Raised & Redeemed

Looking for a breakdown of Divine Liturgy? An explanation of each step of the process you see happing in an Orthodox Christian Church? Well, here's your beginner's guide to Divine Liturgy! Today we're walking through Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church with attorney and cradle Orthodox Christian, Frank Bilotto, as he explains step by step of Divine Liturgy. Whether you’re new to Orthodoxy, exploring...

In this video, I’m responding to your comments from my recent post about Halloween. Many of you shared strong opinions—most against celebrating it—and I wanted to take a moment to address those thoughts with honesty, love, and discernment. As someone who came from a past of extreme darkness—involved in things that truly glorified evil—I understand the concerns many Christians have. But I also know...

What does it mean to live liturgically as an Orthodox Christian? In this episode of the Raised & Redeemed podcast, I sit down with Fr. Christian Siskos, Assistant Priest at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte, NC, and the voice behind Noetic Spring. Together, we explore how Orthodox Christians can live out the faith daily through prayer, fasting, the feasts, and the sacraments—p...

✨ In this powerful Orthodox Christian testimony, I sit down with my friend Romy Scates to share her journey of faith—from growing up in the Assemblies of God, to falling away into New Age spirituality, to finally finding her way home to the Orthodox Church. Raised in the church, Romy never fully forgot that Jesus Christ is Lord. But as she searched for truth, she found herself entangled in the de...

What happens when we die? In this episode, Orthodox priest Fr. Paul Truebenbach joins me to share the ancient Christian understanding of the afterlife, the 40 days after death, and the reality of spiritual warfare. We discuss how the Orthodox Church explains the journey of the soul after death, the difference between temptation and demonic oppression, and how to prepare for the Final Judgment. We...

What does it truly mean to be an excellent Christian? In this season finale of the Raised & Redeemed podcast we reach the summit of the Christian life by exploring Steps 26–30 of Thirty Steps to Heaven by Fr. Vassilios Papavassiliou—based on the timeless Orthodox classic The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus. In this episode, we dive deep into the virtues that crown a life in Christ...

Are you struggling with pride, vainglory, or the constant need for validation? This video explores the final and most dangerous passions from the Ladder of Divine Ascent - vainglory and pride - and reveals their powerful antidotes: meekness, simplicity, and humility. What You'll Learn: ✅ The difference between vainglory and pride (and why pride is deadlier) ✅ How validation-seeking destroys...

Growing in Alertness to the Holy Spirit - Awakening the Numb Soul Have you ever caught yourself praying but not really praying? Going through the motions of faith while feeling spiritually numb? You're not alone. In this powerful episode, we explore how to move from spiritual insensitivity to genuine alertness to God's presence. 📖 WHAT WE COVER: Step 18: The dangerous trap of spiritual in...

Today we discuss overcoming the love of money and the fear that fuels it by deep diving into Steps 16-17 & 21 from "Thirty Steps to Heaven" and "The Ladder of Divine Ascent" - exploring how to overcome avarice (greed) through voluntary poverty and conquering the fear that drives our attachment to money. 🔥 What You'll Learn: ✅ The spiritual roots of greed and money anx...

In this powerful episode of Raised & Redeemed, we dive into Step 15 of "Thirty Steps to Heaven" by Fr. Vassilios Papavassiliou to explore how to battle the passion of lust and walk in true spiritual freedom. You'll learn how to recognize the spiritual roots of lust, distinguish it from God’s holy design for sexuality, and apply biblical strategies for healing and growth. Whether...

The spiritual passion of gluttony is more than overeating—it’s a battle for your soul. In this episode of Raised & Redeemed, discover how to conquer it through Christ. ✨ Gluttony isn’t just about food—it’s a disordered desire that weakens our will, clouds our spiritual clarity, and distances us from God. In this episode, we’ll explore: ~ What gluttony really is according to the Bible and the...

Feeling spiritually weary? Defeat the noonday demon of despondency with ancient wisdom that actually works. Ever felt like God isn't hearing your prayers? Like your spiritual motivation has completely disappeared? You're not just dealing with a bad mood—you're facing one of the enemy's most subtle attacks: spiritual despondency (acedia). This episode reveals how to fight back. 🎯 W...

