112: Pete Holmes and Barry Taylor – The Art of Transgression: Comedy, Rock, and Spirituality

The Sacred Speaks

Interview begins @ 6:04 In this episode, comedian Pete Holmes meets theologian and former AC/DC road manager, Barry Taylor, for the first time, despite Pete having referenced a profound quote from Barry in his work for nearly a decade. The conversation kicks off with Pete diving into Barry's storied history with rock & roll, setting the stage for a deeper exploration into how both comedy and rock music act as catalysts for transformation, challenging societal norms and speaking truth to power during critical times. Together, they discuss the delicate dance between the sacred and the profane and how art masterfully navigates the lines of culture, taboo, transgression, and spirituality. As the digital age reshapes our world, creating divisions and highlighting polarization, Barry points out the unique role of the arts in cutting through these dynamics. Throughout the episode, the influence of Richard Rohr is evident, as all participants share their personal connections to his teachings and reflect on spiritual practice as an essential tool to combat the ego's pull. Bio: Pete Holmes is the creator and star of HBO's Crashing (produced by Judd Apatow) and TBS' The Pete Holmes Show (produced by Conan O'Brien). He's also the star of CBS' How We Roll as well as two HBO stand-up comedy specials. Pete's also the voice of the e*trade baby and was a guest writer/star on multiple episodes of The Simpsons. He's also proud to be the dumbest Batman on YouTube (Badman), the host of the wildly popular You Made It Weird podcast and the author of Comedy Sex God. Check out his Netflix special, I Am Not For Everyone. He wrote this bio in third person. He napped shortly thereafter. https://peteholmes.com Barry Taylor lives and works in London, having returned to the U.K. after many years in Los Angeles. He has committed his life to following his curiosities, which have taken many forms including music, fashion, art, religion, and academia. His interests primarily lie in the areas of religion, theology, and philosophy, particularly exploring how cultural shifts reshape our understanding of what it means to be human, our interactions with others, and our grappling with fundamental questions about human existence and ultimate meaning. His wide variety of interests currently converge around the impact of technology on society and culture. Taylor teaches for an online graduate platform, the Global Centre for Advanced Studies (GCAS), and writes extensively on his Patreon page (patreon.com/barrytaylor). He also engages with the complexities of contemporary life and shares his insights on Instagram (@ukbloke). https://www.patreon.com/barrytaylor Website for The Sacred Speaks: http://www.thesacredspeaks.com WATCH: YouTube for The Sacred Speaks https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOAuksnpfht1udHWUVEO7Rg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesacredspeaks/ @thesacredspeaks Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesacredspeaks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesacredspeaks/ Brought to you by: https://www.thecenterforhas.com Theme music provided by: http://www.modernnationsmusic.com