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.
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"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 playbook
Research abuses that have legitimately fueled mistrust in science
How to practice healthy, proportional skepticism and spot the difference between real and pseudoscience
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.
69. New Report: How UK Asylum Process Fails Non-Religious Refugees with Dr Lucy Potter
Season 1 · Episode 69
Sunday, March 22, 2026 • Duration 13:00
"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
Podcasthon 2026 Special: How Freedom From Torture Helps Survivors Heal
Season 1
Thursday, March 19, 2026 • Duration 20:21
"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 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 scheme
About 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 .
68. The Science Of Weird Stuff with Prof. Chris French
Season 1 · Episode 68
Sunday, March 15, 2026 • Duration 40:35
"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.
67. Meet the British Army's First Ever Humanist Chaplain with Padre Neil Weddel & Clare Elcombe Webber
Season 1 · Episode 67
Sunday, March 8, 2026 • Duration 41:39
“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 cover
The evolving purpose of Chaplaincy
Why the Army’s first non-religious chaplain is such a landmark moment
“Presence”, confidentiality, and sitting outside the chain of command
Stoicism, existentialism, and humanistic psychology as practical frameworks for moral and pastoral support
How humanist chaplaincy strengthens, not replaces, religious chaplaincy
Where chaplaincy fits alongside welfare and medical support in a whole-person wellbeing system
Ceremonies in military life: inclusive funerals, namings, and personal milestones
What it takes to become a non-religious pastoral carer, and the pathway into the profession
Welcome 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 International
Our member‑led structure and global reach
Lived experience informing advocacy
Reflections on the 2026 IRF Summit
Fractures in human rights spaces and how to address them
What happens inside the Human Rights Council
Why start this podcast now and what comes next
Why attend the World Humanist Congress 2026
66. Fish Stark on How The AHA Is Building a Humanist Revival In America
Season 1 · Episode 66
Sunday, February 22, 2026 • Duration 49:38
"If science tells you what's real and compassion tells you what's right, you're a humanist" - Fish Stark
Fish 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.
65. CampQuest UK Returns! How Kids Camps Build Confidence, Community, and Critical Thinking
Season 1 · Episode 65
Sunday, February 15, 2026 • Duration 30:27
“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.
✔︎ 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 camp
64. Empathy in Action: Wil Jeudy on Uniting Secular Politics
Season 1 · Episode 64
Sunday, February 8, 2026 • Duration 27:22
“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 burnout
Zion 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
How to shape the conversation, support us and follow
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.
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.
The Ship of Theseus (identity over time): Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
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.
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.
Death rates per unit of electricity production – Our World in Data
What are the safest and cleanest sources of energy? – Our World in Data
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.
