There Is No God And We're All Gonna Die

Daniel Cartier
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Personal Journals

Part late-night radio show, part atheist variety hour for the spiritually curious, There Is No God And We’re All Gonna Die follows queer musician Daniel Cartier as he dives into life, death, and the messy meaning in between — with listener questions, original music, and a lot of radical honesty. Whether you're a skeptic, seeker, believer, or just passing through, you're welcome here.

  1. 6d ago

    How the Hell Does an Atheist Deal With Depression?

    How the Hell Does an Atheist Deal With Depression? I've been depressed lately. Not necessarily “I can't get out of bed and everything is terrible” depressed. More like the kind that sneaks up on you when you're 57 and start looking at the dreams you had when you were younger and wondering what the hell happened to them. I thought I was going to be a rock star. And for a brief moment, it looked like I was going to be one. I got signed to Elton John's record label. I had the record deal. I had the songs. I had the dreams. And then it all fell apart. For years, I thought that meant I had failed. But looking back at my life now, I'm starting to wonder if I was measuring success completely wrong. So this week, I'm talking about depression, disappointment, failure, aging, and what happens when you're an atheist who doesn't believe there's a God waiting to swoop in and fix everything. I've come up with five things that help me when life feels overwhelming: Life isn't supposed to feel good all the time. There is no destiny. Meditate on your smallness. Get outside yourself. Show up anyway. There are stories about music, addiction, suicide attempts, sobriety, Elton John, rejection, friendship, and the strange realization that sometimes simply being here is an enormous accomplishment. And, of course, there are voicemails. We talk about greatest hits, Tompkins Square Park, cannibals, wrestling, the afterlife, robots telling me my podcast sucks, and whether I should finally stop saying “at the end of the day.” Because apparently I can't make an episode about depression without getting completely sidetracked. And then, at the end, I read a poem that stopped me in my tracks. This one is funny, sad, philosophical, personal, and unexpectedly hopeful. There Is No God And We're All Gonna Die A surprisingly spiritual podcast from a gay, liberal atheist living in the Bible Belt. (00:00) - I Thought I Was Going to Be a Rock Star (03:00) - What Happened to the Dream? (05:50) - Maybe I’ve Been Measuring Success Wrong (09:50) - How the Hell Does an Atheist Deal With Depression? (12:00) - Five Things I’ve Learned About Getting Through It (20:00) - Let’s Hear From the Callers (22:00) - My Greatest Hits… Apparently (26:00) - You Don’t Have to Know Someone to Matter to Them (28:00) - Tompkins Square Park, Cannibals & Old New York (30:30) - Sometimes Your Neighbors Are Your Community (33:00) - My Podcast Sucks. A Robot Told Me So. (35:00) - Why Do We Love Wrestling? (38:30) - If There’s No Afterlife, Why Do I Want to Live Forever? (42:00) - At the End of the Day… (46:00) - What I Can Control (48:00) - The Poem That Made Me Cry (49:30) - Just Show Up

    How the Hell Does an Atheist Deal With Depression?

