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

"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 understand Black British history and the power of storytelling.From his upbringing in a religious family in Bedford to decades spent uncovering erased narratives, Steve shares how early exposure to music, books, and doubt led him to scepticism and ultimately humanism.We discuss:The importance of embedding Black British history into everyday landscapes and classroomsRobert Wedderburn, revolutionary preacher and free thinkerUnique challenges faced by Black atheists in religious communitiesHow historical fiction can reshape cultural imagination and offer new identitiesWhy humanist groups must evolve to become more inclusive, especially for younger generationsThe hidden social history of Black-owned pubs in 18th- and 19th-century LondonExplore S.I. Martin’s work:🌐simartin.org.uk📖 Books by S.I. Martin ❌ @simartin on X📺 A History of Black Freethought (Humanists UK Convention 2023)📺 The Beliefs of Black Georgians (Humanist Heritage)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

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 supporting those leaving high-control religious groups. Three incredible guests—George, Leena, and Sarah—share raw, courageous accounts of their journeys out of fundamentalist religions and the new communities they're helping to build.Faith to Faithless is proudly marking its 10th anniversary in 2025, celebrating a decade of support, solidarity, and advocacy for apostates.⭐ Episode HighlightsLife inside high-control religious groupsThe emotional toll of shunning and "thought crimes"How Faith to Faithless supports apostates across the UKStarting new peer groups and reclaiming lost experiencesWhy public services and mental health professionals must understand apostasy better📺 Introducing Faith to Faithless | Helping people leaving high-control religious groups (2 mins)Need support?If you or someone you know has been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Faith to Faithless are here to help.Faith to Faithless Helpline (UK): 0800 448 0748📞Opening hours (Wed 10am–1pm, Thu 4pm–7pm, Fri 8am–11am)📧 Email: helpline@faithtofaithless.com 🌐 More info: www.faithtofaithless.com********Also mentioned in this episode:Recovering from Religion offers peer and professional support offering  hope, healing, and support to those struggling with issues of doubt and non-belief. Contact RFR here.********Podcastathon is the world’s largest podcast charity initiative — a global wave of inspiring episodes released simultaneously by podcasters everywhere, all in support of causes they care about. The aim? To raise awareness for hundreds of charities by uniting storytellers in one powerful, coordinated moment each March. 🎧 Be part of the movement: 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

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 generative AI on gender and racial equality, labour markets, and information ecosystems.Susie has worked for international NGOs like Amnesty International and organisations including the UN, the EU and the Council of Europe. Susie has published two books covering the critical issue or technology's impact on human rights; “Freedom to Think” (2022) was a Financial Times Technology Book of the Year 2022 and shortlisted for the Royal Society of Literature Christopher Bland Prize 2023 and “Human Rights, Robot Wrongs: Being Human in the Age of AI” published in 2024.  The episode covers; How AI systems, like ChatGPT, perpetuate gender and racial biasesThe "Pygmalion" pattern in AI designPotential longterm effects on skills, education and social interactionsThe rise of "ultra-processed information" and its consequences for the internetLegal risks and the role of effective regulationEnforcement in addressing AI's human rights risksWhen AI applications may be valuable—and when they are not📅 To learn more about Susie Alegre’s work, visit: 🔗 susiealegre.com 🔗 alegre.ai 🔗 CIGI Profile📩 info@susiealegre.com 📷  @susiealegre 💼 Linkedin: Susie AlegreSend 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

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 enterprise based in Lithuania, dedicated to making these ceremonies accessible and meaningful. This week we are delighted to be joined by Urtė Žukauskaitė-Zabukė, Founder and CEO, and Gerda Surgautaitė, Co-Founder of Laimingas Žmogus to share insights into establishing meaningful non-religious ceremonies that resonate with diverse populations and the launch of the Humanist Ceremonies Accelerator, a pioneering initiative designed to help humanist organisations around the world establish sustainable social enterprises through humanist ceremonies.  The episode covers;- The rapid growth of humanist ceremonies globally - Introduction of the Humanist Ceremonies Accelerator programme- Addressing the unique challenges to secularism in Lithuania- Inspiring stories of uniquely tailored ceremonies - Practical advice for starting humanist social enterprises If you’re interested in the Humanist Ceremonies Accelerator, visit the Humanist International webpage for details about participation. Apply here by 14th March 2025: https://humanists.international/blog/join-the-humanist-ceremonies-accelerator/Follow Laimingas Žmogus (Happy Human Lithunia)🔗 laimingaszmogus.lt📷 @laimingas.zmogusSend 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

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, why it matters and how safe assisted dying aligns with values of compassion and autonomy.Joining us is Nathan Stilwell, Humanists UK's Assisted Dying Campaign Coordinator, Campaigns and Communications Manager at My Death My Decision and a member of The Assisted Dying Coalition Secretariat. Nathan joins us to discuss the context of this crucial vote, why Humanists UK champions this cause, and why now is the right time for change. We also address key societal concerns and shares how you can get involved to promote this cause and other important humanist issues. SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN - WRITE TO YOUR MPContact & follow Nathan Stilwell📧 nathan@humanists.uk ℹ️ Humanists UK Assisted Dying Campaign✖️ Twitter Episode References:MPs to get first vote on assisted dying for nine years, BBCHumanists UK Statement on scope of the Assisted Dying Bill (22 Oct 2024)Former archbishop of Canterbury urges bishops in Lords to back assisted dying bill, The GuardianMedic MPs urge support for assisted dying bill, BBCBBC: Right-to-die man Tony Nicklinson dead after refusing food, BBC (2013)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

