eX-skeptic

What would lead a Jewish man, raised in an Orthodox home, who didn’t even know who Jesus was, to become a Christian pastor, podcast host, and author of a book on the evidence for Christ?

David Shapiro shares his unlikely journey from strict tradition to sincere faith. Growing up in Queens, New York, David was immersed in Jewish customs, Hebrew school, and temple life. But over time, he began to question the rituals and drift from belief altogether. What followed was a long road through agnosticism, atheism, military service, and a successful career in martial arts, all while pushing God further and further away.

Yet, in the quiet moments, and even in unexpected places, God kept nudging.

Guest Bio:

David Shapiro is a pastor, chaplain for a local fire department, co-host of the Boundless Bible podcast, and a soon-to-be published author of Jesus Christ: A Lot of Evidence. Raised in an Orthodox Jewish home in Queens, NY, David never imagined he’d one day come to faith in Jesus—let alone teach others about Him. With a doctorate in religious education, a background in professional martial arts, and a testimony that spans atheism, agnosticism, and deep academic study, David now uses his unique story and voice to help others encounter the truth and grace of Jesus Christ.

Resources Mentioned:

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What happens when a neuroscientist trained in rationalism begins to question the very worldview that shaped his career?

Trevor Lohman is a clinical neuroscience researcher and author of God’s Eye View. Raised with a nominal faith and drawn early into the promises of scientific progress, Trevor embraced atheism with confidence. For years, he believed that science held all the answers—until he realized how many of those answers rested on assumptions, unanswered questions, and even faith of a different kind.

Trevor shares how intellectual integrity, personal reflection, and the birth of his children led him to rethink everything. From the limitations of naturalism to the surprising relevance of Scripture, Trevor walks us through his journey from doubt to belief—and how science, far from disproving God, pointed back to Him. 

Guest Bio:

Trevor Lohman is a clinical research neuroscientist, professor, and author whose academic path began in cellular and molecular biology before transitioning into gene expression and aging. Currently serving as an assistant professor at a medical school in Los Angeles, Trevor explores the intersection of neuroscience and cardiovascular disease. Despite a successful scientific career, Trevor experienced a seismic worldview shift. Once a staunch atheist deeply immersed in rationalism, he began to question the very foundation of his beliefs. His journey—driven by curiosity, intellectual honesty, and a deep love of science—led him not away from reason, but toward faith. His debut book, God’s Eye View, challenges the modern cultural divide between science and spirituality and reclaims the spiritual heritage at the roots of scientific inquiry.

Resources Mentioned:

Book mentioned:

“God’s Eye View” by Trevor Lohman

https://amzn.to/3Z0jGYV

People mentioned:

John Lennox

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What happens when a horror filmmaker, once a staunch atheist, sets out to disprove Christianity, only to be convinced by the evidence?

Michael Ray Lewis, a filmmaker who once mocked Christians, dismissed the Bible as nonsense and devoured documentaries that tore down belief in God. But when his wife unexpectedly felt called back to Christ, Michael set out to prove her wrong, and instead, found himself confronted by something he couldn’t ignore: the evidence.

Michael shares how his atheism was shaped by a childhood void of genuine faith, how his fascination with horror films reflected a deeper spiritual searching, and what ultimately opened his eyes to the truth of Christianity.

Guest Bio:

Michael Ray Lewis is a filmmaker and former atheist whose search for truth led him to faith in Jesus Christ. Michael now uses his passion for storytelling to communicate truth through film. He is currently directing Universe Designed, a documentary exploring the evidence for God through science, reason, and personal stories. The film features leading apologists and thinkers and aims to help skeptics take a second look at Christianity. Michael lives with his wife and two children just south of Dallas–Fort Worth, where he continues to create meaningful media projects grounded in faith.

Resources Mentioned:

Website: UniverseDesigned.com

Books Michael Recommended

Apologists/Thinkers Featured or Referenced:

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What happens when the pursuit of intellectual certainty leads not to clarity, but to doubt, and doubt, in time, leads back to faith? 

