Comedian Pete Holmes joins Ben Higgins for a deep dive into comedy, faith, and finding true freedom. Pete shares personal stories—divorce, heartbreak, spiritual awakening through Ram Dass and psilocybin, and a journey from strict evangelical roots to embracing spaciousness and play. They dissect why we take life too seriously, the power of laughter to connect us, what spirituality really means beyond labels, and how Pete uses comedy to reveal our shared weirdness. Plus: thoughts on the afterlife, finding peace in uncertainty, Pete’s new special "Silly Silly Fun Boy", and why confession makes us less alone. Tune in for wisdom, honesty, and lots of laughs.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Comedy, Spirituality, and Freedom
01:04 Ben’s Comedy Envy
02:56 The Comedian’s Safe Space
04:26 Laughing at Darkness
05:46 Generational Humor Shifts
06:06 Spirituality and Playfulness
08:49 Lightness, Faith, and Identity
09:59 Breaking Free from Labels
13:39 Pete’s Spiritual Journey
18:49 Heartbreak and Rethinking God
20:14 Mushrooms and Awareness
21:33 Beyond Words and Spiritual Experience
22:51 Myth, Story, and Meaning
23:56 Finding Clarity in Doubt
25:11 Everyday Awareness and Acceptance
29:08 Life, Death, and Consciousness
33:09 Oneness, Afterlife, and Self
35:34 Bridging Comedy and Depth
38:16 Vulnerability, Confession, Connection
42:13 Laughter’s Healing and Holiness
46:45 Silly Silly Fun Boy Promo

Comedian Pete Holmes joins Ben Higgins for a deep dive into comedy, faith, and finding true freedom. Pete shares personal stories&mdash;divorce, heartbreak, spiritual awakening through Ram Dass and psilocybin, and a journey from strict evangelical roots to embracing spaciousness and play. They dissect why we take life too seriously, the power of laughter to connect us, what spirituality really means beyond labels, and how Pete uses comedy to reveal our shared weirdness. Plus: thoughts on the afterlife, finding peace in uncertainty, Pete&rsquo;s new special "Silly Silly Fun Boy", and why confession makes us less alone. Tune in for wisdom, honesty, and lots of laughs.
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Comedy, Spirituality, and Freedom 01:04 Ben&rsquo;s Comedy Envy 02:56 The Comedian&rsquo;s Safe Space 04:26 Laughing at Darkness 05:46 Generational Humor Shifts 06:06 Spirituality and Playfulness 08:49 Lightness, Faith, and Identity 09:59 Breaking Free from Labels 13:39 Pete&rsquo;s Spiritual Journey 18:49 Heartbreak and Rethinking God 20:14 Mushrooms and Awareness 21:33 Beyond Words and Spiritual Experience 22:51 Myth, Story, and Meaning 23:56 Finding Clarity in Doubt 25:11 Everyday Awareness and Acceptance 29:08 Life, Death, and Consciousness 33:09 Oneness, Afterlife, and Self 35:34 Bridging Comedy and Depth 38:16 Vulnerability, Confession, Connection 42:13 Laughter&rsquo;s Healing and Holiness 46:45 Silly Silly Fun Boy Promo

We’re all looking for something.

 

In If You Can Hear Me, Ben Higgins sits down with people from all walks of life—celebrities, thinkers, everyday folks—to talk about what drives us, what shapes us, and what gives us hope.

 

These are honest conversations about the big stuff: identity, loss, purpose, peace, faith, and everything in between. Some guests have answers. Most are still figuring it out.

 

If you’ve ever felt like there must be more to the story—this show is for you.

We&rsquo;re all looking for something.
&nbsp;
In If You Can Hear Me, Ben Higgins sits down with people from all walks of life&mdash;celebrities, thinkers, everyday folks&mdash;to talk about what drives us, what shapes us, and what gives us hope.
&nbsp;
These are honest conversations about the big stuff: identity, loss, purpose, peace, faith, and everything in between. Some guests have answers. Most are still figuring it out.
&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;ve ever felt like there must be more to the story&mdash;this show is for you.

If You Can Hear Me

Pete Holmes On Letting Go of Labels, Spiritual Freedom & Laughter

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ad89a00d-3863-41f2-aa99-b4090100d4bd/transcript

Songwriter Ruston Kelly joins Ben Higgins for a raw, honest conversation on “If You Can Hear Me.” Ruston shares his creative process, spiritual journey, and how making sense of pain fuels his music. The episode explores his struggles with addiction, faith, and the transformative power of gratitude, culminating in his experience with the divine and the impact of love in his life. Discover how Ruston’s latest album, “Pale Through the Window,” became a testament to healing and connection. If you’ve ever felt alone, this episode offers comfort, insight, and a powerful reminder that fulfillment comes not from chasing success, but from community and authenticity.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Mission Behind Ruston’s Music
00:00 Spiritual Paralysis and Finding God
00:48 Ben Higgins Welcomes Ruston Kelly
01:18 Music’s Impact on the Soul
02:27 What Connection Really Means
03:54 Aloneness, Community, and Healing
05:55 Addiction, Suffering, and Fulfillment
07:17 Career Versus Meaning
08:20 Temptation to Shift for Success
09:58 Balancing Art and Commerce
12:05 Competing and Comparing in Industry
14:44 Longing, Despair, and Worship
16:34 Idols and False Selves
18:20 Encounter With the Divine
22:09 Gratitude and Spiritual Awakening
28:07 Doubt After Spiritual Experience
30:42 Trials and Building Back
36:03 Creating “Pale Through the Window”
38:43 Trusting the Creative Process
45:19 Joy, Simplicity, and Vulnerability
47:18 Meeting Tia and True Love
51:21 God’s Timing in Relationships

Songwriter Ruston Kelly joins Ben Higgins for a raw, honest conversation on &ldquo;If You Can Hear Me.&rdquo; Ruston shares his creative process, spiritual journey, and how making sense of pain fuels his music. The episode explores his struggles with addiction, faith, and the transformative power of gratitude, culminating in his experience with the divine and the impact of love in his life. Discover how Ruston&rsquo;s latest album, &ldquo;Pale Through the Window,&rdquo; became a testament to healing and connection. If you&rsquo;ve ever felt alone, this episode offers comfort, insight, and a powerful reminder that fulfillment comes not from chasing success, but from community and authenticity.
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Mission Behind Ruston&rsquo;s Music 00:00 Spiritual Paralysis and Finding God 00:48 Ben Higgins Welcomes Ruston Kelly 01:18 Music&rsquo;s Impact on the Soul 02:27 What Connection Really Means 03:54 Aloneness, Community, and Healing 05:55 Addiction, Suffering, and Fulfillment 07:17 Career Versus Meaning 08:20 Temptation to Shift for Success 09:58 Balancing Art and Commerce 12:05 Competing and Comparing in Industry 14:44 Longing, Despair, and Worship 16:34 Idols and False Selves 18:20 Encounter With the Divine 22:09 Gratitude and Spiritual Awakening 28:07 Doubt After Spiritual Experience 30:42 Trials and Building Back 36:03 Creating &ldquo;Pale Through the Window&rdquo; 38:43 Trusting the Creative Process 45:19 Joy, Simplicity, and Vulnerability 47:18 Meeting Tia and True Love 51:21 God&rsquo;s Timing in Relationships

Ruston Kelly on Art, Faith, and Overcoming Spiritual Paralysis

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f8ffe870-d24d-4dc1-8ade-b401014cbcc3/transcript

Comedian and creator Danae Hays joins Ben Higgins to share her journey from the Bible Belt of Alabama to stand-up stages across the country. Danae opens up about coming out, facing estrangement from her family, and the complexities of faith, prayer, and reconciliation. Dive into honest conversations about overcoming religious trauma, rebuilding relationships, and how comedy became both a career and a source of healing. Hear how faith, honesty, and forgiveness changed Danae’s life—plus the impact of her viral comedy, upcoming tour, and what she hopes audiences experience when they hear her story.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 The Power Of Prayer And Coming Out
01:55 Early Comedy And Viral Video
04:34 Making A Living With Comedy
06:26 Faith, Estrangement, And Reconciliation
09:09 The Ten Commandments And Healing
11:43 Surrounding Yourself With Support
13:51 Growing Faith Through Desert Seasons
15:45 Childhood And Religious Trauma
17:20 Worshipping A Loving God
19:36 Finding Lightness And Creativity
21:29 Sustaining Honest Relationships
24:06 Bitterness, Perfection, And Anger
26:45 Sharing Jesus And Testimony
28:14 Comedy, Brokenness, And Healing
32:27 Staying Grounded Amid Fame

Comedian and creator Danae Hays joins Ben Higgins to share her journey from the Bible Belt of Alabama to stand-up stages across the country. Danae opens up about coming out, facing estrangement from her family, and the complexities of faith, prayer, and reconciliation. Dive into honest conversations about overcoming religious trauma, rebuilding relationships, and how comedy became both a career and a source of healing. Hear how faith, honesty, and forgiveness changed Danae&rsquo;s life&mdash;plus the impact of her viral comedy, upcoming tour, and what she hopes audiences experience when they hear her story.
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Power Of Prayer And Coming Out 01:55 Early Comedy And Viral Video 04:34 Making A Living With Comedy 06:26 Faith, Estrangement, And Reconciliation 09:09 The Ten Commandments And Healing 11:43 Surrounding Yourself With Support 13:51 Growing Faith Through Desert Seasons 15:45 Childhood And Religious Trauma 17:20 Worshipping A Loving God 19:36 Finding Lightness And Creativity 21:29 Sustaining Honest Relationships 24:06 Bitterness, Perfection, And Anger 26:45 Sharing Jesus And Testimony 28:14 Comedy, Brokenness, And Healing 32:27 Staying Grounded Amid Fame

Danae Hays on Faith, Forgiveness & Coming Out

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ca3e75d3-a902-429d-a37e-b3fa01667864/transcript

Olympian Boone Niederhofer joins Ben Higgins in Italy for an inside look at the Olympic journey—from walking on at Texas A&M to racing for Team USA in bobsled. Boone opens up about the pressure of team selection, balancing family life and engineering work, and the deep motivations driving him beyond medals. Hear stories of sacrifice, faith, and the pursuit of excellence, plus candid moments about parenting, doubt, and gratitude in the Olympic Village. Dive into the mindset and heart behind one of Team USA’s newest Olympians, and learn how Boone’s roots and beliefs shape his approach to competition and life.


TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Bobsledding Origins and Entry
00:01:03 Olympic Setting and Opening Ceremonies
00:02:22 Leading Team USA in Ceremonies
00:04:13 Bobsled Team Selection Process
00:06:57 Dealing With Selection Uncertainty
00:08:29 Walking On at Texas A&M
00:10:46 Balancing Football and Engineering
00:12:30 From Engineering to Bobsledding
00:14:44 Boone’s Faith Journey
00:16:32 Overcoming Setbacks and Growth
00:18:08 Family Support in Olympics
00:19:01 Faith in Olympic Environment
00:21:25 Daily Life in Olympic Village
00:22:29 Keeping Faith Rhythms
00:24:15 Motivation, Sacrifice, and Family
00:30:34 Lessons Learned About Self
00:34:41 Thanking God on the Podium

Olympian Boone Niederhofer joins Ben Higgins in Italy for an inside look at the Olympic journey&mdash;from walking on at Texas A&amp;M to racing for Team USA in bobsled. Boone opens up about the pressure of team selection, balancing family life and engineering work, and the deep motivations driving him beyond medals. Hear stories of sacrifice, faith, and the pursuit of excellence, plus candid moments about parenting, doubt, and gratitude in the Olympic Village. Dive into the mindset and heart behind one of Team USA&rsquo;s newest Olympians, and learn how Boone&rsquo;s roots and beliefs shape his approach to competition and life.
 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Bobsledding Origins and Entry 00:01:03 Olympic Setting and Opening Ceremonies 00:02:22 Leading Team USA in Ceremonies 00:04:13 Bobsled Team Selection Process 00:06:57 Dealing With Selection Uncertainty 00:08:29 Walking On at Texas A&amp;M 00:10:46 Balancing Football and Engineering 00:12:30 From Engineering to Bobsledding 00:14:44 Boone&rsquo;s Faith Journey 00:16:32 Overcoming Setbacks and Growth 00:18:08 Family Support in Olympics 00:19:01 Faith in Olympic Environment 00:21:25 Daily Life in Olympic Village 00:22:29 Keeping Faith Rhythms 00:24:15 Motivation, Sacrifice, and Family 00:30:34 Lessons Learned About Self 00:34:41 Thanking God on the Podium

How Pursuing Excellence Shapes Life Beyond the Olympics | Boone Niederhofer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/551b2af0-8afb-479e-b096-b3f4010a0154/transcript

Pete Holmes On Letting Go of Labels, Spiritual Freedom & Laughter

If You Can Hear Me

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