logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
1h 13m

Alex O'Connor Explores the Mysteries of ...

Rainn Wilson
About this episode

Alex O’Connor ( @CosmicSkeptic ), known for his nuanced critiques of religion and discussions on morality, reflects on why the Bible captivates him as an atheist, the historical resonance of Jesus, and the philosophical limits of materialism. Alex recently participated in a Jubilee debate that went viral, where his fascination with Christianity was put to the test (Jubilee's 1 Atheist vs. 25 Christians). Together he and Rainn explore the mysteries of consciousness, the science behind near-death experiences, and whether love is just neurons firing or something more profound.


Alex O’Connor is a prominent atheist thinker, YouTuber, and philosopher known for his channel Cosmic Skeptic, where he explores questions of morality, religion, and consciousness. A graduate of theology and philosophy at Oxford, Alex has engaged millions in thoughtful debates on belief and the human experience.


Thank you to our sponsors!

Stamps.com: Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/soulboom. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

Pretty Litter: (20% OFF & free cat toy!): https://www.prettylitter.com/soulboom


MERCH OUT NOW! https://soulboomstore.myshopify.com/

God-Shaped Hole Mug: https://bit.ly/GodShapedHoleMug

Sign up for our newsletter! https://soulboom.substack.com

SUBSCRIBE to Soul Boom!! https://bit.ly/Subscribe2SoulBoom

Watch our Clips: https://bit.ly/SoulBoomCLIPS

Watch WISDOM DUMP: https://bit.ly/WISDOMDUMP


Follow us!

Instagram: http://instagram.com/soulboom

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@soulboom

Sponsor Soul Boom: partnerships@voicingchange.media

Work with Soul Boom: business@soulboom.com

Send Fan Creations, Questions, Comments: hello@soulboom.com


Produced by: Kartik Chainani

Executive Produced by: Ford Bowers, Samah Tokmachi

Companion Arts

Production Supervisor: Mike O'Brien

Voicing Change Media

Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat

Up next
Jul 3
LIVE with Pete Holmes!
Comedian Pete Holmes (I Am Not For Everyone) joins Rainn Wilson LIVE to dive into the nature of God, spiritual awakening through psychedelics, and why ego isn’t the enemy...it might even be divine. They unpack the parable of the Prodigal Son, discuss mystical consciousness and at ... Show More
1h 8m
Jun 26
Terry Crews Breaks the Shame Cycle
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, White Chicks) opens up about addiction, masculinity, faith, and healing. He shares his journey through addiction, religious trauma, and the deep inner work required to rebuild his life and marriage. He shares how recovery helped him rediscover his ... Show More
1h 23m
Jun 12
Mike Birbiglia Redefines The Good Life
Comedian Mike Birbiglia (The Good Life on Netflix) opens up about navigating his father’s stroke, his daughter’s spiritual education, and how meeting the Pope shaped his artistry. Along the way, Mike explores mental‑health honesty, delusional optimism in auditions, and why he bel ... Show More
1h 17m
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
E85 - Alex O’Connor: Philosopher Reflects On Death, Atheism, Morality & Meaning
Today we are joined by the Cosmic Skeptic, Alex O'Connor, for a fascinating look into philosophy, atheism, and the pursuit of an ethical life. Alex has gained recognition for his unique perspective on reality, which he interprets through the lenses of materialism and agnostic ... Show More
1h 30m
Dec 2024
PART 2 of What’s the Point of Existence? God, Atheism, and the Meaning of Life 🌍
Join an electrifying debate exploring life's ultimate questions: What’s the purpose of existence? How do God and atheism shape our understanding of the cosmos, consciousness, and meaning? Recorded at the prestigious Royal Institution in London, this thought-provoking discussion f ... Show More
43m 2s
Feb 2025
Happiness, Sex, and The Spiritual Life (Christopher West) | Ep. 507
Christopher West is a renowned Catholic author, speaker, and theologian, widely recognized for his engaging presentations on St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body. With a passion for making profound theological concepts accessible to modern audiences, Christopher has spent over ... Show More
2h 58m
Apr 2018
Episode 36, The Daniel Dennett Interview (Part I - Philosophy of Religion)
Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/panpsycast. Everything you could need, including links to all of Daniel C. Dennett’s work, can be found at www.thepanpsycast.com! Please tweet us your thoughts at www.twitter.com/thepanpsycast. In the words of A. C. Grayling, Professor "Dani ... Show More
1h 11m
Sep 2023
Coming to faith through Dawkins - Part 1: has New Atheism failed? - Alister McGrath & Alex O'Connor
Unbelievable? delves back into history and asks Did new atheism fail? with one the world’s best-known theologians Alister McGrath debating Oxford-educated philosopher and wildly successful YouTuber Alex O’Connor. Prompted by a new book Coming to Faith Through Dawkins which publis ... Show More
1h 26m
Aug 2024
150 Journey to Revolution: The Content of a Scientific Revolution, Part 4
We begin a personal history of the revolution in my thinking from evolution to special creation spurred by the evidence of microbiology. Vital to this history is a text by geologist Allan G. Krill, FIXISTS VS. MOBILISTS IN THE GEOLOGY CONTEST OF THE CENTURY, 1844-1969. In this de ... Show More
19m 35s
Sep 2024
478. Heaven, Hell, & the Human Condition | Jack Symes
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with author and philosopher Jack Symes. They discuss the ability of man to conceptualize God, the arguments for and against both an evil God and a perfect God, the evidence for a transcendent good to exist, and why happiness and suffering are the ... Show More
1h 33m
Jan 2025
God's Transcendence and Incorporeality
Dr. Craig discusses some very interesting attributes of God he's writing about in his upcoming systematic philosophical theology. 
16m 37s
Apr 2018
Episode 36, The Daniel Dennett Interview (Part II - Philosophy of Mind)
Our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/panpsycast. Everything you could need, including links to all of Daniel C. Dennett’s work, can be found at www.thepanpsycast.com! Please tweet us your thoughts at www.twitter.com/thepanpsycast. In the words of A. C. Grayling, Professor "Daniel C. ... Show More
45m 41s