Raised & Redeemed

In part 2 of this series, I break down what the New Age gets wrong about God, and who God actually is according to Orthodox Christianity. We will look closer at these questions: Q. Is God the Universe? Q. Is God just an energy or higher frequency? Q. Are we divine? Q. Do all paths really lead to the same destination? After years immersed in the New Age and occult, I eventually realized that what I...

In this first episode of a brand-new series, I share how I fell into the occult through New Age spirituality—and how Christ ultimately pulled me out of it. What began as “self-healing,” manifestation, yoga, feminism, and spiritual empowerment slowly became bondage. I believed I was awakening, aligning, and reclaiming my power… but the deeper I went into the occult and New Age world, the darker and...

How would fasting heal the world? ER doctor and Orthodox Christian, Dr. Pete Patitsas links fasting as the cure to every problem we see in the world from disease to addiction, to even the out-of-the-norm ER accidents. Drawing from emergency medicine, Orthodox tradition, and the Athos way of eating, we discuss how fasting impacts hormones, trauma, addiction, and our relationship with God. This conv...

In today’s episode of the Raised & Redeemed Podcast, I’m joined by author and former New Ager Abigail Myatt, who shares her powerful journey from New Age to Christ. Abigail recently finished writing her memoir, I Manifested My Worst Nightmare, where she exposes how New Age spirituality promises healing and empowerment but ultimately leads to bondage, exploitation, and spiritual deception. This...

What is the process of becoming Saints? In this powerful and deeply pastoral conversation, Orthodox priest Fr. Photios Dumont shares what he has witnessed over 35 years of ministry: modern miracles, living holy people, and the ongoing healing work of God through His Saints. This episode is especially for inquirers and new converts to Orthodox Christianity who want to understand: ✨ What a Saint tr...

In this conversation, Archpriest Seraphim Holland (of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and the OrthodoxNet YouTube channel) joins us to answer the big questions about angels—what the Church actually teaches, how angels are organized, what guardian angels do, how angels interact with us in spiritual warfare, and much more. 💫 Topics covered What is an angel according to Scripture and the Holy Fathers T...

In this conversation, Fr. Ivan Shandra joins Michaela Nikolaenko to unpack one of the most important questions in the Christian life: how do we know what’s truly from God, and what isn’t? Coming from a background in the occult and New Age spirituality, Michaela has witnessed firsthand how easily people mistake emotional or mystical experiences for the Holy Spirit. Even within Christianity, especia...

In this episode, I, an Orthodox Christian, react to Michael Knowles’ debate on Halloween titled “Knowles MANSPLAINS To 3 Women Why Christians Should Celebrate Halloween” featuring Protestant Angela Scafidi, Catholic Mary Morgan, and fitness influencer Natalya Toryanski, and offer what was missing from the table: an Orthodox Christian perspective. Wrapping up with Fr. Moses McPherson’s video, “The...

Today, Kara Mosher shares her journey from the occult to Orthodox Christianity and exposes psychedelic deception. Before encountering Christ, psychedelics were her god, yet never healed her or brought her peace. While she thought they were leading her to truth in the spirit realm, they were only leading her further into darkness and occult training. In this episode of the Raised & Redeemed pod...

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...