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
81 episodes
75. Taming Your Impostor Monster with Dr AJ Lauer
Support Humanism Now and Join Our Community!"Culture is a representation of what our habits are on a daily basis. If we drop the habit, we are not building the culture we're wanti...
.png)
74. TikTok Humanist TimTalks on Deconstructing Religion Out Loud
"You are unlocked to a whole new world... you're not alone, and it's that community that makes you reaffirming yourself"Timothy David, known as Tim Talks, is a UK-based content creator whose TikTok videos on humanism, fai...
73. How Norwegian Humanists Changed a Nation | Tale Pleym on Ceremonies, Confirmation & European Secular Services
Support Humanism Now and Join Our Community!https://ko-fi.com/humanismnowpod"That's what humanism is about, isn'...
Introducing: Unholy Histories The Humanist Heritage Podcast from Humanists UK
Subscribe to Unholy Histories wherever you get your podcasts:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/u...
72. From Fear To Freedom: Reclaiming “Apostate” In Life After High-Control Religion
Support Humanism Now and Join Our Community! Micki McAllen, known online as Apostate Barbie, spent 30 years as a Jehovah's Witness before leaving in 2021. Now based in the...
71. Beyond Belief: Humanism From The Heart with Steve Ghikadis
Support Humanism Now and Join Our Community! “Curiosity leads to fully understanding someone’s situation and being empathetic to that person.” Steve Ghi...
70. Science, Trust, and the History of Quacks with Jenny Lange
Support Humanism Now and Join Our Community! - ko-fi.com/humanismnowpod "Science is not objective. It is subjective. And I think ha...
69. New Report: How UK Asylum Process Fails Non-Religious Refugees with Dr Lucy Potter
"Home Office officials do not understand what apostasy is — and this affects how non-religious asylum seekers are recognised, questioned, and believed."Dr Lucy Potter returns to Humanism Now to share the findings of her landmark...
Podcasthon 2026 Special: How Freedom From Torture Helps Survivors Heal
"An estimated one person in three seeking asylum in the UK has experienced torture in their home country."This is a bonus episode of Humanism Now, recorded as part of Podcasthon 202...
.png)
68. The Science Of Weird Stuff with Prof. Chris French
"We're at a time when we need critical thinking more than ever, and sadly, I'm not really seeing it happening." Professor Chris French is one of the world's leading researchers in anomalistic psychology and cri...
67. Meet the British Army's First Ever Humanist Chaplain with Padre Neil Weddel & Clare Elcombe Webber
“Chaplaincy is defined by function, it’s not defined by belief.”Padre Dr Neil Weddell, the first ever non-religious pastoral carer (humanist chaplain) appointed in the British Army, joins Humanism Now alongside Clare Elcombe We...
Introducing Freedom of Thought by Humanists International
SUBSCRIBE TO FREEDOM OF THOUGHT:Apple Podcasts
66. Fish Stark on How The AHA Is Building a Humanist Revival In America
"If science tells you what's real and compassion tells you what's right, you're a humanist" - Fish StarkFish Stark, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association (AHA), joins Humanism Now to unpack what a modern humanis...
65. CampQuest UK Returns! How Kids Camps Build Confidence, Community, and Critical Thinking
“It was a very safe space to be able to say, I got that wrong.”CampQuest UK Programme Director Alistair Lichten (Humanist Dad) and camper-turned-volunteer Katy Pugh join ...
64. Empathy in Action: Wil Jeudy on Uniting Secular Politics
“Humanism is increasing well-being and decreasing suffering for as many people as possible.” - Wil Jeudy In this episode, Wil Jeudy, a secular humanist and political organiser based in Texas, shares how empathy...
.png)
63. Powering A Humane Future with Zion Lights
“I changed my mind because I cared about alleviating energy poverty.”Order now: Energy is Life: Why Environmentalism Went Nuclear, by Zion Lights
62. From Commons Victory To Lords Gridlock: Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Update with Nathan Stilwell, Humanists UK
In this short update epsiode, we are pleased to welcome back Nathan Stilwell, Humanists UK's Assisted dying Campaign Coordinat...
61. Empowering Leaders for Secular Groups that Thrive, with Darrel Ray
“Most people want community, and yet these communities keep disappearing.” Dr. Darrel Ray is a psychologist, author, and organizational leader who has spent decades helping individuals leave religious belief systems and sup...
60. Dr Alfredo Carpineti on Invisible Rainbows, the Unseen Universe and Pride in STEM
"I blame dinosaurs, and I blame London." Astrophysicist and science communicator Dr Alfredo Carpineti (IFLScience, The Big Questions; creator of The Astroholic Explains; founder and chair of Pride in...
59. 2025 in Humanism - Deconstruction, Collaboration, Resistance & TikTok
As Humanism Now wraps up 2025, host James Hodgson is joined by familiar voices from across the UK humanist movement to reflect on the year just gone and look ahead to 2026. Together, they explore community-building, youth engagement, act...
58. Dr. Lois Lee on the Magic of Santa, Secular Rituals and Why Christmas Still Matters
“[Magical beliefs in childhood] serve an important function.” - Dr Lois LeeFor our festive special, Dr. Lois Lee, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Kent and one of the world’s leading scholar...
.png)
57. Will Gervais on the Origins of Religion, Disbelief, and Morality
“Humans didn’t evolve to believe in gods — we evolved to learn from culture, and sometimes culture points away from gods.”Dr Will M. Gervais, psychologist and author of Disbelief, joins Humanism Now to e...
56. Indian Rationalism to Global Humanist Resistance - Alavari Jeevathol on Duty, Dialogue & Youth Power
“Activism is the rent we pay to live on this world.” Alavari JeevatholAJ board member of Humanists International, founding trustee of the National Multifaith Youth Centre, and National Co...
55. Sarah Levin on Secular Strategies to Mobilise Coalitions Defending Church–State Separation
“We will lose a lot before we win — that’s just the reality of starting the race 50 years behind.” — Sarah M. LevinSarah M. Levin - strategist, lobbyist, founder of Secular Strategies and co-founder ...
54. Nursing the Nation Hosts on Why Nurses Belong At The Centre Of Public Debate About Health, Policy and Human Dignity
“Nursing is the most humanistic of professions — it operationalises the philosophical groundings of humanism.” — Jamie Bourgeois “Nurses have 24/7 eyes on the human experience — we see how policy shows up in re...
