles, and resources at shireskincare.com. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone searching for truth, beauty, and the Orthodox faith.  Donate to the show here: https://www.patreon.com/counterflow Sponsors: Thea's Orthodox Young Adult Formation Conference: https://thetemplesteps.com Podsworth App: https://podsworth.com  Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order! Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast! Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: https://youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA  Full Ad Read AFTER processing: https://youtu.be/J6trRTgmpwE Visit my website: https://www.counterflowpodcast.com  Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!