In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy R. Powell speaks with Finnish researcher Teemu Hartikainen, founder and president of the Finnish Sindonology Society.

Hartikainen dives into one of the most debated documents in Shroud history: the 1389 memorandum by Bishop Pierre d’Arcis. Long cited as proof that the Shroud of Turin was a medieval forgery, Hartikainen explains why this claim doesn’t hold up.

Through detailed archival research, he reveals that the so-called “letter” is not a letter at all. Instead, it consists of two unfinished drafts dictated by the bishop. These drafts lack essential elements such as a date, signature, and polished Latin. Far from being official correspondence, they were likely internal notes, never intended for the Pope.

The episode also explores how later historians manipulated these drafts—adding a date stamp and altering translations—to make them appear as damning evidence against the Shroud. By mixing historical context with linguistic analysis, Hartikainen shows that these edits reshaped the meaning and fueled skepticism.

Beyond documents, the discussion uncovers the political and economic struggles of the time. With the Black Death devastating Europe and churches competing for pilgrims, the motivation behind d’Arcis’ complaints may have been financial survival rather than truth.

This thought-provoking conversation challenges long-standing assumptions and raises new questions about authenticity, faith, and history. Whether you approach the Shroud as evidence of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ or as a historical puzzle, Hartikainen’s insights provide clarity.

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy R. Powell speaks with Jim Bertrand—renowned Shroud evangelist, researcher, and speaker. Together, they unpack key highlights from the 2025 Shroud Conference in St. Louis, where leading international scholars gathered to present new findings.

Jim shares the blessings of meeting experts, hearing powerful talks, and seeing fibers from the Shroud under microscopes. Among the most fascinating discoveries:

• Possible coins on the eyes indicated by metal alloy traces.
• Theories on the three hours of darkness explained by Sahara dust storms.
• Forensic blood evidence suggesting supernatural preservation.
• The Sudarium of Oviedo and new perspectives on its link to the Shroud.
• Microscopic evidence of neutron trails that may confirm the Resurrection event.

Bertrand explains how these findings connect science, history, and faith, offering believers and skeptics alike a deeper look into the mystery of the Shroud of Turin. He also reflects on the camaraderie among researchers, the role of the Shroud in evangelization, and the timeless truth that “the image on the Shroud is the natural consequence of a supernatural event.”

Don’t miss this conversation that bridges theology, research, and the enduring mystery of the Resurrection.

🎥 Click here to view the video: https://youtu.be/GVqFnI1ggLU

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, Guy R. Powell interviews lawyer and Shroud researcher William Red, who applies legal reasoning to the centuries-old mystery of the Shroud.

William explains how courtroom standards reasonable suspicion, balance of probabilities, and beyond reasonable doubt can be applied to Shroud evidence. He demonstrates why the 1988 Carbon 14 dating, flawed by breaches in protocol and limited sampling, would be inadmissible in court. Instead, he highlights stronger evidence:

• Pollen unique to Jerusalem
• Dust samples from crucifixion-related areas
• Blood serum halos around wounds
• Forensic details confirming crucifixion practices

He contrasts absurd theories, like a Da Vinci forgery, against overwhelming corroborative science. Through a legal lens, the evidence tips the scales toward authenticity, pointing to a first-century origin.

This discussion bridges law, science, and faith, asking: what verdict would you render if you were the juror?

Whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or curious investigator, William’s perspective reframes the Shroud as more than an artifact—it becomes a witness to the Resurrection.

Click here to view the video: https://youtu.be/t-YWL2ZmWl0

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, Bob Bird, an expert on the Shroud and longtime researcher, discusses its historical significance. Bird explains how the Shroud may have been more than just a relic—it could have served as a powerful evangelistic tool for early Christians, aiding in spreading the message of Jesus' Resurrection. Bird recounts his first exposure to the Shroud, a key moment in his faith and research journey.

