Raised & Redeemed
I’m Michaela—a wife, mom, and Jesus follower who was radically saved from child abuse trauma, substance abuse, New Age deception, sex work, and ungodly relationships. Now, I share what it means to live a raised and redeemed life after a life of sin. This podcast is for those who’ve been to the dark side and back—and are ready to grow in holiness, confront the battle within, and pursue sanctification through spiritual discipline. Rooted in Orthodox Christianity, this is real talk for the soul that longs for God. Reach me and find out more at www.michaelanikolaenko.com
Episodes
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 more broken my life became.
...
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 conversation covers:
✔️ What f...
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 honest conversation explores ho...
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 truly is
✨ Why Orthodox Christians pray to...
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
The nine-rank hierarchy of angels (from...
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, especially in charismatic movements, pe...
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 Definitive Orthodox Opinion on H...
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 podcast, host Michaela Nikolaenko t...
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 the faith, or wanting to understand ...
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 the difference between the demo...
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—passing the beauty of Orthodoxy on t...
✨ 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 deception of the New Age. Later, as...
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 also address common questions: C...
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:
🧭 Discernment
🌿 Stillness
🙏 ...
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 our spiritual life
✅ Why "fa...
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 insensitivity and hypocrisy
S...
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 anxiety
✅ How fear of lack keeps us tr...
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 you’re battling temptation, guid...
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 Church Fathers
~ How glu...
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.
🎯 What You'll Learn:
✅ What d...
Popular Podcasts
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.