Spiritual Recon

Adam and Diana Clay
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Spirituality
  • Weekly

Step behind enemy lines and see how the unseen world shapes your daily life. Hosts Adam and Diana Clay, missionaries with over 20 years of experience serving in Voodoo, Santeria, and animism cultures, help Christians discern challenges, stand firm, and confront the schemes opposing God’s purposes. Each episode equips you to reclaim your God-given authority, walk in your calling, advance God’s kingdom, and live on mission to fulfill the Great Commission. spiritualrecon.substack.com

  1. 1h ago

    We've Spent 20 Years Confronting the Demonic: Here's What We've Learned

    What do you learn after spending 20 years confronting the demonic? And what happens when your experiences begin to challenge what you thought you understood about spiritual warfare? For more than two decades, we’ve been involved in ministry where encounters with the unseen realm, demonic oppression, and spiritual opposition have been part of our journey. But here’s something we’ve come to realize: Our understanding of spiritual warfare today looks very different from what it did 20 years ago. We’ve learned that the unseen realm is more complex than we originally understood. That not everything is demonic, but we shouldn’t dismiss the spiritual either. That the enemy has a much larger strategy than simply causing problems in our everyday lives. And that it’s possible to spend your entire life confronting demons while missing the very people Jesus has called you to reach. In this episode, Adam and Diana reflect on 20 years of firsthand experiences with spiritual warfare and share some of the biggest lessons they’ve learned along the way. We talk about how our understanding of demons has changed, personal encounters with the unseen realm, learning to recognize spiritual opposition, and why our approach to spiritual warfare looks different today. But this conversation isn’t just about what we’ve experienced. It’s about what those experiences have taught us about following Jesus. Because spiritual warfare isn’t the mission. Following Jesus and making disciples is. 🔍 In This Episode • How our understanding of demons and the unseen realm has changed• Genesis 6, the Nephilim, and the spiritual hierarchy• Personal experiences with spiritual attacks and unusual encounters• Why not everything is demonic—and how to grow in discernment• How the Divine Council and Deuteronomy 32 worldview changed our perspective• Understanding the enemy’s larger strategy• An encounter with a Dominican voodoo practitioner and why people aren’t our enemy• Why following Jesus matters more than chasing demons• What we wish we’d understood about spiritual warfare 20 years ago 👉 Join the Spiritual Recon Community We’re building something beyond the podcast, with biblical training, community gatherings, and conversations to help people understand the battle, step into their calling, and live on mission together. https://spiritualrecon.org 🎥 Watch the Full Episode on YouTube Prefer to watch the conversation? Join Adam and Diana for the full video episode. 🎙️ About Spiritual Recon Spiritual Recon is hosted by Adam and Diana Clay, missionaries serving in the Dominican Republic. We explore the biblical supernatural worldview, the unseen realm, and what it means to follow Jesus as King in a world where the spiritual battle is real. UNDERSTAND THE BATTLE. STEP INTO YOUR CALLING. PUSH BACK DARKNESS. 👉 Subscribe for more episodes. 📩 Connect with us: SpiritualReconPodcast@gmail.com Get full access to Spiritual Recon Community at spiritualrecon.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Oct 30

    Witch Doctors, Territorial Spirits & Spiritual Warfare in the Amazon | Travis Burkhalter (ep. 33)

    What happens when you enter a place where people believe spirits control the rivers, the jungle, and the land itself? Where witch doctors hold spiritual influence. Where fear of the unseen realm shapes everyday life. And where following Jesus can mean turning away from spiritual powers people have trusted for generations. In this episode of Spiritual Recon, we’re joined again by missionary Travis Burkhalter, who spent years serving among indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest and now works with indigenous people in Colombia. Travis shares firsthand stories of territorial spirits, witch doctors, strange supernatural encounters, and spiritual opposition from his years in the Amazon. But this conversation goes beyond the supernatural stories. It’s about recognizing how the enemy works, seeing where God is already moving, and learning what it means to follow Jesus into the battle. Because the enemy doesn’t always work through obvious spiritual manifestations. Sometimes he works through fear. Sometimes through deception. And sometimes through distorted understandings of the gospel that leave people using Christian language without truly following Jesus as King. Yet even in places where darkness seems deeply entrenched, God is already at work. And He’s inviting His people to join Him. 🔍 In This Episode * Stories of territorial spirits believed to control parts of the Amazon jungle and rivers * Witch doctors, animism, and the fear that shapes everyday life * Strange accounts of two-headed snakes, animal spirits, and supernatural encounters * Spiritual opposition Travis and his team encountered in the Amazon * How distorted understandings of the gospel can leave people trapped in fear * Why discipleship requires more than simply sharing information * How Bible storytelling and modeling Jesus helped indigenous believers grow in faith * The story of a woman involved in witchcraft who eventually turned from the spirits to follow Jesus * How spiritual warfare takes different forms among indigenous communities in Colombia * What these experiences teach us about recognizing the enemy’s strategies in our own communities One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that understanding spiritual warfare is only part of the mission. We can learn about territorial spirits, recognize patterns of deception, and study how the enemy works. But if that knowledge doesn’t lead us to love people, make disciples, and follow Jesus into the places He’s sending us, we’ve missed the point. The goal isn’t simply to recognize darkness. It’s to follow Jesus into the places where He’s calling us to push it back. And that raises a question worth asking: Are we learning to recognize the battle so we can talk about it, or so we can actually step into our calling? 🎥 Watch the Full Episode on YouTube Prefer to watch the conversation? Join Adam, Diana, and Travis for the full video episode. 🎙️ About Spiritual Recon Spiritual Recon is hosted by Adam and Diana Clay, missionaries serving in the Dominican Republic. We explore the biblical supernatural worldview, the unseen realm, and what it means to follow Jesus as King, make disciples, and push back darkness. UNDERSTAND THE BATTLE. STEP INTO YOUR CALLING. PUSH BACK DARKNESS. 🌐 Website and Community: https://spiritualrecon.org 👉 Subscribe for more conversations about the unseen realm, discipleship, spiritual warfare, and living on mission. 📩 Contact: SpiritualReconPodcast@gmail.com Get full access to Spiritual Recon Community at spiritualrecon.substack.com/subscribe

    Witch Doctors, Territorial Spirits & Spiritual Warfare in the Amazon | Travis Burkhalter (ep. 33)

  3. Oct 21

    6 Marks of a People Who Push Back Darkness (Ep. 32)

    What does it actually look like to become a people who push back darkness? Not just understand the unseen battle. Not just recognize the powers at work. But actually follow Jesus into the places where He’s sending us. As we begin Season 2 of Spiritual Recon, we’re shifting the conversation from understanding the battle to becoming a people who live on mission. Because the goal has never been simply to know more about the unseen realm. The goal is to follow Jesus as King, make disciples, and push back darkness wherever He’s placed us. In this episode, we explore six characteristics of a people on mission, drawing from Alan Hirsch’s missional DNA framework. 🔍 In This Episode * Why everything begins with Jesus as King * Why making disciples is central to pushing back darkness * What it means to live missionally and incarnationally * How organic communities grow and multiply * Why we need a community formed around a shared mission * How APEST equips the whole body to participate in Jesus’ mission * What this means for the next season of Spiritual Recon But this isn’t just about understanding six characteristics. It’s about asking whether we’re actually living as the people Jesus has called us to be. Because pushing back darkness isn’t just about confronting spiritual activity. It’s about following Jesus, making disciples, and living as a people sent into the world. And that brings us back to the question: Are you pushing back darkness where God has placed you? 👉 Join the Spiritual Recon Community We’re building something beyond the podcast. Spiritual Recon is a community of people learning to follow Jesus, understand the unseen battle, and live on mission wherever God has placed them. Through trainings, conversations, and opportunities to connect, we’re helping people move beyond simply learning about the battle and begin stepping into their calling. Whether you’re serving overseas, leading a community, or simply wanting to live more intentionally on mission where you are, we’d love for you to be part of the conversation. 👉 Explore our community and upcoming trainings: https://spiritualrecon.org 🎥 Watch the Full Episode on YouTube Prefer to watch the conversation? Join Adam and Diana for the full video episode on YouTube. 🎙️ About Spiritual Recon Spiritual Recon is hosted by Adam and Diana Clay, missionaries serving in the Dominican Republic. We explore the biblical supernatural worldview and what it means to follow Jesus as King, make disciples, and live on mission where the unseen realm intersects with everyday life. Our mission: UNDERSTAND THE BATTLE. STEP INTO YOUR CALLING. PUSH BACK DARKNESS. 🌐 Website: https://spiritualrecon.org 📩 Contact: SpiritualReconPodcast@gmail.com 👉 Subscribe to Spiritual Recon for more conversations about understanding the unseen battle and becoming a people who live on mission. Get full access to Spiritual Recon Community at spiritualrecon.substack.com/subscribe

    6 Marks of a People Who Push Back Darkness (Ep. 32)

  4. May 20

    Episode 31: A New Chapter Begins — Building Something Deeper

    In this short update episode, Adam and Diana share where things are headed next for Spiritual Recon. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be preparing for the launch of the Spiritual Recon Equipping Community this August while continuing to release weekly “Recon Briefings” and occasional long-form conversations focused on spiritual warfare, discipleship, mission, APEST, and equipping believers to live fully on mission as image-bearers of God. To be the first to hear updates and learn more about the Spiritual Recon Equipping Community, visit: https://www.SpiritualRecon.org Thank you for being part of this journey with us Get full access to Spiritual Recon Community at spiritualrecon.substack.com/subscribe

    Episode 31: A New Chapter Begins — Building Something Deeper

  5. May 6

    Episode 30: Spiritual Recon in the Voodoo Capital: Pushing Back Darkness in the Dominican Republic

    What’s actually happening in spiritually dark places? Not just what you can see… but what’s happening behind it? In this episode, we take you inside a real experience—visiting a voodoo sanctuary in the Dominican Republic—and unpack what was actually going on beneath the surface. Because this wasn’t just about what we saw. It was about learning how to recognize spiritual darkness, understand what’s happening in a place, and respond as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. As we’ve been walking through the unseen realm and the Deuteronomy 32 worldview, the goal has never been just more knowledge. At some point, it has to become action. So in this episode, we walk through: how we approached this environment what we were looking for what patterns we observed and how we responded in real time But this isn’t just about a voodoo sanctuary. Because most of us aren’t walking into something that obvious. The question is: 👉 what’s happening in your environment? Your workplace. Your city. Your family. Because whether it’s visible or subtle—there is still a spiritual battle taking place. And learning to recognize it is the first step. 🔍 In This Episode • What’s really happening in spiritually dark environments • Why some places feel different—and what that actually means • How spiritual recon works in real life • The patterns we observed (rituals, locations, environment) • Why people participate in these practices • How we approached prayer and pushing back darkness • Why the goal is always people—not just spiritual activity • What shifted after we prayed • How to apply this in your everyday life 👉 Get Equipped If this episode resonated with you, this is exactly why we’re building something beyond the podcast. We’re launching a training community this August for believers who want to move beyond just learning—and actually step into their own environments with clarity and confidence. If you want to: • grow in discernment • understand what’s really happening spiritually • know how to respond in your own context • step into your authority as an ambassador 👉 Join our email list to be the first to know when we launch: https://tinyurl.com/394tsj9x 🎙️ About Spiritual Recon Spiritual Recon is hosted by Adam and Diana Clay, missionaries serving in spiritually contested environments. We explore the biblical supernatural worldview and what it means to live as Kingdom ambassadors in real places—where the unseen realm intersects with everyday life. 👉 Subscribe for more episodes 📩 Connect with us: SpiritualReconPodcast@gmail.com Get full access to Spiritual Recon Community at spiritualrecon.substack.com/subscribe

    Episode 30: Spiritual Recon in the Voodoo Capital: Pushing Back Darkness in the Dominican Republic

  6. Apr 22

    Episode 29: Is America a Christian Nation—or Is That the Deception?

    What if the idea of a “Christian nation”… isn’t actually biblical? We hear it all the time— “America is a Christian nation.” “One nation under God.” But what if that idea doesn’t come from Scripture at all? In this episode, we step into a conversation that goes deeper than politics. Because this isn’t about left vs right… or one country vs another… 👉 It’s about allegiance. When you follow the biblical story—from the Tower of Babel to Deuteronomy 32 to the teachings of Jesus—you start to see a very different picture of the world. Not a world made up of “Christian nations”… but a world of divided nations under spiritual powers— and one Kingdom that stands above them all. So the real question becomes: 👉 Can a nation actually belong to God? 👉 Or have we misunderstood something foundational? In this episode, we break down what Scripture actually says, challenge some deeply held assumptions, and help you think through where your allegiance truly lies. Because as followers of Jesus, our identity isn’t tied to a country… It’s tied to a Kingdom. 🔍 In This Episode • Why “Christian nation” isn’t a biblical concept • What the Tower of Babel reveals about nations • The Deuteronomy 32 worldview explained simply • What Scripture says is over the nations today • Why mixing Christianity and politics is dangerous • How allegiance subtly shifts away from the Kingdom • What Jesus and Paul actually modeled • Why your citizenship isn’t tied to a nation • Questions to help you evaluate your allegiance • The real mission: reclaiming people, not nations 🎙️ About Spiritual Recon Spiritual Recon is hosted by Adam and Diana Clay, missionaries serving in spiritually contested environments. We explore the biblical supernatural worldview and what it means to live as Kingdom ambassadors in a world shaped by both seen and unseen realities. 👉 Subscribe for more episodes 👉 Connect with us: SpiritualReconPodcast@gmail.com Get full access to Spiritual Recon Community at spiritualrecon.substack.com/subscribe

