Exercise does not have to be a laborious and taxing process. And you don’t have to run marathons to attain its benefits. Writings from the second century by Clement of Alexandria explain that when it comes to physical activity we must keep a balance—neither doing nothing nor killing ourselves with exhaustion. In this podcast, listeners will attain practical ways to make exercise a practical and lasting part of their lives.

St. Issac of Nineveh tells us that “a small but always persistent discipline is a great force; for a soft drop falling persistently hollows out hard rock.” In this episode, Rita discusses ways to set realistic goals for healthy behavior change.

Rita looks at proper seasonal fasting, as well as some strategies for practicing this discipline when we are in the world.

After a long seasonal fast, one will be tempted to overeat. What can we do to prevent overeating and properly enjoy the foods of the season? Rita has a few suggestions.

Rita reminds us that cooking can be a way to glorify God—to pray and to care for body and soul alike. In this episode, the listener will learn how to get back into the kitchen. 

When a fast is just around the corner, the fridge gets stocked with non-dairy creamer and margarine. Rita explains how these foods sabotage the very essence of fasting and are detrimental to health.

Rita offers tips and encouragement to assist listeners in their fasting journey.

Rita explains that feeling hunger can benefit both our physical and spiritual wellbeing. She also discusses a few oil-free meal ideas.

The Holy Apostle’s fast is upon us. Fasting is not legalistic; rather, it is a medicine we choose to take to deepen our communion with God. Rita focuses on approaching the fast from a willing heart. She also discusses how joyful fasting can lead to health benefits.

We all must embrace fasting with a willing heart. In addition, we need to nourish our bodies during the fast. Rita provides information about the nutritional value of various fasting foods, whether for children or adults. 

Fasting should not be legalistic, and it involves way more than just food. Rita explains the various ways in which we can help our children understand and practice all the aspects of a fasting period.

Many of us have family and friends who are not Orthodox. What do we do when company is in our home during a fasting day or period? Rita gives suggestions for showing the gift of hospitality and still keeping the fast. 

Rita explores ways to care for health and lose weight and at the same time share alms through decreasing food waste.

What do you do when you are the only one in your home who is fasting? You have become Orthodox and your spouse has not, or you live with people who simply do not fast. What are some strategies for you to keep the fast? Rita offers some suggestions.

Stress that is not managed affects our health and increases our appetite. Rita discusses ways to handle stressors during this time of year.

Eastern Orthodox Christians eat in a very specific way. With all the discussions about the various diets out there, is this traditional way of eating a way to share the faith? Rita answers in the affirmative and explains why.

Around the tenth century, we hear the venerable St. Simeon the New Theologian explaining that many illnesses are caused by a disorderly and irregular diet. Does a saint speaking to us one thousand years ago have answers for our food choices today in the world of egg beaters, diet sodas, and fat-free foods?

St. John Chrysostom gives us a rule that can help with portion control in the era of Super Size and the Double Big Gulp. He states that we should “eat just to alleviate your hunger.” This sounds like a very good rule, but how do we apply it to our everyday eating practices? The listener will walk away from this episode with tips on portion control and being satisfied with less. The listener will also learn how this can help with longterm weight and chronic-disease management.

In his book For the Life of the World, Father Alexander Schmemann writes, "In the Bible the food that man eats, the world of which he must partake in order to live, is given to him by God, and it is given as communion with God. Rita explains how we can work toward making eating a time of communion with God.

Rita encourages us to enter into the true spirit of the fast as we begin Great Lent.

This will be the last podcast for quite some time as Rita takes a break to focus on conducting food and faith workshops. Here she reminds us of the importance of allowing the traditions of our church to be the basis for our health management.

Rita introduces her new book Food, Faith, and Fasting: A Sacred Journey to Better Health, published by Ancient Faith Publishing.

Rita discusses dedicating a fast to someone to aid us in deepening our prayer for them.

Rita Madden shares the latest research regarding the way fasting helps our bodies to function properly, even as we keep our focus on prayer during Great Lent.

In this podcast, Rita discusses how fasting can actually lead to healthier food choices. She will also look at a 16-hour fasting approach and it's benefits to care for our body and soul alike.

