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Room 9 Podcast: Where Beliefs Go to Be Challenged
Welcome to Room 9— a show that refuses to play it safe, tiptoe around sacred cows, or let anyone (host included) off the hook when it comes to their beliefs. If you’re tired of echo chambers, allergic to dogma (whether it’s religious, political, or scientific), and hungry for conversations that actually interrogate the roots of what we think we know, then you’ve just found your new favorite listen.
It's not just another podcast where ideas politely brush past each other. Here, we take a sledgehammer to the foundations—left, right, center, and every shade in between. The goal isn’t to shock for the sake of it, but to create a space where honest, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright confrontational dialogue is the norm. If you’re looking for a show that will challenge your assumptions, force you to confront the tough questions, and maybe even make you squirm a little, you’re in the right place.
A Borderline Anti-Theistic Edge
Let’s be clear: we’re not here to coddle religious sensibilities. In fact, this podcast leans unapologetically toward an anti-theistic perspective—not merely skeptical of supernatural claims, but openly critical of the ways religious thinking can distort our understanding of reality, morality, and each other. But unlike the shallow, meme-driven atheism that’s content to mock from the sidelines, Room 9 goes deeper. We break down the actual arguments, dissect the psychology of belief, and expose the subtle ways faith traditions shape our collective consciousness.
The show doesn’t just poke holes in religious thinking; it asks why so many of us are drawn to myth, ritual, and transcendence in the first place. And it doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff—the contradictions, the atrocities, the parts of sacred texts that most apologists would rather you ignore. If you’re ready to wrestle with the Bible’s “worst bits,” question the moral legacy of Christianity, or just see what happens when faith is subjected to relentless scrutiny, you’ll feel right at home here.
Data, Science, and the Relentless Grind of Truth-Seeking
At the core of Room 9 is a commitment to the scientific method—not as a collection of facts, but as a way of thinking. Every episode is grounded in skepticism, logical analysis, and a refusal to accept comforting narratives just because they’re popular or emotionally satisfying. Science here isn’t a set of dogmas; it’s a process: observe, hypothesize, test, critique, and—crucially—be willing to change your mind when the evidence demands it.
We champion healthy skepticism, but not cynicism. The show’s attitude is that real intellectual integrity means exposing every idea (especially your own) to the risk of disconfirmation. It’s about the grind of peer review, the pain of admitting you were wrong, and the discipline of never letting your beliefs calcify into dogma. If you want to see what it looks like to defend the integrity of the scientific process—warts and all—while refusing to worship authority or tradition, Room 9 is your laboratory.
Guests Who Disagree, Conversations That Matter
Room 9 isn’t just a solo rant. Expect a steady rotation of guests, many of whom are “more spiritual for lack of a better term.” The goal is not to stack the deck with like-minded atheists or skeptics, but to bring on people who genuinely see the world differently—pastors, mystics, Jungians, theists, and seekers of every stripe. The trick is to find guests you can argue with fiercely, but still be “completely cool with it” once the microphones are off.
Debate is encouraged, disagreement is inevitable, and civility is non-negotiable. These aren’t softball interviews; they’re real confrontations—sometimes heated, always honest. You’ll hear local pastors’ sermons dissected and debated, spiritual experiences put under the microscope, and cherished beliefs (from all sides) subjected to the same relentless cross-examination.
Series That Dig Deeper
Room 9 isn’t afraid to get specific. One recurring series will feature the host listening to local pastors’ sermons and picking them apart, line by line—testing their claims against logic, evidence, and ethical scrutiny. Another might dive into the world of spiritual but not religious thinkers, exploring why myth and ritual still have such a hold on the modern mind, even in an age dominated by science and data.
But the approach is always the same: no cherry-picking, no hiding from the hard passages, and no letting anyone (least of all the host) off the hook. Whether it’s the “worst bits” of the Bible, the latest pop-psychology trend, or the comforting fictions we tell ourselves on the left and right, Room 9 is here to ask: “Is this actually true, or just another poetic framework that makes life feel more coherent?”
A Host Who Challenges Himself
Room 9 isn’t just about challenging others; it’s about the host putting his own beliefs on the chopping block. The show’s creator is no stranger to spiritual journeys, existential crises, or the seductive power of narrative. He’s been through the “it’s not religion, it’s a spiritual journey” phase, dived deep into Jung, and come out the other side with a commitment to relentless questioning.
Every episode is an exercise in intellectual honesty—willing to admit when an argument lands, when a critique stings, or when a cherished idea just doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. The host’s writing style is direct, unflinching, and allergic to self-deception. He’s not here to provide easy answers, but to model what it looks like to wrestle with the hardest questions, even (especially) when they hit close to home.
Why Room 9?
Because most podcasts are afraid to go where this one goes. Because most conversations about belief are either too polite, too shallow, or too invested in protecting someone’s feelings. Room 9 is different. It’s a place where the only sacred thing is the pursuit of truth—where beliefs go to be challenged, not coddled.
So if you’re ready to have your worldview shaken, your assumptions questioned, and your mind stretched, subscribe now. Bring your best arguments, your deepest doubts, and your thickest skin. In Room 9, nobody gets out unscathed—and that’s exactly the point.
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Room 9: Where data, logic, and the scientific process meet the messiness of belief. Edgy. Unapologetic. Relentlessly honest. Come for the debate, stay for the discomfort—and maybe, just maybe, leave a little smarter than you arrived.
Episodes
Monday May 27, 2019
Monday May 27, 2019
In this episode of Room 9 many topics are touched on. From psychoanalytic's to learning how healthy boundaries differ from individual to individual, this is truly an organic, wonderful, and relaxed conversation you do not want to miss. Sit back, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!
Monday May 20, 2019
Monday May 20, 2019
In this episode of the Room 9 podcast Sean has a wonderful conversation with the VP of Horizon Village, Brandy Vandermark-Murray. Sean and Brandy converse about her role at Horizon, the importance of feeling connection, and how huge vulnerability is to an authentic recovery.
Monday May 13, 2019
Monday May 13, 2019
In this episode of Room 9 Sean has a chance to hear from an Oxford House Inc. resident, Shawn Fitzgerald. Shawn discusses all the battles, pain, and struggles he needed to get through in order to be where he is at in his recovery. If you need a little bit of hope and encouragement this is a must listen.
Monday May 06, 2019
Monday May 06, 2019
Matthew Oliver is back for the third time in episode 26. Sean and Matt sit down and they discuss Sean's vision for Room 9, the people who are looking at jail time for being responsible for the opiate crisis, and how developing self-love, self-acceptance, and self-forgiveness is imperative in life.
Monday Apr 29, 2019
Monday Apr 29, 2019
In this episode of Room 9 Sean hangs out with Nicholas Canty. Nick shares his story of addiction, recovery, and how he has been maintaining a peaceful and productive life.
Monday Apr 22, 2019
Monday Apr 22, 2019
In episode 24 your Room 9 host sits down with one of the best in the recovery world, Anne Constantino. Anne is the President and CEO of Horizon Health Services. Sean and Anne converse about how to better Inpatient and Outpatient services, the struggles that come with recovery, and the importance of balance in everyday life.
Monday Apr 15, 2019
Monday Apr 15, 2019
Epsd. 23 needs no introduction. Sean sits down with his incredible mother and they discuss a little of Sean's addiction. They also touch on the importance of family education and that fine line between helping and enabling.
Monday Apr 08, 2019
Monday Apr 08, 2019
In this episode of Room 9 Sean sits down with Jamus Winston. They get into a conversation discussing small behaviors that stem from stress that can, if not stopped, lead to a relapse. They also touch on how mindfulness and self-awareness will allow you to become more cognizant of these behaviors and how living in TRUTH will prevent many struggles down the road.
Monday Apr 01, 2019
Monday Apr 01, 2019
For the second time in the history of Room 9, Sean sits down with the love of his life Christine Glavey. They talk on how to rebuild trust, the stages of rebuilding a relationship in recovery, and the patience needed to keep a couple together.
Monday Mar 25, 2019
Monday Mar 25, 2019
This is the twentieth episode of Room 9!!! Sean sits down with an old friend, Sikhona (or Emily) Banko, and they take a more holistic approach on recovery and addiction. From the Importance of meditation, yoga, and a healthy diet, they touch on many different topics to achieve a successful and healthy recovery.