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Artwork for Freethought Radio
Freedom From Religion Foundation
Christian Nationalism
Separation Of Church and State
Abortion Rights
Ten Commandments
Atheism
Secularism
Scopes Trial
Donald Trump
LGBTQ Rights
First Amendment
Project 2025
Democracy
Public Education
Hindu Nationalism
Supreme Court
Religion
Transgender Rights
Christianity
Censorship

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1055Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ReligionReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Freethought Radio

Latest Episodes

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... more

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, w... more

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 ... more

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.

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Recent Guests

Chrissy Stroop
Freethought heroine, journalist, author
The Fly Trap, Empty the Pews project
Episode: A Liberating Journey
Dr. Vivekanand Palavali
Brain surgeon with 30 years of experience, author of Searching for Soul
Independent author, Neuroscience researcher
Episode: Brain Surgery
Steven K. Green
Professor, author of American Infidelity
Willamette University
Episode: American Infidels
Mandisa Thomas
Founder and president of Black Nonbelievers
Black Nonbelievers
Episode: Revival of Reason
Ash Bu
Harvard College student, mathematics major, The Harvard Crimson columnist
Harvard College, The Harvard Crimson
Episode: Religion on Campus
Hope Pisoni
Investigative reporter at Uncloseted Media
Uncloseted Media
Episode: License to Discriminate
John Washington
Staff reporter at Lookout
Lookout
Episode: License to Discriminate
Janine Garofalo
Comedian and activist
FFRF (appearing as guest advocate)
Episode: License to Discriminate
Amy Littlefield
Abortion access correspondent for The Nation, author of Killers of Roe
The Nation
Episode: Killers of Roe

Hosts

Dan Barker
Co-host of Freethought Radio; Co-president of Freedom From Religion Foundation
Annie Laurie Gaylor
Co-host of Freethought Radio; Co-president of Freedom From Religion Foundation

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 682 ratings
  • Awesome!

    And thanks for honoring my favorite journalist- Jamelle Bouie!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    herbify
    United States8 months ago
  • Thank you

    Thank you for your weekly program & all your hard work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CB098765555
    United States8 months ago
  • Woe to the Women

    I’m a 70- year-old woman who has just become a feminist freethinker. I’m reading all I can. Annie Laurie talked about how religions persecute women. That is where I am in my journey to understand misogyny. I ordered your book, Woe to the Women. Hope to learn more.

    Your podcast is my go-to for hope! Thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cherifire
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great info & important support

    This pod is more important than ever! Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Skleban
    United Statesa year ago
  • Fantastic organization

    They do valuable work

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Diego Pakman
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the thoughtful guest lineups and advocacy-oriented discussions.
Some listeners note a preference for more interview content and less musical interludes.
Listeners praise the program for informing on church-state issues and legal battles.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Brain Surgery
Q: Are near-death experiences evidence of an afterlife?
Palavali frames these experiences as brain-based phenomena influenced by body image, sensory integration, and religious background rather than proof of an afterlife.
Religion on Campus
Q: What is the current mood among Harvard students regarding voting and activism given a large number of 'nuns' in the class?
There is growing political activism, with galvanized student engagement, but religion takes a secondary place in the activism as students focus on broader issues such as immigration and democracy, while maintaining secular concerns.
Revival of Reason
Q: What can attendees expect at Revival of Reason?
Expect a weekend of education, music, speeches, and workshops, with both in-person and online options, highlighting Black nonreligious voices and coalition-building with FFRF.
Revival of Reason
Q: What is Black Nonbelievers and why was it started?
Mandisa explains BN was founded to unite Black atheists, humanists, and agnostics in Atlanta, addressing underrepresentation and promoting in-person community-building while advocating for secular values.
Killers of Roe
Q: Amy, what can you tell us about the Hyde Amendment and why it matters today?
The Hyde Amendment banned federal funding for abortion through Medicaid, effectively denying coverage to the poorest Americans and creating a long-term fiscal barrier that shaped who could access abortion and how, which helps explain persistent disparities in abortion access.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Freethought Radio

What is Freethought Radio about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly program blending news, interviews, and musical interludes focused on church-state separation, secularism, and civil liberties. Episodes commonly cover legal battles surrounding public displays of religion, abortion rights, Christian nationalism, and related policy shifts, often weaving investigative reporting with advocacy and guest discussions from journalists, activists, and scholars. A notable strength is the steady mix of rigorous legal analysis, human-interest survivor perspectives, and timely political commentary, which can help listeners understand how secular principles intersect with current events. The show frequently features prominent activists and experts who illuminate the practical implications of court decisions and... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Freethought Radio?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Freethought Radio:

1. TheThinkingAtheist
2. Friendly Atheist Podcast
3. The Atheist Experience
4. Straight White American Jesus
5. The Al Franken Podcast

How many episodes of Freethought Radio are there?

Freethought Radio launched 20 years ago and published 1055 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 Freethought Radio?

Recent guests on Freethought Radio include:

1. Chrissy Stroop
2. Dr. Vivekanand Palavali
3. Steven K. Green
4. Mandisa Thomas
5. Ash Bu
6. Hope Pisoni
7. John Washington
8. Janine Garofalo

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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