Podcast Summary: The Dr. Josh Axe Show – "Supernatural Healing Is VERY REAL | Lee Strobel on Miracles Doctors Can’t Explain"

Release Date: July 31, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Supernatural Healing Is VERY REAL | Lee Strobel on Miracles Doctors Can’t Explain", Dr. Josh Axe welcomes renowned journalist and New York Times bestselling author Lee Strobel. Lee, known for his investigative approach to faith and Christianity, brings his expertise from books like The Case for Christ and his latest work, Seeing the Supernatural. Together, they delve into the profound intersections of natural health, personal growth, psychology, and the supernatural, exploring how miraculous events can influence mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Personal Stories of Supernatural Healing

Dr. Axe opens the discussion by sharing a deeply personal story about his mother’s battle with cancer. He recounts how, after conventional treatments failed, they turned to natural remedies and prayer. Initially, traditional methods were employed successfully to treat her cancer once. However, during a subsequent scare where cancerous tumors reappeared, extensive prayer led to the miraculous disappearance of the tumors without further medical intervention.

Dr. Josh Axe (04:11): "And she hasn't had cancer since. My mom's in her early 70s."

Lee Strobel responds with admiration, highlighting that such cases have been researched and documented in peer-reviewed medical journals, reinforcing the reality of miracles.

Lee Strobel (05:59): "She opened her eyes to perfect eyesight. Wow. She said, I was blind when he prayed for me. And then I opened my eyes and I could see perfectly. It's a miracle."

Scientific Validation of Miracles

Lee elaborates on his investigative methodology, emphasizing the importance of medical documentation, eyewitness testimonies, and the context of prayer in validating miracles. He presents several case studies:

1. Blindness Restored: A woman blind for twelve years regained perfect eyesight after her pastor prayed over her.
2. Gastroparesis Cure: A teenager suffering from gastroparesis was healed instantly during a prayer session.
3. Sight Restoration in Mozambique and Brazil: Studies showed significant improvements in vision and hearing among participants after prayer, with results published in respected journals like the Southern Medical Journal.

Lee Strobel (08:40): "There is no case in any medical journal that I could find of anybody ever being healed of gastroparesis."

Faith, Mindset, and Healing

Dr. Axe discusses the connection between faith and healing, drawing parallels to the placebo effect. He posits that believing in supernatural healing can enhance recovery outcomes, similar to how positive beliefs can trigger physiological changes.

Dr. Josh Axe (26:14): "We know this from the placebo effect, all the studies that you're much better off believing whether it's true or not? No, I believe it is."

Lee supports this by citing a national study where 38% of American adults reported experiencing what they perceived as miracles, underscoring the prevalence and impact of supernatural beliefs on personal health and well-being.

Angels and Demons: Biblical Perspectives and Modern Encounters

The conversation shifts to the existence and role of angels and demons:

• Guardian Angels: Lee discusses scriptural references suggesting that believers may have guardian angels, citing passages from Matthew and Acts. He explains that while some Christians are divided on the existence of guardian angels, traditions like the Orthodox Church affirm their presence.

  Lee Strobel (18:20): "So there's no shortage of angels. God could certainly have a guardian angel."

• Demonic Influence: Dr. Axe explores the concept of demons affecting physical health, linking negative emotions like fear to hormonal imbalances and disease. Lee introduces Dr. Richard Gallagher, a respected psychiatrist who has documented cases of demonic possession and influence, reinforcing the reality of spiritual warfare.

  Lee Strobel (29:22): "And Richard Gallagher has spent now 25 years involved with investigating the demonic, involved with exorcisms and so forth. He's a highly credible physician and psychiatrist."

They discuss biblical accounts where Jesus healed and cast out demons, emphasizing that true Christians are protected by the Holy Spirit from demonic possession.

Supernatural Experiences on Deathbeds

Lee shares insights from his research on near-death experiences and deathbed visions:

• Prevalence: Studies indicate that 88% of dying individuals report having pre-death visions, often seeing angels or deceased loved ones.

  Lee Strobel (45:50): "88% of them had a pre-death vision."

• Corroboration: These experiences are often validated by unexpected external events, such as seeing someone who had recently passed away. Lee provides a poignant example of Doris, who saw her sister Vita in her vision before Vita’s unexpected death.

• Children’s Visions: Young children report seeing angels without the stereotypical big wings, suggesting authentic supernatural encounters rather than imagined ones.

  Lee Strobel (51:00): "The little girl said, oh, mommy, they don't have big wings. And she said, you don't have to lie."

Influence of Media and Modern Culture on the Supernatural

Dr. Axe and Lee discuss the impact of horror movies and media on perceptions of the supernatural:

• Darkness in Horror Films: Dr. Axe posits that horror movies, which predominantly feature demonic themes, can serve as a gateway to demonic influence.

  Dr. Josh Axe (40:04): "I believe it's this... there's a darkness there."

• Cultural Impact: Lee agrees, noting that Satan likely focuses on influential cultural hubs like Hollywood to subtly influence society through media, reducing the immediate fear of the supernatural while embedding harmful ideologies.

  Lee Strobel (42:03): "If Satan wanted to do maximum damage, is he going to hang out in Chattanooga, Tennessee? I think he's going to go maybe to a place like Hollywood."

Balancing Belief and Skepticism

Both hosts acknowledge the need for discernment in identifying genuine miracles versus coincidences or fraud:

• Skeptical Approach: Lee emphasizes his background as a former atheist and his methodical approach to investigating miracles, ensuring that cases are thoroughly corroborated before accepting them as supernatural.

  Lee Strobel (11:57): "It validates the Gospels. And I think that can be, at least it was in my case, part of the process of coming to faith."

• Avoiding Exploitation: They discuss the importance of not wanting supernatural events to appear manufactured or overly performative, which can lead to skepticism and diminish genuine beliefs.

  Dr. Josh Axe (14:25): "I think a number of people, they're put off by that. And so maybe that's harming some of the openness people have."

Supernatural Experiences Across Cultures and Religions

Lee introduces examples of supernatural experiences transcending cultural and religious boundaries:

• Muslim Dreams of Jesus: A significant number of Muslims who convert to Christianity report having dreams about Jesus, often leading to profound personal transformations. These dreams are not easily dismissed as mere subconscious imaginings, given the cultural and religious risks involved.

  Lee Strobel (55:40): "There's a woman named Nora. She had eight children, some Muslim, Cairo. She has a Jesus dream...he was an underground church planter."

• Global Phenomena: Lee cites ongoing supernatural occurrences in the Middle East and their role in spreading faith and transforming lives.

Conclusion and Encouragement

Dr. Axe concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to embrace a belief in the supernatural, highlighting its profound impact on health, mindset, and eternal perspective. He urges everyone to explore and acknowledge these experiences to enhance their lives and spiritual journeys.

Dr. Josh Axe (54:35): "Walk with that sense of there's an eternity, because it will impact your life for the good in such a powerful way."

He also promotes Lee Strobel’s book, Seeing the Supernatural, inviting listeners to delve deeper into the documented miracles and supernatural phenomena discussed in the episode.

Key Takeaways

• Miraculous Healings are Documented: Multiple peer-reviewed studies validate instances of supernatural healing, bridging faith and science.
• Faith Enhances Healing: Believing in supernatural intervention can positively influence health outcomes, akin to the placebo effect.
• Angels and Demons Play Active Roles: Biblical scriptures and modern accounts affirm the presence and influence of spiritual beings in the physical world.
• Pre-Death Visions are Common and Validated: Near-death experiences provide consistent evidence of an afterlife and spiritual encounters.
• Media Influences Spiritual Perceptions: Horror movies and cultural narratives can subconsciously open doors to negative spiritual influences.
• Discernment is Essential: While recognizing miracles, it is crucial to differentiate them from coincidences or deceit to maintain credibility and faith.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Dr. Josh Axe (04:11): "And she hasn't had cancer since. My mom's in her early 70s."
• Lee Strobel (05:59): "It's a miracle. How do you explain that?"
• Dr. Josh Axe (26:14): "We know this from the placebo effect, all the studies that you're much better off believing whether it's true or not? No, I believe it is."
• Lee Strobel (45:50): "This is biblical. In the Book of Acts, Stephen...he sees the heavens open up."
• Dr. Josh Axe (40:04): "I believe it's this... there's a darkness there."

This episode serves as a compelling exploration of the supernatural's role in modern life, offering evidence-based discussions and personal testimonies that challenge listeners to reconsider the boundaries between faith, science, and the unseen forces that may shape our existence.