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What would it take for an atheist to become a Christian? Thirteen years ago, that question led Jana Harmon to study the lives of 50 former atheists. What she discovered were deeply human journeys shaped by relationships, experiences, evidence, and a willingness to reconsider what was true. Six years ago, those stories became the heart of eX-skeptic. In this special anniversary episode, Jana reflects on the beginnings of the podcast, the enduring questions behind every story, and the unexpected ways people have found faith in Jesus Christ.  Whether you’ve listened from the beginning or have only recently joined us, thank you for being part of six years of honest questions, surprising discoveries, and unlikely stories of belief. 🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Resources Mentioned: eX-skeptic Guides — Written resources referenced by Jana: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore eX-skeptic website — Stories, writings, and additional resources: exskeptic.org eX-skeptic YouTube channel and playlists — Additional ways to explore the stories: www.youtube.com/@exskeptic C.S. Lewis Institute: www.cslewisinstitute.org The Podcast Upload: www.thepodcastupload.com Chapters 00:00 – Celebrating Six Years of eX-skeptic 00:22 – Where the Journey Began 01:16 – Why We Started the Podcast 01:44 – The Questions That Still Matter 02:35 – Six Years of Stories and Resources 03:33 – Thank You to Our Guests, Team, and Supporters 04:29 – The Journey Continues  Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] Transcript BONUS 6th Anniversary October 30th, 2026 Celebrating Six Years of eX-skeptic JANA HARMON: Hello and welcome to eX-skeptic, where we hear unlikely stories of belief from people who once rejected God in Christianity but changed their minds. I'm your host, Jana Harmon, and today's episode is a special one because today marks the sixth anniversary of eX-skeptic. So, I wanted to take a few minutes to look back at where this all began, and most of all, to say thank you. Where the Journey Began The journey actually began 13 years ago when I started doctoral research investigating the lives of 50 former atheists who become Christians. I had the question, what would it take for an atheist to become a Christian? I wanted to understand how and why they formed their beliefs against God, what caused those beliefs to change, and ultimately what they found in Christ and how their lives had changed as a result. What I discovered was nothing short of amazing. These were deeply human journeys involving questions of relationships, experiences and evidence, doubts and desires. Each story was different, but I began to notice something. Resistance could give way to curiosity, assumptions long held could be reconsidered, and people who had once dismissed belief in God could become willing to ask again what is actually true. Why We Started the Podcast So, when the C.S. Lewis Institute asked me to begin a podcast in 2020, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. These stories were simply too good to keep to myself. I knew that skeptics and seekers could hear themselves in these stories. Christians could better understand someone they loved who didn't believe, and all of us could learn from people who had been willing to question what they believed and pursued truth wherever it led. And so, six years ago, we began telling their stories. Questions That Still Matter Six years later, what strikes me is that while culture changes, our deepest questions don't. Why are we here? Does my life have meaning? Is there a God? Can I know him? Is there anything true and solid enough to build my life upon? Again and again, we've heard people wrestle honestly with those questions and find something or someone they didn't expect. Augustine famously wrote that our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God, and in many ways, that's what these stories have shown us. We've seen restless hearts finding rest. We've seen searching minds finding truth. We've seen people discovering a story large enough to make sense of the world around them and the longings within them. Six Years of Stories and Resources And that's why eX-skeptic still exists today: to commend faith in Jesus Christ through the stories and advice of those who once rejected it. When I recorded the first episode six years ago, I certainly didn't know where all of this would lead. What began as a podcast has grown into a broader platform of stories and resources through YouTube, our website, and writings such as The eX-skeptic Guides and Playlists. And there's something remarkable to celebrate. Of roughly 1 million podcasts that began in 2020, only about 2.5% of podcasts are still actively publishing today. And thanks to you, eX-skeptic is among them and has remained among the top 1% of all podcasts globally over the past five years. That is according to Listen Notes. Thank You to Our Guests, Team, and Supporters I'm deeply grateful to every guest who has trusted us with their story, and to every one of you who have listened, watched, read, and shared them. I'm also grateful for the people who make it possible. Ashley Kelfer, our producer, Wendy Grounds, and Lori Burleson, the eX-skeptic team. We're thankful to our partners at the CS Lewis Institute Podcast Network, and we're so grateful for Caleb, Isabella, and Sean at The Podcast Upload who make all of the production and promotion possible. And above all, I'm grateful to God because behind each of these stories is the One who knows us and loves us, who meets us in our questions, draws us towards himself, and guides us into knowing what is true and real. A lot has changed in six years, but what matters most has not. The truth has not changed. Jesus hasn't changed, and people are still searching. The Journey Continues So, thank you for being a part of six years of questions, journeys, doubts, discoveries, and unlikely stories of belief. There are still so many stories left to tell, and we hope you'll continue to journey with us. And if eX-skeptic has encouraged you, challenged you, helped you, or someone you love, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]. Thank you so much for being a part of eX-skeptic, and we look forward to seeing you next time, where we'll hear another unlikely story of belief.

