Humanism Now | Secular Ethics, Curiosity and Compassionate Change
Humanism Now is the weekly podcast for everyone curious, interested or actively engaged in secular humanism. Each Sunday, host James Hodgson—founder of Humanise Live—welcomes scientists, philosophers, activists, authors, entrepreneurs and community leaders who are challenging the status quo and building a fairer, kinder world.
Together we unpack today’s toughest ethical questions—using reason and compassion instead of dogma—and champion universal human rights and flourishing. Expect in-depth interviews on today's pressing issues, from climate action, protecting freedoms, equality & justice to AI ethics and cosmic wonder. Every episode delivers practical take-aways for living an ethical, purpose-driven life while discovering more about ourselves, others and the universe.
Whether you’re a lifelong secular humanist or simply curious about a naturalistic worldview, hit follow for insight-packed conversations that challenge ideas, celebrate human potential and inspire positive change. Join our global community working toward a fairer, kinder and more rational world—for this generation and the next.
Episodes
55 episodes
Introducing The Secular Sankofa Podcast - Reclaiming African Identity Through Secular Humanism
This week we bring we are delighted to share the first episode of The Secular Sankofa Podcast, from the Association of Black Humanists. Subscribe to The Secular Sankofa wherever you get your podcasts!
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32:07
53. David B McLaughlin on Five Humanistic Values for Living Well
“Human dignity is really the foundation for reasoned morality — there’s nothing we can do to increase it or decrease it. Even the worst people still deserve it simply because they’re human.” - David B. McLaughlinDav...
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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34:23
52. Michael Marshall on Compassionate Skepticism: Empowering Critical Thinking, Beyond Being Right
“Being a skeptic doesn’t make me smarter or infallible—it just means I’m trying to fail slightly less often.”Michael Marshall has spent more than 15 years investigating pseudoscience, conspiracy theories and the psycholog...
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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45:08
51. Maggie Ardiente, President of Humanists International on Spreading Joy in the One Life We Have
"Another form of resistance is joy.”Maggie Ardiente, newly elected President of Humanists International, joins Humanism Now to share how humanism grounded in curiosity, compassion, and community can meet today’s rising th...
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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38:14
50. Andrew Copson on Why Humanism Remains Essential in an Age of Extremism, 20 Years of Human Rights Campaigning
“No one ever said it was going to be easy. Humanists don’t think a better world is inevitable—we think a better world is possible, but we have to work for it.”Andrew Copson OBE, Chief Executive of Humanists UK and former ...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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51:10
49. Morgan DeNicola on the Philanthropy of Everyday Action & Dialogue Across Divides
“You don’t change the world. You change the way one person views the world—and then you’ve changed the world for that person.”What if true strength lies not in certainty, but in listening with respect? In this episode, Morgan...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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39:31
James Ogude on Ubuntu's Ethical Framework - Personhood, Co-Agency & Justice (Global Origins of Humanism Series)
Ubuntu: I am because we are. 🌍✨In this bonus episode of Humanism Now, we’re sharing the live recording of Professor James Ogude’s talk from the online event Understanding Ubuntu Traditions part of the ...
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46:12
48. David Livingstone Smith on the Psychology of Dehumanization - Roots, Rhetoric, Myths and How to Resist It
“The arc of history bends towards justice only if you keep pushing it in that direction.”David Livingstone-Smith, Ph.D., award-winning author, Professor of Philosophy at the University of New England and a leading authorit...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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51:44
47. Victoria Mattingly on The Human Side of DEI: Transforming Workplaces Through Data-Driven Inclusion
“Inclusion is the behaviors that result in others feeling valued, respected, seen and heard.”Dr. Victoria Mattingly (Dr. V)—industrial-organizational psychologist, CEO & founder of Mattingly Solutions, and co-author o...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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37:52
46. Bill Angus on Divorcing Jesus: Finding Authentic Community Beyond the Church
“If humanism is anything, it’s self-education. It’s progressing, becoming more educated, more enlightened.” - Dr Bill AngusDr Bill Angus takes us on a provocative journey through his transition from devout evangelical Chr...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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36:45
