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

"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 erased narratives, Steve shares how early exposure to music, books, and doubt led him to scepticism and ultimately humanism. We discuss: The importance of embedding Black British history into everyday landscapes and classrooms Robert Wedderburn, revolutionary preacher and free thinker Unique challenges faced by Black atheists in religious communities How historical fiction can reshape cultural imagination and offer new identities Why humanist groups must evolve to become more inclusive, especially for younger generations The hidden social history of Black-owned pubs in 18th- and 19th-century London Explore S.I. Martin’s work: 🌐simartin.org.uk 📖 Books by S.I. Martin  ❌ @simartin on X 📺 A History of Black Freethought (Humanists UK Convention 2023) 📺 The Beliefs of Black Georgians (Humanist Heritage) 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 [email protected]: 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices