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Pete Holmes on Why Laughter Is the REAL Path to Enlightenment (PT. 2)

Oct 11, 2025

Guest

Pete Holmes

Comedian Pete Holmes returns, diving deep into the intersection of laughter and enlightenment. He explores the significance of finding peace in chaos and how to embrace moments of stillness, even during delays. The duo tackles the nature of success, defining what it means to 'make it,' and claims that acknowledging your greatness is not egotistical. They also discuss the therapeutic power of comedy, connecting laughter to compassion and the cosmic absurdity of life, reminding listeners that joy can lead to deeper understanding.

41:59

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INSIGHT

Nostalgia For The Present

Pete Holmes and Ryan Holiday stress the power of being present during delays or waiting moments.
Treat delays as chances to notice sensations and experience the present rather than waste time.

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ADVICE

Practice Self-Compassion Daily

Write the reminder “don't get mad learning something you already knew” to practice self-compassion.
Then follow his wife's addendum: don't be mad at yourself for being mad about it either.

insights

INSIGHT

Long Form Trains Empathy

Reading and long-form media deliver experiences and empathy that summaries and short clips cannot replicate.
Pete argues the pleasure of immersive content is part of why we still value books and shows.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Discussing delayed flights and presence

04:08 • 10min

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Nostalgia for the present and book titles

13:40 • 6min

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Don't get mad learning what you already knew

How reading and media shape experience

24:20 • 6min

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Defining achievement and 'being one of the greats'

30:34 • 8min

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When do you 'make it' and recognizing achievement

39:04 • 3min

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What moment makes you laugh hardest? — comedy and meaning

41:55 • 7min

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Comedian Pete Holmes is back for Part 2 and in full philosopher mode. He and Ryan dive into success, psychedelics, and why it’s not egotistical to say you’re “one of the greats.” They talk about how to find peace when life feels out of control, why laughter might be the highest form of enlightenment, and what it really means to “make it.”

Pete Holmes is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and podcaster. He first gained recognition in the early 2010s as a stand-up comic, and also released his first comedy special and worked as a television writer and actor. He is the host of the podcast You Made It Weird, author of Comedy Sex God, and the creator of the HBO show Crashing.

Follow Pete Holmes on Instagram, X, and YouTube

Watch Ryan's episode on You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn9B-15fV1I

Listen to Pete interview Robert Greene - one of Ryan's favorite podcast episodes!

🎙️ Listen to Pete’s podcast You Made It Weird on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube

📚 Grab signed copies of Comedy Sex God by Pete Holmes at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.com/

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