Humanism Now | Secular Ethics, Curiosity and Compassionate Change

Support Humanism Now and Join Our Community! - ko-fi.com/humanismnowpod "Science is not objective. It is subjective. And I think having conversations about it is very important." Dr Jenny Lange is a neuroscientist specialising in uncovering the mechanisms of rare neurological disorders. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London. Outside the lab, Dr Lange is a public speaker and writer on medical history, the intersection of science and literature, and scientific ethics.Things we discussThe history of quackery and why charlatans follow the same playbookResearch abuses that have legitimately fueled mistrust in scienceHow to practice healthy, proportional skepticism and spot the difference between real and pseudoscienceReferences:William J. A. Bailey and Radithor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_J._A._BaileyThe Tuskegee Syphilis Study: https://www.history.com/articles/the-infamous-40-year-tuskegee-studyThe Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6493208-the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacksAndrew Wakefield and the discredited MMR-autism study: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_WakefieldPaolo Macchiarini trachea implant scandal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paolo_MacchiariniGreenwich Skeptics in the Pub: https://www.meetup.com/greenwich-skeptics-in-the-pub/Send us Fan MailSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community!Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSkyHumanism Now is produced by Humanise Live a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe.Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light PrismPodcast 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.

"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 new report on non-religious asylum claims in the UK, produced in collaboration with Humanists UK. Drawing on three years of in-depth qualitative research, the report is the first study to analyse Home Office decision-making policies for those seeking asylum on the basis of leaving religion or non-religious identity.Things we discuss✔︎ Why the Home Office misunderstands apostasy✔︎ Cultural bias in credibility assessments ✔︎ How interpretation errors can undermine asylum claims✔︎ Policy recommendations for fairer decision-makingRead the reportAvailable from Humanists UK (https://humanists.uk) from 24 March 2026.Attend the report launch📍 Online 📆 Tuesday 24 March, 1.00–2.30pm GMT ➡️ Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/report-launch-non-religious-apostasy-asylum-claims-in-the-uk-tickets-1982976511125/Event Speakers:Dr Lucy Potter, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of York https://humanismnow.buzzsprout.com/2246305/episodes/14031059/Lizzie Collinge MP,  Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group https://humanismnow.buzzsprout.com/2246305/episodes/17588288/Andrew Copson, Chief Executive, Humanists UKhttps://humanismnow.buzzsprout.com/2246305/episodes/17849032/Jamie Bell, Solicitor, Public Law and Immigration, Duncan LewisConnect with Dr Lucy PotterUniversity of York profile: Send us Fan MailSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community!Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSkyHumanism Now is produced by Humanise Live a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe.Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light PrismPodcast 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.

"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 2026: the global initiative uniting podcasters to raise awareness for charitable causes. This year, we are supporting Freedom from Torture, a UK charity that has spent more than 40 years providing specialist therapeutic care, rehabilitation, and advocacy to survivors of torture. Their work centres on restoring dignity, safety, and hope to people who have endured unimaginable harm and campaigning to hold perpetrators accountable worldwide.We are delighted to be joined by Ann Salter, Head of Clinical Services Northwest at Freedom from Torture, who has worked clinically with survivors of torture for over 20 years.How to support Freedom from TortureDonateGet involved in their campaignsRefer yourself or someone else for supportThings we discussHow Freedom from Torture has supported survivors for 40 years The shocking scale of torture globally — and why it still demands our attention The psychological impact of torture and what recovery really looks like Why community belonging is central to rehabilitation Freedom from Torture's role in the Pinochet case and blocking the Rwanda deportation schemeAbout PodcasthonPodcasthon is a global initiative uniting podcasters around the world to shine a light on the charities and causes that matter. If you host a podcast and want to get involved, find out more and register at podcasthon.org.Send us Fan MailSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community!Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSkyHumanism Now is produced by Humanise Live a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe.Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light PrismPodcast 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.

