Soul Boom is a series of intimate conversations hosted by Rainn Wilson exploring meaningful and inspiring topics that tickle the mind, heart and soul. Never too precious, yet unafraid to touch on the profound, Soul Boom digs into the core of the human experience: creativity, spirituality and psychology. Bringing to the conversation some of the most brilliant and heart-felt artists, thinkers and doers, Soul Boom guides the listener toward transformation on both a personal and societal level. Also, laughs.
Latest Episodes
Am I Lonely or Spiritually Disconnected? (w/ Radha Agrawal)
1 day agoThu, Apr 3rd 2025
What if the cure for our loneliness epidemic isn’t more screen time—but sacred dance floors, radical service, and remembering our ancestors? In this deep and energizing Soul Boom episode, Rainn Wilson sits down with Radha Agrawal, founder of Daybreaker and the Belong Center, to explore how ancient wisdom, intergenerational gatherings, and collective joy can rebuild our fractured world.
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Executive Produced by: Kartik Chainani
Executive Produced by: Ford Bowers, Samah Tokmachi
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Production Supervisor: Mike O'Brien
Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat
Hasan Minhaj: Does Comedy Matter if the World is on Fire?
8 days agoThu, Mar 27th 2025
Hasan Minhaj (Off With His Head, The Patriot Act, Homecoming King) joins Rainn Wilson for a vulnerable and inspiring dive into the purpose of comedy, the search for meaning, and the power of storytelling. They explore Hasan's spiritual upbringing, his journey through stand-up and fame, and how his faith and Indian-American identity have shaped his worldview. From reflections on Ramadan to insights about art's true value, this episode is rich with heart, humor, and depth. Rainn and Hasan discuss why comedy may be one of the last places where truth and hope collide in meaningful ways.
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Executive Produced by: Kartik Chainani
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Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat
Is Climate Change a Spiritual Crisis? (w/ Paul Hawken)
17 days agoTue, Mar 18th 2025
What if climate change isn’t just an environmental or economic issue, but a spiritual one? In this eye-opening conversation, Rainn Wilson and environmentalist Paul Hawken dive into the philosophy of regeneration—a revolutionary approach to healing the planet while revitalizing our sense of meaning and purpose. Paul explains why fear-based activism is failing, how indigenous wisdom offers a roadmap for sustainability, and why reconnecting to nature is the key to saving ourselves. They also discuss the hidden intelligence of plants, the role of community in social transformation, and what a 23-year-old in Tulsa can actually do to make a difference.
Paul Hawken is a renowned environmentalist, entrepreneur, and author. His work focuses on practical, systemic solutions to climate change that integrate ecological, social, and economic renewal.
Order Paul's new book Carbon: The Book of Life - https://amzn.to/4kY2Nr2
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Executive Produced by: Kartik Chainani
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Production Supervisor: Mike O'Brien
Voicing Change Media
Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat
How Spirituality Can Save Us from Global Chaos (w/ Payam Akhavan)
24 days agoTue, Mar 11th 2025
World peace isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable. But will we get there through collective vision or after unimaginable catastrophes? Renowned human rights lawyer and former UN prosecutor Payam Akhavan joins us on Soul Boom to discuss the forces pulling the world apart, and those bringing us together. They dive deep into the existential crises of our time: climate change, rising nationalism, economic inequality, and the urgent need for a global spiritual awakening.
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Executive Produced by: Kartik Chainani
Executive Produced by: Ford Bowers, Samah Tokmachi
Companion Arts
Production Supervisor: Mike O'Brien
Voicing Change Media
Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat
Rainn Tries Getting Rhett & Link Back in Church: Exploring Spiritual Deconstruction
1 month agoTue, Feb 25th 2025
What happens when two lifelong best friends and former evangelical missionaries begin questioning everything they once believed? In this deeply personal episode, Rhett & Link (Good Mythical Morning, Wonderhole, Ear Biscuits) down with Rainn Wilson to discuss their spiritual deconstruction, their struggles with judgment, and how their perspectives on faith, God, and love have evolved. They dive into their past in the evangelical world, what made them step away, and whether they still believe in something beyond themselves.
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Wonderhole
Wonderhole combines docu-comedy, sketch comedy, original music, visual FX, and celebrity cameos. Rhett & Link, hosts of the most-watched daily show on the Internet, Good Mythical Morning, and founders of Mythical Entertainment, premiered the new comedy series in August on their original Rhett & Link YouTube Channel.
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Executive Produced by: Kartik Chainani
Executive Produced by: Ford Bowers, Samah Tokmachi
Companion Arts
Production Supervisor: Mike O'Brien
Voicing Change Media
Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat
Faith After Doubt: Can Religion Evolve? (w/ Brian McLaren)
1 month agoTue, Feb 18th 2025
What happens when your faith no longer makes sense? Brian McLaren, author of Faith After Doubt and Life After Doom, joins Rainn Wilson for a deep dive into the personal and societal crises of faith that many are facing today. They explore the psychological impact of religious trauma, why so many struggle with the rigid dogma of organized religion, and how doubt can actually lead to a more profound, harmonious spirituality. The conversation also tackles the intersection of fundamentalist theology, climate change, and capitalism—unpacking how our deepest beliefs shape the world we live in.
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Produced by: Kartik Chainani
Executive Produced by: Ford Bowers, Samah Tokmachi
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Production Supervisor: Mike O'Brien
Voicing Change Media
Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat
Do Jews Believe in Souls? Ari Shaffir’s Crisis of Faith
1 month agoTue, Feb 11th 2025
Comedian Ari Shaffir (America's Sweetheart, JEW) joins Rainn Wilson for an unfiltered conversation about faith, comedy, and mental health. Known for his no-holds-barred stand-up, Ari shares his journey from being an Orthodox Jewish yeshiva student to an outspoken atheist. They dive into his personal battle with depression, how psychedelics shifted his perspective on existence, and why he believes the concept of a soul is a mystery. Plus, Rainn and Ari debate whether religion is a force for good—or just another human-made construct. Ari hosts The Skeptic Tank podcast and his latest Netflix special America’s Sweetheart tackles taboo topics with his signature irreverence, following up his previous special YouTube special 'JEW,' which explored his Orthodox upbringing and departure from faith.
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Produced by: Kartik Chainani
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Production Supervisor: Mike O'Brien
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Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat
Is Society Losing Its Soul? Nadia Bolz-Weber on Faith, Outrage, and Redemption
2 months agoTue, Feb 4th 2025
Lutheran pastor and best-selling author Nadia Bolz-Weber joins Rainn Wilson to discuss why modern life feels so disconnected and overwhelming. They explore the paradoxes of faith, the crisis of community in America, and how the pursuit of comfort and convenience might be eroding our humanity. Nadia shares her radical insights on grace, forgiveness, and why she still believes in organized religion despite its flaws. Plus, they dive into the spiritual consequences of the algorithm-driven world we live in and why true healing requires something greater than ourselves.
Nadia Bolz-Weber is a Lutheran pastor, New York Times best-selling author, and the founder of House for All Sinners and Saints, a progressive church in Denver. Known for her unfiltered, no-nonsense approach to theology, she speaks and writes about faith, grace, addiction, and the power of community with raw honesty and humor.
More Nadia:
Substack: https://thecorners.substack.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarcasticlutheran
Website: https://www.nadiabolz-weber.com/
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Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat
Alex O’Connor ( @CosmicSkeptic ), known for his nuanced critiques of religion and discussions on morality, reflects on why the Bible captivates him as an atheist, the historical resonance of Jesus, and the philosophical limits of materialism. Alex recently participated in a Jubilee debate that went viral, where his fascination with Christianity was put to the test (Jubilee's 1 Atheist vs. 25 Christians). Together he and Rainn explore the mysteries of consciousness, the science behind near-death experiences, and whether love is just neurons firing or something more profound.
Alex O’Connor is a prominent atheist thinker, YouTuber, and philosopher known for his channel Cosmic Skeptic, where he explores questions of morality, religion, and consciousness. A graduate of theology and philosophy at Oxford, Alex has engaged millions in thoughtful debates on belief and the human experience.
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Produced by: Kartik Chainani
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Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat
U.S. Surgeon General's Final Prescription: A Path to Fulfillment and Community
2 months agoTue, Jan 21st 2025
Dr. Vivek Murthy, the now former U.S. Surgeon General, joins Rainn Wilson in this powerful episode of Soul Boom to explore the loneliness epidemic and its profound effects on mental and physical health. They discuss the societal shift from community-centered values to hustle culture and the dangers of social media, offering practical ways to reconnect with ourselves and others. Dr. Murthy shares insights on the triad of fulfillment—relationships, purpose, and service—and why these are key to rebuilding community and finding meaning in modern life.
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Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat