Rainn Wilson | You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes 

Only 15 minutes in and having a guest immediately call Pete out for constantly interrupting and treating every guest's point as just a break until he can talk again has cured my eczema.

I absolutely love Pete’s show and his spiritual nature and predilection for philosophy. This was the very first episode where I felt a little insecurity from Pete’s side. Because I think we talk about shedding the ego so much, and it’s importance. It feels a little bit (and no judgement or malice) that Pete sensed that his intellectual superiority was being challenged in an unprecedented way… and his response to GREAT answers was to turn to ribbing, and ball busting, and comedy, and he missed a HUGE opportunity to engage with a comparable mind in terms of the quality of the overall conversation. Just constructive criticism. Love Pete. Love the podcast. Love every conversation.

I have to say I appreciate both of these people. I love Pete and often find myself on a parallel journey with him as I grow and become a parent and explore spirituality outside of my religious upbringing. I am mostly with Rainn on the belief of morality and taking control of your life. Nothing frustrates me more than people living their life with a victim mentality acting like that’s the best they can do. Every day we get to choose to be a better person. Yes we make mistakes and learn and need mercy but copping out is lame. Understand the mistakes you have made and do better! Then watch the beauty of life unfold.

Appreciate how honest this interview is so far and I'm only 20 minutes in.

Completely agree with the guest about shortcuts. Well said.

The word 'judgment' branches in two directions: most hear it and use it to mean 'condemnation' but forget about the 'discernment' side which is helpful in understanding what's good. I think Pete is trying to avoid condemnation of alternate paths while Rainn is trying to endorse a discernment about pursuing a moral route instead of taking shortcuts and seeing the virtue in doing that good work.

I agree with Raiin about the consumerification of psychedelics especially in the western mindset of everything must be easy and quick. But proper psychedelic use is absolutely a powerful tool for spiritual growth.

Rainn’s impression of Pete is spot on 😂😂

Pete let the guests talk without interrupting them with an Eckhart Tolle quote

41:11 My thoughts - Did our parents do the best they could? - Probably no, but, you are the person you are now because of what your parents did. However bad or good, that has shaped and defined a good chunk of your personality. So the question becomes - are you happy with the life experiences you got overcoming whatever support or damage your parents did when you were growing up. Are we doing our best? I have to agree with Rainn on this. For example: I wish to be healthier, I am unable to summon the will power to do it regularly though. Now, Pete's argument is that you aren't able to because you don't have it in you to summon the will power. But if we are not striving to be better, give up and say that's what i'm capable of, that doesn't seem like a good way to live. Great chat!

Can’t believe we got King Quest 3 reference in this pod. I tip my adventurers cap to you Pete 💜😁

I'm sad this episode is almost over!! Noooo!!! It's punching my anxiety in the nards. i want no end❤

I think big part of the consumerism of spiritual experiences is that technology has allowed us the time and energy to think about spiritual topics more than before...so because of the popularity and accessibility of it, it's become a consumer product and lifestyle.

Love you Pete and yet I have to heartily agree with Rainn about the "Parent's did (not do) the best they could" issue. I believe that we all have the burden of our childhood experiences / genetic predispositions, but we also have free will. The free will part is too important to me to concede. I don't think all parents do the best they can, very sadly. To say everyone is just doing the best they can in every moment does not feel true to me. Yet, I am with you on having compassion and mercy, even in light of our parents' poor choices along the way.

Gloriously pronounces 'tenets' correctly, but I call whammy on 'uvulating'. Because.......it's 'ululating'. Yep.

Rainn inadvertently illustrates my number one problem with religion in general in the first 20 minutes. Basically, "I know the truth, and everyone else is wrong."

This was a fabtastic interview. Came here from the interview with Rainn amd Bert. This was facinating all the way through. Loved a lot of Pete's points of view and Rainn's experience. Phenomenal.

I'm 30 mins in, I'm rock hard for this episode like everyone else... I can't stop staring at the bubbles on the background....

Agree with Rainn 100% on the philatelic issue. There area no shortcuts to spiritual/emotional growth.

This was not the conversation I was expecting to hear when I learned that Pete Holmes has a podcast, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Great conversation. 🫶🏼

Cap Obvious here… Never take opinion seriously from someone who has no firsthand experience. Understand his sobriety tho. I’m sober alcohol 11 years but aya has changed my life will be forever grateful. I’m still sober tho it’s medicine for me.

I agree with Rainn. I hate the idea that I can excuse myself of all my actions by saying that there was no other way this could've played out. Sure it might be pointless to have regret over things you did in the past that you can never hope to change because it's in the past but that's how I grow. I grow by knowing that I make my choices and that the choices I made in the past were bad or good. I am strongly repelled by the idea of a cop out. I opt to cop in because then only can I take responsibility for my actions.

Ive never been so early. So excited

You guys should totally make that show! ;)

Most of us are barely aware of consciousness- if at all. And until that pearl is snatched from the dragon of time, there is no free will to "do better" as Rainn suggests. As long as we are identified with the personal "I", we will also be snared by our personal "I"'s desires and aversions.

You guys SHOULD TOTALLY make that show!!!

I’m with rain, we make ourselves…not because we were allowed. But because of the effort and failures we accumulate

someone needs to introduce Rainn and Duncan Trussel, easily the perfect guest for a Soul Boom podcast.

THIS was a real podcast. An actual dialectic that the watcher can learn from. Great job gents

100% better topic than most , and then throw in some comedy gravy , love both you guys

Just to join in the corrections, it's actually called "ululating", not "uvulating" at 34:23. Good stuff guys.

Love this!!❤❤

It's not a shortcut for someone who has tried the tired ol way of organized religion. What about the people who put the ol' college try in and even got a Bible College degree only to graduate an agnostic?

Love this conversation, gonna keep falling upward

I get SUUUUUPER iffy whenever someone starts talking about absolute morality. It's used as a scapegoat for so much.

What a spiritual discussion!

❤ you are a top tier favorite Mr. Pete

I'm with Rainn. Not getting out of bed to go for a jog is not the same as being a bad parent for an extended period of time. Not going for a jog is more like yelling at your kid because of something going on in your life occasionally, but generally doing all the parenting things you need to do and acting with kindness most of the time. You can look back, and forgive, or understand, but that doesn't get rid of the scars from the trauma that lead to many maladaptations and issues for life until you deal with them. Being diagnosed with anxiety/ADHD later in life, I can see that my dad is on the spectrum (and my mum is screwed up from a horrible childhood of alcoholism and abuse), and a lot of his actions now make sense - but he still could have done better.

Okay, Pete is clearly talking about personal growth, and Rainn is talking about societal growth. They’re talking about the same thing, but on different levels.

Why am I craving a Chip Chipperson commentary track to go along with this conversation??? "You got the keys to the kingdom of my heart!" 🎶 ". . . and if you put the keys in my heart will start!" 🎶🎵🎶

I’d watch that show!

1:25:20 Rainn's earlier point about "could your parents have done better" kinda contradicts with "allow your children to experience hardships."

Very cool and insightful conversation

Thank you for that "isn't it?" zoom in moment

I 100% agree with Rainn. You don't need drugs to find God. You want to trip out? Achieve that connection without psychedelics and that will change how you see life, how u see yourself and others. U see unlimited possibilities where before u only saw obstacles. It's a beautiful experience. Zero drugs needed. Rainn speaks as someone who has been there, he knows what that's like. He's right, there are no shortcuts. Also from experience, you don't know what your threshold is for tolerating psychedelics you can go into it with a fully functioning brain and leave it with your brain scrambled. True story based on a someone I met who had been an extremely intelligent person and was reduced to someone who had permanent neurological issues. He was like a child afterwards. For those that advocate using those drugs, fail to realize that that's addiction that convinces you that it's okay to do it because the purpose is to" reach higher ground, to find God." An addict in recovery can see another addict's bullsh*t reasoning. Also I'm watching your videos out of order but from what I've seen so far, you're a sponge for knowledge and u share it freely with the rest of us. Thank u for that.

Rainn Rules!

A church in my town had a drivethru prayer service last Easter, they couldn't even take the time to get out of the car to talk to god...I get what Rainn is talking about😢

14:50 I could not agree more with Rainn’s point about the branding of “plant medicine.”

