Holistic Christian Life - Worshiping God - Mind, Body, Soul

Cynthia wants to introduce you to Ellie Roscher, the author of 12 Tiny Things among other books that reveal her faith and interest in all things health and wellness.  What are some of the small things you implement intentionally into your day, your week, or even your year, that can make all the difference in your health and mindset? Ellie Roscher is the author of 12 Tiny Things, Play Like a Girl and How Coffee Saved My Life. Her writing also appears in the Baltimore Review, Inscape Magazine, Bookology Magazine, Church Anew and elsewhere. Ellie hosts the Unlikely Conversations podcast, teaches yoga at Up Yoga and teaches writing at The Loft Literary Center and the Minnesota Writing Project. Ellie holds an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in Theology from Luther Seminary. Follow her at @ellieroscher and find out more at ellieroscher.com. Is it time to make some changes in your life? Do you want to stop the madness and get on track with your health? Maybe coaching is right for you. I've helpe

Cynthia introduces you to Liz in this leisurely conversation.  She describes her family as a nourished one, living on hunted game, homeschooled babies, running small businesses, and leaning into the Lord’s calling. They talk about what it looks like to get back to eating the old fashioned way…the way God provided.  Coming from an eating disorder herself, she has some great tips for raising children to be conscious about food in a healthy way.  She also includes 5 ways to involve your kids in the kitchen. Squirrel soup anyone?  Check out all of her free resources and recipes on her website. Remember to use cynthia15 for a discount on her curriculum!  Meet Liz Haselmayer. She has a nourished family, living on hunted game, homeschooling, running small businesses, and leaning into the Lord’s calling. Two years ago she wanted a way to teach her girls about real food, food freedom, and the beauty that comes with nourishing ourselves well. Unfortunately, there was nothing out there. Liz believes conventional nutriti

Do you have a hard time sitting quietly in the presence of God?  Today Cynthia talks to Brian Russell about his new book and the life changing rewards of learning how to be still…and practice prayerful silence. Brian Russell (Ph.D.) is an award winning professor and a transformational coach for entrepreneurs, pastors and spiritually-minded professionals. His personal mission is to seek out, study, and live the deepest truths so that he can share them compellingly, lovingly, and transformationally with others. He is the author of four books including his latest– Centering Prayer: How Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your life (Paraclete Press, Sept 2021). You can find out more about centering prayer, coaching, and Brian's other resources at www.brianrussellphd.com  Is it time to make some changes in your life? Do you want to stop the madness and get on track with your health? Maybe coaching is right for you. I've helped many people gain their health back over the years, and would love to talk with

Sarah and Sasha are on the show today with Cynthia!  Both are in the Filled With Less membership community, and together they wrote A Sacred Beginning - Nurturing Your Body, Mind and Soul During Baby’s First 40 Days. It was a delight to talk with them about the book, their journeys, and the tips they have for mothers.  Sarah Brangwynne is a Christian, wife, mother, and psychotherapist. She received her M.A. in Expressive Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA and is a licensed professional counselor and board certified dance/movement therapist specializing in reproductive mental health and holistic wellness. In addition to her professional training, she became a mother in 2010 and credits her children as being her most enlightening and demanding teachers. Sarah enjoys learning, cooking, crafting, the arts, exploring the natural world, and sharing about living a Christian life. A native of New Hampshire, Sarah lived, studied, and worked along the North and South Eastern U

Cynthia speaks with Sebastien Falardeau today on the topic of Grief.  So many seem to be grieving these days.  It could be a loss of a loved one, an acquaintance, a way of life, a job, a friendship...it can all be overwhelming.  It’s very important to have tools at this time to work though grief.  As you will hear Sebastien say “Action, not time, heals.”  Is it time to make some changes in your life? Do you want to stop the madness and get on track with your health? Maybe coaching is right for you. I've helped many people gain their health back over the years, and would love to talk with you. Just reach out with the link below to get on my schedule. From time to time I have openings for new clients and accept them on a first come first serve basis. Book a Discovery Call

Cynthia sits down for a virtual cup of tea with Annalisa Boyd to talk about why we suffer, and how changing our mindset as Orthodox Christians can give us strength.  God is with us before, during, and after any type of challenge.  Turning to Him during any pocket of calm...even one minute...can give us the peace and strength we need to get us through. Annalisa Boyd is an Orthodox Christian wife, mom to 20, bread baker, candy maker, self proclaimed doula, accidental midwife and the author of The Ascetic Lives of Mothers, Hear Me, Special Agents of Christ and creator of Saintsbox.com. She also has her own YouTube podcast The Acetic Lives of Mothers available on YouTube or through Ancient Faith Radio. Her greatest desire is to serve Christ and encourage Mamas and children in the Orthodox faith. Is it time to make some changes in your life? Do you want to stop the madness and get on track with your health? Maybe coaching is right for you. I've helped many people gain their health back over the years, and would l

Join Cynthia today as she gives you just a glimpse of the monthly Deep Dives that she and Molly Sabourin bring to the Filled With Less Membership.  October was all about hormones, and she brought on Dr. Lauren Noel as a guest teacher.  Why should you care about hormones? You’ll find out today!  Interested in the membership?  Just go to LESS Membership to find out more.   As Season Three comes to a close, you can continue to be in community and listen to weekly interviews of an Advent nature by joining My Beautiful Advent! Dr. Lauren Noel aka Dr. Lo is a licensed naturopathic doctor and expert in natural medicine.  She received her doctorate from National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon.  Since 2010, Dr. Noel has treated over 5,000 patients using natural therapies.  Her areas of expertise include natural fertility, thyroid/hormonal health, digestive disorders, and autoimmune conditions.  She is a frequent lecturer on health radio shows and at medical conferences, and she is the host of Dr. Lo

Join Cynthia for this inspiring interview with Mat. Constantina Palmer.  The author of The Sweetness of Grace and The Scent of Holiness is just the person to talk with about the last year and a half. Matushka had some plans that fell through this past year on top of everything else we have all been going through.  She gained insight through accepting God’s will in her life and in this world, and shares why we should give thanks that He is allowing us to live during these difficult years. Constantina R. Palmer lives with her husband, an Orthodox priest, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, serving the Holy Lady of Vladimir (OCA) Orthodox Mission, the only Orthodox parish on the island of Newfoundland.  She teaches Sunday School to children of various ages, striving to present the great mysteries of the Orthodox faith in a form and context they can grasp.  She is also a social worker with the provincial government’s social housing corporation.  She is the author of The Scent of Holiness: Les

Cynthia is so happy to bring to you her conversation with Peter Bouteneff on his book How to Be a Sinner.  Acknowledging that you are a sinner is not all gloom and doom, it can actually be freeing when you realize that our sin shows us the way to get closer to God.  Is it work?  Yes...but we are all in it together.  You are not alone.  Join us today for a conversation that may help put things into perspective.   Peter Bouteneff teaches courses in theology, spirituality, and the arts at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he is professor of systematic theology and founding director of the Institute of Sacred Arts.  Dr. Bouteneff’s first degree is from New England Conservatory where he studied jazz and ethnomusicology. After some years living and traveling in Japan, Asia, and Europe he landed at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, where he received his M.Div. degree in 1990. From there he went to Oxford and wrote his doctorate under the supervision of Metropolitan Kallistos Ware. His books include  Sweet

Cynthia talks with Fr. John Vlahos today about how we, as living icons, should be relating to others.  What does this look like?  In a world full of judgement and friction, we can be vessels of love...spreading the love and grace of God to others put in our path.  Let us as Christians be the example.  Today we talk about how. Fr. John was born and raised in Merrillville, Indiana. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Financial Management from Indiana University in 1997 and his Masters of Divinity Degree in 2001 from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts. Fr. John is married to Presvytera Tina and they have two daughters (19 years old and 12 years old). Fr. John comes to us with over 19 years of experience as a clergymen of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. He joined the St. Paraskevi Community in Greenlawn, NY in October 2020. Prior to joining there, Fr. John was the Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in NYC from 2014 to 2020. Previous to that, he was

