Humanism Now | Empowering Conversations with Voices for Reason, Compassion and Change

“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. He joins Humanism Now to discuss to unpack the hidden moral cost of doing nothing. Drawing on insights from his new book What We Don’t Do, Nick explains why inaction outweighs mis‑action, how to count the suffering we can prevent, and why business, capital and compassion must pull in the same direction.Topics we cover✔︎ The four‑quadrant framework of action vs inaction✔︎ Measuring impact: turning empathy into numbers✔︎ Beating overwhelm with data‑driven altruism✔︎ Alternative proteins and the end of factory farming✔︎ Lever VC’s investment thesis & the business case for good✔︎ Animal suffering as a neglected moral emergency✔︎ Effective altruism, long‑termism and their critiques✔︎ Habits that keep the “do‑more” muscle strongConnect with NickWebsite – nickcooney.comLinkedInInstagramMediumResearchGateResourcesWhat We Don’t Do – Nick Cooney (2025)Nick Cooney BooksChange of HeartVeganomicsHow to Be Great at Doing GoodLever VC – global VC fund for sustainable food innovationLever Foundation – non‑profit accelerating humane food systemsThe Humane League – farm‑animal advocacy organisationGood Food Institute – think‑tank for alt‑protein R&D and policySend us a textSupport the showSupport us on Patreon Advertising opportunitiesClick here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics. Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPod YouTube Instagram TikTok X BlueSky Threads This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism

“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 longer optional. Social psychologist, entrepreneur and Positive Humanism author Dr Bo Bennett joins host James Hodgson to show why critical thinking is a life skill for everyone, not a luxury for academics. Drawing on decades spent dissecting logical fallacies (plus a generous dose of humour), Bo maps out how we can swap combativeness for curiosity—and outrage for evidence—in our daily conversations. In this episodeSystem 1 vs System 2: knowing when to hit the cognitive brakes25 “greatest-hits” fallacies—from appeal to authority to the straw manAristotle’s trio of logic, emotion & character (and why emotion is only fallacious when it replaces reason)The Socratic method for lowering defences and dodging the back-fire effect“You need to care more about believing what is true than being right and being proved right.” —BoExpertise-transfer traps: why even humanists can slip up on politics or scienceHandling contrarian takes on settled research: focus on the scientific processA practical habit: run emotional posts through AI for a fast, source-linked fact-check before you hit shareFollow Dr Bo BennettWebsite & books: bobennett.comLogical fallacy database: https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsbennett/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bobennett7750ResourcesLogically Fallacious — Dr Bo BennettThinking, Fast and Slow — Daniel KahnemanEnjoying the show? Please rate, review and subscribe so you never miss a conversation that moves humanism Send us a textSupport the showSupport us on Patreon Advertising opportunitiesClick here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics. Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPod YouTube Instagram TikTok X BlueSky Threads This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism

“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. Julie Pham — social scientist, community builder, and author of the bestselling 7 Forms of Respect® — joins us to unpack how curiosity, respect, and communication transform not just workplaces, but our relationships and communities.As the founder and CEO of CuriosityBased, Dr. Pham teaches leaders and teams how to embed curiosity into daily practice — through self-awareness, relationship-building, and clear communication. Drawing from her personal story and professional insight, Julie shares how our assumptions about listening, respect, and disagreement shape the way we connect and collaborate.In this episode:Why curiosity is a skill, not a trait — and how to develop itHow to approach difficult conversations using the CAFA method (Context, Action, Feeling, Ask)The difference between hearing and believing — and why it mattersRespect is relative: how upbringing and culture shape our communicationHow curiosity bridges differences — even across generational, cultural, and political dividesWhen not to have the conversation: the two questions to ask before engagingFeatured Resources:📕 7 Forms of Respect: www.formsofrespect.com🧠 CuriosityBased: www.curiositybased.com🎥 TEDx TalkCuriosity as a Practice: Watch here🎧 Curiosity at Work podcast: Listen hereFollow Dr. Julie Pham:📸 @juliephamphd on Instagram🎵 @juliephamphd on TikTok📸 @curiositybased on Instagram💼 @curiositybased on TikTok📘 Send us a textSupport the showSupport us on Patreon Advertising opportunitiesClick here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics. Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPod YouTube Instagram TikTok X BlueSky Threads This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism

“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, Rachael Reign, survivor and founder of Surviving Universal UK, shares her deeply personal story of escaping spiritual abuse and coercive control and her ongoing campaign to protect others.As founder of Surviving Universal UK, Rachael supports other survivors of high-control groups and leads a growing campaign to amend Section 76 of the UK Serious Crime Act.In this episodeRachael's journey into, and out of, UCKGWhat draws vulnerable young people into high-control groupsHow unpaid labour and spiritual obedience become normalisedWhat led Rachael to walk away and how she supports other survivorsThe warning signs of cultic or coercively controlling groupsWhere UK law falls short in protecting against coercive control outside domestic settingsHow we can hold abusive systems accountableThe role the public  and policymakers can play in driving survivor-led legal reformSurviving Universal UK🔗Surviving Universal UK📧 info@survivinguniversaluk.org📸 @survivinguniversaluk🎵 @survivinguniversalukContact Rachael🌳linktr.ee 🎤Speaker bookings - Rachael Reign📸 @MsrachaelreignResourcesBBC PanoramaThe GuardianThe LondonerNeed support?If you or someone you know has been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Faith to Faithless are here to helpSend us a textSupport the showSupport us on Patreon Advertising opportunitiesClick here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics. Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPod YouTube Instagram TikTok X BlueSky Threads This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism

 "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 Panama to the art studios of London. His work weaves together identity, displacement, and community action, exploring how creativity can challenge injustice and build inclusive, compassionate societies.In this epsiode, JC reflects on growing up atheist in a deeply religious culture, navigating migration and marginalisation, and why the arts are one of the most powerful tools we have for social transformation. JC shares the challenges of creating welcoming spaces within the humanist community, and how diversity and solidarity must be more than just aspirations—they must be action.Key Topics CoveredHow JC’s atheist upbringing in Catholic Panama shaped his identity and activismArt as language: using creativity to open space for difficult but vital conversationsWhy Latin American and Arab/North African diasporas are "invisibilized" in UK systemsThe work of the Noria Collective in building solidarity among Global Majority communitiesHow JC discovered humanism later in life—and how it changed his view of religionPractical advice for humanist groups on inclusion, outreach, and community careFollow JC🔗 JC’s Work: jccandanedo.com🔗 Noria Collective: wearenoria.com / 📷 @we.are.noria🔗 Axis: axisweb.org📣 Campaign: banconversiontherapy.com📷 Instagram: @jccandanedo💼 LinkedIn: jccandanedoSend us a textSupport the showSupport us on Patreon Advertising opportunitiesClick here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics. Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPod YouTube Instagram TikTok X BlueSky Threads This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism

"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 head of chaplaincy in the NHS, she redefined what spiritual support can look like in modern healthcare. From sceptical colleagues to international media headlines, her appointment marked a turning point for inclusive pastoral care. In this powerful and personal conversation, Lindsay shares how she built a humanist framework for care grounded in deep listening, horizontal transcendence and unwavering compassion.In This EpisodeWhy only 4% of hospital chaplaincy visits serve non-religious patientsHow the Netherlands became a global leader in humanist pastoral careWhat “horizontal transcendence” means—and why it matters in non-religious careThe art of active listening and the power of silence in emotional supportHow to become a humanist pastoral carer—and why demand is growing fastThe rise of the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network across the NHSFollow Dr. Lindsay de WalLinktree: https://linktr.ee/Dr.LdWUK Non‑religious Pastoral Support NetworkEpisode References: Become a Pastoral Carer, UK Non-Religious Pastoral Support NetworkThe Development of Non-Religious Pastoral Support in the UK, Dr David Savage History of The Netherlands Humanists Association, Humanistisch VerbondInterview with Lindsay de Wal: UK’s First Humanist NHS Chaplain on Non-Religious Pastoral Care, The Humanist Send us a textSupport the showSupport us on Patreon Advertising opportunitiesClick here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics. Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPod YouTube Instagram TikTok X BlueSky Threads This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism

“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’s Humanistische Vereinigung—a 175-year-old humanist organisation offering professional community services without religion, grounded in ethics, dignity, and freedom.From ceremony to solidarity, Bauer shows how organised humanism is more than a philosophy—it’s a movement of services, institutions, and action. Discover how practical humanism is creating a visible, inclusive, and values-driven future.We discuss:How the Humanist Association of Germany began in the 1848 and how it survived twice being bannedThe importance of physical infrastructure and visible presence for secular communitiesHow humanism serves as an ethical alternative providing meaning, guidance, and community—without supernatural beliefWhy inclusive, values-led services matter in a plural society, and how secular support systems can serve everyoneThe Humanists Shelter Program and the three-year diplomatic effort to bring humanist Mubarak Bala to safetyThe need for political engagement, funding, and infrastructure to build influence and lasting changeA powerful personal reflection on defending humanist values in times of crisisAbout Michael Bauer  🔗  michaelbauer.info📰 Interview with In-sight PublishingConnect with Humanistische Vereinigung   🔗 humanistische-vereinigung.de📷  @humanistischevereinigung🐦  @HV_Presse🌳 Linktree: humanistischevereinigungReferences:Humanists Shelter Program, Humanistische VereinigungSend us a textSupport the showSupport us on Patreon Advertising opportunitiesClick here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics. Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPod YouTube Instagram TikTok X BlueSky Threads This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism

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 unlawfully interfere with students’ rights to religious freedom. This landmark decision reaffirmed the importance of secular education in promoting social cohesion — and raised questions about how schools should handle religion in increasingly diverse societies.In this episode, Audrey Simmons and Lola Tinubu — co-leaders of the Association of Black Humanists and long-time Central London Humanists members — apply their legal and education expertise to unpack the implications of the case for humanists, educators, and advocates of a secular society.Key Topics CoveredThe background of Michaela Community School and its secular ethosWhy the court upheld the school’s ban under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human RightsThe tension between parental influence, religious identity, and student rightsWhy secular school environments can better accommodate diversity within religionsHow education must focus on shared humanity to address collective global challengesWhy this ruling gives schools confidence to protect inclusive and evidence-based educationEpisode resources:BBC News: Michaela School: Muslim student loses prayer ban challengeHumanists UK: Humanists UK respond to Michaela School ‘prayer ban’ rulingSend us a textSupport the showSupport us on Patreon Advertising opportunitiesClick here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics. Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPod YouTube Instagram TikTok X BlueSky Threads This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism

“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 long-time NHS Trust Director. With over 17 years of experience in grassroots organising, Alan shares how London’s most active humanist group grew from pub chats to public campaigns, and how dialogue, ethics, and diversity remain central to its mission.In This EpisodeHow Central London Humanists became the UK’s largest humanist groupWhy participation is harder in a more secular, but less mobilised, societyLessons from pioneering Catholic-Humanist and Muslim-Humanist dialogueThe power of repeating others’ views honestly in effective dialogueWorking on COVID-19 triage ethics as an NHS Trust DirectorWhy diversity, campaigning, and neutrality all matter in modern humanismReflections on political inclusivity and unity across difference🔗 Learn more or join a CLH event www.centrallondonhumanists.org.uk🔗 Learn more or join The Blackham Societyhttps://humanists.uk/join-the-blackham-society/This episode was originally recorded in January 2024.Send us a textSupport the showSupport us on Patreon Advertising opportunitiesClick here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics. Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPod YouTube Instagram TikTok X BlueSky Threads This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism

Katherine Stewart, an award-winning journalist and author, dives deep into the alarming rise of religious nationalism and its ties to billionaires. She discusses how the 'Good News Club' reveals the stealth tactics of these nationalists and the historical roots that have made abortion a political tool. Stewart emphasizes the manipulation of religious sentiments for power and the global ramifications of these movements. Yet, she also offers a glimmer of hope, advocating for voter engagement and a focus on core societal issues to counteract the erosion of democracy.