Orthodox Health Faith, Flourishing, Femininity, & Public Health w/ guest Katherine Phillips of The Faithful Flourish Podcast
In this opening episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast Women’s Health & Femininity arc, Dr. Michael Christian & co-host John welcome Katherine Phillips, host of the Faithful Flourish Podcast. With a background in public health & daily work as a health insurance broker, Katherine brings both clarity & conviction to the challenges women face in today’s medicalized, performance-driven world.
Together, we explore the deep intersections of Orthodox faith, prevention, & the feminine body... & how the Church’s vision for healing goes far beyond what modern healthcare systems can offer.
This episode lays the foundation for our new series on women’s health. Whether you’re a mother, daughter, or simply longing to understand the sacred feminine body through an Orthodox lens, this conversation will challenge, encourage, and inspire.
Takeaways:
- Why spiritual health forms the foundation for physical, mental, & relational health.
- The pitfalls of modern healthcare: access, affordability, & profit-driven care.
- Orthodoxy’s preventative wisdom: fasting, prayer, rhythms of the Church.
- The feminine call to live a “soft life,” rooted in Scripture and tradition.
- How sisterhood & mentorship in the Church strengthen women at every stage.
- Yoga may distract from spiritual focus & should be approached with caution.
- The current healthcare system often prioritizes profit over patient care.
- The church has a historical role in providing healthcare & should continue to do so, in an expanded manner.
- Women often face unique challenges in maintaining their faith & health.
- Flourishing in faith involves integrating spiritual practices into daily life.
Soundbytes:
“When your spiritual health is out of line, everything else falls out of balance.” – Katherine Phillips
“The Church is not just a place of worship. It’s a hospital for the soul.” – Dr. Michael Christian
“There’s no reason to choose practices like yoga when Orthodoxy already gives us healthier, holier ways to flourish.” – Katherine Phillips
“Prevention isn’t just a medical term. It’s a spiritual calling to tend to the temple of the Holy Spirit.” – John
Chapters:
00:00 Opener
01:30 Introduction to the Orthodox Health Women's Arc
03:34 Introduction to Katherine Phillips of the Faithful Flourish Podcast
04:57 Katherine's Personal Connections Between Orthodoxy & Health
07:18 Yoga & Christianity?
10:59 The Biggest Problem in the Healthcare System
15:07 The Profit-Driven Model & Medical Devastation
16:46 Bureaucratic Red Tape in Diagnostics & Insurance Claims
19:09 On the Importance of Preventive Care
26:28 Greek & Italian Folk Medicine
27:36 On the Importance of Tradition & Ritual in Spiritual Life
32:10 What is the Faithful Flourish Podcast?
36:20 What Does Femininity Look Like From an Orthodox Perspective
40:16 Complementary Roles Within Marriage
43:36 The Role of Sisterhoods in the Church
49:34 A Message to the Ortho Gentlemen
51:06 Final Thoughts on Facilitating Care as the Church
53:07 A Call to Greek Angel Investors
54:10 Where to Find Katherine Phillips & the Faithful Flourish Podcast
56:47 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead
58:32 Outro
Support the Show with a One-Time or Recurring donation: coff.ee/OrthodoxHealth
Work with Dr. Mike: https://www.OrthodoxHealth.com
Pre-Order Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: https://www.orthodoxhealth.com/book
Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here:https://stjohnorthodoxchurch.bandcamp.com/album/come-ye-faithful-building-fundraiser
Orthodox Health IG: @Orthodox_Health
Katherine's IG: @faithfulflourishpodcast
Work with Katherine for Insurance: katherinephillipsinsurance.com