Ep. 39: The Inspiratorium - The Bathroom that Sparked the Protestant Reformation
There are a few moments in history that changed the course of the world: the moon landing, the invention of sliced bread, and that time Martin Luther dropped the 95 Theses on the door of Wittenburg. This week, we dive into the odd overlap between human inspiration and human evacuation — with special appearances by Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, and Martin Luther. Yeah. That Martin Luther.
Writing in the Water Closet
Here's a fact: humans spend enough time on the toilet to write a novel. Or at least an album. Which explains why so many artists claim they get their best ideas in the loo.
Paul McCartney wrote Beatles lyrics in Tunisia — on a toilet. Possibly with his pants up. Hopefully.
Mariah Carey penned “Hero” while actively on the toilet. Imagine the confidence.
Taylor Swift drafts lyrics in airport and mall bathrooms, which may explain the occasional chorus that sounds like it was written under duress near a Cinnabon.
Ed Sheeran is reportedly a hotel bathroom writer, which sounds fancy until you remember hotel bathrooms are often a hair’s breadth from “damp cave with towels.”
Steve Jobs allegedly sat on the back of his toilet with his feet in the bowl to think. This has to be a prank. Right?
And then, of course, there's Martin Luther, the OG toilet thinker.
Martin Luther: Reformer and Restroom Revolutionary
October 31st, 1517: While everyone today is getting hyped about mini Snickers and dog costumes, this was the day Martin Luther changed the world.
After a lightning storm, young Marty ditched law school and joined a monastery, where he eventually began to question the Catholic Church’s use of indulgences — basically “sin credits” you could buy to get out of spiritual jail.
What did he do? Wrote up 95 points calling it all out. But here's the kicker: legend says he penned them while using the monastery bathroom. That’s right. Martin Luther’s theses were brought to you by the same place that brought you last night’s Taco Bell reckoning.
Now that’s what I call a holy movement.
The monastery where he did his business? The bathroom was reportedly one of the few warm places in the whole building, so it was a logical spot to, you know, warm up your thoughts and your buns. His ideas helped spark the Protestant Reformation. Yours might spark a new TikTok. It’s all valid.
A Movement, in Every Sense
The monastery went through a lot: world wars, renovations, temporary dorm life, and eventually recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. But for our purposes, we remember it for what it was — the place where a man sat, thought deeply, and decided the church needed some constructive feedback.
And he wrote it.
While pooping.
Legacy and Lavatories
So next time you’re sitting on the throne, phone in hand, writing your “Hot Takes on Pizza Toppings” tweet — just remember, you’re not wasting time. You’re potentially sparking a movement. Maybe not a Reformation-sized one, but still. A movement nonetheless.
Because from Paul McCartney to Martin Luther, one thing is clear: some of humanity’s most impactful work has come not from a boardroom, but from a bathroom.
