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The Secular Humanists of Western Lake Erie hosted a speech by Fish Stark, executive director of the American Humanist Association on September 13, 2026 in Toledo. This episode includes his remarks as recorded on that day. Stark discusses what humanism means as a positive identity rooted in science, compassion, human potential, and human responsibility. He describes humanists as people committed to civil liberties, human dignity, and the idea that public institutions should serve everyone equally. He then explains Christian nationalism as an extreme right-wing movement that seeks to use government to impose a conservative religious framework. Stark describes legal and legislative efforts by the AHA and its allies to oppose these trends. Next are a couple of clips from the AHA's National Conference held online on September 19th. Jordan Klepper's acceptance speech for Humanist of the Year reflects on uncertainty, certainty in politics, and the role of kindness. He talks about humanism as a commitment to reason and intentional compassion rather than automatic tradition. Rachel Deitch outlines the policy work of the Center for Free Thought Equality, including opposition to voucher expansion, chaplain replacement bills in public schools, and release-time religious instruction. She also describes support for a student bill of rights for secular public education and plans to expand state-level advocacy. Full Show Notes & Links Used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch

Three women whose lives were tied to humanist and feminist values: Dolly Parton, Robin Morgan, and Gloria Steinem died recently. We talk about their work, the ways they supported other people, and the public roles they played. We talk about a Zoom conversation Gloria Steinem held with our local group, which was a highlight for our host. She encouraged people to identify potential activists and get them involved in public life and we mention her later repudiation of earlier anti-trans views and her efforts to make the feminist movement be more inclusive. The American Humanist Association has gone through a rebrand, including an updated logo, website, and tagline. We explain the reasons for the changes, the response from members, and the effort to reach younger people through social media and creators. Finally, we talk about the city of Toledo’s effort to landmark two closed Catholic church buildings before a demolition moratorium expires. We explain the legal and practical issues around preserving old church buildings, and we compare that situation to other reused buildings and local preservation debates. Full Show Notes and Links Used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch

In an update to previous episodes talking about Released Time Religious Education in Ohio and LifeWise Academy in particular, our guest Keith Comer, founder of Respect our Schools discusses what has been happening since LifeWise lobbied the state to force it's brand of child recruitment into the middle of the school day. Elementary students are most affected because their schedules are controlled by the school, making mid-day departures disruptive. He says LifeWise prefers to take students during specials because attendance is higher than during lunch, or recess, and the ultimate goal is recruitment and proselytizing rather than character education. Another focus is money and organization. Comer says LifeWise operates like a franchise, collecting fees from local groups and sending money to headquarters in Hilliard, Ohio. He says local programs often pay substantial portions of their fundraising to the central organization, which also provides curriculum, insurance, and training. We end with concerns about safety and school resources. Comer says parents should ask how background checks, transportation, and monitoring are handled. He also describes cases where schools, city property, or public facilities were illegally used for LifeWise-related activities, and says legal challenges may be necessary to stop such programs. Full Show Notes & Links Used Subscribe to our free email list Check out or merch

There is an anti-science agenda of Christian nationalism. We saw it in the recent Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing with Dr. Anthony Fauci. The claims made against Fauci, causing him to invoke the Fifth Amendment, is a political effort to unfairly blame him for the pandemic. Science has been politicized, including attacks on gender-affirming care, abortion, vaccines, and public health guidance. The scientific method and with the role of experts during the COVID-19 pandemic, while also noting past public health crises such as the AIDS epidemic, show why science policy can't be about politics. There was an offensive billboard in Lima, Ohio, which said that no child has two dads or two moms. We explain why we see the message as harmful to LGBTQ+ families, describe the organization behind it, and note the community response, including a positive counter-campaign and public pushback. An interfaith group sued the federal government over Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission. The suit was dismissed by a federal judge claiming an unique reason. Full Show Notes & Links Used Subscribe To Our Free Newsletter Check Out Our Merch Donate to the Show

