Best Douglas Berger Podcasts (2024)

1
An Introduction to White Christian Nationalism 47:04

8h ago47:04

47:04

We take a very deep dive into the topic of White Christian Nationalism and why it is an existential threat to the religious freedom for all of us. Then we hear from keynote speaker Dr. Anthea Butler at the recent Summit for Religious Freedom, who well versed on the danger we are facing. Show Notes Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merc…

1
The Illusion of Free Speech and Inflation: Debunking Conservative Narratives 36:02

9d ago36:02

36:02

We delve into the complex topic of free speech and its limits. Free speech is not an absolute right and there can be the regulation of speech in certain contexts. A prime example is in a nearby conservative town where a vocal individual disrupts city council meetings with personal attacks on the mayor, correctly leading to the consideration of new …

1
Diverted Benefits: The Real Story About Ohio's School Voucher Expansion 30:11

16d ago30:11

30:11

We update a school busing dispute with implications regarding church and state separation. We also look into the expansion of school vouchers in Ohio, revealing that the program primarily benefits higher-income families already in private schools rather than helping low-income students in struggling public schools. 00:50 School Busing Dispute Updat…

1
Local Church And State Implications: Busing, Vouchers, And Politics 44:41

27d ago44:41

44:41

We update a local school busing dispute involving families wanting better accommodations for their children being transported to a Catholic school, citing concerns about early start times and religious freedom violations. In the discussion on Ohio's school voucher expansion, concerns were raised about the diversion of public funds to private school…

1
Do We Really Need Humanist Churches? 33:30

1M ago33:30

33:30

A recent survey of people and their religion saw an increase in the number of people who picked 'no preference'. These 'nones' make up over 20% of the population yet only 1 in 5 chooses to label themselves an atheist/agnostic/humanist. What can we do to help increase the number of Humanists? One solution advocated by some in the Humanist movement i…

1
Racism: A Deplorable MAGA Feature 37:48

1M ago37:48

37:48

We delve into the Ohio 2024 primary elections where three white Republican candidates in the congressional race are resorting to racist rhetoric in their campaign ads. These candidates include State Representative Derek Merrin, who is a Christian nationalist known for his anti-LGBT stance and attacks on trans kids. The episode explores how these ca…

1
Republican Irony Unpacked: Diversity Battles and Reproductive Rights 40:39

2M ago40:39

40:39

Do political and religious conservatives really understand DEI? We challenge popular misconceptions about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, confronting the unfounded fears that it poses a threat to traditional values. We dissect the essence of DEI, illustrating how it nurtures communities where every individual, irrespective of their background, is…

1
The Humanist Take on DEI and Embryo Personhood 32:11

2M ago32:11

32:11

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like the only one who didn't belong? That's the feeling DEI initiatives aim to eradicate, and today, we're peeling back the layers of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, explaining its critical importance against a backdrop of legislative pushback here in Ohio. As universities come under fire, we debunk myths…

1
Jon Stewart Can't Save Us From Doddering Old White Men 36:29

2M ago36:29

36:29

We explore the controversial subject of police conduct, particularly in situations where an individual seeks to commit 'suicide by cop.' We then shift to the media's fixation on President Biden's age, questioning why it garners such attention and criticizing how coverage distracts from more substantive political discourse. Finally, we share our tho…

1
Religious Privilege Above The Law - Dad's Place Church Bryan Ohio 50:12

2M ago50:12

50:12

When the steadfast beliefs of a small-town church collide with the rigidity of municipal codes, the result is a legal labyrinth worthy of a deep exploration. That's why Bruce Gerencser, a former evangelical minister, will share the saga of his friend Pastor Chris Avell and his federal lawsuit drama with the city of Bryan, Ohio. Amidst the clash of …

1
Building a Unified Hardware API at Intel with James Reinders 38:42

2M ago38:42

38:42

oneAPI is an open standard for a unified API to be used across different computing accelerator architectures. This including GPUs, AI accelerators, and FPGAs. The goal of oneAPI is to eliminate the need for developers to maintain separate code bases, multiple programming languages, tools, and workflows for each architecture. James Reinders is an en…

1
Compassion Collides with City Laws in the Case of Dad's Place 44:28

3M ago44:28

44:28

Former evangelical minister Bruce Gerencser joins us to unravel a legal tangle where religious freedom clashes with municipal zoning laws. We dissect the contentious situation surrounding Pastor Chris Avell, a friend of Bruce's, who's currently embroiled in a federal lawsuit against the city of Bryan, Ohio. We dissect the merits of Avell's decision…