What if the reason you struggle to believe is because life has taught you not to trust? Dr. Jana Harmon sits down with Robert Hotchkin, a former skeptic and spiritual seeker, whose journey took him far beyond traditional religion. Raised in a loving but largely non-religious home, Robert eventually embraced a worldview marked by cynicism, intellectualism, and deep disappointment. Determined to find meaning and transcendence, he explored the New Age movement, Eastern philosophies, meditation, altered states of consciousness, and countless spiritual practices. Yet no experience could satisfy the longing that remained.  Then, in the solitude of the Montana mountains, after years of searching and a lifetime of hidden pain, Robert encountered something he could neither explain away nor forget, the overwhelming love of God. Listen to learn how Robert explored the goodness and truth of God. 🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Guest Bio: Robert Hotchkin is an author, speaker, and ministry leader dedicated to helping believers walk in the supernatural realities of life in Christ. With more than twenty years in full-time ministry, Robert focuses on equipping Christians to experience the fruit, gifts, and power of the Holy Spirit in everyday life. Based in Arizona with his wife, Robert ministers internationally through teaching, media, and discipleship, encouraging believers to reveal the reality of Jesus to the world around them. Resources Mentioned: eX-skeptic Guides: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore/ Website: Robert Hotchkin Ministries:  www.roberthotchkin.com YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RobertHotchkin Chapters:  00:00 – Introduction: A Skeptic's Encounter with God 00:17 – Meet Robert Hotchkin: From Skeptic to Ministry 03:11 – Growing Up Without a Personal Faith 06:12 – How Rejection and Disappointment Shaped His Beliefs 08:20 – Why He Stopped Believing in Anything 12:02 – Finding Safety in Intellect and Reason 15:45 – Why Robert Rejected Christianity 17:57 – Searching for Truth in New Age Spirituality 21:16 – Exploring Altered States of Consciousness 25:45 – Why Spiritual Experiences Never Satisfied 29:40 – The Book That Opened a Door to Christianity 31:00 – Praying to Jesus Without Realizing It 34:43 – Searching for Meaning in Montana 37:13 – The Mysterious Encounter in the Snow 40:18 – God's Unexpected Words: I Refuse Not to Love You 44:26 – The Second Encounter That Led Him to Jesus 48:57 – How Following Jesus Transformed His Life 54:27 – Why God Said He Refused Not to Love Him 01:01:33 – Robert's Advice to Skeptics Seeking God 01:04:15 – Experiencing God's Love and Sharing It with Others Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] eX-skeptic Transcript Ep. 155 October 23, 2026

For years, Nate Hanson was deeply committed to Christianity. Influenced by voices like Francis Chan and immersed in ministry, he devoted his life to radical discipleship and church planting. But after years of burnout, disappointment, and difficult questions, cracks began to appear in the faith he had always known. What followed was nearly a decade of public deconstruction through his podcast Almost Heretical, where he wrestled honestly with doubt, theology, and whether Christianity could withstand serious scrutiny. Yet what Nate expected to be the end of faith became the beginning of a new search for truth. In this episode, Nate shares how engaging skeptical arguments, historical scholarship, and the evidence surrounding Jesus led him to reconsider the very faith he thought he had left behind. 🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Guest Bio: Nate Hanson is the co-host of Faith Lab, a podcast dedicated to exploring thoughtful Christianity and helping people wrestle honestly with questions of faith. For nearly a decade, he hosted the popular podcast Almost Heretical, where he openly chronicled his own journey through deconstruction and engaged in conversations surrounding doubt, theology, and spirituality. Today, Nate seeks to create space for gracious conversations and to help skeptics, doubters, and seekers thoughtfully engage the truth claims of Christianity. Nate is also a tech professional, specializing in AI and coding. He lives in Oregon with his wife and children. Resources Mentioned: eX-skeptic Guides: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore/ Nate’s Resources: Podcast Website: Faith Lab Show www.faithlabshow.com; He recently shared his personal journey back to Christianity in the episode Deconstruction Led Me Back to Christianity. Nate’s Recommended Resources: Tim Mackie, The Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com Tim Keller, Questioning Christianity video series: https://qcpodcast.gospelinlife.com Tim Keller, Reasons for God Richard Bauckham, Jesus and the Eye Witnesses Lydia McGrew, https://lydiamcgrew.com Peter J. Williams, https://www.divinity.cam.ac.uk/directory/peter-williams Shane Rosenthal, The Humble Skeptic podcast NT Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God James D. G. Dunn, New Testament Scholar John Lennox, https://johnlennox.org Stephen C. Meyer, The God Hypothesis, https://www.discovery.org/p/meyer/ Justin Brierley, Uncommon Ground, https://justinbrierley.com John Dickson, Undeceptions Podcast, https://undeceptions.com/podcast/ Chapters  00:00 Why Nate Returned to Christianity 00:26 Introduction to Nate Hanson's Story 02:54 What Is Christian Deconstruction? 