Humanism Now | Secular Ethics, Curiosity and Compassionate Change

Humanise Live
  • 4.8 (4)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Humanism Now is the weekly podcast for everyone curious, interested or actively engaged in secular humanism. Each Sunday, host James Hodgson—founder of Humanise Live—welcomes scientists, philosophers, activists, authors, entrepreneurs and community leaders who are challenging the status quo and building a fairer, kinder world. Together we unpack today’s toughest ethical questions—using reason and compassion instead of dogma—and champion universal human rights and flourishing. Expect in-depth interviews on today's pressing issues, from climate action, protecting freedoms, equality & justice to AI ethics and cosmic wonder. Every episode delivers practical take-aways for living an ethical, purpose-driven life while discovering more about ourselves, others and the universe. Whether you’re a lifelong secular humanist or simply curious about a naturalistic worldview, hit follow for insight-packed conversations that challenge ideas, celebrate human potential and inspire positive change. Join our global community working toward a fairer, kinder and more rational world—for this generation and the next.

  1. How Norwegian Humanists Changed a Nation | Tale Pleym on Ceremonies, Confirmation & European Secular Services

    9H AGO

    How Norwegian Humanists Changed a Nation | Tale Pleym on Ceremonies, Confirmation & European Secular Services

    Support Humanism Now and Join Our Community! https://ko-fi.com/humanismnowpod "That's what humanism is about, isn't it? That we have the freedom to do whatever we feel is right for us." Tale Pleym is Chair of the European Humanist Professionals and Senior Ceremonial Advisor of the Norwegian Humanist Association, where she has been conducting humanist ceremonies for more than 15 years. She joins us to explore how humanist ceremonies and secular services are shared and strengthened across Europe, and what organised humanism can achieve when it grows deep roots in society. Topics we cover ✔︎ How the European Humanist Professionals network connects practitioners across borders through webinars, workshops, and conferences  ✔︎ How Norway's humanist confirmation became a genuine secular rite of passage that now outgrows the church in major cities  ✔︎ What other humanist organisations can learn from Norway — and what large organisations can learn from small ones Connect with Tale and find out more European Humanist Professionals: https://www.humanistprofessionals.euNorwegian Humanist Association: https://www.human.no/englishFestival of Humanism, Bournemouth — Humanists UK: https://humanists.uk/events/festival2026/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Support Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism 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.live Music: 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.

    26 min
  2. Introducing: Unholy Histories The Humanist Heritage Podcast from Humanists UK

    TRAILER

    Introducing: Unholy Histories The Humanist Heritage Podcast from Humanists UK

    Subscribe to Unholy Histories wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unholy-histories-the-humanist-heritage-podcast-from/id1893320823Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3HrZ03nnR0IL6PewJUc9mrAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a72f5775-dd9b-4b6f-bd67-4df519ca5556/unholy-histories-the-humanist-heritage-podcast-from-humanists-ukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuiqL_-wjBYa1Owup4iQlUD6TZ-IGjEHjPodcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/unholy-histories-the-humanist-heritage-podcast-from-humanists-uk/6544180All other Podcast Directories: https://unholyhistories.humanists.uk/2489236/follow******** Unholy Histories is the new Humanist Heritage Podcast from Humanists UK and inspired by the research of the Humanist Heritage Project. Join Andrew Copson and Madeleine Goodall as they uncover the rebels, reformers, and freethinkers who shaped a more open and compassionate Britain. The first episodes go live very soon. Subscribe now via your preferred podcast app to be notified the moment new episodes are released. Join Humanists UK: humanists.uk/joinDiscover more Humanist Heritage: heritage.humanists.ukSend us your questions or feedback to unholy@Humanise.LiveUnholy Histories is produced by Humanise Live a production agency creating values-led podcast content. Start podcasting today at humanise.live Music: Small Things by Simon Folwar Send us Fan Mail Support the show Support Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism 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.live Music: 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.

    2 min
  3. 72. From Fear To Freedom: Reclaiming “Apostate” In Life After High-Control Religion

    APR 12

    72. From Fear To Freedom: Reclaiming “Apostate” In Life After High-Control Religion

    Support Humanism Now and Join Our Community!  Micki McAllen, known online as Apostate Barbie, spent 30 years as a Jehovah's Witness before leaving in 2021. Now based in the UK, she uses social media to raise awareness of high control religious groups, support others navigating life beyond faith, and advocate for an end to mandated shunning. Topics we cover ✔︎ What life inside a high control group really looks like — and how coercive control works without physical force  ✔︎ The Norway Supreme Court case challenging government funding of the JWs over shunning practices  ✔︎ How to rebuild community, identity, and agency after leaving a high control religion Connect with Micki Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apostatebarbie/References and further reading JWFacts.com — ex-Witness resource recommended by Micki: https://www.jwfacts.comFaith to Faithless — UK support for those leaving high control religion: https://faithtofaithless.comStop Mandated Shunning — organisation Micki volunteers with: https://www.stopmandatedshunning.org/BITE Model of authoritarian control — Steven Hassan: https://www.bitemodel.comDecult Conference, New Zealand: https://www.decult.nzSend us Fan Mail Support the show Support Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism 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.live Music: 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.

    31 min
  4. 71. Beyond Belief: Humanism From The Heart with Steve Ghikadis

    APR 5

    71. Beyond Belief: Humanism From The Heart with Steve Ghikadis

    Support Humanism Now and Join Our Community!   “Curiosity leads to fully understanding someone’s situation and being empathetic to that person.” Steve Ghikadis is a Humanist Officiant, author, and speaker who leads secular weddings, memorials, and other life-affirming ceremonies in Ontario. In this conversation, he explores street epistemology, interfaith family life, raising curious and compassionate children, and why humanism needs to lead with empathy as well as reason. Connect with Steve  steveghikadis.com Humanist Canada Officiant Profilefacebook.com/steve.ghikadis instagram.com/steve.ghikadis/ tiktok.com/@humanismfromtheheart Goodreads – Steve_GhikadisTopics we cover Street epistemology in practiceDisagreeing with kindness & curiosityInterfaith relationships Raising curious, empathetic kidsHumanist weddings in CanadaMorality without religionResources & further reading Humanism from the Heart: Building Bridges Beyond Belief – Steve Ghikadis (2024) Recovering from ReligionSunday AssemblyEvidence and Understanding –The Humanist (2025)What the Heck Is That!?!” The Humanist (2024)Interfaith Family – Marriage and Parenting with Mutual Respect – Humanist Canada (2024) Send us Fan Mail Support the show Support Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism 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.live Music: 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.

    24 min
  5. 70. Science, Trust, and the History of Quacks with Jenny Lange

    MAR 29

    70. Science, Trust, and the History of Quacks with Jenny Lange

    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 discuss The 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 Mail Support the show Support Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism 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.live Music: 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.

    34 min
  6. 69. New Report: How UK Asylum Process Fails Non-Religious Refugees with Dr Lucy Potter

    MAR 22

    69. New Report: How UK Asylum Process Fails Non-Religious Refugees with Dr Lucy Potter

    "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-making Read the report Available 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 UK https://humanismnow.buzzsprout.com/2246305/episodes/17849032/Jamie Bell, Solicitor, Public Law and Immigration, Duncan LewisConnect with Dr Lucy Potter University of York profile: Send us Fan Mail Support the show Support Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism 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.live Music: 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.

    13 min
  7. Podcasthon 2026 Special: How Freedom From Torture Helps Survivors Heal

    MAR 19 ·  BONUS

    Podcasthon 2026 Special: How Freedom From Torture Helps Survivors Heal

    "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 Torture DonateGet involved in their campaignsRefer yourself or someone else for supportThings we discuss How 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 Podcasthon Podcasthon 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 Mail Support the show Support Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism 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.live Music: 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.

    20 min
  8. 68. The Science Of Weird Stuff with Prof. Chris French

    MAR 15

    68. The Science Of Weird Stuff with Prof. Chris French

    "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 French Chris’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 Mail Support the show Support Humanism Now & Join Our Community! Follow @HumanismNowPod | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Threads | X.com | BlueSky Humanism 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.live Music: 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.

    41 min
See All (79)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Humanism Now is the weekly podcast for everyone curious, interested or actively engaged in secular humanism. Each Sunday, host James Hodgson—founder of Humanise Live—welcomes scientists, philosophers, activists, authors, entrepreneurs and community leaders who are challenging the status quo and building a fairer, kinder world. Together we unpack today’s toughest ethical questions—using reason and compassion instead of dogma—and champion universal human rights and flourishing. Expect in-depth interviews on today's pressing issues, from climate action, protecting freedoms, equality & justice to AI ethics and cosmic wonder. Every episode delivers practical take-aways for living an ethical, purpose-driven life while discovering more about ourselves, others and the universe. Whether you’re a lifelong secular humanist or simply curious about a naturalistic worldview, hit follow for insight-packed conversations that challenge ideas, celebrate human potential and inspire positive change. Join our global community working toward a fairer, kinder and more rational world—for this generation and the next.

Information

You Might Also Like