The Spirituality Episode

Summary

Friends Keep Secrets: The Spirituality Episode

Podcast: Friends Keep Secrets
Hosts: Benny Blanco, Lil Dicky (Dave Burd), Kristin Batalucco
Date: August 4, 2026

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Overview

In this candid, meandering episode, best friends Benny Blanco, Lil Dicky (Dave Burd), and Dave’s wife, Kristin Batalucco, turn the lens on spirituality and existential questions. Set against the everyday backdrop of their LA home, the trio traverse territory ranging from the cosmic to the comically mundane—grappling with belief in God, the afterlife, fate, spirituality versus religion, and the search for meaning. The conversation drifts naturally, peppered with personal anecdotes, mock debates about joining cults, riffs on consciousness, and reflections on mortality. Their signature playful banter and irreverence make even the heaviest questions feel like a hang with friends.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Everyday & The Spiritual

• Humor Meets Existentialism: The episode kicks off as the trio jokes about “spiritual whales” and delicious cookies before diving into topics of deeper meaning.
• Mail as Metaphor: Dismissing physical mail as pointless, the group draws a parallel to larger existential “loose ends”—like jury duty notices only coming by mail (01:04–01:48).

2. God and Religion: Belief, Doubt, and Inheritance

• Cultural Conditioning: Benny describes childhood Jewish prohibitions on writing out “God” (“G-d”) and how this sticks with him (03:47–04:04).
  • Notable quote: "You know, I'm so petrified from when I was a kid, I was taught, like, not to write. You're not supposed to write God. So I still write it, like G dash D." —A (03:47)
• Seeking Meaning: Kristin explains her non-theistic approach:
  • “I believe that energy—not in a woo-woo-woo way—but truly, that we all came from dust and particles. Whatever makes up a star, we’re all made of the same thing, and energy can never be created or destroyed.” (04:12)
• Theodicy and Coincidence: Benny confesses belief in a guiding force, but questions why suffering and tragedy exist if so. (05:02–06:33)
• Religion as Comfort: Kristin argues religion helps people through hardship, as we instinctively “look for meaning because [we’re] scared of dying” (06:16–06:33).
  • Notable quote: “Everyone's looking for meaning because they're scared of dying. That's why people pray.” —A (06:33)

3. Death, Afterlife, and Insignificance

• Fear of Death: Benny admits, “I'm so afraid of dying,” in contrast to loved ones who seem unbothered (06:43).
• Afterlife Agnosticism: Kristin expresses uncertainty, “We have no f***ing clue…What we’re experiencing…they can’t quite understand what makes consciousness consciousness…who knows if there's an afterlife.” (07:21)
• Cosmic Scope: The hosts question if God created just Earth or the whole universe—looping in debates about multiple universes and gods (08:00–08:45).
  • Notable moment: “My POV: the only POV I have is that nobody knows.” —B (08:28)
• Role of Tradition: Benny sees Judaism as more a positive cultural influence than a literal guide to cosmology (10:12).

4. Spirituality, Fate, and Coincidence

• Spiritual Experiences: Both Benny and Lil Dicky share stories where psychics or “signs” eerily fit their lives (12:07–14:45).
  • Benny’s psychic: “In 2013, you’re going to receive fame for your music…remember, your instincts are what got you there in the first place.” (12:33)
  • Ashlyn’s psychic picks “16” at a Vegas casino, winning $30,000 and predicting Benny’s red guitar and future knee surgery (13:34).
• Fate versus Coincidence: Such stories generate debate—are these remarkable predictions evidence of fate, or are we just pattern-seeking?
• Free Will vs. Determinism: Discussions circle around whether lives are predetermined or shaped by personal choice (33:04–34:45).
  • Benny: “The story, as I hear it, is [God] cares about the goodness that you’re being as a person. That’s like, the priority.” (29:05)

5. Cults, Gurus, and the Need to Believe

• Documentary Anecdotes: Benny references “Kumare,” about a fake guru who amassed followers even after confessing he was a fraud (19:48–20:23).
  • Kristin: “I think people always kind of need something to believe in.” (20:26)
• Pitching Cults (with Humor): The group role-plays recruiting each other to “cults,” riffing on the formula of spiritual “leaders” selling belonging and answers (21:04–25:40).

6. Consciousness, the Soul, and Science

• Atoms and Parallel Universes: Kristin references quantum physics—how observing atoms changes their behavior, implying larger metaphysical mysteries (26:29).
• Plants and Animals: Benny and Kristin discuss consciousness, with Benny positing “anything that is alive has a soul,” while Kristin remains more skeptical (27:13–28:09).
  • Benny: “Consciousness to me is kind of a soul.”
  • Kristin: “No, no, consciousness is so different than a soul.” (28:09–28:19)

7. Manifestation, Intention, and Self-Belief

• Manifesting Success: The group distinguishes between spiritual “manifestation” and plain old self-belief, acknowledging how privilege, temperament, and luck shape outcomes (29:41–31:05).
  • Kristin: “People don’t choose to be self-defeating…it’s a chemical thing in your brain.” (30:41)
• The ‘Spirit Chief’: Benny recounts his childhood OCD rituals and the comforting but ultimately stifling belief in a spiritual overseer called the Spirit Chief, ending only when he gave up the rituals for good (31:35).

8. Acceptance, Control, and the Ultimate Unknown

• On Control: Benny reflects: “I try to act like I have so much control. And it's like, why? I don't like flying. I realize that I really have no control ever...really, like, no one knows anything. We don't know anything.” (36:51–37:16)
• Hope as Faith: Despite cynicism and ambiguity, Benny and Kristin admit to a lingering hope for something more/bigger:
  • “I do believe. I do have this abstract belief in a higher power.” —A (37:19)
  • “I have that same hope.” —B (37:34)
• Kristin’s Pragmatic Wonder: “Mine is that we're insignificant. We came from dust and the stars and dirt. And as long as I can just keep waking up every day and asking why, that’s a good life for you, huh?” (37:41–38:01)

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Meaning Seeking:
  • “Religion really helps with people going through hard times.” —C (06:16)
• On Suffering and the Existence of God:
  • “If God exists, why would God do that to someone?” —A (05:27)
• On Fear of Death:
  • “I'm so afraid of dying.” —A (06:44)
• On Afterlife:
  • "[About afterlife:] We have no f***ing clue." —C (07:21)
• On Consciousness and Atoms:
  • “Adams, when observed, behave differently than when not…does an atom have consciousness?” —C (26:35)
• On Manifestation:
  • “People don't choose to be self-defeating…it's a chemical thing in your brain.” —C (30:41)
• On Fate vs. Free Will:
  • “I believe that each individual outcome is gonna be different by what you do.” —A (34:20)
  • "I happened to make the choice to do it. I think I could have made the choice not to." —B (35:19)
• On Friendship and Mortality:
  • “Life would be so bleak if either one of you died. I'm not saying I wouldn't live it...but I would always be thinking, like, whoever became my best friend next just didn't have what you had.” —B (36:16)
• Final Word on Hope:
  • “I do have this abstract belief in a higher power.” —A (37:25)
  • “Mine is that we’re insignificant…as long as I can just keep waking up every day and asking why, that’s a good life for you, huh?” —C & B (37:41–38:01)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jury Duty, Mail & Modern Life: 01:04–01:48
• Belief in God & Cultural Inheritance: 03:47–04:49
• Theodicy & Suffering: 05:02–06:33
• Afterlife and Significance: 06:43–08:45
• Psychics & Fate Stories: 12:07–14:45
• Debating Cults & The Need for Belief: 19:48–25:40
• Consciousness/Soul Discussion: 26:29–29:15
• Manifestation & Self-Belief: 29:41–31:27
• Free Will vs Determinism: 33:04–35:31
• Crises, Control, and Acceptance: 36:46–37:16
• Final Reflections on Hope and Meaning: 37:19–38:01

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Tone and Style

The conversation is intimate, breezy, and self-deprecating—equal parts philosophical and silly, as the friends jump from riffing on cult recruitment to quantum mechanics with zero pretense of expertise. The group’s willingness to admit ignorance and vulnerability (“No one knows anything”), alongside their palpable affection for each other, results in an episode that feels improvisational yet profound.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This “Spirituality Episode” of Friends Keep Secrets isn’t a deep-dive into theology or philosophy—but rather a window into the kinds of honest, half-baked, overlapping conversations you have with your closest friends when the big questions come up. Whether you’re curious about what happens after death, wrestling with God, manifesting your dreams, or just need a laugh about how little any of us really know, this episode is as comforting as it is thought-provoking.

Transcript

[A]

Wait, God, is that you knocking at my door? You didn't like that?

[B]

So loud. Good God. So loud.

[A]

Spiritual whale and ain't coming for you. Can't you see?

[B]

Different. We're different genres. I think all three of us. You guys are in, like, screamer bands. I haven't somersaulted since gymnastics. I used to take gymnastics. Have to do the balance beam.

[A]

Where's she going?

[B]

I don't know, Chuck.

[A]

That cookie was delicious.

[B]

Where is she going?

[A]

Wasn't that cookie delicious?

[B]

It was a great cookie, Chuck.

[A]

I wish one day we woke up and they were just like, you know what? Fried chicken, French fries. Like, best thing for you.

[B]

Yeah. Or you didn't gain any weight. I guess I. I don't gain a lot of weight when I eat those things, but I still gain weight now a little bit. What are you doing? Getting the paper?

[C]

I'm checking the mail. Because I was thinking as you guys were talking about, like, somersault or tumbling, how I never checked the mail, and I actually have a few loose ends with the government.

[B]

What are you talk. What.

[A]

What do you mean?

[B]

I never checked the mail either, ever.

[A]

Mail is absolutely pointless. I don't even understand what it is. It's like, it's so. It's. It's like, so arch.

[B]

It's like, well, how do they organize? There's so many.

[A]

There's so many letters.

[B]

How can they keep track? Like, oh, and they have full track of everything.

[A]

Do you know when I open my mailbox, I instantly take everything and immediately throw it into the track? Yeah, there's nothing you ever need.

[B]

I don't even open my mailbox.

[C]

You definitely don't.

[B]

I don't. It gets stuffed and someone's like, hey, do you ever check your mail? And I say, oh, no. I forget that that's a thing.

[C]

But that's not the biggest loose end. What is the biggest loose end is Jury duty. When you need to have jury. Like, when you get a jury summons, it's only by mail. Did you know that?

[A]

I've never been to Jury.

[C]

Well, you wouldn't know. Cause you don't check your mail.

[B]

I did it last year, first time when you go. I went there, and look, they call way more people than what they need, so. And I really didn't want to do it. Like, I would want to serve as a juror on, like, the O.J. case or some important case, but, like a small.

[A]

What was the case?

[B]

Something about a car accident. People were so disgusted.

[C]

They tell you the case.

[B]

Yeah. The two people involved Were like, this is what happened. And like people like, it was like a car accident based thing. And like one person would be like, the judge would be like, is there any reason why you can't do this? And they would be like, well, I did. I was in a car accident like 10 years ago and there's so much trauma for it. So I don't think I can have like a clear head for this. And everyone was like saying things like

[C]

that it's a lie.

[B]

Yeah, I wanted to be like, I wanted to lie and be like, I don't know, like I side with like the rich or like I side with the poor or like I'm racist or I'm sexist. You can't say. I can't say any of that, obviously.

[C]

Well, it's illegal. Oh, I think you have to like swear to God or swear.

[B]

What if I don't believe in the God? I mean, I don't not believe in God, but that's ridiculous.

[C]

Or you have to swear.

[B]

It's insane that in any courtroom when they like say like, are you not lying? They say, would you swear? Like right hand on the Bible? Like, aren't. I don't think I. I don't think

[C]

they do it anymore.

[A]

You do?

[C]

Wait, to God?

[B]

No. The Bible. Well, it's the same thing. It's like, what is the Bible? I mean, I know what it is, but it's like I'm Jewish. Like, what if someone said like, the Bible has no importance to me. Is there something else? But I don't even feel that way necessarily. I haven't thought about it. I'm just saying. I also think it's ridiculous that society, Christianity is so fundamentally institutionalized in the United States that that is the default thing to do in like the legal system. Think about that. You haven't even thought about that.

[A]

You know, I'm so petrified from when I was a kid, I was like taught like not to write. You're not supposed to write God. So I've like never written it. I write it. I still write it. Like G dash D. No G, A

[C]

W, D. What do you mean you can't write God?

[A]

You're not supposed to. Says who in Jewish culture? You're not supposed. Do you believe in God?

[C]

I believe that energy not in like a woo. Do who we. What's the, what do they say? Woo, woo, woo, woo way. But like truly that like we all came from like dust and particles and that it's like whatever makes a star a long time ago. Like we're all made of the same thing, and we're just made of these atoms, and atoms and energy can never be. What is the energy created or destroyed? Yeah. So I'm like, there's something going on with energy. That's all I got to say.

[B]

So the answer to the question is, you don't not believe in God.

[C]

You don't know, do I believe in one man?

[A]

No, I don't think. I didn't. I said, do you believe in God? God doesn't have to be a man. It could be a woman.

[C]

Since when?

[A]

It could be whatever your interpretation is.

[C]

Like, people are going around talking like, God is a woman. What do you mean?

[A]

There's literal songs. Like, you can. You can. It's your interpretation of whatever it is. Like, I don't believe there's a man in the sky, but I believe in God.

[C]

What do you believe is God?

[A]

Yeah, what do I believe? I believe that there's, like. I believe that there's some force out there that's helping guide, like, what's happening and what's not. There's too many coincidences for it to be, like, just science. Like, there's too many. What?

[B]

Oh, sorry. Whenever you're done, I have a question. Okay, so what about the disasters and tragedies that happen to people?

[A]

I think that stuff is just, like, I don't know the answers of why that happens. And I find myself asking, like, I'm like, why God? Like, and I'll, like, say. I'll be like, why would you? Like, when I see someone walking down the street who's, like, disabled and is, like, going through a time that's like, looks like it's so hard for them to live, I'm like, why would. If God exists, why would God do that to someone? Or, like, when a kid dies when they're so young, I'm like, why would God do that? And I understand that. And I've had a lot of my friends. I've had friends die. I've had friends who have kids that die. And it's like, they spend a lot of time searching for the reason why. And I don't know the reason why, but I do believe there's just so many things that have happened coincidentally. No, it's just, like, too many things for coincidence. And there's, like, you know that the

[C]

human nature is kind of wired to think that this stuff is coincidence when it's just kind of not. Like, your brain is wired to kind of act like you're always looking for meaning, which is why religion really Helps because you need an answer for why. And also religion really helps with people going through hard times.

[A]

Well, yeah, everyone's looking for meaning because they're scared of dying. Like, that's why people pray. That's why people look for hope, because they're afraid of dying. Like, personally, I'm like, so afraid of dying.

[C]

Really?

[A]

Yes. Selena's zero percent afraid of dying. She doesn't care.

[C]

She's been through a lot of hard stuff.

[A]

She doesn't care. Yeah, I'm scared of dying. You're not scared of dying?

[C]

No, I don't want to die. I really like life. But I also get a lot of comfort in knowing that, like, we're all really ignorant and insignificant.

[A]

When you're born and when you die, there's chemicals released in your brain that are the same as the effects of dmt. So, like, when you die, like, right before you die, you have like, the best trip of your life. And I always think, like, I don't know, like, do you believe in, like, afterlife?

[C]

I think we have no fucking clue. Like, we don't even know what a. We can't even figure out what consciousness is. Like, we don't even know if this. What we're experiencing is. Like, they can figure out a lot of stuff, but they just can't quite understand what makes consciousness consciousness. Like, if it's the more complex cells become. They enter the state of consciousness. What has consciousness? What doesn't have consciousness. So who knows if there's an afterlife. We may just be like a continuation of whatever this is. But we'll never know until we transcend to that question.

[B]

What do you think? And I don't know the answer. The majority of the world thinks God is Jesus.

[C]

Dad.

[B]

Jesus's dad. What's like to the. Like, what is the goal of God? Is God like creator of Earth? Did God create Jupiter as well? Is my one question I have.

[A]

Did we ever taught.

[B]

Don't ignore.

[A]

No, no, I'm saying, do we know? Like, yeah, Chuck, I don't even know.

[C]

What do you mean, do we know?

[A]

Is God supposed to have created Jupiter?

[B]

That's what I'm saying.

[A]

I don't know if God is. I don't know. I thought like, just Earth here.

[B]

So my pov, the only POV I have is that nobody.

[A]

The universe.

[B]

God created the universe. Yeah, that's if the universe is ever expanding. Like, and it could be within other universes.

[C]

God created all the universes.

[B]

Is that so?

[A]

I think that's what's thought.

[C]

Okay, but there's different gods.

[A]

I think it's thought. Yeah. Like some people have multiple gods.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, there's a lot of wars

[C]

fought about which God is the right God. Right.

[A]

Do you believe in heaven?

[B]

I don't believe in anything, honestly.

[A]

Oh, so you don't believe in God?

[B]

I don't not believe in God. I have no idea. And all I believe in is that nobody has any idea.

[C]

Anyone that claims people do have some ideas, like science isn't. Science does tell us some things.

[B]

It can take you to wherever.

[C]

Yeah. We don't know what's going on.

[B]

And then that just could be the tip of the iceberg of what this whole thing. At any point an alien can come down here and be like, you thought this was what was going on, this is what's going on. And everything totally changes. So I just, it's not that I don't care, it's just I feel so far from like having true confirmation of what's going on that I, that I don't think about it now. It's a luxury not to think about it because you know, I think people who are experiencing more hardship need something to lean on and have faith in. I don't really have to think about things on a day to day level.

[C]

But you are Jewish, so you did you believe, you did believe in something.

[A]

I think he just believes in the tradition. I'm looking up right now if God's real and I'm so mad because it won't do my G dash. I can't say it. So now I have to write God for like I think the first time in my life.

[C]

When you're. It's part of the, it's part of Judaism that you can't write G O

[B]

D. No, I don't know about that. And for me Judaism was a wonderful cultural experience that I really appreciated and feel like it instilled values in me as a human being. But as far as just like the pure understanding of the ways of the world, I just feel like it's so complex beyond anything close to what we're able to.

[A]

It says there's no proof or disproof.

[B]

Yeah, well, I mean, look, can you really argue with me? Does anyone actually like no one knows that. Scientists know things to an extent, but then like anything can change like that.

[C]

There's a lot of unanswered questions. They don't know why atoms behave differently.

[B]

And I think it's kind of bizarre if at least historically you had to swear on this one thing of God or the Bible. It's like kind of just a little preposterous, in my opinion, to force such a belief on someone when clearly the only thing we know is that no one knows anything. Domino's lava cakes, they allow for a mix and match scenario, a flight of three. Do you know that means you have three different times where you can make a choice. S' mores or chocolate.

[C]

Mix and match.

[B]

How many different iterations can there be? Not much.

[A]

I'm not a mathematician.

[C]

Yeah, well, there could be, but I

[A]

am a s' mores matician.

[B]

Throw the cream towards the.

[C]

You know what it reminds me of, Damon?

[B]

No. It's dam.

[C]

How is that different than what I said?

[B]

It went da.

[A]

Mm.

[C]

I love da m. You can get

[B]

three Domino's lava cakes when you mix and match any two or more menu items.

[A]

Do you believe in, like, are you spiritual?

[B]

I believe something could certainly be afoot. I don't. I'm not like a nurturer.

[A]

Or are you just, like, spiritual? Like, do you believe in, like, like destinies and fates and karmas?

[B]

I like, I don't know, Like, I. I'll tell you what. I went to a fortune teller one time and they told my fortune completely correct. And I was shocked and it made me like, you know.

[A]

What do you mean?

[B]

One time when I was living in San Francisco, I was like, with friends and there was a fortune teller advert and they were like, let's go to the fortune teller. And I was about to put all my music out for the first time in my life. And I was like, I'll go in there and see if any comment could vaguely apply to, like, my musical pursuits. I was wearing nothing interesting. I looked like I could have worked it like an accountant's firm.

[A]

You still look like that.

[B]

No, I think now I look like a cooler. Doesn't matter.

[A]

Look like a normal middle aged man.

[B]

I walk in there, she goes like, oh, you've got a really long lifeline. Says you're going to live to 108. I said, oh, okay. She said, you must be really creative. I just stared at her and then she said, In 2013, you're going to receive fame for your music. People are gonna come out of the woodwork left and right and tell you what they think you should do. But remember, your instincts are what got you there in the first place.

[A]

Did you even know you were gonna make music?

[B]

I had just made all the lil dicky stuff. I was two months away from releasing it in there. For her to be like, you're on to Something good in life and, like, apply it instead. She was like, this year, you're gonna get famous for your music. I could have been like, music? I don't make music. I'm an accountant. So when things like that happen, and, like, I do kind of, like, you know, I don't know if I believe in karma, but, like, you know, I don't know. I believe in, like. I don't know what I believe. I don't know. It's so overwhelming that I don't even, like, kind of think about it, and I just go on with my tasks and my pursuits. What does that mean about me, Chuck?

[A]

I like it. Yeah, Chuck. You know, one time I was in Las Vegas with Ashlyn, and she said we were going in. We were on our way for, like, a book tour, and we went into Vegas, into the casino. She said, hey, I'm getting a strong number right now. And she said, like, 16 or something. I said, what do you mean you're getting a strong number? She said, my psychic just told me, like, we have to bet it. And I said, okay. And we, like, went in, and we won, like, $30,000 betting on the number. And then. And then, literally, I walked out, and I was like, that's insane. Text your person back. And she was like, wow. And then she was like, does Benny have a red guitar? And I literally grew up. My first guitar was red, and it was, like, the thing I practiced and, like, what brought me into music? And then I was like, oh, my God, Ask her more stuff. And then she said. She goes, I swear to God, she said, benny's gonna need knee surgery soon. And I said, all right. Stop asking her questions.

[B]

That's so scary, Jack.

[A]

She said I was gonna need knee surgery.

[B]

Yeah, I wouldn't even. Sports.

[C]

Did you kneel?

[A]

I don't know. She just said it.

[C]

You didn't knee it.

[A]

Have you ever seen a sidekick just shut up. Go on to the next thing.

[B]

Okay, Here.

[C]

What?

[B]

Same thing. I have a really. When I asked my parents. I asked my mom when I was a kid, mom, what's the point of life? Instantly? She said, to reproduce. That was her instant answer. So a part of me thinks spiritual. Like, I kind of feel like I've lived my life totally avoiding thinking about any of this, and that when I have children, I want to ask my mom right now.

