Episode Description

For episode 208 of the Metta Hour Podcast, we have the sixth episode in a special series celebrating Sharon’s new book, “Real Life.” This interview features a conversation between Sharon and Pete Holmes, pulled from the Living An Authentic Life Summit. Pete is a comedian, writer, actor, cartoonist, podcast host, author, and spiritual seeker. His book, Comedy Sex God, explores his relationship with faith and comedy. His popular podcast, You Made It Weird, is a comedic exploration of the meaning of life, with guests ranging from Seth Rogen to Blake Griffin. As a comedian, Pete created and starred in the semi-autobiographical HBO show Crashing, which he executive produced alongside Judd Apatow. He is also an accomplished stand-up comedian with numerous television specials and late-night appearances.

In this episode, Sharon and Pete discuss

• Writing one’s biography
• Fame is an agreed-upon conceit
• Pete’s teacher Ram Dass
• Specialness addiction
• Pete’s experience facing his ego in his work
• Fame is something that happens in other people’s minds
• Franciscan teacher Richard Rohr
• Growing up as a fundamentalist Christian
• Pete’s experience with Hero’s Journey
• What is still true amidst immense challenges
• Pete’s motto: “What is This?”
• Letting go of specialness
• What matters when we die
• Pete’s first meeting with Ram Dass
• How do we love our neighbors when we don’t like them?
• Faith and despair
• The practice of “Yes, Thank-You.”