We address a recent editorial from the Toledo Blade that mischaracterizes the failed merger between Kroger and Albertsons. Contrary to the editorial’s claims, it was not the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) but a federal judge who blocked the merger due to concerns about market competition. We discuss the broader implications of allowing massive grocery chains to consolidate, particularly the potential harms to consumer choice, pricing, and local economies. Then we look at a developing legal case ...
Jul 20, 2025•39 min•Ep. 105
A recent ruling from Franklin County has called into question the constitutionality of the Ohio EdChoice voucher program, which has long been a point of debate for its impact on public school funding. The detailed 47-page decision found that the program violates the Ohio Constitution by diverting public funds away from public schools and into private institutions, effectively creating a dual education system. This thoughtful ruling not only invites a renewed conversation about the state’s fundin...
Jul 06, 2025•43 min•Ep. 104
We look into the implications of the inaugural meeting of President Trump's Religious Liberty Commission. The makeup of this commission suggests that true religious liberty may not be its primary focus, but rather an agenda of promoting Christian nationalism. The commission is chaired by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, with key figures such as Dr. Ben Carson and Paula White lending their voices to a narrative that prioritizes the rights and beliefs of Christians while sidelining the conce...
Jun 20, 2025•32 min•Ep. 103
We look into the pressing issues of compassion and empathy in political discourse, particularly among conservative politicians, and the importance of humanism in addressing these challenges. We discuss the alarming trend of lawmakers advocating for cuts to essential social safety nets, such as Medicare and Medicaid, which provide critical support to those struggling to meet basic living standards. We lay bare the injustices inherent in proposals that prioritize tax cuts for the wealthy over the ...
Jun 08, 2025•30 min•Ep. 102
We look at the current legislative climate in Ohio, with a focus on the extreme measures being proposed and enacted. The Ohio State legislature this session is exhibiting a troubling trend towards more radical policies, including the controversial SB1, dubbed the Higher Education Destruction Act. This bill threatens to undermine academic freedom and censor educational content while limiting the rights of faculty to advocate for their rights through strikes. In response to these alarming developm...
May 21, 2025•34 min•Ep. 101
In this milestone 100th episode of the Glass City Humanist, we welcome Toledo activist Sean Nestor for an in-depth discussion on activism within our community. Sean shares his journey from high school political engagement sparked by the looming Iraq War to his current role in revitalizing local media and promoting civic involvement. We delve into the nuances of Toledo's political climate, discussing whether it truly aligns with progressive ideals or if there's a disconnect between grassroots sen...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 100
Our guest is Natalie Hastings, an organizer for Honesty for Ohio Education and Ohioans Against Extremism. The conversation delves deep into the state of public education in Ohio, the implications of grassroots organizing, and the critical importance of maintaining the separation of church and state. Hastings recounts how her experience as a mother and a public school advocate inspired her to engage in activism. After noticing detrimental changes in her community’s public school policies followin...
Apr 25, 2025•40 min•Ep. 99
We explore third places, which are crucial for fostering community by providing inclusive and open environments where people from diverse backgrounds can socialize and interact without the pressures of their primary home or work life. These spaces include cafes, parks, and community centers, each serving as an anchor for social interaction. We articulate how our humanist group embodies the essence of a third place, being a venue for laughter, conversation, and support, as well as a hub for activ...
Apr 11, 2025•39 min•Ep. 98
On March 18th, a significant ruling from Ohio's 10th District Court declared the state’s ban on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth unconstitutional, a decision made in light of an appeal from the ACLU of Ohio. We explore the implications of this ruling, from its roots in legal arguments to the broader message it conveys about the protection of human rights. Transitioning to our guest segment, we chat with Jeff Brooks from the Bluewater Atheists, Humanists, and Agnostics (BAHA) abo...
Mar 26, 2025•30 min•Ep. 97
In this episode, we look at the pressing issue of rising egg prices in the United States and yet another attempt to inject religion into Ohio public schools. We explore the interplay of economics and environmental factors driving the increases in egg prices influenced by the avian flu which has severely impacted the egg-laying bird population. We break down the economic principles at play, explaining how supply shortages due to mass culls of infected flocks have help lead to higher prices while ...
