Humanism Now | Secular Ethics, Curiosity and Compassionate Change

"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 threats to democracy and science. From a Catholic upbringing to global leadership, Maggie lays out a practical, joyful vision: build resilient humanist networks and live our values in the one life we know we have.Connect with Maggie:Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/maggieardiente/LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggieardiente/Topics we coverBuilding humanist community: from campus groups to a global movementWhy labels and groups matter for the non-religiousHumanism in public life: defending democracy, science, and human rightsJoy as resistance: living well as a humanist practicePractical ways to start or grow a local humanist groupMisconceptions about “humanism” in the United StatesLeadership skills for secular nonprofits (fundraising, empathy, voice)Supporting humanists at risk—especially across the Global SouthResources & further readingHumanists International – Global federation advancing humanist values – https://humanists.internationalAmerican Humanist Association – US national org for humanists – https://americanhumanist.orgSecular Coalition for America – Policy advocacy for secular Americans – https://secular.orgPhysicians for Social Responsibility – Health professionals for climate solutions & a nuclear-free world – https://www.psr.orgSend us a textSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live, making podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.

“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 President of Humanists International, joins us for our 50th episode to reflect on two decades of humanist leadership. From growing up in a secular working-class community to championing global human rights, Andrew explains why humanism remains vital in a time of rising extremism, technological disruption, and political uncertainty.Connect with AndrewWebsite – Humanists UKX (Twitter) – @andrewcopsonLinkedIn – Andrew CopsonFacebook - @mrandrewcopsonTopics we cover ✔︎ Growing up secular in working-class Britain ✔︎ Why humanist organizations matter: advocacy, representarion and care ✔︎ Misconceptions about humanism today – “too anti-religious” vs. “too pro-human” ✔︎ The challenge of technology and the meaning of mortality ✔︎ Strategic engagement: when to dialogue, and when not to ✔︎ Transforming Humanists International into a diverse, global movement ✔︎ The campaign to free Mubarak Bala ✔︎ UK priorities ahead: assisted dying, curriculum reform, defending equality ✔︎ Why embracing the identity of “humanist” still mattersResources & further readingSecularism: Politics, Religion and Freedom – Copson (2017)The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Humanism – Copson & Grayling (2015)The Little Book of Humanism Series – Copson & RobertsWhat I Believe – Copson (2025)What I Believe PodcastAndrew Copson’s Farewell Speech to the General Assembly, Humanists International 2025Mubarak Bala case – Humanists InternatioSend us a textSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live, making podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.

“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 DeNicola, Executive Director of the DeNicola Family Foundation, shares how dialogue across divides, cultural diplomacy and everyday acts of humanity redefine what philanthropy can mean. From working with to fostering cross-cultural understanding worldwide, Morgan shows how compassion, curiosity and calm self-control can build bridges in even the most polarized spaces.Connect with MorganFacebook – Morgan DeNicolaInstagram – @morgan.slikerdenicolaLinkedIn – Morgan DeNicolaTikTok – @morganslikerdenicolaTopics we cover ✔︎ The 360-degree value of diverse viewpoints ✔︎ Philanthropy as “love of humanity” beyond financial giving ✔︎ Finding common ground across ideological divides ✔︎ Diplomacy as an everyday superpower of relationship-building ✔︎ Practical mental health strategies for service-driven work ✔︎ Why self-control and calm are ultimate strengths in dialogue ✔︎ The four pillars of the DeNicola Family Foundation: conservation, world health, humanitarian recognition, cultural diplomacyResources & further readingHumpty Dumpty Institute – Fostering dialogue with Congress, UN and global partnersDeNicola Family Foundation – Supporting world health, conservation, diplomacy and recognition initiativesAmitofo Care Centre – Orphan and education programmes in AfricaAmerican Thoracic Society – Global conference supporting medical research in lung healthElmwood Park Zoo - Inspiring appreciation for wildlife, the environment & active participation in conservationMorgan's "Six or Nine" Cartoon T-ShirtSend us a textSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live, making podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.

