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Have you ever wondered how the Orthodox Christian church views culture? In the modern world, we are exposed to many cultural ideologies, technology, arts, media, and even lifestyles. However, culture in the Orthodox Christian Church has a greater influence. We can use our faith to help discern what it means to participate in these cultural moments in the modern world. Additionally, culture is preserved through our church communities and the traditions. Discover how culture has been preserved within the Orthodox Church for over 2000 years. In this episode, Katherine explains how culture and our faith are connected, and how ethnic culture influences our worship. Have a topic you want featured on a future episode? Write us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast so you never miss an update. This episode is 1 of 4 remaining episodes of 2025! Episodes will be released every other week going forward from 10/29/2025 to 12/10/2025, with no episodes being posted during the Christmas and New Year's holiday.

Are you looking to start a business? As modern women, having a career can look different for everyone. But whatever we do, it is important to bring Christ into our work. This week, Katherine sits down with Erin Thobias of Orthodox Small Business Alliance. Erin not only connects other Orthodox Christian business owners, but also owns a successful freelance business where she specializes in advertizing, marketing and freelancing. Erin Thobias is a trusted brand strategist for high-capacity visionaries who refuse to live a life separate from Jesus Christ to run their business. After a successful career in corporate advertising, Erin launched her own consulting practice. Today, she applies big-brand marketing expertise to accelerate and amplify the voices of faith-driven founders. Erin empowers each client with a custom digital ecosystem that showcases their vision, creates wealth, and builds a brand positioned for lasting impact. From social media and websites to podcasts and membership hubs, every asset is intentionally crafted to capture their unique God-given voice and scale their influence.You can ask Erin anything at www.erinthobias.com/ama and connect with her on Instagram @erinthobias.Have a topic you want featured on a future episode? Write us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast to never miss an update.

Have you ever wondered how your life in the secular world is aligned with living your Orthodox Christian faith? As modern Orthodox Christians, we are not expected to give up all of the innovations and modern media of the secular world and only fill our minds with Orthodox Christian media. However, as the world changes, so has the content that is available to us. Living in the secular world exposes us to anti-Christian messages, and it is up to us as to whether we want to follow these beliefs or stay true to our faith. In this episode, Katherine breaks down what it means to live your faith as an Orthodox Christian, and the importance of committing to it. Then, she highlights the issues with how the modern world can influence us, and what we can do to stay strong in our beliefs. Finally, she provides tips on how to enjoy the entertainment put forth in the secular world, but still stay true to your Orthodox faith. Have a topic you want featured on a future episode? Write us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast to never miss an update.

Of all the passions, envy is considered to be the most destructive. It is the inner torment and harassment that you feel at the sight of another person’s happiness. It is soul-crushing to feel grief over anything good that happens in another person’s life. We are all envious from time to time. Whether we are jealous of something we see on social media, a purchase someone has made, a relationship someone is in, or someone's living situation, this can all induce envy. We can all probably think of a time when we were jealous of someone’s situation or what they had and thought ,“why not me?” In this episode, Katherine explores envy from an Orthodox Christian perspective. She reviews how it is dangerous to our souls and gives examples from the Bible. Finally, she offers strategies to overcome envy. Have a topic you want featured on a future episode? Write us at [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast to never miss an update. Resources: The Vice Of Envy by Hieromonk Gregorios

Failure and rejection are among the top fears that hold us back from achieving the life we dreamed for ourselves. However, being paralyzed by these fears does not allow you to honor the life that God has given you and instead make you lose opportunities that you could have otherwise benefited from or learned a valuable lesson. In this episode, Katherine offers her insights into how to overcome the fear of failure and rejection. She also provides examples of scenarios where we may feel like we are failing and what we can do instead. Disclaimer: The fear of rejection and failure can stem from childhood traumas. Katherine is not a trained medical professional, and all content in this episode is based on personal opinions and experiences. Seek professional help if necessary. Have a topic you want featured on the next episode? Write us at [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast to never miss an update. Resources: Check out the past episode about Creativity Embracing Creativity: Unlock Curiosity and Overcome Fear with Alexa Phillips

Grace is the ultimate display of femininity. It represents elegance and refinement. But did you know that it has a deeper meaning in our spiritual life? In this episode, Katherine analyzes the theology of grace and how the Orthodox Christian church views it. She highlights how grace is delivered to us as a "breath of life" at our conception, and the role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives. Finally, she gives examples of grace from our ultimate role model: the Theotokos. Have a topic that you want featured on the podcast? Write us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram at @faithfulflourishpodcast to never miss an update. Resources: Check out the newest episode from Orthodox Health podcast, where Katherine was featured as a guest: Faith, Flourishing, Femininity & Public Health with Guest Katherine Phillips of the Faithful Flourish Podcast All information referenced from: Know the Faith by Rev. Michael Shanbour

The traditions of Orthodox Christianity can be used to shape our modern lives. On this episode, Katherine discusses how to incorporate the traditions we learn as Orthodox Christians into our modern lives to help us live our faith authentically and meaningfully. Have a topic you would like featured on the next episode? Write us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram so you never miss an update @faithfulflourishpodcast

As Orthodox Christianity grows, more catechumens are entering the church. However, the process takes time and is filled with learning the theology and traditions of Orthodoxy that can best be experienced in person at services or learned through daily practice. On this week’s episode, Katherine welcomes GwynneHoffmaster, a recent convert to the Orthodox Christian faith. Gwynne is a young wife and mother who was recently baptized with her young son and offers insights into the process and tells her story of finding Orthodox Christianity. Gwynne grew up in the Seattle area in a home without faith,never imagining that one day she’d find herself in the Orthodox Church. It wasn’t until her mid-twenties, as a young wife and mom, that she began searching for something deeper — something that could give her life meaning andpeace. That search led her to Christ, and this last Pascha she and her son were baptized together, stepping fully into the life of the Church. Her video sharing her catechumen experience has already touched thousands of people online, and today she’s here to share her journey — the struggles, the surprises, and the beauty — and to encourage other women who might be wondering if Orthodoxy could be for them too. Have a topic you want featured on the next episode? Write us at [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast to nevermiss an update. You can find Gwynne on Youtube. Resources Books: The Age of Nihilism by Fr. John Strickland The Forgotten Medicine: TheMystery of Repentance by Archimandrite Seraphim Aleksiev Preparing for Confession (Includes reflections and prayers): Greek OrthodoxArchdiocese Guide

Have you ever wondered how the Orthodox Christian church approaches women’s health? When it comes to health, we view our bodies as a temple thatGod created, and we should honor and respect His creation. As women, our bodies bear the most important difference that men do not have: being able to bear children. Because of this, women have different hormones than men, as well as a menstrual cycle each month that shapes our unique reproductive system. On this week’s episode, Katherine interviews Presbytera Marina Thornburg, who offers her insights into the importance of cycle syncing, hormones, and fitness as they relate to women’s health. Presbytera Marina is a women’s health coach, certified nutritionist specializing in female hormonal health, and a certified personal trainer. She is passionate about educating women about their hormones, how to regulate them, and heal from endocrine imbalances and reclaim their vitality. She offers unique insights into the importance of being in tune with your body and its natural rhythms. From an Orthodox Christian perspective, Presbytera Marina provides her expertise regarding fasting for the upcoming Dormition Fast, as well as advice to approach health in a faith- based way. Follow Presbytera Marina on Instagram@orthodox_true_femininity Check out the Orthodox True Femininity Website and Blog: orthodoxtruefemininity.com Visit the Gumroad shop to purchase women’s health and fasting guides: https://lilliemuse.gumroad.com Have a topic you want featured on a future episode? Write [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast Check out our website: faithful-flourish.com

Gossiping and judging others may seem inconsequential in the moment, but these actions can have a profound impact on our spiritual life. Not only can this cause us to fall into greater sins, but it also does not allow us to love our neighbour as Jesus Christ calls Christians to do. In this episode, Katherine reviews the Orthodox Christian view on judgment and gossip and provides evidence from the Bible as well as teachings from the Church Fathers. She also provides actionable steps to take to avoid gossip and judgment in the future. Have a topic you want featured on a future episode? Write us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram so you never miss an update @faithfulflourishpodcast Check out our website: https://www.faithful-flourish.com/ Time stamps: 1:04 Intro to judgment in the Bible 6:34 Gossip 10:35 Falling into lust 11:52 Falling into other passions 14:03 The results of judging others 16:51 How judging others can harm others 18:29 Spreading false information that is not accurate is harmful 26:17 How to overcome the vice of judgment 29:30 How to get rid of judgmental thoughts Resources: Do Not Judge By Heiromonk Gegorios - New Rome Press

What is the Orthodox Christian view about zodiac signs, yoga, and superstitions? When it comes to these topics, they are controversial and go against the teachings of the Orthodox Christian church. In this episode, Katherine analyzes these practices and explains why they can lead to separation from God. Have a topic you would like discussed on a future episode? Please write us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast to never miss an episode. Check out our website: faithful-flourish.com Time stamps: 2:06 Astrology/ Zodiac signs 14:13 Yoga 17:57 Luck/ superstitions 19:15 Tarot cards, stones 20:10 Halloween and Santa Claus Resources: Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future by Seraphim Rose

How can you be more creative? As women, we can embrace our femininity by being creative, but unlocking this creativity can be a challenge if you do not let yourself be curious and overcome the fear of failure. On this week's episode, Katherine interviews Alexa Phillips. Alexa is a writer, brand marketing strategist, and multi-passionate creative. With almost a decade of marketing and writing experience, Alexa has worked with enterprises, startups, and creative entrepreneurs to build and grow their brands. She is the founder of Bright Eyes Creative, a Seattle-based consultancy and media company that helps consumer brands and creatives design brand experiences & media. She is also the author of Creatives Anonymous, a weekly newsletter that explores what it means to be a modern-day creative through essays, interviews, and commentary.  You can connect with her on LinkedIn, Threads, and Instagram. Have a topic you want featured on a future episode? Write us at [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast so you never miss an update. Time Stamps 2:24 Alexa's faith journey 9:45 Embracing your creativity and Creatives Anonymous Newsletter 14:49 How to exercise your creativity 20:38 Having a personal brand 21:11 Being authentic online and with your brand 26:32 Why you should have hobbies 29:32 How to balance being creative and your faith 33:50 Finding a community of like-minded Orthodox Christians 37:04 Advice to women who want to start a new hobby 40:15 The secret to unlocking success 45:57 Chase your curiosity Resources: The Artist's Way Guided book to unlock your creativity Gem Creative Co: create your personal brand

What happens when you choose to make your faith the center of your life? In this episode, Katherine talks about why you should choose your faith. Choosing to make your faith the center of your life can alter the path of your life. Glorifying God every day not only means living your faith, but continuing getting closer to God. Katherine also reflects on some of her favorite Pascha memories. Time Stamps 0:50 Schedule of Holy Week 4:45 How to continue glorifying God every day 7:24 Planning to make God the center of your life 9:09 What to do as a single person to grow in your faith 11:43 Traditions of Pascha and core memories 21:23 Why do we call it Pascha? Have a topic you would like discussed on a future episode? Write us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast