Humanism Now | A Podcast on Secular Ethics 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
42 episodes
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
30. S.I. Martin on Uncovering Britain's Hidden Histories & the Power of Storytelling
"Isn't it true that we are the stories we tell ourselves?" — S.I. MartinThis week on Humanism Now, we’re joined by S.I. Martin—historian, author, and patron of Humanists UK—whose work has reshaped how we understa...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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29:34
29. Faith to Faithless on Finding Community after Leaving High-Control Groups (part of Podcastathon 2025)
This special episode of Humanism Now is released as part of Podcastathon 2025, the world’s largest podcast charity initiative. We’re proud to dedicate this episode to Faith to Faithless, a programme by Humanists UK suppor...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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45:04
28. Susie Alegre on the Algorithmic Assault on Human Rights: How AI Threatens Our Core Freedoms
AI technologies pose significant threats to fundamental human rights, reinforcing historical biases and power imbalances. This week, we are joined by Susie Alegre, international human rights lawyer and author, to explore the impact of ge...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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39:58
27. Happy Human Lithuania on the Magic of Humanist Ceremonies & Growing Social Enterprises
Humanist ceremonies—weddings, namings, and funerals—are growing rapidly worldwide, offering non-religious, deeply personal ways to mark life’s most significant moments. Laimingas Žmogus (Happy Human) is a social enterpris...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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30:12
26. Nathan Stilwell on the Need for Compassionate Assisted Dying Legislation & End of Life Care
Welcome back to Humanism Now for a special episode coinciding with the critical upcoming UK Parliament vote on assisted dying — a pivotal moment we've long campaigned for and debated. In this episode we hear how what the bill entails, wh...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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31:34
25. Paul Harrison on Humanists in Business, plus Approaches to Activism Discussion
"It's difficult to think of an area of work life that isn't connected to humanistic thought. If you start with ideas around the dignity of each human, compassion, kindness, ambitions, ways to behave, being evidence-based and being equitable...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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1:06:28
24. Lori Marriott on Humanist Climate Action
"A key tenet of humanism is empathy. Whether that's empathy for those around us or to all humans, but also we should extend that to all life of exists, and then forward in time, to future generations." - Lori Marriott<...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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1:12:57
23. Ariel Pontes on the Quest for Ethical Consciousness in a Divided World
"It's really not as hard as people think to have a peaceful conversation with somebody who disagrees profoundly with you on deep questions." - Ariel Pontes This week on Humanism Now we share our w...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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1:24:37
22. Ojas Singh Bhanot on Cultivating Student Groups plus Fostering Scientific Literacy in Society
"Humanism is about human goodness, appreciating reason & potential" - Ojas Singh BhanotThis week on Humanism Now, Mark & Nicole join the panel to discuss how illegal faith schools den...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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1:04:22
21. Valerie Jack on Finding Peace in Grief without God
“The irony of man's condition is that the deepest need is to be free of the anxiety of death and annihilation; but it is life itself which awakens it, and so we must shrink from being fully alive.” ― Ernest Becker, The Denial ...
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59:23
20. Monica Belițoiu, ASUR on Championing Secularism & Science Across Europe
Welcome back to Humanism Now! This week AJ & Mark from the Central London Humanists join the panel to discuss the latest news, plus our interview with Monica Belițoiu, Chair of The Romanian Secular Humanist Associ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:04:43