06:25 Growing Up in a Christian Family 09:13 Church was Life 12:09 Francis Chan and Radical Faith 17:10 Pursuing Full-Time Christian Ministry 21:49 Ministry in San Francisco's Toughest Neighborhoods 28:07 Gunfire and a Crisis of Faith 31:44 When Blind Faith Began to Unravel 33:14 Exploring Different Christian Traditions 36:30 The Almost Heretical Podcast and Deconstruction 41:32 The Dominoes Falling 42:40 Giving Christianity One Last Chance 45:20 Investigating the Historical Evidence for Jesus 49:48 Can Christianity Stand Up to Skepticism? 52:43 The Resurrection and 1 Corinthians 15 55:32 Questioning God, Science, and Alternative Worldviews 58:00 Why Nate Became a Christian Again 01:01:55 Rebuilding Faith After Deconstruction 01:06:02 Advice for Parents of Children Who Leave Christianity 01:11:49 Advice for Anyone Questioning Their Faith 01:18:31 Closing Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] eX-skeptic Transcript

What happens when the scientific story you're given seems to leave no room for God? Dr. Brian Miller grew up with a belief in God, but everything changed when he entered MIT and later pursued a PhD in physics at Duke University. Surrounded by a scientific culture that viewed God as unnecessary and influenced by thinkers like Richard Dawkins, Brian gradually embraced a materialistic view of reality. But the deeper he explored science, the more questions emerged. Could naturalism explain meaning, consciousness, or the origin of life? Why did the universe appear so finely tuned? And what if the story he had accepted about science and faith was itself incomplete? 🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: https://givebutter.com/CB6WoH Guest Bio: Dr. Brian Miller is a physicist who studied physics and engineering at MIT and earned his PhD in complex systems physics from Duke University. He serves as a researcher with the Discovery Institute, where his work focuses on intelligent design, the origin of life, and the evidence for purpose and engineering in biology. Dr. Miller was also a lead technical consultant for Stephen Meyer’s bestselling book The Return of the God Hypothesis. Passionate about helping people think deeply about faith and science, he speaks and writes on topics including cosmology, biology, philosophy, and the historical reliability of Christianity.  Resources Mentioned: eX-skeptic Guides: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore/ Brian’s Resources: •        Book: The God Hypothesis, Stephen Meyer (Brian Miller, lead technical consultant) •        Book: God’s Not Dead, Rice Broocks (Brian Miller, technical consultant) Brian’s Recommended Resources: •        Website: https://intelligentdesign.org/ •        Website: Discovery Institute: www.discovery.org •        Website: Reasons to Believe, Hugh Ross: www.reasons.org •        David Snoke: www.christianscientific.org •        Craig Blomberg: https://theopedia.com/craig-blomberg •        Jonathan McLatchie: www.jonathanmclatchie.com •        Talk about Doubts: www.talkaboutdoubts.com •        Lydia McGrew: www.lydiamcgrew.com •        William Lane Craig: www.reasonablefaith.org •        Rice Broocks, SALT training: https://www.thegodtest.org Chapters  0:00 – Can Science Lead You to God? 02:19 – Brian Miller’s Journey Through MIT and Duke 03:24 – Growing Up Christian and Beginning to Doubt 06:15 – Questioning Christianity at MIT 10:34 – Evidence That Challenged His Skepticism 14:06 – Challenging Materialism and the Assumptions Behind Science 19:09 – Is There Evidence of Design in Nature? 23:12 – How Our Environment Shapes What We Believe 30:47 – Where Naturalism Struggles to Explain Reality 36:24 – Why Changing Your Worldview Takes Time 40:51 – Can Life Have Meaning Without God? 45:58 – How Christianity Changed Brian’s View of Life 51:25 – Next Steps to Belief in God 56:15 – How Christians Can Talk with Skeptics 59:14 – Keep Exploring  Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected]

What happens when suffering shapes your picture of God? For Paul Snyder, the God he rejected as a young boy seemed harsh, distant, and impossible to please. Growing up amid fear, family brokenness, rejection, and disappointment, he concluded that if God existed at all, He certainly wasn't good. By the age of twelve, Paul had reached a point of despair. Filled with anger and skepticism, he did something many people secretly feel but rarely admit. He challenged God directly.What happened next changed everything. Paul shares how an unexpected encounter with the love of Christ transformed his understanding of God and set him on a lifelong journey of faith and service.  🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Guest Bio: Paul Snyder is the president of Global Bridges, an international ministry serving persecuted believers, vulnerable children, and marginalized communities in some of the world's most restricted nations. Continuing a legacy of gospel ministry that spans generations, Paul is passionate about demonstrating the love of Christ through practical compassion and humanitarian aid. He is also the co-author of Love Shines, a book highlighting the importance of Scripture and the extraordinary story behind the ministry's work among persecuted Christians around the world. Once an atheist shaped by suffering and disappointment, Paul now dedicates his life to helping others encounter the hope and love he found in Jesus.  Resources Mentioned: eX-skeptic Guides: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore/ Book: Love Shines: From Smuggling Bibles to Training a Million Disciples; https://globalbridgesrelief.org/loveshines/ Global Bridges – International ministry serving persecuted believers and vulnerable communities: https://globalbridgesrelief.org/ Open Doors (founded by Brother Andrew) Ethnos360 (formerly New Tribes Mission) YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Chapters   00:00 Paul’s “Liquid Love” Encounter 00:54 If God Is Good, Why Do We Suffer? 02:00 Serving the Persecuted with Global Bridges 04:48 A Family Legacy of Faith 09:25 From Smuggling Bibles to Smuggling Drugs 11:41 How His Father Shaped His View of God 15:33 “God Was Like Santa Claus” 16:49 Paul Reaches a Point of Despair 19:21 He Challenges God to Prove He’s Real 19:47 “Liquid Love” Poured Over Him 20:23 God Says, “I Love You” 21:36 Jesus Is More Than a Philosophy 23:01 Discovering God Through the Bible 26:05 Why Scripture Matters 27:18 If God Is Good, Why Is There Suffering? 30:18 Escaping Performance-Based Christianity 34:44 Is God Supposed to Stop All Suffering? 36:02 Do You Need a Dramatic Encounter with God? 39:01 Where Should a Skeptic Start? 41:00 How Christians Should Engage with Skeptics  Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected]

🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Growing up in a deeply Christian home, Shayla Perez assumed that faith was simply part of her family tradition. But as she entered her teenage years, skepticism began to grow. Questions about suffering and whether Christianity was actually true led her into online atheist communities and eventually to reject the faith she grew up around. What began as rebellion soon became a sincere search for truth. As Shayla wrestled with the claims of atheism and the intellectual foundations of Christianity, she discovered something she had never expected. Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: https://givebutter.com/CB6WoH  Guest Bio: Shayla Perez is a Christian speaker and content creator passionate about helping the next generation discover the truth of Christianity. After a season of skepticism and involvement in online atheist communities as a teenager, she returned to faith through apologetics, philosophy, and a personal encounter with Christ. Today, she reaches Gen Z and Gen Alpha through social media, youth events, and churches, engaging honest questions about faith and culture.  Resources Mentioned: eX-skeptic Guides: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore/ Shayla’s Recommended Resources: William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith https://www.reasonablefaith.org Frank Turek, Cross-Examined, https://crossexamined.org Cliff Knechtle, Give me an Answer: https://www.youtube.com/@givemeananswer Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org Total Truth and Finding Truth, Nancy Pearcey:https://a.co/d/066TnGwI Shayla’s Social Resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shayla_j_perez/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Shayla_Perez TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shayla_j_perez Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] Chapters 00:00 Introduction: "God, If You're Real..." 00:34 Welcome & Introducing Shayla Perez 02:00 Shayla's Ministry & The Digital Mission Field 03:54 Growing Up a Pastor's Kid 06:08 When Skepticism Began 08:00 The Internet & Online Atheist Communities 11:12 Reading The Case for Christ (But Not Believing It) 13:24 What Atheism Couldn't Explain 14:57 Richard Dawkins, Morality & The First Doubts 17:48 Wrestling with the Problem of Evil 20:41 Christian Apologists Changed Everything 23:17 Giving God One Honest Chance 26:21 When Prayer Became Real 27:00 The Moment Shayla Came to Faith 29:52 Faith Isn't Blind 32:35 Can Logic Strengthen Faith? 34:02 How Do You Know Christianity Is True? 36:08 Advice for Parents of Skeptical Teens 42:46 Resources for Those Wrestling with Doubt 46:13 What Christianity Offers Gen Z 49:38 The Power of Personal Testimony 52:40 Why the Internet Is Today's Mission Field 55:50 Final Reflections & Takeaways eX-skeptic transcript Welcome & Introducing Shayla Perez

For decades, Charles Murray assumed what many educated people quietly assume - that religion belonged to an earlier age and that science had rendered belief in God unnecessary. He wasn't hostile to faith. He simply left it behind. But over time, questions he had never fully examined began pressing in. Why is there something rather than nothing? Why does the universe appear so finely tuned for life? Can consciousness really be reduced to the brain? And what should we make of the historical claims surrounding Jesus? In this conversation, author and social scientist Charles Murray shares the long, intellectual journey that led him to reconsider the reality of God and the claims of Christianity. 🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: https://givebutter.com/CB6WoH  Guest Bio: Charles Murray is a social scientist, author, and public intellectual known for his work on culture, social policy, and human flourishing. A longtime scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, he has written widely discussed books including Coming Apart, The Bell Curve, and Losing Ground. His recent book, Taking Religion Seriously, reflects on his intellectual journey from secular indifference toward a growing openness to belief in God and the significance of religion in human life. Resources Mentioned: eX-skeptic Guides: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore/ Charles’ Resources: Book:  Taking Religion Seriously: https://a.co/d/07zebfp4 Charles Recommended Resources: Just Six Numbers by Martin Rees: https://a.co/d/09w1XE5g Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis: https://a.co/d/0ejEDb7P Jesus and the Eye Witnesses by Richard Bauckham: https://a.co/d/0gg8Uplk Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] Chapters 00:00 The Fine-Tuning Argument for God 00:34 Introduction 02:39 Meet Charles Murray 05:07 Why He Wrote Taking Religion Seriously 06:33 Harvard and the Assumption That Smart People Don't Believe 08:32 Growing Up Christian and Drifting Away 11:18 Materialism, Consciousness, and Near-Death Experiences 14:42 How Love Challenged His Worldview 17:01 Why Charles Chose an Evidence-Based Journey 19:06 The Question: Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing? 21:42 The Fine-Tuned Universe and Just Six Numbers 24:10 Does the Multiverse Solve the Problem? 26:19 Near-Death Experiences and Consciousness Beyond the Brain 27:35 Terminal Lucidity and the Human Soul 30:10 How C.S. Lewis Changed His Thinking 33:31 Investigating the Historical Reliability of the Gospels 37:17 The Evidence for the Shroud of Turin 42:04 Why the Resurrection Deserves Serious Consideration 46:21 Where Charles Murray Landed After 25 Years of Searching 48:04 Has Science Strengthened the Case for God? 53:25 Why God's Grace Became Real 55:23 Charles Murray's Message to Modern Skeptics 58:18 Final Reflections

Is Christianity true because it works, or does it work because it's true? For years, Ellie Long was convinced that Christianity was nothing more than a story people used to cope with life. Raised in a secular environment and embracing atheism at a young age, she wrestled with despair, depression, and the belief that life ultimately had no purpose beyond birth and death. But when she began encountering Christians whose lives were marked by joy, authenticity, forgiveness, and hope, a question emerged that she could no longer ignore: Was Christianity merely helpful, or was it actually true? 🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: https://givebutter.com/CB6WoH   Guest Bio: Ellie Long is a young missionary from Allentown, Pennsylvania. She grew up in a post-Christian culture and did not have experiences with Christians in her everyday life. She unexpectedly encountered God halfway through her time at the University of Alabama, and after a period of hesitancy and questioning, believed and began working in a local church and pursuing the mission field after her graduation in 2024. She recently spent time in Southeast Asia, working with an unreached people group in a Muslim culture, and is now considering where she is going to bring the gospel to next.  Resources Mentioned:  eX-skeptic Guides: https://exskeptic.org/bookstore/ Ellie’s Recommended Resources: •        Wes Huff (www.wesleyhuff.com) on Joe Rogan’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwyAX69xG1Q •        Gavin Ortlund, Truth Unites (https://truthunites.org) •        Book: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Quereshi  Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] Chapters 00:00 Is Christianity Helpful—or True? 05:15 Meet Ellie Long 06:02 Becoming an Atheist at 10 08:35 Growing Up Without God 10:56 The Hopelessness of Atheism 14:01 Wishing My Life Away 16: 04 Finding Hope in an Unexpected Bible Verse 19:00 The Church Experience I Couldn't Explain 23:28 Seeing Christians Differently 25:00 Why Do They Love God? 30:27 Searching for Freedom in College 34:30 Returning to Church 35:46 Accidentally Joining a Bible Study 38:57 Trying Christianity Before Believing 45:08 Asking God to Prove He Was Real 48:20 When Christianity Became True 49:24 What Is the Gospel? 53:33 How Jesus Changed My Life 55:41 Evidence for the Resurrection 01:02:10 Advice for Skeptics Searching for Truth

