Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Orthodox Health
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why Do We Laugh When Life Hurts? | Carollynn Xavier | 21 sept. 2026 | 01:16:19 | |
Why do human beings laugh in the middle of pain, embarrassment, grief, or fear? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, comedian Carollynn Xavier joins Dr. Michael Christian & John for a conversation about laughter, suffering, dark humor, humility, combat sports, & the Orthodox Christian life. Carollynn traces her journey from atheism and professional comedy into Orthodoxy, including what happened when public success and private misery collided. She talks about rethinking the responsibility of the microphone, finding jiu-jitsu & later boxing, learning the limits of self-will, & rebuilding her life around a remarkably simple rule: go to church, take care of your son, and move your body. They also get into the difference between humility & humiliation, humor as a defense mechanism, spiritual fatherhood and accountability, why people laugh together during terrible circumstances... & whether laughter might be “medicine” in a much deeper sense than simply lowering stress. Ultimately, the question is simple: What is laughter actually for?Chapters: 00:00 Dudes & Donuts? - Coming Up 00:59 Orthodox Health Intro 01:56 Why Do We Laugh When Life Hurts? 05:41 From Atheism to Orthodoxy 08:14 When Comedy Became More Than a Joke 14:09 What Happens When a Room Laughs Together 21:31 Funny on Stage, Miserable Offstage 28:37 Rogan, Jocko, Peterson… Then Christ 30:27 When Laughter Heals... & When It Hides 37:32 Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing & Dudes & Donuts 48:45 Why We Need Spiritual Fathers 55:26 Humility Without Humiliation 58:23 So What Is Laughter Actually For?Where to find Carollynn: Website - CarollynnXavier.com & Instagram Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Why Your Child Needs Movement to Learn | Angelique Chaverri | 14 sept. 2026 | 01:29:58 | |
Why does a reading teacher require a pull-up bar? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Angelique Chaverri, M.S.Ed. joins Dr. Michael Christian & John to explore a question modern education often misses: What is the rest of the child doing while we’re asking the brain to learn? Angelique works with students through Scholé Academy & the Center for Students for Learning Differences. Her approach brings together reading instruction, movement, posture, proprioception, vestibular function, primitive reflexes, cognitive timing, visual tracking, rhythm, & what she calls classical physical education. We get into why ordinary childhood movement may matter for learning; the relationship between crawling, walking, balance, posture, eye tracking, & reading; what primitive reflexes like ATNR have to do with development; why older models of physical education included hanging, stall bars, health wands, music, rhythm, & self-defense; what modern schooling may have lost by pushing formal academics earlier; & why Angelique believes physical literacy belongs alongside academic literacy. But underneath all of it is the question Orthodox Health keeps returning to: What is the body actually for? Orthodox Christianity never treats the human being as a brain carried around inside an inconvenient body. We pray, fast, stand, kneel, bow, prostrate, sing, work, play, suffer, & worship as embodied persons. So why would education be different? Chapters: 0:00 - Coming Up - When We Got Rid of the Horses 00:56 Orthodox Health Intro 2:25 - Why the Body Participates in Learning 7:14 - Homeschooling Led Her to Orthodoxy 10:32 - Body, Mind, Soul & Child Development 17:15 - Why Does a Reading Teacher Require a Pull-Up Bar? 19:33 - Classical Physical Education 24:37 - Phonics, Sight Words & Modern Reading 32:40 - Cognitive Timing, Rhythm & the “Brain Clock” 40:16 - Primitive Reflexes & Neurological Development 43:29 - ATNR & Learning Differences 47:57 - Primitive Reflexes, Martial Arts & Movement 53:43 - Eye Tracking, Reading & Dyslexia 55:49 - Crawling, Walking & Processing Speed 58:19 - Posture & Learning 1:01:20 - Proprioception, Spatial Awareness & Math 1:06:14 - Swedish Stall Bars & Classical PE 1:11:12 - Did We Push Formal Academics Too Early? 1:13:38 - Why Two-Year-Olds Should Move 1:15:13 - Why Age Seven Keeps Showing Up 1:17:03 - Jump Rope & the Scholar-Athlete 1:19:58 - Physical Literacy & What Needs to Change 1:20:52 - Where to Find Angelique 1:21:40 - Orthodox Formation Is Embodied 1:26:20 - Marina Becomes the Longitudinal Case Study If this conversation made you rethink what learning is supposed to look like, subscribe to the Orthodox Health Podcast, leave your biggest takeaway below, & share this episode with a parent, teacher, homeschool family, or educator who needs to hear it. Work with Angelique: Scholé Academy Website & their Learning Differences Center The Renaissance Video & The Motivation Factor The Lean Berets - Youtube Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| What Is Exercise Actually For? | Presbytera Marina Thornburg | 07 sept. 2026 | 00:58:51 | |
What is exercise actually for? In this episode, Presbytera Marina Thornburg returns to the Orthodox Health Podcast for a conversation with Dr. Michael Christian & John about what happens when something genuinely good (exercise, discipline, taking care of the body) begins demanding more than it should. Can physical discipline make us more virtuous? Is something ascetical simply because it's difficult? What happens when the “optimal” training plan conflicts with prayer, marriage, children, work, or the people who actually need us? We talk about health hyperfixation, vanity beyond appearance, the danger of making discipline part of our identity, learning to adapt when life interrupts the plan, & why sometimes the ability to cheerfully miss a workout may say more about our relationship with fitness than never missing one. Presbytera Marina also shares how motherhood changed her relationship with exercise, how her family incorporates movement into ordinary life, what she hopes her children learn from watching their parents, and why fitness ultimately needs to make us more capable of serving... not more consumed with ourselves. “Let exercise help you serve. It's not your master; you are its master. And to the glory of God.” - Pres. Marina Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 00:45 Orthodox Health Intro 02:14 What Is Exercise Actually For? 05:33 Consistency Over Flash 10:20 Health Culture Has a “Why” Problem 12:10 Fitness, Marriage & Motherhood 15:02 Exercise, Asceticism & Spiritual Discipline 18:52 Self-Mastery Isn’t Holiness 20:46 When Health Becomes Hyperfixation 24:25 When Fitness Conflicts With Your Calling 27:53 Fitness, Family & the Royal Path 28:42 Habit Stacking 31:23 Health Requires Adaptability 36:31 Vanity Beyond Appearance 38:48 Shortcuts, Suffering & Optimization 44:35 What Should Fitness Prepare Us to Do? 49:57 Let Exercise Help You Serve 50:26 What Our Children Learn From Us 52:44 What Is Your Fitness Actually For? 53:06 Where to Find Pres. Marina 55:24 Final Thoughts Work with Presbytera Marina: Orthodox True Femininity - Website & Instagram The True Femininity Hormone Foundations Course Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Why The Athos Diet Changes How We Think About Food | Dr. Pete Patitsas | 31 août 2026 | 01:21:59 | |
What can modern medicine learn from Orthodox fasting without reducing an ancient ascetical practice to another health intervention? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Pete Patitsas, emergency physician & author of The Athos Diet, joins Dr. Michael Christian & John to explore what the fasting traditions associated with Mt. Athos can teach us about food, health, discipline & the formation of the human person. They discuss intermittent fasting, metabolic health, protein during Great Lent, shellfish, pea protein, tofu, fasting-compliant junk food, food addiction & the relationship between fasting & feasting. But the conversation ultimately goes much deeper than nutrition:
Dr. Pete also shares why he believes fasting teaches delayed gratification, how purpose once helped him get a frightened patient out of an overwhelmed emergency department, & why Orthodox fasting may have something important to offer a culture increasingly unable to resist its appetites. Topics include: The Athos Diet • Mt. Athos • Orthodox fasting • intermittent fasting • Great Lent • fasting protein • metabolic health • delayed gratification • food addiction • asceticism • purpose • nocebo • fasting & feasting Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 01:00 Orthodox Health Intro 02:29 The Athos Diet & Orthodox Health 07:13 You Can't Fast From Something You Don't Desire 12:59 What Is The Athos Diet? 20:48 Health, Responsibility & Purpose 27:39 What Can Mt. Athos Teach Modern Medicine? 33:24 Protein During the Orthodox Fast 39:33 Training, Duty & a Purpose-Driven Life 42:53 Suffering, Purpose & the Nocebo Effect 47:18 Fasting, Withdrawal & Food Addiction 52:22 Tofu, Shellfish & Protein Optimization 57:40 When Health Optimization Becomes an Obsession 1:03:05 Why Resisting Good Things Changes Us 1:08:38 Can Fasting Help Rebuild Culture? 1:13:18 Fasting, Feasting & the Bigger Picture Connect with Dr. Pete & your copy of The Athos Diet: Before There Was Atkins, There Was Athos on TheAthosDiet.comThe Athos Diet YouTube Channel Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Is Stress Always Bad? The Lost Case for Voluntary Hardship | 24 août 2026 | 01:32:36 | |
What if the goal of health isn’t to eliminate stress... but to become capable of responding to the right kinds of stress well? Modern wellness culture is intensely focused on lowering cortisol, regulating the nervous system, maximizing recovery, & avoiding added strain. Sometimes that is exactly what health requires. But somewhere along the way, “chronic stress can make us sick” became “stress itself is bad.” Exercise is stress. Fasting is stress. Heat & cold are stress. Hunger is uncomfortable. In this episode of The Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John ask what separates adaptive stress from destructive stress. We explore cortisol, homeostasis, allostasis, inflammation, oxidative stress, hormesis, recovery, capacity, control, meaning, nervous-system regulation, fasting, voluntary hardship, & why Christian asceticism cannot be reduced to an ancient biohacking protocol. The deeper question is: What am I enslaved to? Because the point of asceticism is not becoming the person who can suffer the most. It is becoming free enough to love. What stress do I need to remove? What stress do I need to recover from? What stress do I need to stop avoiding? Next week: Dr. Pete Patitsas, author of The Athos Diet, on traditional Athonite eating & the limits of reducing asceticism to a health intervention. Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 00:59 Orthodox Health Intro 02:29 Is Stress Always Bad? 07:35 What Do We Actually Mean by “Stress”? 09:31 Homeostasis, Allostasis & the Stress Response 10:01 Cortisol Is Not Inherently the Enemy 11:45 Inflammation, Oxidative Stress & Context 14:18 Chronic Stress vs. Adaptive Stress 15:10 Allostatic Load & Recovery 17:50 Exercise: Voluntary Hardship We Already Accept 20:49 Dose, Recovery, Capacity & Hormesis 23:16 Fasting as a Physiological Stressor 25:50 Recovery Is Part of Adaptation 31:56 Control, Meaning & the Experience of Stress 36:22 Jiu-Jitsu, Discomfort & Learning Not to Panic 37:23 When Nervous System Regulation Becomes Fear of Activation 38:14 Nocebo, Hunger & Hypervigilance 39:43 When Bodily Desire Becomes a Command 43:21 Why Hormesis Cannot Explain Asceticism 47:22 Does Science Need to “Validate” Orthodox Practice? 50:22 The Passions & Voluntary Deprivation 52:28 Not All Voluntary Hardship Is Asceticism 53:01 Toughness Culture, Masculinity & Pride 55:37 Why Almsgiving Breaks the Biohacking Framework 56:56 Christianity Is Not a Cult of Suffering 59:17 Destructive Asceticism & the Need for Discernment 01:01:38 Why Obedience Matters 01:05:35 Faithfulness, Temperance & Freedom 01:07:28 What Do We Lose When We Stop Practicing Being Denied? 01:09:08 What Are We Actually Training When We Fast? 01:13:01 Fasting, Obedience & the Tyranny of Self-Will 01:15:09 Need vs. Preference vs. Habit 01:17:14 Why Fasting Requires Prayer & Almsgiving 01:18:45 Limits, Creaturehood & Modern Life 01:21:25 Why the Feast Matters as Much as the Fast 01:23:10 Stop Inventing New Hardships 01:25:52 So, Is Stress Always Bad? 01:26:35 Three Questions to Ask About Stress 01:29:37 The Case for Voluntary Hardship Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Our Thoughts Determine Our Health? Nocebo, Fear & the Orthodox Mind | 17 août 2026 | 01:31:43 | |
Can fear, expectation, & the stories we tell about our bodies actually change what we experience physically? Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica famously taught that “our thoughts determine our lives.” Modern research into the nocebo effect, pain, conditioning, stress, & health anxiety gives us a fascinating (though much narrower) window into the relationship between thought & bodily experience. In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Mike & John explore what our thoughts can and cannot do to the body; how diagnoses & prognoses can become identities; why constant health information can produce hypervigilance instead of wisdom; & why Orthodox Christianity refuses both New Age mind-over-matter & the materialist claim that thoughts are irrelevant to physical health. Dr. Mike also shares the personal story of being repeatedly diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a child & told he might not live past twenty, drawing a striking parallel with Elder Thaddeus being told at eighteen that he might have only five years left. Ultimately, the question is larger than whether thoughts affect symptoms: How do we care faithfully for the body without trying to control what only belongs to God? Topics include Elder Thaddeus, Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives, nocebo & placebo, health anxiety, symptom scanning, diagnosis and identity, prayer, stress physiology, surrender, & Christian hope. Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 00:46 Orthodox Health Intro 02:16 Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives? 05:34 What Is the Nocebo Effect? 08:51 Elder Thaddeus Was No Stranger to Illness 11:21 Dr. Mike Was Told He Wouldn’t Live Past 20 15:05 When a Diagnosis Becomes an Identity 18:52 Health, Control & the Fear of Death 22:36 Being Afraid vs. Nurturing Fear 24:45 How the Nocebo Effect Actually Works 28:44 Stress, Relationships & Physical Healing 31:27 How Medical Language Shapes Expectations 35:03 Attention, Hypervigilance & Symptom Loops 37:28 Is Health Content Making You Sicker? 44:04 Elder Thaddeus & the “Whirlpool of Thoughts” 47:15 Information Cannot Give You Certainty 49:16 What Inner Peace Actually Means 50:29 When You Stop Inhabiting Your Body 55:39 Elder Thaddeus on Stress, Illness & Surrender 1:03:12 Serving Others Without Carrying the World 1:06:35 Why We Keep Picking the Thought Back Up 1:09:09 Health Anxiety, Checking & the Illusion of Control 1:14:11 When Prudence Becomes Rumination 1:18:17 Turning Surrender Into Another Biohack 1:21:34 Why Prayer Is NOT a Placebo 1:24:47 Science, Noetic Life & Elder Thaddeus 1:26:45 Do Our Thoughts Determine Our Health? 1:28:31 The Final Takeaway Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| The Dormition: What the Death of the Theotokos Reveals About Yours | 10 août 2026 | 01:48:22 | |
You will die. So what exactly are you preparing your body for? After exploring how Orthodox Christians should feed the body during fasting & how to train without making the gym an idol, in this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John confront the question that neither nutrition nor physical discipline can answer: What are health, strength, suffering, & ultimately the body itself actually for? The Dormition gives the Church’s answer. The Theotokos, the holiest human person who ever lived, still shared our mortality. She truly died. Yet the Feast does not present her death as defeat. Christ receives His Mother, the grave does not have the final word, & her glorification reveals the destiny of humanity united to Him. They explore the theology of the Dormition icon, why Orthodox Christians fast before the Feast, bodily resurrection, illness and human dignity, the limits of modern wellness culture, remembrance of death, the difference between physical toughness & Christian asceticism, & what it actually means for a Christian to “die well.” Along the way, they ask a harder Orthodox Health question: Is caring for your health making you more available for love, service, & surrender... or simply making you more afraid of losing control? Health is good. Strength is good. Medicine is good. But none of them can tell us what our life is ultimately for. ☦️ Blessed Dormition Fast. Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 0:41 Orthodox Health Intro 02:10 What Is the Body For? 09:04 What Is the Dormition? 15:23 Why Fast Before Dormition? 20:07 Why Celebrate a Death? 31:24 Reading the Dormition Icon 41:11 Scripture & the Feast 49:06 Why Mary Still Needs Christ 54:48 The Fantasy of Invulnerability 1:03:24 The Destiny of the Church 1:08:06 Dignity Beyond Productivity 1:16:21 Physical Discipline vs. Asceticism 1:24:02 Remembering Death Without Fear 1:29:24 What This Means for Health 1:32:08 Five Diagnostic Questions 1:44:04 What Does It Mean to Die Well? 1:45:05 Destined for Resurrection Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Making the Gym an Idol? Training & Orthodox Fasting | Sdn Michael Cassell, CSCS | 03 août 2026 | 01:09:42 | |
Is your training serving your vocation... or has your life quietly begun serving your training? Physical training can teach discipline, patience, consistency & the ability to endure discomfort. But difficulty alone does not make something Orthodox asceticism. In this episode of The Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John are joined by Subdeacon Michael Cassell: a certified strength & conditioning coach, an active-duty serviceman, Catechumen/New Member Coordinator at All Saints of North America, & lifelong Orthodox Christian... to discuss how training should change during the fasting seasons of the Church. They explore whether Orthodox Christians should expect personal records during fasting periods, why training volume and frequency may need to decrease, how to preserve strength and muscle, the role of sleep & recovery, & how to periodize physical training around the Orthodox Church year. The conversation moves beyond programming into a deeper question: can the gym become an idol? Subdeacon Michael explains how physical success can mask spiritual sickness, why discipline can become spiritually deceptive, & how nepsis, or watchfulness, helps reveal when the body has stopped serving our vocation & quietly become its master. They also discuss military service, suffering, fatherhood, Spartan racing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, prayer during training & why becoming more formidable does not necessarily make us more loving. Topics include:
Chapters: 00:00 Coming up 00:48 Orthodox Health Intro 02:18 How Should Orthodox Christians Train During a Fast? 08:53 Meet Subdeacon Michael Cassell 15:37 Why are we attracted to difficult training? 19:12 When fitness competes with prayer 21:13 Can the gym become an idol? 23:33 Chasing PRs during an Orthodox fast? 26:39 Cardio loss, BJJ & getting humbled 30:01 Military service, suffering & fatherhood 35:11 Can chasing suffering become addictive? 36:50 Lower-volume, higher-intensity training 40:00 Sleep, recovery & nervous-system overload 43:02 What fitness culture misunderstands about Orthodoxy 45:41 Periodizing training around the Church year 48:16 Spartan racing & becoming a complete athlete 52:42 The biggest fasting-season training mistake 53:59 Prayer ropes, workouts & divided attention 56:10 When physical health masks spiritual sickness 58:26 The one takeaway to remember 59:31 Where to find Subdeacon Michael 1:01:00 Is training still your servant? 1:07:35 Closing thoughts Find Subdeacon Michael on Instagram at @struggle_make_strong His Other Resources: Jason Brown, Mountain Tactical Institute, SOFLETE Sbn Michael's 12-Month Training Plan (Spotify won't let us include the Google Drive File, so DM him or us if you want it) Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| The Ultimate Orthodox Fasting Protein Tier List | 27 juil. 2026 | 01:12:19 | |
Peanut butter contains protein... but does that make it a protein source? In this episode of The Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John build the ultimate Orthodox fasting protein tier list for the Dormition Fast. They rank shellfish, lentils, split peas, lupini beans, bean pasta, pea & rice protein, black beans, chickpeas, nutritional yeast, peanut butter, quinoa, oats, tahini, sourdough, vegan burgers, protein bars, seitan, tofu, tempeh & soy-based imitation meats. This is not a ranking of the holiest, cheapest or tastiest fasting foods. The central question is much more practical: does this food merely contain protein, or can it genuinely function as the protein anchor of a fasting meal? Along the way, they explain why shrimp & shellfish earn S tier, why lentils remain excellent without quite reaching the top, why peanut butter & quinoa are commonly overrated as protein sources, why a pea & rice protein blend can outperform either protein alone & why highly processed “Pharisee meats” belong near the bottom. The episode also moves beyond the rankings to show how to build a realistic, protein-anchored fasting day. They cover breakfast, lunch & dinner ideas for people who use protein powder, prefer whole foods, cannot eat shellfish or struggle with low energy during longer fasts. The goal is not macro worship, dietary perfection or turning fasting into a nutrition contest. It is to practice obedience, simplicity & stewardship: choose real foods, plan ahead, identify the protein anchor, then stop obsessing & participate in the fast. Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 02:20 The Fasting Protein Problem 04:17 How the Rankings Work 07:30 Shrimp & Shellfish 11:31 Lentils 17:26 Peanut Butter 23:24 Quinoa 27:10 Bean Pasta 31:27 Protein Powders 35:58 Restoring Your Energy 36:49 Beans & Supporting Proteins 40:48 Seeds, Tahini, Oats & Bread 47:59 Processed Vegan Foods 52:40 The Final Tier 53:39 Seitan 54:29 Tofu, Tempeh & Soy 58:28 Pharisee Meats 59:36 Fasting Without Burnout 1:00:15 Building a Fasting Day 1:04:30 Whole-Food Alternatives 1:06:09 The Three-Meal Test 1:07:09 Asceticism Is Not Neglect 1:08:06 Stewardship Beyond Nutrition 1:09:18 The True Purpose of Fasting 1:10:11 The Key Distinction Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Regenerating the Land, Forming the Man: Farming, BJJ & Orthodoxy | Nick Hillman | 20 juil. 2026 | 01:11:51 | |
What connects regenerative agriculture, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Orthodox community, & the formation of the human person? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Nick Hillman rejoins Dr. Michael Christian & John to explain what regenerative agriculture is actually trying to restore... from soil biology, nutrient density & plant health to the relationship between farmers, food & the people they nourish. Nick walks through regenerative viticulture, soil & plant testing, Korean Natural Farming, JADAM, compost extracts, cover crops, crop rotation, calcium amendments, earthworms, seed saving & the practical realities of restoring damaged land. He also audits John’s new backyard garden & explains how ordinary families can begin rebuilding the soil beneath their own feet. The conversation then expands into Nick’s other work: the Meeting of the Lord Ranch, a proposed Orthodox retreat center and agricultural community; St. Nestor’s Grappling Club; his journey to a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt; & the announcement of our developing OrthrowBros podcast. Farming, BJJ, homesteading & Orthodox community may appear to be separate topics. But each asks the same question: What does it mean to faithfully tend something God has entrusted to you? Real strength preserves, cultivates, serves, & leaves something healthier than it found it. Featuring discussion of:
Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 00:39 Orthodox Health Intro 02:19 Tending Creation: Soil, Strength & Stewardship 07:57 Regenerative Viticulture & the Future of Farming 14:00 What Regenerative Agriculture Actually Regenerates 17:38 Book Ad 19:17 Transitioning Farms Without Destroying the Soil 22:28 John’s Backyard Garden Audit 25:32 Korean Natural Farming, JADAM & Garden Amendments 31:13 Energy Ad 32:05 Watermelons, Soil Testing, Earthworms & Saving Seeds 48:04 Fasting Ad 48:42 The Meeting of the Lord Ranch 59:05 St. Nestor’s Grappling Club & Orthodox BJJ 01:03:48 Announcing the OrthrowBros Podcast 01:07:07 Tending What God Has Entrusted to YouMeeting of the Lord: Website, Orthodox Crowdfunding, Instagram, & YoutubeRegerative Ag Solutions - Website & InstagramSt. Nestor's Grappling Club - Instagram & YouTubeOther Resources: The Temple Steps "Salt of the Earth Conference" - Nigel Palmer - Regenerative Grower's GuideMaster Cho Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| You Don't Need Spiritual Techniques... You Need Repentance | St. Paisios | 13 juil. 2026 | 01:32:45 | |
Modern spirituality promises healing. St. Paisios points to something much deeper. In the conclusion of our trilogy on yoga, the New Age, & Orthodox Christianity, Dr. Michael Christian & John examine the teachings of St. Paisios the Athonite on repentance, discernment, the passions, logismoi, prayer, & communion with Christ. Rather than becoming fascinated by counterfeit spirituality, St. Paisios calls us to become transformed through humility, confession, repentance, & the healing of the whole person. Topics include: • Yoga & Orthodox Christianity • New Age spirituality • Logismoi (thoughts) • The passions • Philautia (self-love) • Spiritual deception (prelest) • Discernment • The Jesus Prayer • Prayer vs spiritual technique • Healing through repentance Drawing from With Pain & Love for Contemporary Man, Passions & Virtues, Spiritual Awakening, Family Life, & The Gurus, the Young Man, & Elder Paisios, this episode offers the Orthodox answer to today's search for healing. Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 00:39 Orthodox Health Intro 02:09 St. Paisios & the Orthodox Answer to False Spirituality 08:49 Why Modern Man Is Vulnerable to Spiritual Deception 12:20 Book Ad 13:08 Orthodoxy Is Not a Christianized New Age 18:42 Spiritual Causality Without Superstition 23:18 St. Paisios on Curses, Repentance, & Confession 25:11 The Spiritual Power of Words, Blessings, & Curses 29:47 Logismoi: The War Within Our Thoughts 33:33 Can You Trust Your Inner Voice? 38:33 The Fly, the Bee, & Purifying the Heart 40:48 Understanding the Passions & Pathology 42:58 St. Paisios: The Passions as Powers of the Soul 47:40 The Body Is Not Spiritually Neutral 49:25 Energy Ad 50:10 Gluttony, Trauma, & an Orthodox Vision of Healing 53:35 How Counterfeit Spirituality Exploits the Passions 56:29 Philautia: When the Self Becomes an Idol 59:27 When Self-Love Becomes Self-Worship 01:02:20 Real Stewardship vs. Self-Ownership 01:03:47 Fasting Can Heal (or Feed) the Passions 01:05:39 True Discernment Is More Than Spotting Error 01:09:27 Testing Counterfeit Peace & Spiritual Experiences 01:11:13 Obedience, Spiritual Fatherhood, & Healing 01:13:22 Confession Brings Deception Into the Light 01:14:48 Fasting Ad 01:15:32 Prayer Is Communion, Not a Spiritual Technique 01:16:29 St. Paisios the Radio Operator & Prayer 01:19:01 The Jesus Prayer Is Not a Mantra 01:21:11 Prayer, Repentance, & Real Transformation 01:24:24 The Orthodox Answer to Yoga & the New Age 01:27:43 Come Home: Christ's Mercy Is Greater 01:29:34 Outro Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| False Healing Exposed: New Age, Trauma & Christ with Anastasia Gerali (The Reborn Anastasia) | 06 juil. 2026 | 01:18:52 | |
Not everything called healing actually heals. In this episode of The Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John are joined by Christian trauma therapist, Anastasia Gerali, The Reborn Anastasia, to discuss her journey from cultural Orthodoxy into New Age spirituality... & back to Christ. Anastasia shares how trauma, divorce, manifestation, hypnotherapy, yoga, meditation, psychic practices, Buddhism, & ayahuasca all became part of her search for peace. What first felt empowering & inclusive eventually revealed itself as spiritually destructive. Her story culminates in the moment the Holy Spirit instructed her to pray to Jesus, & Christ restored the identity that trauma & false healing had distorted. They also discuss why the New Age attracts wounded people, how trauma can become an identity, why nervous system regulation is not salvation, what therapy can & cannot do, & why true healing means becoming whole in Christ… body, soul, mind, will, memory, wounds, & all. Takeaways:
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00:00 Coming Up 03:08 False Healing 03:54 Meet Anastasia Gerali 07:09 Cultural Orthodoxy 09:48 Trauma & the Search for Healing 12:23 Why New Age Felt Like Home 13:29 What Christians Misunderstand About New Age 16:43 Manifestation & “The Secret” 18:40 Hypnotherapy & the Subconscious Mind 21:58 Yoga, Meditation & Psychic Practices 23:17 Subjective Truth, Dreams & Spiritual Deception 25:38 Ayahuasca, Hidden Knowledge & the Veil Dropped 33:59 Buddhism & Reincarnation 36:26 Plant Medicine, DMT & Testing Every Spirit 39:19 How Christ Pulled Anastasia Out 44:46 Jesus Christ, Surrender & Deliverance 50:07 When Trauma Becomes Identity 57:44 Trauma Neuroscience, Strongholds & Survival Patterns 1:06:18 Therapy, Confession & Repeated Patterns 1:08:38 Metanoia, Repentance & the Renewal of the Mind 1:10:58 Christ Restored Her Identity 1:17:18 Closing Thoughts Where to Find Anastasia: @the.reborn.anastasia - Instagram, YouTube, & TikTok Work with Dr. Mike : Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| False Peace: Yoga, the New Age, & the Gospel Without the Cross with Cantor & Seminarian Robert Sirico | 29 juin 2026 | 01:26:42 | |
What if the greatest spiritual deception doesn't look dark What if it looks peaceful? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John are rejoined by our good friend Robert Sirico, who is a cantor, choir director, & doctoral seminarian. In the conversation, we move beyond the question of whether yoga is religious & examine the larger worldview surrounding the New Age movement. Together we explore yoga, chakras, kundalini, mantras, breathwork, Reiki, energy healing, spiritual warfare, & the Orthodox understanding of true healing in Christ. Throughout the conversation we contrast the New Age's promises of peace, self-realization, & enlightenment with the Gospel's call to repentance, communion with Christ, & theosis. Whether you're trying to understand yoga, leaving the New Age yourself, or helping someone discern these practices, this episode offers both theological depth and pastoral compassion. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up: Yoga, Demons & False Peace 00:43 Orthodox Health Intro 02:12 Yoga 2.0: Spiritual Warfare & the New Age Gospel 07:18 Robert Sirico on Deconstruction, Calvinism & Spiritual Hunger 10:30 Japanese Martial Arts, Tengu Demons & Hidden Rituals 17:44 What Should Christians Say to Someone Practicing Yoga? 27:49 Demons, Spiritual Pushback & Why Reality Is Not Dualist 29:37 Mantras, Magia & Pharmakeia Explained 36:04 Christianity, Exorcism & the Gospel’s Ripple Effect 41:01 Pranayama, Qi, Kundalini & Eastern Energy Practices 45:20 Eastern Mysticism vs Orthodox Christian Theology 55:44 Icons vs Idols: What Christians Misunderstand 56:50 The Third Eye vs the Light of Christ 59:44 Prelest: Spiritual Delusion, False Power & Demonic Deception 01:05:35 Skinwalkers, Shamans & Demonic Shape-Shifting 01:09:31 Aliens, Bad Physics & the Religion of the Future 01:11:39 St. Seraphim of Sarov, Motovilov & Spiritual Delusion 01:14:34 The Jesus Prayer, Breath & True Christian Stillness Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Nourished Asceticism: Fasting Without Crashing | Dr. Michael Moeller | 22 juin 2026 | 01:28:44 | |
Is the Fast making you weak… or is it revealing what modern life already depleted? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John continue the Apostle’s Fast arc with Dr. Michael Moeller, NMD, for a conversation on nourished asceticism, testosterone, men’s health, blood sugar, digestion, protein, metabolic resilience, peptides, berberine, & how to fast seriously without wrecking the body. This is not an anti-fasting episode. It is also not a “ignore your body & call it obedience” episode. The fast is medicine. But the person receiving that medicine is a real embodied person with real sleep, real stress, real digestion, real nutrient status, real hormones, real labs, & real limits. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 01:02 Orthodox Health Intro 02:32 Introduction to Nourished Asceticism 06:11 Introducing Dr. Michael Moeller, NMD 11:26 Hormonal Health & Men’s Wellness 16:17 Fatigue, Low Libido & “Not Feeling Like Myself” 19:23 The Interconnectedness of Body Systems 21:41 What’s Killing Modern Testosterone? 27:19 You Are Not Your Bloodwork 30:36 Should You Be Tracking Your Calories? 32:18 Assessing Health During the Fast 36:13 What to Check When You Feel Weak During the Fast 39:44 Avoiding Pride in the Fast 43:32 Addressing Underlying Health Issues During Fasting 44:20 Avoiding the Pharisee Meats Trap 47:37 Protein, Muscle & Fasting Without Crashing 50:31 Preparing Metabolically for Fasting 53:52 Berberine: Benefits & Considerations 57:13 Hormones, Cycles & the Fast 1:00:03 The Risks of Pushing Physical Limits 1:04:05 Peptides & Their Role in Recovery 1:08:18 Peptide Safety, Efficacy & Discernment 1:11:15 Weight Loss, GLP-1s & Health Risks 1:15:28 Why Regular Bloodwork Matters 1:18:21 What the Modern Medical Model Misses 1:21:02 The Royal Path: Discipline Without Destruction 1:22:47 Connecting with Dr. Michael Moeller, NMD Connect with Dr. Moe: Website, Instagram, YouTube Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| The Fast & the Gut: Asceticism Without Self-Destruction | 15 juin 2026 | 01:02:20 | |
Orthodox fasting is not self-destruction. In this episode of The Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John build on two previous Orthodox Health conversations: the recent episode on nutrient pairings, & Episode 12, The Microcosm Within: Orthodoxy & the Microbiome. The core idea is simple: intake is not the same thing as reception. You can eat fasting foods and still feel bloated, constipated, refluxy, anxious, or exhausted, not because the Fast is bad, but because the context is off. This episode explores how the Fast affects the inner ecology of the body, why the microbiome responds to changes in fiber, legumes, oil, salt, hydration, sleep, stress, & meal rhythm, and how Orthodox Christians can troubleshoot digestive issues without turning fasting into food obsession or self-optimization. Topics include prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, gut-brain connection, immune tolerance, bloating, constipation, reflux, diarrhea, urgency, fasting anxiety, & the difference between real ascetic struggle & avoidable digestive chaos. The goal is not to escape the Fast. The goal is to fast with discernment. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 00:56 Orthodox Health Intro 02:26 The Fast & the Gut: Why This Episode Matters 11:42 The Microbiome as a Little Cosmos 20:09 The Gut-Brain Connection: Why the Fast Can Feel Emotional 22:53 Immune Tolerance, Inflammation, & the Gut 24:29 How Fasting Reveals Your Inner Ecology 25:50 Prebiotics, Probiotics, & Postbiotics Explained 35:39 The Orthodox Fast Stack: What Actually Changes 36:57 Bloating & Gas During the Fast 39:37 Constipation During the Fast 42:05 Acid Reflux, Heartburn, & GERD During the Fast 43:26 Diarrhea & Urgency During the Fast 44:56 Fasting Pairings: Practical Ways to Support Digestion 51:50 Asceticism Without Self-Destruction 56:10 Avoiding Anxiety, Scrupulosity, & Food Obsession 58:26 Final Thoughts: The Fast Is Medicine 01:01:15 Outro Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| You’re Not Absorbing It: Nutrient Pairings & Orthodox Fasting | 08 juin 2026 | 00:54:01 | |
During the Apostles’ Fast, many Orthodox Christians focus almost entirely on what they are removing: meat, dairy, eggs, oil, wine. But what if the deeper question is not simply, “What am I avoiding?” but, “What am I actually receiving?” In this episode, Dr. Michael Christian & John use nutrient pairings as a practical case study in one of the deepest patterns woven into creation: things are received in relationship. We discuss why intake does not always equal utilization, how nutrient pairings like fat-soluble vitamins & fat, iron & vitamin C, broccoli & mustard powder, tomatoes & olive oil, shellfish & lemon, fermented foods, & turmeric & black pepper can support better nourishment during fasting seasons. But this is not merely a nutrition episode. From there, we move into the Orthodox theology of reception: fasting is never given by itself. The Church gives us fasting with prayer, almsgiving, forgiveness, silence, gratitude, worship, & ultimately communion. Because the goal of the Fast is not deprivation. The goal is to become more capable of receiving God. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 00:24 Orthodox Health Podcast Intro 01:54 Condiment Theology: Why Nutrient Pairings Matter 06:11 Nutrient Absorption: Intake ≠ Reception 09:37 Orthodox Fasting & Nutritional Misconceptions 11:34 Why Orthodox Fasts Go Wrong 13:46 Nutrient Pairings Explained 19:04 Traditional Food Wisdom & Bioavailability 23:06 Practical Nutrient Pairing Takeaways 24:34 Spiritual Nutrient Pairings: Fasting Is Never Alone 33:26 Why Some People Crash During the Fast 35:56 Sleep, Stress & Fasting Fatigue 38:42 Digestion, Absorption & Nutrient Utilization 40:14 Metabolic Flexibility, Feasting & Fasting Rhythms 43:17 Why Christianity Culminates at the Table 45:52 Closing Thoughts: The Goal Is Communion Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Sin Is Sickness: Trauma, Compulsion & Orthodox Healing with Fr. Hans Jacobse (St. Paisios Brotherhood) | 01 juin 2026 | 01:22:20 | |
What if sin is not merely a legal violation, or "rule-breaking," but a sickness of the whole person? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John are joined by Fr. Hans Jacobse for a deeply pastoral conversation on trauma, compulsion, embodied memory, prayer, & Orthodox healing. Dropping the day after Pentecost, this conversation asks what true healing looks like when the Holy Spirit descends not simply to give spiritual experiences, but to restore the whole human person in Christ. Fr. Hans discusses the Orthodox understanding of sin as sickness, why compulsive behaviors often reveal deeper wounds, how the body can carry trauma, why prayer is not merely a calming technique, & how the Church heals through repentance, communion, fasting, confession, spiritual fatherhood, & life in Christ. This episode also explores the proper place of therapy, without allowing therapeutic language to become the master language for the human person. Key Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 00:42 Orthodox Health Podcast Intro 02:12 Pentecost & True Healing in Christ 04:44 Meet Fr. Hans Jacobse 09:51 Orthodoxy & the Healing of Sin 12:29 Community, Brotherhood, & Healing 18:18 The Human Heart as the Center of the Universe 23:15 Jordan Peterson, Orthodoxy, & the Search for Christ 25:37 God Is Bound by His Love 26:15 The Healing Power of the Saints 29:46 The Benevolence of Creation 31:48 Miracles & the True Natural Order 35:46 Trauma, Memory, & the Healing of the Body 43:02 The Holy Spirit & Healing Prayer 45:41 The Past Is Not Behind Us 48:30 The Body Remembers Trauma 50:05 Fascia, Trauma, & the Nervous System 53:40 Recovering from Materialism 54:16 Water, Memory, & Healing 55:14 The Eucharist as Uncreated Medicine 57:58 What Does Prayer Actually Do? 01:00:35 Becoming Co-Creators with God 01:02:30 Can Yoga Be Christianified? 01:03:33 Spiritual Illness & Physical Symptoms 01:06:15 Divine Liturgy, Prayer, & the Healing Process 01:09:53 Affection, Trauma, & Pastoral Healing 01:14:28 No One Desires Your Healing More Than God 01:15:27 Fr. Hans Jacobse & the St. Paisios Brotherhood 01:21:15 Outro Where to find Fr. Hans Jacobse: St. Peter's Orthodox Church & the St. Paisios Brotherhood Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| False Ascension: From Occult Power to Orthodox Healing with Erika of Shire Skincare | 25 mai 2026 | 01:18:10 | |
Before Erika found Orthodoxy, she had spent years in theistic satanism, occult practice, ritual magic, & demonic spirituality... until the New Testament, the Jesus Prayer, & the life of the Church revealed that the “power” she had been promised was bondage. In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John speak with Erika of Shire Skincare about her journey from satanism & occult practice into Orthodox Christianity. Released between Ascension & Pentecost, this conversation explores true ascent in Christ versus false ascension, the Holy Spirit versus false spirits, & Orthodox healing versus the counterfeit healing offered by the occult & New Age spirituality. This is not merely a scary story. It is a testimony of repentance, discernment, spiritual warfare, embodied healing, motherhood, beauty, & coming home to the Church. Key Takeaways:
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Chapters:00:00 Coming Up 00:27 Orthodox Health Intro 01:56 Ascension, Pentecost & False Spirits 04:58 From Satanism to Orthodoxy 08:34 Occult Art & the Opposite of Icons 12:42 Power, Control & the Occult Illusion 18:56 Spiritual Experiences & Demonic Reality 21:37 Black Magic, New Age & False Light 26:07 The New Testament & Finding Christ 30:16 Aliens, Demons & St. Seraphim Rose 33:16 The Occult as Inverted Orthodoxy 36:01 Repentance & the Jesus Prayer 40:59 Prostrations & Embodied Healing 43:26 Physical Symptoms & Spiritual Warfare 49:41 The Body Is Not a Prison 52:06 Feminism, Satanism & Children 55:11 Beauty, Creation & God 58:15 From Occult Art to Shire Skincare 1:04:26 Why “Shire Skincare”? 1:07:32 Protecting Children 1:10:02 Subtle vs. Overt Evil 1:11:04 Healing in the Church 1:12:24 Find Erika & Shire Skincare 1:13:42 Closing: From False Spirits to Christ Where to find Erika: ShireSkincare.com & Instagram Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Your Body Is NOT a Machine: The Orthodox Answer to Biohacking & the New Age | 18 mai 2026 | 01:14:23 | |
Modern medicine often treats the body like a machine. New Age wellness treats the body like energy. Orthodoxy gives us something deeper than both. In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John ask the question underneath the entire post-Pascha body arc: What is the body? They discuss the machine model of modern medicine, the New Age reaction to medical reductionism, biohacking, HRV trackers, chronic illness, Orthodox fasting, Father Stephen De Young’s body-soul anthropology, the Incarnation, Pascha, & why healing must be ordered toward communion with God. The body is not a machine to be hacked. It is not a god to be obeyed. It is not a prison to escape. It is the body of a person created by God, wounded by sin & death, & called to resurrection. Christ did not come to save a ghost trapped in biology. He came to heal the whole man. Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 2:33 Orthodox Health Intro 02:33 What Is the Body? Orthodoxy Beyond Biohacking 11:15 Why Anthropology Matters for Healing 14:39 The Machine Model of Modern Medicine 21:40 When Natural Health Still Treats the Body Like a Machine 27:09 The Dignity of the Body in Orthodox Christianity 29:21 Orthodox Healing vs. Medical Reductionism 31:06 The New Age Wellness Reaction 33:11 Why New Age Healing Feels So Appealing 35:26 Compassion vs. Naivety in Alternative Healing 39:31 The Danger of “Listen to Your Body” 42:42 How to Evaluate Healing Practices as an Orthodox Christian 46:44 Relief Is Not Salvation 50:36 Creation, Matter & the Goodness of the Body 55:04 Body, Soul & the Embodied Mysteries 57:46 The Incarnation, Resurrection & the Human Body 01:02:58 Orthodox Fasting Is Not a Biohack 01:05:50 Practical Orthodox Health Applications 01:08:33 The Orthodox Health Vision: Healing the Whole Person 01:10:16 Final Takeaway: Christ Heals the Whole Man 01:13:28 Outro Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Alignment & Asceticism: Healing the Body in Christ | Dr. Christian Nelson, DC | 11 mai 2026 | 01:21:30 | |
What does chiropractic have to do with Orthodoxy, the body, pain, stress, & healing? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John continue the post-Pascha Body Arc with Dr. Christian Nelson, DC, an Orthodox Christian chiropractor & founder of Advocate Wellness TX. Together they discuss pain, posture, nervous system patterns, stress, the esoteric roots of chiropractic, & why healing the body must be ordered toward communion with God, not merely comfort. This episode explores why the body is not a disposable shell, why pain is often protective rather than random, how modern life physically deforms us, & why Orthodox Christians must recover a deeply embodied vision of healing. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 00:44 Orthodox Health Intro 02:13 The Post-Pascha Body Arc 05:15 Meet Dr. Christian Nelson, DC 06:12 Orthodox Doctor First, Chiropractor Second 08:45 Being Seen Beyond the Chart 09:34 Esoteric Influences in Alternative Medicine 11:34 What Christians Misunderstand About the Body 13:54 The Body as a Temple 17:21 Chiropractic Is More Than Cracking Backs 19:37 Why the Body Locks Down 22:10 Chiropractic Treats the Disconnection 23:28 When Healing Restores Capacity 25:30 Submission, Suffering & God’s Will 28:14 Is an Adjustment Mechanical or Neurological? 30:08 The Spine as the Body’s Breaker Box 31:25 Fascia & Chiropractic 33:07 Chiropractic’s Esoteric Origins 37:25 Rockefeller Medicine & the Wild West of Healthcare 40:13 Belief, Blood Sugar & the Image of Healing 42:05 Why “Just Push Through” Is Bad Advice 45:28 Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives 46:23 How Stress Takes Shape in the Body 50:30 Can Acute Injury Lead to Chronic Illness? 52:15 Anything Can Cause Anything 53:12 Mother Siluana & God, Where Is the Wound? 55:51 Shallow Breathing, Guarding & Healing 59:13 Can Chiropractors Adjust the Whole Body? 01:01:39 The Resurrection & the Dignity of the Body 01:03:33 Embodied Worship, Pain & Formation 01:06:10 Healing To Serve Others 01:10:31 Pain Relief vs. Restored Function 01:12:06 Healing as a Little Resurrection 01:15:24 Confession, Shame & the Body 01:17:41 Find Dr. Christian Nelson 01:18:32 Closing Thoughts 01:20:26 Outro Connect with Dr. Nelson/AdvocateWellnessTX: Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Your Body Is Not Broken: Pain, Rehab & the Resurrection | Dr. Edgar Urilov, DPT | 04 mai 2026 | 01:09:56 | |
What if your body isn’t broken, but protecting you? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John continue the Post-Pascha Body Arc with Dr. Edgar Urilov, a physical therapist &Orthodox Christian, for a conversation on pain, fascia, rehab, stress, & the body that will be raised. After speaking with Buck Johnson about emergency care & Nicholas Cerean about strength & askesis, this episode asks the next necessary question: what happens when the body hurts? Dr. Edgar explains why pain is real, but not always a perfect measure of damage. The conversation moves through fascia as a sensory and stabilizing organ, chronic pain, nervous system sensitization, stress, myofascial release, rehab as askesis, & the deeper Orthodox question: Where is the wound? The episode also explores Mother Siluana Vlad’s God, Where Is the Wound?, the link between spiritual sickness & physical sickness, the danger of reducing grace to biology, &why Christian healing must involve the whole person: body, soul, mind, and spirit. In this episode:
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Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 00:39 Opener 02:08 Pain, Rehab & the Body That Will Be Raised 05:40 Meet Dr. Edgar Urilov, DPT 08:25 Fascia, Pain & the Nervous System 12:13 What to Tell Someone Who Feels Broken 15:10 Is Chronic Pain Always Tissue Damage? 19:03 Pain With a Normal MRI or X-Ray 23:30 Rebuilding Trust After Injury 24:20 Why Muscles Get Tight to Protect You 26:36 Myofascial Release & Nervous System Regulation 29:51 How Stress Shows Up in the Body 33:10 Mother Siluana’s God, Where Is the Wound? 34:46 Spiritual Sickness & Physical Health 37:40 The Immune System, Sin & Stress 41:31 Grace, Healing & the Nervous System 46:02 Rehab as Askesis 49:23 Trusting God During Injury Recovery 51:13 When Christians Neglect the Body 54:16 When Suffering Becomes Healing 57:51 Red Flags You Should Not Ignore 01:01:19 3 Simple Ways to Build a Resilient Body 01:04:48 Overcoming Fear of Movement 01:07:00 Hope for Chronic Pain 01:08:51 Outro Connect with Dr. Edgar Urilov on Instagram: @panya.physio Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Strength After Pascha: Streetlifting & the Resurrected Body | Nicholas Cerean (Phoenixeer) | 27 avr. 2026 | 01:15:17 | |
In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John sit down with USA streetlifting record holder Nicholas Cerean to talk about strength, discipline, fasting, injury, humility, & the body in light of the Resurrection. This is a conversation about the Christian body after Pascha: not as an idol, not as an afterthought, but as something to be offered back to God. Nicholas shares his journey from Romanian Pentecostal roots into Orthodoxy, how he discovered streetlifting, what it takes to compete at a high level, how he trains while fasting, what injury has taught him, & why “strength is for service.” The episode also gets practical on moving past basic calisthenics, when to add load, how to think about muscle-ups, & how to discern the difference between normal soreness & real injury pain. This episode also tackles a core Orthodox Health claim: weakness is not holiness, neglect is not asceticism, & letting your body fall apart is not the same thing as offering it to God. Nicholas puts it memorably: “We exercise what will be raised,” & “the Gnostic version of Christianity wants us out of the body, & Orthodoxy wants us to bring the body with us.” Takeaways:
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If this episode helps reframe the way you think about training, fasting, humility, & the Christian body, share it with a friend & follow the Orthodox Health Podcast for more conversations on healing, movement, pain, stress, & life in the light of the Resurrection. Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up: “We Exercise What Will Be Raised” 01:55 Why Weakness Is Not Holiness 05:13 Meet Nicholas Cerean: USA Streetlifting Record Holder 06:57 Nicholas’s Conversion to Orthodoxy 15:19 How to Move Beyond Basic Calisthenics 20:32 How Nicholas Trains at an Elite Level 25:09 Streetlifting, Fasting & Spiritual Discipline 27:24 What People Misunderstand About Streetlifting 29:19 The Danger of Overtraining & Overshooting 31:16 How Muscle-Ups Actually Work 35:23 Training with an Orthodox Mindset 44:44 Can Training Actually Build Humility? 49:15 Soreness vs. Injury: How to Tell the Difference 51:32 How Beginners Should Start Training 58:17 When to Add Weight to Pull-Ups & Bodyweight Training 1:01:25 Phoenixeer Belts, Equipment & Growing Streetlifting 1:07:50 Glorifying God Through Physical Training 1:09:49 Where to Find Nicholas Cerean & Phoenixeer 1:11:11 Why the Body Is Not Optional 1:14:11 Outro Where to Find Nicholas Cerean: Phoenixeer Instagram & Phoenixeer.com USA Streetlifting Texas Instagram Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| The Bodily Resurrection & the Reality of Emergency Care with Buck Johnson (Counterflow Podcast) | 20 avr. 2026 | 01:21:04 | |
