Best Andrew Copson Podcasts (2025)

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53. David B McLaughlin on Five Humanistic Values for Living Well 34:23

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5d ago34:23

34:23

“Human dignity is really the foundation for reasoned morality — there’s nothing we can do to increase it or decrease it. Even the worst people still deserve it simply because they’re human.” - David B. McLaughlin David B. McLaughlin, leadership coach and author of Humanism: Five Values for Living Well, joins us to map a practical, hopeful framework…

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52. Michael Marshall on Compassionate Skepticism: Empowering Critical Thinking, Beyond Being Right 45:08

14d ago45:08

45:08

“Being a skeptic doesn’t make me smarter or infallible—it just means I’m trying to fail slightly less often.” Michael Marshall has spent more than 15 years investigating pseudoscience, conspiracy theories and the psychology that sustains them. As Project Director of the Good Thinking Society, President of the Merseyside Skeptics Society and Editor …

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51. Maggie Ardiente, President of Humanists International on Spreading Joy in the One Life We Have 38:14

21d ago38:14

38:14

"Another form of resistance is joy.” Maggie Ardiente, newly elected President of Humanists International, joins Humanism Now to share how humanism grounded in curiosity, compassion, and community can meet today’s rising threats to democracy and science. From a Catholic upbringing to global leadership, Maggie lays out a practical, joyful vision: bui…

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50. Andrew Copson on Why Humanism Remains Essential in an Age of Extremism, 20 Years of Human Rights Campaigning 51:10

1M ago51:10

51:10

“No one ever said it was going to be easy. Humanists don’t think a better world is inevitable—we think a better world is possible, but we have to work for it.” Andrew Copson OBE, Chief Executive of Humanists UK and former President of Humanists International, joins us for our 50th episode to reflect on two decades of humanist leadership. From growi…

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49. Morgan DeNicola on the Philanthropy of Everyday Action & Dialogue Across Divides 39:31

1M ago39:31

39:31

“You don’t change the world. You change the way one person views the world—and then you’ve changed the world for that person.” What if true strength lies not in certainty, but in listening with respect? In this episode, Morgan DeNicola, Executive Director of the DeNicola Family Foundation, shares how dialogue across divides, cultural diplomacy and …

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James Ogude on Ubuntu's Ethical Framework - Personhood, Co-Agency & Justice (Global Origins of Humanism Series) 46:12

2M ago46:12

46:12

Ubuntu: I am because we are. 🌍✨ In this bonus episode of Humanism Now, we’re sharing the live recording of Professor James Ogude’s talk from the online event Understanding Ubuntu Traditions part of the Global Origins of Humanism series (co-hosted by Central London Humanists and the Association of Black Humanists). Prof. Ogude is a Senior Research F…

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48. David Livingstone Smith on the Psychology of Dehumanization - Roots, Rhetoric, Myths and How to Resist It 51:44

2M ago51:44

51:44

“The arc of history bends towards justice only if you keep pushing it in that direction.” David Livingstone-Smith, Ph.D., award-winning author, Professor of Philosophy at the University of New England and a leading authority on dehumanization joins us to unpack how ordinary people come to see others as “less than human,” why that shift makes atroci…

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47. Victoria Mattingly on The Human Side of DEI: Transforming Workplaces Through Data-Driven Inclusion 37:52

2M ago37:52

37:52

“Inclusion is the behaviors that result in others feeling valued, respected, seen and heard.” Dr. Victoria Mattingly (Dr. V)—industrial-organizational psychologist, CEO & founder of Mattingly Solutions, and co-author of Inclusalytics—joins us to show how rigorous data and deeply human connection can coexist. We unpack practical, measurable ways to …

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46. Bill Angus on Divorcing Jesus: Finding Authentic Community Beyond the Church 36:45

2M ago36:45

36:45

“If humanism is anything, it’s self-education. It’s progressing, becoming more educated, more enlightened.” - Dr Bill Angus Dr Bill Angus takes us on a provocative journey through his transition from devout evangelical Christian to secular humanist in this candid, thought-provoking conversation. After 30 years of committed faith, Angus found himsel…

