Jesus People Podcast

Episode 31: Former Satanist Helps Psychic Find Jesus

Guests: Jessica & Riaan | Host: Ryan Miller

Date: August 18, 2025

Overview

This candid, powerful episode centers on Jessica’s dramatic journey from psychic medium to Christ-follower — a transformation catalyzed by the podcast itself and deepened through key conversations with host Ryan Miller and Riaan, a former Satanist and ex-psychic medium. The trio explores themes of spiritual deception, the occult, the love and grace of God, spiritual warfare, and the process of discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit after leaving deceptive spiritual practices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jessica’s Journey Out of the Occult

• Curiosity Sparked: Jessica began listening to the podcast out of curiosity. Raised Irish Catholic, she believed her psychic abilities were God-given and “of the light,” and never questioned their source until recent exposure to conversations about the occult and spiritual deception.
• Conviction Sets In: Listening to Riaan’s (Rion) testimony about the true nature of the occult shook Jessica, prompting a season of confusion, illness, and spiritual searching.
• A Defining Moment: A series of “God moments,” including finding a book titled The Bible Seller with a warning about “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” catalyzed her questioning whether she herself might be deceived.
• Support Network: An encounter with a soon-to-be nun, Isabelle, confirmed her suspicions: “You’ve been tricked.” Jessica immediately deleted her online presence as a medium, reached out to Ryan, and found herself embraced by grace and a new community.

“I just couldn’t shake it. So that friend Michelle sent me a Bible... I just say, I’m going to email this guy, Ryan Miller…” – Jessica [07:57]

• Surrendering for Jesus: Jessica’s “public burning of scrolls” moment (cf. Acts 19:19) was deleting her podcast, Instagram, and email — a costly severing from the past and an act of obedience to Christ.

2. The Role of Real Spiritual Warfare

• Manifestations of Attack: Jessica recounts experiencing both emotional spiritual attack (doubt, fear) and physical events (her stove turning itself on, a visit to the ER with unexplainable pain), intensifying as she drew near to Christ and rejected her old practices.
• Corporate Prayer: Ryan leads a moment of fervent prayer for protection over Jessica and her family, encouraging listeners to join in spiritual solidarity.

“We are walking with a holy swagger, and we are standing on victory…” – Ryan [01:50]
“Last night, my gas stove turned itself on. My house nearly burnt down last night…” – Jessica [18:20]

• Words of Encouragement: Riaan delivers a prophetic word for Jessica about breakthrough in her husband’s career and a calling to write and share her testimony with thousands.

3. Riaan’s Testimony: From Satanist and Psychic to Christ

• Parallel Journeys: Riaan, previously a practicing psychic for 15 years and then a Satanist, relates intimately to Jessica’s story. He explains the deep deception involved:
  • Psychic abilities are real but are “giftings from God corrupted by the enemy.”
  • What appear to be “spirit guides” or “ancestors” are in fact familiar spirits (demons) deceiving mediums and clients alike.
• Deliverance & Transformation: Riaan describes a lengthy period of deliverance and the ways the Holy Spirit transformed his perception and communication with the spiritual realm.
• Strong Emphasis on Grace: Both former psychics discuss the inconceivable depth of God’s mercy—and how public testimony is critical to reaching those they once misled.

“When I was working as a psychic, information comes through here, right? When God shows us something, it comes through your heart… God has a heart for people.” – Riaan [27:50]

4. Discernment and Hearing God’s Voice

• Learning to Discern: Jessica asks how to distinguish between the voice of God and lingering demonic influences.
  • Practice of Presence: Both Ryan and Riaan emphasize that intimate time with God (prayer, reading scripture) cultivates recognition of His voice—likened to knowing a loved one in a crowded room.
  • Scriptural Alignment: Test all revelations against scripture.
  • The Witness Principle: Seek confirmation from multiple trusted sources (“three witnesses”).
• Physical & Emotional Sensation: Riaan describes a qualitative difference in how messages are received—“information through the head” (demonic/familiar spirits), versus deep heart “knowing” or conviction (the Holy Spirit).

