eX-skeptic

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What if denying Christianity felt like freedom—but that path slowly revealed itself to be hollow?

In this episode of eX-skeptic, Jana Harmon sits down with Grenville Kent, an Australian theologian, filmmaker, and former skeptic who once believed Christian faith would restrict his joy rather than enrich it.

Grenville shares how a hedonistic, achievement-driven worldview eventually collapsed under its own weight, and how unexpected conversations, honest doubt, atheist thinkers, and a simple prayer cracked the door open to something more. Come and hear how Grenville began to experience the personal, loving God who was already pursuing him.

Guest Bio:

Grenville Kent, PhD, is an Australian theologian, filmmaker, and storyteller who blends rigorous scholarship with creative, accessible communication. He holds a PhD in Old Testament from the University of Manchester, a Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics, and several additional degrees across film, commerce, and education. He is the author of God Walks Into a Bar, a lively and engaging exploration of evidence for belief, and the creator of the internationally broadcast documentary series Big Questions. Grenville has taught Old Testament and apologetics and continues to speak and write in ways that resonate deeply with skeptics, seekers, and Christians alike.

Resources Mentioned:

Grenville’s Resources:

• Book: God Walks Into a Bar…

• Film documentary series: Big Questions

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Grenville+Kent+Big+Questions

• Academic research: https://morlingcollege.academia.edu/GrenvilleKent

Grenville’s recommended resources:

• Apologists: C.S. Lewis, Frances Schaeffer, William Lane Craig, John Lennox,

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What if the questions that once pulled you away from faith could be the very questions that lead you back?

That’s exactly what happened to Matt Schmidt. As a naturally inquisitive kid, Matt felt the weight of questions that no one around him could answer — questions about science, origins, morality, and whether the Bible could be trusted. With no guidance or satisfying explanations, he walked away from Christianity and embraced atheism.

But the same relentless curiosity that distanced him from belief slowly began to unravel the foundations of his atheism. How do you get something from nothing? Where does morality come from? Why do humans care about meaning at all? Listen to what Matt discovered through his journey.

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Guest Bio:

Matt Schmidt is the co-founder and CEO of Engage 360, a ministry dedicated to helping everyday Christians share their faith with clarity, confidence, and compassion in everyday conversations. Matt holds a master’s degree in philosophy with studies in theology, apologetics, and biblical studies from Southern Evangelical Seminary.

Resources Mentioned:

Matt’s Resources:

•        Website: Engage 360 www.e360m.org. Engage 360 Core Training online courses and community: www.e360m.org/reset . A course track designed to help people learn to lead an investigative Bible study in their home or church: www.e360m.org/bible

Matt’s recommended resources:

•        Alistair Begg, www.truthforlife.org

•       R.C. Sproul on the reliability of scripture: https://www.truthnetwork.com/show/renewing-your-mind-rc-sproul/44894/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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Before she became one of today’s leading Christian thinkers, Nancy Pearcey walked away from Christianity. Disillusioned by shallow answers and a painful home life, she turned instead to atheism, relativism, and Eastern spirituality in search of something she could truly believe. After studying at Francis Schaeffer’s L’Abri in Switzerland, her search led her back to the exploration of a robust, intellectually grounded faith.

Listen and hear Nancy share how rigorous thinking, honest doubt, and lived experience converged to reveal Christianity as not only true, but as the most coherent explanation of reality.

Guest Bio:

Nancy Pearcey is a professor and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University and a former fellow at the Discovery Institute. Once a skeptic who abandoned her childhood faith, she became convinced through careful study that Christianity offers the most rational account of reality.

She is the award-winning author of Total Truth, Finding Truth, Love Thy Body, and The Toxic War on Masculinity. Her work has been described as “C. S. Lewis for the modern age,” helping believers think clearly and helping skeptics see the intellectual and moral depth of the Christian worldview.

Resources Mentioned:

Website: www.nancypearcey.com

Mentioned Books:

Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity

Finding Truth: 5 Principles for Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes

Nancy’s recommended resources:

Mere Christianity, Miracles, C.S. Lewis

Escape from Reason, The God Who is There, Francis Schaeffer

The Dust of Death, Os Guinness

America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU): https://americaschristiancu.com/Jana/

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What happens when faith feels like pretending, and you can’t live with the disconnect anymore?

Erika Diaz-Castro, a wife, mom, and Bible teacher who once lived a double life—publicly religious but privately wrestling with doubt, shame, and the pull of self-fulfillment. Her story traces a winding path through skepticism, identity confusion, new-age spirituality, and even spiritual darkness, until a powerful encounter with God changed everything.

Guest Bio:

Erika Diaz-Castro is a wife, homeschooling mother, Bible teacher, and founder of Her Renewed Strength, a ministry equipping women to know God’s Word and grow in confidence through it. Once a skeptic, Erika now helps others cultivate daily spiritual discipline and find freedom in surrendering to Christ. She also hosts Her Renewed Strength Podcast and is pursuing a Master of Theology with a concentration in Apologetics and Philosophy.

Resources Mentioned:

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Her Renewed Strength –herrenewedstrength.com

Her Renewed Strength Podcast – https://herrenewedstrength.com/podcast

Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves

Bible in a Year reading plan (YouVersion App)

Through the Word & Word for Today with Chuck Smith

America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU): https://americaschristiancu.com/Jana/

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Have you ever tried to find peace by walking away from God or from the judgment and expectations that once made faith feel heavy?

Heather Sewell shares her story of running from faith and searching for peace. Raised as a pastor’s daughter, Heather learned early how to wear masks and manage secrets. As her family’s struggles deepened, so did her confusion about God and truth. Searching for meaning, she embraced Eastern religions and the “Coexist” movement, calling herself a “Christian Hindu” while trying to find peace through self-discovery. But when the illusion of freedom gave way to pain and numbness, Heather encountered God in an unexpected way—a voice that simply asked, “Are you done?”

Guest Bio:

Heather Sewell is a ministry leader, speaker, and storyteller whose faith journey began with basic questions concerning God’s goodness in reaching secular religions. She started her ministry work at Orphan Care Alliance in Kentucky and now works at Summit Ministries in Colorado Springs. She now has the opportunity to equip parents and teens nationwide through the Summit Student Conferences and Ambassador Program, empowering families to help their teens grow in faith with clarity and confidence. With more than 10 years of experience working with children and youth, Heather has seen firsthand the questions and cultural pressures that can shake a young person’s beliefs. Her journey, rooted in her own story of God’s redemption and her passion for guiding the next generation, has shaped her calling to walk alongside families so that truth and relationship come together in everyday life.

Resources Mentioned:

America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU): https://americaschristiancu.com/Jana/

Summit Ministries: https://www.summit.org/

Registration for Summer 2026 is now open, with two-week sessions in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and Anderson University, South Carolina. Visit summit.org/exskeptic to learn more. And when you register before March 31st, use code EXSKEPTIC26 to save $500 off your student’s registration.

Cold-Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

The Gospel of John — For those wanting to rediscover the person of Jesus

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