Christ is Risen! In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast , Dr. Michael Christian & John welcome Buck Johnson of the Counterflow Podcast to open the new Orthodox Health “Body Arc.” Buck is known to many as a podcaster, but he has spent over 2 decades as a first responder, making him the perfect first guest for a post-Pascha conversation on the body, because Pascha is not an escape from the body. Christ rises bodily, & the Resurrection reveals that the body is not disposable. This conversation explores the proper place of emergency care & the Western medical model, the physical/mental toll of first responder work, the brotherhood of firefighters, occupational toxic exposures, trauma, EMDR, prayer in the face of death, fasting, discipline, & what it means to steward the body without turning health into vanity or self-obsession. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:56 Why the Body Matters: Pascha & the Resurrection 05:01 Meet Buck Johnson: Firefighter & EMT 10:54 Inside the Life of a First Responder 14:02 The Physical & Mental Toll of Firefighting 15:30 Brotherhood, Camaraderie & Trust Under Pressure 18:17 What Emergency Medicine Gets Right & Wrong 23:48 How Firefighters Manage Risk, Chaos & Adrenaline 29:44 Toxic Exposure & Environmental Hazards 34:33 Spiritual Lessons from Fire & Crisis 38:15 Fasting & Lust: Fr. Turbo Qualls Insight 43:39 Empathy in Crisis: Seeing People at Their Worst 46:43 First Responder Mental Health & Suicide Reality 50:09 EMDR Therapy 52:29 Addiction, Discipline & Redirecting Desire 55:51 Fitness, Brotherhood & Firehouse Culture 01:02:23 Injury, Rehab & Long-Term Wear on the Body 01:05:43 What Emergency Services Can & Can’t Do 01:08:16 Staying Calm Under Pressure: Hesychia & Control 01:10:35 “Let No Man Fear Death”: Facing Mortality Daily 01:12:05 Blood Moon Pies & Counterflow Lore 01:14:23 Why Christian Empathy Still Matters 01:16:11 Where to Find Buck Johnson 01:17:40 Are You Living Like the Body Matters? 01:19:59 Outro Where to Find Buck Johnson: Counterflow Spotify, Youtube, & Substack Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| The 11th Hour: How to Walk Into Pascha Without Losing the Point | 06 avr. 2026 | 01:00:29 | |
Holy Week is not a reward for people who “nailed Lent.” It is medicine for the weak. In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John walk from Lazarus Saturday to Pascha as a field guide for real people: those who are exhausted, behind, scattered, ashamed, or tempted to turn the fast into obsession. They unpack Lazarus Saturday as truth & return, Palm Sunday as a warning against unstable zeal, the end-of-Lent traps of control, judgment, & despair, & the watchfulness required to navigate Holy Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday without getting trapped in the endless “can I?” loop. From there, they move into Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, Holy Saturday, & Pascha... showing how to keep the fruit of the fast, avoid the Paschal rebound, & enter the Resurrection with joy, sobriety, mercy, and peace. This is a practical Orthodox guide to Holy Week, Bridegroom watchfulness, repentance, discernment, & Paschal joy... not for “perfect Orthodox,” but for people who need a real rule they can actually keep. If you’ve felt spiritually distracted, emotionally volatile, physically worn down, or stuck in a thousand little what-if questions, this episode is meant to pull you back into the center: prayer, mercy, sobriety, services as you’re able, & the steady return to Christ. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:29 Holy Week for Real People: Why It Matters 07:17 Lazarus Saturday: The Doorway to Holy Week 10:56 Palm Sunday: The Unstable Human Heart 13:54 Watchfulness in Holy Week: The Battle for Attention 20:34 The Holy Week Discernment Grid 27:23 Holy Week Through Scripture & Tradition 31:17 Holy Thursday: The Mystical Supper & Betrayal 34:30 Holy Friday: The Death of Self-Justification 35:45 Holy Saturday: Hiddenness, Stillness, & Waiting 38:58 A Minimum Effective Holy Week Rule 47:17 Pascha: Joy Without Relapse 50:49 The Paschal Rebound: Don’t Lose the Fruit 55:29 From Tomb to Resurrection: The Point of the Week 58:01 Final Exhortation for Holy Week 59:25 Outro Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| The Fast From Noise: Women’s Mental Health in Lent w/ Dr. Robyn Middleton, PhD (Guest Co-Host Gavin McCort, RDN) | 30 mars 2026 | 01:12:14 | |
In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian is joined by guest co-host Gavin McCort, RDN, & Dr. Robyn Middleton, PhD to explore women’s mental health during Lent... covering anxiety, burnout, stress, perfectionism, distraction, & how the Jesus Prayer restores peace in a noisy, overstimulated world. It connects Orthodox spirituality with real-world mental health, including Robyn’s research on the Jesus Prayer, breathwork, vagus nerve stimulation, & heart rate variability (HRV), along with her journey from healthcare administration & communication studies into the Orthodox Church. Together, they unpack why Lent is not “wellness culture with incense,” but a season of repentance that exposes what is actually happening beneath the surface (mentally, physically, & spiritually). From smartphone addiction & scattered attention to productivity-driven identity & isolation, this conversation addresses the root causes of modern anxiety & how the Church offers real healing. Robyn shares how stepping away from social media, entering into the life of the Church, & approaching Orthodoxy as a hospital, helped her find greater peace during the Fast. The episode also covers:
If you’re struggling with anxiety, overwhelmed by stress, or trying to keep the Fast without burning out, this episode offers a grounded, Orthodox approach to restoring peace. And if you’re a man listening, this conversation matters too... because the mental load in a home is either being shared or carried by one exhausted woman. Sound Bytes:
Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:29 Lent, Stress & the Body: Why This Matters 04:00 Meet Dr. Robyn Middleton 07:58 The Public Health Breakdown: A Turning Point 14:10 Finding Dr. Mike’s Thesis & Counterflow Connection 16:20 The Jesus Prayer Study: Science Meets Tradition 20:15 Prayer as Communication: Rewiring the Mind 24:22 Is the Jesus Prayer a Mantra? Misconceptions Explained 31:31 Robyn’s Work: Anxiety, Speech & the Nervous System 34:04 Hidden Coping Mechanisms That Increase Anxiety 38:31 Productivity Is Not Worth: The Trap Women Fall Into 40:05 Isolation, Lockdowns & Mental Health Fallout 44:56 Why Lent Exposes Anxiety & Inner Chaos 50:29 Struggle vs Harm: When Zeal Becomes Damage 53:04 Sustainable Prayer: Where to Actually Start 56:28 Stress & Communication: Why We Stop Listening 59:08 Community as Medicine: The Parish Model 01:04:06 The Orthodox Clergy Shortage 01:08:16 Final Word: Keep Showing Up in Lent 01:11:22 Outro Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| The Hidden Battle of Lent: Men, Temptation, & Attention | Jonathan Lewis | The Tested Man | 23 mars 2026 | 01:18:29 | |
Most men don’t fail Lent because of food. They fail because they can’t sit still with their own mind. In this episode of The Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John are joined by Jonathan Lewis (The Tested Man) to break down the real battle of Lent... not physical, but mental & spiritual. When the noise drops... no constant stimulation, no comfort eating, no distraction... what’s left? For many men:
And instead of facing it, they escape it. This conversation exposes:
This isn’t therapy talk. This isn’t self-help fluff. This is a real Orthodox framework for fighting back... through awareness, discipline, prayer, & ultimately the unconditional love of Christ, Himself. If you’ve already stumbled this Lent… Good. That means you’ve found the battlefield. Now get back on the path.Takeaways:
Sound Bytes:
Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:29 Mental Warfare Has Already Started 04:29 Meet the Tested Man (Jonathan Lewis) 08:04 Fighting, Suffering, & Finding Christ 12:23 Every Man Is Tested 14:27 You Are Not Your Feelings 16:36 What’s Wrong with Modern Men? 24:17 The 3 Pressure Points Breaking Men 27:27 The Wrong Fuel Is Destroying You 31:43 Why Men Feel Alone 35:23 Isolation Is Where You Lose 38:58 The Trap: Pride vs. Despair 41:15 Your Mind Is Scattered 44:15 Fix Your Attention (Practical Steps) 50:42 The Cycle of Temptation 55:58 Stop Using Trauma as Fuel 01:00:05 Do What You’re Afraid Of 01:04:01 Watchfulness vs. Overthinking 01:05:12 What Masculinity Actually Is 01:08:23 Hard Times, Strong Men, Real Faith 01:13:13 Christ’s Love Is the Answer 01:17:24 Outro Where to find Jonathan Lewis & The Tested Man: Instagram Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| The Sanctified Womb: Women's Health, Fasting, & Peace | Khouria Cathryn Barker | 16 mars 2026 | 01:18:43 | |
Women are not tiny men.In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John, are joined by Khouria Cathryn Barker, RN of The Sanctified Womb to unpack a neglected but urgent topic: women’s health, fasting, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, recovery, & peace from a distinctly Orthodox perspective. Khouria Cathryn explains why women cannot simply approach fasting like men, why season of life matters, & why the Church has never taught a legalistic, one-size-fits-all fast that ignores creaturely reality. They discuss hormones, motherhood, burnout, nursing, fertility struggles, nourishment, & what practical discernment looks like when you are trying to live faithfully in a real body with real responsibilities. If your version of fasting is making you harsher, more fearful, more obsessive, more ashamed, and less capable of prayer, patience, & love, something has gone wrong. This is a conversation for women in every season... & for husbands, fathers, & families who want a better understanding of women’s embodied life under God. Takeaways:
Sound Bytes:
Chapters: 00:00 Opener Where to find Khouria Cathryn & The Sanctified Womb: Instagram, Blog, & Esty Work with Dr. Mike Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram & Telegram | |||
| Discipline, Testosterone, & the Fast: Men’s Health Done Right w/ Gavin McCort | 09 mars 2026 | 01:14:59 | |
Is Lent lowering testosterone… or exposing weak discipline? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John are re-joined by Gavin McCort of Temple Builder Fitness to discuss the real foundations of male strength: discipline, asceticism, training, & responsibility. Modern culture talks endlessly about the testosterone crisis, declining male strength, and collapsing masculinity. But what if the real problem isn't hormonal... it's spiritual & cultural? From Orthodox fasting & strength training to dopamine addiction, gaming culture, & the loss of male purpose, this conversation explores why modern men feel weak, tired, & directionless... & how discipline rebuilds both body and soul. This episode breaks down how fasting, training, & spiritual life work together, & why real masculine strength requires resistance, responsibility, & sacrifice. Takeaways:
Sound Bytes:
Chapters: 00:00 Opener 04:21 Welcoming Back Gavin McCort 06:38 Understanding the Role of Discipline in Men's Lives 10:20 Navigating Spiritual & Physical Discipline 12:08 Do Men Understand What Normal Even Feels Like? 16:04 Practical Tips for Maintaining Health During Lent 24:02 The Importance of Strength for Service 27:42 Understanding Testosterone & Its Effects 35:43 Gollum, The Ring, & Low-T 36:53 The Role of Training in Hormonal Health 39:20 Adjusting Training During Lent 41:38 Boredom, Business, & Moderation in Eating 45:37 Irritability, Anxiety, & Testosterone 48:57 Managing Lustful Thoughts & Behaviors 56:27 Effects of Self-Discipline on Daily Life 01:00:23 Overcoming Nihilism with the Fast 01:02:47 Motivation Vs. Discipline 01:06:36 Rapid Fire Rules for Lent 01:08:16 3 Rules for the Next 7 Days of Lent 01:10:47 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead 01:13:55 Outro Gavin McCort is the founder of Temple Builder Fitness, helping Christians build physical strength alongside spiritual discipline. Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| Minimum Effective Lent: A Practical Orthodox Rule for the Great Fast | 02 mars 2026 | 01:03:11 | |
What is the minimum effective dose of Lent? If you’re overwhelmed by strict fasting rules, long services, & seemingly unrealistic expectations... this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast gives you a grounded, strategic framework for a Lent that actually transforms you. Dr. Michael Christian & John break down a “Minimum Effective Lent” protocol... the smallest viable ascetical rule that still moves you toward repentance, discipline, & Christ. This is not bio-hacking Lent. It’s reclaiming the ascetical tradition in a way that busy Orthodox men can actually execute. Takeaways: • What “Minimum Effective Lent” really means• Why Lent is spiritual warfare... not diet culture• The 5 Anchors of an effective Lenten rule• Fasting plate vs. fasting posture• Why sleep discipline matters during Lent• Movement as ascetic training• The danger of performative fasting• How repentance changes your nervous system• How to avoid burnout & still grow spiritually Sound Bytes: “If you don’t define your Lent, your passions will.” “Lent is not about optimization. It’s about obedience.” “Repentance is not a mood, it’s a direction.” “The minimum effective Lent is the smallest rule you will actually keep.” “You don’t need heroic discipline. You need anchored discipline.” The 5 Anchors of Minimum Effective Lent:
Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:29 What Is a “Minimum Effective Lent” 08:43 The 5 Anchors of an Effective Orthodox Lent 10:03 Anchor 1: Building a Consistent Orthodox Prayer Rule 15:46 Anchor 2: Designing a Practical Orthodox Fasting Plate 26:34 Simple Lenten Meal Examples (Orthodox Friendly) 29:22 Anchor 3: Why Sleep Discipline Matters During the Great Fast 35:24 Common Lenten Sleep Mistakes (& How to Avoid Them) 38:03 Anchor 4: Movement & Training During Lent (Without Burnout) 40:06 Foundational Movement Patterns 46:59 Anchor 5: Lent as a School of Repentance 51:25 The Minimum Effective Discernment Grid (Know When to Adjust) 53:55 Supplements During Lent: What Actually Helps? 59:48 Closing Thoughts: A Rule You’ll Actually Keep If you’re searching for: an Orthodox Lent guide Orthodox fasting rules Lent for busy men How to fast Orthodox Minimum effective fasting Spiritual discipline for men Orthodox repentance ... then this episode is for you. Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| Repentance is a Miracle: Forgiveness Is the Doorway to Lent with Fr. John Wehling | 23 févr. 2026 | 01:23:17 | |
