Freethought Radio

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.

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."

After offering a fresh perspective on President Trump masquerading as Jesus and other news of the week, we interview  Johnnie Cotton, a Texas band director who resigned rather than put up a Ten Commandments poster in his classroom.

Theocrats are active in our federal government and also from beyond the moon! After FFRF staff attorney Sammi Lawrence describes recent state/church victories, we honor the life, words and legacy of Ishmael Jaffree , whose 1985 Supreme Court victory removed prayer and bible reading from public schools.  

Attorney Sam Grover describes FFRF's court victory demanding the removal of the Ten Commandments from the Arkansas capitol. Then, activist Lucas F. W. Wilson , a survivor of "conversion therapy," discusses his book " Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy. "

After reporting on a deluge of Christian nationalist rhetoric from Congress, the White House and the Pentagon, we talk with David G. McAfee , author of the book " Hi, I'm an Atheist! What That Means and How to Talk About It with Others. "  

After we cover state/church news in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Maryland, FFRF attorney Chris Line dissects the so-called "Religious Liberty Commission" and FFRF attorney Nancy Noet tells us about this week's decision by an Arkansas court permanently enjoining the state from displaying the Ten Commandments in public classrooms.

We talk about the Iran war with Mother Jones national correspondent Kiera Butler , author of the article: "Trump's Holy Warriors Finally Got the Apocalypse They've Prayed For."

Moroccan feminist/activist/freethinker Ibtissame ("Betty") Lachgar is in prison for wearing a T-shirt that insulted Islam. Hear about her harrowing story and about how you can help to free her.

After reporting state/church news, we talk with Texas schoolteacher  Gigi Cervantes  who tells us why she quit her job rather than force the Ten Commandments on students.

FFRF Communications Director Amit Pal and FFRF Multimedia Producer Leo Costello break down the latest state-church headlines, including troubling rhetoric at the National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance led by House Speaker Mike Johnson. Then, historian Chris Cameron explores the freethinkers of color who helped build a powerful tradition of Black secularism in America.

FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence reports about a high school softball team in Missouri that had religion pushed on it, and how FFRF was able to put a stop to this. Then, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman reviews this year's National Prayer Breakfast in D.C. and provides some insight into future plans for the Congressional Freethought Caucus.

FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott reports on FFRF's exciting new legal developments to protect state/church separation. Then as a memorial tribute, we play an interview of Barbara G. Walker, a provocative bestselling skeptic and feminist who died recently.

Peruvian journalist Paola Ugaz tells us how her investigation (with colleague Pedro Salinas) led to the downfall of the Sodalitium, a Catholic cult that was sexually, physically and psychologically abusing young people.

What is a "godman"? Tune in to find out. FFRF Senior Attorney Sam Grover gives an eyewitness account of oral arguments over Ten Commandments-in-schools court challenges. Next, Gauhar Raza , an Indian scientist, poet and social activist, tells us about his latest book, "From Myths to Science."

Before talking with David P. Barash about his provocative new book, "The Soul Delusion," Freethought Radio comments on timely national news and this week's major FFRF victories!

An ex-Muslim "artivist" — that's artist combined with activist — called Haram Doodles uses art to express dissent against the strictures of Islam.

Actor, comedian and broadcaster John Fugelsang  describes his new book, Separation of Church and Hate . FFRF's Legal Director Patrick Elliott sums up our many accomplishments in 2025.

Donald Trump's niece, Mary L. Trump , explains why her uncle is the real Grinch.

Celebrating with music and readings, we explain why the Winter Solstice is the true "Reason for the Season."

Celebrating with music and readings, we explain why the Winter Solstice is the true "Reason for the Season."

Dr. Leo Igwe, who is a noted human rights activist in Nigeria, talks about the religious violence in Nigeria and explains why Trump's saber-rattling isn't helping. The video version of this interview is also available on YouTube .

Pamela Nickel Williams , author of the memoir Clearly Lies Are True , tells us what it was like growing up in Scientology, and how she escaped that abusive cult.

We are thankful for the many speakers and performers at FFRF's 48th annual convention. We listen to 20 clips from that entertaining and enlightening event.

Herb Silverman tells us how he fought the state of South Carolina to allow atheists to run for public office, and Nancy Northup , president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, describes the state of abortion rights across the country.