Ex-skeptic

Ex-skeptic Stories of former atheists and skeptics who found Christianity to be reasonable and relevant. Host Jana Harmon

A story-driven, conversational podcast and a library of videos and resources.

14/02/2025

Dr. Bobby Conway shares with us as he talks about his tumultuous path, describing his former lifestyle marked by addiction, self-doubt, and relentless questions about existence and morality. Despite being academically inclined and climbing the ladder of theological education, he faced severe waves of skepticism that brought him to the brink of despair and even suicidal ideation.

Tune in as we hear Dr. Conway’s story from a life steeped in hedonism and skepticism to becoming a deeply committed Christian.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Bobby Conway is the lead pastor of Image Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the founder of the YouTube ministry "Christianity Still Makes Sense." He holds a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and a PhD in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Birmingham in England. Dr. Conway has authored several books, including Does Christianity Still Make Sense? and Doubting Toward Faith. He also co-hosts the nationally syndicated radio show "Pastor’s Perspective," addressing listeners' questions about God and the Bible.

Resources Mentioned:

Radio Show: Pastors Perspective with Brian Broderson
Christianity Still Makes Sense (Podcast and YouTube channel by Dr. Bobby Conway)
Image Church https://www.imagechurch.live/

Books:
"Does Christianity Still Make Sense?" by Dr. Bobby Conway
“Doubting Towards Faith” by Dr. Bobby Conway
“Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis
“Shattered Dreams” by Larry Crabb
“Resurrection Refutations” by Gary Habermas

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/
Email info: [email protected]

“Was it really scientific to think that life could just make itself?”This is the question that Dr. Michael Houts, an est...
31/01/2025

“Was it really scientific to think that life could just make itself?”

This is the question that Dr. Michael Houts, an esteemed scientist, asked himself when he decided to conduct a thorough investigation of the Bible.

Dr. Houts shares how his firm belief in science evolved into a belief in God.

Listen to the full eXskeptic interview here: https://lnk.to/Michael-Houts

31/01/2025

Dr. Michael Houts is an esteemed scientist with a rich background in mechanical and nuclear engineering and advanced propulsion systems for space exploration. Dr. Houts shares his journey of growing up outside the church with a strong belief in science, questioning the limitations of naturalistic explanations, and ultimately finding belief in God through a thorough investigation of the Bible.

Guest Bio:

Michael Houts is a dedicated scientist whose journey began with a passion for science and engineering. He earned bachelor’s degrees in mechanical and nuclear engineering from the University of Florida and a PhD in nuclear engineering from MIT. He spent 11 years at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he held key roles including team leader for criticality reactor and radiation physics.
Now, Michael is a nuclear research manager at the Marshall Space Flight Center, working on advanced propulsion systems to boost space exploration.

Resources Mentioned:

Apologetics Press: https://apologeticspress.org/

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/
Email info: [email protected]

Don’t know who needs to hear this, but religion can help with so much more than overcoming the fear of death. Brian Smit...
17/01/2025

Don’t know who needs to hear this, but religion can help with so much more than overcoming the fear of death. Brian Smith realized this at his high school, where he befriended a popular group of Christians.

In this episode, Brian shares how he criticized his friends’ beliefs, only to discover that within their faith was an authenticity he wanted for himself!

Listen to Brian’s story here: https://lnk.to/Brian-Smith

17/01/2025

Brian grew up in a small Georgia town where religion wasn’t part of his upbringing, though he was surrounded by churches. Angry at the concept of God, he viewed religious beliefs as a way to escape the fear of death. In high school, he became an atheist but befriended a popular group of Christians. Although he criticized their beliefs to fit in and feel superior, he couldn’t shake the sense that their faith had something genuine and authentic.

Guest Bio:

Brian Smith is a Student Pastor at Dunwoody Baptist Church in the Metro of Atlanta. He has been in student ministry for 16 years, and is a loving husband and father of four.

Resources Mentioned:

I Never Thought of It That Way by Mónica Guzmán
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Podcast: Within Reason with Alex J O’Conner
God in the Dock by C.S. Lewis
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

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/
Email info: [email protected]

Henare grew up in Christianity, but became frustrated by his church’s expectation of blind faith. Can you relate?Listen ...
03/01/2025

Henare grew up in Christianity, but became frustrated by his church’s expectation of blind faith. Can you relate?

Listen to him describe how he dug for answers to his questions about faith.

🔗 https://lnk.to/Henare-Whaanga

03/01/2025

Former skeptic Henare Whaanga grew up with an ex-gang member father and a mother who was an ex-Jehovah's Witness. His father supernaturally encountered God in prison, and he took Henare with him to preach the Gospel. However, Henare became frustrated with the evangelical church's emphasis on blind faith.

His questions were met with shallow responses from the church, and his belief started to crumble. Unable to find any substance in Christianity, Henare left the church, but then he stumbled upon apologetics, leading him to a deeper exploration of key questions: Did Jesus really die and rise again? Is the Bible trustworthy?

Guest bio:
Henare Whaanga is the Regional Director at Thinking Matters, New Zealand’s leading apologetics organization, where he works to strengthen the understanding and defense of the Christian faith. He is a devoted husband, father, lay pastor and Bible teacher.

Resources Mentioned:
Frank Turek - I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist
Works of Lee Strobel
Works of J. Warner Wallace
Eli Ayala - Revealed Apologetics
Nate Sala YouTube - Wise Disciple YouTube Channel
Thinking Matters: https://www.thinkingmatters.org.nz/

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/
Email info: [email protected]

Ever ask yourself… “how could they be so hypocritical?” Spencer Durrenburger grew up in an abusive household and witness...
20/12/2024

Ever ask yourself… “how could they be so hypocritical?” Spencer Durrenburger grew up in an abusive household and witnessed the hypocrisy of self-proclaimed Christians around him first-hand.

In this episode, he describes how he sought to correct this perceived religious delusion and hypocrisy on his college campus and liberate Christians from beliefs he considered to be holding them back.

Listen to Spencer's story here: https://lnk.to/spencer-durrenberger

20/12/2024

Former atheist Spencer grew up in an abusive home, and while his mother took him to church, it felt more like a manipulative act than genuine faith. Witnessing the hypocrisy of the self-proclaimed Christians around him, Spencer began reading philosophical books. He determined that Christianity, like other religions, was irrational and needed to be challenged.

He often engaged in debates with Christians, attempting to liberate them by dismantling their beliefs. He eventually found Christians that not only listened to his criticisms, but helped him look for real answers to his questions. After much study, Spencer began to see Christianity and the God of the Bible in a whole new light.

Guest bio:
Spencer Durrenberger is a chemist in Texas, with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Physics from the University of Texas at Arlington. He currently works in the medical field, specializing in oncology with Humana Pathology, where he contributes to groundbreaking medical research focused on cancer.

Resources Mentioned: The Gospels
For History, read Luke
For History from the perspective of the Law, read Matthew
For Why God became Man, read Mark
For The Divinity and Beauty, read John

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/
Email info: [email protected]

How did you come to form your current worldview?In this episode, Jana introduces us to Kathleen Noller, a Columbia educa...
06/12/2024

How did you come to form your current worldview?

In this episode, Jana introduces us to Kathleen Noller, a Columbia educated computational biologist, as she walks us through her journey from agnosticism, nihilism and atheism to fully embracing Christianity.

She describes how she became atheist, how she previously viewed Christianity, and ultimately how she came around to dissecting it, embracing it and then became a compelling defender of the faith.

Listen to her story here: https://exskeptic.org/podcast/reasons-for-god-dr-kathleen-nollers-story/

06/12/2024

Elite scientist and former atheist Dr. Kathleen Noller once held contempt for Christianity. She now strongly contends for the truth of the Christian worldview. What changed her mind? Listen to her story to find out!

Trevor Lancon grew up in church but turned to atheism after doubting his faith. Outwardly successful, he struggled inwar...
04/12/2024

Trevor Lancon grew up in church but turned to atheism after doubting his faith. Outwardly successful, he struggled inwardly until God drew him back through small moments of grace!

"Reality has laws and science is beautiful now. It’s the slow uncovering and discovering of how God wrote the universe into existence. And to me that’s more beautiful than ‘Hey here’s how something works."

Listen to the full episode here: https://loom.ly/7ZPK8-A

Trevor left the church for atheism, seeking answers to life in scientism. Despite his doubts, the truth led him back to ...
29/11/2024

Trevor left the church for atheism, seeking answers to life in scientism. Despite his doubts, the truth led him back to faith through a series of quiet yet altogether powerful experiences!

Listen to the full episode here: https://loom.ly/rOi-Oug

Once a churchgoer turned atheist, Trevor Lancon seemed to have it all but faced inner struggles. God brought him back af...
27/11/2024

Once a churchgoer turned atheist, Trevor Lancon seemed to have it all but faced inner struggles. God brought him back after 15 years through subtle, transformative moments!

Listen to the full episode here: https://loom.ly/rOi-Oug

Trevor Lancon grew up surrounded by faith, but as he matured, he gradually drifted into atheism, embracing materialism a...
22/11/2024

Trevor Lancon grew up surrounded by faith, but as he matured, he gradually drifted into atheism, embracing materialism and skepticism. Though his life appeared perfect on the outside, he struggled with inner brokenness for over a decade. However, a series of small, profound moments eventually led him back to an astoundingly even deeper faith!

Trevor is a devoted father and husband and works as an engineer at a leading tech company on the outskirts of Houston, Texas. With a deep passion for STEM, Trevor holds a Master's degree in Health Physics and has a background in nuclear engineering.

Listen to the full story here: www.exskeptic.org/podcast

22/11/2024

Growing up in a small town, religion was a constant yet subtle presence in Trevor Lancon’s community. Deeply involved in his church’s youth group, Trevor longed to grow closer to God, but he began questioning whether his experiences were authentic or merely emotional manipulation. Drawn to the freedom of a secular lifestyle, he eventually distanced himself from the church, and he embraced scientism, seeking tangible evidence of reality. He rejected Christianity and identified as an atheist, diving into a worldview centered on materialism and skepticism. From the outside, Trevor seemed to have it all—a home, a loving wife, two beautiful children, and a stable career. Yet, inwardly, he was burdened by feelings of dread and brokenness.

His journey back to faith wasn’t marked by a single dramatic moment but rather by countless small, profound experiences.

Guest Bio:
Trevor Lancon is a devoted father and husband and works as an engineer at a leading tech company on the outskirts of Houston, Texas. With a deep passion for STEM, Trevor holds a Master's degree in Health Physics and has a background in nuclear engineering.

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/
Email info [email protected]

Books Mentioned:
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

David Westerhoff seemed to have it all—a loving family, a steady career—but beneath the surface, he was battling addicti...
20/11/2024

David Westerhoff seemed to have it all—a loving family, a steady career—but beneath the surface, he was battling addiction and discontent. One ordinary night, everything changed when he powerfully encountered the Spirit of God, revealing the true weight of his sins and leading him toward transformation!

🔗 https://exskeptic.org/podcast/an-unexpected-change-david-w/

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