The Church does not begin Great Lent with a productivity plan, a diet, or a heroic list. She begins Lent with a doorway... forgiveness. In this Forgiveness Sunday episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John sit back down with Fr. John Wehling to unpack why forgiveness isn’t sentimental, why it isn’t the same as reconciliation or access, & how the Rite of Forgiveness trains the heart for real repentance. Fr. John ties Forgiveness Sunday to the Expulsion of Adam from Paradise, the first commandment as fasting, & the deeper reality: if we won’t forgive, our hearts won’t be able to repent... & Lent won’t “work” the way the Church intends. Takeaways:
Sound Bytes:
Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:31 Forgiveness Sunday: The Doorway to Lent 06:33 Fr. John Wehling Returns 07:14 What Forgiveness Sunday Trains in Us 12:04 Adam’s Expulsion & Why the Church Starts Here 16:27 “Repentance Is a Miracle” 20:50 God’s Mercy: What Forgiveness Reveals 22:55 Forgiveness Vespers: The Rite of Mutual Forgiveness 29:50 Letting Go of Non-Orthodox Traditions 32:31 What Forgiveness Is (and Isn’t) 38:57 Sin, Redemption, & the Healing of the Heart 46:10 Jiu-Jitsu & the Passions 48:41 Confession & Forgiveness Sunday: How They Connect 52:09 The Royal Path of Confession 57:00 Tolkien “Grand Slam” 57:52 Forgiveness Inside the Family 01:03:33 When Forgiveness Isn’t Returned 01:06:54 Lingering Resentment on the Eve of Lent 01:12:51 Resentment’s Toll on the Body 01:17:24 Final Exhortation for Great Lent 01:22:12 Outro Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| Sunday of the Last Judgment: Mercy or Self-Deception? with Fr. John Peck | 16 févr. 2026 | 01:32:09 | |
The Sunday of the Last Judgment isn’t just about the end of the world... it’s about the end of your excuses. As we approach Great Lent, Fr. John Peck joins Dr. Michael Christian & John on the Orthodox Health Podcast to unpack the Gospel of Meatfare Sunday & the subtle spiritual danger that keeps most of us from repentance: delay. The demon’s best lie isn’t that God isn’t merciful... it’s that you have time to wait. In this episode we discuss:
The Church does not begin Lent with a meal plan. She begins with mercy. This is Meatfare Sunday. Act accordingly. Sound Bytes:
Chapters: 00:00 Opener - Mercy or Self-Deception? 01:29 Meatfare Sunday: The Last Judgement Isn’t About Self-Improvement 04:07 Meet Fr. John Peck 05:57 The Triodion: Why Lent “Whips By” 10:44 BJJ, Judo, Discipline & the Spiritual Athlete 16:45 Man as the Priest of Creation 22:59 Can Yoga Be Christian? (And Why the Fathers Say No) 24:31 When Man Disintegrates, the Cosmos Follows 28:16 “A Psychopath on a Leash” - Why We Need Restraint 30:34 Grace at a Bargain: Painful Generosity 35:01 God Sees You - Even When No One Else Does 37:56 Winning the Peek-a-Boo Game with God 42:01 The Last Judgement: Fear, Mercy & Sonship 50:04 What Mercy Actually Looks Like at Home 54:37 Fr. Michael Butler, Orthodoxy & Going “On Radar” 57:15 Orthodoxy & Health: Reintegrating Body & Soul 01:00:58 Apples, Akkermansia & Beating Ozempic Naturally 01:03:11 Glyphosate, Gluten & Why Europe Doesn’t React 01:05:22 Outlaw Lobbying? Money, Power & Corruption 01:12:17 Why AI Will Never Replace Doctors or Priests 01:14:31 Hope in the End Times: Grace Super-Abounds 01:15:47 The SWAT Team Manual & Raising Spiritual Warriors Where to find Fr. John Peck - All Saints of North America Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| The Prodigal Son: Repentance & the Healing of the Soul w/ Fr. Michael Butler (Avg2Alpha) | 09 févr. 2026 | 01:26:28 | |
What if repentance isn’t about punishment, shame, or self-improvement... but about coming home? In this episode, Dr. Michael Christian & John are joined by Fr. Michael Butler (Avg2Alpha) for a deep, pastoral conversation on the Parable of the Prodigal Son & the Church’s wisdom in placing it at the heart of the Triodion, just before Great Lent begins. Together, they explore repentance not as despair or moral failure, but as return... a healing movement of the whole person: body, soul, & attention. From shame & resentment to mercy, discipline, & sonship, this episode speaks especially to those who feel scattered, exhausted, or quietly resentful while trying to “do everything right.” This is not a call to perform better. It’s an invitation to come home. This conversation is part of the Triodion mini-arc leading into Great Lent, focusing on the Church’s preparation of the heart before ascetic effort begins. Episode 48 centers on the Prodigal Son; the next episode continues with Meatfare Sunday & the call to mercy in love of neighbor. Takeaways:
Sound Bytes:
Chapters:00:00 Opener 01:29 The Prodigal Son & the Purpose of the Triodion 03:56 Meet Fr. Michael Butler (Journey to Orthodoxy) 11:27 The Prodigal Son: Repentance, Mercy, & Return 14:22 Reality Is Informed by Christ (Not Psychology or Ideology) 16:10 Jordan Peterson, Young Men, & the Search for Meaning 24:17 Why the Orthodox Church Is Growing (Especially Among Men) 28:01 “He Came to Himself”: Repentance, Attention, & Healing the Mind 33:34 Distraction, Digital Scattering, & Spiritual Fragmentation 36:24 Can Yoga Be Christianized? 39:46 The Father Who Runs Toward the Prodigal 42:15 Slaves, Servants, & Sons: Remorse vs. Repentance 46:30 The Elder Brother: Resentment, Covert Contracts, & Pride 50:44 The Royal Path: Avoiding Both Legalism & License 56:18 Mentorship, Fatherhood, & Spiritual Authority 01:00:14 Confession as Therapy: The Church as a Hospital 01:02:16 Wrestling with God (& Hoping to Lose) 01:05:21 Bodybuilding, Asceticism, & Discipline of the Body 01:16:15 Fr. Roman Braga & the Meaning of Veneration 01:16:57 Spiritual Legacy, Saints, & Faithfulness Over Time 01:20:42 Coming Home: Practical Steps to Return to God During Lent Work with Fr. Michael Butler: Avg2Alpha.com Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| The Sin of Being “Right”: Humility as Medicine w/ Fr. Zechariah Lynch (Inkless Pen Blog) | 02 févr. 2026 | 01:17:10 | |
We’re kicking off our 4-week Triodion mini-arc leading into Great Lent with a return guest, Fr. Zechariah Lynch, for the Sunday of the Publican & the Pharisee (Luke 18:9–14). The Church begins here for a reason: you can do “Orthodox things” with the wrong spirit. This parable is the first warning before the fast... don’t turn prayer, discipline, or fasting into a spiritual performance. The Publican’s whole prayer is one sentence, but it dismantles the ego: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” We also bring an Orthodox Health physiology lens into the conversation: Takeaways:
Sound Bytes:
Next week: Prodigal Son with Fr. Michael Butler. Chapters 00:00 Opener 01:29 Introduction to the Triodion & the Publican & The Pharisee 04:15 Welcoming Back Fr. Zechariah Lynch 05:35 Why Does the Church Open the Triodion with This Parable? 09:23 When You Become the Pharisee in Your Own Life 13:00 What is the Proper Orientation of Humility? 15:58 Humility Vs. Niceness 20:45 Martyrdom & Performative Sacrifice in Modern Ideologies 24:39 How Pride Hides in Tradition 29:50 Finding the Royal Path Between the Publican & the Pharisee 32:12 Liturgy Reveals the Heavenly 35:06 How the Fast-Free Week Teaches Us Humilty 39:11 Remembering the Essence of Fasting & Spiritual Growth 42:45 Balancing the Spiritual & Physical Aspects of the Fast 47:55 Orthodox Fasting & Hypothyroidism 49:56 Teaching Humility to Children 54:44 The Health Benefits of Forgiveness 56:08 How to Avoid Becoming the Pharisee 01:03:14 Addressing Pride Masquerading as Virtue The Life of St. Brigid: Abbess of Kildare - Jane Meyer & Fr. Zechariah Lynch Fr.'s Writings - InklessPen.Blog & Substack Buck Johnson - When Martydom Becomes a Costume Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| Healing in a Sanctified World: Herbs, Winter, & Discernment w/ Presvytera Krystina Valadez | 26 janv. 2026 | 01:29:11 | |
In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John are joined by clinical herbalist Presvytera Krystina Valadez to explore healing through an Orthodox Christian lens... cutting through both modern medical reductionism & New Age “wellness” spirituality. This is a conversation about right order: herbs without magic, prayer without superstition, suffering without despair, & healing rooted in faith, sacrament, & community. We talk about using herbs in their proper place, detaching natural medicine from New Age spiritual confusion, & why Christian bioethics matters when health decisions get serious. Along the way, we discuss the intercession of the saints, relics, anointing oils, & prayer; plus microbiome basics, herbs vs. pharmaceuticals, & how Big Ag & Big Pharma have distorted the modern “terrain.” Presvytera also shares simple local-herb wisdom, wildcrafting principles, & a practical DIY chest rub for kids... while we imagine what an Orthodox approach to hospitals & healthcare could look like. We also address how health trials often deepen prayer, why the Church has always understood healing as more than symptom management, & how Orthodox Christians can reclaim herbal wisdom without detaching it from Christ. Takeaways:
Sound Bytes:
Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:29 Winter Wellness: Why “Herbs 2.0” Matters 04:24 Meet Presvytera Krystina Valadez 08:34 Herbs Without the New Age 11:35 From “Wellness” to Christian Bioethics 12:46 When Health Trials Deepen Prayer 15:43 Saints, Relics, & Healing 20:29 Faith in a Health Crisis 23:56 Suffering as Healing & Refinement 26:22 Reclaiming Health Culture for the Church 29:43 Presvytera’s Winter Apothecary 33:29 Dr. Mike’s Herbal Childhood 36:35 Microbiome Basics (Orthodox Health Lens) 40:34 Herbs vs. Pharmaceuticals: Right Order 46:34 Big Ag, Big Pharma, & the Modern Terrain 51:58 Top Acute Illness Tools (What We Actually Use) 58:07 The Orthodox Health 5R Framework 59:42 What an Orthodox Healthcare System Could Look Like 01:04:57 Wildcrafting: Local Herbs & Simple Harvesting 01:12:17 DIY Kids Chest Rub (Practical Recipe) 01:17:24 A Word of Encouragement for Tired Moms 01:23:12 Closing Thoughts & What's Up Next: Lenten Triodion Arc Presvytera Krystina's Substack: Motherly Journey Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Donate to St. John the Theologian here Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| The Spiritual Root of Winter Immunity: Order, Fear, & Faith | 19 janv. 2026 | 00:59:23 | |
Winter isn’t an emergency, it’s a season. In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John unpack what Theophany proclaims about reality: creation is sanctified, the body matters, & health can’t be reduced to control, hacks, or fear. We contrast communion logic vs. control logic, explain why modern life turns winter into a panic cycle (overstimulation, stress debt, broken sleep, constant vigilance), & lay out the Church’s “winter plan”: humility, rhythm, prayer, warmth, simplicity, & community. Along the way, we address infection fear through the lens of Christian love, discuss allostatic load (stress debt), & explore the Theophany cross dive as a window into cold exposure, brown fat (BAT), & resilience... without turning remedies into a new religion. This episode sets the foundation for next week’s conversation on Herbs 2.0 / Winter Immunity with Presvytera Krystina Valadez... because remedies only make sense inside a life that’s already ordered. Takeaways:
Soundbytes:
Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:29 Theophany: A Proclamation of Reality 03:56 Communion Logic Vs. Control Logic 07:16 Living with the Seasons: Embracing Winter's Gifts 12:47 The Emergency Mindset: A Modern Dilemma 17:11 The Church's Winter Plan: Embracing Humility 21:47 Winter as a Teacher: Accepting Our Limits 25:16 Understanding Winter's Impact on Health 29:14 Christian Love in the Face of Infection 30:44 Winter Overstimulation & Health 34:05 The Allostatic Load & Stress Debt 35:46 Theophany & Diving for the Cross 38:30 The Role of Brown Fat in Cold Exposure 41:34 Health as Stewardship, Not Salvation 46:57 Avoiding the Religion of Remedies 50:34 Living Winter Well: Practical Tips 55:18 The Biggest Driver of Illness & Suffering in 2020 56:45 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead 58:18 Outro Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Donate to St. John the Theologian here Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| Sanctified Matter: Living After Theophany | 12 janv. 2026 | 01:00:36 | |
What if Theophany isn’t just a feast you celebrate... what if it’s a new reality you’re supposed to live from? In this episode, Dr. Michael Christian & co-host John unpack how Orthodox Christianity rejects both “flat secular materialism” & escapist spirituality, & why that matters for your body, nervous system, sleep, food, home, & daily rhythms. You’ll hear why “sanctified matter” isn’t superstition or symbolism, how holy water points to a life of cooperation with God, & why exhaustion can masquerade as spiritual failure... especially in winter.
