Episode notes
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?"
Podcast
Freethought Radio
Freedom From Religion Foundation · Devotional & Spiritual · English
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.
More from Freethought Radio All episodes →
-
2 Jul 2026 · 50 min
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 , Jaianah Hightower and MeKah'E LeClair . We also hear Dan Barker's opening statement from a recent debate on whether the God of the Bible exists.
-
25 Jun 2026 · 49 min
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 her journey from evangelical schools to leading counternarratives about the Christian right.
-
18 Jun 2026 · 49 min
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 nation.
-
11 Jun 2026 · 49 min
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.
-
4 Jun 2026 · 50 min
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 schools, and public officials discussing "aliens and demons."
-
21 May 2026 · 49 min
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."
-
14 May 2026 · 50 min
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."
-
7 May 2026 · 50 min
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."
-
30 Apr 2026 · 49 min
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, Janeane Garofalo, Leighann Lord, Ann Druyan and Donald C. Johanson.
-
23 Apr 2026 · 50 min
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."
