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 Dunwoo...
Jan 17, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jan 03, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Kathleen grew up in a loving, immigrant household where religion wasn't a central part of her upbringing but was raised with a strong emphasis on good morals and values. In her mid-teens, Kathleen became an atheist, embracing nihilism and developing an animosity toward Christianity. Despite her elite education and achievements, she was not taught to ask deeper questions about purpose and meaning. This changed when a friend gave her a book that opened her eyes to new insights, including the conce...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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, divi...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast During childhood, David Westerhoff’s faith never really extended outside of the church building. The tradition and practice of Christianity just didn’t make sense to David, and he began naturally moving with culture’s secular flow, becoming the ruler of his own life. On the surface, David’s life was unfolding perfectly; he had a loving wife, a growing family, and a steady career, but he still wasn’t content. His own internal battles and addictions threatened David’s marriage, and he began to fee...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former atheist and Swedish physicist Krister Renard dismissed God at a young age, believing science was the key to understanding reality. In his pursuit of knowledge, he came to see that the universe demanded a greater explanation, eventually believing in God. Krister's Website: www.gluefox.com Resources Mentioned by Krister: C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Oct 25, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former atheist Dr. John Studebaker viewed religion as boring and inconsequential until he encountered surprising evidence about God and meaningful experiences with Christians. Over time, his quest for truth led him to a profound personal relationship with Jesus. John's Resources: Book, John Studebaker, editor (2023): The Quest of World Religions, An Introduction and Anthology BMI Oasis website: www.bmioasis.com, a service of Bridge Ministries, Inc., which has helped thousands o...
Oct 11, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Daniel Ray did not have a religious upbringing, yet he somehow ‘knew’ God was real but kept him at a distance. He was living his own way on his own terms, but eventually he was found by God. Daniel's Resources: Apologetics Ministry, The Watchman Fellowship: https://www.watchman.org/ Daniel's Recommended Resources: Greg Koukl, Tactics, Street Smarts www.exskeptic.org...
Sep 27, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Cambridge educated Dr. Sharon Dirckx was raised in a secular culture where religion played a minimal role. Intellectual authorities led her to believe that science and belief in God were incompatible until she began investigating the verifiable claims of Christianity. She came to see that a robust, intellectually grounded faith was possible. Sharon's Resources: Website: www.dirckx.org Books: Broken Planet Am I Just My Brain? Why? Looking at God, Evil, and Personal Suffering Sharon's ...
Sep 13, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former atheist Daniel’s questions about the world and morality were dismissed by the religious people around him. His skepticism eventually revealed the logical flaws of atheism, leading him from a godless perspective to a robust understanding of the Christian worldview and belief in Jesus Christ. Daniel's X (Twitter) Profile Resources mentioned by Daniel: Dominion by Tom Holland The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Side B Stories is turning the page to a new chapter! Listen and find out about our revamped podcast and content experience that promises to deliver even more extraordinary stories of life change.
Aug 16, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former atheist Dr. Dan Mizell left Christianity and embraced science as the most rational way to understand and live in the world. Over time, he began to question whether the natural world was sufficient to explain reality. His search for answers led him to a more solid foundation for knowledge, ethics, and life in God.
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nate Sala rejected his parents’ faith tradition of Christianity and pursued life on his own terms, but his life failed to bring satisfaction to his deepest longings. His search led him to find all that he desired in God. Nate's Resources: YouTube: YouTube.com/wisedisciple Summit Ministries: https://www.summit.org/ C.S. Lewis Institute's Study Courses...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Although Melanie Beerda was raised in a Christian family, her life experience alienated her from the concept of a loving God. After leaving Christianity to go her own way for several years, she finally discovered the loving God who had been there for her all along. Melanie's Resources: https://www.melaniebeerda.ca Rekindled Faith with Melanie Beerda podcast apologeticscanada.com The AC Podcast (Available on Spotify and Apple)...
Jul 05, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Keith Hess grew up in a Christian family but began to question whether or not what he believed was real or true. His doubts went unanswered for years until he was finally introduced to solid reasons for belief. Now a professor of philosophy and apologetics, Dr. Hess helps others find answers to the big questions of God and life. Resources Mentioned by Keith: J.P. Moreland, Love Your God with All Your Mind William Lane Craig, The Son Rises William Lane Craig, The Cosmological Argument...
Jun 21, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former skeptic Carrie Sheffield suffered abuse at the hand of her religious father and developed a skewed view of God. After years of questioning and searching, she finally found the unconditional love of God. Resources Mentioned by Carrie Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis Works of Deepak Chopra Resources by Carrie Book: Motorhome Prophecies Website: https://carriesheffield.com/...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chemist and former atheist Dr. Kirk Shanahan began to see science's inability to answer big questions of life and the universe. It opened him up to the search for truth and the possibility of God.
May 24, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former atheist Dave Rankin's difficult life experiences proved to him that God could not exist. Through his years of atheism, other surprising experiences awakened him to the possibility of something more than his atheism could explain. Episode Notes: Book(2012): 39 Years in the Wilderness, an Atheist Walk With God (available on Amazon Kindle)
May 10, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast As a Christian, Adam Terry experienced an intellectual crisis of faith. His doubts and questions prompted an investigation to determine whether his beliefs were true. His journey through skepticism led him back to a more robust faith. Episode Notes: Adam's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@curiouschristianity Adam's X (Twitter) account: @Curi_Christian
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast From a secular Jewish home, scientific scholar and former skeptic Dr. James Tour encountered the love and reality of Jesus, and his life was immediately changed. Dr. James Tour's Resources: website: jmtour.com email: tour@drjamestour.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJamesTour Resources/authors recommended by Dr. Tour: The Gospel Passion of Charles Spurgeon, Steven J. Lawson The Evangelistic Zeal of George Whitefield, Steven J. Lawson The Soul Winner, Charles Spurgeon Can We Tr...
Apr 12, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former atheist Al Gascon rejected God in light of his life struggles. His study of science further convinced him intellectually of what he felt personally, that God did not exist. Now, Al works as a pastor who spends his life helping others know that God is real. Resources mentioned by Al: Website: www.ccvbak.com
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former atheist Stephen McWhirter rejected God because of Christian hypocrisy and abuse. Looking for comfort, he plunged into drug addiction. After an encounter with Christ, he left his skepticism and addiction behind and spends his life in leading others to Jesus. Stephen's Resources: Website https://worshipjesus.life Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@stephenmcwhirtermusic Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stephenmcwhirter/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/stephenmcwhirter Facebook http...
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Liam Back, a deeply entrenched skeptic, had a vendetta against God fueled by personal loss. His quest to “make God pay” led him to an unexpected embrace of the Christian faith. Liam's Resources: Instagram: @ standfirm_theology_apologetics Resources & authors recommended by Liam: Various books by Lee Strobel, author On Guard , William Lane Craig I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, Norm Geisler, Frank Turek The Story of Reality , Greg Koukl Tactics , Greg Koukl...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former atheist Mark McGee left his childhood Christian faith to search for truth in Eastern world religions, but it eventually led him into atheism. An inquisitive journalist, he investigated the evidence for Christianity and believed. Mark's Resources: Grace Life Blog (Bible Studies) - https://gracelifethoughts.com Faith and Self Defense (Christian Apologetics) - https://faithandselfdefense.com Grace Martial Arts (Christian martial arts) - https://gracemartialarts.com Real Journalism (Weekly Ne...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former atheist Matthew Sabatine journeyed back and forth between faith and disbelief until he finally landed on a view of reality that best explained the universe and his own life. Matt's Resources: YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@TCC595 Blog: https://www.thecommoncaveat.com/ Resources Mentioned by Matt Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jan 19, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former atheist Chris Adam experienced a difficult, chaotic childhood and was drawn to witchcraft and demonology to gain control over his life. After being introduced to the Bible, he surrendered his control and his life to Jesus. Chris’s Resources https://www.xbible.com To learn more about CSLI Resources and Events, visit www.cslewisinstitute.org To hear more stories about atheists and skeptics becoming Christians, visit www.sidebstories.com...
Jan 05, 2024•2 hr 31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former atheist Renee Leonard Kennedy left the God of her youth behind for what she thought was a more enticing life. After years of atheism, she was surprised to find both intellectual and spiritual reasons to believe. Resources by Renee: Website: https://www.reneeleonardkennedy.com Book: After the Flowers Die - Encouragement for Walking through Life After Loss Podcast: Moral Tea - Spilling the moral tea on culture, taboo topics, and grey areas. A podcast exposing the artificial sweeteners of th...
Dec 22, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former skeptic Anna Gray Smith questioned her childhood faith and sought other avenues of belief to find identity, meaning, and truth. Her search led her back to a more robust, grounded faith in God. Anna Gray Smith’s Resources: Instagram: @annagraysmithphoto Moral Tea Podcast: Spilling the moral tea on culture, taboo topics, and gray areas. A podcast exposing the artificial sweeteners of the world by multi-gen duo Renee Leonard Kennedy and Anna Gray Smith. Moral Tea Podcast Instagram is: ...
Dec 08, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
