Best Michael Halper Podcasts (2025)

1
Fastest To Travel to Every Country: Michael Zervos of Project Kosmos 21:45

6h ago21:45

21:45

I'm celebrating the 350th podcast episode with Michael Zervos! He did it! Many people try to travel to all the countries in the world quickly, but most fail. Therefore, when I met Zervos in Côte d'Ivoire in February 2024, when he was just 10% into his race, it seemed highly unlikely that he would succeed where so many others had failed. Still, ther…

1
Classic: When faith fails how do you navigate doubt? Dominic Done and Andrew Whyte 1:13:20

2d ago1:13:20

1:13:20

In this classic, Unbelievable? podcast episode hosted by Justin Brierley, the discussion centres around the nuanced relationships between faith and doubt from 2019. Senior Pastor Dominic Done talks about his book 'When Faith Fails,' sharing his journey through a significant period of questioning and how he rebuilt his faith. In contrast, Andrew Why…

1
318 | Edward Miguel on the Developing Practice of Development Economics 1:20:39

4d ago1:20:39

1:20:39

Economics is seeing an upsurge in the importance of controlled, reproducible empirical studies. One area where this has had a great impact is on development economics, which studies the economies of low- and middle-income societies. Edward Miguel has been at the forefront of both the revolution in empirical methods, and in applying those techniques…

1
The universe’s greatest mystery: God or Science? with cosmologists Dr Niayesh Afshordi, Dr Hugh Ross and Atheist Phil Halper 1:16:05

7d ago1:16:05

1:16:05

What really happened 14 billion years ago? Was there a Big Bang - or are we on the brink of a bold new origin story?This week on Unbelievable?, Andy Kind hosts a mind-expanding cosmic debate with two leading cosmologists, Dr Niayesh Afshordi and Dr Hugh Ross, joined by science communicator and Battle of the Big Bang co-author, Phil Halper.Are we s…

1
Nomadic Matt's Best Travel Tips 23:10

7d ago23:10

23:10

Nomadic Matt is a pioneering travel blogger. One day, we'll call him the grandfather of travel blogging during the Golden Era of travel blogs. He's not known for his travel feats but rather for the extensive tips he's provided on his popular website, which focuses on budget travel. Watch the Video The book's budget used to be $50/day, but inflation…

1
Classic: Tom Wright meets Tom Holland on St Paul 1:00:29

9d ago1:00:29

1:00:29

A must-hear clash of minds from 2018: when two Toms – world-renowned Bible scholar NT Wright and bestselling historian Tom Holland – met on Unbelievable? podcast to discuss Paul: A Biography (SPCK).Wright unpacks the life, character and world-changing mission of St Paul. Holland, though agnostic, shares why Paul’s message shocked the Roman world an…

1
317 | Nicole Rust on Why Neuroscience Hasn't Solved Brain Disorders 1:14:50

11d ago1:14:50

1:14:50

The human brain is extremely complicated, but decades of careful neuroscientific research have revealed quite a bit about how it works, including how certain genes affect particular brain behaviors. Nevertheless, this progress has not led to quite as much improvement in the treatment of brain disorders as we might expect. I talk with neuroscientist…

1
Can therapy alone heal the soul? Two Psychiatrists Treating BPD & NPD Explore the Search for Meaning 1:18:53

13d ago1:18:53

1:18:53

Can Therapy Heal the Soul?Exploring BPD, NPD and Meaning in Christian and Secular PsychiatryToday we’re asking: Can therapy heal the soul? We’ll be exploring two complex and often misunderstood conditions - borderline personality disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) - through both Christian and secular perspectives. What happ…

1
How Nomadic Matt Travels on $75 a Day! 11:59

14d ago11:59

11:59

Nomadic Matt is a pioneering travel blogger. One day, we'll call him the grandfather of travel blogging during the Golden Era of travel blogs. He's not known for his travel feats but rather for the extensive tips he's provided on his popular website, which focuses on budget travel. Watch the video interview The book's budget used to be $50/day, but…

1
Classic: Putin's War - The Spiritual and Ideological Battle Behind the Invasion of Ukraine 1:03:05

16d ago1:03:05

1:03:05

Originally recorded in March 2022, this classic Unbelievable? takes us back to the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As the world grappled with the shock of war, this conversation sought to uncover a deeper layer of the conflict — its religious and ideological roots.Justin Brierley is joined by Father Cyril Hovorun, a Ukrainian Orthodox p…

1
AMA | June 2025 3:23:07

18d ago3:23:07

3:23:07

Welcome to the June 2025 Ask Me Anything episode of Mindscape! These monthly excursions are funded by Patreon supporters (who are also the ones asking the questions). We take questions asked by Patreons, whittle them down to a more manageable number -- based primarily on whether I have anything interesting to say about them, not whether the questio…

1
Adult Conversion vs Leaving the Faith: What’s More Meaningful? Matthew Su & Nathan Ormond | Schools Debate Special 57:03

21d ago57:03

57:03

Is it more meaningful to convert to Christianity as an adult—or to leave it behind after growing up in the faith? In this special schools debate, host Sam McKee is joined by Matthew Su, a Christian convert and Cambridge PhD candidate, and Nathan Ormond, ex-Christian and YouTuber at Digital Gnosis. With big questions from teenage students, the episo…

1
"Battle of the Big Bang" author Phil Halper reveals competing theories 34:03

23d ago34:03

34:03

Battle of the Big Bang: The New Tales of Our Cosmic Origins examines the most profound idea: how did the universe begin? Watch the video, as it includes illustrations in the final 10 minutes. Although I'm not a physicist, I have read many books about the Big Bang, physics, and the universe. This book is an in-depth exploration of the competing mode…

1
Classic: An ex-atheist faces off with an ex-Christian 59:43

23d ago59:43

59:43

Holly Ordway is the Cardinal Francis George Professor of Faith and Culture at the Word on Fire Institute and a Visiting Professor of Apologetics at Houston Christian University. She holds a PhD in English and serves as a subject editor for the Journal of Inklings Studies. A regular guest on The CS Lewis Podcast, Holly has a deep passion for explori…

1
316 | Niayesh Afshordi and Phil Halper 1:28:50

25d ago1:28:50

1:28:50

Einstein's general theory of relativity, plus some reasonable assumptions about the universe and what it's made of, has a remarkable implication: that as we trace cosmic evolution into the far past, we ultimately hit a singularity of infinite density and curvature, the Big Bang. Did that really happen? Einstein's theory is classical, after all, and…

1
Is the natural world evidence of design, or the result of random processes? Rachel G Jordan vs Michael Shermer hosted by Andy Kind 1:11:42

28d ago1:11:42

1:11:42

In this episode of Premier Unbelievable? comedian and host Andy Kind welcomes marine biologist and Christian author Rachel G. Jordan, author of If the Ocean has a Soul, and sceptic science-historian Dr Michael Shermer, founder of Skeptic Magazine and author of The Moral Arc, for a dynamic conversation exploring whether nature reveals divine purpose…

1
Classic: Is War ever justified? Just War, Darwinism and Christianity | Michael Ruse vs Nigel Biggar. 1:01:25

1M ago1:01:25

1:01:25

In 2025, as the world is devastated by continuing wars, many are simultaneously commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Returning to this edition of Unbelievable, recorded as marks of Remembrance took place across the world to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1 in 2018, Justin Brierley discussed just war theory, Dar…

1
They're NOT gaslighting you! Dr. Isabelle Morley on the weaponization of therapy speak 36:11

1M ago36:11

36:11

I’ve never highlighted a book as much as They’re Not Gaslighting You: Ditch the Therapy Speak and Stop Hunting for Red Flags in Every Relationship. It's my favorite book in 2025! Watch the Video Interview Author Dr. Isabelle Morley gives us a timely book that rejects the reckless proliferation of the following terms: Sociopath Psychopath Love bomb …

1
315 | Branden Fitelson on the Logic and Use of Probability 1:28:55

1M ago1:28:55

1:28:55

Every time you see an apple spontaneously break away from a tree, it falls downward. You therefore claim that there is a law of physics: apples fall downward from trees. But how can you really know? After all, tomorrow you might see an apple that falls upward. How is science possible at all? Philosophers, as you might expect, have thought hard abou…

1
Do humans have the right to engineer life? Prof. Keith Fox v Dr. Sam McKee 1:26:01

1M ago1:26:01

1:26:01

Should we be tampering with the genetic code of life? What are the ethical and theological implications of engineering artificial organisms?This episode of Unbelievable? explores the cutting-edge world of synthetic biology - from designing artificial microbes to help us live on Mars, to the deeper philosophical and ethical questions about humanity …

