Recovering From Religion

Health misinformation isn’t just spreading—it’s shaping policy at our highest levels. From vaccine skepticism, to chemophobia and food safety, to erasing public health protections, bad science and ideological decisions are impacting all of us. This week on RfRx, Dr. Andrea Love will discuss how selective science rejection takes hold, why it’s getting worse, and what we all can do to fight back aga...

This week on RfRx, Secular Rarity is back to discuss Community Building in Difficult Times. SR is a host of The Atheist Experience and a founding member of The Conversation Coalition Nashville. He will share with us about his latest work and new opportunities for community building in secular spaces. Bring your questions for SR and stick around for the hangout after the show! Join Us Live Every Mo...

Join us on the next RfRx with horticultural sciences professor Kevin Folta. Internet influencers turn people away from healthy food choices. Social media screams that we are being systematically poisoned by a broken regulatory system in cahoots with America’s farmers and food processors. From seed oils to herbicides to genetically engineered crops, disinformation and chemophobia are confusing many...

This week on RfRx, biologist and science communicator Forrest Valkai returns to the show. Forrest is known for his unique blend of engaging science lessons, insightful dialogues on skepticism, and heartfelt advocacy for social progress. Over the course of his online career, Forrest has championed science and reason, raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity, and taught audiences of all ages...

This week on RfRx, Chris Shelton talks with us about the lesser known challenges of cult recovery. Chris is a former Scientologist and Sea Org member and is now a writer, podcaster, and advocate for critical thinking. He holds a Masters degree in the psychology of coercive control. He’ll discuss the big issues that get in the way of recovery and how to face the obstacles you don’t expect to run in...

This week on RfRx, join us for a conversation with Ember, host of Good News on The TransPositions, and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.  A proponent of science, equality, freedom, and reason, she opposes oppressive, repressive, and regressive ideologies. In this episode, we’ll discuss the intersection of conspiracy theories, christian nationalism, and bodily autonomy, and what you can do about i...

Have you ever wanted to learn more about historical events and figures that are mentioned in religious texts but keep running across content that merely defends the belief system instead of critically examining evidence for any of the claims? This week on RfRx, John Gleason, aka Godless Engineer, will explain some of the differences between historical scholarship and apologetics. We’ll talk about...

This week on RfRx, author David Fitzgerald returns to expand on his discussion of religious history. The presentation will cover recent findings in archaeology and history related to the founders, origins and early development of our major world religions. Bring your questions for the live Q&A with David and stay for the hangout after the talk! https://linktr.ee/RecoveringFromReligion https://...

Join us this week as the RfRx team celebrates Festivus. Festivus is a secular holiday celebrated on December 23 as an alternative to the  commercialism of the Christmas season, popularized by the Seinfeld TV series. There will be the traditional Airing of Grievances, claims of Festivus Miracles, and perhaps even some Feats of Strength (if we can figure out how to do this on Zoom!) Be prepared with...

Join us this week as a panel of RfR volunteers share their own deconversion/deconstruction stories. What circumstances made them leave their religion? How has this changed their lives? What were the repercussions? What other beliefs have they changed as a result of leaving their faith beliefs behind? Be prepared with questions, and as usual, join us for the post-show hangout where you will be able...

Why is there so much variation in sex organs? Why is the human penis shaped so different than a chimpanzee’s or bonobo’s? What is it with the duck vagina? How many penis heads does an echidna have? How many species are truly monogamous? What is social monogamy? Why is masturbation so common among all primates? These and many other sexy and funny questions will be answered in this week’s RfRx talk...

This week on RfRx, David Teachout returns to discuss the functionality of our emotions. Social and interpersonal turmoil draws out the inevitability of judgments as we determine how to move forward in our lives. Emotions, rather than being end-goals, can be used as directions, pointing us to what matters, and giving impetus to our actions. By slowing down, we can be more deliberate and flexible in...

Join us on RfRx this week as volunteer Jason Racheotes discusses the importance of thought experiments. Find out what we can learn about ourselves by constructing scenarios to test our values' limits. Bring your questions for Jason and stick around for the post-show hangout! https://linktr.ee/RecoveringFromReligion https://www.facebook.com/RecoveringfromReligion https://instagram.com/rfrorg ht...

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RfRx - We present solid data. They go blank, get angry, or walk out. Why isn't evidence breaking through belief barriers? This week on RfRx, Seth Andrews shares his perspective on "Identity Belief" and how to perhaps carve the crack that lets in some light. If bullet points aren't working...what does? https://linktr.ee/RecoveringFromReligion https://www.facebook.com/Recoveringfro...

RfRx - This week on RfRx, Cynthia McDonald returns to discuss Secular Civics. Cynthia is a social worker in the city of Chicago, and an advocate for many secular social causes including social and economic justice for Black Freedmen Descendants. She also works to promote health equity for marginalized groups, and to normalize Atheism in the Black Community. On this week’s episode, we will discuss...

RfRx - This week on RfRx, join us for a discussion with Jimmy Jr, a proud military member and secular activist. Jimmy began deconstructing his religion as a college student studying history and religious studies. He completed his deconstruction after joining the military in 2010, which he claims took him out of his comfort zone and introduced him to various cultures and world religions that challe...

This week on RfRx we sit down with Stacie and her mom, Dee, the dynamic duo behind the hit podcast 'The Stacie’s Mom Podcast'. We’ve talked about what it’s like to question one’s faith and worry about losing friends and family members in the process, but what happens when families go through their deconstruction journey together? Stacie and Dee will describe their experience as we dive int...

What do all cult leaders have in common, and why are conspiracy theories so appealing? Why does misinformation spread faster than facts, and what can we do about it? Coleman Watts is a former believer turned skeptic who now hosts the YouTube channel Think This Through which mixes debunking with humor, and investigation with parody. Coleman entertains people while nudging them toward a more skeptic...

This week on RfRx, join us for a recap of this year’s annual Fall Excursion. Excursion participants and presenters, including Dr. Ben, Will Harrell, Darante’ LaMar Martin, and David Teachout, will share their stories of hope, healing and community. They will also share resources and tips for building up a secular community after religion. As always stick around for the Q&A, and the hangout aft...

This week on RfRx, drawing from over a decade of experience as a science communicator, Forrest Valkai will take us on a journey through some of the most powerful and life-changing lessons he knows. Join us as Forrest demonstrates how science and skepticism can make us not just smarter, but kinder, more empathetic, and ultimately, better people. https://linktr.ee/RecoveringFromReligion https://www....

This week on RfRx, Rebecca Hensler, founder of Grief Beyond Belief, will share her grief journey and tell the story of her efforts to fill the void that nonbelievers faced when grieving a loss. How is bereavement different when you are grieving without belief in a deity or afterlife? How does religious trauma impact the grieving process? Where can nonbelievers find comfort without faith? How can w...

This week on RfRx, Phil Ferguson, of the Phil Ferguson Show, returns to speak about his experience as a long-time skeptic and secular activist. He will share his insights regarding issues the secular community has grappled with in the past, as well as what he sees as the big issues that will challenge secular skeptics in the future. In an era of information overload, how should we invest our limit...

This week on RfRx, RfR Volunteer Nick Dallett joins us to share four disciplines for having difficult conversations. Nick has spent much of his 25 years as a software professional learning how people can communicate better, and has applied what he's learned to become a better manager and friend. In this talk, Nick will share how a simple interaction on Twitter led to a greater understanding of...

This week on RfRx, we’ll be talking with Tee Rogers, the developer of the “Identity Affirming Deathcare Directives” workbook. This is a great tool to help people address questions regarding end-of-life care from a secular perspective. Tee will get into what inspired her to create the workbook, the experiences she has in the healthcare field, and will be available for any questions you may bring. h...