What is the Occult? Why do people become witches? What is the path out of the occult? What are the dangers of New Age Spirituality? How can Catholics help those trapped in spiritual darkness?
In this episode of *The Devil Is in the Details,* Jordan Burke sits down with Teresa Yanaros, former New Age influencer, author, and now Catholic minister helping people escape the occult, to discuss her powerful testimony of deliverance and the practical roadmap she offers in her new book, *Freedom from Darkness.*
Teresa was raised in a devout Catholic family but experienced the supernatural from an early age, witnessing stigmata and weeping statues at her parish. After college professors destabilized her faith, she rejected organized religion, believing it was simply a tool of control. What followed was a descent into conspiracy media, New Age spirituality, and eventually full blown demonic possession through tarot cards, channeling, and altered states of consciousness. She became a successful speaker and author in the occult world, all while believing her intentions were good.
But good intentions do not protect you from evil.
Teresa shares how a single question about whether aliens could be evil shattered the illusion and began her journey back to Christ. She describes the terrifying moment when demonic manifestations turned violent, how she curled up with her Bible for the first time in years, and how God's presence filled her room and began the process of deliverance. She discusses the painful work of repentance, the destruction of thousands of dollars in occult materials, and the year she spent in hiding while being spiritually rebuilt.
Jordan and Teresa also explore the broader crisis facing the Church: 36% of Catholics believe it's acceptable to practice more than one religion, and many are turning to spiritual but not religious ideologies that lead directly into occult practices. They discuss the role of trauma, especially sexual abuse, in making people vulnerable to demonic deception, and why community, compassion, and theological grounding are essential for true healing.
This conversation is both challenging and deeply compassionate, offering practical wisdom for Catholics who want to understand the occult, minister to those trapped in it, and protect themselves and their families from spiritual deception.
*In this episode:*
In this episode of *The Devil Is in the Details,* Jordan Burke sits down with Teresa Yanaros, former New Age influencer, author, and now Catholic minister helping people escape the occult, to discuss her powerful testimony of deliverance and the practical roadmap she offers in her new book, *Freedom from Darkness.*
Teresa was raised in a devout Catholic family but experienced the supernatural from an early age, witnessing stigmata and weeping statues at her parish. After college professors destabilized her faith, she rejected organized religion, believing it was simply a tool of control. What followed was a descent into conspiracy media, New Age spirituality, and eventually full blown demonic possession through tarot cards, channeling, and altered states of consciousness. She became a successful speaker and author in the occult world, all while believing her intentions were good.
But good intentions do not protect you from evil.
Teresa shares how a single question about whether aliens could be evil shattered the illusion and began her journey back to Christ. She describes the terrifying moment when demonic manifestations turned violent, how she curled up with her Bible for the first time in years, and how God's presence filled her room and began the process of deliverance. She discusses the painful work of repentance, the destruction of thousands of dollars in occult materials, and the year she spent in hiding while being spiritually rebuilt.
Jordan and Teresa also explore the broader crisis facing the Church: 36% of Catholics believe it's acceptable to practice more than one religion, and many are turning to spiritual but not religious ideologies that lead directly into occult practices. They discuss the role of trauma, especially sexual abuse, in making people vulnerable to demonic deception, and why community, compassion, and theological grounding are essential for true healing.
This conversation is both challenging and deeply compassionate, offering practical wisdom for Catholics who want to understand the occult, minister to those trapped in it, and protect themselves and their families from spiritual deception.
*In this episode:*
- Teresa's Catholic upbringing and exposure to the supernatural
- How college destabilized her faith and led to rejecting the Church
- The connection between conspiracy media and the occult
- What is past life regression and why it's a demonic trap
- How a YouTube video opened the door to possession
- The role of curiosity and pride in occult involvement
- Why good intentions do not protect you from demons
- The shiny veneer: how the occult fascinates and deceives
- Tarot cards, channeling, and losing time: marks of possession
- The traumatic reality of demonic manifestations
- Why 95% of women Teresa works with have experienced sexual abuse
- How isolation and distrust of authority make people vulnerable
- The importance of community in healing and recovery
- Breaking bread with those trapped in darkness: love without judgment
- Why planting seeds matters more than winning arguments
- The moment Teresa realized the occult was evil
- How God's presence filled her room and began her deliverance
- The painful process of repentance and burning it all down
- Going into hiding and being rebuilt by Christ
- The five steps into the occult and five steps out
- Why Catholics need to understand occult nomenclature and practices
- How to minister with compassion to ex New Agers returning to Christ
- The crisis of syncretism in the Catholic Church today
The spiritual battle is real. The enemy is relentless. But Christ is stronger, and His mercy is infinite for those who turn back to Him.
What questions do you have after watching today's video? Were you impacted in some way? If so, comment below!
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☦ABOUT US:
Under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the mission of the Avila Foundation is to draw Christians worldwide into deeper union with Christ.
Support the mission: https://www.avila-army.org/
______________________________________________________
👨🏽💻Websites:
Home: https://spiritualdirection.com/
School: https://avila-institute.org/
Discernment: https://myhighcalling.com/resources/
Community: https://www.apostoliviae.org/
Events: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Events
Books: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Shop
What questions do you have after watching today's video? Were you impacted in some way? If so, comment below!
______________________________________________________
☦ABOUT US:
Under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the mission of the Avila Foundation is to draw Christians worldwide into deeper union with Christ.
Support the mission: https://www.avila-army.org/
______________________________________________________
👨🏽💻Websites:
Home: https://spiritualdirection.com/
School: https://avila-institute.org/
Discernment: https://myhighcalling.com/resources/
Community: https://www.apostoliviae.org/
Events: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Events
Books: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Shop