He critically examines the 1988 Carbon 14 dating, which cast doubt on the Shroud's authenticity, offering a fresh perspective on why those conclusions might have been flawed. He also explores the Shroud's possible journey to Odessa, how early Christian texts reference it, and the mystery of its early history.

As Bird puts it, “The Shroud is a symbol of Christ’s passion and resurrection, and its history is as intricate as the faith it represents.” Whether you are a believer or skeptic, this episode provides valuable insights into one of Christianity’s most compelling artifacts.

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In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy Powell interviews Myra Kahn Adams, Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit and a featured speaker at the Shroud 2025 Conference.

Myra traces her journey from a moving encounter with a crucifix modeled on the Shroud to seeing the actual cloth twice—in 2010 and 2015. She shares how her Jewish upbringing and later conversion to Catholicism gave her a unique lens through which to understand the power of the Shroud. Her moving analogy to Doubting Thomas paints the Shroud as a “proof for our time”—a visual testimony to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ for those who need evidence to believe.

She also offers a preview of major news to be announced at the conference regarding the Shroud exhibit and its potential future home in Washington, D.C.

From science to mystery to faith, this conversation bridges the intellectual and spiritual power of the Shroud of Turin.

Click here to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdoMpVQ6A5M

In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy Powell interviews Janis Winchester—a longtime Shroud researcher, speaker, and member of the Shroud 2025 Conference committee. Janis shares how her initial curiosity transformed into a faith-deepening mission to understand the Shroud’s image, science, and message.

Her exposure to top experts like Kevin Moran and Barry Schwortz and her use of VP8 image analysis helped her see what she describes as “unseen evidence”—particularly the blood from the lance wound and the peaceful expression on the face of the man in the cloth. These elements led her to a deep conviction: the Shroud is not just a mystery of history, but a mirror of the Gospels and the love of Jesus Christ.

In her upcoming presentation at the Shroud 2025 Conference, Janis will guide attendees through the physical, historical, and scriptural evidence of the Shroud’s authenticity—encouraging others to come to their own conclusions while drawing closer to the peace of God.

Click here to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjeflZANnFQ

What if science could support faith?

In this gripping episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy R. Powell interviews Bob Rucker, a veteran nuclear engineer who has spent over a decade applying advanced scientific methods to the most studied relic in Christianity: the Shroud of Turin.

Rucker presents a comprehensive radiation-based theory of image formation and carbon date discrepancy. By simulating the behavior of neutrons and protons in a tomb environment, he shows how the Resurrection itself could have generated the very evidence we now study.

He covers:

· The four evidences from the 1988 carbon dating that standard explanations cannot fully address

· Why protons and neutrons released in a burst of radiation could form the image and skew the dating

· His rebuttal to skeptics who claim faith doesn't need relics—and why we should care anyway

· The possible link to the Sudarium of Oviedo

· The deep theological implications of scientific evidence for Jesus’s Resurrection

Whether you’re a scientist, theologian, or simply curious, this episode offers a profound look into how God may be using the tools of science to strengthen faith.

🎥 Click here to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc8K2Y05ZOU

· What if a single piece of cloth could ignite boldness in your faith? In this episode of The Backstory on the Shroud of Turin, host Guy R. Powell interviews Jim Bertrand, an acclaimed speaker who has delivered over 350 presentations on the Shroud across 30 states. But Jim’s method is unique: he prays for each attendee for nine days before every talk.

Jim explains the vital distinction that blood on the Shroud was laid down first—on Good Friday—and the image appeared later—perhaps on Easter Sunday. This detail, verified through x-rays in 1978, powerfully supports the claim that the Shroud may have captured the moment of Resurrection.

He also addresses a common objection: “I don’t need relics for my faith.” Jim offers a powerful response—if the Shroud is authentic and God gave it to us, our reaction shouldn’t be indifference. It should be gratitude, evangelization, and deeper love for Jesus Christ.

Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or faithful, Jim Bertrand’s message is one that bridges science and spirituality—and strengthens belief.

🎥 Click here to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-SnlOa8LOQ