Caring for our health and fighting our passions requires compassion. We need to start with showing compassion to ourselves to aid us in creating sustainable changes.

Rita encourages us to deepen our Advent Fast by simplifying our choices of what and where to eat, so that we can spend more time attending services, praying and serving others who are in need. She also introduces a new program called My Beautiful Advent which can be found at http://www.mybeautifuladvent.com.

Rita provides good insights into how we can keep the fast of Great Lent, and encourages us to stay connected to others who can help us be accountable and on the right path.

Rita reflects on the journey of Great Lent, and encourages those of us who feel we have lost our way. Setting realistic goals can help us to keep our focus on the rest of the journey towards Pascha.

Rita Madden encourages us to continue the fast with words from St. Paisios of the Holy Mountain.

With fasting being such a buzz diet, craze right now, Rita Madden helps us to gain some perspective through the teachings of St. Issac the Syrian.

Rita Madden shares some wisdom from Abba Pambo to aid us in keeping the correct spirit for the Great Fast.

In this podcast we discover wonderful wisdom from A Monastery's Kitchen to bring Christ into everything we do.

In this episode, Krista Fedorchak, the new co-host of Food, Faith and Fasting, unpacks the differences between the fasting mindset and the dieting mindset, so we can better understand and approach this ancient Christian Discipline within the context of our current society's understanding of dieting.

Feasting is not the opposite of fasting, but a most joyful application of the fruits of our Lenten spiritual efforts! Take what you have cultivated during the fast, and feast with joy by following these 5 tips.

Fr. Adrian and Chaplain Sarah reflect on the use of music as a healing intervention when caring for a person who is suffering.

Fr. Adrian and Chaplain Sarah continue their discussion about the role music in caring for a person who is suffering, and how music can be used in group settings.

Chaplain Sarah Byrne-Martelli interviews Dr. Daniel Henshaw on the topic of physician assisted suicide. (Part 1 of 2)

Chaplain Sarah Byrne-Martello continues her interview with Dr. Daniel Henshaw on the topic of physician assisted suicide. (Part 2 of 2)

Fr. Adrian and Chaplain Sarah begin their discussion of the differences between "social" visits and "pastoral" visits. See the attached worksheet titled "Pastoral Visits and Social Visits."

Chaplain Sarah and Fr. Adrian continue their discussion about the differences between "social" visits and "pastoral" visits. Please see the attached document pertaining to their conversation.

Fr. Adrian interviews Stefan Mastilovic, who is a seminary student at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY, on his experiences in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).

Fr. Antonio interviews an ex Evangelical Pastor about his concerns in the spiritual life. At some point in his life he yearned to come to a deeper understanding about God and his Church. This search led him to the Orthodox Church. Listen to this very interesting interview about his journey to Holy Orthodoxy. Padre Antonio entrevista un ex pastor Evangélico sobre su inquietudes en la vida espiritual. En algún punto de su vida comenzó ansiar por un entendimiento más profundo sobre Dios y su iglesia. Esta búsqueda lo llevo a la iglesia ortodoxa. Escuchen está muy interesante entrevista sobre su camino hacia la Santa Ortodoxia.

In the Orthodox Church we have two fountains from which we receive our teachings and understanding of what we believe in the Church. For clarity’s sake the two founts will be extended to four. En la iglesia ortodoxa tenemos dos fuentes de la que recibimos nuestras enseñanzas y nuestro entendimiento de lo que creemos en la iglesia. Para aclarar ciertos puntos hoy voy a compartir estas dos fuentes, pero las voy a extender de dos a cuatro.

Fr. Andrew gave this talk at Cornell University on February 14, 2012.

In his homily on "Thomas Sunday," Fr. Andrew speaks about the difference between the story of Christ and our own story in the world.

On this Sunday of the Forefeast of the Transfiguration, Fr. Andrew asks if we have the will to become "All Flame."

On this Sunday Fr. Andrew tells the story of a father, mother, baby, foster mother, and 15-year-old, all saints.

In the wake of the Newtown Massacre, Fr. Andrew reminds us that all death is evil.

On this Sunday of the Last Judgment, Fr. Andrew asks if we are engaged in the true Christian Life.