1
Why have a travel checklist? Why use the MTP app? 10:58

1M ago10:58

10:58

Charles Veley explains why having a travel checklist can be beneficial and how the MTP app helps. Charles Veley is often referred to as one of the world's most traveled people, but whether he is definitively the most traveled depends on the criteria used. I've met Charles Veley four times, and for the fourth time, we recorded our conversation! In 2…

1
Classic: Can Christianity be true if Christians can't agree on doctrine? Andrew Whyte vs Nabeel Qureshi 1:01:52

1M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

Less than a year after this classic episode aired, Nabeel Qureshi, author of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, one of the most compelling accounts of a Muslim’s journey to Christianity, announced he had stage IV stomach cancer. He passed away in September 2017. In this unforgettable episode, Nabeel brings his characteristic warmth and clarity as he eng…

1
314 | Karen Lloyd on the Deep Underground Biosphere 1:09:18

1M ago1:09:18

1:09:18

There are living creatures dwelling deep below the surface of the Earth, as deep as we are able to drill. These hearty microorganisms are related to more familiar life forms on land and under water, but the operate and survive in ways that are quite different from what we're familiar with. They live off of nutrients that have penetrated from the su…

1
Does true freedom exist? Max Jeganathan vs Andrew Copson hosted by Andy Kind 1:15:28

1M ago1:15:28

1:15:28

Is our obsession with personal autonomy leading to fulfilment—or fracture? Max Jeganathan (author of The Freedom Trap) and Andrew Copson (CEO of Humanists UK) explore the purpose, power, and pitfalls of freedom. While Max argues that unexamined individualism breeds anxiety, disconnection, and moral confusion, Andrew defends freedom as a means to ha…

1
Charles Veley's adventure at the Bolivia-Chile border 10:51

1M ago10:51

10:51

Charles Veley and I discuss his mini-adventure at the Chile-Bolivia border. It illustrates how no matter how much you travel, you keep having fun and unexpected moments. Charles Veley is often referred to as one of the world's most traveled people, but whether he is definitively the most traveled depends on the criteria used. I've met Charles Veley…

1
Classic: Why I changed my mind about Christian history - Tom Holland v Larry Hurtado 50:40

1M ago50:40

50:40

Back in October 2016, renowned historian Tom Holland penned an article for The New Statesman on why he changed his mind about Christianity. Holland is the author of popular books on ancient empires and says his research made him realise how unique Christianity was in its infancy. In this classic show Holland claims that, despite secular arguments t…

1
313 | Eric Topol on the Changing Face of Medicine and Aging 1:12:03

2M ago1:12:03

1:12:03

Medical science is advancing at an astonishing rate. Today we talk with leading expert Eric Topol about two aspects of this story. First, the use of artificial intelligence in medicine, especially in diagnostics. This is an area that is a perfect match between an important question and the capabilities of machine learning, to the point where AI can…

1
Cancer, War and the God Question: why so much suffering? Prof Richard Norman vs Sara Stevenson hosted by Andy Kind 1:15:15

2M ago1:15:15

1:15:15

Why does a good God allow violence and suffering — even in the Bible?In this episode of Premier Unbelievable?, Andy Kind hosts a thought-provoking debate between humanist philosopher Richard Norman and Christian thinker Sara Stevenson. Together, they explore whether divine violence in the Old Testament undermines the credibility of Christianity, an…

1
Will the Kessler Syndrome keep us stuck on Earth? Blue Origin's Brendan Rousseau opines 10:30

2M ago10:30

10:30

Matthew Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau are the authors of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier. The new book explains the business side of space. Watch all four videos about Space to Grow I interview Brendan Rousseau, one of the two co-authors. In this episode, we dive into the Kessler Syndrome, which might keep us stuck on Earth! Wa…

1
Classic: Memes, archetypes, and the meaning we live by: Jordan Peterson vs Susan Blackmore 49:29

2M ago49:29

49:29

In this classic edition of Unbelievable? - The Big Conversation we ask: do we need God to make sense of life? In a 2018 debate, Jordan Peterson and Susan Blackmore explore the psychology of belief through the lenses of memes and archetypes. Peterson argues that religious structures underpin even secular life, while Blackmore sees religion as a cult…

1
AMA | May 2025 3:38:06

2M ago3:38:06

3:38:06

Welcome to the May 2025 Ask Me Anything episode of Mindscape! These monthly excursions are funded by Patreon supporters (who are also the ones asking the questions). We take questions asked by Patreons, whittle them down to a more manageable number -- based primarily on whether I have anything interesting to say about them, not whether the question…

1
Space Tourism, Hotels, and Joyrides 11:26

2M ago11:26

11:26

Matthew Weinzierl and Brendan Rosseau are the authors of Space to Grow: Unlocking the Final Economic Frontier. The new book explains the business side of space. Watch all four videos about Space to Grow I interview Brendan Rousseau, one of the two co-authors. In this episode, Brendan Rousseau discusses how close we are to having space hotels and jo…

1
Is the Problem of Suffering the strongest argument against God? David Robertson vs Stephen Law hosted by Andy Kind 1:13:54

2M ago1:13:54

1:13:54

Can the reality of suffering disprove a good God? Oxford Philosopher Dr. Stephen Law and Christian minister Rev. David Robertson debate the problem of evil, the evil God hypothesis, and whether suffering is evidence for or against theism. Does Christianity provide a meaningful answer, or does the sheer amount of suffering make belief in God irratio…

1
Classic: Debating the Scandals of Easter: Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection David Instone-Brewer v Bob Price 59:53

2M ago59:53

59:53

Listen to a compelling classic discussion between David Instone-Brewer, a New Testament scholar, and Bob Price, a professor of biblical criticism. This Unbelievable focuses on the scandals surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, as argued in David's book, 'The Jesus Scandals.' David posits these events based on their embarrassing nature fo…

1
312 | Thomas Levenson on the Mutual History of Humans and Germs 1:31:28

2M ago1:31:28

1:31:28

The germ theory of disease is a crowning achievement of science, up there with modern physics, continental drift, and evolution via natural selection. (Even if there will always be cranky skeptics.) But the road to widespread acceptance isn't always an easy one. Why did it take so long between Anton van Leeuwenhoek seeing "animalcules" in a microsc…

1
The Resurrection Debate: Did Jesus Die and Rise Again? David Instone-Brewer vs Ijaz Ahmed, hosted by Andy Kind 1:19:12

2M ago1:19:12

1:19:12

As Easter approaches, we explore the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection in Christianity and Islam. Bible scholar Rev Dr David Instone-Brewer joins Islamic apologist Ijaz Ahmed for a thought-provoking debate on the crucifixion, resurrection, and the divinity of Jesus. Is the resurrection a historical fact or a later theological idea?📚 Dav…

1
Does Tech Impact on Our Desire to Explore? Is Exploration Required for Fulfillment? 8:31

2M ago8:31

8:31

In 3 WanderLearn episodes, Alex Hutchinson and I discuss his new book, The Explorer's Gene. This is episode 2 of 3. The Explorer's Gene examines human exploration broadly, going beyond traditional expeditions to investigate why humans explore everything from new foods to music. Watch my 1st Video Interview with Alex #2: Does Tech Impact on Our Desi…

1
311 | Annaka Harris on Whether Consciousness is Fundamental 1:09:58

2M ago1:09:58

1:09:58

Questions about consciousness range from the precise and empirical -- what neurons fire when I have some particular experience -- to the deeply profound -- does consciousness emerge from matter, or does matter emerge from consciousness? While it might be straightforward to think that consciousness arises from the collective behavior of atoms in the…

1
Why I Changed My Mind on Christian Sexual Ethics? Rev Dr Christopher Landau vs Rev Charlie Bell hosted by Andy Kind 1:16:34

2M ago1:16:34

1:16:34

This week on Premier Unbelievable?, Andy Kind hosts a bold and honest conversation about sex, sexuality, and discipleship in the Church.Joining him are Rev Dr Christopher Landau, author of Compassionate Orthodoxy and Sexuality, who defends the Church’s traditional teaching with pastoral conviction—and Rev Dr Charlie Bell, author of Queer Holiness, …

1
Michael Zervos Will Soon Be The Fastest Person To Travel To Every Country 33:09

2M ago33:09

33:09

I interviewed Michael Zervos in Côte d'Ivoire 14 months ago. He was 10% done with his every-country-speed tour. I interviewed him today, April 8, 2025, when he's over 90% done! Watch the VideoTimeline 00:00 Only 23 countries to go 05:20 Time left 08:15 How he gets tourist visas 16:16 Greek Passport 20:00 Finish line Follow him on Instagram More inf…

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