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45. Richard Norman on What is Humanism For? 31:08

2M ago31:08

31:08

“It’s on the basis of our shared humanity that we need to try to understand the world and think about how to live in it.” Professor Richard Norman, philosopher and author of What Is Humanism For?, joins us to explore the enduring question at the heart of secular ethics. From his journey out of Christianity to his role shaping humanist thought in th…

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44. Lizzi Collinge MP on Applying Humanist Values in British Politics 38:17

3M ago38:17

38:17

“I believe in autonomy, I believe in choice, I believe in human freedom, and I believe in having less suffering… all of which are fundamentally humanist values.” – Lizzi Collinge MP Lizzi Collinge—Labour MP for Morecambe & Lunesdale and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group—shares how openly declaring “I am a humanist” now shapes her …

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43. Katherine Lacefield on Moving from Confrontation to Connection & Campaigning for Causes that Welcome Everyone 36:22

3M ago36:22

36:22

"Compassion has no borders" - Katherine Lacefield Katherine Lacefield—founder of Just Be Cause Consulting—shares why swapping confrontational animal-rights tactics for compassion-first community building creates deeper, lasting change for animals, people and the planet. Connect with Katherine Website – justbecause.consulting Facebook – @JustBeCause…

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42. Peruvian Association of Atheist on How Humanist Weddings, Naming & Funerals are Driving Peru's Secular Revolution 35:35

3M ago35:35

35:35

“Rituals are in the roots of our humankind.” — Iván Antezana Adrián Núñez and Iván Antezana—leading organisers of the Peruvian Association of Atheists (APERAT)—reveal how their victory in the 2025 Humanist Accelerator Program is turning the dream of legally-recognised humanist ceremonies into a nationwide reality, challenging deep-rooted stigma and…

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41. Bridget Shirvell on Parenting in a Climate Crisis: Teaching Kids Curiosity, Resilience & Hope 32:22

3M ago32:22

32:22

“Research has found that the amount of questions kids ask dramatically decreases once they start formalized education.” – Bridget Shirvell Journalist and climate-communicator Bridget Shirvell joins Humanism Now to share a four-part roadmap—feel, love, build, act—for raising climate-resilient kids. Drawing on her new book Parenting in a Climate Cris…

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EP 66 – Stephen Fry on the uncomfortable truth of AI, the peril of being 'right' over being 'effective', and the dichotomy of humanity 41:29

3M ago41:29

41:29

Andrew Copson speaks to actor, writer, and Humanists UK patron Stephen Fry about his life and career, touching on everything from his concerns that near-universal perspectives on equality could be under threat from prejudiced AI models, to the intriguing paradox of human behaviour in relation to the individual vs the mass. He delves into our innate…

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40. Nick Cooney on Going Beyond Good Intentions & the Ethical Impact of What We Leave Undone 44:20

4M ago44:20

44:20

“Focusing on the positive outcomes gives you agency; you can literally see the progress happening and that keeps you moving forward.” - Nick Cooney Nick Cooney is a social entrepreneur, alternative‑protein investor, and author. He joins Humanism Now to discuss to unpack the hidden moral cost of doing nothing. Drawing on insights from his new book W…

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EP 65 – Anjali Goswami on humanity’s interconnectedness with the world, ‘selfish nihilism’, and a childhood encounter with a tiger 39:23

4M ago39:23

39:23

Andrew Copson speaks to Professor of Palaeobiology and Humanists UK patron Anjali Goswami about how her study of the history of life on Earth profoundly shapes her humanist worldview and sense of interconnectedness. Anjali discusses how a childhood encounter with a tiger has led the course of her career as well as humanity's responsibility towards …

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39. Dr Bo Bennett on Sharpening Critical Thinking, Logical Fallacies & Persuasive Dialogue 38:31

4M ago38:31

38:31

“We need to care more about believing what is true than being right and being proved right.” - Bo Bennet With outrage-bait, memes and “gotcha” clips swarming every feed, being able to think about our thinking is no longer optional. Social psychologist, entrepreneur and Positive Humanism author Dr Bo Bennett joins host James Hodgson to show why crit…

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EP 64 – Lizzi Collinge MP on millennials modernising parliament, living the one life we have, and the joys of being an MP 34:52

4M ago34:52

34:52

Andrew Copson speaks to Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, Lizzi Collinge, about the practical application of humanist principles within the often-turbulent world of politics. It's a glimpse into the unique challenges and 'profound' rewards of being a humanist voice in Westminster, and how…

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38. Julie Pham on Mastering Curiosity as a Practice 32:40

4M ago32:40

32:40

“Curiosity isn’t a trait — it’s a practice. And like any practice, we have to keep doing it even when it’s hard.” — Dr. Julie Pham In this episode of Humanism Now, we explore curiosity as a practice. Dr. Julie Pham — social scientist, community builder, and author of the bestselling 7 Forms of Respect® — joins us to unpack how curiosity, respect, a…

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EP 63 – James Forder on old fashioned liberalism, the finiteness of our existence, and free enterprise as a moral force 49:05

4M ago49:05

49:05

Andrew Copson speaks to economist James Forder about his view on individual freedom and limited government as a self described 'old-fashioned liberal'. He discusses his belief in free enterprise as not just an economic engine but a powerful moral good that fosters self-reliance and the pursuit of individual goals. He also delves into the profound p…

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37. Rachael Reign on Coercive Control Beyond the Home: Protecting Cult Survivors 49:19

4M ago49:19

49:19

“Surviving isn’t just about leaving — it’s about learning to trust yourself again after someone else’s voice has lived in your head for years.” — Rachael Reign In this powerful episode of Humanism Now, Rachael Reign, survivor and founder of Surviving Universal UK, shares her deeply personal story of escaping spiritual abuse and coercive control and…

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EP 62 – Kate Devlin on human adaptability in an AI world, AI's ethical challenges, and our obsession with sex robots 30:57

4M ago30:57

30:57

Andrew Copson speaks to a leading voice in human-technology interaction, Dr Kate Devlin, about becoming the unexpected 'face of sex robots' and why our fascination with artificial companions reveals more about us than the machines. Kate discusses repeating patterns of human fear and adaptation in the face of new technology, the critical ethical cha…

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36. JC Candanedo on Art as Activism for Solidarity, Identity and Representation 41:32

4M ago41:32

41:32

"Inclusion isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about creating a space where people feel safe enough to stay." - JC Candanedo Artist, activist, and humanist JC Candanedo shares his journey from a Catholic school in Panama to the art studios of London. His work weaves together identity, displacement, and community action, exploring how creativity can cha…

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EP 61 – Sarah Bakewell on the joy of biography and what it means to be human 38:26

5M ago38:26

38:26

Andrew Copson speaks to bestselling author Sarah Bakewell who discusses her intellectual journey through the lives and ideas of history's great thinkers. From Montaigne's enduring wisdom to the existentialists' quest for meaning and the rich tapestry of humanism, Sarah discusses how she uncovers the 'inhabited philosophy' of fascinating individuals…

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35. Lindsay de Wal on Redefining Chaplaincy & the Rise of non-religious Pastoral Care in the NHS 31:16

5M ago31:16

31:16

"Transcendence is the connection with something wider; the world, the cosmos, nature, other fellow human beings, and doing good in this life"— Dr Lindsay De Wal When Dr Lindsay De Wal became the first non-religious head of chaplaincy in the NHS, she redefined what spiritual support can look like in modern healthcare. From sceptical colleagues to in…

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EP 60 – Ian Dunt on the uncomfortable truth of liberalism, populism on the rise, and freedom to Vs freedom from 31:52

