In this heartfelt episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Dr. Michael Christian and co-host John sit down with new mother & recent Orthodox convert, Gwynne Hoffmaster, to talk about the beautiful chaos of entering the Church while navigating motherhood.
From midnight feedings to toddler wrangling in the nave, Gwynne shares her honest experiences of finding Christ in exhaustion, messiness, & motion.
Together, we explore fasting during breastfeeding, prayer in the midst of interruptions, & the gift of community that carries new families through the struggles & joys of life in the Church.
Takeaways
New motherhood in Orthodoxy isn’t picture-perfect: it’s patient, messy, & sanctifying.
Fasting & prayer rules adapt to health, seasons, and the needs of the child.
The Orthodox parish family provides cross-generational support &love: “if the church isn’t crying, it’s dying.”
Family prayer, even when short or chaotic, is a powerful foundation for children.
Patience is the virtue learned in both motherhood & conversion.
Soundbytes
“This is your liturgy... rocking the baby, chasing the toddler, it all counts.”
“If the church isn’t crying, it’s dying.”
“Patience: with children, with fasting, with ourselves... that’s what I’ve learned most.”
“The Church is for the tired, the ones showing up with spit-up on their shoulders and a whisper of prayer in their hearts.”
Chapters:
00:00 Opener
01:30 Intro to New Motherhood & Conversion
03:21 Gwynne's Journey to Orthodoxy
05:43 Pews or No Pews for Toddler Wrangling?
07:08 Entering the Church as a New Mother
09:50 The Role of Godparents in the Orthodox Community
10:53 Fasting and Spiritual Growth
12:21 Living the Rhythms of the Church Prior to Orthodoxy?
15:14 The Ascetic Life of Motherhood
17:13 The Church as a Postpartum Hospital
21:03 On the Importance of Community, Especially Godparents
22:33 The Joy of Going to a Church Where Everybody Knows Your Name
24:19 Establishing a Personal Prayer Life
28:29 Come to Him as Little Children
30:34 Embracing the Sunday Morning Chaos
34:46 Craziest Toddler Experience in Church
38:48 Toddlers & Blessed Wine?
39:35 Toddler Excitement for the Eucharist
40:57 Orthodox Church Growth
42:09 Gwynne's Advice to New Mothers in the Church
45:56 Toddler Psy-Ops
49:23 The Most Important Thing Gwynne Has Learned on This Journey
51:11 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead
54:47 Outro
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Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.comPre-Order Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: https://www.orthodoxhealth.com/bookIntro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here:https://stjohnorthodoxchurch.bandcamp.com/album/come-ye-faithful-building-fundraiser