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Artwork for Unholy Histories: The Humanist Heritage Podcast from Humanists UK

Unholy Histories: The Humanist Heritage Podcast from Humanists UK

Humanise Live
Humanism
Atheism Before the Enlightenment
Universal Declaration Of Human Rights
Humanists UK
History
Education
Philosophy
Science
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Early Modern England
LGBT Rights
Thomas Aikenhead
British Humanism
Emma Martin
Ernestine L. Rose
Mary Wollstonecraft
HG Wells

Join Andrew Copson and Madeleine Goodall—alongside a host of expert guests—as they uncover the hidden histories and untold stories of the people, places, movements, ideas, and events that helped shape British humanism, secularism and freethought.From radical reformers to forgotten dissenters, Unholy Histories explores how reason, skepticism, science, and activism helped build modern Britain—and ho... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes7Founded2 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Unholy Histories: The Humanist Heritage Podcast from Humanists UK

Latest Episodes

In 1880 a newly elected MP walked into the House of Commons and refused to swear an oath to God. Parliament refused to let him take his seat. He was re-elected four times. The standoff lasted six years. Charles Bradlaugh's fight ended with the Oaths ... more

In the aftermath of two world wars, a new vision for humanity began to take shape, one grounded in shared dignity, freedom, and cooperation across borders. At the heart of that vision were humanist thinkers, from H.G. Wells, whose Rights of Man helpe... more

Join Humanists UK: humanists.uk/join

Throughout modern British history, the movements for sexual freedom and freedom of belief have often converged, challenging moral orthodoxy and religious authority in the name of human dignity. This episode trace... more

Education has always been central to humanist thought, from the founding of the Moral Instruction League in 1897 to Margaret Knight's scandalous 1955 BBC broadcasts on raising children without religion. This episode traces the long humanist tradition... more

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Recent Guests

Bill Cooke
Historian, senior editor of Free Inquiry, author
Free Inquiry; HG Wells-related scholarship
Episode: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights with Bill Cooke & Francesca Klug
Francesca Klug
Human rights scholar and writer
LSE Centre for the Study of Human Rights
Episode: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights with Bill Cooke & Francesca Klug
Lesley Hall
Historian and archivist specializing in sexuality and gender in Britain
Independent scholar
Episode: Born of Mary - LGBT Rights & Humanism In Britain with Lesley Hall and Peter Parker
Peter Parker
Cultural historian and biographer of gay life in modern Britain
Independent scholar
Episode: Born of Mary - LGBT Rights & Humanism In Britain with Lesley Hall and Peter Parker
Lois Lee
Senior lecturer in secular studies
University of Kent
Episode: Moral education without religion with Lois Lee & Susannah Wright
Susannah Wright
Associate professor in the history of education
Oxford Brookes University
Episode: Moral education without religion with Lois Lee & Susannah Wright
Michael Hunter
Emeritus Professor of History, Birkbeck College
University of London
Episode: Atheism before the Enlightenment with Michael Hunter and Patrick McGhee
Patrick McGee
Honorary Research Fellow, Durham University
Durham University
Episode: Atheism before the Enlightenment with Michael Hunter and Patrick McGhee
Nan Sloane
Historian, trainer and author
Independent historian
Episode: Heroines of freethought with Annie Laurie Gaylor & Nan Sloane

Hosts

Andrew Copson
Host of Unholy Histories; Chief Executive, Humanist UK
Madeleine Goodall
Host of Unholy Histories; Head of the Humanist Heritage Project

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 14 ratings
  • Informative and enjoyable

    Excellent start to what sounds like a highly informative and entertaining series

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Michael S 1770
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

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

Informative and enjoyable,Excellent start to what sounds like a highly informative and entertaining series
Engaging hosts with deep subject matter expertise
A thoughtful look into Britain's humanist heritage with strong scholarly guests
Clear, well-researched discussions that connect history to contemporary issues

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#28
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#178
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#137
Austria/History
Apple Podcasts
#238
Spain/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights with Bill Cooke & Francesca Klug
Q: Francesca, do you have a website that people can look for? Are you also being Googled on bookshops?
There is a website; if you go into my name at LSE, you'll find my latest book and information in libraries and bookshops.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights with Bill Cooke & Francesca Klug
Q: Exactly. And I'll completely fairly ask you to do it in 30 seconds to preserve time. So without further ado, do you have a favorite humanist or atheist from history that you could briefly share with us?
Mine is The Humanist Trinity—HG Wells, Bertrand Russell, and Joseph McCabe—though I also admire Gloria Steinem as a modern humanist influence; all three represent different angles of humanist thought and activism.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

A history-focused, scholarly program exploring Britain's humanist and freethought heritage through expert historians, educators, and activists. Episodes emphasize the intersections of secularism, LGBT rights, education, and pre-Enlightenment thought, often blending archival insight with biography and case studies. The show stands out for its rigorous analysis, transatlantic perspectives, and willingness to revisit underappreciated figures and movements that shaped modern Britain. Listeners likely value rigorous research, contextual storytelling, and discussions that connect historical ideas to present-day secular and humanist discourse.

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1. The Rest Is Politics
2. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
3. The News Agents
4. Sliced Bread
5. Origin Story

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 months ago and published 7 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. Bill Cooke
2. Francesca Klug
3. Lesley Hall
4. Peter Parker
5. Lois Lee
6. Susannah Wright
7. Michael Hunter
8. Patrick McGee

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