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Raised & Redeemed

Raised & Redeemed

Michaela Nikolaenko 136 Episodes Oct 14, 2026

Raised & Redeemed is hosted by Michaela Nikolaenko, a wife, mother, and follower of Jesus who shares her testimony of being saved from childhood abuse, addiction, unhealthy relationships, and involvement in the occult. The podcast explores what it means to live a redeemed life after sin, offering honest talk for listeners who have come back from dark places. Rooted in Orthodox Christianity, it encourages growth in holiness, spiritual discipline, and the pursuit of sanctification. Episodes confront inner battles and point toward a deeper longing for God.

Episodes

141. Finding God in Loss, Loneliness, and Relationship Conflict | An Orthodox Perspective with Kara Mosher
141. Finding God in Loss, Loneliness, and Relationship Conflict | An Orthodox Perspective with Kara Mosher Oct 14, 2026 01:27:23 Why do friendships end after you come to Christ? How do you handle deep loneliness, heartbreak, and relationships that change after conversion? In this episode, we dive into finding God in seasons of isolation, navigating friendship breakups, and learning to pray through conflict...even for your enemies.In this episode of the Raised & Redeemed podcast, Michaela Nikolaenko sits down with Kara M
140. Touring St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church | Saints, Spiritual Warfare & the Ancient Faith
140. Touring St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church | Saints, Spiritual Warfare & the Ancient Faith Oct 7, 2026 01:09:07 Come inside St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Naples, Florida with me for a special tour of an Orthodox Christian church!In this video, Theophan—a dedicated parishioner of St. Paul—takes us through the church and explains the history, icons, saints, traditions, and spiritual meaning behind what we see.But this isn't just a church tour.As we walk through St. Paul, we talk about what the ch
139. From Mormonism to Orthodoxy: Why She Left the LDS Church & Came to Christ and His Church with Sunny America
139. From Mormonism to Orthodoxy: Why She Left the LDS Church & Came to Christ and His Church with Sunny America Sep 30, 2026 01:07:11 What happens when someone raised Mormon begins questioning everything they were taught about God, salvation, the Church, and Jesus Christ?In this episode of the Raised & Redeemed Podcast, I sit down with Sunny to hear her story of growing up Mormon, leaving the LDS Church, walking through a season of rebellion, returning to the Lord, and ultimately discovering Orthodox Christianity.Sunny share
138. Healing Childhood Trauma Through Christ & the Orthodox Church with Christina Taylor
138. Healing Childhood Trauma Through Christ & the Orthodox Church with Christina Taylor Sep 23, 2026 01:43:13 What does healing from our childhood trauma look like as Orthodox Christians?In this deeply personal conversation, Michaela Nikolaenko sits down with Christina Taylor of Orthodox Family Life to talk honestly about growing up in dysfunctional families, the lasting effects of childhood trauma, learning to forgive our parents, and discovering healing through Christ and His Church.Both Michaela and Ch
137. Orthodox Christianity & Alternative Medicine: Yoga, Herbology, Meditation & Jiu Jitsu with Dr. Mike
137. Orthodox Christianity & Alternative Medicine: Yoga, Herbology, Meditation & Jiu Jitsu with Dr. Mike Sep 16, 2026 01:38:01 What does Orthodox Christianity have to say about alternative medicine, yoga, meditation, herbology, acupuncture, psychedelics, and even Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?In this episode of Raised & Redeemed, Michaela Nikolaenko sits down with Dr. Michael Christian Kuhn, Doctor of Health Sciences, functional health and nutrition consultant, founder of Orthodox Health, host of the Orthodox Health Podcast, an
136. Orthodoxy and Therapy | Fr. Timothy Pavlatos on Mental Health, Trauma & Spiritual Warfare
136. Orthodoxy and Therapy | Fr. Timothy Pavlatos on Mental Health, Trauma & Spiritual Warfare Aug 26, 2026 01:26:38 Can Orthodox Christians go to therapy? Where should we turn when we’re struggling—to a priest, a therapist, or both? And how do we understand trauma, mental health, and spiritual warfare through an Orthodox Christian lens?In this episode, I sit down with Fr. Timothy Pavlatos, an Orthodox priest and counselor with 25+ years of experience integrating psychology, therapy, and Orthodox theology.We dis
135. Our First Dormition Fast & Responding to Internet Orthodox Criticisms
135. Our First Dormition Fast & Responding to Internet Orthodox Criticisms Aug 19, 2026 00:35:14 This is our first year participating in the Dormition fast, and it's so amazing the way you learn and grow in the faith just by TRYING to live liturgically -- even if you do it imperfectly.I also realized some of the internet crazies come out during the time of fasts, so I'll be responding to some of the criticisms I got online during this time.Lord have mercy on us!Goarch.org: https://www
134. Everything You're Afraid to Ask Your Orthodox Priest | Traditions, Marijuana, Prayers for the Dead with Fr. Philip
134. Everything You're Afraid to Ask Your Orthodox Priest | Traditions, Marijuana, Prayers for the Dead with Fr. Philip Aug 12, 2026 01:24:14 Have questions about Orthodox Christianity but don't yet have an Orthodox Priest you can ask?In this episode, I speak with Fr. Philip at St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Lake Worth, Florida, to answer some of the biggest, and most misunderstood, questions people have about the Orthodox faith. We cover everything from what to expect when visiting an Orthodox church for the first time, wh
133. Ex-Satanist Explains How Satanism is a Counterfeit of Orthodox Christianity | Erika MacDougall
133. Ex-Satanist Explains How Satanism is a Counterfeit of Orthodox Christianity | Erika MacDougall Aug 5, 2026 01:14:45 If Satanism is a counterfeit of Orthodox Christianity, then doesn't that reveal deep truths to us about the fullness of the Christian faith?In this eye-opening conversation, former Satanist, Erika MacDougall, explains how darkness imitates what is holy, how demons influence art and culture, and how Christ led her from deception into the fullness of the Orthodox faith.Together, we explore the s
132. The Hope for our Suffering in Orthodox Christianity | Read the Bible With Me
132. The Hope for our Suffering in Orthodox Christianity | Read the Bible With Me Jul 22, 2026 00:44:28 What is the purpose of suffering in Orthodox Christianity? Why does God allow suffering? Why do good people suffer? Is there actually a purpose for the pain?In this episode, we explore the Orthodox Christian understanding of suffering as one of the primary ways God transforms us into His likeness.We'll read through Scripture together and examine what Christ, the Apostles, and the early Church teac
131. Hitchhiking to Burning Man... He Found Christ Instead | Landon Scates Testimony
131. Hitchhiking to Burning Man... He Found Christ Instead | Landon Scates Testimony Jun 24, 2026 01:19:00 Backpacking across the country to "find himself," panhandling in Las Vegas, and hitchhiking to Burning Man, Landon Scates never expected he would have found Christ instead.But on the long desert road home, everything changed.In this episode, Landon shares his full testimony from his early departure from God, through dark and disorienting years on the road, to an unexpected encounter with
130. I Used to Read Birth Charts and Horoscopes Until I Learned... | Occult to Orthodoxy Series (Part16)
130. I Used to Read Birth Charts and Horoscopes Until I Learned... | Occult to Orthodoxy Series (Part16) Jun 17, 2026 00:29:42 Before I knew Christ, I read birth charts, taught yoga, and believed my Sun, Moon, and Rising sign were the key to my identity and destiny. In this episode of the Occult to Orthodoxy series, I'm sharing my honest journey from astrology to Orthodox Christianity — the history of astrology, what the Bible and Church Fathers say about it, and why the Magi following a star actually points us AWAY f

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