"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, fair and not biased wherever possible, you start to understand that those are the foundational concepts of humanism" - Paul Harrison, Humanists in Business NetworkThis week on Humanism Now, new panellist Christian joins AJ to discuss activism and campaigning; what makes an activist, why is it important to humanism and how has activism changed in the digital age? Plus we introduce CLH's new campaigns initiative. Our guest interview is with Paul Harrison, Coordinator of the Humanists in Business Network, part of Humanists UK, Co-Founder of the UK chapter of the Humanistic Management Network & Partner at KPMG UK.Panel references:Atheism PlusGro Harlem BrundtlandNiels BohrFridtjof Nansen & the Nansen PassportHans Rosling TED TalksMoral (Self) Licensing Arab Spring'Clicktivism'About Paul Harrison & the HiB NetworkKPMG ProfileHumanists in Business Network LinkedIn PageHumanists in Business LinkedIn GroupHumanists UK Professional Networks Humanistic Management NetworkSend 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

"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 MarriottThis week, Katia & Mark join the panel to discuss the merits of identifying with the humanist label. Plus we hear from Lori Marriott, Coordinator of Humanist Climate Action.References:Humanists UK: Defining HumanismHumanists International: What is Humanism?Humanists UK: How Humanist are you Quiz?UnderstandingHumanism.org.uk: Five Core FeaturesFollow Lori Marriott & Humanist Climate Action:Follow Lori on XHCA HomepageSign up for newsletterRead past newslettersEmail HCA: climateaction@humanists.ukFollow HCA on Facebook, Instagram, and XLori's References:Green your pension: how you can help the environmentNot the End of the World, How to be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet, Hannah RitchieClimate Disinformation, European CommissionGreat Big Green WeekSend 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

"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 wide ranging interview with Ariel Pontes, a writer, podcast host and advocate for humanism, effective altruism, animal welfare and productive dialogue to counter polarisation. Ariel shares a wealth of experience and learnings from leaving Kardecist Spiritism to supporting Humanist groups in Brazil & Romania.In our news section, AJ & Lola share their views on Richard Dawkins' recent statements comparing Christianity and Islam, whether we should compare religious virtues and the concept of 'Cultural Christianity'. References:Richard Dawkins: I'm a Cultural Christian, LBC YouTube ChannelCultural ChristiansThe Trouble with Islam Today, Irshad ManjiFollow (@ArielPontes)X.comInstagramFacebookMediumMore on Ariel's WorkHomepage: ghostlessmachine.comGhostless Machine PodcastYoutube @GhostlessMachineHumanistas BrasilAriel on Effective AltruismAriel's references:Kardecist spiritismHow Minds Change, David McRaneyA Manual for Creating Atheists, Peter BoghossianSend 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

"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 deny children the right to science,  the importance of promoting scientific literacy across society and the impact of scientific fraud. This week's interview is with Ojas Singh Bhanot, Politics and Data Science student at the London School of Economics, where he Founded the Humanist Open Minds Students' Union group. His role involves leading a platform and promoting humanist values within the university community, focusing on open dialogue and inclusivity. References: Religion for Atheists, Alain de BottonHumanists UK at UN: Illegal schools deny the right to scienceHumanists UK campaign: State-funded faith schools & educationNational Secular Society: End Faith Schools CampaignCentre for Inquiry: Why Scientific Literacy Matters Humanists UK: Humanist StudentsFraud in curcumin research is a warning to all of science, FuturoProssimoAbout Ojas Singh BhanotLinkedInLSE Students Union Humanist Open Minds LSE Humanist Open Minds on InstagramOjas' References:Oxford Handbook of Digital Ethics, Carissa VélizUpcoming events:Central London HumanistsSend 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 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 of DeathEpisode References:BBC News: New extremism definition unveiled by governmentHumanists UK: Extremists ‘negate the fundamental rights and freedoms of others’ – humanists analyse new definition‘Resisting extremism means defending a tolerant society’, Andrew CopsonAtheist Bus CampaignRadio 5: Elis James and John Robins ShowAbout Valerie Jack;Living with Life without GodAmazonGoodReadsAbeBooksTwitter @ValerieJackInstagram/Facebook: @valeriejackwritesValerie's References:How religious and spiritual beliefs explain prolonged grief disorder symptoms, Kim M. Christian, Samar M. Aoun & Lauren J. BreenThe Denial of Death, Ernest BeckerWhy Death is Nothing to Fear: Lucretius and Epicureanism, Jack Maden, PhilosophyBreakSnoopy Cartoon on DeathLa 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