I don't feel like psychedelics are inherently spiritual so I have no problem with what Rainn is saying & in fact I agree. True enlightenment requires actual sacrifice & you can't cheat that. When I take psychedelics I do so just to enjoy the effects & how it changes things. I don't think it's made my life better or worse, & I certainly don't think I'm now enlightened. I just like how it makes me feel, like all other drugs.

Six feet under is the bomb. Not a show that was ahead of time the only show (at the time) in its time.

He went full Dwight vs Jim for that impression of Pete

Love him as Backstrom, and as Harry Mudd Love Pete Holmes as Xavier and Badman😂

Hey!! Pete Holmes.. come to Las Vegas, please. Do you ever? I love Crashing!!!!!

almost 700,000 subs and youve been only been doing video for under a year. thats pretty good, pete.

!!!! I heard his interview on NPR last week and thought to myself, "Pete basically has to have him on the pod, now..." so I'm delighted to see this wish come true!

When's the Josh Peck episode going up?

First of all...I find most of the interruptions funny, regardless of tone or guest. The reason I want to point that out is because of my larger point, as reaction to this entire conversation. Individuality is real. What works for you may not work for someone else. I think that inherently, we all know that. But we rarely practice it...especially those of us who might be in a situation where we have a famous voice and think we might reach some people. Maybe you WILL reach some people, and those people will identify with the dogma, and that's great for them. But others will not. It shouldn't matter whether or not people are using psychedelics recreationally or for enlightenment, or for ANY reason, just because you do or don't. If it's not being treated as a crutch, and not making their lives worse than it would be without those things...no other person gets to decide for them. Same goes for organized (or unorganized) religion...or any form of spirituality, or self-help talking points, whatever. I don't really care what judgment some people may have about others, and I don't care what people do in their lives that makes them feel fulfilled. I live my life the best way I know how, and no one telling me what to do or not do, the way they see it, is going to help, unless I am in a headspace to allow it to help. I have never been to therapy, nor feel a need for it. I don't drink alcohol or use drugs recreationally, or for any other reason, except in cases of extreme illness or injury. Even mundane and perceptibly "safer" things like caffeine, sugar, etc...I use in strict moderation, as I don't like crutches of any kind. I also don't have any mantras when I meditate, which isn't often, and I don't practice any religion. While this lifestyle is right for me, for now, and I'm happy to offer suggestions to others based on it...I would never expect everyone to live this way. It just happens to work for me. And that's the big rub here...there is no single solution that makes everyone happy, healthy, wealthy and wise. It's going to be a different formula for each person and many may NEVER find it. It's great to do all the research and share experiences and hope to be helpful to those in need of it, but you can't expect YOUR way to be the ONLY way, all the time. That's just not how life works.

Love both boys. But I'm siding with Rainn on the psychedelic topic.

Rainn did awesome

I think Rainn has a pointon the commercialization of psychedelics, but I think Pete understood it differently and with a bias and defense of someone who does psychedelics.

What we are saying is: Escapism means make changes instead of appropriation w $.

Lookin good Peter!

Pete please take this as intended from a long time fan: your interruptions are rarely “worth it” comedy wise: it can be genuinely uncomfortable to watch someone insist on steering the ship this way, it feels like more of a power move than anything else. You’ll half-apologize for it, but that comes off as performative when you do it again so many times. You hammer in the “I’m nice, you’re in a safe space, please get comfortable” point but then contradict that vibe with your own narcissism. It ends up looking a bit manipulative, to tell someone to get comfortable but not let them have their own thoughts or any of their own power. You are a very funny and thoughtful guy! But I have to say I don’t think I’ve ever laughed when you are doing comedy against someone (aggressive interruptions) but rather when you are solo or working with someone and hearing them out, being present with them. I feel like a part of you might think what people love about you is the “interrupting silly guy” persona, but speaking for myself, it’s more of a hurdle to get over when enjoying your podcasts.

Well I mean who wants to listen to a podcast JUST about wedging an Oscar out of an orifice with a writers guild award or JUST about life love awareness spirituality and god.... We want both. Life is both.

Never seen a person with no experience be so hostile to the concept of psychedelics. Weird,indeed.

I am not often a fangirl but Pete Holmes rocks.

Rainn being judgemental about psychedelics because of Californian capitalists doing weekend trips is peak closed-mindedness. Great podcast and positive drug advocacy from Pete makes it all work for me.

Come for Rainn, stay for Scout 😍

I am also picking up weird tics from Succession. I spent an hour last night cracking up when I called my dog “Greg” in Tom’s’ voice (his a name is nothing close to that). Also, I spent a lot of time repeating the word “regulAtory” to myself because Shiv and Mattson both say it so weird.

I agree way more with Rainns way i'm thinking. I would explain why, but if you watched, you know.

Because you didn't, you couldn't, but what you can do is learn from the fact that you didn't do what is aspirational to you, inquire into that and move closer to what is aspirational for you. I "could have, should have or would have" is an argument with reality.

Kareem?

This is so uncomfortable.. not because of disagreeing perspectives, but because it’s giving the energy of two people who don’t actually want to be having this conversation and keep trying to hide their contempt under a guise of “comedy” .. yikes 😬 some redeeming moments and both bring up good points but I’m just not convinced this conversation would have continued if the cameras weren’t rolling..

21:45

Just started listening. Wondering if they're going to talk about the serious and numerous objections to Rainn Wilson's Baha'i faith.

Having taken my fair share of amazing psychedelic trips over the years, I fully agree with Rainn’s “superficial shortcut” opinion. For me, any positive effects faded within days.

Fuck yes

56:40 Someone needs to sample these phrases and put them in a techno or maybe rap song

Just here to lambast Rainn Wilson in the comments.

this podcast should just be called Pete's Feets

So if you couldn’t because you didn’t, where is the personal accountability?

Parents may have done their best. But was it for you or themselves?

Is that Pete Holmes in Pete's home? Sorry.

Infant of Prague is the Spanish baybuh jeeziz right? Could prolly just check Google faster huh? Yeah...not guna do that...

I for one, don't think Pete is too enthusiastic that he met his match , Rainn Wilson 😅 EDIT.... I wrote this comment thinking i would be lynched by the masses not knowing that others agreed with my basic point 😂

Kareem? 😂

what is Pete wearing on his wrist?

So beautiful boys.

Pete wants everything in a bottle.

We don’t have free will

43:00 Rainn is discussing director he worked with who didn't believe in God because he was dragged to mass. Rainn says that his being dragged to mass has nothing to do with the existence of God. True! But also, Rainn does not see how he may have contradicted his previous point about ability to do better. Rainn would say that people don't do better by choice... but isn't it possible there are a lot of hidden reasons for why people do and believe things, sort of like this director guy? He never went to church again not because of choice but because of a faulty belief. Just food for thought that contradicts my previous comment -- because these concepts are complex and fascinating and I owe no loyalty to any belief system.

Rainn is pushing against the cheap grace of psychodelics...I love it. Folks using it as a personal improvement tool.. Cheap grace for the privileged. Saying your parents did their best is cheap grace too. They didn't do their best all the time. Forgive them any way.

For christ sakes pete, buy some mic stands

It's Salmon not SALmon

Rainn Wilson's Dunning Kruger Effect, regarding hallucinogens, is on full display, ladies and gentlemen 🧐 I love the absolute hell out of Rain Wilson, but I'm afraid that in this particular instance, you're out of your depth mate. Brains tend to vary, depending on the user💞

Ululation, Rainn, not uvulation 🤦‍♀️ My parents could have done better, too. Psychedelics help a lot of people who otherwise might not self-actualize, in a similar way that being sober and your privileged ability to focus on self-improvement helps you. Bah'ai is a faith founded on misogynistic and homophobic beliefs, but there are genuinely, earnestly, progressive members of the faith. Humans are walking contradictions! (Which feels like the point of this entire discussion.)

Rainn thinking his Boomer take on psychedelics is edgy. 😆 In his defense, it probably is unpopular in his circles but I’d argue that more people his age would agree than disagree.

How annoying to watch two grown men one up each other on spirituality, while barely making jokes

i was not expecting rainn to be such an unfunny dwight irl. thats a bummer.