Beyond the Brain is officially a Signal Awards finalist for **Most Inspirational Podcast in the Limited Series category**. In this special episode, Ryan shares what the recognition means for a small, independent podcast and reflects on the bigger reason Beyond 80% exists: to create a space where curiosity matters more than certainty. Ryan revisits the story behind the nine-part Beyond the Brain series, which began with a simple curiosity about near-death experiences and quickly became a much bigger exploration of consciousness, the brain, death, and what it means to be human. Across the series, researchers, skeptics, scientists, and people who have experienced near-death experiences firsthand offered very different perspectives on one of humanity’s oldest questions: **What happens when we die?** The goal was never to tell listeners what to believe. It was to put the evidence, experiences, disagreements, and unanswered questions on the table and let listeners decide for themselves. Ryan also reflects on the larger mission of Beyond 80%: challenging the beliefs we inherit, resisting the temptation to outsource our thinking, and staying curious enough to explore ideas that might change the way we see the world. And now, listeners have a chance to be part of what happens next. Beyond the Brain is also up for the **Signal Listener’s Choice Award**, with voting open through October 15. If this series made you question something, investigate an idea further, change your mind, or simply see something through a different lens, this episode is a thank-you — and an invitation to cast your vote for Beyond 80%.
Beyond the Brain is officially a Signal Awards finalist for Most Inspirational Podcast in the Limited Series category.
In this special episode, Ryan shares what the recognition means for a small independent podcast and reflects on the bigger reason Beyond 80% exists in the first place: to create a space where curiosity matters more than certainty.
Ryan revisits the story behind the nine-part Beyond the Brain series, which began with a simple curiosity about near-death experiences and quickly became a much bigger exploration of consciousness, the brain, death, and what it means to be human. Across the series, researchers, skeptics, scientists, and people who have experienced near-death experiences firsthand offered very different perspectives on one of humanity’s oldest questions: What happens when we die?
The goal was never to tell listeners what to believe. It was to put the evidence, experiences, disagreements, and unanswered questions on the table and let listeners decide for themselves.
Ryan also reflects on the larger mission of Beyond 80%: challenging the beliefs we inherit, resisting the temptation to outsource our thinking, and staying curious enough to explore ideas that might change the way we see the world.
And now, listeners have a chance to be part of what happens next. Beyond the Brain is also up for the Signal Listener’s Choice Award, with voting open through October 15.
If this series made you question something, investigate an idea further, change your mind, or simply see something through a different lens, this episode is a thank-you — and an invitation to cast your vote for Beyond 80%.