Barking at Caravans

Next Step #231: Extending the concept of "undanik" to "under heaven" in understanding the family of God (Storm Sandy and walking In His Shoes). Fr. Vazken explains that Matthew 12:46-50 is not a lesson in biology as rude as it may seem. Extending Christian values and Church to Genocides and wars in Darfur and Syria as well as the death in our own backyards via In His Shoes. The Obama Victory: The silly-willy Armenian politics that bark at the caravan. "As for me," says Fr. Vazken, "I was there with Obama - no brag, just fact." Youth and the Church - the problem beyond Armenian Church. More on the crimes of the priest who was defrocked. Grandpa & FDR Democrats/Grandma' baklava for James Roosevelt - it was her thanks for the last station of the caravan.
Sermon: "Politics, God & the Kingdom"  
Song: "Caravan" by Armen Chamakian 
Obama's Acceptance Speech
Sun Sash: http://sunsash.blogspot.com
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

The Secret of Armenian Orthodoxy

Next Step #181: A Thanksgiving episode that reveals the 'secret' of Armenian Orthodoxy. A parade opens this message of memories and leads to Thanksgiving "moments." Turning from victim mentality to victor through thanksgiving. A means of survival and growth. A special edition podcast recorded before the dawn.
Thanksgiving with Gabriel in Darfur: Truth Be Damned
Greetings from One Genocide to Another: http://youtu.be/weuwKPjvhu0
Song: "Meeting My Past" by Ara Dinkjian (An Armenian in America)
Thank You Very Much by the Scaffolds
Ani's Bubbles: Thanksgiving Message
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

God’s Concert at the Pops

Next Step #157: Finishing off Year #3 of the Next Step – a look at the “pop theology” in Armodoxy. Twitter’s 140 characters opens an opportunity for articulation; God's Concert is orchestrated when He’s in charge; Patience.
Geronimo Pratt passes – lessons from the Black Panther leader
Armenios de Córdoba por Darfur: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSZAyul28VQ
Music by Gor Mkhitarian "Or" - Purchase SPIRIT Album
Ani's Graduation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKlb0oinNnk
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Born Again to the End Times

Next Step #148: Back from Phoenix through the Arizona/California desert, in time for the Sunday of Advent. Earthquakes, upheaval in the Middle East, Economy – what does it all mean? The “Signs of the Times?” A look at Scripture for answers – exploring Mark 13, Matthew 25 & Matthew 22. Whether you’re “Born Again” or waiting for the Rapture – you will be able to put together the pieces and find out the best way to wait / prepare for end times – A True Orthodox perspective – Armodoxy for us all. Specialists for everything but religion. Another revelation: Believe it or not, patience is not one of Fr. Vazken’s virtues (really?); April 24 – Easter Sunday and the FAST for DARFUR – Transforming Victims to Victors in Christ!
Check out: Dr. Harry Hagopian - consultant to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales on the Middle East http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/mena-4
Ani's Bubbles: Helping Hands
Music: Rouben Hakhverdian "Im Spitak Aghavnie"
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Weapons of Choice for Overloaded Anxiety

Next Step #147: Cesar Chavez day: looking beyond the self and caring for the community. Armodoxy: Life of Activism; War & Peace - Making Faith the Weapon of Choice; Gabriel in Darfur at the refugee camps and the upcoming Fast for Darfur; Spiritual and emotional overload and anxiety. Welcome to the Brazilian listeners. Earthquakes and revolutions - Signs of the Times? Or selfish desires? Word: Li.
Links: Stop Genocide Now – iAct & Gabriel;
Watch “Greetings of Hope”
Music: Lilit Pipoyan "Tzoun Tzoun" from Lialousin
Bubbles by Ani: Giving up grudges for Lent;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Spring over the Hurdle of Fear

Next Step #146: Updates on Darfur from Gabriel and the iAct team; Other solutions for Libya, are within our tradition of Armodoxy – dream of peace. Living beyond the sword; The quadruple dangers of Japan’s earthquake: fear joins in with the tsunami and nuclear radiation; Supermoon for the start of Spring; The Dishonest Steward teaches that this world is not to be discounted, but the tools of this world can provide for our spiritual welfare. More on the revolutions – it’s in our hands.
iAct: www.stopgenocidenow.org/
Dr. DuPont on fear;
Follow the Lenten Journey at www.epostle.net/lent 
Music: Nersisyan Komitas-Andreassian Garoun a
Bubbles: What to give up for Lent
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Hacking through Lent