In this episode, we focus on how we judge political candidates using evidence rather than instinct. We look at the Graham Platner controversy in Maine, and how prior trauma, PTSD, alcoholism, and harmful behavior can shape a person’s life while still not removing the need for accountability. There are limits of certainty in politics. We say that we are not clairvoyant, that we should give people the benefit of the doubt until credible information changes our view, and that our own life experiences can affect how we interpret allegations. Recent political history and campaign reporting explains why corroborated evidence matters. The other big story is local. We discuss Ohio House Bill 347 and the continuing effort by Christian nationalist groups to restrict abortion despite our state’s reproductive rights amendment. Following a public records requests, we show who was involved in shaping the bill, and how the documentation revealed coordination behind the proposal between a state anti-abortion lawyer and the two representatives that introduced his copy and pasted bill. Full Show Notes & Links Used Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter Check out our merch

Even with all the struggles in protecting our religious liberty, we need to remind ourselves how progressive and positive Humanism is. We do have to focus on negative aspects of the world in order to highlight how Humanism is a better, bold, and joyful way. We highlight a book by Roy Speckhardt and and essay by Fred Edwards to define humanism as a philosophy grounded in reason, science, empathy, compassion, fairness, civil liberties, and human rights. We also note that humanism is open-ended, forward-looking, and focused on life in the present rather than supernatural authority. We then look at three current religious liberty issues. One is the end of the biased Trump Religious Liberty Commission and a lawsuit filed by progressive groups. We talk about Pete Hegseth removing many religions off the official Department of Defense list and Douglas points out how an agency of the Federal government shouldn't be passing judgement on what is and what isn't an approved religion. Finally, we mention a Supreme Court decision the pushed aside a lawsuit involving a Rastafarian prisoner and the violation of his religious liberty. Religious liberty seems to only apply to Christian Nationalists Full Show Notes & Links Used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch

We start off talking about an informational booth we staffed at the Old West End Festival in Toledo and how the event was affected by gun violence. The festival is an important outreach opportunity for our small humanist group. All our volunteers were safe, and we were glad with the festival's decision to cancel the Sunday schedule. We discuss our concerns about desperation of young people in the city, the limits of police response, and the broader problem of easy access to guns. Next we reflect on changing cultural norms by looking back at older films and music we enjoyed in our youth. We discuss how some works now feel dated or offensive, including films Airport 75, Valley Girl, Gone with the Wind, Birth of a Nation, and some early Eddie Murphy comedy material. Culture does change over time and people should be treated with basic worth and dignity. Full Show Notes & Links Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch

Our guest is Ken Schneck, the founder and editor of the Buckeye Flame, a statewide LGBTQ+ news site in Ohio. We discuss how the publication began in 2020 and why he felt there needed to be a dedicated source covering LGBTQ+ issues across Ohio. The mission of the Buckeye Flame is to amplify LGBTQ+ Ohioans and support civic engagement. It encourages readers to submit local stories, including from rural parts of the state, and how that approach has expanded the range of reporting they receive. They also want people to freely share the articles with others. The main reason we produced this episode was to talk about the recent coverage of House Bill 249, the proposed drag ban in Ohio. We discuss testimony from LGBTQ+ people who appeared before the Ohio House Judiciary Committee, including the tense exchange between Representative Josh Williams and witnesses who spoke against the bill. We focus on how the hearing affected people testifying from their lived experience and professional expertise. House Bill 249 not only connects to drag performances but also to transgender people being in public spaces. We discuss concerns raised in the hearing about vague legal language, enforcement, and the possibility of chilling speech and discouraging public expression. We also talk about the history and future of LGBTQ+ media in Ohio and the publication’s efforts to expand coverage of LGBTQ+ Ohioans of color. 01:00 Origins of The Buckeye Flame and mission 05:54 When Queer Ohioans Confronted the Man Trying to Erase Them 10:19 Two Clips from the HB 249 hearing on 03/18/2026 29:10 Main Interview resumes Full show notes & Links Used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch

We give an after-action report on our American Empathy Project sponsored by a grant from the American Humanist Association. Douglas took the lead on this project and he recounts his project anxiety and lack of logistical awareness. He didn't realize what moving 400 plus cans of food really meant. We had to dial back our goal of 100 kits on the day of the event and completed 50 kits in less than an hour. Another freethinking celebrity, Bill Maher, took his podcast guest, comedian David Cross to task for Cross' daughter having Trans friends. Maher repeated many transphobic myths like he was a member of Turning Point USA. We listen to a segment from Sam Seder of Majority Report about the interview and we agree how Maher’s skepticism reflects a disregard for the lived realities of many. It is crucial to highlight that listening to and validating children's identities is not an agenda; instead, it is an essential aspect of affirming their dignity and well-being. Finally we try to unpack the US Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Calais that finally gutted the last bit of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Many southern states with history of racial voter suppression are trying to quickly redraw their voting maps to eliminate as many Democrat held seats as possible before the midterm election in November. We connect the historical context of voting rights with contemporary struggles against systemic racism, illustrating how far we still need to go in achieving electoral equity. 01:00 Our American Empathy Project After-Action Report 12:31 Children Trigger Bill Maher 27:09 Waving Voting Rights Good Bye Full show notes & links used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check Out our Merch