Chapters 00:00 Opener 01:29 Living After Theophany: A New Reality 06:42 What is "Sanctified Matter?" 12:13 What is Theophany (Epiphany)? The Revelation of the Trinity 19:13 Theophany & Creation After the Fall 21:22 Sanctified Matter: The Role of Water in Spiritual & Physical Health 27:29 Coffee & The Nervous System 29:45 Light, Sleep, & Their Impact on Health 38:18 Food as Communion Training: Ending Diet Religion 44:04 The Importance of Home Blessings 50:05 Theophany Physically Blesses The Whole World 54:07 Living After Theophany: A New Orientation 59:31 Outro Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Donate to St. John the Theologian here Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| From Willpower to Worship, Building Habits that Heal | 05 janv. 2026 | 01:23:34 | |
January is when modern culture tries to “punish itself into purity.” In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Mike & John dismantle the New Year, New Me courtroom & replace it with something actually Orthodox: repentance, rhythm, & repair. This is not a hype plan. It’s a Rule of Life approach to health: habits that support prayer, stabilize the nervous system, & make you more capable of love instead of more rigid, reactive, & self-absorbed. Takeaways:
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DM “RULE” on Instagram (or message us on Telegram) and we’ll send the copy/paste template Dr. Mike outlines in the episode.
Christ is born. Chapters 00:00 Opener 01:29 From Willpower to Worship: An Orthodox Alternative to Resolutions 06:04 New Year, New Life in Christ 08:48 Habits That Heal, Not Hype14:52 The January Trap: A Modern False Penance 23:38 Christian Joy, Feasting, & True Freedom 28:15 Worship Reorders Your Habits 35:32 True Discipline vs Willpower 38:48 Small Habits, Real Change 44:31 Willpower & Stress Debt 50:48 Identifying January Fantasies 55:37 Modern Franticness Kills Prayer 57:45 Building a Framework for Change 01:07:48 The Rule of 3 (An Orthodox Framework) 01:15:42 Creating A Sustainable Rhythm 01:19:06 Write Your Rule of 3 01:20:43 Closing Thoughts & Theophany Preview 01:22:30 Outro Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Donate to St. John the Theologian here Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on AmazonIntro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| 12 Days, Not 12 Pounds of Christmas How to Feast Without Falling Apart | 29 déc. 2025 | 01:07:01 | |
Christ is born. Glorify Him. The Church does not give us the feast so that we can fall apart... & then punish ourselves in January. In this episode of The Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John walk through the often-ignored stretch from Nativity to Theophany & ask a different question than the culture does: How do we feast like Christians... without burning out our bodies, numbing our souls, or turning January into a war on ourselves? This is not about dieting. It’s about gratitude with guardrails... receiving the feast as worship, not as escape. Drawing from Orthodox theology, St. Basil the Great, & real physiology, this episode covers sleep, light, food, alcohol, almsgiving, & a simple year-end examination to help you enter the New Year grounded rather than wrecked. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:30 Christ Is Born... & the Feast Is a Command 08:01 What the “Twelve Days” Actually Are (& Are Not) 13:55 The Real Story of "The Holidays" 16:33 Why Light & Sleep Can Shape the Feast 19:56 Guardrails 1-3: Ordering Your Circadian Rhythm 27:25 Guardrails 4-6: Feasting Without Metabolic Chaos 33:01 Guardrails 7-9: Alcohol as Celebration vs. Self-Medication 37:45 St. Basil & The Call to Remember the Poor 43:19 Guardrails 10-12: Almsgiving, Hospitality, Thanksgiving 45:26 Why Almsgiving Heals the Body Too 50:11 Year-End Reflection & Examination 56:07 The Blessing & the Danger of Orthodoxy’s Growth 57:44 What Am I Actually Asking God to Heal? 01:01:09 Closing Thoughts & Moving From Willpower to Worship 01:05:56 Outro Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Donate to the St. John the Theologian Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| Christ Is Born: Nativity at the Kitchen Table | 22 déc. 2025 | 01:09:45 | |
From straw hidden under a tablecloth in a tiny Slavic house… to kids banging metal triangles in Greek stairwells… to families tearing injera around a shared platter in Ethiopia… The Nativity isn’t just about presents & photo ops. It’s about Christ showing up at the table. In this episode, Dr. Mike & John take you on a tour of global Orthodox (& other) Nativity traditions & then land it with three simple, kid-friendly menus you can actually pull off this year... without a babushka living in your pantry.
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Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:30 Introduction to Nativity Around the World 08:38 The Christmas Table as a Foretaste of the Kingdom 16:33 Exploring Slavic Christmas Traditions 19:17 The Symbolism of the Straw & the Empty Plate 23:44 Practical Steps for your Own Slavic Holy Supper 25:24 Health Benefits of Holy Supper 26:19 Christmas in the Greek World 30:59 What's on the Greek Christmas Table? 34:38 Involving the Children in the Festivities 35:48 Health Benefits of the Greek Nativity Meal 37:05 Nativity in Ethiopia: Gena 41:22 Adapting Gena for the Orthodox 43:04 Health Observations in the Ethiopian Feasts 45:03 Nativity Traditions Around the World - Lightning Round 55:55 Concrete Nativity Menus for Families 01:06:35 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead 01:08:41 Outro Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Donate to the St. John the Theologian Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| Beyond ‘Vegan’: Fake Meats, Food 2.0, & Technocratic Fasting w/ Nick Hillman (Regenerative Ag So | 15 déc. 2025 | 01:18:23 | |
Lab-grown “meat.” Cricket protein bars. Impossible burgers at the grocery store. The world is loudly preaching a new gospel of “ethical,” “sustainable,” plant-based everything... while the same foundations & corporations that built chemical agriculture now tell us the “Future of Food” is bugs, bioreactors, & patented pea protein. In this Nativity-season episode, Dr. Mike & John welcome back Nick Hillman (regenerative farmer & Orthodox Christian) to go beyond vegan "certified" & ask deeper questions:
Building on last week’s episode with Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff on St. Nicholas & almsgiving, we contrast true Christ-centered fasting with a “Future of Food” that increasingly treats food as a lever of control instead of a gift to be received in thanksgiving. Then we land in the parish kitchen: simple swaps, realistic rhythms, & concrete family- & parish-level steps to take back the future of food at the table you actually sit at. Key Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:30 Introduction to Food 2.0 & Fasting 09:37 Nick Hillman Reintroduction 13:46 Orthodox Fasting Vs. Technocratic Fasting 17:24 How Does the Small Farmer Stand Up to BigAg? 22:56 What Can We Learn from Food 2.0? 29:21 The Consequences of Modern Food Systems 31:24 The Truth About Glyphosate 34:26 The Alarming Reality of 3D-Printed Food 38:03 Navigating Orthodox Fasting & Food Choices 39:55 What These Lab Creations Mean for the Future of Food 45:26 The Legal & Ethical Dilemmas in Modern Farming 50:21 The Technocratic Agenda in BigAg 57:49 Reconnecting with Real Foods in the Nativity Fast 01:01:06 Practical Steps You Can Do This Week to Help Reclaim Your Food 01:03:41 The Role of Parishes in Food Systems 01:08:37 Lightning Round: Real Food vs. Fake Fasting 01:10:21 What About the Campbell's Soup Controversy? 01:17:18 Outro Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Donate to the St. John the Theologian Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Choir (Arkansas) - Support the building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram Azure Standard, National Organic Food Distributor Acres USA, Eco-Ag Publication Seeds of Deception - Jeffrey M. Smith Toxic Legacy - Stephanie Seneff | |||
| Santa Vs. St. Nicholas & the Medicine of Almsgiving w/ Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff (The Transfigured Life) | 07 déc. 2025 | 01:08:18 | |
What if St. Nicholas wasn’t a jolly mascot for consumer Christmas… but a bishop whose hidden generosity literally healed people and communities? In episode 39 of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & co-host John sit down with Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff to rescue St. Nicholas from the Santa-Industrial-Complex & recover him as a true Orthodox saint, wonderworker, & icon of merciful giving. Together they explore how almsgiving functions as medicine… for the poor, for our own anxious hearts, & for parishes trying to live as healing communities in the middle of a stressed, debt-driven culture. You’ll also hear practical traditions for Orthodox Christian parenting around St. Nicholas Day: Vespers, Liturgy, shoes outside the bedroom door, chocolate “coins,” & icons that help kids know the saint, not just the brand. Whether you’re a tired parent, a priest, or just someone trying to keep the Nativity Fast in a world screaming “buy more,” this conversation will help you see money, mercy, and St. Nicholas through the lens of the Church as hospital. Takeaways:
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Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Work with Dr. Mike: https://www.OrthodoxHealth.com “Was Jesus REALLY born on December 25?” - https://youtu.be/526D5b-4kok Donate to the St. John the Theologian: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-st-john-theologian-church Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: https://www.orthodoxhealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon: https://www.amzn.to/4adGdrv 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 Instagram: https://instagram.com/Orthodox_Health Orthodox Health Telegram: https://t.me/orthodoxhealthpodcast | |||
| Puritans, Pilgrims, & the Price of Forgetting the Eucharist | 01 déc. 2025 | 01:09:17 | |
Is your Thanksgiving plate quietly acting like a spiritual report card? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John trace how the Thanksgiving Myth, Puritan productivity culture, & wellness legalism turned “Turkey Day” into a kind of substitute sacrament... & how the Eucharist, the true Thanksgiving, reclaims our tables, our bodies, & our nervous systems. They unpack the American liturgy of Thanksgiving (the curated Pilgrim myth) & contrast it with the older Christian rhythm where fasting & feasting are anchored in the chalice. For Orthodox Christians navigating Thanksgiving inside the Nativity Fast, Dr. Mike offers a simple 3-question framework:
If you’ve ever felt food anxiety, fasting guilt, or family-triggered nervous system chaos around the holidays, this conversation will help you re-center on the chalice. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:30 Introduction to the True Thanksgiving 04:12 The Myth of the First Thanksgiving 10:40 A Quick History of Thanksgiving 16:19 Thanksgiving as the Modern Civil Feast 23:43 The Eucharist: A Thanksgiving Ritual 27:12 Living in Thanksgiving: Practical Applications 31:58 How Can Living Eucharistically Calm Anxiety? 35:48 Connecting the Eucharist to Everyday Meals 39:23 Navigating Thanksgiving Day Challenges 45:05 Navigating Family Dynamics During Thanksgiving 48:54 Avoiding Post-Thanksgiving Punishment Mentality 50:41 Incorporating Almsgiving into Thanksgiving 52:14 Simple Thanksgiving Rule of Thumb 53:24 On the 11th Hour Club 54:27 Final Advice on Eucharistic Life 01:04:05 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead 01:08:13 Outro Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donationWork with Dr. MikeOrder Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on AmazonSigned Copies, with digital bonusesIntro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album hereOrthodox Health InstagramOrthodox Health Telegram | |||
| Blue Zones, Longevity, & the Myth of the Perfect Diet | 24 nov. 2025 | 01:22:44 | |
Is “Blue Zone” longevity the new health religion? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John audit Okinawa, Sardinia, Ikaria, Nicoya, & Loma Linda... & ask what actually survives scrutiny when you put the Blue Zones story under an Orthodox Christian lens. We tie this episode back through the whole Sacred Diets Arc & then we zoom in on modern longevity culture: Blue Zones branding, “magic water” in Nicoya, glossy documentaries like The Human Longevity Project, & extreme anti-aging experiments to ask: At what point does caring for your body quietly turn into salvation by technique? You’ll hear:
