PODCAST · religion
Freethought Radio
by Freedom From Religion Foundation
A weekly show, broadcast live from Madison, Wis., on 92.1 FM, Saturdays 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-presidents, Freedom From Religion Foundation. Slightly irreverent views, news, music and interviews.
Episodes
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American Caesar
We listen to highlights of FFRF's "Great American Freethought Songbook" concert series. Then, Dr. Bradley B. Onishi describes his new book "American Caesar: How Theocrats and Tech Lords are Turning America Into a Monarchy."
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Why Fascists Fear Teachers
FFRF Action Fund's legislative team gives us a rundown on the Nov. 3 ballot initiatives around the country, both good and bad. Then, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten describes her new book, "Why Fascists Fear Teachers."
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Free Betty
After announcing the "Secularist of the Week" and the "Theocrat of the Week," we speak with Maryam Namazie, president of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Great Britain, about the campaign to release Ibtissame Betty Lachgar from a Moroccan prison for the "crime" of wearing a T-shirt that insults Islam.
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Sisterhood Is Global
After reporting the good and the bad news about Christian nationalist antics, we remember the life and legacy of well-known feminist and atheist activist Robin Morgan, who died earlier this month.
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Not Today, Fascists!
On Constitution Day, we celebrate a legislative win for a Washington, D.C., memorial to Forgotten Freethinking Founder Thomas Paine. Then, popular podcaster Jennifer Welch tells us about her new book, "Not Today, Fascists: The Lies That Got Us Here, and the Truths That Will Reunite Us."
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Southeast Asian Freethinkers
We salute feminist freethinker Robin Morgan, and castigate Christian nationalist actions by various Cabinet members. Then, A.J. Surin, founder and president of Humanists Malaysia, tells us about the few brave freethinkers advocating for reason and tolerance of diversity in his ultrareligious…
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Was Spinoza an atheist?
After remembering the life of the great feminist and humanist Gloria Steinem, we speak with Professor Steven Nadler about his new bombshell book, "Spinoza, Atheist."
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Common Sense
Margaret Downey, president of the Thomas Paine Memorial Association, tells us what you can do to help erect a memorial statue to America's forgotten Founder Thomas Paine in Washington, D.C.
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No Prophets
After announcing that we have asked the Supreme Court to rule that the Texas law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools is unconstitutional, we hear Ron Reagan interview Rep. Jared Huffman about his new book "No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian...
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Hitchens vs. The Church
We hear the brilliant late journalist/intellectual Christopher Hitchens debate an archbishop on the topic "Is the Catholic Church a force for good in the world?" and FFRF Regional Government Affairs Manager Mickey Dollens explains what's wrong with Texas' new bible-infused public-school curriculum.
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Congressional Reason!
After reporting problems created by — as well as victories against — Christian nationalism, we hear the co-chairs of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, Reps. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., and Jamie Raskin, D-Md., speaking at the third annual Congressional Reason Reception in Washington, D.C.,...
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Uncommon Sense
FFRF co-sponsored the Reason Reception in Washington, D.C., in honor of the Congressional Freethought Caucus. We hear remarks by Reps. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., Sean Casten, D-Ill., and Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., capped off by the guest of honor Mary Trump.
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"Intelligent Design" on Trial
This week on Freethought Radio, a look at how the Trump administration is whitewashing American history in Philadelphia. Then, federal Judge John E. Jones tells the behind-the-scenes story of the 2005 trial leading to his landmark decision barring so-called "intelligent design" from being taught…
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Astrology and Science
After reporting national Christian-nationalist news and local state/church victories in the schools, we talk with journalist Carlos Orsi, author of the new book, "What Science Says About Astrology."
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State/Church Advocacy
After reporting a slew of Christian Nationalist nonsense from pastors, government officials and our President, FFRF Action Fund's Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Jayne and State Policy Manager Ryan Dudley describe a slew of good and bad state-church bills in state legislatures so far this year.
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Student Voices on Christian Nationalism
We look at a new federal "religious liberty" report that could significantly reshape church-state separation in the United States, along with a Supreme Court ruling allowing states to ban transgender girls from school sports. We feature award-winning essays by three students – Gabrielle Williams,...
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A Liberating Journey
We first get the lowdown on the back and forth that Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has gotten into with the Freedom From Religion Foundation regarding our objection to the Auburn University men's baseball program being suffused with religion. Then, we listen to writer Chrissy Stroop talk about…
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Brain Surgery
Neurosurgeon Dr. Vivekanand Palavali joins us to examine how science unravels near-death and out-of-body experiences. Then, we hear from members of the Congressional Freethought Caucus who are pushing back against Christian nationalism and the false claim that America was founded as a Christian...
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American Infidels
Historian Steven K. Green's new book, "American Infidelity: The Gilded Age Battle Over Freethought, Free Love and Feminism," describes how 19th-century freethinkers fought religious laws such as the Comstock Act.
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Revival of Reason
Founder and President of Black Nonbelievers Mandisa Thomas tells us about the June 12–14 "Revival of Reason" in Atlanta, celebrating the lives and views of Black Americans who live without religion. We also talk about Ten Commandments monuments, FFRF victories removing religion from public…
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Religion on Campus
What to do about religion at graduation ceremonies? FFRF State Policy Manager Ryan Dudley gives a roundup of state legislative actions this past spring. Then, Harvard student Ash Bu talks about her op-ed in The Crimson newspaper asking, "Where Are All the Atheists Hiding?"
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License to Discriminate
We report on Trump's Christian-nationalist "Rededicate 250" rally in Washington, D.C., last Sunday. Then, Hope Pisoni of Uncloseted Media and John Washington of Lookout tell us about their joint report, "Your License Plate Might Be Funding an Anti-LGBTQ Extremist Group."
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Killers of Roe
After reporting alarming Christian nationalist news, we talk with Amy Littlefield, author of "Killers of Roe: My Investigation into the Mysterious Death of Abortion Rights."
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Buddhist nationalism
FFRF Director of Communications Amitabh Pal joins us as we interview journalist and author Sonia Faleiro about her book "The Robe and the Sword: How Buddhist Extremism is Shaping Modern Asia."
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Happy 20th Anniversary!
We hear excerpts of some of our favorite shows from the past two decades, including Gore Vidal, Christopher Hitchens, Ron Reagan, Ursula K. Le Guin, Sara Paretsky, Julia Sweeney, Daniel C. Dennett, Anne Gaylor, Cecile Richards, Ernie Chambers, Steve Benson, Anthony Pinn, Brent Michael Davids,...
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The Edited Commandments
FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott tells us about the disappointing 5th-Circuit appeals decision allowing Ten Commandments in Texas public schools. Then, author and columnist Kate Cohen tells us "Why Exodus Needs a Rewrite."
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Texas Courage
After offering a fresh perspective on President Trump masquerading as Jesus and other news of the week, we interview Johnnie Cotton, a Texas band director who resigned rather than put up a Ten Commandments poster in his classroom.
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First Amendment hero
Theocrats are active in our federal government and also from beyond the moon! After FFRF staff attorney Sammi Lawrence describes recent state/church victories, we honor the life, words and legacy of Ishmael Jaffree, whose 1985 Supreme Court victory removed prayer and bible reading from public...
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Conversion Therapy
Attorney Sam Grover describes FFRF's court victory demanding the removal of the Ten Commandments from the Arkansas capitol. Then, activist Lucas F. W. Wilson, a survivor of "conversion therapy," discusses his book "Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy."
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Hi, I'm an Atheist!
After reporting on a deluge of Christian nationalist rhetoric from Congress, the White House and the Pentagon, we talk with David G. McAfee, author of the book "Hi, I'm an Atheist! What That Means and How to Talk About It with Others."
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Permanent Injunction
After we cover state/church news in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Maryland, FFRF attorney Chris Line dissects the so-called "Religious Liberty Commission" and FFRF attorney Nancy Noet tells us about this week's decision by an Arkansas court permanently enjoining the state from displaying the Ten...
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Christian Nationalist Zionists
We talk about the Iran war with Mother Jones national correspondent Kiera Butler, author of the article: "Trump's Holy Warriors Finally Got the Apocalypse They've Prayed For."
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Free Betty
Moroccan feminist/activist/freethinker Ibtissame ("Betty") Lachgar is in prison for wearing a T-shirt that insulted Islam. Hear about her harrowing story and about how you can help to free her.
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A Teacher's Dilemma
After reporting state/church news, we talk with Texas schoolteacher Gigi Cervantes who tells us why she quit her job rather than force the Ten Commandments on students.
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Black Secularism and the Scopes Trial: A Century of Freethought
FFRF Communications Director Amit Pal and FFRF Multimedia Producer Leo Costello break down the latest state-church headlines, including troubling rhetoric at the National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance led by House Speaker Mike Johnson. Then, historian Chris Cameron explores the freethinkers...
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The Future of the Freethought Caucus
FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence reports about a high school softball team in Missouri that had religion pushed on it, and how FFRF was able to put a stop to this. Then, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman reviews this year's National Prayer Breakfast in D.C. and provides some insight into future plans for...
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The Feminist Skeptic
FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott reports on FFRF's exciting new legal developments to protect state/church separation. Then as a memorial tribute, we play an interview of Barbara G. Walker, a provocative bestselling skeptic and feminist who died recently.
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The end of a cult
Peruvian journalist Paola Ugaz tells us how her investigation (with colleague Pedro Salinas) led to the downfall of the Sodalitium, a Catholic cult that was sexually, physically and psychologically abusing young people.
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From Myths to Science
What is a "godman"? Tune in to find out. FFRF Senior Attorney Sam Grover gives an eyewitness account of oral arguments over Ten Commandments-in-schools court challenges. Next, Gauhar Raza, an Indian scientist, poet and social activist, tells us about his latest book, "From Myths to Science."
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The Soul Delusion
Before talking with David P. Barash about his provocative new book, "The Soul Delusion," Freethought Radio comments on timely national news and this week's major FFRF victories!
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Haram Doodles
An ex-Muslim "artivist" — that's artist combined with activist — called Haram Doodles uses art to express dissent against the strictures of Islam.
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Separate Church and Hate
Actor, comedian and broadcaster John Fugelsang describes his new book, Separation of Church and Hate. FFRF's Legal Director Patrick Elliott sums up our many accomplishments in 2025.
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The Good Trump
Donald Trump's niece, Mary L. Trump, explains why her uncle is the real Grinch.
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The Solstice Is the Reason
Celebrating with music and readings, we explain why the Winter Solstice is the true "Reason for the Season."
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The Solstice Is the Reason
Celebrating with music and readings, we explain why the Winter Solstice is the true "Reason for the Season."
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Nigerian human rights activist tells it like it is
Dr. Leo Igwe, who is a noted human rights activist in Nigeria, talks about the religious violence in Nigeria and explains why Trump's saber-rattling isn't helping. The video version of this interview is also available on YouTube.
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Escape from Scientology
Pamela Nickel Williams, author of the memoir Clearly Lies Are True, tells us what it was like growing up in Scientology, and how she escaped that abusive cult.
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Let's All Give Thanks
We are thankful for the many speakers and performers at FFRF's 48th annual convention. We listen to 20 clips from that entertaining and enlightening event.
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Fighting for Freedom
Herb Silverman tells us how he fought the state of South Carolina to allow atheists to run for public office, and Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, describes the state of abortion rights across the country.
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Defending Democracy
New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie tells us how we can defend democracy against the threat of Christian nationalism.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A weekly show, broadcast live from Madison, Wis., on 92.1 FM, Saturdays 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-presidents, Freedom From Religion Foundation. Slightly irreverent views, news, music and interviews.
HOSTED BY
Freedom From Religion Foundation
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Freethought Radio have?
Freethought Radio currently has 1000 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Freethought Radio about?
A weekly show, broadcast live from Madison, Wis., on 92.1 FM, Saturdays 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-presidents, Freedom From Religion Foundation. Slightly irreverent views, news, music and interviews.
How often does Freethought Radio release new episodes?
Freethought Radio releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 1000 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Freethought Radio?
You can listen to Freethought Radio on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Freethought Radio?
Freethought Radio is created and hosted by Freedom From Religion Foundation.
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