Orthodox Health

Dr. Michael Kuhn
  • 4.6 (10)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

What does it mean to truly care for your body, mind, & soul in a way that aligns with Christ? Orthodox Health explores the timeless wisdom of the Orthodox Church in cultivating holistic well-being—spiritually, physically, & mentally. Join your hosts as we dive into topics like fasting, nutrition, exercise, prayer, & overcoming modern health pitfalls through an Orthodox Christian lens. With guest interviews, theological insights, & practical applications, this podcast helps you break free from the consumer-driven health industry & reclaim a balanced, faith-centered life.

  1. 4D AGO

    Discipline, Testosterone, & the Fast: Men’s Health Done Right w/ Gavin McCort

    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: Why testosterone is collapsing in modern menThe difference between ascetic discipline vs biohacking cultureTraining during Orthodox fasting seasonsHow dopamine addiction, adult entertainment, & gaming culture destroy male driveThe connection between spiritual discipline & physical strengthWhy modern men avoid resistance & responsibilityHow fasting actually builds strength instead of weakening menMasculinity, virtue, & the collapse of discipline Sound Bytes: “The problem isn't low testosterone... it's low discipline.”“If your life requires zero resistance, your body will reflect that.”“Asceticism isn't weakness. It's training for the soul.”“Modern men want optimization without sacrifice.”“Strength training without discipline is just vanity.”“Orthodox fasting doesn't weaken men... it forges them.” 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

    1h 15m

  2. MAR 2

    Minimum Effective Lent: A Practical Orthodox Rule for the Great Fast

    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: Prayer Rule – Non-negotiable daily rhythmFasting Plate – Simplify, don’t obsessSleep Discipline – Asceticism includes restMovement – Train the body, don’t punish itRepentance Posture – Humility over performance 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

    1h 3m

  3. FEB 23

    Repentance is a Miracle: Forgiveness Is the Doorway to Lent with Fr. John Wehling

    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: Lent begins with reconciliation: before you pick up the fast, put down the grudge.Forgiveness ≠ reconciliation: forgiveness is not the same thing as trust, access, or pretending the wound was imaginary.Forgiveness as “loosing”: forgiveness separates the person from the sin as far as it’s within our power.Don’t feed the memory of injury: treat it like a tempting thought (don’t rehearse it; redirect it into prayer).Repentance is a miracle: despair paralyzes, but repentance is already grace at work (expose the wound & give the Physician a chance to treat it).A household practice of peace: asking forgiveness regularly trains the home for communion, not just “good behavior.” Sound Bytes: “The Church is not starting Lent with a productivity plan. She's not starting with a diet. She's not starting it with a heroic list.”“However, she is starting it with a doorway & that doorway is forgiveness.”“Before you pick up the Fast, put down the grudge.”“Repentance makes anything possible.”“Repentance is a miracle.”“If you refuse to forgive somebody, your heart just won't work right.”“Lent is the school. It will teach you what repentance is.” 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

    1h 23m

  4. FEB 16

    Sunday of the Last Judgment: Mercy or Self-Deception? with Fr. John Peck

    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 urgency of repentance in the TriodionWhy “There’s No Hurry” is spiritually deadlyMercy vs. self-deceptionMan as the priest of creationCan yoga be Christianified?Orthodoxy & real health (GLP-1, glyphosate, & modern shortcuts)Why AI will never replace priests or physiciansThe Church does not begin Lent with a meal plan. She begins with mercy. This is Meatfare Sunday. Act accordingly. Sound Bytes: The demon’s best lie is: ‘There’s no hurry.’” “You don’t know when your last confession will be.” “Mercy starts where it becomes painful.” “I’m a psychopath on a leash... thank God for the leash.” “God sees you.” “God isn’t hiding from you... He’s inviting you to seek.” “Don’t ask Jesus to give you patience... ask Him to be your patience.” “When man disintegrates, the cosmos follows.” “Old tricks are the best tricks." 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 Journey to Orthodoxy Preacher's Institute Good Guys Wear Black Bible Drill Field Manual S.W.A.T. Team Manual Bible Divas 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

    1h 32m

  5. FEB 9

    The Prodigal Son: Repentance & the Healing of the Soul w/ Fr. Michael Butler (Avg2Alpha)

    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: Repentance in Orthodoxy is not self-hatred, but reorientation & return God meets us exactly where we are, but does not leave us there Mercy is not permissiveness; it is grace that calls us higher The “older brother” temptation is often resentment disguised as obedience Distraction, overstimulation, & restlessness mirror spiritual exile True healing involves confession, stability, & embodied spiritual rhythm Discipline of the body must serve communion with God, not ego or control Sound Bytes: “God meets us where we are, but He calls us back into the home.”“Repentance isn’t about self-condemnation... it’s about coming to yourself.”“Mercy does not mean permissiveness. God never leaves us where we are.”“The older brother did everything right... & still couldn’t rejoice.”“When we’re scattered spiritually, it shows up as restlessness in the body.”“The Church is not a courtroom. It’s a hospital.”“The real victory in wrestling with God is learning how to surrender.”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

    1h 26m

  6. FEB 2

    The Sin of Being “Right”: Humility as Medicine w/ Fr. Zechariah Lynch (Inkless Pen Blog)

    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: Pride = threat posture (defensiveness, vigilance, comparison) → stress reactivity, shallow breathing, worse sleep, irritability.Humility = truth + safety → lowers reactivity, restores attention, repentance becomes possible.The Pharisee’s problem isn’t effort... it’s posture. “Doing the right things” can still become self-justification.Comparison corrupts prayer. It turns communion with God into a scoreboard.The fast is a tool, not a trophy. If it makes you harsher, something’s off.Humility isn’t self-hatred. It’s truth without theatrics... & it actually makes repentance doable.A sober Lent beats a heroic Lent. Sustainable obedience > “drill sergeant” intensity.Sound Bytes: “You can do the fast & still be worshipping yourself.”“The Church doesn’t start with the menu... she starts with the heart.”“If your fasting makes you harsher, it’s not cleansing you.”“Humility is truth without theatrics.”“Repentance isn’t a mood. It’s a direction.” 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

    1h 17m

  7. JAN 26

    Healing in a Sanctified World: Herbs, Winter, & Discernment w/ Presvytera Krystina Valadez

    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: Health is not a technique, supplement, or hack... it is relational & participatoryHerbs are tools, not talismansHealing often unfolds through prayer, repentance, & endurance, not instant fixesSaints, relics, & sacramental life belong in conversations about healthModern “wellness culture” often mirrors magical thinking more than medicineCommunity, motherhood, & lived faith profoundly shape healingThe Orthodox Health 5R framework restores order to modern health chaosLocal, seasonal, & embodied practices matter more than imported solutions Sound Bytes: “Health is not magic.”“It’s not just that an herb worked... it’s that prayer deepened.”“We cry out to God most often in our trials.”“Herbs don’t replace faith. They belong under it.”“Suffering isn’t punishment... it can be for healing.”“Wellness culture often replaces the Church with techniques.”“The body heals best when it’s placed back into right relationship.” 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

    1h 29m

  8. JAN 19

    The Spiritual Root of Winter Immunity: Order, Fear, & Faith

    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: Theophany isn’t a calendar moment... it’s a proclamation of reality: creation is sanctified, not neutral & not magic.Winter demands containment, not heroics: more warmth, more rhythm, fewer chaotic inputs.“Communion logic” beats “control logic”: health is received through order, not seized through panic.Modern winter sickness is often “stress debt”: overstimulation + poor sleep + constant urgency, leads to lower resilience (allostatic load).Orthodox winter health includes community: we don’t build a “perfect immunity” lifestyle that requires abandoning parish life.Cold exposure can train resilience (carefully): the Theophany cross dive points to courage & seasonal adaptation; BAT activation is real, but not a magic shield.Health is stewardship, not salvation: when remedies become identity, peace collapses.Remedies belong downstream: order first; then supportive tools (setting up Herbs 2.0 next week). Soundbytes: “Theophany isn’t a theme... it’s a proclamation about reality.”“Sanctified matter isn’t magic. It’s gift.”“Winter has to be received as a season, not treated as an emergency.”“Winter demands containment... not more effort.”“If you want to see what you worship, look at what you sacrifice your peace for.”“The body can handle winter if the soul is not screaming.”“Existence is exposure... but you can receive it with peace or with panic.”“Health is stewardship, not salvation.”“When remedies become a religion, peace goes down as ‘knowledge’ goes up.”“Boring, holy, effective... that’s winter done right.” 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

    59 min
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4.6
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10 Ratings

About

What does it mean to truly care for your body, mind, & soul in a way that aligns with Christ? Orthodox Health explores the timeless wisdom of the Orthodox Church in cultivating holistic well-being—spiritually, physically, & mentally. Join your hosts as we dive into topics like fasting, nutrition, exercise, prayer, & overcoming modern health pitfalls through an Orthodox Christian lens. With guest interviews, theological insights, & practical applications, this podcast helps you break free from the consumer-driven health industry & reclaim a balanced, faith-centered life.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Michael Kuhn
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Michael Kuhn
  • Show Website
    Orthodox Health

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