In this opening episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast Women’s Health & Femininity arc, Dr. Michael Christian & co-host John welcome Katherine Phillips, host of the Faithful Flourish Podcast. With a background in public health & daily work as a health insurance broker, Katherine brings both clarity & conviction to the challenges women face in today’s medicalized, performance-driven world.

Together, we explore the deep intersections of Orthodox faith, prevention, & the feminine body… & how the Church’s vision for healing goes far beyond what modern healthcare systems can offer.

This episode lays the foundation for our new series on women’s health. Whether you’re a mother, daughter, or simply longing to understand the sacred feminine body through an Orthodox lens, this conversation will challenge, encourage, and inspire.

Takeaways:

• Why spiritual health forms the foundation for physical, mental, & relational health.
• The pitfalls of modern healthcare: access, affordability, & profit-driven care.
• Orthodoxy’s preventative wisdom: fasting, prayer, rhythms of the Church.
• The feminine call to live a “soft life,” rooted in Scripture and tradition.
• How sisterhood & mentorship in the Church strengthen women at every stage.
• Yoga may distract from spiritual focus & should be approached with caution.
• The current healthcare system often prioritizes profit over patient care.
• The church has a historical role in providing healthcare & should continue to do so, in an expanded manner.
• Women often face unique challenges in maintaining their faith & health.
• Flourishing in faith involves integrating spiritual practices into daily life.

Soundbytes:

• “When your spiritual health is out of line, everything else falls out of balance.” – Katherine Phillips

• “The Church is not just a place of worship. It’s a hospital for the soul.” – Dr. Michael Christian

• “There’s no reason to choose practices like yoga when Orthodoxy already gives us healthier, holier ways to flourish.” – Katherine Phillips

• “Prevention isn’t just a medical term. It’s a spiritual calling to tend to the temple of the Holy Spirit.” – John

Chapters:

00:00 Opener

01:30 Introduction to the Orthodox Health Women's Arc

03:34 Introduction to Katherine Phillips of the Faithful Flourish Podcast

04:57 Katherine's Personal Connections Between Orthodoxy & Health

07:18 Yoga & Christianity?

10:59 The Biggest Problem in the Healthcare System

15:07 The Profit-Driven Model & Medical Devastation

16:46 Bureaucratic Red Tape in Diagnostics & Insurance Claims

19:09 On the Importance of Preventive Care

26:28 Greek & Italian Folk Medicine

27:36 On the Importance of Tradition & Ritual in Spiritual Life

32:10 What is the Faithful Flourish Podcast?

36:20 What Does Femininity Look Like From an Orthodox Perspective

40:16 Complementary Roles Within Marriage

43:36 The Role of Sisterhoods in the Church

49:34 A Message to the Ortho Gentlemen

51:06 Final Thoughts on Facilitating Care as the Church

53:07 A Call to Greek Angel Investors

54:10 Where to Find Katherine Phillips & the Faithful Flourish Podcast

56:47 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead

58:32 Outro

Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth

⁠⁠⁠⁠Work with Dr. Mike: ⁠⁠https://www.OrthodoxHealth.com⁠⁠

Pre-Order Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: ⁠⁠https://www.orthodoxhealth.com/book⁠⁠

Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) – Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here:⁠⁠⁠https://stjohnorthodoxchurch.bandcamp.com/album/come-ye-faithful-building-fundraiser⁠⁠⁠

Orthodox Health IG: @Orthodox_Health

Katherine's IG: @faithfulflourishpodcast

Work with Katherine for Insurance: katherinephillipsinsurance.com