Mar 06, 2025•38 min•Ep. 96
We look at the urgent and current threats to democracy and how our humanist values compel us to take direct action. The discussion emphasizes that as humanists, we hold accountable our shared principles of social justice, compassion, and critical engagement in times when these ideals are increasingly under siege. We reflect on the challenging political landscape we now face, particularly with the implications of the Trump administration returning to power. We point out the aggressive tactics emp...
Feb 18, 2025•50 min•Ep. 95
We dive into the latest developments regarding the contentious case surrounding Dad's Place Church in Bryan, Ohio. The narrative grapples with complex issues of religious freedom, municipal regulations, and homelessness, ignited by Pastor Chris Avell's decision to operate a homeless shelter within his church premises without the required permits. As tensions mount between the pastor, the local government this discussion critically examines whether religious convictions should override health and...
Jan 16, 2025•32 min•Ep. 94
In this episode, we have a visit with Fish Stark, the new Executive Director of the American Humanist Association (AHA). Stark, who officially took on the role in August 2024, shares his gripping origin story steeped in familial influences and the core values of humanism, shaped significantly by his father, Pete Stark, the first openly atheist member of the U.S. Congress and 2008 AHA Humanist of the Year. As Stark seamlessly transitions into his new role, he elaborates on the mission and future ...
Jan 02, 2025•42 min•Ep. 93
We open this episode promoting a workshop Douglas is facilitating in January with the American Humanist Association Center for Education. The topic is helping Humanists speak up through writing letters to the editor, being interviewed by the press and being an advocate for issues Humanists care about. Next we delve into the legislative debates surrounding Substitute House Bill 8, which has been characterized by its ties to the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill introduced by Christian nationalists i...
Dec 20, 2024•45 min•Ep. 92
We dive deep into the ongoing legislative efforts surrounding LifeWise Academy, a Christian nationalist organization seeking to establish Bible classes in public schools during school hours. As the Ohio State Legislature enters its lame duck session, critical issues have arisen concerning the implications of integrating religious instruction into the public education system. We discuss the irony in religious conservative's opposition to perceived indoctrination in schools while actively working ...
Dec 04, 2024•35 min•Ep. 91
We delve into the complexities of grief and its manifestations in our lives, particularly from the unique perspective of a humanist. Grief is not only reserved for the loss of loved ones but extends to experiences such as a beloved sports team's defeat or the heart-wrenching outcome of an election. After the recent 2024 presidential election, many progressives, including humanists, felt a profound sense of loss as the majority voted in a manner contrary to our inclusive values. We unpack the nec...
Nov 20, 2024•47 min•Ep. 90
Host Douglas Berger recently gave a presentation at the First Unitarian Church of Toledo, where he addressed the controversial topic of Release Time Religious Instruction (RTRI) in Ohio, with a particular focus on LifeWise Academy, which aims to provide religious education during the school day. We start by defining RTRI, explaining its legal background, and detailing how LifeWise Academy, founded by Joel Penton, operates within the law to remove children from public school to teach them biblica...
Oct 31, 2024•47 min•Ep. 89
We start out by looking into the complex intersection of politics and disaster recovery. Recent events, particularly the devastating impacts of Hurricane Milton—following closely on the heels of Hurricane Helene—prompt a reflection on how political narratives can distort the truth of emergency assistance. As communities in Florida and the Carolinas grapple with severe weather damage, misinformation begins to circulate, largely perpetuated by certain political factions. We recount how, after Hurr...
Oct 11, 2024•40 min•Ep. 88
Ron Millar is our guest. He is the political action committee (PAC) manager for the Center for Freethought Equality, which operates under the American Humanist Association. With over 40 years of experience in nonprofit education and advocacy, including a significant tenure at the Secular Coalition for America, Millar shares his insights into the intersection of politics and humanist values. We discuss the structure and purpose of the Center for Freethought Equality, explaining its dual role: as ...
Sep 26, 2024•38 min•Ep. 87
We engage in a compelling conversation with Kyle Herman, the newly elected city council member from Stow, Ohio. With a rich background that includes experiences in both national politics and international democracy promotion, Kyle shares his journey back to his hometown and the pivotal moments that inspired his decision to serve locally. Kyle offers insight into his political career, which began with aspirations of becoming a diplomat. His current role on the city council represents a deeper com...