  2. Sep 22

    Bullsh Conservative Talking Points I’m Ready to Retire

    This week, I’m retiring some expressions. After spending way too much time arguing with people on Facebook, I’ve come up with a list of phrases and talking points I would be perfectly happy to never hear again. “Stop shoving your lifestyle in my face.” “It’s just a difference of opinion.” “Go woke, go broke.” “Triggered much?” “Go back to your safe space.” And yes, I have some thoughts. But this episode isn’t just me yelling at the internet. (Although there is some of that.) We also hear from a caller who worries I’m spending too much energy on the people who hate me, a very famous musician friend who is concerned about the death threats I’ve been getting, a caller who literally phones in to complain that I’m “shoving my lifestyle” in everyone’s face — proving my point almost immediately — and DJ, who is dealing with a whole lot of b******t while trying to organize an LGBTQ bonfire here in Tennessee. Then things take a turn. A Buddhist caller gets me thinking about sand mandalas, impermanence, the labels we put on ourselves, and what’s left when you strip all those labels away. And finally, Corey calls with a surprisingly profound question about death, atheism, and why I want my ashes to be with my dogs. So yeah. We go from Facebook talking points to Buddhist philosophy to dog ashes. Pretty much exactly where you'd expect this podcast to go. There Is No God And We’re All Gonna Die A surprisingly spiritual podcast from a gay, liberal atheist living in the Bible Belt. (00:01) - The World Is On Fire, So Let's Take Calls (03:53) - Please Retire These F*****g Talking Points (10:48) - My Gayness Is Not a Lifestyle (26:38) - Am I Feeding the Trolls? (34:41) - Someone Wants to Decapitate Me (35:22) - Holy Shit, Marcella Detroit Called (38:39) - My Lifestyle Is Dog Hair and Dollar General (41:14) - They’re Mad About a Gay Bonfire (45:12) - Take Away the Labels. What’s Left? (52:07) - Stop Thinking About My Dick (54:02) - What Happens to My Corpse? (56:16) - I Want to Be With My Dogs

    Bullsh Conservative Talking Points I’m Ready to Retire

  3. Sep 15

    Someone Wanted to Decapitate Me for Being Gay

    Well, good news: I did NOT get decapitated. After a guy on Facebook told me he'd like to cut off my head, I somehow turned the whole thing into a comedy routine. Because when people say truly unhinged shit to you, sometimes laughing is the only reasonable response. This week, we get into bigotry, threats, religion, LGBTQ+ community, toxic masculinity, and the strange things people apparently feel compelled to say on the internet. A listener asks: What if you're wrong about God—and what if you're going to hell? Another listener tells me about an LGBTQ+ bonfire party in Tennessee that attracted a whole lot of hateful Facebook comments, including an accusation that it's an "AIDS party" and the suggestion that someone should release rattlesnakes at the event. Then things get unexpectedly personal. A listener asks me to do an entire episode about Joe, my former fiancé and one of the most important people who ever came into my life. That sends me down a very personal road through addiction, sex work, recovery, music, love, loss, and the person who saw something in me when I couldn't see it in myself. We also get a reading from Leviticus, a fascinating question about whether "homophobia" and "transphobia" are really the right words, and a final conversation about politics, authoritarianism, hope, and why waiting for the perfect political candidate can sometimes mean getting the worst possible outcome. And somehow, after all of that, I still end up saying the same thing: I love everybody. Even assholes who want to cut my head off. xoxo Daniel LEAVE ME YOUR VOICE MESSAGES AT: https://www.speakpipe.com/ThereIsNoGodAndWereAllGonnaDie (00:00) - Daniel (04:30) - Daniel — Take 02 (06:49) - Facing Homophobia with Humor and Resilience (08:22) - The Power of Living Authentically (08:22) - Daniel — Take 04 (18:11) - Introduction to the Conversation (18:11) - Introduction and Community Engagement (22:15) - LGBTQ+ Bonfire Party Discussion (23:56) - Community Reactions and Support (24:02) - Exploring Homophobic Comments and Reactions (28:57) - The Impact of Mitch McConnell on American Politics (32:31) - Personal Reflections on Love and Loss (39:51) - Memories and Humor in Mourning (41:32) - Reflections on Life and Influence (42:28) - Questioning Religious Beliefs (44:44) - Living Authentically as a Gay Man (46:26) - Addressing Common Misconceptions about LGBTQ+ Issues (48:43) - Understanding Homophobia and Transphobia (53:05) - The Role of Ignorance in Hate (55:24) - Political Commentary and Societal Evolution (56:25) - The Death of a Distorted Conservatism (58:17) - Hope for a More Enlightened Society

    Someone Wanted to Decapitate Me for Being Gay

  4. Sep 9

    Apparently I'm a Bigot for Hating Bigots

    Apparently I'm a bigot for hating bigots. In this episode, I introduce Daniel's Magical Bigot Barometer: a very simple way to tell the difference between having an unpopular opinion and just being an a*****e. We get into the things people say online that they would never have the guts to say at an actual dinner party—and why hiding behind a Facebook profile doesn't make bigotry any less ugly. Then the voicemails take us everywhere: accusations that I'm mentally ill, a conversation about America's f****d-up healthcare system, a caller who thinks calling me a f****t is an insult, an old friend who makes me homesick for New Hampshire, and yet another argument about transgender people and women's sports. Somewhere along the way, this episode becomes less about bigots and more about learning to love yourself after spending years believing the awful things other people told you about who you are. Also: my opinion that bigots are like people who are proud to fart loudly (and often) in public, my life as a teenage punk rocker, universal healthcare, and a reminder that maybe we should all just stop being f*****g dicks. Want to record a voice message for my next episode?Visit: https://www.speakpipe.com/ThereIsNoGodAndWereAllGonnaDie (00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Host's Perspective (02:11) - Engagement with Audience and Feedback (02:32) - Confronting Online Bigotry (07:30) - Defining Bigotry and Its Misconceptions (09:50) - Understanding Bigotry in Modern Discourse (11:13) - Defining the Line: Bigotry vs. Opinion (11:22) - Daniel — Take 04 (17:59) - Introduction to Bigotry and Its Implications (17:59) - Navigating Disagreement and Insults (18:40) - Understanding Racism and Bigotry in Discourse (19:01) - Daniel — Take 07 (21:46) - Voicemail Interactions and Open-Mindedness (25:38) - The Impact of Upbringing on Beliefs (27:19) - Spreading Love and Acceptance (29:07) - Healthcare Concerns and Personal Health Journey (31:47) - Universal Healthcare: A Path to a Healthier America (33:02) - Embracing Identity and Self-Love (41:18) - Reflections on the Past and Personal Growth (47:20) - Addressing Controversial Topics and Advocacy (48:57) - Riley Gaines and Transgender people in sports

    Apparently I'm a Bigot for Hating Bigots

  5. Sep 5

    I Once Dated a MAGA Guy. Here's How That Worked Out...

    IT'S TRUE FOLKS ... I once dated a Trump voter. In my defense I didn't realize it until we were living together. And while our politics eventually became a pretty significant problem, the relationship taught me something much bigger about myself. After getting sober, I realized I had spent years using alcohol—and later relationships—to escape from myself. I moved in with people ridiculously quickly, got engaged five times, and kept looking for someone else to make me feel okay. Let me know what you think of this episode - or tell me what's on your mind at:https://www.speakpipe.com/ThereIsNoGodAndWereAllGonnaDie In this episode, I talk about that MAGA relationship, why I needed my home to be a safe place where I could speak freely about the things I believe in, and what happens when two people have fundamentally different values. I also talk about the MAGA takeover of “YMCA,” growing up a liberal kid in conservative New Hampshire, and why I consider myself a spiritual atheist. Because if I don't believe in God, an afterlife, or some supernatural force that's going to swoop in and fix everything... What exactly do I mean when I talk about spirituality? For me, it's about getting sober, learning who I really am, learning to love that person, being kind, taking risks, and trying to leave the world a little better than I found it. And if this really is the only life I get? I'd better start paying attention to how I'm living it. (00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Host (00:54) - Engagement with the Audience (02:07) - Invitation for Listener Interaction (02:40) - Confronting Bigotry on Social Media (04:58) - The Impact of Public Outrage (06:09) - Understanding Bravery in Identity (06:09) - Daniel — Take 04 (10:58) - The Nature of Bigotry and Insults (15:24) - Social Media and Open-Mindedness (20:26) - The Theme Song and Its Significance (25:57) - Relationships and Self-Discovery (35:23) - Navigating Political Differences in Relationships (40:02) - Cultural Icons and Their Impact (42:20) - Childhood Political Experiences (49:43) - Understanding Spirituality as an Atheist (01:01:15) - Embracing Spiritual Awakenings (01:01:49) - Living Your Truth (01:02:01) - Finding Your Community

    I Once Dated a MAGA Guy. Here's How That Worked Out...

  6. Aug 29

    Is My Podcast Title Mean? (and other deep thoughts)

    Is My Podcast Title Mean?Leave me a voicemail and let me know!(You can also let me know what else is on your mind) I'm having an identity crisis. Okay, maybe not an identity crisis. But I've been wondering whether There Is No God and We're All Gonna Die is actually a good name for a podcast that I'm hoping will bring people together. Dolly Parton's death got me thinking about it. Dolly had this extraordinary ability to make people feel like they mattered. She brought people together. She made people feel welcome. And I started wondering whether my podcast title does the opposite. Is it provocative? Is it funny? Is it intriguing? Or is it just vinegar? I'm genuinely asking. Because here's the thing: I don't think the title is actually pessimistic. To me, both halves of the title are spiritual ideas. If there is no God, then the responsibility for creating the goodness I want to see in the world belongs to me. And if we're all gonna die, then this moment matters. From there, we get into your voicemails. I talk about my Facebook post that unexpectedly went viral after people decided that calling me gay was an insult. We talk about being proud of the identities other people might try to use against us. We talk about feeding our pets, overcrowded animal shelters, and the impossible choices people sometimes face when they can no longer afford to care for their animals. We talk about planning for death and why making those decisions ahead of time can be an act of love. And then we get philosophical. I'm an atheist, but I find plenty of wisdom in religion. I talk about the Serenity Prayer and the Prayer of St. Francis — two pieces of religious tradition that I find meaningful even though I don't believe anyone supernatural is listening. We also talk about forgiveness, including my own struggle to forgive the men who brutally attacked me because I was gay. I didn't forgive them because what they did was okay. I forgave them because I didn't want their hatred to continue taking up space inside me. And maybe that's what this whole podcast is really about. If there is no God, then it's up to us. If we're all gonna die, then we'd better make the time count. So what do you think? Is my podcast title mean? I'd genuinely love to hear from you. (00:00) - Introduction and Personal Reflections (03:43) - The Impact of Dolly Parton (06:51) - Spiritual Beliefs and Personal Responsibility (09:46) - Podcast Title and Community Engagement (14:20) - Viral Post and LGBTQ+ Identity (18:33) - Pet Care and Dietary Choices (22:41) - Political Commentary and Societal Issues (27:23) - Confronting ICE and Community Resistance (34:03) - The Importance of End-of-Life Planning (38:40) - Reflections on Spiritual Practices and Happiness (47:36) - Exploring Religion and Its Values (57:44) - Closing Thoughts and Listener Engagement

    Is My Podcast Title Mean? (and other deep thoughts)

