129. How Psychics Know Things... And the SOURCE of Their Info | Occult to Orthodoxy Series (Part 15)129. How Psychics Know Things... And the SOURCE of Their Info | Occult to Orthodoxy Series (Part 15)
Raised & Redeemed
Michaela Nikolenko reflects on her journey from New Age spirituality and psychic curiosity to Orthodox Christianity, examining how psychics gain information and why she now sees these practices as spiritually dangerous. She contrasts mediumship with Orthodox teaching on demons, grief, prayer and saints, while sharing personal stories of trauma, addiction and faith.
24:18•3 Jun 2026
Psychics, Spirits and Sobriety: From Occult Curiosity to Orthodox Faith
Episode Overview
- Psychic readings may share accurate details, but are described as drawing on demonic knowledge rather than gifts from God.
- Practices like tarot, numerology and spirit communication are linked with spiritual harm, especially for those already struggling with trauma or addiction.
- Scripture repeatedly forbids divination and mediumship, portraying them as separating people from God rather than offering true comfort.
- Orthodox Christianity offers alternatives for grief and guidance, such as prayer, memorial services, the Psalms, and seeking counsel from a spiritual father.
- Asking saints to pray is presented as fundamentally different from consulting the dead, since saints are seen as living members of the body of Christ, always pointing back to Jesus.
“Demons are the world’s oldest historians. They’ve been watching forever. They know a lot of things. They can get a lot right. But God is ultimately in charge.”
What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? This instalment of Raised & Redeemed’s “Occult to Orthodoxy” series takes a sharp look at psychic mediumship through the lens of someone who has lived on both sides of the spiritual fence. Host Michaela Nikolenko, a survivor of childhood trauma, substance abuse, New Age practices and occult curiosity, unpacks why psychics seem to “know things” and what she believes is really going on behind the scenes.
She starts with the basics — “A psychic is a person who claims to use heightened intuition to gather information from the spirit world and beyond the normal five senses” — then breaks down the ‘clairs’, mediumship, and the common tools like tarot, numerology and crystals. You’ll hear her childhood memories of tarot decks in the house, a Ouija board used to reach a friend who had overdosed, and TV psychics like Sylvia Browne shaping her early beliefs about spirits.
Michaela connects these experiences to her later New Age years, when she tried to sharpen her own ‘gifts’ through strict dieting and fasting, before concluding, “this wasn’t a gift at all. Rather demons recognising the open invitation through doing these practices.” Drawing on Bible stories and Orthodox teaching, she contrasts psychic readings with what the church calls genuine spiritual gifts, stressing that “demons are the world’s oldest historians” and can share accurate information to gain trust.
She also speaks tenderly to those grieving loved ones, explaining why the Orthodox Church sees prayer, memorial services and asking saints to intercede as safer, Christ-centred paths than mediumship. Style-wise, it’s like having coffee with a friend who’s blunt, honest, and still very much learning — complete with side notes, behind-the-scenes updates and a bit of humour.
If you’ve ever wondered whether psychic readings are harmless fun or a risky shortcut to spiritual knowledge, this conversation might give you a lot to think about. So, next time you’re tempted to seek answers from a card spread or a crystal ball, whose voice are you really hoping to hear?
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