Jeffrey Geibel, a seasoned mathematics educator and former skeptic, shares a journey that challenges assumptions about belief, knowledge, and truth. Raised in a home where chaos, cultural Christianity, and moral contradictions shaped his early view of faith, Jeff set out to find truth through reason and lived experience. Though once deeply involved in church and sincere in his belief, growing disillusionment with theological inconsistencies and a reliance on subjective experiences ultimately led him to atheism, then to radical agnosticism, questioning whether anything could truly be known at all. The turning point came unexpectedly, in a graduate-level geometry class. 

Guest Bio:

Jeffrey Geibel is a veteran high school mathematics teacher with two decades of experience in public education. He holds a master’s degree in mathematics and brings a deep appreciation for critical thinking, logic, and analytical inquiry to both his profession and personal life. Outside the classroom, Jeff is a dedicated husband and father of nine, with a passion for exploring the intersections of faith, reason, and human experience. His journey through skepticism, agnosticism, and ultimately back to belief reflects a thoughtful engagement with both intellectual honesty and existential meaning.

Resources Mentioned

Jeffrey's website: KingJesus.info

Geibel Family Blog: Math Master’s Musings: 581 Studies in Geometry | The Geibel Tribe

Math Textbook that Jeffrey referenced - Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometries: Development and History (4th Edition)

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Show Notes:

Why do people believe in God, or reject Him altogether? In this compelling episode, Dr. Jay Medenwaldt shares his intellectual and spiritual journey from atheism to belief. A social psychologist with a PhD from Baylor and a current professor at Northwestern College, Jay approached religion from a purely academic lens, interested in why people believed in things he once viewed as clearly false.

But, in an effort to avoid confirmation bias and stay true to his role as a researcher, Jay began examining both sides of the argument. To his surprise, the rational and historical case for Christianity was stronger than he expected.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Jay Medenwaldt, a former Air Force behavioral scientist with nine years of service, including teaching psychology courses at the Air Force Academy and conducting research. Dr. Medenwaldt holds a doctorate in social psychology from Baylor University, with a focus on the psychology of religion and virtue. He also earned a Master of Divinity in apologetics, ethics, and biblical studies, as well as a Master’s in psychological sciences. His research has been published in prominent journals, including The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion and Current Opinion in Psychology.  

Resources Mentioned:

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Laura Zifer Powell seemed to be doing everything right. A top-tier student and Division I athlete at Duke University, she was driven, disciplined, and outwardly successful. But beneath the surface, something was missing. The more she achieved, the emptier she felt. And when a health crisis brought everything to a halt, the questions she had avoided for years finally caught up with her: What is all this for? What’s the point of being good if it still doesn’t satisfy?

In this candid conversation, Laura shares her journey from moral pragmatist and religious skeptic to a confident follower of Christ. She opens up about the moment everything changed—a late-night plea to a God she wasn’t sure existed, and the quiet unraveling that followed.

If you've ever asked, “Is this all there is?” or wrestled with the gap between outward success and inward emptiness, Laura’s story offers more than answers—it offers hope.  

Guest Bio:

Laura Zifer Powell is a Christian apologist, writer, and speaker. She is the founder of An Affair with Reason and co-host of the Knight and Rose Show podcast. She graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s in public policy, earned her master’s degree from Denver Seminary, and is currently working on her Doctor of Ministry in Public Theology from Birmingham Theological Seminary. She has ministered in over thirty countries on five continents and has seen first-hand how false worldviews harm and destroy God’s image bearers, while the Christian worldview leads people and societies toward human flourishing. As an apologist, she shares evidence for the biblical worldview and discusses how our worldview ought to impact every area of life, from our relationships to our public policy and economics. Her blog, previous interviews, and speaking request form can be found at her website, www.AnAffairWithReason.com, and her 20-lesson online course, Islam Foundations, is available at womeninapologetics.com.

Resources Mentioned:

Laura’s Resources:

•        An Affair with Reason: https://laurazpowell.org/

•        Knight and Rose Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@knightandroseshow

•        Knight and Rose Show: https://knightandrose.podbean.com/

•        Islam Foundations course: https://womeninapologetics.com/islam-foundations-course/

Books Laura Recommends:

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 “If there is a God… I’ll follow. I’ll serve. I’ll give my life to you.”