How do you overcome anger as a Christian? Or the passions like malice and slander that flow from it? In order to overcome it, we have to get to its root: our hearts. In this episode, we dive into Steps 8–12 of Thirty Steps to Heaven by Fr. Vassilios Papavassiliou, based on The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus. These steps focus on the spiritual passions that flow from pride and poison...

What does it take to begin the journey to true spiritual freedom? In this episode of The Raised & Redeemed Podcast, we begin our ascent up the Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus, guided by Thirty Steps to Heaven by Fr. Vassilios Papavassiliou. 🪜 Today, we cover Steps 1–7, which lay the spiritual foundation for inner transformation: 🕊 Renunciation 🕊 Detachment 🕊 Exile 🕊 Obedience 🕊 R...

In this season, we will discuss how to overcome sinful passions with heavenly virtues using Thirty Steps to Heaven by Fr. Vassilios Papavassiliou, a spiritual manual based on The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus. In this episode, I share where I’ve been, what’s been stirring in my heart, and why this season is all about the real spiritual battle—not just casting out darkness, but becom...

In this episode, Father Andrew Stephen Damick is unmasking gods, fallen angels, and Halloween from an Orthodox Christian perspective. Fr. Andrew is an Orthodox Christian, Husband, Dad, Priest, and Chief Content Officer for Ancient Faith Ministries. He co-hosts The Lord of Spirits podcast with Fr. Stephen De Young, and authored a book we'll be discussing titled, The Lord of Spirits. In this episode...

Ever wondered what strip club ministries really do and how they aim to reach the broken hearts of strippers? These INCREDIBLE WOMEN and former strippers for Jesus, are with us today to talk about what leads women into sex work, how strippers respond to the gospel, how to prevent women from ending up in this line of work, and some praise reports from their ministry outreaches. Paige Lohman is the f...

What happens when a financial dominatrix finds Jesus? Does the anger and ammo that made this form of sex work possible get healed? Does the presence of Jesus flood out the demons who were getting pleasure from this abuse and exploitation? Today, Ashley Burson-Jones shares her testimony of how she got into findom, the dark things she experienced there, and how Jesus redeemed her from this path of i...

Before I knew Jesus and His love for me, I was many things, one being a stripper. In today's episode: Inside Strip Clubs - A Christian Perspective, I will be taking you into the strip clubs from both an ex-stripper, and now Christian perspective. We will be discussing how I got into the industry, the kinds of people you see inside these places, whether or not stripping is a gateway into "...

After seeing more girls I know and love get involved with this, I've finally decided to record this episode: OnlyFans - A Christian Perspective. In this episode, we'll explain what OnlyFans is and why it's dangerous for both those consuming it and those producing it. Ultimately, God wants so much more for your life than for you to be bound to sin and exploited by demonic influences. --...

Orthodox Catechist, Jamey Bennett, is back on the show to answer some of the protestant questions and objections we got from Episode 79. Primarily focusing on why we need the church to interpret Scripture, why "Sola Scriptura" isn't Biblical, and what the Orthodox view actually is on Scripture. ---------------------------------------------------- Follow Jamey 👉 https://www.instagram...

In this episode with Ashley Williams, host of a new Christian dating show called Not My Type, we will be discussing dating shows from a Christian perspective! Briefly reviewing Too Hot to Handle, Perfect Match, Love Island, The Ultimatum, 90 Day Fiance, Married at First Sight, Love on the Spectrum, and Sexy Beasts, Ashley and I reflect on all things love and dating and what would make for more suc...

Join my husband, Vitaliy, and I as we discuss all things pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood! In this episode I get Vitaliy's take on the birth process, fatherhood, marriage after parenthood and so much more. We always have so much fun doing episodes together and hope you enjoy listening just as much! ---------------------------------------------------- 🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: https://podc...

What's up you guys! My first baby, Milana Renee Nikolaenko, was born on April 24, 2024 and today I'm going to tell you about giving birth & motherhood so far! Admittedly, the start of labor was not so easy for me. As a first time mom, I was TERRIFIED, and the only things that brought me peace were the comfort of my husband and the thought that God was with me and for me. I also will be...

In today's episode with Naela Rose, she shares about her blood witch to Jesus testimony, how abortion is a blood sacrifice to the devil, how demons come in through opening chakras, yoga, and meditation, the Christ-consciousness deception, and her own possession of the Sofia Christ demon. ---------------------------------------------------- Follow Naela 👉 https://www.instagram.com/undone_by_gr...