    Episode 29: Is America a Christian Nation—or Is That the Deception?

  7. Apr 15

    Episode 28: How to Hear God’s Voice (And Not Be Deceived)

    What if the real challenge isn’t hearing God’s voice… but knowing which voice you’re hearing? In our last episode, we talked about why so many Christians struggle to hear from God. But even when you do hear something— how do you know it’s actually Him? Because as believers, we don’t just hear one voice. We hear: God Our own thoughts And the enemy And learning to discern the difference is essential if we’re going to walk in obedience and grow in our relationship with Him. In this episode, we get practical. We break down what each of these voices sounds like, how they operate, and how you can begin to test what you’re hearing so you’re not led by confusion, fear, or your own reasoning. Because God is speaking. The question is—are you recognizing His voice? 🔍 In This Episode • The 3 voices every believer hears • Why confusion is so common • The difference between conviction and condemnation • How the enemy twists truth—even Scripture • How your own thoughts can sound convincing • Why God’s voice brings clarity, not chaos • Practical ways to test what you’re hearing • Common mistakes that keep people stuck • How to grow in confidence hearing God 🎙️ About Spiritual Recon Spiritual Recon is hosted by Adam and Diana Clay, missionaries serving in spiritually contested environments. We explore the biblical supernatural worldview and what it means to live as Kingdom ambassadors in a world shaped by both seen and unseen realities. 👉 Subscribe for more episodes 👉 Connect with us: SpiritualReconPodcast@gmail.com Get full access to Spiritual Recon Community at spiritualrecon.substack.com/subscribe

    Episode 28: How to Hear God’s Voice (And Not Be Deceived)

  8. Apr 8

    Episode 27: Why Most Christians Struggle to Hear God’s Voice

    What if the reason you struggle to hear God’s voice… isn’t because He isn’t speaking? …but because you’ve been taught to listen in only one way? In this episode, we unpack one of the most important—and often misunderstood—questions in the Christian life: How does God actually speak today? Many believers have been taught that the Bible is the primary—or even the only—way God communicates. But when we step back and look at Scripture as a whole… we see something much bigger. From dreams and visions, to the leading of the Holy Spirit, to the still small voice—God has always been a speaking God. So why does it feel so difficult for so many Christians to hear Him? We explore: Why this struggle is so common How Western thinking may have shaped our expectations The tension between avoiding deception and actually hearing God What Scripture shows about how God speaks And how to begin growing in discernment and obedience This isn’t about replacing the Bible. It’s about understanding its role… and rediscovering a relationship with a God who still speaks. Because if Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice…” then learning to recognize it isn’t optional. It’s foundational. 🎙️ Spiritual Recon is hosted by Adam and Diana Clay, missionaries serving in spiritually contested environments. We explore the biblical supernatural worldview, the Deuteronomy 32 framework, and what it means to live as Kingdom ambassadors reclaiming image-bearers from deception and darkness. Because if God is still speaking… then learning to hear Him changes everything. 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes 👉 Join our email list for deeper resources https://tinyurl.com/394tsj9x 📩 SpiritualReconPodcast@gmail.com Get full access to Spiritual Recon Community at spiritualrecon.substack.com/subscribe

    Episode 27: Why Most Christians Struggle to Hear God’s Voice
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Step behind enemy lines and see how the unseen world shapes your daily life. Hosts Adam and Diana Clay, missionaries with over 20 years of experience serving in Voodoo, Santeria, and animism cultures, help Christians discern challenges, stand firm, and confront the schemes opposing God’s purposes. Each episode equips you to reclaim your God-given authority, walk in your calling, advance God’s kingdom, and live on mission to fulfill the Great Commission. spiritualrecon.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Adam and Diana Clay
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Adam Clay
  • Show Website
    Spiritual Recon