In Episode 98 of the Good Scribes Only Podcast, hosts Daniel Breyer and Jeremy Streich take on one of the biggest existential questions: What happens after we die? Through humor, philosophy, and plenty of hypotheticals, they examine different religious and secular perspectives on the afterlife, from Christian heaven to reincarnation, and even the possibility of a soul.

Along the way, they debate simulation theory, discuss whether an eternal paradise would lose its charm, and play a literary guessing game featuring famous gothic horror authors.

What Would the “Best” Afterlife Look Like?

The conversation begins with a simple but fascinating question: If one afterlife system were proven to be real, which one would you choose?

• Christian Heaven: On the surface, an eternity of peace, happiness, and divine presence sounds appealing. But the hosts raise a philosophical dilemma: Would endless joy eventually become monotonous?
• Reincarnation: The idea of coming back in a new form offers variety, but what if you return as something less desirable—like a nematode?
• Simulation Theory: Could our reality simply be a construct? And if so, what happens when the simulation ends?

Jeremy likens the concept of eternal bliss to eating ice cream:

“The first bite is amazing, the second bite is great, the third is still good… but 30 bites in, you’re over it. What if heaven had the same problem?”

Daniel counters with the idea that heaven, as imagined in religious traditions, would transcend the limitations of human perception—every bite of ice cream could feel like the first.

Does the Soul Exist?

The discussion shifts to the age-old debate on whether human beings have a soul, and if so, what that actually means.

• Jeremy argues for an open-ended perspective, suggesting that if scientific discoveries redefined what a soul is, we might eventually prove its existence in ways we don’t currently understand.
• Daniel takes a more skeptical stance, pointing out that human identity is constantly changing—our cells regenerate, our beliefs shift, and our memories fade. If the self isn’t fixed, how could an unchanging soul exist?

“The idea that I’m the same Daniel from childhood to now doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. So what part of me would a soul even preserve?”

The debate becomes a mix of philosophy, neuroscience, and personal reflection, culminating in a hilarious hypothetical about a single atom in our body being the core of our soul.

Science, Religion, and the Limits of Knowledge

Throughout the episode, the hosts discuss how science and spirituality intersect—and sometimes contradict—each other.

Jeremy takes a postmodern view, questioning whether humans can ever truly “know” anything with certainty. Daniel responds with a pragmatic counterpoint, arguing that while scientific frameworks evolve, they don’t tend to get completely overturned without strong evidence.

The conversation drifts into pop culture, touching on Harry Potter’s depiction of souls (Dementors, anyone?), Scientology’s alien mythology, and cold plunge debates in the wellness industry—because why not?

A Literary Game Break: Guess the Horror Author

Midway through the episode, the hosts play a fun guessing game where they try to identify a famous gothic horror writer based on clues.

Clues include:

• The author was originally a lawyer before becoming a writer.
• Their most famous work features a character associated with immortality and the fear of the unknown.

After some incorrect guesses (Edgar Allan Poe? E.L. Doctorow?), the answer is revealed: Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula.

“Have we even read Dracula? No. Should we? Probably.”

Why These Conversations Matter

At its core, this episode isn’t just about entertaining hypotheticals—it’s about grappling with the unknown. Whether discussing religion, philosophy, or literature, Daniel and Jeremy bring humor and depth to questions that have puzzled humanity for centuries.

As Jeremy sums it up:

“At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to make sense of existence. Maybe there’s a soul. Maybe there’s not. Maybe we’ll figure it out someday. Or maybe we’re just making it all up.”

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode

For more deep (and often ridiculous) discussions about the afterlife, identity, and the soul, tune in to Episode 98 of the Good Scribes Only Podcast.

Click here to listen now!