  7. Aug 19

    I'm Proud to Have Trump Derangement Syndrome

    Apparently, if you become upset when a president mocks disabled people, demeans women, attacks democratic institutions, lies about elections, pardons political allies, scapegoats immigrants, and celebrates political violence, you might have "Trump Derangement Syndrome." Well... apparently I have it. And I'm proud of it. In this episode, I talk about why I don't want to become so accustomed to cruelty that cruelty stops shocking me. I go through a long list of things surrounding Donald Trump and his administration that make me angry, frightened, or just plain f*****g bewildered — and why I think being disturbed by those things is a sign that my moral compass is still working. Then I get to the listener voicemails. We talk about MAGA and Christian nationalism as a political religion, surveillance and Flock cameras, creativity and catastrophizing, and why creative people feel compelled to make things even when there's no guarantee anyone will ever see or hear them. I also talk about my own relationship with music — including the realization that I don't have to become famous for making music to be worthwhile. Sometimes I just need to hear the song that's been living in my head. Maybe that's the whole point. If you want to leave me a voicemail for a future episode, head over to DanielCartier.com and click the Podcast Voicemail button at the top of the page. I'm Daniel Cartier, and this is There Is No God and We're All Gonna Die. Thanks for listening. (00:00) - Introduction to Trump Derangement Syndrome (03:06) - Daniel's Perspective on Politics and Identity (06:04) - The Impact of Trump's Actions (08:55) - Gaslighting and Political Manipulation (12:13) - The January 6th Insurrection (14:51) - Critique of Trump's Leadership Style (17:52) - The Consequences of Trump's Policies (20:45) - Reflections on Political Violence and Media (28:45) - The Burden of Ignorance and Cruelty (30:11) - The Psychological Impact of Political Discontent (33:17) - Politics as a Religion: The Rise of MAGA (36:32) - The Distortion of Compassion in Modern Politics (39:31) - Surveillance and Privacy: The New Normal (42:16) - The Creative Mind: A Blessing and a Curse (51:01) - The Purpose of Art and Music in Life

    I'm Proud to Have Trump Derangement Syndrome

  8. Aug 11

    Can Humanity Ever Get Along???

    In this episode, Daniel talks about community, atheism, the enormous universe, and the strange miracle of being alive. After attending NanaCon (a yearly convention of Atheists, Humanists and like minded people) Daniel finds himself thinking about why humans need community—even people who don't belong to traditional religious communities—and how that same need for belonging can bring people together for beautiful reasons or very destructive ones. Then comes 10 Things I Find Amazing About Being Alive, including the mind-boggling size of the universe, the fact that we're made of stardust, the mystery of consciousness, how brief a human life really is, the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe, our obsession with certainty, and Daniel's newfound obsession with feeding birds. He also talks about anger, civility, control, mortality, and the challenge of remaining loving toward people whose beliefs we strongly disagree with. And this episode features several listener voicemails—including thoughts about near-death experiences, nihilism, community, and finding meaning when we're not sure the universe has any inherent meaning at all. We're all stuck here together. Maybe that's not such a bad thing. (00:00) - — Welcome Back (00:31) - — Who the Hell Is Daniel Cartier? (02:00) - — Please Call Me! (04:00) - — Why Atheists Need Community Too (07:00) - — 10 Things That Amaze Me About Being Alive (07:30) - — #1: The Universe Is Freaking Huge (09:00) - — #2: We're Made of Stardust (10:30) - — #3: Human Life Is Incredibly Short (12:30) - — #4: The Mystery of Consciousness (14:00) - — #5: How Lucky Are We to Exist? (15:00) - — #6: Is Somebody Out There? (17:00) - — #7: Why Are Humans Obsessed With Certainty? (19:00) - — #8: My Birds Have Replaced Social Media (21:00) - — #9: We're All the Result of Sex (22:00) - — #10: We're All Stuck With Each Other (25:00) - — Listener Voicemails Begin (25:00) - — Near-Death Experiences & Hoping I'm Wrong (28:00) - — Nihilism, Meaning & Why Love Still Matters (34:18) - — Corey Calls In 😂 (35:00) - — What NanaCon Taught Me About Getting Along (39:00) - — Anger, Compassion & Knowing When to Walk Away (43:00) - — What Do We Actually Believe? (47:00) - — Addiction, Hope & Why Community Matters (50:00) - — We're All Just Trying to Figure This Out

    Can Humanity Ever Get Along???
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About

Part late-night radio show, part atheist variety hour for the spiritually curious, There Is No God And We’re All Gonna Die follows queer musician Daniel Cartier as he dives into life, death, and the messy meaning in between — with listener questions, original music, and a lot of radical honesty. Whether you're a skeptic, seeker, believer, or just passing through, you're welcome here.

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