Next Step #144: Reflections on the Gathering for Darfur – Gor Mkhitarian, Ara Dabandjian and Melineh Kurdian share their talent at the March 6 In His Shoes event. At the end of the day – the miracle is obvious: the focus has shifted and we’re on our way toward Easter. Lenten Journey: the files have been found! We have you covered through Lent – Emotionally, spiritually and physically. Ken shows off his new computer and tells of Clapton. “Pwn2Own” and hacking through Lent – stripping down to find what’s underneath it all.
Ani's Bubbles: Juggling Life by the Coca Cola Exec.
Song: Lilit Sargsyan "Prayer” http://arahettravel.com/
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Hitchcock’s Twist to Vartanantz

Next Step #143: Vartanantz and a Hitchcockian twist to the old story. Teaching morality through MTV? Is Fox any better? Birthplaces: Romance to reality, they do change! First Amendment rights of abusers of the Christian name – the Supreme Court decides. Charlie Sheen and MTV – what happens to “throw-away babies”? Paregentan - the beginning of the Lenten season and what’s in store for the next few weeks. Do check out http://epostle.net
Upcoming: This Sunday is the Awareness for Darfur Event at Griffith Park
Song: Yegheghetzin Haygagan by Seminarians at Vazkenian Monetary, Lake Sevan
Ani's Bubbles: Carl's Garden
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Gor is with Us!

Next Step #142: Prelude to the IHS Gathering for Darfur - recording artist Gor Mkhitarian drops in at the studio for an interview - music and humanities, it's all there. Then, a special in-studio session - "Or," "Hrashk" and the "Snow" has never been the same. Father Vazken explains the importance of the moment as Genocide in Darfur escalates in intensity. The victory of Resurrection is at the heart of all of our efforts.
Gor Music: http://gormusic.com
Purchase SPIRIT Album by Gor Mkhitarian
Ani's Bubbles: The Silent Sermon;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Grey Matter and the Law

Next Step #112: Getting Involved in Darfur: the moral imperative against rape and genocide. No grey areas for Al Bashir. Reacting by walking “In His Shoes” and the power of Love through Armodoxy. Savoring the flavor of life. Matthew 19 - Separating the brain from heart and law from heartbreak. Extra: The hierarchical Sees – Etchmiadzin, Cilicia, Jerusalem and Constantinople. 
Song: "Sevani tzugnors bar" by Yeghish Manoukian (Echo of the Mountains)
Gor Mkhitarian “Day”; Purchase SPIRIT album
Ani’s Bubbles: Try Changing the World; (http://scrubsmag.com/author/aniburr/)
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Identity via Something Bigger than Self

Next Step #107: Remember when “Rolling Stone” was counter-culture and war was unpopular? Developing identity in a changing world – (see The Atlantic Magazine article). The World Cup, Wimbledon and the Lakers – lessons on bringing peace and love to Kyrgyzstan and Darfur and rejecting bad-religion. Thoughts from inside the funeral procession: continuing to build the Virtual Church.
Song: “Shalakho” by Datevik http://www.naregatsi.org/Datevik/
Ani’s Bubbles: May the Budgie of Happiness Sit on Your Head, http://scrubsmag.com/author/aniburr
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net

Expelling the Fairy Tale of Expulsion

Next Step #89: The causes of sin and usurping God's power: A different look at Expulsion Sunday. Check out the warning label on some of your OT stories: Religion is not for children. Fairy tales make for good camera, but can scare the kids (and us) to the point of no return. Returning to paradise is a goal beyond the stories. Comments on the expansion of Epostle.net with the NEW DAILY PODCAST: A Lenten Journey. WALKING IN THE SHOES of the people of Darfur and unveiling of this year’s April 24 outreach program.
Music: "Atoms in Motion" by Armen Donelian;
Bubbles by Ani: "Gardening";
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Theophany – Juxtaposing Christ and Darfur

Next Step #83: Theophany as a way of life today and not only in history. How can you be excited about “Christ being born” while Children are dying in Darfur? Fr. Vazken takes the listener through a thought-process and arrives at the Nativity/Revelation of God as a participant in a Living Message. Start of the New Year with a candid revelation of disappointments within the institution of church as well.
Upcoming news about the Martin Luther King Retreat
Song of the Day: Glory to God in the Highest by Narek Bell Choir of St. Mary & Junior Choir of Sts. Sahag/Mesrob;
Ani's Bubbles: A Christmas Prayer;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net

Between a Rock and a Soft Place

Next Step #56: When Jesus was asked for a “sign” he offered nothing new. He only pointed to something that was “greater than” the signs. Here’s a casual look at symbols. In the wake of Michael Jackson’s death, Fr. Vazken looks into the ways information was processed, news was gathered, and the tools of technology to make our spirits come alive. The power of music – as expressed through Jackson and a surprisingly similar sound coming from Iran in the quest for freedom. The podcast ends with a special wish to America and the freedom it enjoys on this 233rd anniversary of Independence. Welcome back Gabriel from the Chad desert!

