Why Rainn Wilson Talks to His 4-Year-Old Self Every Day

What happens when you get everything you thought would make you happy—and it doesn’t? Actor, author, and Andy’s longtime friend Rainn Wilson opens up about finding himself unhappy at the height of his success on The Office. From rethinking God as “Sky Daddy” to learning to comfort his four-year-old self, Rainn brings humor and vulnerability to a conversation about showing up for our inner lives. Together, they explore love as a practice, creativity as prayer, and raising kids who see kindness in action. Plus, Andy sings for Devin, a son whose love and magical hugs inspire a heartfelt voicemail from his parent. Rainn Wilson is an actor, author, and cofounder of SoulPancake, best known for playing Dwight Schrute on The Office. He hosts the Soul Boom podcast and is the author of Soul Boom and the Soul Boom workbook, exploring spirituality, meaning, and practical tools for living with greater love and connection. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR The holidays are busy, but your business doesn’t have to miss a beat. With Quo, you can stay connected to customers and never miss an important call, even when life gets hectic. Try Quo for free and get 20% off your first 6 months at https://quo.com/SHOWINGUP FOLLOW US! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showingupwithandy/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showingupwithandyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Showingupwithandy/61587497045158/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShowingUpWithAndy WANT TO NOMINATE AN UNSUNG HERO? Know someone who shows up for others? Or maybe just needs a little pick-me-up? Nominate them as an Unsung Hero! Leave a short voicemail (max 60–90-seconds) at +1 (917) 540-0849, tell their story and leave plenty of details (it helps with the songwriting). Who knows, it just might turn it into a song just for them. Let’s show up for each other. SPONSOR US [email protected] SEND FAN CREATIONS, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS [email protected] CREDITS Executive Producer and Host: Andy Grammer Supervising Producer: Amanda Donenfeld Executive Produced by: Alanna Fagan, C3MGMT Executive Produced by: Ford Bowers, Samah Tokmachi, Companion Arts Studio Production: Omar de Armas, Rick Reveche, Companion Arts Design, Artwork and Graphics: Aria Ghalili, Jack Sjogren, Companion Arts Video Editors: Micah Levin, Alex MacKenzie, and Niko Sonnberger Marketing: Olivia Mazurek, Companion Arts Content Ops: Erianna Jiles, Companion Arts Operations: Shawya Mogharabi, Ayana Douglas, Companion Arts Produced by: Companion Arts 00:00 Welcome to Showing Up with Rainn Wilson 00:53 Showing Up for Your Friends 04:40 Bringing Comedy and Spirituality Together 08:37 Finding Meaning in a Disconnected World 14:10 Rethinking God: Beyond “Sky Daddy” 17:17 Religion, Community, and Getting Uncomfortable 19:54 Making Art as a Form of Prayer 21:59 Why Success Didn’t Make Rainn Happy 26:58 Finding Your Way Back When You’re Struggling 29:07 Meditation, Compassion, and Gratitude 31:19 Reconnecting with Nature 32:45 Journaling and Asking Yourself the Big Questions 35:53 Love Is a Practice 37:15 Learning to Be Kind to Your Younger Self 43:15 Spirituality in Everyday Acts of Care 44:50 Raising Kids with Love, Service, and Virtues 48:15 Unsung Hero: A Parent’s Tribute to their son, Devin 49:20 Andy’s Song for Devin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices