Freedom From Religion Foundation

Freethought Radio

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.

Author

Freedom From Religion Foundation

Category

Religion

Podcast website

ffrf.org

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

The Soul Delusion 15.01.2026

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!

Haram Doodles 08.01.2026

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

Separate Church and Hate 31.12.2025

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.

The Good Trump 24.12.2025

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

The Solstice Is the Reason 19.12.2025

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

The Solstice Is the Reason 18.12.2025

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

Nigerian human rights activist tells it like it is 12.12.2025

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 .

Escape from Scientology 04.12.2025

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.

Let's All Give Thanks 26.11.2025

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.

Fighting for Freedom 20.11.2025

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.

Defending Democracy 13.11.2025

New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie tells us how we can defend democracy against the threat of Christian nationalism.

"So Help Me FFRF" 06.11.2025

After talking about warning labels on bibles and reporting on state/church news, we hear Brandi Carlile's new song "Church and State." FFRF Senior Litigation Counsel Sam Grover joins us to talk about our newest lawsuit with South Carolina plaintiff Jim Reel , who was denied becoming a poll worker because he could not swear "so help me God."

The Great Abdication 30.10.2025

Harvard Professor Steven Levitsky , author of How Democracies Die , tells us about "The Great Abdication: America's Descent into Authoritarianism."

Evangelical Zionists 23.10.2025

After reporting state/church victories and complaints in California, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Tennessee, Washington, Texas and Arkansas, we speak with Mother Jones national correspondent  Kiera Butler about her article, God's "Blank Check": Christian Zionists Are Pouring Billions of Dollars Into Israeli Extremism .

Guns and Poetry 16.10.2025

Journalist William J. Kole tells us about his book, "In Guns We Trust: The Unholy Trinity of White Evangelicals, Politics, and Firearms." Then, we speak with historian and poet Jennifer Michael Hecht , author of "The Wonder Paradox: Embracing the Weirdness of Existence and the Poetry of Our Lives."

Fighting Authoritarianism 09.10.2025

U.S.  Rep.  Zoe Lofgren , D-Calif., explains how California's Proposition 50 is trying to fight religious-right authoritarianism. Legal Fellow Kyle Steinberg describes FFRF's new federal lawsuit challenging a religious oath in South Carolina.

Unforgiven 02.10.2025

After reporting on state/church news, we hear the song "Friendly Atheist T-shirt" by the Freethought Band of Humanists of Minnesota. Then, we speak with University of Toronto Professor of Religion Kevin Lewis O'Neill about his book,  Unforgivable: An Abusive Priest and the Church That Sent Him Abroad.

Creationism on Trial 25.09.2025

After covering state/church news, we report on the "war-mongering" Christian nationalist rhetoric at Charlie Kirk's memorial. Then, we hear distinguished attorney Richard Katskee speaking at the Scopes Trial Centennial conference about his role in the 2005 lawsuit in Dover, Pa., defending the teaching of evolution in the public schools.

Whitewashing History Highlights the Importance of Church-State Separation 18.09.2025

We celebrate a court victory in Arkansas, where a federal court issued a second preliminary injunction blocking a state law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. We criticize a "faith-based disaster recovery event" at the National Mall in which Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner proclaimed that "faith is back in our government." We speak with...

"Western Christian values" 11.09.2025

Christian nationalists in government are ramping up the rhetoric. We report how FFRF is protesting the White House "America Prays" initiative and a bill to put "In God We Trust" on federal buildings. Then, we speak with journalist Haley Cohen Gilliland , author of A Flower Traveled in My Blood: The Incredible True Story of the Grandmothers Who Fought to Find a Stolen Generation of Children , about...

The "Trial of the Century" 04.09.2025

We report on state/church victories and challenges in Arkansas, South Carolina, Texas, Morocco, Minnesota and Florida. Then, we hear Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Ed Larson ( Summer for the Gods ) tell us the story of the 1925 Scopes Trial, the "Trial of the Century," pitting science against religion in Dayton, Tenn., 100 years ago.

Star-Spangled Jesus 28.08.2025

We are not retreating from our lawsuit challenging the Ten Commandments in Texas public schools, in spite of the Texas attorney general's warning that he won't back down from posting them. After covering state/church news in Texas, Arkansas, Minnesota and Colorado, we hear Rachel Maddow's warning about authoritarianism. Then, we speak with April Ajoy , author of the book Star-Spangled Jesus: Leavi...

Medicine River 21.08.2025

After we cover state/church news around the country, FFRF Senior Litigation Counsel Sam Grover recounts FFRF's recent victory stopping the Ten Commandments from being posted in Texas public schools. Then, journalist Mary Annette Pember , a citizen of the Red Cliff Band of Wisconsin Ojibwe, describes her new book Medicine River: A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools .

Confronting Christian nationalism 14.08.2025

FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott tells us some breaking good news about a Christian nationalist legal attack against FFRF by Oklahoma state Superintendent Ryan Walters . Then, we'll hear a chilling warning about encroaching Christian fascism by author Katherine Stewart .

The Trial of the Century 07.08.2025

We announce a great victory from the Arkansas courts blocking the state from displaying the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. After reporting state/church news in California, West Virginia, Iowa and West Point Military Academy, we hear the Tom Lehrer song "I Got it from Agnes" and the "1919 Influenza Blues" by Essie Ray Jenkins. Then, we listen to the talk given at the Scopes Tria...

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