This is a pretty cool book, philosophical science-fiction, but talking about many of the things Sam talks about, religion, complexity science and artificial intelligence for example. It’s also got a fast-moving military plot and some romance in there. This is my first time posting here but I’m an avid Waking Up podcast fan, thought it would fit nicely in this forum. 

The Face of God, by Joe McMahon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07654WRCZ