Jeff Tadlock, creator of Stairway to Reason, on De-converting from Christianity, Music, and his Personal Journey…
Audio can be found here!
Show 572: YouTube host of Anti-Ordinary, Demi Smith
YouTube host of Anti-Ordinary, Demi Smith
Jessica Schab interviews Demi Smith, British YouTube host of Anti-Ordinary. She is a former Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan and New-Ager turned atheist, and she is also transsexual. Demi is not afraid to explore all sides of an argument and she passionately encourages others to do the same. Jessica and Demi will discuss religion, spirituality, and the LBGT movement.
Audio can be found here!
Show 566: Douglas Letkeman: Former Fundamentalist Christian
Douglas Letkeman: Former Fundamentalist Christian
Douglas Letkeman, a former fundamentalist Christian of 30+ years now an agnostic atheist, conducts cordial interviews with believers, as well as critiques popular pastors/apologists from the unbelievers’ perspective on his Youtube Channel called “Pinecreek”. Doug’s motto is that doubt is a virtue which can lead to humility and compassion, whereas certainty can lead to arrogance and violence. If you would like to contact Doug, or join him for a livestream interview, you can find him on Twitter at @p1necreek, on Facebook as PinecreekDoug, and on Youtube.
Audio can be found here!
Show 565: Feminist, Atheist Comedienne, Kate Smurthwaite
Feminist, Atheist Comedienne, Kate Smurthwaite
Kate Smurthwaite is a left-wing feminist & atheist stand-up comedian and political activist. She preforms all over the UK, and around the world at major clubs including The Comedy Store, Soho Comedy Club, and The Stand, and she also writes for publications from Cosmopolitan to both The Guardian and The Independent and is the Vice Chair and Media Spokesperson for campaign group Abortion Rights UK.
Kate is often a http://www.viagrabelgiquefr.com/ guest on news and debate shows and is well known for her forthright opinions and campaigning work. Appearances include the BBC’s flagship political debate show Question Time as well as BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, and BBC Radio 4 The Moral Maze. In 2012 Radio 4’s Four Thought series included a 15-minute program written and performed entirely by Kate about sexist humour and sexism in comedy.
Audio can be found here!
Show 554: A Discussion with Waleed Al-Husseini
A Discussion with Waleed Al-Husseini
Religion and the problems it can cause was one of the first topics we discussed on this show, way back in 2002; and with the rise of religious fundamentalism, it still remains a very important issue. We have addressed all three monotheistic religions, and even Buddhism once or twice, in an attempt to explore how they affect society. Of course, with the 16th anniversary of 9/11 earlier this month, Islam has been at the forefront of criticism by both religious and secular conservatives, as well as many prominent atheists like Sam Harris and Hirsi Ali. We have had a variety of discussions on this show about Islam and the sociopolitical landscape on the Middle East – as well as the global west’s influence in helping prop up and support radical Islamist groups and governments.
Today we will talk with Waleed Al-Husseini about his personal trials with Islam, and how he went from believer to blasphemer and prisoner… and ultimately was able to begin a new life in Western Europe. His autobiographical book is called The Blasphemer: The Price I Paid for Rejecting Islam which was published by Arcade in 2015. Waleed, who is Palestinian, was born in Qalqilya, West Bank. After his release from custody of the Palestinian Authority in 2011, he moved to France and eventually founded the Council of Ex-Muslims of France.
Audio can be found here!
Show 551: The ABCs of Anarchy/Atheism w. Brian Heagney and Judas Peters
The ABCs of Anarchy/Atheism w. Brian Heagney and Judas Peters
How can anarchists and/or atheists share with their children the ideas they hold dear? There are a variety of books for children on skepticism, science, humanism, ethics, etc. But there are very few books on atheism and almost none on anarchy.
Brian Heagney wrote a children’s book on anarchy some years ago, but we only discovered this year. He may eventually publish an updated version (or at least we hope he does).
Judas Peters is about to publish a children’s book on atheism which looks to be a great addition to the field. On this weeks show, we got to speak with both of them!
Audio can be found here!
Show 550: ‘Women Beyond Belief’ w/ Karen Garst
What are the ties today between feminism and atheism? Why do women, who are often the victims of patriarchal religious “morality”, fail to leave religious indoctrination more than men? How can one better understand why they believe, and how they might de-convert from the magical thinking religious belief demands? And what kind of stories have women who have left the “faith”, told?
This week, new guest host Jessica Schab interviews author and former Christian, Karen Garst on her debut book, Women Beyond Belief: Discovering Life without Religion — a collection of stories from 22 women who have left religion in their past.
Audio can be found here!
Show 548: My Professor and Me
Psychologist and guest host Damian Gracia interviews his psychology mentor, Pace University professor Paul Griffin. Following the interview is special discussion between Damian and Arnell Dowret addressing ideas that the interview raised.
Audio can be found here!
A special discussion between Damian Gracia and co-Producer Arnell Dowret on the show above can be found here!
Show 547: The EOF Project w/ Jessica Schab and Diego Fontanive
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One of the core topics we discuss on this show, probably since we first went on the air in the summer of 2002, is how do we understand how people think, why they think as they do, and how can we help people develop better thinking skills. If change is going to take place, it will have to come from you and me, and not the ruling or monied classes. But changing minds is a prerequisite for social change, and in a society unable to think clearly, changing people minds — that is, away from the confused thinking which has brought us the ‘age of Trump’ — becomes an impossible task. Enter Diego Fontanive and Jessica Schab and the EOF Project: Evolve your Thinking.
Audio can be found here!
Show 537: Local artists Vincent Czyz and Chris Johnson
Local artists Vincent Czyz and Chris Johnson talk about their work concerning religion!
Today, Matthew LaClair speaks with Chris Johnson about his new book A Better Life: cialisfrance24.com 100 Atheists Speak Out on Joy & Meaning in a World Without God.
Also, Barry Seidman talks with author Vincent Czyz about his new novel (concerning whether or not a historical Jesus existed) – The Christos Mosaic.
Audio can be found here!