Songs: Sari Siroon Yar by Element Band; Miracles by Gor Mkhitarian
Bubbles with Ani – “The 1000 Mirrors”
The Next Step Theme Song is unveiled (composed and performed by Varoujan Movsesian)

Dreaming Fathers for Peace

Next Step #55: Fathers Dreaming of Peace – A look at Fatherhood through St. Joseph’s lens. In this podcast, Fr. Vazken explores parenting by looking at an individual’s relationship with God – in our ability to dream of the impossible and allow others to do the same. What happens when Jon leaves Kate? And what about the eight? You’ll find this podcast with a formula for real peace, whether in your life or in our world. Darfuri children make a phone call to President Obama – are you listening Mr. Obama?
Music: Our Father from the Focused Vision CD. And preview of a new theme song? (You’ll have to listen for this one.)
Ani with her Bubbles and much more.

A Look Back at Year One

Next Step #53: Wrapping up the first year of the Next Step Podcast, Fr. Vazken gives a moving account of a young cancer victim and the “Last Temptation of Christ.” What are the real questions that need to be asked? A look back on the year – from Darfur, to Obama, to new spiritual music, to messages of hope – Year ONE of the Next Step is only a step to year TWO coming up.
Guest William Archila reads from “The Art of Exile”
Music – John Bilezikjian rendition of Malanguena from the Neo Classical Oud album.

After a Famine/After a Genocide: A Shift in Perspective

Next Step #47: April is filled with remembrances of Genocide, from the Armenian to the Jewish to the Rwandan and now Darfur; the In His Shoes Ministries finishes a fast for world hunger. $28,000 later, a group of Genocide survivor-descendants prove that the power of love and good can overcome evil. It’s a lesson and inspiration for life. Whether to overcome personal difficulties or global calamities, there’s a message of victory- a switch of perspective, to believe crucifixions are preludes to resurrections.

Global Perspective with Hratch Tchilingirian: Green Bible and Creation Care

Ani’s Bubbles: A different perspective

Prayer Beyond the Wish List

Praying for a Mercedes with Janis or an end to the war in Iraq all involve something deeper than a mere conversation. Fr. Vazken discusses a very misunderstood topic: Prayer. Whether you want to hang out at the pool of Bethesda or lament your losses in the stock market, you’ll want to listen in on this Lenten journey brought to you after this year’s Vernal Equinox.

Darfur update – following Gabriel and the StopGenocideNow team

Global Perspective with Hratch Tchilingiran discusses the spiritual dimensions to the global economy and the G20 Summit taking place in London.

Spiritual Bubbles with Ani Burr continues Nerses Shnorholi's Havadov Khosdovanimk (17-20)

Darfur Genocide Escalates

As the Genocide escalates in Darfur, the In His Shoes mission turned its focus to more creative means of activism. This podcast is uniquely dedicated to the Darfur Genocide, but much more, it is about the faith and hope in the power of good. Here, Fr. Vazken guides the listener through an exercise in spiritual and moral warfare against evil. Complacency and indifference are constants that keep us from peace and harmony in our lives as well as on our planet. Martin King equates silence over crime with cooperation of evil, laying the groundwork for the moral-imperative Christians must find in life. This podcast will challenge the listener to move to action in various parts of his or her life. What does a mother pray as she watches her child raped or killed? The outrage over young girls being raped in Darfur, continues as an outrage against our own apathy. This is must listening for everyone who wants to “walk in the shoes of others.”

Global Perspective: Hratch Tchilingirian gives a briefing about Darfur, with historical and analytical angles.

Spiritual Bubbles with Ani Burr: St. Nersess Shnorhali’s “I Confess with Faith” continues (verse 13-16)

Elevating the Resurrected Cross

From reporting on religio-politics, Governor Palin's views on Israel, the Man of the Year event that took place last Friday at BGT, and the Genocide happening in Darfur, Fr. Vazken segues into a discussion on the Holy Cross. Wow! Did you ever imagine you'd read all that in a podcast dedicated to looking at life through the lens of ancient Armenian Orthodoxy? Truly, there's even more... We are now in the period approaching one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church. This Sunday is the Feast of the Exhaltation of the Holy Cross. Even basil has a role in this, but you'll have to listen to find out!