Cynthia talks with Susan Zacharia-Sanders today about common misconceptions when it comes to seeking help for mental health.  Mental health is something we all need to work on at times,, and sometimes we just can’t do it alone.  Professionals in this area can be of huge help when it comes to giving us the tools we need to overcome thoughts and behaviors that don’t serve us well.  Having a hard time finding someone?  They also talk about a new directory if you are looking for someone. Susan Zacharia-Sanders is a licensed clinical social worker and has been providing mental health care for the veteran population for eight years. Her specialties include substance use, suicide prevention, and general outpatient mental health treatment. She has a passion for advocating for mental health resources within Orthodox parish settings, particularly in ethnic parishes where the stigma of seeking care is prevalent. She currently serves as co-chair for the Needs Assessment Working Group with the Assembly of Canonical Ortho

Come along for the ride as Cynthia talks about all things cooking with celebrity chef Sophia Manatakis.  They talk about the importance of fresh ingredients, tips for the home cook and much more...including some insight into her time on Chopped and the Family Food Showdown. Sophia Manatakis is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York City and owner of Uncle Nick’s Greek Cuisine, NYC. Manatakis is a Greek and Italian-American chef who has appeared on the Food Network’s Chopped and winner of the Family Food Showdown cooking competition. Manatakis is also a recipient of the Orthodox Christian Network “30 under 30” entrepreneurship award. Sophia has recently published Our Greek Kitchen, the first of many cook-calendars, hasa thriving catering business, and is a private culinary instructor (chefsoph.com). Sophia’s intensity and passion for culinary art is unmeasurable.   Instagram: @ChefSoph https://www.chefsoph.com Sophia likes:  https://www.flavcity.com Is it time to make some changes in your lif

Join Cynthia today as she interviews Christian entrepreneur, Chris Kaspar.  Chris’s company is Techless, the manufacturer of the Wisephone.  As they say on their website, “Meet your take-back-my-life-phone.”  It’s a great phone for kids and adults alike, and Chris and Cynthia talk about why it’s so important to use technology with intention and create boundaries. Chris Kaspar is an entrepreneur, and leader in the creation of healthy tech. Before Techless, Chris founded Dancing Fox Films, a film production company, and Espresso, a design agency. Chris is married to his lovely wife, Ciera, who works at home raising their three beautiful girls, Eliana and Vivian and Piper. Chris and Ciera have been foster parents for a handful of beautiful kids, and they live for a deeper purpose. Techless https://techless.com/about Is it time to make some changes in your life? Do you want to stop the madness and get on track with your health? Maybe coaching is right for you. I've helped many people gain their health back over

Today Cynthia welcomes Dr. Zielinski back onto the podcast to talk about his new book The Healing Power of Essential Oils.  If you are curious about essential oils, but are a little confused at what the hubbub is about, how to use them, and why, you’ll want to listen to today’s interview.  Today you’ll learn how to combat disease with one of God’s most potent medicines. One of the beautiful aspects of this interview is when Dr. Z shares his background and what God has done in his life.  You may need this inspiration today! Dr. Z is the author of the bestselling primer on using essential oils for general health, The Healing Power of Essential Oils(100k+ copies sold + 8 languages worldwide). Together, he and Mama Z run the top health website devoted to brand-neutral essential oil education Natural Living Family, with more than 4 million users every year. Now they bring their masterful and authoritative knowledge to the complexities of chronic illness. THE ESSENTIAL OILS APOTHECARY: Soothing Remedies for A

Has it been a while since you’ve said those marriage vows or did the Dance of Isaiah?  Orthodox weddings are quite different from the way many Hallmark movies end.  Today Cynthia talks to Drs. David and Mary Ford about marriage.  They cover what an Orthodox ceremony looks like, and take us through the purpose of marriage and... what is submission?                        Dr. David Ford is Professor of Church History at St. Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.  He went to college at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, where he majored in History.  Immediately after graduation he went to Liberia, West Africa, as a volunteer in the United States Peace Corps; he served there for three years in the field of education. Upon returning, he entered the M.Div. program at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Here he learned about the Early Church, and through his continuing study of the facts of Church History, he realized that only Holy Orthodoxy has preserved the fullness of the Christian Fai