45. Richard Norman on What is Humanism For?
“It’s on the basis of our shared humanity that we need to try to understand the world and think about how to live in it.”Professor Richard Norman, philosopher and author of What Is Humanism For?, joins us to expl...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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31:08
44. Lizzi Collinge MP on Applying Humanist Values in British Politics
“I believe in autonomy, I believe in choice, I believe in human freedom, and I believe in having less suffering… all of which are fundamentally humanist values.” – Lizzi Collinge MP
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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38:17
43. Katherine Lacefield on Moving from Confrontation to Connection & Campaigning for Causes that Welcome Everyone
"Compassion has no borders" - Katherine LacefieldKatherine Lacefield—founder of Just Be Cause Consulting—shares why swapping confrontational animal-rights tactics for compassion-first community building cre...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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36:22
42. Peruvian Association of Atheist on How Humanist Weddings, Naming & Funerals are Driving Peru's Secular Revolution
“Rituals are in the roots of our humankind.” — Iván AntezanaAdrián Núñez and Iván Antezana—leading organisers of the Peruvian Association of Atheists (APERAT)—reveal how their victory in the 2025 Humanist Accelerator Prog...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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35:35
41. Bridget Shirvell on Parenting in a Climate Crisis: Teaching Kids Curiosity, Resilience & Hope
“Research has found that the amount of questions kids ask dramatically decreases once they start formalized education.” – Bridget ShirvellJournalist and climate-communicator Bridget Shirvell joins Humanism Now...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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32:22
40. Nick Cooney on Going Beyond Good Intentions & the Ethical Impact of What We Leave Undone
“Focusing on the positive outcomes gives you agency; you can literally see the progress happening and that keeps you moving forward.” - Nick CooneyNick Cooney is a social entrepreneur, alternative‑protein investor, and author. H...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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44:20
39. Dr Bo Bennett on Sharpening Critical Thinking, Logical Fallacies & Persuasive Dialogue
“We need to care more about believing what is true than being right and being proved right.” - Bo BennetWith outrage-bait, memes and “gotcha” clips swarming every feed, being able to think about our thinking is no longe...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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38:31
38. Julie Pham on Mastering Curiosity as a Practice
“Curiosity isn’t a trait — it’s a practice. And like any practice, we have to keep doing it even when it’s hard.” — Dr. Julie PhamIn this episode of Humanism Now, we explore curiosity as a practice. Dr. Ju...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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32:40
37. Rachael Reign on Coercive Control Beyond the Home: Protecting Cult Survivors
“Surviving isn’t just about leaving — it’s about learning to trust yourself again after someone else’s voice has lived in your head for years.” — Rachael ReignIn this powerful episode of Humanism Now, Ra...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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49:19
36. JC Candanedo on Art as Activism for Solidarity, Identity and Representation
"Inclusion isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about creating a space where people feel safe enough to stay." - JC CandanedoArtist, activist, and humanist JC Candanedo shares his journey from a Catholic school in Panam...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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41:32
35. Lindsay de Wal on Redefining Chaplaincy & the Rise of non-religious Pastoral Care in the NHS
"Transcendence is the connection with something wider; the world, the cosmos, nature, other fellow human beings, and doing good in this life"— Dr Lindsay De Wal When Dr Lindsay De Wal became the first non-religious h...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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31:16
34. Michael Bauer on Community Services Without Religion: Practical Humanism for a Secular Future
“The highest value, the most precious value we have is not peace—it’s freedom.” — Michael Bauer This week on Humanism Now, we’re joined by Michael Bauer, CEO of Germany...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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31:43
33. Audrey Simmons & Lola Tinubu on Keeping the Faith Out of the Classroom: Smart Move or Overreach?
This episode was originally recorded in May 2024."What we have in common is what is taking us forward." — Lola Tinubu In May 2024, the High Court ruled that Michaela Community School’s “prayer ban” did not unl...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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22:55
32. Alan Palmer on Finding Common Ground Through Faith Dialogues
“If we focus so much on the 5% that divides us, we miss the 95% we already share.” — Alan PalmerAlan Palmer is the former Chair of Central London Humanists, a trustee of Humanists UK, and a lo...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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18:59
31. Katherine Stewart on Money, Lies & God: How Billionaires Weaponised Religion to Undermine Democracy
The pro-life religion we see today is a modern creation. It was created for political purposes." — Katherine StewartKatherine Stewart is an award-winning journalist and author, who has investi...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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34:44