5M ago31:52

31:52

Andrew Copson speaks to journalist and political powerhouse Ian Dunt about the uncomfortable truths of liberalism, the rise of populism, and tensions between freedom to Vs freedom from. This episode was recorded in January 2024. What I Believe was the title of two separate essays by the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the philosopher EM Forster in…

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34. Michael Bauer on Community Services Without Religion: Practical Humanism for a Secular Future 31:43

5M ago31:43

31:43

“The highest value, the most precious value we have is not peace—it’s freedom.” — Michael Bauer This week on Humanism Now, we’re joined by Michael Bauer, CEO of Germany’s Humanistische Vereinigung—a 175-year-old humanist organisation offering professional community services without religion, grounded in ethics, dignity, and freedom. From ceremony t…

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EP 59 – Jane Fallon on her journey to veganism, a lifelong love for animals, and 'Chick Noir' 31:09

5M ago31:09

31:09

Andrew Copson speaks to acclaimed novelist and Humanists UK patron Jane Fallon about the beliefs that have shaped her journey from vegetarianism to veganism, her lifelong love for animals, and her transition from TV producer to the author of 14 bestselling books. What I Believe was the title of two separate essays by the philosopher Bertrand Russel…

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33. Audrey Simmons & Lola Tinubu on Keeping the Faith Out of the Classroom: Smart Move or Overreach? 22:55

5M ago22:55

22:55

This episode was originally recorded in May 2024. "What we have in common is what is taking us forward." — Lola Tinubu In May 2024, the High Court ruled that Michaela Community School’s “prayer ban” did not unlawfully interfere with students’ rights to religious freedom. This landmark decision reaffirmed the importance of secular education in promo…

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EP 58 – Alf Dubs on escaping the Nazis, memories of the NHS 'the day it all began', and xenophobia in 1940s UK 27:38

5M ago27:38

27:38

Andrew Copson speaks to Labour peer, campaigner, humanist, and former child refugee Lord Alf Dubs who shares the beliefs that have shaped his lifelong quest for social justice, including a childhood encounter with discrimination in 1940s UK and finding himself unexpectedly part of history as a hospital patient on the day the NHS began. He also open…

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32. Alan Palmer on Finding Common Ground Through Faith Dialogues 18:59

5M ago18:59

18:59

“If we focus so much on the 5% that divides us, we miss the 95% we already share.” — Alan Palmer Alan Palmer is the former Chair of Central London Humanists, a trustee of Humanists UK, and a long-time NHS Trust Director. With over 17 years of experience in grassroots organising, Alan shares how London’s most active humanist group grew from pub chat…

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31. Katherine Stewart on Money, Lies & God: How Billionaires Weaponised Religion to Undermine Democracy 34:44

6M ago34:44

34:44

The pro-life religion we see today is a modern creation. It was created for political purposes." — Katherine Stewart Katherine Stewart is an award-winning journalist and author, who has investigated the rise of religious nationalism and its impact on democracy for over 15 years. Her work appears in The New York Times and The New Republic. She is th…

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30. S.I. Martin on Uncovering Britain's Hidden Histories & the Power of Storytelling 29:34

7M ago29:34

29:34

"Isn't it true that we are the stories we tell ourselves?" — S.I. Martin This 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 …

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29. Faith to Faithless on Finding Community after Leaving High-Control Groups (part of Podcastathon 2025) 45:04

7M ago45:04

45:04

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…

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28. Susie Alegre on the Algorithmic Assault on Human Rights: How AI Threatens Our Core Freedoms 39:58

8M ago39:58

39:58

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 inter…

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27. Happy Human Lithuania on the Magic of Humanist Ceremonies & Growing Social Enterprises 30:12

8M ago30:12

30:12

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 …

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26. Nathan Stilwell on the Need for Compassionate Assisted Dying Legislation & End of Life Care 31:34

12M ago31:34

31:34

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 Stil…

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25. Paul Harrison on Humanists in Business, plus Approaches to Activism Discussion 1:06:28

1+ y ago1:06:28

1:06:28

"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 h…

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24. Lori Marriott on Humanist Climate Action 1:12:57