Vince Revo is a former atheist who, like many, walked away from the faith of his childhood after encountering religious hypocrisy, unanswered questions, and deep personal pain. Raised amid church culture but overwhelmed by contradictions, Vince found atheism to be a more rational, liberating path, at least at first. But what began as a rejection of blind belief slowly unraveled into a deeper crisis of meaning. From new age philosophy to law of attraction, from hedonistic escape to intellectual searching, Vince tried to find something—anything—that could fill the void.

Guest Bio:

Vince Revo is a Canadian filmmaker, podcast host, and bi-vocational pastor with a passion for engaging culture through story and truth. Once a committed atheist who explored Eastern philosophies, New Age spirituality, and humanism, Vince now uses his platform to speak openly about his dramatic return to faith in Jesus Christ. As the founder of the Revo Report and Vince Revo YouTube channels, he creates thought-provoking content that tackles skepticism, faith, and spiritual transformation. With a background in media production and theology, Vince is committed to equipping others to explore life’s biggest questions with honesty, courage, and intellectual integrity.

Resources Mentioned:

Apologists:

William Lane Craig

Ravi Zacharias

Frank Turek

Josh McDowell

Connect with Vince Revo:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vincerevo/videos

Instagram: Vince Revo on Instagram 

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Can science and faith truly coexist? In this compelling episode of eXskeptic, Dr. Michael Guillen—Harvard physicist, former ABC News science editor, bestselling author, and once-devout atheist—shares his unexpected journey from scientific certainty to Christian faith. With three PhDs in physics, mathematics, and astronomy from Cornell, Dr. Guillen lived and breathed science, dismissing religion as irrelevant and unscientific.

But when science couldn't answer his most profound questions—like "Why is there something rather than nothing?"—his lifelong assumptions began to unravel. 

Guest Bio:

Dr. Michael Guillen is a physicist, a bestselling author, and a former Emmy-winning science correspondent for ABC News. Holding a rare 3D PhD from Cornell University in physics, mathematics, and astronomy, Dr. Guillen has taught at Harvard University and served as the science editor for ABC News, appearing regularly on Good Morning America, 20/20, and Nightline. Now an internationally respected speaker and writer, Dr. Guillen is the author of several acclaimed books, including Can a Smart Person Believe in God? and Believing is Seeing. He speaks globally on the relationship between faith, science, and reason, advocating for intellectual honesty and the courage to ask life’s biggest questions.

Resources:

 Books by Michael Guillen:

Website: https://michaelguillen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelguillenphd/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelguillenphd

Twitter: https://x.com/drmguillen

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Dr. John Taylor, a former atheist, once ardently dismissed the very concept of God, fearing it would cost him his autonomy. Growing up, John was exposed to the traditions of the Methodist church but found himself increasingly at odds with its teachings. As a teenager, he embraced atheism, fueled by skepticism towards religion and a belief that Christianity lacked intellectual rigor. He relished debates with Christians, eager to challenge and dismantle their faith. However, his life took an unexpected turn.

Guest Bio:

John Taylor is a dedicated professor of New Testament at Gateway Seminary in California, positioned just east of Los Angeles. With an eight-year tenure, he leads the Department of Biblical Studies, focusing his efforts on preparing future ministers, missionaries, and Christian academics. Passionate about imparting his knowledge, John primarily teaches courses on theology unique to Pauline letters, aiming to inspire and equip his students to effectively carry out their ministries. Through his work, he actively seeks to multiply the wisdom and insights he has accumulated over the years, contributing to the growth and enrichment of the Christian community.

Resources Mentioned:

Fuller Theological Seminary

Fuller Theological Seminary and the University of Cambridge

Gateway Seminary Website: https://www.gs.edu/academics/faculty-directory/member/1356019/

Dr. Taylor’s blogs: https://thegateway.press/author/johntaylor/

Academic Profile: https://gs.academia.edu/JohnTaylor

Francis Schaeffer: “He is There and He is not Silent”

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