Cynthia is delighted to introduce you to two new friends.  Both Christian health coaches, Aimee and Naomi are knowledgeable about all things toxin related.  We know you will find their stories empowering, learn things you never knew before, and come away with a sense of purpose when it comes to taking control of the future of yourself, your family, and generations to come. Aimee Carlson:  Aimee Carlson is a best-selling author, podcast host of The Toxin Terminator and certified Toxicity and Detox Specialist helping women to restore and renew their health by removing hidden toxins from their homes and their lives. Naomi Damask: Naomi Damask is a certified holistic health coach and entrepreneur in the epigenetics, bio-hacking and nutrigenomics field passionately helping women learn that to be healthy, it is more than a diet and exercise. A preventative lifestyle is the best "diet" out there! Transformingwomenshealth.com  Blacklist Ingredients eBook =https://bit.ly/twhblacklist Is it time to make some changes

Are you wondering why your hormones are not functioning the way they should?  Maybe you can’t lose weight.  You might have high anxiety, hair falling out, or cold all of the time.  Today Cynthia talks with Brandy Searcy, a scientist who tells us to look at the products we are using in our homes, on our bodies, and as containers...and links them to our endocrine system.  This may be the missing link for you! Brandy Searcy is a pharmaceutical formulation development scientist and self-proclaimed health geek who loves hiking, gardening, bird-watching, and body boarding. A personal struggle with acne during her teens and 20s opened her eyes to a holistic and healthy approach to skincare, and she finally recognized skin as an organ to be loved and cared for rather than a canvas to wage war on. Since 2008, she's been developing all-in-one products for a simple skincare routine and launched Rain Organica in 2020 with a mission to help you take the overwhelm out of skincare.  She currently lives in San Diego county

Cynthia is excited to present a new interview with Fr. John OIiver.  Father John is the host of the Hearts and Minds podcast on Ancient Faith.  He teaches us about loving and trusting God, and how this is similar to two oars on a boat. They cover many different topics that may just be a balm to your soul today! Fr. John Oliver is the priest of St Elizabeth Orthodox Christian Church, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He is the author of numerous articles and essays, and of Touching Heaven: Discovering Orthodox Christianity on the Island of Valaam, published by Ancient Faith, and of Giver of Life: the Holy Spirit in Orthodox Christian Tradition, published by Paraclete Press. A summa cum laude graduate of St Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, he joined the faculty as instructor in Old and New Testament and American Religious History. He and his wife Lara have three daughters and two sons, and spend a lot of time exploring the wonders of creation.” Mental Health Task Force of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bi

Today Cynthia talks with Sandra Marinella about her book The Story You Need to Tell, and her experience as a writing teacher and journaling specialist.  A former teacher-of-the-year, Sandra shares the power of writing to heal from trauma, decrease pain and stress, and to improve overall well being.  For all of you who feel a resistance toward journaling, we think this interview will give you the nudge you need to get started, and to make it part of your daily routine. Sandra Marinella, MA, MEd, is an author, writing teacher, and former teacher-of-the-year. She has taught writing to writers, professionals, and students at all levels. Sandra’s own diagnosis of breast cancer inspired her to write The Story You Need to Tell—Writing to Heal from Trauma, Illness, or Loss, an acclaimed guide to transformational story-sharing and writing. Currently she teaches classes on Writing to Heal and Transform through Mayo Clinic in Phoenix where her methods have been studied and found to significantly decrease pain/stress an

Today our guest is Phoebe Farag Mikhail, author of the book Putting Joy into Practice:  Seven Ways to Lift Your Spirit From the Early Church.  What is the difference between joy and happiness?  Do we really know what joy is, where it comes from, and what it feels like?  And then there are the things that steal our joy.  Today we find out what those are, and Tasony Phoebe gives us some wonderful tools to use going forward. Phoebe Farag Mikhail is a Coptic Orthodox Christian and the author of Putting Joy into Practice: Seven Ways to Lift Your Spirit from the Early Church (Paraclete Press). She was born in Egypt, grew up in the Northeast US, and now serves alongside her husband Fr. Bishoy Mikhail at St. Antonious & St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church in East Rutherford, NJ with their three children. She is a writing instructor and freelance writer. Her work has appeared in Christianity Today, Faith & Leadership, Sojourners, Plough, and other magazines. She also blogs at Being in Community. Is it time to mak