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
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...
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 our relationships:
🤐 Meekness & ...
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
🕊 Repentance
🕊 Remembrance of Death
🕊 H...
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 becoming holy through everyday choices.
We...
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 you can expect to learn more abo...
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 founder of Girl Redeemed Ministries...
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 immorality and destruction.
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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 "other things," and what led to...
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.
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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.
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Follow Jamey 👉 https://www.instagram.com/justjamey/
Bad Books of the B...
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 successful love matches.
Fol...
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!
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🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/r...
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 sharing a bit about motherhood so ...
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.
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Follow Naela 👉 https://www.instagram.com/undone_by_grace/
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Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.