[A]

Keep going.

[B]

And when I have children, I will kind of really understand a different level of.

[C]

Don't you just want to know why? Like, sometimes I just want to. Like, I'll be walking and I'll be like, I just want to. Like, when you really start diving deep, like, they know that there's like, whatever, like, 200 million planets like Earth that like, rotate around a sun that therefore could have, like, humans on it, but we don't even. Because of, like, the speed of light and how long the universe has been around. We would never even know. We could have just, like, missed the other humans by. I believe there's 10 billion years for me.

[B]

There's definitely life outside of Earth. Why wouldn't there be? Why does God have to limit his, like, you know, shit on the Earth?

[C]

Well, no one's saying there's no life outside of Earth, are they? Oh, I guess.

[B]

No, but it's like, I feel like perhaps maybe I'm wrong. I really know nothing about what I'm talking about. But I feel like. I feel like a part of religion is feeling like Earth is prioritized by God. Like, I don't but. Or like man and woman.

[C]

No, but that's my beef with some. No, I don't have any beef with organized religion. Much respect to it all. My only issue is sometimes it feels like that they prioritize. I don't want to get into it. The afterlife more than the present life.

[B]

Afterlife, I know nothing about anything's possible. I could die. Start over again. I could die. Be a roach. I could die.

[A]

Chuck, if you could come back as anything, what would you want to come back as?

[B]

You get three things, always human. Why would I want to be lower on the cognitive chain of suicide?

[C]

Well, you don't know what else. What if we don't understand that, like, there's no.

[A]

It's all the things that you understand right now. Except you could come back as God if you want to. No, you can't come back as God. I take it back. I'm sorry, God.

[B]

Because my life has gone so kind of ideally at every turn, my wildest dreams come so true. I'm at the love of my life. My best friend is like the most position person to advance my actual career. So many things have

[A]

what not in sitting like, oh, I love him. He's so good.

[C]

No, you could advance Creator.

[B]

Like my best friend. I of course love you. I love you enough to be my best friend. And then you happen to be talented enough to. Like, there are things that coincidentally have happened to me that are so. What my wildest dreams would be that sometimes I think I am living, like, if there are multiple lives, this is

[A]

like the fourth generation of the best.

[B]

I'm the best One and I'm prioritizing the wrong things. And I have a fear of dying and then like going up and like, God being like, that's what you thought that like I gave you the perfect life and that's what you did with it. Like you blew it or what if

[C]

you die and you just, oh, what

[A]

are we supposed to be doing?

[B]

Reproducing, says my mom. That's the point of life. She said. And that's also in line with how I feel. No, I think what having kids, no people are.

[C]

That's not necessarily.

[A]

My mom said it's the most. I asked my mom, I said, you

[B]

don't have to have kids.

[A]

I asked my mom and she said. I said, what's the best thing you've ever done in your life? And she said, have my children. She said it was the only thing I knew I wanted to do since I was a kid. And she said when I, like, actually did it, she said it's like the biggest blessing in the world.

[C]

I've heard that kids are very purpose filling. But I also think that there's a. There's a reality where the only meaning of life is to kind of just exist. And it's like kind of a myth that we think we deserve happiness at all times and kind of just. Because if you think about like how we've evolved as humans, it used to be survival was like the biggest focus. And now that we're like so far advanced, we have, at least for me, so much like we're not worried about how we're going to eat. We're not worried about. And honestly, living in America, I hate to say, obviously we have a lot of more privilege than other countries where they do have to worry about, like just basic survival. So I think that we're optimizing. I think that, yeah, I think sometimes the purpose of life is to just survive.

[A]

I wonder how stupid we sound to like people.

[C]

I don't think that was stupid.

[B]

No, no, no.

[A]

I'm just saying, like, I'm not talking about you. I'm just talking about, like, we do

[C]

sound stupid, but everyone is.

[A]

But I think everyone's just stupid because if someone says that they know something, they're lying.

[B]

Yeah. Let's just go outside. That's good. Cult leaders.

[A]

Yeah, always. Did you ever see that thing, the documentary Kumade?

[B]

No.

[A]

So there's this documentary about this guy who's like, I just feel like gurus and all these guys are like, so fake. And he decided to grow his beard out. He was an Indian man. Decided to grow his beard out and become a fake guru. And he like got thousands of followers and he would like talk to them. And then at the end of the documentary he was like, I'm just kidding, guys. Like, I'm not a guru. And they were like, we don't care.

[C]

They were like, we just believe.

[A]

Like, you gave us so much hope. We don't even care if it's fake.

[C]

Yeah, well, I think people always kind of need something to believe in.

[A]

It's like religion.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you could. Could you not argue that some religions are like cults? It's kind of what it is for sure. If it's organized religion is for sure.

[A]

Do you think you could. Do you think you could like. Check. Do you think you could start a cult? Like do you think you get so many followers?

[B]

No.

[A]

You don't?

[B]

No. No, check.

[A]

You don't think you could get so many people to just like follow you and do whatever you say?

[B]

I don't know. I think I. If I were to. I think I'm always being myself and I just feel like I explained my true self as someone who so clearly believes in not knowing anything.

[A]

If you were starting a cult though, what would your. Like, how would you.

[B]

No one knows anything. I don't know. I mean, I'd have to be acting and lying and like the only way for me to do this ever would like, I'd have to be like shooting a more long form, like documentary.

[A]

Let's say you were shooting a long form thing.

[B]

What if I.

[A]

You want to go inside?

[C]

Uh huh.

[B]

Okay. Hey, did you guys know that Olipop is back with brand new but retro packaging?

[C]

I.

[A]

Did I ever. Look at this. Are you out of your mind? Look how cool this looks. I think I got the best one. Of course. Right?

[C]

It's very artsy, very cool, very retro.

[A]

It's both new and old. It makes me so happy. You ever seen a little window?

[B]

Yeah, I mean.

[C]

Oh, how'd you.

[A]

Yeah, mine has a window.

[C]

Wow, that is sweet.

[B]

They might have always had this window.

[C]

Oh.

[A]

I'm just saying in general.

[C]

Is it just for a peek?

[A]

Hit it, Kristen.

[C]

Oh. Buy any two cans of Olipop in store and they'll pay you back for one. Any flavor, any retailer. Go to drinkollipop.comfks we did it.

[A]

We respect you. How would you get me to join your culture?

[B]

I think I.

[A]

Give me your tagline. I'm like, oh. I'm like really lost.

[B]

I think I'd say you've been doing it all wrong.

[A]

Why?

[B]

Why?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Every day are you happy?

[A]

No.

[B]

Every day I'm happy.

[A]

You are?

[B]

Yeah, because I. Wow. I've just learned a few things that not many people have access to. I've learned that information and I apply the principles that I'm happy to show you. And every day you'll be happy.

[A]

Really?

[C]

Are you a young boy?

[A]

What are the things?

[B]

Well, I can't take it this far. I have to do, like, write a whole thesis on.

[C]

Tell him what you would do to him.

[A]

Where do I live?

[B]

You live out on the ranch with me. Really? Yeah. There's. I don't know. We're still doing this.

[A]

Do you pay for things? No.

[B]

You pay for things.

[A]

Do I fuck you?

[B]

No. It's not sexual at all.

[C]

Yet.

[B]

No, I would not. Ever.

[A]

Okay. Now, Mochi, you pitch. You pitch.

[C]

Oh, to get you to join my cult.

[A]

Yeah. Hey.

[C]

Hi.

[B]

How are you?

[C]

I'm good.

[B]

Ma', am, we're looking for something to believe in.

[C]

Come with me, boys.

[B]

Where?

[C]

Benny Blanco's house.

[A]

What?

[C]

I can make it all better for both of you.

[B]

How?

[C]

Follow me.

[A]

Why do we have to follow you?

[C]

Are we not doing it in real time?

[A]

It is real time.

[C]

Come with me. You can pay. You don't have to pay yet.

[A]

Pay?

[C]

I can make your life here. I can actually really do it. I can make your life so good.

[B]

How?

[C]

What do you want?

[B]

Everything. Knowledge. Money. Power. Women.

[C]

Women. Tons of them. What do you want?

[A]

I don't know what I want. I need something to go.

[C]

You want to know what you want? I'll help you find that.

[A]

What is it?

[C]

You come with me.

[A]

What?

[C]

Get in my car.

[A]

We always have to come with you.

[C]

I don't know what a cult is.

[A]

No, you can say, meet me at

[B]

this time instead of being like, come with me right now.

[A]

Okay. You want me to pitch you?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Do I need a.

[A]

Boys, you can do whatever you want.

[C]

Hi.

[B]

Hey.

[A]

How you doing? I'm good. I'm good. What are you guys up to today?

[B]

Not much. We don't have much of a plan.

[C]

We have some plans.

[A]

Oh, you don't?

[C]

Yeah, we're gonna probably hit up Earth Cafe.

[A]

Oh, I have a lot of. Really cool. I have a farm, like, right outside of town in, like, Malibu. If you guys ever. I don't know. You said you guys were gonna eat food. If you ever wanna come check it out, we have parties there. Like, we got really good. We have, like, a really good drink program. We brought in, like, this mixologist.

[C]

Oh, wow. Yeah.

[A]

That's pretty Cool.

[B]

So.

[A]

So what? When we were just talking about just

[B]

getting lunch and you're inviting us to your farm in Malibu?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. We're okay, man. Thanks.

[A]

Oh, okay. No worries.

[B]

Where do you want to go out to dinner?

[C]

Sweetheart, as soon as you grow up, all of a sudden we're a man.

[A]

Yeah. Seems like your partner really wants to talk a little bit more. I was told. No, it's totally fine. If you want to just, like, you can go with him. It's totally fine. I was so.

[C]

I wouldn't get into your car.

[A]

I don't want you to come into my car. Okay. I just like. If you're ever around the area, in Malibu, here's my business card. If you want to come through, come through whenever you want.

[C]

Sold. You did a really good job.

[A]

Thanks.

[C]

Do you think my mistake was asking you guys to get into the car?

[A]

Yeah, you kept telling us to get into your car. You were trying to play a fast game, and it's really a long game. Joining the cult because it's like they make you feel like you're.

[C]

Good point. That's why I was like. Just come by. That's the language. They kind of. It's a slow burn, you know, I might get hooked.

[B]

Weirdo. Stay away from that guy.

[A]

Sounds like he's a little bit jealous because we have a great drink program. You know, this reminds me of a huge farmer with tons of money and all our cocks are big.

[C]

Well, you happen to meet one girl who does not care about the big cock. And she is sick and tired of hearing everybody talk about it.

[A]

We got a billion dollars for you in an unmarked briefcase.

[B]

It's only 500 million after tax.

[A]

Nope. We own God.

[B]

What?

[A]

There is no God.

[C]

We own God.

[A]

We are well, all right. We all joined a cult.

[B]

No. And no one owns God.

[A]

No, no one does. I'm sorry.

[B]

I was never.

[A]

Ah, man.

[B]

Yeah, see, he was speaking from his own organization that I already turned down when he said he owned God.

[A]

Chad, get a grip. You can't even got something in your eye.

[C]

Let me talk about something.

[B]

Yes, please.

[A]

Yeah, talk about it.