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 Global Origins of Humanism series (co-hosted by Central London Humanists and the Association of Black Humanists). Prof. Ogude is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria, and a leading authority on Ubuntu—the African ethical tradition of community, compassion and shared humanity.About the seriesThe Global Origins of Humanism series is a new programme of online talks and discussions exploring philosophical traditions from around the world that have influenced modern humanist thought. At each event CLH & ABH welcome a leading scholar to introduce their area of expertise, followed by audience discussion.These events are free to attend online and open to everyone. Upcoming events (RSVP on Meetup to join live)Roots of Rationalism in India with Alavari “AJ” Jeevathol — Wed 17 Sept 2025, 7pm UK In Search of Zera Yacob with Dr Jonathan Egid — Wed 15 Oct 2025, 7pm UKProf. Ogude covers;How personhood is earned through relationships and communityHow Ubuntu differs from Western individualismCo-agency: interconnectedness of human and non-human lifeUbuntu as an ecological ethic for climate and sustainability challengesThe material dimension of dignity: why justice must include economic needsArchbishop Tutu’s role in elevating Ubuntu to a universal framework for reconciliationUbuntu as a process of becoming, not a fixed identitySelected Books by James OgudeUbuntu and PersonhoodUbuntu and the EverydayUbuntu and the Reconstitution of Community More about the organisersCentral London Humanists: Send us a textSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live, making podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.

“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 authority on dehumanization joins us to unpack how ordinary people come to see others as “less than human,” why that shift makes atrocities feel morally necessary, and what practical tools can help us resist it. His books include Less Than Human (Anisfield-Wolf Award), On Inhumanity (OUP), and Making Monsters (HUP; Joseph B. Gittler Award; Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize shortlist).Connect with David Livingstone-SmithWebsite – https://www.davidlivingstonesmith.comNewsletter – https://davidlivingstonesmith.substack.com/University profile – https://www.une.edu/people/david-livingstone-smithMedia – https://www.davidlivingstonesmith.com/mediaTopics we coverWhat dehumanization is: conceiving others as subhuman creatures or monstersHow we hold contradictory beliefs (human and subhuman) at the same timeThe role of epistemic authority, leaders, “experts” and propaganda, in spreading dehumanizationWhy racialization often precedes full dehumanizationMoral framing of mass violence as “self-defence” against monstersEconomic insecurity and social fear as fertile ground for dehumanizing narrativesPsychological self-defense: recognizing our manipulabilityWhat actually helps: honest historical education, dismantling racial thinking, and a robust pressResources & further readingLess Than Human: Why We Demean, Enslave, and Exterminate Others (2011) – https://www.davidlivingstonesmith.com/project-09On Inhumanity: Dehumanization and How to Resist It (2020) – https://www.davidlivingstonesmith.com/on-inhumanityMaking Monsters: The Uncanny Power of Dehumanization (2021) – https://www.davidlivingstonesmith.com/making-monstersSend us a textSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live, making podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.

“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 of Inclusalytics—joins us to show how rigorous data and deeply human connection can coexist. We unpack practical, measurable ways to build cultures of belonging—at work and in communities—where people can thrive as their authentic selves.Connect with Dr. Victoria MattinglyWebsite – mattinglysolutions.comInstagram – @drvictoriamattinglyLinkedIn – /in/vpmattingly/Dr V.s Udemy Course: Ally Up: How to Build and Activate Ally PartnershipsDr V. on Google Scholar – https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=L9cutXEAAAATopics we cover ✔︎ Defining inclusion with outcomes: behaviours that make others feel valued, respected, seen, and heard ✔︎ “Inclusalytics”: merging workplace inclusion with analytics to measure belonging ✔︎ Why the platinum rule (treat others as they want to be treated) surpasses the golden rule ✔︎ The difference between mentorship and sponsorship—and why sponsors accelerate equity ✔︎ How executive sponsors can empower ERGs without overstepping ✔︎ Allyship as active behavior, not identity ✔︎ Three characteristics of effective partners in allyship: self-awareness, trust, and action orientation ✔︎ Capturing positive behaviors—why we should measure allyship, not just discrimination ✔︎ Using AI and language data ethically to advance inclusionResources & further readingPre order: Act Like an Ally, Work With an Ally – Victoria Mattingly – Mattingly Solutions | KindleInclusalytics: How DEI Leaders Use Data to Drive Their Work – Victoria Mattingly & Sertrice Grice – Amazon | GoodreadsSend us a textSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live, making podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.

“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 Christian to secular humanist in this candid, thought-provoking conversation. After 30 years of committed faith, Angus found himself re-examining the foundations of Christianity, leading to what he calls a “divorce” from Jesus. With humour and clarity, he challenges us to rethink what religion offers – and what humanism makes possible instead.Connect with Bill & Resources:• Divorcing Jesus: Atheism for Absolute Beginners – Bill Angus (2024) – Amazon• Website – billangus.com • Bluesky – @billangus.bsky.social• Humanists New Zealand – humanist.nzTopics we cover ✔︎ Why Bill felt “divorcing Jesus” was the right metaphor for leaving faith ✔︎ Jesus as historical figure vs. fictionalised character of modern Christianity ✔︎ How religion can stunt personal growth through “instant salvation” ✔︎ Humanism as a practice of continuous learning and self-education ✔︎ Rethinking forgiveness, love, and moral values outside divine command ✔︎ Finding authentic community beyond the church ✔︎ Building strength and integrity through secular humanism ✔︎ The wide horizons of life after religionSend us a textSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live, making podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.

“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 explore the enduring question at the heart of secular ethics. From his journey out of Christianity to his role shaping humanist thought in the UK, Richard shares why humanism matters, how it offers a coherent framework for living well, and why it must evolve to address urgent global challenges like climate change and artificial intelligence.Topics we cover ✔︎ Defining humanism in plain language for all ages ✔︎ Why naturalism underpins humanist philosophy ✔︎ Core values, cooperation, compassion, justice, as products of our social nature ✔︎ Erich Fromm’s “frame of orientation and devotion” and its relevance today ✔︎ How shared values are replacing religion as social glue ✔︎ Climate change and AI as defining issues for future humanist engagement ✔︎ The role of dialogue with religious communities in building understanding ✔︎ Avoiding stereotypes while strengthening humanist identity ✔︎ Inspiring curiosity and critical thinking through school talksResources & referencesWhat Is Humanism For? – Richard Norman (2025) On Humanism – Richard Norman (2nd ed., 2012) Understanding Humanism – Andrew Copson, Luke Donnellan & Richard Norman (2022) Humanist Climate Action – https://humanists.uk/climate-actionHumanists UK School Speakers Programme – Humanists UK  https://humanists.uk/community/school-speakersThe Sane Society  – Erich Fromm (1955)“Values are the New Religion” – Linda Woodhead  (Cadbury Lectures, University of Birmingham, 2021) Send us a textSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live, making podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.

“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 MPLizzi Collinge—Labour MP for Morecambe & Lunesdale and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group—shares how openly declaring “I am a humanist” now shapes her work on championing freedom, autonomy and human rights through cross-party collaboration at Westminster. Lizzi Collinge MP🏛️ Parliament contact –Lizzi Collinge MP 𝕏 Twitter – @LizziCollinge📸 Instagram – @lizzicollinge👍 Facebook – @LizziCollingeTopics we cover ✔︎ Owning a humanist identity in Parliament ✔︎ Lizzi’s life experiences, values & advice for future politicians ✔︎ Putting values into action: autonomy, freedom, less suffering ✔︎ Why transparency about values builds better policy ✔︎ Assisted Dying Bill process & progress ✔︎ APPGs as engines for cross-party problem-solving ✔︎ Confronting illegal schools and protecting children’s education ✔︎ Standing up for persecuted people worldwideReferencesHighest number of MPs ever take secular affirmation – Humanists UK Lizzi Collinge’s maiden speech (“I am a humanist”) - HansardTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – UK ParliamentAll-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group – Humanists UKIllegal Faith Schools – Humanists UK  Mubarak Bala Update – Humanists InternationalSend us a textSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live, making podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.

"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 creates deeper, lasting change for animals, people and the planet.Connect with KatherineWebsite – justbecause.consultingFacebook – @JustBeCauseConsultingInstagram – @just.because.consultingTikTok – @justbecauseconsultingThreads – @just.because.consultingLinkedIn – /in/katherine-mac-donaldTopics we cover ✔︎ From “I hate people” to human-centred advocacy ✔︎ Closing the values–action gap ✔︎ Why confrontation backfires—and what works instead ✔︎ One Health: linking human, animal & environmental wellbeing ✔︎ Letting go of perfectionism in activismResources & further readingJust Be Cause Consulting – Fundraising & strategy for mission-driven orgs – www.justbecause.consultingJust Be Cause PodcastPodcast (Apple) – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-just-be-cause-podcast/id1743692401Podcast (Spotify) – https://open.spotify.com/show/3IKpckZtQIwrUrXL8i0IY0WHO “One Health”- an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems.Send us a textSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live, making podcasting easy for charities and social causes. Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light Prism Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.