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Chapters: Chapters 00:00 Opener 01:30 Recap of the Sacred Diets Arc 04:02 Introduction to the Myth of the Blue Zones 08:04 On the Religion of Longevity at Any Cost 13:10 Defining the Blue Zones 20:55 Narrative Landmines to Avoid 24:08 A Quick Trip to Okinawa 29:09 Making Okinawa Orthodox Again 32:34 Goats of Sardinia 38:14 Making Sardinia Orthodox Again 41:40 Ikaria: The Mediterranean Lifestyle at Human Speed 45:33 Keeping Ikaria Orthodox 48:18 Lessons from Nicoya: Simplicity & Community 55:26 Making Nicoya Orthodox Again 57:21 Insights from Loma Linda: The Adventist Approach 01:01:41 Making Loma Linda Orthodox Again 01:05:58 Blue Zones Keepers Vs. Idols 01:10:25 The Human Longevity Project: Insights & Cautions 01:13:40 Closing Thoughts on Sacred Diets 01:21:40 Outro Support the Show Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| Fasting Towards the Feast: An Orthodox Response to "Sacred Diets" | 17 nov. 2025 | 01:10:43 | |
Fasting isn’t a diet challenge or a biohack... it’s ascetical medicine inside the life of the Church. In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John pull together everything we’ve been tracing through the "Sacred Diets" arc... from Adventist “health reform” & occult kitchen rituals to Zen minimalism & macro-tracking... & answer the real question: How do I actually fast toward the Feast without wrecking my body, my mood, or my family? We lay out a simple, livable 7-day “Rule of the Kitchen” for the Nativity Fast, then walk line-by-line through the usual snags: fasting with kids without becoming the food police, therapeutic diets (PCOS, insulin resistance, AIP, gluten-free), heavy labor & shift work, & what to do when “Sunday blows up my macros.” From there, we connect the dots with the 5R Orthodox Health framework: Reorient, Rebuild, Resensitize, Refine, Return. If you’ve ever tried to keep the Church’s fasts & ended up edgy, scrupulous, isolated from parish meals, or just flat-out exhausted, this episode will give you merciful guardrails: clinic, not courtroom; altar, not lab bench. We keep the mind of the Fathers while staying brutally practical for real Orthodox families in the modern world. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:30 Introduction to the Orthodox Response to the Sacred Diets 08:46 Fasting as an Ascetical Medicine & Not a Punishment 13:11 Lessons from the Fathers About Fasting 18:50 The 7-Day Rule of the Kitchen 25:57 Dealing with Physical & Social Exceptions to the Rule 28:55 Dietary Defaults During the Fast 32:49 "But What About My Protein?" 42:16 Some Quick Housekeeping About Shellfish Concerns 44:03 When is it Time to Supplement Protein? 44:52 Won't Somebody Please Think of the Children? 45:56 Solutions for Specific Conditions 48:50 What About Pregnant or Nursing Women? 52:08 Fasting Physiology: The Orthodox Health Five R's 01:03:55 60-Second Saves 01:05:13 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead 01:09:39 Outro Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/Book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here Orthodox Health Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| The Occult Kitchen: Food as Magic, Diet as Ritual | 10 nov. 2025 | 01:01:25 | |
Food can train love... or it can train control. In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John follow the threads from ancient hearths & local household idols through the Renaissance’s “cookbook of correspondences” & into today’s wellness culture & #WitchTok. Why do so many modern routines feel like liturgy... complete with initiation, penance, confession, & excommunication... yet leave us restless? Along the way, they define the “occult kitchen,” widen the history (Sumeria, Babylon, Old Testament household idols & the prophets’ critique; Neoplatonic theurgy; Renaissance Hermeticism/Agrippa/Dee), & note how social algorithms turn private rites into public identity. If mercy can’t sit at your table, your rules need repentance. Takeaways:
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Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future, with digital bonuses: OrthodoxHealth.com/book Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon 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 | |||
| Zen & the Art of Dietary Maintenance: Eastern Imports & the New Age Diet | 03 nov. 2025 | 00:58:46 | |
In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & co-host John explore the intersection of Eastern dietary techniques and Western wellness culture. They discuss how these practices have evolved over time, the influence of Theosophy, & the moral implications of modern dietary practices. They put the wellness world’s calm-eating gospel under a brighter light & trace how Zen, yoga, Theosophy, & the UN/WHO era shaped America’s diet imagination... from the 1893 Parliament of Religions to the yoga boom... then separate what truly helps bodies from what quietly replaces communion with technique. They offer an Orthodox rule of life for the table (prayer, pace, portion, people, pattern), name where the stack breaks (scrupulosity, magical thinking, performance), & land with merciful, family-ready practices. Final calls for pre-orders of Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future: digital bundle + 40-day companion journal + Leaves for the Healing of the Nations. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:30 Introduction to Zen & Other Eastern Imports 08:31 Tracing the Path of Eastern Religion into Modern Kitchens 16:50 Extending an Olive Branch to the Yogis & New Agers 19:16 The Danger of Performative Rituals 21:51 A Deeper Spotlight on Fr. Seraphim Rose 27:14 Theosophy & Its Influence on Modern Yoga 33:12 Theosophy & UN Global Public Health Language 37:17 An Orthodox Response to New Age 50:38 The Five Anchors of Peaceful Eating 53:30 Be the Bee: Keep, Modify, & Toss Matrix 54:51 Closing Thoughts 57:42 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 Orthodoxy & the Religion of the Future by Fr. Seraphim Rose 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 Instagram Orthodox Health Telegram | |||
| The Covenant Kitchen: Judaism, Islam, & The Politics of the Plate | 27 oct. 2025 | 00:56:06 | |
From Levitical purity laws to global halal certification, The Covenant Kitchen traces how food became both a boundary & a battleground.
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Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:30 Introduction to The Covenant Kitchen 06:23 Nutrition & Ritual Under the Law 08:33 The Birth of the Talmud 10:28 The Intersection of Faith & Consumerism 11:49 Enter the Kabbalah 17:06 On the True Nature of Sacrifice 21:43 Western Legalism from Rome to Reform 24:32 Halal Structures & Spiritual Compliance 27:22 From Purity to Praise 29:37 Ritual Without Reverence 31:12 Extending an Olive Branch 34:02 Where Mysticism Enters the Kitchen 37:13 Kabbalah Reloaded 44:11 Islam's Holistic Hadiths 47:19 On Purity Laws & the Holiness Code 51:33 Closing Thoughts 55:01 Outro Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealthWork with Dr. Mike: https://www.OrthodoxHealth.comPre-Order Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: https://www.orthodoxhealth.com/bookIntro & 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-fundraiserOrthodox Health InstagramOrthodox Health Telegram | |||
| The Temperance Table: Mormonism, Methodism & the Caffeine-Free Gospel | 20 oct. 2025 | 01:00:41 | |
Why did America learn to fear the feast? In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John continue the story of how 19th-century revivalism, temperance preachers, & eventually Mormonism redefined food & drink as moral tests instead of gifts of grace. From Joseph Smith’s “caffeine-free gospel” to the Methodist crusade against alcohol, we uncover how Protestant (& post-Prostestant) restraint replaced the sacramental joy of the table. You’ll hear how Mormonism’s “Word of Wisdom” mixed piety with folk magick, how the Temperance Movement made self-control America’s new religion, & why Orthodoxy restores what the modern diet religions lost: communion, celebration, & thanksgiving. Because the goal isn’t to scrub the world clean... it’s to let grace illuminate it again. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:30 Introduction to the Caffeine-Free Gospel 05:45 The Word of Wisdom: Mormonism's Dietary Advice 09:06 The Role of Control in "Holiness" 11:28 Methodists & the Rise of the Temperance Movement 13:00 John's Quick Gospel of the Jedi Aside 13:40 On Trying to Legislate Holiness 19:37 An Aside on Mary as the Queen of Heaven 21:14 Prohibition as Fasting Without Feasting 24:07 Protestant Guilt & Modern Diet Culture 30:10 Hedonism as a Revolt Against Puritanism 31:55 Joy as a Commandment 34:54 Moralism & The Need for Ritual 37:57 Mormonism: America's Gnostic Great Awakening 41:02 Thy Will Vs. Self-Will in Salvation 43:50 The Contrast Between Prayer & Magic 49:20 The Folk Magic Roots of Modern Wellness Culture 53:15 The Wellness Gospel & Modern Rituals 55:40 Asceticism & the True Nature of Fasting 58:06 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead 59:36 Outro Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealthWork with Dr. Mike: https://www.OrthodoxHealth.comPre-Order Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: https://www.orthodoxhealth.com/bookIntro & 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-fundraiserOrthodox Health InstagramOrthodox Health Telegram | |||
| Feminism, Food & the Fall: Diet, Control & the Occult w/ Rachel Wilson | 13 oct. 2025 | 02:01:47 | |
In the finale of our Women’s Health Arc, Dr. Michael Christian & John sit down with Rachel Wilson, Orthodox Christian & author of Occult Feminism: The Secret History of Women’s Liberation, to expose how feminism, the occult, & modern wellness culture reshaped the female body, diet, & family. From yoga & the birth control pill to the Rockefeller-funded feminist revolution, Rachel traces how spiritual deception entered the kitchen & the clinic... redefining womanhood in the image of control, not communion. This conversation moves from Calvinism to Orthodoxy, from anorexia disguised as asceticism to the Gnostic myth of “liberation from biology.” Rachel also discusses her health challenges, the healing power of pregnancy, & the misconceptions surrounding childbirth.Together, they reveal how the Orthodox phronema, in general, & the Theotokos, in particular, restore true dignity to women... body, soul, & spirit. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:30 Introduction to Feminism & Health Outcomes 02:59 Rachel Wilson's Journey to Orthodoxy 13:38 Perks of Being an Intellectual Outcast 19:07 Ancestral Health & Autism 26:17 On Robb Wolf, The Godfather of Paleo 27:53 The Dark Roots of Yoga 32:41 Homeschooling & Preparing for Life Phases 34:11 The Scourge of Birth Control & "Family Planning" 42:01 Feminism's Impacts on Health 49:17 The Tragedy of the Two-Income Economy 56:01 The Realities of Biological Differences Between Men & Women 01:01:14 Callback to Presbytera Marina & Cycle Syncing 01:03:59 Hemochromatosis & Orthodox Fasting 01:08:20 The Feminist Myth of Death While Giving Birth 01:14:12 The Theotokos as a Model for Women 01:16:27 A Proper Christian Response to "Pro-Choice" 01:21:03 New Age & The Protestant Founding of America 01:26:10 The Growth of Orthodoxy in America 01:30:02 On the Amish 01:31:50 How Feminism Affects Food 01:34:09 Historical Misconceptions of Male Power 01:43:28 Rachel's Favorite Lift 01:50:09 The Importance of Lifting as We Age 01:55:46 Where Can You Find Rachel Wilson? 01:57:45 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead 02:00:43 OutroSupport the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donationWork with Dr. MikePre-Order Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the FutureIntro/Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album hereOrthodox Health InstagramOrthodox Health TelegramRachel's YoutubeRachel's Substack Rachel's Book: Occult Feminism | |||
| The Gospel of Grains: Revivalism, Guilt, & The USDA Food Pyramid | 06 oct. 2025 | 00:54:27 | |
When America lost throne & altar, it found a cereal bowl. In the 19th century, revival preachers turned purity into a health plan. In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian & John trace how revivalism, guilt, & moral panic built modern diet culture. Takeaways:
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Chapters: 00:00 Opener 01:30 Introduction to Sacred Diets 06:15 The 19th Century Health Reform Movement 11:51 Ellen G. White & Dietary Purity 16:38 From the Great Disappointment to the Gospel of the Gut 23:08 Fasting Without Burnout Plan Promo 24:19 John Harvey Kellogg & the Birth of Cereal 29:58 Establishing Battle Creek & The Sanitarium System 34:39 Institutionalization of Battle Creek & the Sanitariums 36:15 The USDA Food Pyramid & Its Implications 41:20 Traditional Orthodox Rejection of Veganism 44:53 Reorienting Food's Sacredness 46:17 On the Nature of Orthodox Fasting 50:15 Closing Thoughts & Looking Forward 53:22 Outro Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: Buy Us a Coffee!Work with Dr. Mike: https://www.OrthodoxHealth.comPre-Order Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: https://www.orthodoxhealth.com/bookIntro & 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 | |||