 "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 critical thinking. As former head of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London, author of The Science of Weird Sh*t, patron of Humanists UK, and former editor of The Skeptic magazine, Chris has spent decades investigating paranormal claims, debunking fraudsters, and exploring the psychology of belief. In this conversation, he unpacks why the paranormal is worth taking seriously as a scientific and psychological subject, what his own near-miss with precognition research taught him, why deliberate con artists deserve far more condemnation than sincere believers, and why we urgently need better critical thinking in schools, in public life, and in our politics.Connect with Professor FrenchChris’s websiteChris’s Guardian columnChris’s Skeptic columnChris’s profile page at GoldmithsChris on BlueskyChris being interviewed on the Plutopia podcastThe Science of Weird Shit on Bookshop.orgSend us Fan MailSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community!Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSkyHumanism Now is produced by Humanise Live a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe.Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light PrismPodcast 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.

“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 Webber, Director of Humanist Care at Humanists UK. We explore what chaplaincy really is, why this appointment is a historic shift for belief-diverse Armed Forces, and what humanist pastoral care looks like in practice for serving personnel and their families. Topics we coverThe evolving purpose of ChaplaincyWhy the Army’s first non-religious chaplain is such a landmark moment “Presence”, confidentiality, and sitting outside the chain of commandStoicism, existentialism, and humanistic psychology as practical frameworks for moral and pastoral supportHow humanist chaplaincy strengthens, not replaces, religious chaplaincyWhere chaplaincy fits alongside welfare and medical support in a whole-person wellbeing systemCeremonies in military life: inclusive funerals, namings, and personal milestonesWhat it takes to become a non-religious pastoral carer, and the pathway into the professionResources & further readingRoyal Army Chaplains’ Department: https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-army-chaplains-department/Army Jobs -Chaplain role overview: https://jobs.army.mod.uk/roles/royal-army-chaplains-department/chaplain/Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network (NRPSN): https://nrpsn.org.uk/Humanists UK - First-ever humanist pastoral carer in the UK Armed Forces:  https://humanists.uk/2025/10/07/first-ever-humanist-pastoral-carer-in-the-uk-armed-forces-2/Soldier Magazine - “New kinda padre in town”:  https://soldier.army.mod.uk/issues/november-2025/update/new-padreSend us Fan MailSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community!Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSkyHumanism Now is produced by Humanise Live a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe.Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light PrismPodcast 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.

SUBSCRIBE TO FREEDOM OF THOUGHT:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicPodcast AddictYouTubeAll other podcast platforms********Sign up for the Humanists International NewsletterWelcome to Freedom of Thought a new podcast series by Humanists International!In this first episode hosts Gary McLellend and Leon Langdon introduce Humanists International, the global representative body at the heart of the humanist movement, how a global humanist network works inside the UN system, and why universal rights need a louder defence right now. We share the member‑led model, lessons from the IRF Summit, and what really happens inside the UN Human Rights Council.In this first episode we cover:The formation and ethos of Humanists InternationalOur member‑led structure and global reachLived experience informing advocacyReflections on the 2026 IRF SummitFractures in human rights spaces and how to address themWhat happens inside the Human Rights Council Why start this podcast now and what comes nextWhy attend the World Humanist Congress 2026How to shape the conversation, support us and followFollow Humanist InternationalSupport Humanists InternationalAbout - Humanists InternationalJoin us at the World Humanists Congress 2026Freedom of Thought is produced by Humanise Live🎶Music: Horizon by Simon FolwarSend us Fan MailSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community!Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSkyHumanism Now is produced by Humanise Live a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe.Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light PrismPodcast 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 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 humanist revival could look like in the United States. From creator-led storytelling to legal strategy and mutual aid, Fish shares how the AHA is building power, community, and a clearer public-facing vision of humanism rooted in empathy, agency, and responsibility.Connect with Fish StarkPersonal Website – fishstark.comAHA Speakers BureauLinkedInTopics we coverWhy Fish believes the moment is right for a “humanist revival” in AmericaHumanism as identity, not just ideas: agency, responsibility, and moral confidenceWhat the AHA actually does: community-building, lobbying, legal action, and public narrativeWhy the real arena is online, and how the AHA is backing creators to meet people where they areChurch-state separation under pressure, and how coercion shows up in schools and public lifeHumanist chaplaincy and “parallel place” legal recognition as a strategic advantageThe American Empathy Project and why mutual aid is humanism in practiceWhat comedy teaches about organising: pacing, attention, clarity, and joyResources & further readingHumanist Manifesto I – American Humanist Association (1933) – https://americanhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/manifesto1/Peace First – https://peacefirst.org/Born This Way Foundation  – https://bornthisway.foundation/The Good Place – https://www.nbc.com/the-good-placePerson-centered therapy (Carl Rogers) overview – NCBI Bookshelf / StatPearls (2023) – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589708/Send us Fan MailSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community!Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSkyHumanism Now is produced by Humanise Live a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe.Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light PrismPodcast 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 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 Humanism Now to unpack why a secular camp matters, and how a weekend of outdoor adventure, hands-on science, and Philosophy for Children helps young people practise curiosity, confidence, and respectful disagreement.Discover CampQuest UK2026 Family Camp – dates, location, pricing, booking– https://campquest.uk/2026-family-camp-pilot/More info on Humanists UK WebsiteFollow Alistair on the HumanistDad BlogTopics we cover ✔︎ Why CampQuest began, and what a secular camp offers that most camps do not ✔︎ How outdoor challenge makes speaking up feel less scary ✔︎ The 2026 family camp, and what the weekend format looks like ✔︎ Philosophy for Children: stimulus, question-voting, and “speaking object” rules ✔︎ Encouraging values without dogma: standards of behaviour that protect freedom of thought ✔︎ What kids actually take home: reasoning, confidence, and not taking disagreement personally ✔︎ Alumni impact, volunteer growth, and rebuilding community year to year ✔︎ Practical booking and arrival expectations for the May bank holiday campResources & further readingPhilosophy for Children (P4C): SAPERE / Thoughtful – training and overview of the method – https://www.sapere.org.uk/ and “What is P4C?” The Ship of Theseus (identity over time): Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophySend us Fan MailSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community!Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSkyHumanism Now is produced by Humanise Live a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe.Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light PrismPodcast 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.

