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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1066Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ReligionReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Freethought Radio

Latest Episodes

On Constitution Day, we celebrate a legislative win for a Washington, D.C., memorial to Forgotten Freethinking Founder Thomas Paine. Then, popular podcaster Jennifer Welch tells us about her new book, "Not Today, Fascists: The Lies That Got Us Here, ... more

We salute feminist freethinker Robin Morgan, and castigate Christian nationalist actions by various Cabinet members. Then, A.J. Surin, founder and president of Humanists Malaysia, tells us about the few brave freethinkers advocating for reason and to... more

After remembering the life of the great feminist and humanist Gloria Steinem, we speak with Professor Steven Nadler about his new bombshell book, "Spinoza, Atheist."

Margaret Downey, president of the Thomas Paine Memorial Association, tells us what you can do to help erect a memorial statue to America's forgotten Founder Thomas Paine in Washington, D.C.

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Recent Guests

Jennifer Welch
Author and podcaster (I've Had It); public figure criticizing Christian nationalism
I've Had It / IHIP News
Episode: Not Today, Fascists!
AJ Surin
President of Humanists Malaysia, human rights and constitutional lawyer
Humanists Malaysia
Episode: Southeast Asian Freethinkers
Steven Nadler
Violaus Research Professor and William H. Hay II Professor of Philosophy
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Episode: Was Spinoza an atheist?
Margaret Downey
President of the Thomas Paine Memorial Association; founder of the Freethought Society and the Anti-Discrimination Support Network
Thomas Paine Memorial Association
Episode: Common Sense
Janine Garofalo
Actor/comedian; FF RF Foundation supporter
Freethought Foundation
Episode: No Prophets
Mickey Dollens
FFRF Regional Legislative Manager; Oklahoma State Representative
Freedom From Religion Foundation
Episode: Hitchens vs. The Church
Julia Sweeney
Atheist and former Catholic; included for context and commentary
Independent
Episode: Hitchens vs. The Church
Janine Grafflo
Caller promoting FFRF
FFRF supporter
Episode: Hitchens vs. The Church
Margaret Sanger
Historical figure referenced in discussion
Historical figure
Episode: Hitchens vs. The Church

Hosts

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

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 685 ratings
  • Exceptional

    These guys have been fighting the good fight against the “good book” for a while now, and they do it the right way. Keep going, and we will keep listening!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ArtificialUnintelligence
    United States2 months ago
  • Awesome!

    And thanks for honoring my favorite journalist- Jamelle Bouie!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    herbify
    United States10 months ago
  • Thank you

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CB098765555
    United States10 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 States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate the mix of news, interviews, and music without losing focus on civil liberties.
Listeners value the evidence-based approach to church-state issues.
Commenters praise accessible yet rigorous discussions, and the advocacy-driven angle.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Not Today, Fascists!
Q: How does Christian nationalism threaten democratic norms and public policy, based on your experiences in Oklahoma and now in New York?
Welch discusses the enmeshment of Christianity with the Republican Party, the manipulation of religious symbols in politics, and the need to separate faith from state to protect civil rights and secular governance.
Not Today, Fascists!
Q: So Jennifer, what was the second lie you were going to talk about from your book, Not Today, Fascists?
Welch highlights the lie that Republicans are good with business and money, arguing their policies often lead to wars, deficits, and harm, with prosperity gospel used to keep voters compliant while real costs fall on ordinary people.
No Prophets
Q: Moving on to the mechanisms behind Christian nationalism, what enables this movement to exist in DC?
Huffman explains that the movement blends intense religious conviction with political power, using charismatic leaders to mobilize adherents across the political spectrum and embed religious aims within policy and governance.
State/Church Advocacy
Q: What states have a K-Pop bill and what's the goal of that legislation?
The K-Pop Act has been introduced in several states as a preventive measure to keep proselytizing out of public schools by strengthening Establishment Clause protections at the state level.
State/Church Advocacy
Q: Why do we need two separate groups—FFRF and the Action Fund?
The Action Fund is the advocacy arm that allows more lobbying and limited electoral work, expanding the foundation's ability to influence public policy while the 501c3 side focuses on education and public outreach.

Audience Metrics

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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 show focused on separation of church and state, civil liberties, and secular critique of religious influence in politics, education, and culture. Episodes blend news, analysis, and interviews with activists, journalists, and policymakers, punctuated by music and audience calls. A standout angle is the sustained advocacy for secular governance through high-profile guest discussions, legal updates, and student perspectives, making the program both informational and mobilizing for listeners who want current events framed by freethought and constitutional principles.

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How many listeners does Freethought Radio get?

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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. Thank God I'm Atheist
5. The Scathing Atheist

How many episodes of Freethought Radio are there?

Freethought Radio launched 20 years ago and published 1066 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Freethought Radio?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Freethought Radio?

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What guests have appeared on Freethought Radio?

Recent guests on Freethought Radio include:

1. Jennifer Welch
2. AJ Surin
3. Steven Nadler
4. Margaret Downey
5. Janine Garofalo
6. Mickey Dollens
7. Julia Sweeney
8. Janine Grafflo

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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