“God will never tell you something that you can’t confirm in the Word.” – Riaan [43:12]
“When I was doing psychic stuff, it was coming through your head; when you hear from the Lord, it comes through your heart.” – Riaan [70:35]

5. The Occult, the “Gray Areas,” and Christians

• Broad Reach of Deception: The guests note that many ordinary spiritual practices—Reiki, crystal healing, yoga (specific poses), even the Enneagram and astrology—open doors to the demonic and are not “gray areas,” but clear departures from the Kingdom of God.
• Urgency for Awareness: Jessica feels urgent compassion for those unknowingly trapped, and both she and Riaan agree their life stories now serve as warnings and invitations to those still in deception.

“Doors are never marked ‘here's a 666’; the doors are marked as ‘get an answer from God tomorrow through your astrology chart’.” – Riaan [54:22]

6. Grace, Identity, and the Simplicity of the Gospel

• Identity in Christ: Ryan and Riaan both stress—again and again—that Jessica (and all believers) are not defined by their past but by being sons and daughters of God. Works and rituals are not the path to God; grace and relationship are.
• The Simplicity of Truth: The way of Jesus is described as refreshingly simple—a stark contrast to the rituals and complexities of the occult.

“Your good deeds are like filthy rags… But you’re my child and I love you. And I’ve clothed you in pure white garments.” – Ryan [37:18]
“Truth is simple… The gospel is the truth. That’s why it’s simple.” – Riaan [69:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Leaving the Old Life

“I just feel responsible for also tricking them. And I don’t know how to unpick years of that.” — Jessica [29:56]

“Once we are in Jesus… We don’t fall from grace ever. We fall into grace.” — Riaan [32:48]

On Discernment

“You’ll recognize God’s voice over a hundred other voices—not because it’s louder, but because you’ve spent time with Him.” — Riaan [43:00]

On the Occult’s Deception

“In the spirit world, there’s literally only two things—the kingdom of God and everything else. There’s no gray.” — Riaan [53:13]

On Identity and Grace

“Your partnership with a lie—that you’re not worthy—is what will hold you back.” — Ryan [37:18]
“Jesus says to you, he has never looked at you, Jessica, and wished that he saw somebody else.” — Riaan [29:13]

On the Simplicity of the Gospel

“We just follow the Bible. It’s so simple… Why were we trying to reinvent the wheel?” — Jessica [68:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:21–13:51] Jessica’s testimony, the “wolf in sheep’s clothing” warning, surrendering her career
• [17:31–21:22] Spiritual attacks & powerful prayer for protection
• [21:29–32:49] Riaan explains the spiritual mechanics of the occult, deliverance, God’s restoration
• [40:42–45:43] On discerning God’s voice; religion vs. relationship
• [49:08–55:15] Ministry to others trapped in the occult
• [70:35–73:42] How demonic and divine communication “felt” different as a psychic versus follower of Jesus

Tone & Style

The conversation is honest, direct, sometimes raw but always centered on hope, grace, and encouragement. Both Jessica and Riaan’s openness provides a compelling, non-sensationalized look into spiritual deception—and the deep fulfillment found in Christ.

Takeaways for Listeners

• No one is too far gone for God’s love and redemption.
• Former practitioners of the occult find true power, healing, and fulfillment in relationship with Jesus.
• Discernment comes from proximity to God and His Word, not rituals or experiences.
• What feels like “the light” outside of Christ can be a well-disguised darkness.
• Your past can become your ministry—testimony has power.
• The gospel is simple and grace-filled; religion complicates, Jesus liberates.

For continued support, Ryan encourages local Christian community and prayer, and promises ongoing support and follow-up for Jessica and all listeners beginning their own journeys out of the occult and into the family of God.