Yoga is often seen as harmless stretching, but beneath the surface, it carries a spiritual framework rooted in Hindu philosophy. As a former yoga instructor now Orthodox Christian, I share how this practice led me from seeking healing into deeper spiritual deception, and why the Orthodox Church approaches yoga with caution. This episode explores the true origins of yoga, the spiritual risks many overlook, and the Christ-centered path to genuine connection with God.

Are chakra healing, Reiki, and kundalini yoga spiritually dangerous? In part 7 of the Occult to Orthodoxy Series, I break down the chakra system, the practices built around it, and what the Orthodox Church teaches about the human body, energy healing, and true healing from trauma—from someone who spent years in the New Age searching for healing before coming home to Christ.

Many people believe repeating numbers like 111, 222, 444, and 11:11 are messages from angels or the universe. But is this actually how God communicates? In this episode, we explore numerology and angel numbers from an Orthodox Christian perspective, examining what Scripture, the Church Fathers, and Christian tradition teach about signs, divination, and spiritual guidance.

What does Orthodox Christianity teach about tarot cards, oracle cards, and angel cards? In this episode of Raised & Redeemed, Michaela Nikolaenko explains the spiritual dangers of divination using Scripture, Orthodox Tradition, and her personal testimony of leaving the New Age and finding freedom in Christ.

What does the life of a priest's wife actually look like? In this special episode, I sit down with Khouria Destinie Winn, wife of Fr. David Winn, mother of four, and creator of Ascetic Life of Motherhood, to talk about her journey of becoming Orthodox, homeschooling, marriage, biblical femininity, veiling, Lent, and what it truly means to be a woman in the Orthodox Church.

Crystals, evil eyes, dream catchers, and sage are often seen as tools for spiritual protection, but what does Orthodox Christianity actually teach about them? In part 4 of the Occult to Orthodoxy series, we examine the spiritual worldview behind these objects and why true protection isn’t found in talismans or rituals, but in submission to Christ.

In Part 3 of this series, we explore manifestation, the Law of Attraction, affirmations, and prosperity gospel teaching—and explain how they differ from historic Orthodox Christian prayer rooted in surrender to God’s will.

In part 2 of this Occult to Orthodoxy series, we discuss common New Age misconceptions about God: God as the Universe, self-deification, and “all paths lead to God”— and contrast with the biblical and Orthodox Christian understanding of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In this video, I share how I fell into the occult through subtle New Age spiritual practices, and how God allowed me to see demons to pull me out of it. This is the start of a brand new series, breaking down New Age spirituality concepts and responding with Orthodox Christian perspectives.

Fasting is one of the most powerful and ancient practices of Orthodox Christianity. In this episode of Raised & Redeemed, ER physician Dr. Pete Patitsas joins me to explore how fasting heals not only the body, but the soul. Together, we unpack Orthodox fasting, the Athos diet, trauma healing, addiction, and why fasting is not about control or diet culture, but about restoration, freedom, and deeper dependence on God.