[C]

What do you guys have to say to this? I read it in a book.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Adams, when observed, behave differently than when not. Which, if you really understand it all, which I don't, then leads you to believe it ties into parallel universes. Because an atom can be two places at once. And if an atom can behave differently when observed than when not observed, does an atom have consciousness? And if atoms have consciousness, what even is consciousness? I read one Article that was like, the universe is just conscious.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, I believe anything's possible.

[C]

I mean, think about a plant, for example.

[A]

Sure.

[C]

Think about, like, the ones that are.

[A]

I believe plants have consciousness.

[C]

When a plant, like, one of the viney ones, if there's, like, an object in front of it, it will grow around the object. Like, it, like, can perceive that there's an object. Yeah.

[A]

I think plants have consciousness. You know, if you play certain music for plants, like, they grow differently, they thrive differently. Like, plants can be sad, plants can be happy. I grow a lot of plants, and I'm really. And people who grow weed and stuff. There's, like, so much that goes into it. And, like, I think it's ridiculous when, like, a person says, like, oh, well, dogs don't have, like, thoughts like that. Like. Like, don't you believe, like, Reggie has. Like, he can really speak to you and he understands on a deep level?

[C]

Yeah, but I think it's a little bit more simple than how we understand things. But I do think he. I don't know that Reggie's, like, sitting around being like, I am dog.

[B]

Well, I think what you're describing is the concept of a soul.

[C]

No, no, Me. Reggie has a soul.

[B]

Consciousness, to me, is kind of a soul. I think Reggie has a soul.

[A]

No, no. Consciousness is so different than a soul.

[B]

Okay. What has a soul but doesn't have consciousness?

[C]

I don't know that a soul is, like, a real thing.

[B]

A restaurant doesn't have consciousness.

[A]

I didn't say that. I said a restaurant's got, like, a lot of soul. Like, there might be, like, so many things have happened in that restaurant, and it's like.

[B]

That's like a different use of the word. I'm not talking about. That's ridiculous.

[A]

I don't know. I.

[B]

Get a grip. I'm talking about the human soul. Like, when you die, your soul, like, you know.

[A]

Chuck, you don't even know if a soul is real.

[B]

I don't. I'm saying is a soul. Like, basically, I got in an argument one time, someone said an insect doesn't have a soul.

[A]

I think an insect has a soul.

[B]

I think anything that is alive has a soul. Because anything that is alive tends to, like, do the best it can to, quote, unquote, survive, which you just said is the point of life to an extent.

[C]

I don't know if it's the point of life.

[A]

What do you think God cares about if he's real?

[B]

I think God. If he is real. I mean, the story. The story, as I Hear it is he cares about the goodness that you're being as a person. That's like. The priority is like, you be a good person.

[A]

Think he's just listening?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

At all times. So many people. How does he. Who does the data center? Does he like.

[B]

It could all be a part? I don't know. You're asking the wrong guy, Chuck.

[A]

Do you think he can hear them all at the same time?

[B]

I don't think there's a guy sitting there. No. I don't think it's like you think

[A]

if it's a crew of men and women, there could be a crew.

[B]

There could be a crew in 2074 that like had to do like so many simulations and we're just one of five and we're just in 2026. And it is what it is.

[A]

Do you do. Do you do like. Did you ever do like the Secret or like manifesting when you were younger? Did you like make a board and like put.

[C]

I think I still kind of do it. I listen to a lot of like audiobooks about. I think it's really just more about like intention and energy.

[B]

But I don't think that's like spiritual. Like, I think like. I think that's so spiritual manifesting, being like. Like I've always like believed that I was gonna achieve something and I thought spent my whole life manifesting it and doing it. But it's very just like kind of basic. Like of course you're gonna believe in what you.

[A]

No, not everyone does that.

[B]

But I don't think it's very religious or spiritual.

[A]

Spiritual. Doesn't have to be religious.

[B]

Fine. I don't think it's very spiritual. I think it's just like kind of. What's the word?

[A]

I think believing.

[B]

Logical. I think it's logical that the more

[C]

you like think the two of you have such a gift of being able to have so much self belief that just like. Not if everybody could just do that. People don't choose to be self defeating. It's not like everybody wakes up and likes. I want to not feel great things about myself. It's a chemical.

[A]

No, of course.

[C]

Thing in your brain. So of course, if everybody could just wake up and be like, I am the best, I'll achieve whatever I want to achieve. But there's a lot of like, you know, pain and suffering that comes from people's own mental thoughts.

[B]

No, I know that. But I guess what I'm saying is so. But what you're just saying is that like someone with not self defeating thoughts. Someone with like confidence as they manifest isn't like a part of the spiritual journey of manifestation that everyone like.

[C]

No, I'm just saying you are unique, I think, in that you have such a. Yeah, but inward display of self. No, inward display of full belief.

[B]

But am I any less or more spiritually touched by the spirit as someone?

[C]

I think they're two different things.

[A]

The Spirit Chief.

[B]

The Spirit Chief.

[C]

The Spirit chief. Yeah. The spirit chief touches you.

[B]

The spirit chief was a nightmare.

[A]

Zach, what was the spirit Chief like?

[B]

He was white haired. He looked like the Moses or like that type of like older, gaudy, like white hair. He was up in the sky. Always saw him in the sky. And it was just difficult. And you know, the way I stopped the spirit Chief is my parents promised me a cell phone if I cut all this out. And then that was in the back of my mind for a little while. And then one night I was in the shower and I was thinking of all the different rituals I'd have to do before going to bed and how long it would take to brush my teeth and. And I just broke down crying. Kind of like you did. You said you broke down in like the bathtub or something? Yeah, I broke down in the shower. And I said, fuck it. I can't do this shit anymore. If someone dies, they die. I can't deal with it. And then the next day no one died. And I was like, oh. And then I got a phone.

[A]

Do you know I'm so petrified that I'm gonna die if I fly on an airplane. You know what my therapist said to me one day?

[B]

What?

[A]

He said, you're not that special. He said, you think they'll take a whole airplane down for you? He said, you're not special. You're just a speck of.

[C]

I love reminding myself that I'm a speck of dust. But do you think that you'll ever get over your fear of flying?

[A]

I hope so. And it's crazy. Cause Selena, she says she's religious. And she'll say our time has already been picked for us when we're gonna die. She says. And she says, and I don't think it's our time. And if it is, then that's what was meant to be.

[C]

I like when she says that I

[A]

can't live in that world.

[B]

Now what are we talking about now? Are we talking. Is this the same thing as free will and determinationism? Right? Is that. Are we. Now, in this segment of the conversation,

[C]

I'd love to talk about Free will.

[B]

What is the implication there? So that everything's predetermined. Like, every move I make is already preconceived. There is only one way this cookie could crumble.

[A]

Or.

[B]

No, I don't believe.

[A]

I don't believe in it.

[C]

It's a tricky thing to get into because it really just couldn't believe in that less what you believe that you don't.

[A]

I believe that everything you do, everything you do, like, like another thing happens different from that in your life. And like every crossroad, like you believe

[C]

in free will, you think you have 100% control.

[A]

No, no, I don't. I don't think I have control. I think.

[B]

I think control.

[A]

I have no idea what I'm doing and what. What it will control in the outcome. But I know that the things I'm doing that I don't have control of already are controlling my next move. Do you know what I'm saying?

[C]

So you kind of are in the middle.

[A]

No, but I believe that driving on Sunset instead of driving on the pch, like, I think that something else in my life, different is gonna happen because I chose that. But I'm not choosing that because I know one way is better than the other. I'm just saying. I'm saying that things will happen differently. I'm not consciously choosing them to change my thing because I don't know. I believe in fate, but I do believe that each individual outcome is gonna be different by what you do.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So you believe in free will? You believe that you're choosing.

[B]

No, he just said he believes in faith.

[C]

No, I believe in faith, free will.

[A]

I believe that I have a decision to do a different thing, but I don't think my decision, like, I'm not deciding to, like, live or die by going to the right, but I do think that's a set of. That's a new set of things. This is a new set of how my life will happen. This is a new set of how my life.

[B]

And it's up to you. Every time. It's not predetermined for you. You have no choice in the matter. You're just doing what was naturally the divine order?

[A]

Yeah, I don't think I was doing.

[B]

Is that the conversation we're having? Like, isn't that what we're talking about, like, fate versus our ability at all times?

[C]

There's just like two schools of thought. There's like that, like, you have complete control.

[B]

I could be born one way, how I'm born right now. And it took, for example, A ton of work to achieve the things I wanted to achieve. I could have been the same level of talent, whatever, had the same ability, but just not done it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And it was a choice to do it. It's a choice to do it at every time. That's why I just think. And I happened to make the choice to do it. I think I could have made the choice not to. Or like some people could. And it's just. Everyone has their own choices throughout the day.

[C]

There's so many things that impact you. Even getting to the point to make the choice.

[B]

Absolutely. I'm not saying it's just like. It's totally out of my control. A car could come into here and make me make a new choice when it plows into my house and kills my wife. And then I have to make another choice.

[A]

And then your new choice is to marry me.

[B]

No.

[A]

Yeah. Chuck, if they. If Kristen died. If Kristen died.

[B]

I don't want to talk about it.

[A]

Okay. Chuck, if I died.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You're down to talk about that.

[C]

No.

[A]

Okay. Chuck, if I died, do you think. Oh, my God, Chuck, do you think you could even, like, go on with life?

[B]

I would.

[A]

Well, because you have Kristen. If you didn't have Kristen, they would.

[B]

Life would always be so much bleaker.

[A]

Yeah. Chuck, would you remember me?

[B]

Oh, my God. I wouldn't be able to forget you, Chuck.

[A]

I'd remember you.

[B]

Life would be so bleak if either one of you died. I'm not saying I wouldn't live it and I wouldn't, like, have great moments, but I would always be thinking, like, whoever became my best friend next just didn't have what you had. Whoever became my best friend, I think you would adjust.

[C]

Your best friend. I think you'd be sad. I think you would adjust.

[A]

If you were dead. You wouldn't want him to be with anyone else.

[C]

No, I do. I want him to be. I won't care. I'll be dead. I won't even have.

[A]

He'll be with me if.

[C]

As long as you guys get together.

[B]

Tragedies are so scary. They happen all the time.

[A]

I know.

[B]

And it's like.

[A]

And we have no control.

[B]

And so, you know, I feel like

[A]

in my life, I try to act like I have so much control. Like, I try to feel like I'm in such control of everything. And it's like, why? I don't like flying. I realize that I really have no control ever. I may think I have, like, some control. And I do have, like, a little bit of control in, like, minor things. Or making choices, like what we said earlier, but really, like, no one knows anything. We don't know anything.

[B]

So you netted out kind of where I. Yeah, but I do.

[A]

But I do believe. I do believe. I do have this abstract belief in a higher power.

[B]

You have a hope.

[A]

I do.

[B]

You have a hope for a higher power that you like. Like what? The whole point is.

[A]

I do. I do. How do you feel, Muchie? Where'd you end?

[B]

I have that same hope.

[A]

You do? Okay.

[B]

I have that same hope. I'm not like odds are. It means nothing. I have that hope.

[A]

What's yours?

[C]

Mine is that we're insignificant. We came from dust and the stars and dirt. And as long as I can just keep waking up every day and asking why,

[B]

that's a good life for you, huh?

[A]

1, 2, 3. Adams.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

Oh, we don't even know that yet.

[A]

1, 2, 3.

[C]

Atoms.