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Artwork for Freedom of Thought by Humanists International

Freedom of Thought by Humanists International

Humanise Live
Humanists International
Freedom Of Religion Or Belief
Freedom Of Thought Report
World Humanist Congress
United Nations
Universal Periodic Review
Human Rights Council
United Kingdom
Humanist Canada
Romanian Secular Humanist Association
Blasphemy Laws
Populism
Non-Religious
United States
Democracy
Far-Right Extremism
Non-Religious / Atheism
Special Rapporteurs
Reform Of the UN / Efficiency
American Humanist Association

Freedom of Thought from Humanists International is a global news and interview podcast examining the state of freedom of belief, expression, and human rights worldwide.

Hosted by Gary McLelland and Leon Langdon, the podcast draws on Humanists International’s flagship Freedom of Thought Report to bring together researchers, human rights defenders, activists, and policy experts to unpack the realit... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes17Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityNews

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Artwork for Freedom of Thought by Humanists International

Latest Episodes

Sign up for the Humanists International Newsletter

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Gary and Leon reflect on the countdown to the World Humanist Congress in Ottawa, now just three weeks away and plans for HI's 75th anniver... more

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Gary and Leon reflect on the Humanists International quarterly staff gathering in London. Leon updates on the UN Human Rights Council 62nd... more

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Gary and Leon are joined this week by Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church. 

Americans United (AU... more

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Gary and Leon mark World Humanist Day — sharing a brief history of how the 21st of June became the humanist calendar's most important date... more

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Gary reports from the Humanist UK Festival of Humanism — over 650 humanists gathered in Bournemouth for the flagship annual event. Leon updates on the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, wh... more

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Gary and Leon open Season Two with updates on the World Humanist Congress — now just two months away and on track to sell out in Ottawa — alongside news of a new Latin American Membership Developmen... more

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To mark the end of Season One, Gary and Leon are joined by Harry, Fundraising and Communications Officer at Humanists International, who hosts a special listener Q&A. Questions came in from around t... more

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Gary joins from Guatemala, where he has been meeting with Humanistas Guatemala and learning about the growing influence of American evangelical Christianity and the fascinating tradition of Catholic... more

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Recent Guests

Monica Belițoiu
Executive Director of the Romanian Secular Humanist Association
Romanian Secular Humanist Association
Episode: Fighting Religious Indoctrination in Schools with Monica Belițoiu, ASUR
Fish Stark
Executive Director of the American Humanist Association; organizer, educator, and social entrepreneur
American Humanist Association
Episode: Resisting Christian Nationalism with Empathy, Community and Creators - Fish Stark
Janalee Morris
Executive Director of Humanist Canada
Humanist Canada
Episode: Humanism Has Answers - Inside Humanist Canada with Janalee Morris
Lucy Potter
Post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Sociological Studies, University of York
University of York; Researcher on non-religious asylum claims
Episode: How the UK Asylum System Is Failing the Non-Religious with Dr. Lucy Potter
Javan Lev Poblador
Membership Manager, Humanists International
Humanists International
Episode: Growing Humanism Worldwide - Membership, Grants and Community with Javan Lev Poblador
Lizzi Collinge
Labour MP for Morcombe and Lunsdale; Chair of the UK Parliamentary Humanist Group
UK Parliament
Episode: How Humanist Legislators Turn Values Into Progress with Lizzi Collinge MP & Heidi Nordby Lunde
Heidi Nordby Lunde
Director of Politics and Public Relations at the Norwegian Humanist Association; former Norwegian Parliament member
Norwegian Humanist Association
Episode: How Humanist Legislators Turn Values Into Progress with Lizzi Collinge MP & Heidi Nordby Lunde
Andrew Copson
Chief executive of Humanist UK; former president of Humanists International (2015-2025)
Humanist UK; Humanists International
Episode: Humanist Values Are Ideal For This Moment with Andrew Copson
Maggie Ardiente
American humanist leader, non-profit executive and advocate at the intersection of secularism, social justice and civil rights
Humanists International (President as of 2025)
Episode: Humanism As Resistance with Maggie Ardiente

Hosts

Gary McLelland
Host of Freedom of Thought; Senior figure within Humanists International
Leon Langdon
Co-host of the show; Host of Freedom of Thought; policy-oriented presenter

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Resisting Christian Nationalism with Empathy, Community and Creators - Fish Stark
Q: Can you share details about the American Empathy Project and the creator funding initiative?
Stark describes the American Empathy Project as a large mobilization that funded thousands of service projects and grants to humanist groups, aiming to meet material needs and shift culture toward empathy. He also explains a creator fund that supports humanist creators with editing, equipment, and promotion to compete with right-wing influencer networks, growing membership and engagement.
Resisting Christian Nationalism with Empathy, Community and Creators - Fish Stark
Q: Given your background, why do you think humanism is the right cause for you at this time, given everything in the world?
Fish Stark discusses how humanism provides a practical, ethical framework that centers humanity, community, and universal dignity, especially in a time of rising polarization and dehumanization. He emphasizes building belonging and social responsibility while fighting back against Christian nationalism through both advocacy and community-based action.
How the UK Asylum System Is Failing the Non-Religious with Dr. Lucy Potter
Q: What are the core findings from the three years of research?
Two main issues: the system is poorly equipped to assess non-religious claims, and non-religious refugees face distinct barriers due to policy gaps that fail to define non-religious identities and the specific risks faced by apostates.
How the UK Asylum System Is Failing the Non-Religious with Dr. Lucy Potter
Q: What drew you to study non-religious asylum claims, and what sparked the research?
A case in 2018 where a Pakistani humanist was denied asylum because the Home Office could not name ancient philosophers associated with humanist beliefs; this highlighted a fundamental misunderstanding of non-religious identities and sparked a broader research project.
Inside The 2025 Freedom Of Thought Report & Blasphemy Laws with Mubarak Bala
Q: Leon asks about the key mechanisms behind the Freedom of Thought Report and how it informs advocacy.
Mubarak and the hosts discuss the report's data collection, in-country input from members, and its use in UN and international forums to advocate for universal human rights.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A global-focused, rights-driven show explores freedom of belief, expression, and civil society across countries and regions. Through interviews with researchers, activists, policymakers, and leaders from Humanists International and partner organizations, episodes unpack findings from the flagship Freedom of Thought Report and connect them to current international law, UN processes, national legislatures, and NGO advocacy. Notable throughlines include practical advocacy tools, funding and governance for member networks, responses to blasphemy and coercive religious norms, and cross-border collaboration at events like world congresses. The program tends to feature voices shaping policy and civil society action, with a clear emphasis on real-w... more

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1. The Voice of Canadian Humanism
2. Humanism Now | Secular Ethics, Curiosity and Compassionate Change
3. Empire: World History
4. Making Sense with Sam Harris
5. Science Weekly

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this podcast launched 5 months ago and published 17 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Monica Belițoiu
2. Fish Stark
3. Janalee Morris
4. Lucy Potter
5. Javan Lev Poblador
6. Lizzi Collinge
7. Heidi Nordby Lunde
8. Andrew Copson

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