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Freethought Radio

Freedom From Religion Foundationffrf.org
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.
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Episodes

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."

Mar 26, 202649 min

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 Commandments in public classrooms.

Mar 19, 202650 min

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."

Mar 12, 202649 min

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.

Mar 05, 202650 min

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.

Feb 26, 202649 min

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 of color who helped build a powerful tradition of Black secularism in America.

Feb 19, 202650 min

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 the Congressional Freethought Caucus.

Feb 12, 202649 min

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.

Feb 05, 202650 min

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.

Jan 29, 202649 min

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."

Jan 22, 202650 min

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!

Jan 15, 202649 min

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.

Jan 08, 202650 min

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.

Dec 31, 202549 min

The Good Trump

Donald Trump's niece, Mary L. Trump, explains why her uncle is the real Grinch.

Dec 24, 202550 min

The Solstice Is the Reason

Celebrating with music and readings, we explain why the Winter Solstice is the true "Reason for the Season."

Dec 19, 202550 min

The Solstice Is the Reason

Celebrating with music and readings, we explain why the Winter Solstice is the true "Reason for the Season."

Dec 18, 202550 min

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 .

Dec 12, 202549 min

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.

Dec 04, 202550 min

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.

Nov 26, 202550 min

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.

Nov 20, 202549 min

Defending Democracy

New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie tells us how we can defend democracy against the threat of Christian nationalism.

Nov 13, 202549 min

"So Help Me FFRF"

After talking about warning labels on bibles and reporting on state/church news, we hear Brandi Carlile's new song "Church and State." FFRF Senior Litigation Counsel Sam Grover joins us to talk about our newest lawsuit with South Carolina plaintiff Jim Reel, who was denied becoming a poll worker because he could not swear "so help me God."

Nov 06, 202550 min

The Great Abdication

Harvard Professor Steven Levitsky, author of How Democracies Die , tells us about "The Great Abdication: America's Descent into Authoritarianism."

Oct 30, 202549 min

Evangelical Zionists

After reporting state/church victories and complaints in California, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Tennessee, Washington, Texas and Arkansas, we speak with Mother Jones national correspondent Kiera Butler about her article, God's "Blank Check": Christian Zionists Are Pouring Billions of Dollars Into Israeli Extremism .

Oct 23, 202550 min

Guns and Poetry

Journalist William J. Kole tells us about his book, "In Guns We Trust: The Unholy Trinity of White Evangelicals, Politics, and Firearms." Then, we speak with historian and poet Jennifer Michael Hecht, author of "The Wonder Paradox: Embracing the Weirdness of Existence and the Poetry of Our Lives."

Oct 16, 202550 min

Fighting Authoritarianism

U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., explains how California's Proposition 50 is trying to fight religious-right authoritarianism. Legal Fellow Kyle Steinberg describes FFRF's new federal lawsuit challenging a religious oath in South Carolina.

Oct 09, 202550 min

Unforgiven

After reporting on state/church news, we hear the song "Friendly Atheist T-shirt" by the Freethought Band of Humanists of Minnesota. Then, we speak with University of Toronto Professor of Religion Kevin Lewis O'Neill about his book, Unforgivable: An Abusive Priest and the Church That Sent Him Abroad.

Oct 02, 202550 min

Creationism on Trial

After covering state/church news, we report on the "war-mongering" Christian nationalist rhetoric at Charlie Kirk's memorial. Then, we hear distinguished attorney Richard Katskee speaking at the Scopes Trial Centennial conference about his role in the 2005 lawsuit in Dover, Pa., defending the teaching of evolution in the public schools.

Sep 25, 202549 min

Whitewashing History Highlights the Importance of Church-State Separation

We celebrate a court victory in Arkansas, where a federal court issued a second preliminary injunction blocking a state law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. We criticize a "faith-based disaster recovery event" at the National Mall in which Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner proclaimed that "faith is back in our government." We speak with Rep. Mark Pocan about the whitewashing of history in the wake of Christian nationalist Charlie Kirk'...

Sep 18, 202550 min

"Western Christian values"

Christian nationalists in government are ramping up the rhetoric. We report how FFRF is protesting the White House "America Prays" initiative and a bill to put "In God We Trust" on federal buildings. Then, we speak with journalist Haley Cohen Gilliland, author of A Flower Traveled in My Blood: The Incredible True Story of the Grandmothers Who Fought to Find a Stolen Generation of Children , about right-wing Argentine dictator Jorge Rafael Videla, whose government kidnapped, tortured and killed t...

Sep 11, 202549 min
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