A podcast for scientific, skeptical, secular, rational and humanistic inquiry. They’ve got answers? We’ve got questions.
…
continue reading
The official podcast of the Canadian Secular Alliance and sponsored by the Centre for Inquiry Canada. We present Bi-weekly discussions on secular matters and how they relate to Canada. Join hosts Stirling, Theo, and Mike as they discuss the various topics that affect Canadians.
…
continue reading
1
Kelly Weinersmith asks: Are we ready to live off-planet?
1:02:44
1:02:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:44
Dr. Kelly Weinersmith (@FuSchmu) is the co-author (with her husband Zach) of Soonish and A City on Mars. Kelly maintains that while having humans living off Earth would be awesome, we’re simply not ready for it yet. She answers many of Leslie’s questions: Why can’t we go to Mars if we have the will? Why can’t we all just get along? Why should we ex…
…
continue reading
1
The search for truth, with Carolyn Biltoft
1:03:42
1:03:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:42
Carolyn Biltoft received her PhD in World History from Princeton University in 2010. Her work fuses the tools of world history, intellectual history, cultural studies and critical theory. Carolyn has thought deeply about the nature of truth, and realized that each person necessarily has an incomplete understanding, because we only experience a smal…
…
continue reading
1
The Ancient Art of Thinking for Yourself, with Robin Reames
1:09:11
1:09:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:11
Robin Reames is the incoming Culbertson Chair of English at Indiana University. She researches and writes about the history of ideas, particularly lost ideas from the ancient Greek rhetorical tradition that can enrich our lives today. Leslie and Robin talk about her book, The Ancient Art of Thinking for Yourself: The Power of Rhetoric in Polarized …
…
continue reading
1
What’s the point if there’s no god? Ralph Lewis has an answer.
1:17:38
1:17:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:17:38
Dr. Ralph Lewis is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, a practicing psychiatrist, and blogs for Psychology Today. Leslie and Dr. Lewis explore the themes in his book, “Finding Purpose in a Godless World: Why We Care Even if the Universe Doesn’t”, including addressing some key questions: Does the universe have a purpose? Why are we …
…
continue reading
1
The Founding Myth, with Andrew Seidel
1:01:01
1:01:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:01
Andrew Seidel (@AndrewLSeidel) is the author of The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism is un-American, and works for Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He and Leslie discuss the birth of the United States and its founding documents. Andrew reveals that America was not intended to be in any way a Christian nation, yet a signi…
…
continue reading
1
The Ten Commitments, with Kristin Wintermute and Emily Newman
1:15:59
1:15:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:15:59
The Ten Commitments come from the American Humanist Association’s Center for Education. They “represent our shared humanistic values and principles that promote a democratic world in which every individual’s worth and dignity is respected, nurtured, and supported, and where human freedom and ethical responsibility are natural aspirations for everyo…
…
continue reading
1
Alternative medicine nearly killed me, says Kat Mac
1:03:14
1:03:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:14
Kat McLeod is passionate about dispelling misinformation, especially regarding herbal remedies. Taking herbal supplements nearly killed her, so she volunteers at the University of Alberta as a mentor for pharmacy and medical students, arming them with the knowledge that can hopefully prevent the kind of suffering she has endured. Kat and Leslie tal…
…
continue reading
Leslie gave the keynote address at the Centre for Inquiry Canada’s Annual General Meeting in March. That address is today’s special episode of Podcast for Inquiry. Leslie talks about the principles underlying the podcast, the rules and guidelines they led to, and some of the difficult decisions those working on the podcast had to make. Leslie also …
…
continue reading
1
Misguided: My Jesus Freak Life In A Doomsday Cult with Perry Bulwer
1:11:14
1:11:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:11:14
Perry Bulwer (Facebook) speaks about his part-memoir, part-exposé book, Misguided: My Jesus Freak Life in a Doomsday Cult. Perry describes what first attracted him to the cult, and why he stayed in it for nearly 20 years. Perry recounts the lasting damage from his time in the Children of God, to himself and especially to those born into it. Podcast…
…
continue reading
1
Bonus: BAHACON - Sarnia Ontario, August 9-11 2024
13:34
13:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:34
In this bonus episode of Podcast for Inquiry, Leslie speaks with Bob Barnes and Jeff Brooks of Bluewater Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics about the third annual BAHACON, to be held in Sarnia, Ontario on August 9-11, 2024. Leslie hopes to see you there! Podcast for Inquiry is hosted by Leslie Rosenblood and brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry …
…
continue reading
1
Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will, with Kevin Mitchell
1:13:19
1:13:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:13:19
Kevin Mitchell (@WiringtheBrain) is Associate Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin and writes the blog Wiring the Brain. His book, Free Agents, argues that evolution gave us Free Will. Kevin begins by describing free will, how life has it but rocks do not, and the gradient of choice from paramecia to humans. He talks abo…
…
continue reading
1
Julien Musolino asks: Who cares if Libertarian Free Will is scientifically incoherent?
1:16:19
1:16:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:16:19
Dr. Julien Musolino is a cognitive scientist and author of The Soul Fallacy. He explains why the intuitively, commonly-held notion of free will - known as “libertarian” or “contra-causal” - is scientifically incoherent. This has some implications for how we view ourselves and how we treat others, but on many levels it also doesn’t matter. Julien re…
…
continue reading
1
Maryam Namazie and The Paris Appeal
1:01:57
1:01:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:57
Maryam Namazie (@MaryamNamazie) is the spokesperson for One Law for All and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. In December 2023, the CEMB released The Paris Appeal, calling for Laics of all countries to unite. Maryam explains the purpose and content of The Paris Appeal, and along the way gets into the difference between laïcité and secularism, a…
…
continue reading
1
Sandra Dunham asks: Why does Canada give $5.6 billion annually to religious charities?
1:02:15
1:02:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:15
Canada allows organizations that do nothing but “advance religion” to be classified as charities. This policy decision costs Canadians at least $5.6 billion every year, according to CFIC’s Cost of Religion reports. Sandra Dunham explains what this amount includes, how it was calculated, and the many benefits that religious institutions enjoy in add…
…
continue reading
1
Leslie's Diatribes #3: Canadian Insurance and Pharmacy companies collude to coerce
7:37
7:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:37
Canadians with group benefits covered by Manulife will soon be able to fill certain prescriptions only at Loblaw-owned pharmacies, such as Shoppers Drug Mart. In today’s Diatribe, Leslie fulminates against this blatantly anti-competitive, coercive arrangement that harms everyone it affects except the profits of two of Canada’s largest companies. Le…
…
continue reading
1
The life of a refugee in exile: “Omer” shares his story
56:36
56:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:36
“Omer” (a pseudonym) was born and raised in Pakistan, but his life was threatened when he expressed doubts about the inerrancy of Islam. He survived a manhunt by the Pakistani government, and now lives as a refugee in Nepal. Omer is the first Pakistani atheist to reach 100,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel. He has been accepted by Canada as a …
…
continue reading
1
Liberalism a post-liberal world, with Russell Blackford
1:29:33
1:29:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:29:33
Russell Blackford (@Metamagician) is a philosopher, literary critic, and widely published author. Russell talks about how the philosophical principle of Liberalism runs through his two most recent books, The Tyranny of Opinion and How We Became Post-Liberal. Our conversation starts with a definition of how Liberalism emerged over the past few centu…
…
continue reading
1
A century of Humanism with Gordon Precious
39:29
39:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:29
Gordon Precious was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1924. As a teenager he became a born-again Christian but as he travelled the world he began to question why he believed his faith was the only true one. As his 100th birthday approaches, Gordon shares his insights on vaccines, technology, humanism, and death. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by …
…
continue reading
1
Gretchen Morgenson on her book These are the Plunderers: How Private Equity Runs -- and Wrecks -- America
1:02:48
1:02:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:48
What is Private Equity, and how does it work? Gretchen Morgenson (@gmorgenson) is a Pulitzer-winning journalist whose latest book is These are the Plunderers. Gretchen exposes the bad and often illegal activities of Private Equity firms, and tries to explain why they have been allowed to get away with it for so long. She explains how Private Equity…
…
continue reading
1
Solomon, Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Gandalf: All fictional! With David Fitzgerald
1:04:14
1:04:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:14
After years of research, David Fitzgerald has come to a surprising conclusion: that all the main characters in the world’s major religions are entirely the product of human imagination. While many have long doubted the supernatural feats that religious figures are purported to have done, the assumption that these are grounded in at least a kernel o…
…
continue reading
1
Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff: Do cities listen to the Supreme Court?
1:07:21
1:07:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:07:21
Is secularism church-state separation or government neutrality in matters of religion? What does state religious neutrality look like? When the Supreme Court of Canada issues a ruling, is that the final word? What is the difference between a welcome, a traditional greeting, a cultural practice, and a prayer, especially in the context of indigenous …
…
continue reading
1
Dr. Evelyn Forget believes Canadians need Basic Income
1:01:09
1:01:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:09
Dr. Evelyn Forget is Canada’s foremost expert on Basic Income, and the author of Basic Income for Canadians: From the COVID-19 Emergency to Financial Security for all. Dr. Forget describes what Basic Income is, and how it differs from UBI (Universal Basic Income). She talks about the results of a Basic Income pilot conducted in Canada, and answers …
…
continue reading
1
Seth Andrews, host of The Thinking Atheist, on the un-Christian behaviour of many Christians
1:04:42
1:04:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:42
Seth Andrews (@SethAndrewsTTA) is the host of The Thinking Atheist, a very popular podcast and online resource for nonbelievers. Seth talks about his life as an evangelical Christian and what led him to leave his faith. He and Leslie talk about how many Christians embrace seemingly un-Christian beliefs and policies, and what Humanists need to do to…
…
continue reading
1
“Don’t be Evil” no longer applies, with Paris Marx
1:10:39
1:10:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:39
Paris Marx (@parismarx) is a critic of Silicon Valley business practices and the impact they have on workers and society at large. Paris writes the Disconnect newsletter and hosts Tech Won’t Save Us, an award-winning critical technology podcast. In today’s episode, Paris explains the flaws in each category of the tech sector, including: Blockchain …
…
continue reading
1
SciComm in the time of Covid, with Tara Moriarty
1:03:04
1:03:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:04
Dr. Tara Moriarty (@MoriartyLab) was happy being a research scientist, studying how Lyme disease bacteria travel to different parts of our body using the bloodstream. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and she saw a vast need for disseminating accurate information to the public. So she founded COVID-19 Resources Canada (www.covid19resources.ca) and…
…
continue reading
1
How Minds Change with David McRaney
1:10:20
1:10:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:20
Leslie talks with David McRaney (@davidmcraney) about his book, “How Minds Change”. They explore how social context is critical when people form their opinions. People don’t change their minds in a vacuum, and David describes how network effects lead to social cascades, such as how widespread resistance to equal marriage flipped to widespread accep…
…
continue reading
1
Catherine Dunphy on Humanist activism and the Kimberley project
1:17:39
1:17:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:17:39
Catherine is a humanist activist, and believes the two go hand in hand. Catherine talks about the inherent tension within the Catholic Social Justice Movement, and her own journey out of Catholicism. She describes the link between Christofascism and Incels (see her article in Free Inquiry). Catherine’s activism today is focused on The Kimberley Pro…
…
continue reading
1
Escaping North Korea with Eunju Kim
1:00:42
1:00:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:42
How does one survive in an authoritarian regime, where you are sent away for education if the frame holding a picture of the Dear Leader gets dirty? When no one has enough to eat? Eunju Kim is the author of A Thousand Miles to Freedom, which describes her harrowing escape from North Korea to Seoul. She and Leslie discuss how the Kim dynasty is wors…
…
continue reading
1
Leslie's Diatribes #2 - Catholic Health Care "Ethics"
12:23
12:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:23
Welcome to the second episode of Leslie’s Diatribes, a sounding board for Leslie to fulminate on topics he is passionate about. Today’s topic is the Health Ethics Guide, a publication of the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada. Employees in Catholic health care facilities in eight provinces are told to sign this code of ethics every year, and many d…
…
continue reading
1
Homophobia in Catholic Schools with Tonya Callaghan
1:13:46
1:13:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:13:46
Why do publicly funded Catholic schools exist in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta? Does the government or the Church actually run them? Leslie speaks with Dr. Tonya Callaghan, author of Homophobia in the Hallways, about systemic homophobia in Canadian Catholic schools. They discuss the long struggle to establish Gay-Straight Alliances, the oddly …
…
continue reading
1
Dana Korneisel on tetrapods and her book, “Dana Digs Dinosaurs”
56:30
56:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:30
What is a tetrapod? What is a homologue, and how does it differ from convergent evolution? Dana answers Leslie’s many questions about animal development from embryo to adult, talks about her research on amphibians and axolotls, and how her book, “Dana Digs Dinosaurs”, was inspired by the excitement of a seven year old. Podcast for Inquiry is brough…
…
continue reading
1
Justice-Centered Humanism with Roy Speckhardt
56:16
56:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:16
Roy Speckardt is the past executive director of the American Humanist Association. He speaks with Leslie about his latest book, Justice-Centered Humanism. Conversation topics include: Roy’s journey to Humanism How to get Humanists involved in activism How Humanism leads to Social Justice Environmentalism Sentientism (referencing the PfI episode wit…
…
continue reading
Do people in the Humanist movement live up to their stated ideals? How does sexism and misogyny persist within Humanist circles? Srishti Hukku has been a humanist activist for close to two decades, and shares her experiences and insights with host Leslie Rosenblood in a personal and penetrating conversation. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by…
…
continue reading
Noah Rasheta integrates Buddhist philosophy into every aspect of his life. He talks with Leslie about Secular Buddhism, and they compare and contrast Buddhist teachings with Christian thought and Stoic philosophy. They discuss Noah’s book “No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners”, delving into aspects that Leslie heartily agreed with and others that req…
…
continue reading
1
Recovering from Religion with Steve Ironside
30:06
30:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:06
Steve Ironside is the Ambassador Program Director for Recovering from Religion, an organization dedicated to providing hope, healing and support to those struggling with issues of doubt and non-belief. Steve describes the several services RfR offers free of charge to people trying to reconcile aspects of their lives that may not be fully consistent…
…
continue reading
1
Marie-Claire Khadij is the Canadian Armed Forces’ first Humanist Chaplain
41:59
41:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:59
Marie-Claire Khadij (FB, IG, Twitter) was born into a devout Roman Catholic family, and was a practicing Christian for much of her early life. She describes her journey from faith to agnosticism to Humanism, as well as how and why she joined the Canadian Armed Forces - first as a Roman Catholic chaplain, and then as its first Humanist chaplain. Lea…
…
continue reading
1
Philippa Carter: What is a religion?
1:05:45
1:05:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:45
Philippa Carter (@PhilippaCarter) has her PhD in Religious Studies, is a professor within McMaster’s Society, Culture & Religion degree program, and teaches a course called, “What on Earth is Religion?” Yet there is no simple answer to this straightforward question. The conversation ranges from religions to cults, philosophies, creeds, and worldvie…
…
continue reading
Jamie is a leading advocate for Sentientism (“evidence, reason, and compassion for all sentient beings”) as a worldview and as a global movement. Jamie and Leslie discuss what Sentientism is along with its philosophical, ethical, and practical implications. Learn more through the Sentientism Podcast and YouTube channel, the global Sentientism Faceb…
…
continue reading
1
Bonus: Leslie Rosenblood debates God's role in politics
2:01:23
2:01:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:01:23
In February 2015, Leslie Rosenblood participated in the second Chesterton debate, organized by the Archdiocese of Toronto, arguing against the motion that God should play a significant role in political affairs. Iain Benson, a Roman Catholic legal philosopher and consultant, took the opposing position. The moderator was Lorna Dueck. The debate was …
…
continue reading
1
Chris Shelton on Scientology and destructive cults
1:15:12
1:15:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:15:12
Chris Shelton was raised within the Church of Scientology, which he left a decade ago. Since then, he has dedicated his life to helping those seeking to escape coercively controlling environments. Chris explains how all cults use the same playbook to recruit and keep members, techniques to which we are all susceptible. Chris shares how one can avoi…
…
continue reading
1
Allan Offenberger on Fusion Research: What We’ve Achieved, What Remains to be Solved
1:12:39
1:12:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:39
In December 2022, fusion researchers achieved a major accomplishment: more energy resulted from a controlled fusion reaction than was put into it. Allan explains why this is more a symbolic milestone than a sign that commercial fusion is imminent. Allan describes the current state of the art in fusion research, and the many ways fusion differs from…
…
continue reading
1
Bonus: Leslie Rosenblood on Humanism in Children and Women's Rights
17:22
17:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:22
CFIC was invited to give a presentation on Humanism in Children and Women's Rights at the third International Humanism Conference for Social Justice in September 2022. Leslie spoke on Humanism in Children and Women's rights. Today's bonus episode is his speech at the conference. Podcast for Inquiry is brought to you by the Centre for Inquiry Canada…
…
continue reading
1
What does history say about the accuracy of Bible stories? With Dr. Joshua Bowen
1:12:50
1:12:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:50
Dr. Joshua Bowen (@DJHammurabi1) is an Assyriology scholar and author of “The Atheist Guide to the Old Testament". Josh describes his journey from fundamentalist evangelical Christianity to atheism, and what motivated him to write two volumes (so far!) of the Atheist Guide. He and Leslie discuss the Old Testament book of Exodus, and its corresponde…
…
continue reading
1
Ashley Esakin explains how you - yes, you! - can be a gardener
1:02:44
1:02:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:44
Ashley Esakin is passionate about plants, and provides advice about how anyone - rural, urban, even those who live in apartments - can start their own garden. She and Leslie talk about how seeds both sense and manipulate their environment, efficiency and environmental challenges in modern agriculture (and how they are being addressed), and some com…
…
continue reading
1
What It Means to be Moral with Phil Zuckerman
1:09:40
1:09:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:40
Phil Zuckerman is a professor of Secular Studies at Pitzer College. Phil describes what the Secular Studies program entails from philosophical, political, and sociological perspectives. Phil is the author of What It Means to be Moral, and he and Leslie discuss how leading an ethical life does not require a religious foundation. Phil is the Executiv…
…
continue reading
1
Bryan Van Norden on the importance of Chinese philosophy
55:30
55:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:30
Bryan Van Norden (@BryanVanNorden) is a professor of Chinese philosophy. He and Leslie discuss the six titans of Chinese philosophical schools, along the parallels and differences with various Western philosophies. Bryan makes the case for studying Chinese philosophy in a world full of fascinating topics to learn about, and argues for incorporating…
…
continue reading
1
David Robert Grimes on his book, Good Thinking
1:03:08
1:03:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:08
David Robert Grimes (@drg1985) is a scientist and author of Good Thinking (The Irrational Ape in Europe and UK). David and Leslie talk about the centrality of critical thinking to human flourishing, and the many, many ways intuitive heuristics can mislead us. And yet, with training and diligence, we can overcome our biases, motivated reasoning, and…
…
continue reading
Dr. Joseph Voros has been a professional futurist for over two decades. He and Leslie discuss what futures studies is, and the challenges in recognizing successful efforts that prevent catastrophes. Dr. Voros describes the difference between probable, plausible, and possible futures, how to classify them and what we can do to increase the probabili…
…
continue reading
1
How youth can take climate action with Jasveen Brar
38:41
38:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:41
Jasveen Brar is the Executive Director of Youth Climate Lab, a “non-profit organization of youth mobilizing youth to create just, climate-resilient futures.” Jasveen explains why her organization focuses on people under 30, their accomplishments to date, and what they are planning for the future. She and Leslie also talk about the role of the indiv…
…
continue reading
1
Thomas Westbrook on becoming Holy Koolaid
1:03:50
1:03:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:50
Thomas Westbrook (@holykoolaid) was brought up as an evangelical Christian. Upon learning that truth should be able to withstand scrutiny, he eagerly looked at the tenets of his faith with a critical lens… and found it wanting. After realizing that science explained the world in a much more coherent manner than religion, he started his enormously p…
…
continue reading