Near Death Experience Story | NDE | Heaven | God | Imagine Heaven | John Burke

Dr. Ron Smothermon welcomed a house guest into his home during the aftermath of the man’s painful divorce. Then, without warning, his guest experienced a psychotic break—and Ron found himself fighting for his life.

As Ron was stabbed repeatedly, something extraordinary happened:--time appeared to stand still. In this episode of the Imagine Heaven Podcast, Dr. Ron Smothermon joins John Burke to recount the near-death experience that unfolded during the attack, the overwhelming presence he encountered, and what it revealed to him about 9 of God’s extraordinary qualities that came in the darkest moments of human suffering.

What happens when heaven suddenly breaks into the worst moment of your life? And could God be closer than we realize—even when everything appears completely out of control?

Listen to the full conversation to hear what Ron experienced when time stopped and how it permanently transformed his understanding of God, death, forgiveness, and the reality beyond this life.

Note: “Amin” is a pseudonym used at Dr. Smothermon’s request to protect the individual’s identity. John and Ron pronounce the pseudonym differently during the conversation, but both are referring to the same person.

Jim Woodford was agnostic yet had a surprising, detailed near death experience and saw the book of his life.

He was a successful Canadian businessman and airline pilot. He had built a comfortable life, never prayed, and saw no reason to believe in God.

Then an opioid overdose changed everything.

In this unforgettable conversation with John Burke, Jim shares the near-death experience that shattered everything he thought he knew.

He describes catching a glimpse of hell, being overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty of Heaven, flying over the magnificent City of God, and encountering the book that contained every detail of his life. 

Most of all, he describes meeting God Himself. Whether you're curious about near-death experiences, the afterlife, Heaven, Hell, or the evidence people report after clinical death, Jim's story raises profound questions about life, eternity, and the God he never expected to meet.

Born into the chaos of the Rwandan genocide, Swidiq's childhood was marked by unimaginable loss, division, and survival.

As violence tore through his country and fractured his family, he found himself living on the streets, searching for purpose amid tragedy.

Determined to find truth, Swidiq devoted himself to Islam, eventually becoming a respected Imam and passionate defender of his faith. He was confident in what he believed about God, life, and the afterlife.

But everything changed when he died.

In this powerful episode of Imagine Heaven, Swidiq shares the extraordinary near-death experience that challenged his assumptions, transformed his understanding of eternity, and left him wrestling with questions he never expected to face.

What did he see? What did he learn? And why did the experience change the course of his life?

Join John Burke as he sits down with Swidiq to explore one of the most compelling near-death experiences we've ever featured.

In this fascinating true-life story of the evils of genocide, divorce, drug abuse, and finally death, Swidiq discovered during his life-altering near-death experience a love powerful enough to overcome, redeem, and restore it all. 

To read Swidiq's powerful full story, get his book: I Once Was Dead by Swidiq Cedric Kanana, available on Amazon.

A Hindu manufacturing engineer clinically dies — and what he experiences completely challenges what he expected about the afterlife.

Santosh grew up believing in reincarnation. But during his near-death experience, he says he encountered something else entirely: a radiant city unlike anything he had ever seen before… matching descriptions found in Revelation 21 of the Bible.

What he describes about God, heaven, judgment, and the nature of eternity raises profound questions about reincarnation, truth, and what really happens after death.

Was this simply the mind under stress — or did this Hindu engineer witness something impossible?

In this powerful episode of the Imagine Heaven Podcast, John Burke sits down with Santosh to unpack one of the most compelling cross-cultural near-death experiences we’ve heard yet.

Blind from birth, Brad Barrows stopped breathing for 4 minutes during a near death experience at just 8 years old. During his NDE, he described heaven with details shockingly similar to what sighted people around the world report seeing — despite never having seen anything on earth himself.

But there was one experience in heaven that stayed with him more than anything else. Brad encountered something so beautiful, powerful, and deeply moving that it awakened a passion inside him years before he would ever pursue it on earth.

Later in life, Brad fell into a deep depression and reached the point of wanting to end his life. But in his darkest moment, the memory of what he experienced in heaven — and the passion it ignited in him as a child — came rushing back and ultimately saved him.

In this emotional conversation with John Burke, Brad shares the breathtaking details of his near death experience, the uncanny similarities between his account and those of sighted people, and the heavenly encounter that changed the course of his life forever.

In this episode of Imagine Heaven, John Burke sits down with investigative journalist Billy Hallowell to explore the evidence behind supernatural encounters, spiritual warfare, and the unseen realm.

From documented cases to personal investigations, Billy shares what he’s uncovered about how angels and demons may be interacting with people today - and what that could mean for your life.

Are these beings real? And if so…how close are they?

What if non-speaking autistic individuals aren’t “trapped”… but experiencing something far beyond what we can see?

Pastor Joe Infranco joins John Burke to reveal stunning parallels between Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) and what autistic non-speakers are now communicating through spelling.

These individuals—once thought unable to express themselves—are describing encounters with the same realities reported in Imagine Heaven:

•  A “mysterious hill” - Encounters with spiritual beings
•  Overwhelming peace, love, and clarity
•  Verifiable details that raise serious questions

Why are their accounts so consistent with NDEs… even though they’ve never died? Is this a deeper level of spiritual awareness?
Or a hidden truth we’re just beginning to understand?

This conversation also builds on ideas explored in the viral The Telepathy Tapes—but introduces a perspective many believe has been overlooked.

At just 20 years old, Gabe Poirot thought he understood God. He had been to Bible college. He believed in Jesus. Millions were already watching him teach about faith online.

But everything changed in an instant. 

After a 30 mph crash on a motorized skateboard, Gabe suffered a traumatic brain injury that cracked open his skull - and led to a life-altering near-death experience. 

What he encountered wasn’t what he expected.

In this powerful episode, Gabe and John share:

• What he saw and experienced beyond this life
• The reality of God in a way he had never known before
• The four distinct loves of God and how they apply to YOU
• How this moment completely transformed his faith

This conversation will challenge what you think you know about God, and invite you into something deeper.

Joe Joe Morris grew up in an extremely strict religious environment that gave him a harsh and fearful view of God. Raised within Mennonite and Hutterite communities, his faith was built on rules, judgment, and shame.

But everything changed the day he nearly died.

During a powerful near-death experience, Joe Joe says he encountered God in the throne room of heaven - and the God he met was nothing like the one he thought he knew.

In this powerful conversation, John Burke talks with Joe Joe about the difference between religion and relationship, and how encountering God's love completely transformed his life. 

If you've ever struggled with religion, felt burned by legalism, or wondered what God is really like, Joe Joe's story may change how you see faith.

What would you do if a doctor told you that you only had two years to live?

In this episode, John Burke interviews Mike Olsen, who faced that exact reality.

After receiving what felt like a two-year notice, Mike began living with new urgency and clarity - only to later actually die, experience a profound near-death encounter, and return with life-altering insight. 

In this powerful conversation, Mike shares what his NDE revealed about suffering, trials, fear, purpose, and how God uses even our darkest moments for transformation.

If you are walking through hardship, illness, loss, or uncertainty - this episode will deeply encourage you.