Sep 12, 2024•33 min•Ep. 86
Nick Fish is our guest. He is the fourth president of American Atheists in its 60-year history. We discuss his journey to the organization, the strategic plan for the next 60 years, the current climate of religious freedom in the U.S., and how groups can collaborate to uphold secular values. Nick shares his background as a civil rights activist and his path into the secular movement. His frustration with partisan politics led him to focus on issues where religious intrusion impacts various socia...
Aug 28, 2024•56 min•Ep. 85
We look into the complex religious dimensions of Project 2025, a strategic initiative shaped by the Heritage Foundation and influenced by various far-right and religious conservative groups. This document serves as a comprehensive playbook for a future conservative presidential administration, detailing policies aimed at reconstituting government to align with a conservative ideology. Building upon our earlier discussions about the dangers posed by Project 2025, we focus specifically on how its ...
Aug 17, 2024•43 min•Ep. 84
We look at the details of refreshing our group's Ten Commitments prize wheel for information booths at community events. Our focus is on engaging kids with fun activities while also educating them about humanism. We redesigned the wheel, creating new wedges with shortened, inspirational messages to convey the essence of each commitment effectively. We discuss our ongoing efforts to engage with our community through various projects, such as volunteering at the Seagate Food Bank for Project PJ an...
Aug 01, 2024•41 min•Ep. 83
We start with concerns surrounding politics, particularly Christian nationalism, in the United States. The focus is on the worrisome alignment between the Republican Party and Christian nationalists who wrongly believe that the US was founded as a Christian nation. We recommend two documentaries, "Bad Faith" and "God and Country," which shed light on the politics and beliefs of Christian nationalists. "Bad Faith" delves into the political roots of Christian nationalism, while "God and Country" e...
Jul 18, 2024•48 min•Ep. 82
We have a special announcement about the upcoming winter solstice potluck event in December. We reflect on the challenges the group faced during the pandemic and the excitement around reviving this tradition. The decision to have a potluck instead of a catered banquet is discussed, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and removing financial barriers for attendees. Excitement peaks when plans to invite Gloria Steinem as a keynote speaker for the event are revealed. Douglas shares the proces...
Jul 07, 2024•32 min•Ep. 81
We discuss the impact of genetics on society, touching on both the positive and dark aspects of the field. We reflect on the work of Dr. Anthony Fauci in combating infectious diseases like HIV-AIDS, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19. Dr. Fauci's dedication to saving lives and his experiences with various administrations are highlighted, along with the unfortunate security threats he faces due to political tensions. Then we delve into the history of eugenics, citing examples of how genetics was misused t...
Jun 20, 2024•51 min•Ep. 80
Join us as we tackle the controversial presence of LifeWise Academy in Ohio's public schools. LifeWise, a well-funded evangelical group, has been pushing religious classes under the guise of release time religious education. We discuss how they manipulate state laws to recruit elementary students to attend Bible classes off-campus, often misleading parents and school districts about their true intentions. Our guests, Molly Gaines and Zachary Parrish, co-founders of Parents Against LifeWise, shar...
Jun 04, 2024•54 min•Ep. 79
In this episode, we confront the realities of urban development and its impact on local communities. Peggy Daly-Masternak, coordinator of the I-475 Neighborhoods Coalition, sits down with us to discuss the group's determined fight against the proposed widening of Interstate 475 in Toledo. Peggy details the coalition's efforts to ensure that the voices of affected neighborhoods are heard, and she sheds light on the concerning issues of increased noise, pollution, and the potential for hazardous m...
May 22, 2024•48 min•Ep. 78
Have you ever wondered how to mark life's transitions without relying on traditional religious ceremonies? Megan Sheldon, co-founder and CEO of Be Ceremonial, joins us to illuminate the world of humanist rituals. Megan shares her inspiring journey from personal grief to empowering others in creating secular ceremonies that resonate with their authentic selves. We delve into the heart of why it's crucial for individuals, especially in a society that leans secular, to have access to rituals that s...
May 06, 2024•29 min•Ep. 77
We take a very deep dive into the topic of White Christian Nationalism and why it is an existential threat to the religious freedom for all of us. Then we hear from keynote speaker Dr. Anthea Butler at the recent Summit for Religious Freedom, who well versed on the danger we are facing. Show Notes Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch [01:00] What is Christian Nationalism? [16:55] Keynote speech by Dr. Anthea Butler...
Apr 24, 2024•47 min•Ep. 76
