The Justin Prince Show From War-Torn Beirut to Hollywood to the Holy Spirit: Nick Shakoour’s Radical Awakening
Nick Shakoour’s story is one of the most raw, supernatural, and soul-stirring journeys ever shared on this show. From growing up in the chaos of civil war in Lebanon to finding his footing as an actor and voice talent in the U.S. eventually landing a role on The Chosen Nick seemed like a man building momentum. But behind the scenes, his life was unraveling.
After a devastating breakup at 26, Nick spiraled into a year-long darkness so intense, people thought he was on drugs. He wasn’t. He was spiritually collapsing afraid to even wake up, begging God in his sleep to take his soul. With no history of substance use and a loving upbringing, the depth of his depression made no earthly sense.
But that darkness became the backdrop for a radical, unexplainable encounter with the divine.
In this episode, Nick walks us through the spiritual warfare he experienced including vivid visions, demonic attacks, and an otherworldly presence that literally stopped him in his tracks. He shares what happened the night he cried out, “God, my soul is lost!” and the supernatural encounter at a church conference that forever transformed his life. You’ll hear about a prophetic stranger named “Papa James,” a room full of strangers praying in tongues, a force of love so powerful it felt like it could kill him, and the unmistakable moment he received the Holy Spirit.
His journey, detailed in his book Transformed: Awakening from a Spiritual Coma, reads like a superhero origin story and that’s exactly how he wrote it. With humor, wit, and brutal honesty, Nick offers readers a cinematic, spiritual experience designed not just to be read, but felt.
If you’ve ever wondered if God still moves, if you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, or if you’re in a season where darkness feels louder than hope this episode will rattle your soul, soften your heart, and awaken your spirit.