Truth Seeker – Dr. Larry Sanger’s Story

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, esteemed philosopher, and passionate advocate for truth-seeking. Raised in a religious environment, Larry’s journey evolved from childhood faith to agnosticism, fueled by his dedication to reason, evidence, and philosophical exploration.  Through rigorous philosophical study, a deep engagement with the Bible, and profound personal experiences, Larry's skepticism was challenged and reshaped, leading him to a deeper r...

Doubting after Faith – Dr. Bobby Conway’s Story

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 Ch...

Finding God through Science – Dr. Michael Houts’ Story

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 eng...

From Anti-Christian to Pastor – Brian Smith’s Story

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...

Faith and Reason – Henare Whaanga’s Story

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 ...

Hyper-Realist Finds Faith – Spencer Durrenberger’s Story

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...

Reasons for God – Dr. Kathleen Noller’s Story

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...

The Road Back – Trevor Lancon’s Story

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...

An Unexpected Change – David Westerhoff’s Story

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...

A Scientist’s Journey to God – Krister Renard’s Story 

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

A Cumulative Case for God – Dr. John Studebaker’s Story

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...

Keeping God at a Distance – Daniel Ray’s Story

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...

Making Sense of Science and Faith – Dr. Sharon Dirckx’s Story

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 ...

Dismantling Atheism – Daniel’s Story

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...

Exciting News for Side B Stories

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.

Excluding God – Dr. Dan Mizell’s Story

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.

Longing for More – Nate Sala’s Story

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...

Returning to God – Melanie Beerda’s Story

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)...

Struggling with Doubt – Dr. Keith Hess’s Story 

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...

Searching for the Real God – Carrie Sheffield’s Story

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/...

Searching for Truth – Dr. Kirk Shanahan’s Story 

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.

Experiencing the Miraculous – Dave Rankin’s Story 

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)

A Christian’s Journey through Skepticism – Adam Terry’s Story 

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

Secular Jew Finds Christ – Dr. James Tour’s Story

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...

From Hopelessness to Hope – Al Gascon’s Story 

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

“From Addiction to Redemption” – Stephen McWhirter’s Story 

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...

Intent on Making God Pay – Liam Back’s Story

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...

Looking for Evidence – Mark McGee’s Story

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...

Becoming Skeptical of Skepticism – Matthew Sabatine’s Story

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...

“The mire of nihilism” – Christine Mooney-Flynn’s Story