What happens when anger, disappointment, and painful family experiences shape your understanding of God? For Rich Robison, faith wasn't something he was searching for. Raised in a fractured home and moving 26 times before graduating high school, Rich eventually rejected God altogether. His anger toward his earthly father became anger toward any heavenly Father, and atheism seemed like the obvious conclusion. But an unexpected encounter during a concert changed everything. What followed was a journey through different world religions, hard intellectual questions, and a growing fascination with the person of Jesus. Along the way, Rich discovered that Christianity's message was unlike anything else he encountered, not a story of striving to reach God, but the story of God coming to us. Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: https://givebutter.com/CB6WoH Guest Bio: Rich Robison blends engineering leadership, entrepreneurship, and faith. For the past two decades, he’s been navigating the software industry through tech companies big and small. A serial cofounder, Rich has helped launch multiple companies with successful exits. He sees his work as a mission field in itself.  Based in Northern Colorado, Rich has been married for 22 years, and he’s the proud dad of two daughters, Abby and Chloe, and the owner of three dogs, Porter, Stout, and Hefeweizen. 2026 year marks his 30th spiritual birthday!  Resources Mentioned: Rich’s Resources: •        LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richrobison/ •        Email: [email protected]  Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] Chapters 00:00 The Moment I Knew God Was Real 00:31 Introducing Rich Robison 01:49 Technology, Faith & Studying Scripture 03:42 Growing Up in a Broken Home 05:23 Why Religion Didn't Make Sense 06:40 Anger at God & Becoming an Atheist 08:21 Does Atheism Require Faith? 11:50 Searching for Joy & Fulfillment 13:15 An Unexpected Encounter with God 16:21 When God Reached Out First 17:15 Searching Through World Religions 19:05 Why the Baha'i Faith Fell Short 21:30 Why Jesus Stood Apart 23:00 Seeing the Power of Prayer 25:00 Finding Freedom from Addiction 27:00 Wrestling with Christianity's Exclusive Claims 35:06 What Makes Christianity Different? 37:45 Suffering, Forgiveness & Breaking the Cycle 45:04 How Faith Transformed Rich's Life 49:00 Finding Peace & Advice for Skeptics

What would cause someone with both emotional and intellectual reasons to reject God to reconsider? Mark Haville grew up in the UK in an abusive home with no religious foundation and little reason to believe God was real. Science, suffering, and life experience all seemed to point him away from faith. But an unexpected encounter with a persistent Christian neighbor, a strange answer to prayer, and a growing hunger for truth opened the door to a life he never expected. In this episode, Mark shares his journey from a painful childhood and practical atheism to faith in Christ. He and Jana talk about suffering, forgiveness, science, evolution, apologetics, and why belief is not just a matter of evidence, but of the whole person - mind, will, and emotion.   🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: https://givebutter.com/CB6WoH Guest Bio: Mark Haville has worked in Christian media for more than thirty years as a producer, writer, and filmmaker. A graduate of Hampstead Bible School in London, he also holds two work-equivalency degrees in Directing and Film Studies from Montana State University. He is an award-winning producer and author of Life’s Story, a wildlife documentary presenting a creation perspective, and has engaged in public debates on questions of origins of life. Now based in Nashville, Mark continues developing feature film projects exploring faith and the deeper questions of life. Resources Mentioned: Mark’s Resources: •        Timeless Life Ministries: [email protected] •        Film: Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed - https://www.amazon.com/Expelled-Intelligence-Allowed-Ben-Stein/dp/B003LMSSVC  Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] Chapters 00:00 Mark Haville’s Story 02:00 Christian Filmmaking and Timeless Life Ministries 04:15 Growing Up Without God 07:33 Evolution and an Atheistic Worldview 08:18 Leaving Home at 15 10:05 The Christian Who Changed Everything 11:48 A Strange Dream and an Answer to Prayer 13:38 Going to Church for the First Time 16:53 Experiencing a Real Change 19:02 Searching for More Than Blind Faith 22:18 Where Is God in Suffering? 25:08 Why Would a Good God Allow Pain? 28:53 Suffering, Forgiveness, and Transformation 30:44 Testing Christianity Through Science and History 34:00 Challenging the Atheistic Worldview 36:58 Is There Evidence for God? 44:57 Be Better Ambassadors 41:08 What Should a Skeptic Do Next? 50:33 A Prayer for Anyone Searching for Truth eX-skeptic transcript

What does it cost to build a life without God? For Anh Le, it meant carrying everything - his identity, purpose, success, and morality, alone. Raised without religious commitment and shaped by a worldview rooted in self-reliance, Anh believed meaning and fulfillment was something you created and earned. And for a while, it seemed to work. Driven by ambition, relationships, and the pursuit of pleasure, he chased everything that promised satisfaction. But underneath it all, he was crumbling with anxiety, emptiness, and a quiet realization that nothing he built could hold the weight he was placing on it. Then, unexpectedly, everything changed. In this episode, Anh shares his journey from atheism and self-reliance to a living relationship with Jesus, one that redefined identity, restored purpose, and brought a peace he never thought possible. 🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: https://givebutter.com/CB6WoH  Guest Bio: Anh Le is the host of The Real Life Radio Show, a nationally syndicated program airing on both Christian and secular radio networks across the United States. With over a decade in broadcasting, Anh explores the question: Is Jesus still real and active today? Once an atheist shaped by science, self-reliance, and personal ambition, Anh now shares his story of encountering Christ and discovering a radically different way to live, rooted in relationship with God. He is also a business owner and communicator passionate about helping others move from skepticism to honest exploration. Resources Mentioned:  Host, The Real Life Radio Show - https://therealliferadioshow.com/home •        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anh.le.3192 •        Twitter/X: @evangelistanhle •        YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@therealliferadioshow  Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Chapters 00:00 What Happens When You Build Life Without God? 02:00 Meet Ahn Le 03:00 Growing Up Between Buddhism and Catholicism 09:50 When His Family Began to Fall Apart 12:45 The Prayer That Seemed to Go Unanswered 14:40 Choosing to Find His Own Way 16:20 Why Religion Seemed Man-Made 20:35 The Pressure of Making It on Your Own 23:30 Can You Be Good Without God? 28:55 Chasing Happiness, Success, and Relationships 36:05 When the Dream Started Falling Apart 41:05 Anxiety, Failure, and Losing Control 43:55 Why Success Wasn't Enough 48:20 The Unexpected Thought: Go to Church 52:15 An Atheist Goes to a Christian Retreat 55:00 What Christians Had That He Didn't 58:15 The Bible Verse That Changed Everything 01:03:20 "I Know You" — An Encounter He Couldn't Explain 01:07:50 Realizing Jesus Might Actually Be Real 01:11:00 The Peace That Changed His Life

What if the biggest barrier between you and God are the quiet lies you’ve believed about Him your entire life? Jeremy Gronau carried those lies for years, formed through trauma, loss, and a lifetime of trying to prove his worth. After growing up without a clear understanding of the gospel, Jeremy built his identity on achievement, strength, and performance, ultimately serving as an Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan. But beneath the surface were deeper questions about suffering, identity, and whether God could truly be good. In this conversation, Jeremy shares his journey from shallow, cultural Christianity and skepticism to a life transformed by a personal encounter with God. 🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: https://givebutter.com/CB6WoH  C.S. Lewis Institute Summer Academy: https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=global-event-c-s-lewis-institute-summer-academy&event_date=2026-07-12 Guest Bio: Jeremy Gronau is a former U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot who served nearly a decade in the military, including a deployment to Afghanistan. After leaving the military due to severe physical injury, Jeremy pursued a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University, specializing in crisis and trauma intervention. He is the founder of Warriors in Christ, a Christian counseling practice dedicated to helping veterans, first responders, and individuals navigate trauma, restore relationships, and discover their God-given purpose. Jeremy is passionate about helping others experience healing, identity in Christ, and the transforming power of the gospel. Resources Mentioned: Jeremy’s Resources: •        Website: Warriors for Christ - https://warriorsinchrist.one •        YouTube Bible study: https://www.youtube.com/@Warriors-In-Christ Atheists Finding God: https://exskeptic.org/atheistsfindinggod/  Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] Chapters 00:00 Jeremy Gronau’s Story 01:15 Introduction 05:13 From Apache Pilot to Christian Counselor 07:17 Losing His Mother at Two Years Old 10:29 Trying to Prove His Worth 12:30 Building an Identity Without God 14:50 Was Christianity Actually True? 16:18 Facing Death as an Apache Pilot 17:58 “God, If You’re Real, Reveal Yourself” 19:15 An Ambush in Afghanistan 22:00 The Prayer God Answered 27:16 Losing His Identity After the Military 29:17 “I’m Going to Lose Everything” 32:00 Reading Matthew Changed His View of Jesus 33:18 The Crash That Nearly Killed His Family 41:21 A Song Before Surgery Changed Everything 42:57 Jeremy Surrenders His Life to Jesus 45:32 The 7:07 Moment He Couldn’t Explain 49:00 What the Cross Really Means 57:05 From Performance to Surrender 58:54 How to Approach Suffering 01:03:08 What Should a Skeptic Do Next? 01:06:40 Being Effective Ambassadors

What if being brilliant, successful, and disciplined still isn’t enough to save you from fear, obsession, and self-destruction? From the outside, Lisa’s life looked enviable—PhD, postdoctoral research at a leading medical school, and a rising career in behavioral health. But beneath the surface, she was unraveling: anxiety, eating disorders, addiction, and relentless obsessive fear followed her for years. Convinced that intelligent, rational people didn’t need God, Lisa tried everything except faith. It wasn’t until desperation forced her to confront the limits of her own limits that she became open, reluctantly, to the possibility she might be wrong.   🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: https://givebutter.com/CB6WoH Guest Bio: Dr. Lisa Stanton is a social psychologist, researcher, and writer. With a PhD in social psychology and a career in behavioral health, she brings a rare blend of empirical insight and personal honesty to questions of identity, meaning, and human flourishing. Her recent work centers on her personal experiences in recovery from not only addiction, but also eating disorders, anxiety conditions, ADHD, irritable bowel syndrome, alopecia areata, and more. Lisa writes at drlisastanton.com, shares reflections on Instagram at @drlisastanton. Resources Mentioned: Lisa’s Resources: •        Website:  drlisastanton.com •        Instagram: @drlisastanton •        Book: 52 Life-Changing Lessons I Learned in Recovery: A Journey Towards Sobriety, Honesty, and Radical Forgiveness Lisa’s recommended resources: •        Alpha Course – https://www.alpha.org •        OCIA - https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/264519/becoming-catholic-everything-you-need-to-know-about-ocia •        Bible Study Fellowship - https://www.bsfinternational.org •        Wes Huff, Christian Apologist - https://www.wesleyhuff.com Atheists Finding God: https://exskeptic.org/atheistsfindinggod/ Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] Chapters 00:00 From Skepticism to Freedom 03:39 Meet Dr. Lisa Stanton 04:50 Taking Her Faith Public 06:68 Growing Up Confused About God 11:23 When Suffering Made God Seem Impossible 16:51 Driven by Fear and Achievement 20:10 Faith, College, and the “God of Rationality” 22:26 How Academia Reinforced Her Secular Worldview 27:11 Anxiety, OCD, and Eating Disorders 29:38 Addiction and the Cycle She Couldn't Break 32:23 Desperation Becomes the Turning Point 34:35 COVID and Drinking Around the Clock 37:18 The First Step Toward Sobriety 40:53 The Recovery Meeting That Changed Everything 42:21 “I Need to Know Your Secret” 45:15 The Day She Surrendered to God 48:18 What Changed After Surrender 50:30 Finding Freedom Through Faith and Forgiveness 54:56 Is Christianity Actually True? 59:36 How to Begin the Journey Toward Truth 01:02:45 Advice for Christians 01:06:40 Closing eX-skeptic transcript Jana Harmon

What happens when atheism is taken seriously all the way to its logical conclusions? For Luke Thornton, raised in a deeply secular culture in the UK, honesty about those implications led not to certainty, but to discomfort… and eventually, to an argument he couldn’t ignore. Luke Thornton grew up in northern England in a culture where belief in God felt irrelevant at best and irrational at worst. An intellectually curious student, Luke embraced atheism not out of apathy, but out of a commitment to truth. Science, progress, and reason seemed to leave no room for God. But as Luke followed atheism to its logical conclusions questions about morality, free will, meaning, and human value began to press in. When a philosophical argument for God’s existence challenged assumptions he’d long held, Luke was forced to reconsider whether disbelief was as intellectually satisfying as he once thought.  🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: https://ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com/ Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: https://givebutter.com/CB6WoH Guest Bio: Luke Thornton is a Christian creative entrepreneur and evangelist. Raised in Yorkshire, England, in a non-Christian home, Luke was an atheist until he embraced Christianity as an adult. He runs a marketing agency full-time while dedicating his spare time to studying apologetics and enjoying life with friends in London. Resources Mentioned: Luke’s Recommended Resources: The Bible Society Study Course: The Bible Course is an eight-session small-group resource designed to help people explore the whole Bible’s story from Genesis to Revelation. For more information, go to: https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/ The Alpha Course: The Alpha Course is a multi-week, conversational introduction to the basics of the Christian faith designed for anyone who is curious about life, meaning, and God.  William Lane Craig. Reasonable Faith is the official ministry and resource hub of Christian philosopher and apologist Dr. William Lane Craig, dedicated to providing articulate, intelligent, and gracious support for the truth of the Christian faith.   See: https://www.reasonablefaith.org Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lukethornton___/ Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] Chapters 00:00 Unlearn and Let Go 01:06 Introducing Luke Thornton 04:05 Growing Up in a Secular World 09:28 Curiosity About God 12:18 Fellows Program C.S. Lewis Institute 13:43 The Cost of an Atheist Worldview 18:24 Living with Meaninglessness 20:25 Challenging His Atheism 24:45 The Kalam Cosmological Argument 30:04 From Belief in God to Exploring Christianity 36:57 Saying “Yes” to Christ 38:36 Why Christianity? 42:31 Only One Truth 44:30 From Intellectual Belief to Personal Faith 45:59 Life After Becoming a Christian 50:51 Helping Others Explore Faith 56:00 Patience in the Search for Truth eX-Skeptic Transcript