The Long Way Back to God – Jason Holloway’s story

Jason Holloway grew up in a small, conservative church where faith seemed simple—until his honest questions about suffering, contradictions, and the Bible met unsatisfying answers. At 18, a conversation with a trusted professor left him believing he lacked “enough faith,” prompting him to walk away from Christianity for the next 25 years. In that time, Jason explored atheism, agnosticism, Buddhism, and nearly every “ism” he could find, searching for meaning and truth. Eventually, he returned to the Bible—not just as literal text, but as boundless truth, rich with meaning, depth, and beauty. Guest Bio: Jason Holloway is a creative and strategy director in marketing and advertising, and co-host of The Boundless Bible podcast. Raised in a Christian home, Jason left the faith for over two decades., exploring philosophy, psychology, world religions, and secular worldviews in search of truth. Jason now shares his story to encourage skeptics and believers alike to ask hard questions and discover the richness of God’s Word. Resources Mentioned: America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU): AmericasChristianCU.com/Jana The Boundless Bible Podcast – Hosted by Jason Holloway, David Shapiro, and Javi: https://theboundlessbible.com/  “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell The Bible – Especially the Gospels for those exploring Christianity 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/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected]

Dr. Michael Egnor spent decades trusting science to answer life’s deepest questions. As a neurosurgeon and professor, he believed the brain held the key to understanding everything — including who we are. But over time, he encountered things science couldn’t explain: children thriving with missing brain structures, moral truths that couldn’t be reduced to biology, and a growing sense that materialism had serious gaps. Dr. Egnor shares how philosophical honesty, scientific curiosity, and a surprising moment of divine encounter opened him to a new possibility that God not only exists, but that the Christian story offers the best explanation for the human mind, moral law, and the universe itself. Guest Bio: Michael R. Egnor, MD, is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics at State University of New York, Stony Brook, has served as the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery.  He received his medical education at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and is an award-winning brain surgeon. His new book, The Immortal Mind: A Neurosurgeon’s Case for the Existence of the Soul, explores the scientific and philosophical evidence for the soul, arguing that the human mind possesses faculties such as consciousness, free will, rational thought, and self-awareness that cannot be reduced to physical brain activity alone.  Resources Mentioned: Check out our Sponsor: America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU): https://americaschristiancu.com/jana/ Blog: https://www.discovery.org/p/egnor/ Book: The Immortal Mind: A neurosurgeon’s case for the existence of the soul (2025)  “Mystery of the Mind” by Wilder Penfield “Witness” by Whittaker Chambers Works by Ed Feser on Thomistic philosophy St. Thomas Aquinas’ Five Ways Augustine’s argument from universal concepts The Principle of Sufficient Reason (Leibniz) Immanuel Kant’s argument from moral law 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/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected] Episode Transcript

Molly Worthen is an academic, a historian of religion, a Yale-educated professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, and was an agnostic for decades. She studied Christianity, wrote about it, and even lived alongside devout believers. But belief itself? That always felt just out of reach. In this conversation, Molly shares how God gently disrupted her intellectual framework, used unexpected relationships (including Pastor J.D. Greear), and led her on a rigorous investigation of the resurrection that changed everything. Listen as she unpacks: Why she resisted religion growing up How studying Orthodoxy and evangelicalism fed her curiosity Why most scholars don’t take the resurrection seriously, and why she did How she moved from detached study to full surrender If you’re a skeptic, seeker, or a believer walking with one, this is an invitation to deeper reflection.  Guest Bio: Molly Worthen is a professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a freelance journalist. She received her BA and PhD from Yale University. Her research focuses on North American religious and intellectual history. Molly writes about religion, politics, and higher education for the New York Times and has also contributed to the Atlantic, the New Yorker, Slate, and other publications. Resources Mentioned: Molly’s Resources: •        Website: mollyworthen.com •        Book: Spellbound (2025)  •        Book: Apostles of Reason: The Crisis of Authority in American Evangelicalism •        Book: The Man on Whom Nothing was Lost: The Grand Strategy of Charles Hill •        Great Course: “History of Christianity II: From the Reformation to the Modern Megachurch,” •        Course on Audible:  “Charismatic Leaders Who Remade America.”  Molly’s recommended resources: •        Reasons for God, Tim Keller •        Resurrection and the Son of God, NT Wright •        Jesus and the Eyewitnesses, Richard Bauckham •        Language of God, Francis Collins •        Author, David Bentley Hart •        A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Van Auken America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU): AmericasChristianCU.com/Jana 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/@exskeptic

Can reason, morality, and public good stand without God? Allison Leonhardt once thought so. An atheist from her teens, she was convinced religion was outdated, the Bible unreliable, and morality explainable through modern thought and politics. With The God Delusion in hand, she challenged religious teachers and built her worldview around science, social justice, and self-made meaning. But when the pandemic forced her into isolation in a foreign country, and a friend casually invited her to watch an online church service, something unexpected happened. Curiosity gave way to conviction, not through pressure or platitudes, but through Scripture that spoke directly to her experience. Guest Bio: Allison Leonhardt is a Senior Communications Advisor in the housing industry. Her career has taken her around the world as she spent several years working in finance and management in the United Kingdom. She is a sought-after Campaign Manager for all three levels of government in Canada, most recently having run a campaign in the 2025 Federal Election. She has a diploma in Public Relations from the University of Victoria. Allison has recently been announced as one of the 2025 Cardus NextGen Fellows. Resources Mentioned: Alpha Course – A safe space for exploring the basics of Christianity: https://alpha.org Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis – Introductory apologetics from a former atheist Return of the God Hypothesis, Stephen Meyer  The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel – Investigative journey of a skeptical journalist John Rylands Library – Home of the oldest known fragment of the Gospel of John: https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-leonhardt-7a75b377/ 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/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected]

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: Book (Coming Soon): Jesus Christ: A Lot of Evidence by David Shapiro Book and Website: https://www.drdavidshapiro.org/general-1 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/50ZbQ1Sy0uQtmx1DxmhT3Y Isaiah 53 – A Key Prophecy The Great Isaiah Scroll / Dead Sea Scrolls – For historical background on biblical reliability Recommended Next Step: Read the Bible (start with the Gospels or Isaiah 53) and explore the entire narrative. 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/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected]

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 Stephen Meyer Michael Behe Lee Strobel Federico Faggin (physicist and inventor of the CPU) Robert Sapolsky (critic of free will) Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens (representing rational atheism) 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/@exskeptic Email info: [email protected]