The Family Skeptical

We begin with a few stories about how fun it's been seeing Reader really get into their interests. Then we return patriotism and how religion gets in the way of the wackiness that makes America great. And we finish up digging into a topic inspired by an awful take on gentle parenting. But are people bad or good? I don't know if you can tell from the tone, but I don't know if Pops and I have ever d...

We begin the episode talking about the decision on whether Jaeger will skip fifth grade. And then we run through our feelings on secular traditions and how we feel about adapting religious traditions in a secular way. And finally, we check in with Jaeger himself. Now the links: Data Over Dogma's episode with Jeremy Steele talking about his book, Rituals for Heretics  Institute for Secular Leadersh...

We interviewed Steve Ghikadis about his book, Humanism from the Heart. We talked a lot about humanism, curiosity, reaching out to have conversations with people who don't agree with you, and so much more. And then we finished up with a little story about Jaeger and humanism. Now the links: Steve Ghikadis   Humanism from the Heart Steve on Facebook   Recovering From Religion   Sunday Assembly   Oas...

We begin the episode talking about some big decisions for Jaeger. Then we answer a listener's question about Patriotism. Or do we? I ended that discussion with so much more to say. And I forgot to mention the National Parks! And then we included a little more with Alastair Lichten, a humanist activist and community organiser, about when kids want to speak up about politics and other sensitive issu...

We begin the episode talking about the Artemis II launch. And then we speak again with Alastair Lichten, a humanist activist and community organiser. The real question is what don't we cover? LEGOS, YouTube, intentional parenting, Camp Quest UK (yay!), protests, LEGOS. Now the links: A Humanist Dad A Humanist Dad on Facebook   Camp Quest UK   I couldn't find the book I got my friend, but this grap...

Our Spring Break travels threw off my schedule so it's going to be a bit longer than normal before the next full-length episode. We recorded this short segment about games and then didn't have room for it, so I'm posting it now. Now the links: Qwirkle   A Normal Card Game   I feel gross posting an Amazon link, but this seemed like the most direct route to the Pacific Rim Extinction game.  The Fami...

This episode is all interview, and it's a special one. If you've spent any time in Atheist spaces online, you've probably heard of Recovering From Religion, but you might not be aware of all they do. We spoke with Rachel Hunt, their Helpline Director, about the helpline, the support groups, the Secular Therapy Project, and so much more. If you want some lovely encouragement on your secular parenti...

We start out the episode with a story about Moms' quest for an appropriate insult. Then we talk about how to handle mental health days with the kids. And we finish up discussing what responsibility influencers have to take a stance on current events. Now the links: Our episode, Talking Grief with Betsy Deville   Heavyweight's episode Minneapolis   The Family Skeptical: We're a married atheist coup...

We begin the episode talking about a change we made to the kids' screen time, and then we speak with Sarah Tulien, Executive Director of the Creator Accountability Network.  I know there are a million places that need our support right now, but think about adding the Creator Accountability Network to your list. Even small donations make a huge difference to newer, growing organizations. CAN repres...

We start out talking about the kids experiencing their first religious service. Then we delve into Candace Owens' Erika Kirk conspiracies. And we finish up with the discussion about body size that has emerged around the stars of Wicked. How do we want to talk to the kids about body size? How do we think about it in the first place? In the Candace Owens segment, we did a terrible job giving context...

We start the episode with an announcement from Go, and then we talk about 2025. How do we feel? At sea, I would say. And we finish up with some thoughts from the kids. The Family Skeptical: We're a married atheist couple raising two wonderful, strange children. We ask big questions, dissect weird parenting moments, and examine how society ignores or misrepresents families like ours. If you're any...

It's beginning to look a lot like Atheist Christmas. We start the episode with a story about the Tooth Fairy, and then we talk with Betsy DeVille about her book, Christmas for Atheists, and what to think about when celebrating as a secular family. Listen to the end for some amazing gingerbread house tips.  Now to links: Betsy DeVille ( https://www.betsydeville.com/ ) Betsy DeVille on Etsy   Christ...

We start out talking about our new Halloween tradition. Then we get into Trump's latest anti-atheist activity and end up talking about him more generally. If you'd rather skip it and ignore his existence for a bit, honestly, I get it. That segment runs from 14:55 - 37:50. Then we talk about forgiveness. Are we forgiving? Does religion help to be forgiving? I think I needed this conversation more t...

We begin the episode discussing Alex Jones's epic facial hair fail. Then we discuss Ryan Walters's exit from Oklahoma schools. And we finish up talking about weirdos, and how to think about what to do when your kid is trending weird.  Now the links: Our episode, Battle of the O States   Professor Neil's Video Of Montreal   The Family Skeptical: We're a married atheist couple raising two wonderful,...

This episode became one big family update somehow. We start out discussing our new pronoun situation. Then we get into Moms's current mental health or lack thereof. And we finish off with a discussion about Go's thoughts on death and how we've discussed death more generally. (And if you want to see the picture we discuss at the end, check out our social media.)  Now the links: I Will Die On This H...

Oh brains are fun. This was a bit of a hodge podge. We started out the episode discussing the great time the kids had at Camp Quest and how it's led into a family Dungeons & Dragons game. Then we talked about the new Catholic AI chatbot, Catholic Answers. And we finished up with a discussion of how we did and did not teach the kids about religion. Now the links (so many links): Camp Quest  The epi...

We start out talking about the kids being away at Camp Quest. Then we discuss the new Superman film. And we finish up observing how complex it can be leaving the house. Now the links: Camp Quest   The Speech Prof on Superman   The Family Skeptical: We're a married atheist couple raising two wonderful, strange children. We ask big questions, dissect weird parenting moments, and examine how society...

Moms begins the episode talking about her mental health, and a question she has about communicating with Reader's therapist. Then we dive into a particularly bad argument made on Alisa Childer's podcast, and finish up discussing a response in Slate's Dear Prudence that might have missed some big questions about a kid attending his friend's church. Now the links: Calling Out False Teachers: What Do...

We start out talking about everything that has happened in the last few weeks. Then Pops gives an update on his evolving thoughts on guns. Moms talks about a time when her skepticism briefly abandoned her. And we finish up discussing how saying that secular parenting is "hard" might not be the best description. If you want to skip the discussion of We're Here, go to 46:48. Now the links: Everytown...

In our first conversation we learn that we might have very different feelings about the boys and guns. Then we discuss why the manosphere may have done a better job than other media at reaching young men. And we finish up talking about Netflix's Adolescence. If you want to skip the discussion of Thunderbolts, go to 24:30. Now the links: Support for Christian Nationalism in All 50 States: Findings...

We start by discussing the fact that Go feels like he's been stalked by Christianity. Then we try to define Christian Nationalism. And we finish talking about why we call ourselves atheists and are even talking about this topic.   Now the links: Our Interview on Under the Influence: Raising Good Humans Without God: A Secular Parenting Survival Guide The Satanic Temple's Seven Tenets   Data / Dogma...

This is a short one. We discuss an issue at Go's school that made him feel singled out as a secular kid. And then we talk about how we'd both like to be more involved in our community, but we're tired. But maybe we won't be soon. I think this is the great myth of adulthood - that there will be some time when we're not exhausted and stretched thin. So you just have to do the things anyway.   Now th...

***First things first, join Pops on CAN's first fundraiser! April 25th at 7pm ET. https://m.twitch.tv/dissonancepod/home *** We start the episode talking about our Spring Break at Colonial Williamsburg. And then we hear a bit more from Alastair Lichten, a humanist activist and community organiser. He writes about political and social issues, parenting, family, relationships and life from the persp...

We begin the episode talking about a school project that inspired Go. And then we speak with Alastair Lichten, a humanist activist and community organiser. He writes about political and social issues, parenting, family, relationships and life from the perspective of a progressive humanist parent, on his blog: A Humanist Dad. Alongside various voluntary roles, Alastair has led on education campaign...

We begin the episode talking about finding camps for the boys. And then we speak with Katie from Camp Quest about secular fostering. And we finish up with a discussion about the expectations we have for our relationships in honor of Valentine's Day. Now the links: Katie talking about her background and family on the Queer Family Podcast   Camp Quest   Camp Quest Instagram   Our episode about resol...