Christopher Beha author of WHY I AM NOT AN ATHEIST: THE CONFESSIONS OF A SKEPTICAL BELIEVER, joins Scott to discuss his journey from cradle catholic to atheist and back again. He tells Scott why his brother’s recovery from a life threatening accident paradoxically pushed him away from religion. Plus how finding love and family brought him back from the depths of despair.

Christopher is the former editor of Harper’s Magazine and the author of four previous books, including The Index of Self-Destructive Acts, which was nominated for the 2020 National Book Award.

Would you change your life to pursue your passion? This week on Ye Gods: Singer-songwriter Pete Yorn celebrates the 25th anniversary of his album MUSIC FOR THE MORNING AFTER and the spiritual journey that informed his latest album ALL THE BEAUTY. He and Scott talk about his spiritual journey from rediscovering Judaism to practicing Buddhism, maturing as an artist, and why his daughter is such an influence on his music. Plus how Pete went from a law student in New Jersey to pursuing music in LA.

Pete's music can be found at peteyorn.bandcamp.com

Can art create empathy? Scott talks to two guests: First, playwright and actor Anna Deavere Smith. You may know her for roles on THE WEST WING, INVENTING ANNA, BLACK-ISH, AND THE BURROUGHS. She tells Scott about how she developed her documentary theatre technique, plus what it was like adapting her landmark one-woman-play TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES,1992 for a full cast.

Then Scott talks to Riaz Patel an Emmy nominated TV producer and founder of Connect Effect: A 53-minute experience that turns strangers into community. He tells Scott why how we introduce ourselves is key to healing polarization and what can be done to cure the loneliness epidemic.