Let’s Give A Damn Podcast — Shabnam Mogharabi: We Need A Spiritual Revolution!

Host: Nick Laparra
Guest: Shabnam Mogharabi
Date: February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this rich and candid episode, host Nick Laparra sits down with Shabnam Mogharabi — accomplished media executive, author, founder of the Joy Brigade, and pivotal force behind SoulPancake and the new Soul Boom platform. Their conversation delves into the need for a modern spiritual revolution, community, joy, and the new Soul Boom workbook (co-authored with Rainn Wilson). Together, they unpack the value of spiritual practice, reflection, and communal action in a world filled with both upheaval and hope.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Living With Duality in Hard Times

• Both host and guest reflect on the challenge of responding genuinely to the classic “How are you?” (04:51), acknowledging personal gratitude amidst global turmoil.
• Shabnam: “My mantra has been two things can be true at the same time...I am very fulfilled and happy and grateful for my life...But my heart breaks every day for what's happening in the world.” (05:58)
• Nick: Expands on appreciating what’s within his control, while mourning the suffering beyond it.

2. Heritage, Family, and Hope for Iran

• Shabnam discusses her identity as a child of Iranian refugees and the pain and hope surrounding ongoing uprisings in Iran. She shares her longing to return and uncertainty about the possibility of real change.
• Shabnam: “It's a lot of feelings and a lot of different highs and lows watching it all happen. And especially because it does feel like you're watching family members...” (08:58–12:06)

3. Change, Patience, and Personal Growth

• Nick shares his struggle with the slow pace of societal and personal change, recounts his journey away from certain religious communities, and the importance of allowing for change in ourselves and others.
• They reflect on progression over years — both personally and in communities — with reference to MLK Jr.: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” (14:39)
• Shabnam: “...People change and choices change. You know, the party and the people we keep change. And that's just the truth of life.” (17:41)

4. SoulPancake: The Genesis Story

• Shabnam details her path from journalism to starting SoulPancake:
  • Disillusionment with traditional journalism — “...I'm telling stories at people's worst moments...this is not the kind of stories I wanted to tell.” (21:02)
  • Serendipitous connection to Rainn Wilson after hearing him on NPR; the courage (or desperation) that led her to reach out and eventually become CEO.
  • The gamble of asking for equity — “...I want equity. I want to like be part of building this team.” (28:14–28:51)

5. SoulPancake’s Impact

• Shabnam summarizes SoulPancake’s evolution and success:
  • “Over the course of a decade, [we] amassed a billion video views...We were a little bit of the first of its kind in that space. And now...there's so many people...who have done content like that…But I'm so proud of what we did.” (32:44–36:30)

6. Defining ‘Soul’ and the Problem With Modern Disconnection

• Nick: Raises the question: What does “working in the soul business” mean? (38:43)
• Shabnam: Offers her view — “The soul...is kind of that ineffable essence that makes each of us...a member of this human family...It is the spark of the divine...that connects us all.” (39:31)
• They both critique the modern neglect of the soul and mistake of discarding spiritual wisdom along with religious structures.

7. Soul Boom: From Book to Podcast to Workbook

• The Soul Boom book, podcast, and workbook are all intended to catalyze a modern spiritual revolution.
• The workbook responds to readers’ demand for practical steps: “The number one question people are left with at the end of reading the book is like, but how?...So the workbook is very much the answer to that.” (46:37–47:44)
• The workbook encourages readers to define their worldview, values, and explore big questions: meaning of life, nature of soul, morality, etc. Not just reflection, but application to create inner and societal transformation.

8. The Importance of Writing and Reflection

• Nick: Advocates for physical engagement with the workbook: “It is so important for our brains and our hearts...People that read Soul Boom the book and not do the workbook are missing out on a shit ton of value...the blank pages in this workbook are the most important parts.” (50:08–53:32)
• Shabnam: Emphasizes inclusivity and introspection: “We wanted every page to be an invitation for the reader to explore...not think about what our point of view is.” (53:42)

9. Against AI-Centered “Therapy” and the Loss of Wisdom

• Nick: Shares a tragic, real-life example of a teen whose reliance on ChatGPT for emotional support led to disaster: “I'm not saying throw ChatGPT in the garbage...But what I am saying is I just heard a story of a young kid who ChatGPT over the course of four months, led him to kill himself.” (55:43–57:17)
• Shabnam: “ChatGPT has been around how long? A second?...And yet some of this ancient spiritual wisdom...has been around for millennia and yet we threw all that out and said now I'm gonna go...let ChatGPT...inform my inner self. Like that feels bananas to me...” (57:17–58:34)

10. Community as Spiritual Practice

• Shabnam argues that every modern industry is designed to isolate us — from hotels, grocery stores, banking, transportation — and stresses actively combating this by “joining and showing up.”
• Shabnam: “If we don't join and show up, we'll never invest in community building. And we'll never know what that feels like. We'll never know the benefits of it. We'll never know how it looks like to build something if we don't actually join and show up.” (63:03–68:15)
• The most important thing we can teach children is to interact authentically and compassionately with others.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Two things can be true at the same time...I am very fulfilled...but my heart breaks every day for what's happening in the world.”
  — Shabnam (05:58)

• “It is a marker of wisdom to realize that in 15 years I can change and I can grow...and people I was really close with 15 years ago can also change and they can go in other directions.”
  — Shabnam (17:41)

• “We wanted every page to be an invitation to someone to self explore.”
  — Shabnam (53:32)

• “Every single industry, every single business, every single entity that makes up our society is actively working to isolate us actively...So the responsibility...is not just on noticing what is needed, but actively combating the isolation by going out and talking to people, by joining things, by showing up...”
  — Shabnam (63:20–66:15)

• Dorothy Day (via Shabnam): “We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.” (61:05)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 04:51–06:20 — Introduction to duality in personal/global happiness and pain
• 08:58–12:06 — Shabnam on her Iranian heritage, family, and uprisings
• 14:39–17:41 — Perspective on personal and societal change
• 21:02–28:51 — Shabnam’s transition from journalism to SoulPancake
• 32:44–36:30 — SoulPancake’s model, impact, and unique space in media
• 38:43–43:27 — Defining “soul” and why it matters now
• 46:37–49:55 — The Soul Boom workbook: origins, purpose, structure
• 50:08–53:32 — Why handwriting, personal reflection matters
• 55:43–58:34 — Dangers of tech-reliant spirituality; story of the teen and ChatGPT
• 63:03–68:15 — The necessity (and practical how-to) of community
• 69:31–70:43 — Community as support through life’s hardships

Resource Links & Next Steps

• Follow Shabnam: Instagram | LinkedIn
• Soul Boom: Website | Instagram
• Purchase the Soul Boom Workbook: Preferably on Bookshop.org, but also available via Amazon and other retailers
• Watch Shabnam’s Talks: Search “Shabnam Mogharabi” on YouTube, including TEDx and other keynotes on joy and storytelling

Concluding Thoughts

This episode underscores the pressing need for intentional spiritual reflection, practical action, and—above all—community. Shabnam Mogharabi and Nick Laparra invite listeners beyond theory into real “damn giving”: not only inward (through journaling and questioning), but outward, through showing up, joining, and building relationships in their corner of the world.

Final takeaway (Shabnam):
“...The thing, actually, that helps me navigate [personal hardship]...is being connected to a community of people who I know will show up for me because I've invested the time in building that community...to navigate even our own personal challenges requires the love and support of others.” (69:31)

For further details, resources, or to join the Let’s Give A Damn community, visit LetsGiveADamn.com.