1+ y ago1:12:57

1:12:57

"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 Marriott This week, Katia & Mark join the panel to discuss the merits of identifying with the humanist label. Plus we hear from Lori Marriott…

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23. Ariel Pontes on the Quest for Ethical Consciousness in a Divided World 1:24:37

1+ y ago1:24:37

1:24:37

"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 c…

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22. Ojas Singh Bhanot on Cultivating Student Groups plus Fostering Scientific Literacy in Society 1:04:22

1+ y ago1:04:22

1:04:22

"Humanism is about human goodness, appreciating reason & potential" - Ojas Singh Bhanot This 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…

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21. Valerie Jack on Finding Peace in Grief without God 59:23

1+ y ago59:23

59:23

“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 Death Episode References: BBC News: New extremism definition unveiled by government Humanists UK: Extremists ‘negate the …

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20. Monica Belițoiu, ASUR on Championing Secularism & Science Across Europe 1:04:43

1+ y ago1:04:43

1:04:43

Welcome back to Humanism Now! This week AJ & Mark from the Central London Humanists join the panel to discuss the latest news, plus our interview with Monica Belițoiu, Chair of The Romanian Secular Humanist Association (ASUR) . Episode References Humanist UK; Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes awarded Darwin Day Medal Rebecca Wragg Sykes Interview Humanists UK…

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19. Celebrating International Women's Day! Conversation on Feminism and Humanism 54:27

1+ y ago54:27

54:27

Welcome to Humanism Now's International Women's Day Special hosted by Audrey Simmons (Association of Black Humanists & CLH) and featuring Lola Tinubu (Assoc. Black Humanists & CLH), Katia Urquiza (Central London Humanists) & Nicole Shasha (Leicester Humanists and Young Humanists) who discuss; The importance of IWD today Does being humanist imply be…

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18. Leo Igwe on New Future for Freethought, Atheism and Humanism in Africa 1:31:17

1+ y ago1:31:17

1:31:17

"We should acknowledge that humanism is something that beats in the heart of every human being" Dr Leo Igwe This week James, Lola & AJ are joined by legendary human rights activist, Leo Igwe. We discuss the merits of Darwin Day, Leo's decades of campaigning for freethought and against superstition and Leo's vision for a new future for atheism and h…

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17. Jeremy Rodell on the Art of Interfaith Dialogue 1:06:40

1+ y ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Welcome back to Humanism Now. This we learn practical tips for engaging in good faith dialogues with people of different beliefs with expert insight from Jeremy Rodell, Director of Humanist UK's Dialogue Network and our regular panellists Lola & Nicole. Episode references: Humanists UK: Exploring Common Ground, Dialogue with others Humanists UK: Di…

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16. Anya Overman on Humanism's Social Justice Impact 1:18:43

1+ y ago1:18:43

1:18:43

This week on Humanism Now, Audrey & AJ join the panel to discuss personal and group activism and support for Social Justice campaigns. The panel discuss; How do humanist vales align with these causes? How do we prioritise issues to best influence changes? and what role should Humanist groups play in leading or supporting campaigns? We delve deeper …

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15. Scott Jacobsen on the Importance of Journalism plus Navigating Global Conflicts with Humanistic Values 1:24:39

2y ago1:24:39

1:24:39

"Peace is more than just the absence of war. Peace requires respect for the worth and dignity of our fellow human beings, tolerance among individuals, and harmony within each person." Humanist International's Oslo Declaration on Peace This week, AJ and Mark tackle Humanist perspectives on global conflicts such as the current Israel-Palestine crisis…

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14. 2023 Review & 2024 Preview; Hope, Awe & Collective Human Achievement 1:01:53

2y ago1:01:53

1:01:53

Join us as we review the 2023 year in Humanism and preview the events for 2024 with our regular panellists, Mark, Nicole & Katia. Together with host James, they discuss; insights from 2023 meetups and conventions, inspiring personal experiences, a varied events calendar and the important role of humanist voices in 2024's major democratic elections.…