Faithful Flourish: A Podcast for the Modern Orthodox Christian Woman

Are you planning your travel this summer? Add a spiritual pilgrimage to your itinerary.

As Orthodox Christians, there are many spiritual sites to visit around the world. You can see relics from saints and artifacts that represent the history of Orthodox Christianity.

In this episode, Katherine reviews several travel destinations both in Greece and the United States that you can visit and experience the beauty of Orthodox Christianity.

She also gives 3 practical tips to maintain your prayer life while traveling.

Have a topic you want featured on a future episode? Write us at: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram to never miss an update @faithfulflourishpodcast

Time stamps:

2:48 Kefalonia

8:48 Zakynthos

11:26 Corfu

12:28 Patra

14: 25 Patmos, Tinos, Meteora

18:28 Clothing tips when visiting churches

19:36 Russia and Eastern Europe

20:32 San Fransisco, New York, Alaska, Arizona, Florida

27:39 3 Tips to maintain prayer

Resources:

Daily Readings App: https://www.goarch.org/-/daily-reading-app

Eikon App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/eik%C5%8Dn-ancient-prayers/id6502774442

Orthodox Bible App: https://www.orthodoxbible.app/

Diptych icon for travel: https://store.ancientfaith.com/diptych-theotokos-with-christ-child-and-christ-blessing-medium-icons/

Dating as a Christian means that faith plays a pivotal rolein our relationships. The Bible provides us with wisdom and guidance on how to approach love and companionship. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

In this episode, Katherine discusses dating from an Orthodox Christian perspective, which is with marriage in mind.

Katherine discusses the significance of marriage in the Orthodox Christian church and why it is important to choose the right spouse.

She also reviews if it is ok to date someone who is not an Orthodox Christian.

Finally, approaching dating the traditional way is discussed, including 5 practical tips that can be applied to your dating life.

Have a topic you want discussed on a future episode? Write us at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast to never miss an update.

Time stamps:

2:41 Dating as an Orthodox Christian

4:33 Modern-day dating vs. Courting

13:14 Dating in the traditional way / meeting a godly man

16:00 What you can do as a single woman to prepare for marriage

20:56 Marriage as a sacrament in the Orthodox Church

23:13 Is it ok to date someone who is not Orthodox Christian?

29:02 Approaching dating in a traditional Christian way/ 5 practical tips

Welcome to Part 2 of the Media and Faith Series!

In this episode, Katherine discusses the influence of social media on your personal and spiritual life.

From unrealistic expectations to unreliable resources, social media can take you away from God.

Learn about how social media has changed and can affect you.

Have a topic you would like featured on a future episode? Write us at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast to never miss an update.

Time stamps:

1:27 My social media use

8:06 Why social media can impact your life and faith

10:45 How social media has changed

11:57: How social media is a waste of time and narratives are controlled

14:03 How social media has disrupted society

15:30 How social media affects social skills

16:28 Posting online best practices

18:16 Orthodox Christian content online and the dangers of only relying on online content as an Orthodox Christian

20:05 The importance of going to church in person

21:32 Why women have to be careful with what they post online

23:11 How social media takes us away from our faith

24:13 Putting yourself on social media takes courage

Welcome to the 3 Part Series about Media and Faith!

In this series, Katherine analyzes the impact movies, tv shows, and music have on your faith.

On this episode, Katherine reviews the entertainment industry and how it was created to influence our thinking. She highlights the norms that are pushed in the media like sex, drugs, and alcoholism, and how these images on screen can impact your thoughts.

She also reflects on the music industry and how what you listen to impacts your daily life.

Join us as we review the entertainment industry and how it can affect your spiritual health.

Have a topic you want us to discuss on a future episode? Send an email to [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast

Time Stamps

4:24 The entertainment industry and norms

9:57 Negative consequences of the entertainment industry

14:45 Negative thoughts

18:06 Analysis of the music industry

24:40 Alternatives to mainstream media

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

Have you ever felt like you compare your life to others? These comparisons are not only a burden to your mental health but to your spiritual health. By comparing ourselves with others, we can't focus on the life that God has planned for us and trust that He will provide for us at the right time.

In this episode, Katherine discusses comparison and how it can affect your life. She gives practical tips to combat comparing your life to others. She also talks about what it means to trust God's plan for you and God's timing for your life.

Have a topic you would like discussed in a future episode? Write us at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast

Time stamps:

1:50 Comparing yourself with others

4:58 How to stop comparing yourself with others

9:36 God's plan for our life

10:47 Trusting God's plan for your life

14:10 Mystery in Orthodox Christianity

15:44 Trusting God's timing

16: 30 Prepare for the right time and avoid waiting

19:02 Having patience

Welcome to the Lenten Podcast Series! This series will cover each week of Great Lent and provide a relatable topic you can reflect on.

Have you ever felt like you have done something in your past and will never be forgiven?

Do you feel guilt and shame for what you did?

Are you constantly dwelling on your past mistakes?

In this episode, Katherine draws inspiration from the story of St. Mary of Egypt and how we can repent from our sins.

She also gives you practical steps to let go of your past sins and the guilt and shame you may feel.

This is the final episode of the Lenten Podcast Series. Thank you so much for tuning in!

Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast

Got a topic you want featured on a future episode? Write us @[email protected]

Resources

Books:

Know the Faith by Rev. Michael Sanbour

Words of the Heart by Gerondissa Markrina Vassopolou

Time Stamps:

1:00 Reflections on intentions for Lent

5:45 St. Mary of Egypt

6:32 The Crucifixion and it's importance

8:03 Adam and Eve's original sin

12:09 Growing in your faith when you feel guilty

13:03 How Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant view guilt/ repentance

16:42 How to deal with guilt

18:35 Feeling shame

20:16 Why you shouldn't dwell on your past

22:49 Discernment and opportunities

Welcome to the Lenten Podcast Series! This series will cover each week of Great Lent and provide a relatable topic that you can reflect on.

In this episode, Katherine examines St. John Climacus' Ladder of Divine Ascent and how it relates to our spiritual journey.

She also highlights the importance of planning for your future and creating the ideal life for yourself, but gives you insights on how to do so from a faith-based perspective.

Episodes will be released weekly, so follow along as we go on the journey of Great Lent together!

Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast

Got a topic you want featured on a future episode? Write us at [email protected].

Resources

Books:

Thirty Steps to Heaven by Vassilios Papavassiliou

The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus

Time Stamps:

3:23 Intro to The Ladder of Divine Ascent/ St. John Climacus

6:27 Rung 1: Renunciation of the World

13:04 Rung 6: Rememberance of Death

17:26 Rung 13:Tedium and Despondency

23:38 Creating your ideal life

30:14 Seeking God's guidance

Welcome to the Lenten Podcast Series! This series will cover each week of Great Lent and provide a relatable topic that you can reflect on.

In this episode, Katherine talks about the metaphor of what it means to "bear your cross."

Whether you are struggling with an illness, past traumatic experience, or currently are dealing with something in your life that is difficult, Katherine explores how these experiences can shape your faith journey.

She also helps you to better understand what it means to "take up your cross" as Jesus Christ urges Christians to do in the Bible (Luke 9:23).

Episodes will be released weekly, so follow along as we go on the journey of Great Lent together!

Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast

Got a topic you want featured on a future episode? Email us at [email protected]

Time stamps

1:00 Intro

1:45 Sunday of the Holy Cross

1: 57: The imagery of "bearing one's cross"

5:54 Examples of crosses Modern Orthodox Christian bear

6:04 Singleness/ getting married

8:03 Struggling of balancing work and faith

12:00 Illness/ Disability; patience, prayer, and humility

22:42 Spiritual guidance for Orthodox Christian women: how to bear your crosses

26:07 How to grow in your spiritual health

Resources:

Orthodox Bible App: https://orthodoxbible.app/

Illness and The Believer (Newrome Press) BUY HERE

**Disclaimer: While your faith can help you get through hard times, it is important to seek professional help when necessary. This podcast is only an educational tool for your spiritual life, and I am not an expert. All examples shared are based on my knowledge/ experience.**

Welcome to the Lenten Podcast Series! This series will cover each week of Great Lent and provide a relatable topic you can reflect on.

In this episode, Katherine reflects on the miracle of the Paralytic (Mark 2: 1-12) and what it means to be forgiven.

She also reflects on how women can balance being independent while also bringing out their feminine traits. Finally, she relates St. Gregory Palamas' teachings to your daily life.

Episodes will be released weekly, so follow along as we go on the journey of Great Lent!

Follow us on Instagram @faithfulflourishpodcast

Got a topic you want me to discuss on a future episode? Write to us at [email protected]

Time Stamps

1:00 Intro

4:00 On Confession

6:00 St. Gregory Palamas

8:00 Gospel Reading

10:00 Forgiveness

11:44 Why Ask For Help?

12:36 Women's independence in the modern world

14:30 How asking for help relates to faith