We discuss the pressing themes of humanism and empathy as we prepare for the American Empathy Project, an initiative aimed at combating the widespread cruelty currently proliferating across our nation. We discuss how this project, set to launch on May 2nd, provides a platform for community service projects funded through $100,000 in grants by the American Humanist Association. These projects embody the essence of compassion and collective action in the face of adversity. In more positive news, Virginia's recent legislation aimed at dismantling historical racial injustices by eliminating taxpayer subsidies for Confederate organizations reflects a broader movement towards acknowledging and rectifying past discriminations. Finally we look at the recent fight President Trump started with Pope Leo over the latter's criticism of the stupid "war" the US is waging against Iran. We look at the backlash faced by Pope Leo in response to his criticisms of the Trump administration and the broader implications this has for the Catholic community, especially as it relates to empathy in political discourse. Trump needs catholic voters more than they need him. Full Show Notes & Links Used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch

We start this episode talking about the SAVE Act currently being debated in the Congress and how it is meant to make voter registration and voting harder for those who will have trouble getting the higher level of documentation needed to be eligible. We rebuke the narrative that the act is needed to stop the flood of undocumented people voting since there is not a flood as the data has shown and the SAVE Act itself will do far more damage to our democracy, and affecting our elections, than a small random number of people who are not eligible to vote. Douglas draws on his experience as a precinct poll worker to rebut the argument that requiring a photo ID is better than the current comparison of signatures in a poll book. How would a poll worker know the ID being used is real? Then we shift focus to yet another proposed anti-LGBTQ bill, notably Ohio House Bill 249, which seeks to criminalize drag performances, especially in the presence of minors. We express our disappointment not just in the law itself but in the surprising support of such a bill from two members of marginalized groups who are the ones who introduced the bill. The episode brings to light the troubling reality where individuals from historically oppressed communities are complicit in the persecution of others, invoking religious justifications that distract from the essence of human rights and dignity. Finally we show a compelling clip from Amanda of Yesterqueers, who connects the proliferation of anti-LGBTQ legislation, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the SAVE Act. This connection emphasizes the broader context of how marginalized communities are often pitted against each other in cultural wars, which serve to distract from more pressing socioeconomic issues. Drawing these connections reveals a disturbing trend where the struggles of LGBTQ individuals, particularly trans people and drag performers, are framed as threats to societal norms, rather than highlighting their right to express and exist free from harassment. Full show notes & links used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Donate to support the show

Our guest is Dr. Jerry Jaffe, a Toledo native and professional stand up comic who has written a book titled "Religious Satire in the Era of New Atheism" He will introduce you to some of the ideas and examples from his research. Focused on the context of the post-9/11 American culture phenomenon, sometimes referred to as the New Atheism – as embodied by public intellectuals such as Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and Richard Dawkins – Dr, Jaffe documents the rise of comedic satire in relation to evangelical beliefs and religious dogma. Drawing on the author’s own experience of stand-up performance, he examines the comedy of figures such as Mark Maron, Bill Maher, and Ricky Gervais and presents material from interviews with comedians including Lewis Black, John Fugelsang, and Leigh Ann Lord. We also discuss the tarnishing of New Atheism because several members turned out to be problematic individuals with some holding transphobic views and others being accused of islamophobia. Dr. Jaffe discusses islamophobia in comedy and how it is better to 'punch up' rather than 'punch down'. He also argues that many comics in the US don't satire Islam because comedy works when it is relatable to the audience. He also explains it is better to make fun of the powers that be in a religion rather than the adherents. 01:00 Origin of a comedian 14:00 Personal favorite part of the book 19:38 The fall of New Atheism 31:16 Why don't we make fun of Islam? 41:28 Future writing plans Full show notes & links used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Donate to our Podcast fund

We start out by looking at the critical topic of empathy within the current socio-political landscape, highlighting the troubling viewpoint expressed by some Christian nationalists who deem empathy as a weakness or even a sin. This discussion is especially topical as we witness the harsh realities of our out-of-control government, where political gain often leads to the suffering and even death in vulnerable communities. The American Humanist Association is combating this trend by launching The American Empathy Project aimed at promoting empathy, which happens to be an essential humanist value. Offering $100,000 in grants, The American Empathy Project encourages groups across the nation to create activities centered around themes like care for the marginalized, environmental conservation, and affirming the rights of vulnerable populations. We outline various project ideas that participants can engage in while emphasizing that empathy, far from being a liability, is a crucial asset for societal progress. We transition to the various serious topic of the connection of public figures including those in the atheist and freethought movement with the convicted child sex trafficker Jeffery Epstein. These connections are proven with the release of many photos and emails in the Epstein criminal files held by the US Department of Justice. Epstein had a personal or donor relationship with people like Lawrence Kraus, Steven Pinker, and Richard Dawkins and these men tended to mimic views about women that Epstein was known to express. Content creator Rebecca Watson also details her appearance in the Epstein files and how that is related to the cancer of Misogyny that still infects the freethought community. She relates the dumpster fire that was the introductory speech by former Center for Inquiry CEO Ronald Lindsay at the Women in Secularism Conference in 2013. Lindsay is also in the Epstein files - naturally. 01:00 The American Empathy Project 20:54 Does Humanism Have A Jeffery Epstein Problem? Full show notes & links used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our swag

We start by looking at narratives, or stories, and their impact on societal issues, particularly within the realms of politics and human rights. We highlight a concerning a local incident with the group Toledoans for Trump, who faced backlash for reserving a space to meet. We have concerns about the potential harm of silencing differing opinions through social media backlash and boycott calls, emphasizing the importance of defending free speech even when we disagree with the message and that private businesses can and do discriminate based on political views. We are concerned about how much press this incident received when other stories are not heard. Next we highlight Senate Bill 341 introduced in the Ohio legislature, which seeks to prohibit minors from marrying. There is a connection between such marriages and human trafficking, as well as how they can perpetuate cycles of abuse. Child marriage is also connected to cultural and religious beliefs. We encourage listeners to engage with their legislators to amplify this initiative, emphasizing its significance in protecting vulnerable individuals. We end the episode by talking about the paramilitary and unconstitutional work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities and their implications for all our civil liberties. There are serious consequences of ICE's aggressive tactics, reflecting on past tragedies and ongoing fears within immigrant communities. We stress the urgent need for community awareness and advocacy. By sharing experiences from Minneapolis and local insights, we call upon listeners to support their neighbors and push back against authoritarian enforcement that targets marginalized communities. Full show notes &links Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our show swag

We start by talking about the recent US Supreme Court hearing on cases challenging the bans on Trans women from playing on women's sports teams. The conservative justices questioned if such bans were really discrimination since the trans community is so small. We mention how they made the same arguments in upholding the bans on gender affirming care last year and how it is similar to the arguments used to support Jim Crow laws during the civil rights era. The sports bans are yet another attempt to erase trans people from the canvas of society and serves no rational reason just a religious bigotry reason. Next we look at the murder of Renee Good and how her death not only highlights the extreme measures government agents will take against individuals standing up for their neighbors but also points to a persistent narrative that resurfaces often: the dehumanization of individuals labeled as "other." There is an alarming tendency for authorities to shift blame onto the victims, rather than addressing the flawed systems that contribute to such violence. This hypocrisy and deliberate denial of accountability must be called out as it perpetuates cycles of injustice. Finally we examine the legislative moves by Christian nationalists aiming to influence public education through a proposed "success sequence" framework in Ohio. This initiative seeks to dictate personal and familial decisions by mandating that youth follow a three-step path of education, employment, and marriage before having children as a means to avoid poverty. While the intent may appear benign, but we find the underlying agenda and biases within this bill—one that seeks not only to uphold conservative values but to erase the economic realities faced by many in the lower socioeconomic strata. We also question the fundamental assumptions behind such a sequence, arguing that it ignores systemic barriers, such as race, socioeconomic status, and educational access. Full show notes & links used Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch