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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 03, 2021
Monday May 03, 2021
Spencer has been in the creative, design, and branding world for over 15 years. In this conversation, Sean talks with Spencer about his decision to quit drinking over a year ago, the importance of finding clarity in ones life, and of course pieces of Spencer's story.
Connect with Spencer on his LinkedIn page
Wednesday Mar 31, 2021
Wednesday Mar 31, 2021
Slash Coleman is pushing Laughter Yoga out to the world. And in this episode of Room 9 Sean and Slash discuss the importance of laughter yoga and they discuss Slash's upcoming webinar. Be sure to sign up for the webinar here and get in touch with Slash on his LinkedIn page or his website.
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Kate Bryan is the Founder and CEO of 1 Girl Revolution. 1 Girl Revolution tells stories of resilience, empowerment, courage, strength, beauty, and kindness. And highlights the stories of women and girls that the world may not know or may not have heard their story told.
Be sure to check out 1GirlRevolution.com and listen to the podcast or watch some documentaries.
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Shurmatz Counseling is proud to announce the pilot training program for Therapists Helping And Nourishing Knowledge Sharing (THANKS). With the foundational understanding that accessibility is a social justice issue, Shurmatz Counseling has developed an innovative and exciting program designed with accessibility at its core.
See all past and future trainings at ShurmatzCounseling.com
Monday Mar 08, 2021
Monday Mar 08, 2021
Samuel E. Vaughn has been in the field of adult mental health and abuse for 6 years. During his tenure, he worked with survivors and perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence. In particular, he ran the Erie County Domestic Violence Rape Crisis Center and Non-Residential Domestic Violence provider for New York State, which serviced the statewide hotlines for Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Erik is the owner of OfTheSea.com, and he builds brands that demand attention and create conversation. He's a writer who believes love is the answer to every question. You can encounter his musings on life at TheSeaLog.com.
Be sure to connect with Erik on his LinkedIn page.
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
Matt Davies is another guest who started off in the design world and is now in the game of branding. Of course we touch on those topics in this episode, but we also get into "thinking about thinking."
Reach out to Matt on his website or on LinkedIn.
Another awesome conversation with an awesome human.
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Melinda Livsey went from graphic designer to brand identity designer and is now a brand strategist. She is a big part of the very successful YouTube channel "The Futur" and most importantly a bad-ass human being.
Get in touch with Melinda on LinkedIn or her website, marksandmaker.com
And don't forget to check on The Futur, it's much more than design, strategy, and business.
Monday Jan 25, 2021
Monday Jan 25, 2021
Karl Shallowhorn is an author, mental health advocate, and the founder of Shallowhorn Consulting. In this episode Sean and Karl talk about his book "Leadership Through the Lens of the 12 Steps", the importance of relationships, and how Karl was able to overcome his struggle with bi-polar disorder. Be sure to connect with Karl on his LinkedIn page.
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Matthew Oliver is back! Sean and Matt have a conversation around a book written by Dr. Gabor Mate, "In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts".