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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
Friday Dec 27, 2019
Friday Dec 27, 2019
On 12/29/2019 the host of Room 9 was on the Recovery Coach University (RCU) radio show in Rochester New York. RCU is on WAYO 104.3 FM every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. You can listen to all the episodes from RCU on their website http://www.recoverycoachuniversity.com/radio.
Monday Dec 23, 2019
Monday Dec 23, 2019
"The Know Our Leaders" project was created for the purpose to allow people to get to know the personalities that sacrifice on a daily basis in order to help and serve those who are struggling with SUD & Mental Health. In this first installment of the project the host of Room 9 sits down with Colleen Babcock from Horizon Health Services. Colleen is the Parent and Family Support Coordinator and got into the field during her sons struggle with Mental Health & Substance Use.
Sunday Dec 15, 2019
Sunday Dec 15, 2019
In this episode of Room 9 Sean has a conversation with Jeremy Pajor. They hit on the key components that have helped Jeremy, this time around, in his recovery and the key changes he needed to make in his life in order to be successful. Sean and Jeremy first met at Horizon Village, a long term residential in-patient treatment facility in Sanborn New York.
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Monday Dec 09, 2019
In this episode of Room 9 Sean sits down with the CEO and Associate CEO of Spectrum Health & Human Services, Bruce Nisbet and Cindy Voelker. Sean, Bruce, and Cindy engage in a relaxed conversation about how/why they got into their field, what they are passionate about, and where they see Spectrum Health moving towards in the future. Grab a cup of coffee and get to know the top personalities at Spectrum Health & Human Services.
Thursday Nov 28, 2019
Thursday Nov 28, 2019
Happy Thanksgiving! Here are some words to help with being grateful. Room 9 Website
Monday Nov 25, 2019
Monday Nov 25, 2019
Matthew Oliver is back in the Room 9 studio to have a conversation about the importance of self-awareness in recovery. Sean and Matt also touch base on being prepared for cravings and how each individual already has all the answers they are looking for. Staying in Touch with Room 9 by filling out a contact form on their website at https://www.room9podcast.com/contact. Room 9 | If You Better Yourself, You Better The World.
Tuesday Nov 12, 2019
Tuesday Nov 12, 2019
In this episode of Room 9 the host is flying solo. Grab a cup of coffee and sit down with Sean as he talks about how we need to stop forcing the way that worked for us on everybody else, how to find our authenticity, and the importance of learning how to take our mask off. Find out more about Room 9 at Room9Podcast.com
Friday Nov 01, 2019
Friday Nov 01, 2019
In the fourth collaboration episode with Spectrum Health, Sean sits down to have a conversation with three members of the "Health Home Care Coordination" team, Amanda Zepeda, Tara Riordan, and Christin Estrada. They touch base on their role with the team, why they got into this role, and how you can be helped by the program. To get in touch with the team you can call (716)539-is 5465 Monday - Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. or go to http://www.healthhomewny.com/. You can also visit Spectrum Health & Human Services at https://shswny.org/.
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
This 8 minutes audio clip was created to remind everyone about the difficulties and pain that are involved in Substance Use Disorder as well as the the joy that comes with recovery. Let us not pretend we know what anyone is going through and just bring Love, Acceptance, and Support to the table. Music by The Owl from Fugue
Wednesday Oct 23, 2019
Wednesday Oct 23, 2019
In this episode of Room 9 Sean has a wonderful conversation with the Horizon-Health CEO and the Vice President of Clinical Operations, Anne Constantino and Judith Tejada. This spectacular trio touch on topics such as the barriers in treatment and how treatment is so different for each individual. These two women are no strangers to the Substance Use and Mental Health universe and have a lot of experience every one of us can learn from.