This episode wraps the Abroad Series in multiple parts: a recap of the African diaspora’s religious landscape, a first-person account of dissent by founding member of the Haitian Freethinkers, and a featured interview with Ananda Leeke of the Thriving Mindfully podcast! All season long we have covered the ways religion and dissent function intersectionally throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa and the United Kingdom. In this finale, we zoom in on critical impacts of dissent on women, LGBTQ individuals, victims of blasphemy, witchcraft, economic hardships and much more. Additionally, Rogiérs shares his own story of his first trip to South Africa 🇿🇦, his connection to Miriam Makeba, Alicia Keys 🎵 and how he subsequently reimagined his own relationship to Africa. Also includes footage of bestselling authors, former pastors, grassroots activists and everyday folk heroes as they reveal the sober truth behind religious extremism abroad. Finally, Ananda shares her model of how mindfulness can foster a healthy relationship with our collective African past and individual stories. *Contains some adult language. _____ (Ep. 25) Show Notes Host: Rogiérs Written by: Rogiérs Narration: Rogiérs Production & Editing: Fibby Music Group, LLC Recorded at: FMG Studios, Washington, DC Cover Artwork: Emily Wilson Music Licensing: Storyblocks, Fibby Music (ASCAP) Additional Music: @Armando_Young (IG), @Moeismusic (IG), Alicia Keys in South Africa “Staying Alive” (Courtesy of VH-1) _____ Guest Credits Thriving Mindfully (Ananda Leeke, Consultant) Thriving Mindfully Podcast / On YouTube Reggie Beloved (Founder, Haitian Freethinkers) Haitian Freethinkers on YouTube Book References Makhado Sinthumule Ramabulana (2020). "Church Mafia: Captured by Secret Powers, An Untold African Narrative" Marlon James, author of “The Disappearers” (2026). PBS Interview. Elle Hardy, Author on “Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity Is Taking Over the World” (2021). Scholarly Citations & Published Articles Condition of Nonbelievers in Africa, US International Commission on Religious Freedom (2021 Report, PDF). Pew Research Center: Religion Remains Stable in the U.S. , With Mixed Signals for Young Adults (2026) Pew Research Center: About Three-In-Ten US Adults are now Religiously Unaffiliated (2021). US Secular Survey: Black & Nonreligious Americans: A Brief from the U.S. Secular Survey (2021). Journalism & Additional References Mubarak Bala, Blasphemy case in Nigeria (2025). Mutabaruka, Jamaican Freethinker: "So Many Grandmothers Died Waiting For Jesus To Return And Him Still Nah Come Back" Sista Souljah debates Dr. Cornell West, “The Issue is Race: A Crisis in Black and White” Donahue (1992). BLM-UK Activist confronts Slavery denier (Courtesy of SkyNews). Documentaries & Podcasts God Loves Uganda (2013 Documentary) feat. David Kato, Activist. Shivanah’s Story, Afro Queer Podcast. “The Dark Side of Juanita Bynum: Greed & Scandals”, YouTube Documentary. Alabaster International Ministry (Ghana) Ghanaian Pastor Rebukes Women from pulpit in Misogynist Rant. Singer Abbey Lincoln reads poem, “Where Are the African Gods?”. The Congo’s Colonial History, Documentary (TRT World). _____________________________ For Contact, Inquiry, Voicemail & Feedback: E: WWHPodcasting@gmail.com Blue Sky 🦋 and Twitter @WWHPodcasting _____________________________ Additional Content: Find the entire LEGACY catalogue of programs online (TBA) Find Black Secular Collective-DC online on Facebook and also on Meetup. Support WWH Podcast on Patreon and follow us on 🦋 BlueSky and Twitter! Additional support provided by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities and the American Humanist Association. (c) 2026 Fibby Music Group, LLC www.FibbyMusic.net