“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 shaped his journey from disengaged voter to coalition-builder, why secular government protects believers and non-believers alike, and how coordinated local action can push back against Christian nationalism.Topics we cover Humanism as empathy in action and a guide for political engagement Why secular government safeguards freedom for everyone Texas as a frontline in the rise of Christian nationalism Building coalitions across secular and religious communities Turning community into political influence without burnoutResources & further readingFollow Wil on Instagram: @wil_jay3Secular Houston – Coordinating local secular groups to amplify political impact:  secularhouston.orgHouston Oasis – A welcoming, community-focused secular gathering with talks and music: houstonoasis.orgSecular Coalition for America – Coalition advocating for secular public policy at the federal level:  secular.orgSecular Texas PAC Announcement  – State-level PAC supporting candidates who defend church–state separationDonate & Support the Secular Houston PACSend us Fan MailSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community!Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSkyHumanism Now is produced by Humanise Live a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe.Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light PrismPodcast 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 changed my mind because I cared about alleviating energy poverty.”Order now: Energy is Life: Why Environmentalism Went Nuclear, by Zion LightsAmazonGuardian BookshopNatural History Book ServiceZion Lights is an award-winning science communicator and environmental advocate whose work sits at the intersection of energy, climate, and public understanding of science. In this conversation, Zion shares her journey from prominent renewable-only activism to evidence-led support for a broader clean energy mix, and why energy abundance matters for health, dignity, and human progress.Connect with Zion Website – zionlights.co.ukNewsletter –substack.com/@zionlights1Topics we coverHow Zion’s views shifted after revisiting the evidence on nuclear risk, safety, and climate mitigation Why “clean energy” beats “renewables-only,” and what grid reality means for net zero pathways Energy poverty, global fairness, and what reliable power enables for health systems and developmentSMRs, fusion, and what is realistic now versus what is still “next decade” techResources & further reading“Could we even ‘just stop oil’?” – The Holyoake Lecture 2023, with Zion Lights (video)Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR15) – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2018)Death rates per unit of electricity production – Our World in DataWhat are the safest and cleanest sources of energy? – Our World in DataSend us Fan MailSupport the showSupport Humanism Now & Join Our Community!Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSkyHumanism Now is produced by Humanise Live a podcast production agency based in London, serving charities, companies, and individuals across the globe.Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at humanise.live or hello@humanise.liveMusic: Blossom by Light PrismPodcast 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.