1
Standing Up for Trans Kids and Secular Freedom in Ohio 35:42

3M ago35:42

35:42

When Ohio's political landscape takes a turn that sends shivers down the spine of every advocate for trans rights, it demands a response—mine is unapologetically fiery. The recent override of Governor DeWine's veto on House Bill 68 is more than just a legislative move; it's a cold shoulder to the well-being of trans kids who deserve gender-affirmin…

1
Countering Bad Faith Religious Freedom Protection 53:59

4M ago53:59

53:59

Humanists International just released their 2023 Freedom of Thought Report that documents the efforts to protect or not protect religious freedom in all the countries in the world. The US government created the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom in 1998 to call out countries that violate religious freedom. One of these effo…

1
Voices Unheard: Examining Global Challenges to Freedom of Thought 53:52

4M ago53:52

53:52

We discuss the 2023 Freedom of Thought Report by Humanist International. We explore the bias in the International Religious Freedom Act and the need for more representation of atheistic and humanistic voices. We highlight discrimination faced by humanists worldwide and the challenges of mandatory religious instruction in schools. We emphasize the i…

1
Exploring the Moral Courage of Investigative Journalists with Dr. Anthony Feinstein 33:13

4M ago33:13

33:13

How far are you willing to go for the truth? How much are you ready to risk for justice and freedom of speech? Join us as we traverse the treacherous terrain of investigative journalism with our guest Dr. Anthony Feinstein, author of the book 'Moral Courage 19 Profiles of Investigative Journalists'. Dr. Feinstein takes us through the intricate conc…

1
Being Secular During Religious Holidays and the Real Origins of the Religious Right 38:04

4M ago38:04

38:04

What if the Christmas tree had more to do with paganism than Christianity? What if your favorite holiday celebrations were more inclusive, less religious, and yet equally festive? We explore secular alternatives like Human Light and Festivus, and address the 'Happy Holidays' vs 'Merry Christmas' debate in an attempt to foster inclusivity and respec…

1
The Struggle for Real Religious Freedom: A Talk with Andrew Seidel 36:08

5M ago36:08

36:08

Ever wondered why the separation of church and state is a formidable pillar of modern democracies? Join us as we dissect this essential concept with no other than Andrew Seidel, the vice president of strategic communications for Americans United, an accomplished author, and a relentless defender of the First Amendment. With over a decade of experie…

1
Defending Church-State Separation: A Conversation with Andrew Seidel 36:09

5M ago36:09

36:09

Join us for a captivating conversation with the esteemed Andrew Seidel, vice president of strategic communications for Americans United. Andrew, a seasoned attorney and ardent defender of the First Amendment, takes us through his remarkable journey in law and his dedication towards upholding the separation of church and state. He offers intriguing …

1
Building a State Machine Backend with Adam Berger 47:41

5M ago47:41

47:41

When Adam Berger was at Uber, his team was responsible for ensuring that Uber Eats merchants correctly receive and fulfill orders. This required them to think hard about engineering workflows and state management systems. Six years of experience at Uber motivated Adam to create State Backed, which is an open-source backend system written in Typescr…

1
Challenging Stereotypes: Keith Semple on Music, Atheism and Fiction 48:03

5M ago48:03

48:03

Jam-packed with insights and experiences, we sit down with Keith Semple, an eminent musician with a quarter-century-long journey in the industry. Starting his career in Northern Ireland, he's now making waves in the US, not just with his music, but with his engaging podcast, The Semple Truth. Keith shares his thoughts about his secular humanist bel…

1
Open Source Contributing with Brian Douglas 48:01

5M ago48:01

48:01

The open source coding philosophy has enormous appeal to many software engineers, and with good reason. Open source libraries, applications, and operating systems are now essential to the overall technology ecosystem. And the number of open source projects is only increasing. But many developers don’t know how to get involved in open source. Or, th…

1
Temporal with Max Fateev 41:23

6M ago41:23

41:23

There are countless real world scenarios where a workflow or process has multiple steps, and some steps must be completed before others can be started. Think of something as simple as cooking dinner. First you look up a recipe, then you write down the ingredients you need, you go shopping, and then you cook. These steps must be run in a certain ord…

1
Dawne Knoch Anthony's Escape from Abuse and Religion Is Paved in Song 35:47

6M ago35:47

35:47

Join us for a deeply moving conversation with Dawne Knoch Anthony, a courageous survivor of domestic abuse and religious trauma, who has redefined her life with resilience and strength. Dawne openly shares her experiences from her conservative religious upbringing to her transformation into an author and advocate. The narrative unfolds with Dawne u…

1
Building Pieces.app and the Future of Developer Productivity with Tsavo Knott 37:49

6M ago37:49

37:49

Ongoing advances in generative AI are already having a huge impact on developer productivity. Tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT are increasing the velocity of code development, and more advances are on the horizon. However, an ever-growing challenge for developers is how to manage their coding resources – things like code snippets, website link…

1
Can Herb Kay's 1964 Plan Make America Great Again? 48:15

6M ago48:15

48:15

We delve into the life and philosophy of Herb Kay, a man with diverse experiences ranging from being an NSA analyst, a salesman, to serving time in prison. His stint in prison, as result of bad choices during the 2008 real estate collapse, helped him experience people with underprivileged backgrounds and shaped his views on issues such as gun contr…

1
Breaking Down Societal Norms: Henry Rollins and Release Time Religious Education 34:31

6M ago34:31

34:31

Growing up a punk rock fan, I've always admired the raw emotion and honesty embedded in the genre. Reflecting this, we dive into the life of punk rock legend Henry Rollins and uncover the turbulent family dynamics that shaped him. You'll learn how those experiences shed light on the importance of families choosing to remain together out of love, no…

1
Unmasking Ohio Politics with The Rooster 45:11

7M ago45:11

45:11

We meet the person behind the Rooster, DJ Byrnes. He is a renowned video blogger and former political candidate, known for his audacity in unveiling the political landscape of Ohio and who sparks fear in the religious zealots infecting the Ohio Statehouse. He made his name when he posted the infamous video that ultimately cost Urban Meyer his NFL j…

1
All Our Solutions Are Incomplete with David Breeden 34:03

7M ago34:03

34:03

Join us as we delve into an insightful conversation with Dr. Reverend David Breeden, senior minister at the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis. Listen as he walks us through the fascinating history of congregational humanism and shares the ways in which his congregation has been a part of the humanist community since 1916. Discover how his poet…

1
A Superficial Look On The Future of Islam with Eric Brazau 57:31

7M ago57:31

57:31

Can a reformed Islamophobe be redeemed and can a non-Muslim speak about the complex relationship between progressive and orthodox Islam with any creditability? Eric Brazau's look at Islam began in an unexpected place - while he was incarcerated. His enlightening perspectives and observations are shared in his book, 'Muslim Reformers versus Fundamen…

1
Ignoring The Community With St. Anthony's Church Transformation 32:30

7M ago32:30

32:30

Listen in as we unravel the story of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Toledo, a once-abandoned church that was saved from demolition by the tireless efforts of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and the Lucas County Land Bank. We discuss the process of determining what the building could be used for, guided by the wishes of the community and the ideas gene…

1
Truth and Deception about Ohio's Reproductive Rights Amendment 33:58

8M ago33:58

33:58

Prepare yourself for an enlightening ride into the obscure frontiers of political intrigue and misinformation warfare, as we shine a light on a heated conflict unfolding in Ohio. Learn about the conservative and Christian Nationalist groups opposing the Reproductive Rights Amendment, the sly tactics they employ, and the false narratives they propag…

1
Guess What Happens When Christian Nationalists Write A Reproductive Rights Amendment? 42:33

8M ago42:33

42:33

We talk about our recent experience at the Maumee Summer Fair. We don't have a lot of money for advertising and instead rely on setting up booths at festivals. The layout was different this year due to street construction. Despite this, we were able to meet new people and reconnect with some former group members. A new addition to the booth, a whee…

1
From Old Church to Climbing Gym: St. Anthony's Totally Uncalled For Transformation 47:17

8M ago47:17

47:17

We explore the latest twist in the tale of closed St Anthony Church in Toledo. Saved from demolition to be a place for affordable housing and/or a community event space. The Lucas County Land Bank decided to ditch what the community wanted and went with the idea of converting the church into a climbing gym, a project proposed by a company known for…

1
The Christian Nationalist Ideologies of a Law School Professor 1:00:30

9M ago1:00:30

1:00:30

We're venturing into a discussion about renowned Professor Lee Strang, a symbolic figure of Christian Nationalism in Northwest Ohio. From his significant role in academia as a law professor at the University of Toledo to his controversial advocacy for so-called Intellectual Diversity centers at Ohio law schools, Strang's influence is widespread and…

1
Decoding the Conservative Mind of Professor Lee Strang 48:49

9M ago48:49

48:49

Today's episode takes us to Northwest Ohio as we probe into the intriguing life and ideologies of Professor Lee Strang. Engulfed in legal and societal debates, Strang plays multiple roles - a University of Toledo Law School professor, public charter school founder, anti-abortion activist, and advocate for conservative think tanks at Ohio law school…

1
Simplifying Documentation with Sébastien Lorber 49:52

9M ago49:52

49:52

In the realm of modern software development, clear and comprehensive documentation is essential for guiding users and contributors alike. Developers often struggle to create, manage, and maintain documentation that is both user-friendly and visually appealing. In this episode, we sit down with Sebastian Lorber, the lead maintainer of Docusaurus, a …

1
The Fight for Fair Voting in Ohio: An In-Depth Look with Greer Aeschbury 30:02

9M ago30:02

30:02

Join us in our captivating dialogue with the dynamic Greer Aeschbury, Ohio's senior campaign manager with All Voting is Local Action. She provides her expert perspective on the essential work the Ohio Voter Rights Coalition is doing to ensure voting accessibility and fairness. Together, we dive deep into their battle against State Issue 1 and the r…

1
Charlie Kirk Is Wrong About Affirmative Action 34:26

9M ago34:26

34:26

People like Christian Nationalist Charlie Kirk and the US Supreme Court get affirmative action in college admissions wrong. The racist assumption is a marginalized group would be automatically unqualified to attend an elite college without it. Affirmative action doesn't elevate unqualified people it levels the playing field. Then we look at Christi…

1
Revolutionizing Democracy: An Insight into Ranked Choice Voting with Josie Schreiber 20:50

10M ago20:50

20:50

Join us as we sit down with Josie Schreiber, a regional organizer for Rank the Vote Ohio, to uncover how the implementation of ranked choice voting can shift the dynamics of our current election system. Listen as Josie reveals the mechanisms of ranked choice voting, highlighting its potential to secure a majority vote for winning candidates and eli…

1
Religious Freedom or Discrimination: Tackling Recent Supreme Court Rulings 40:26

10M ago40:26

40:26

We tackle the controversial Supreme Court decision, 303 Creative LLC versus Elenis. This case revolves around a Christian graphic designer from Colorado who refuses to provide services to same-sex couples. We unpack the court's ruling, which distorts the First Amendment, and the potential implications for both religious and non-religious individual…

1
Fighting for Equality: Religious Freedom and LGBTQ Advocacy with Alison Gill 41:50

10M ago41:50

41:50

Join us for a riveting discussion with Allison Gill, Vice President of Legal and Policy for American Atheists. Listen in as we discuss the mission of American Atheists and their ongoing fight for religious equality. We also touch on the case of an incarcerated person in West Virginia being forced to undergo religious substance abuse treatment in or…

1
Climbing the Walls of Controversy: Sacred Space and Media Revision 48:03

10M ago48:03

48:03

Can you imagine converting a historic church into a rock climbing gym? This week, we tackle the controversy surrounding the potential repurposing of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Toledo, Ohio. As plans emerge to transform the church, we question the suitability of one idea for the distressed neighborhood and explore possible alternatives. We als…

1
Fighting for Democracy: The Work of Lucas County League of Women Voters 42:36

11M ago42:36

42:36

What happens when you combine the power of women voters with a dedication to inclusivity and advocacy? You get the incredible League of Women Voters, Toledo, Lucas County! We had the pleasure of talking with Anne Fabazac Payne, the organization's co-president, who shared her insights on the league's mission and we dove into the new voter restrictio…

1
Spend An August Weekend At BAHACON 24:27

11M ago24:27

24:27

As the weather turns warmer, Humanists look to attend various conferences, events, and fairs. We gather in groups for affirmation, networking and the fun of socializing. We speak to Bob Barnes, President of Bluewater Atheists Humanists and Agnostics in Sarnia Ontario, about their conference coming up in August. Show Notes Subscribe to our free news…

1
Religious Bigot Gary Click Targets Trans Kids 36:38

11M ago36:38

36:38

We meet Ohio House Representative Pastor Gary Click who introduced an anti-Trans bill and lies about his motivation for it. Next Republican bullies try to intimidate Ohio public school boards complaining about vouchers. And finally we find out that Nebraska legislator Megan Hunt, a darling of the secular democratic movement doesn't like labels or a…

1
What's New at the AHA with Nicole Carr 32:30

12M ago32:30

32:30

We talk to the interim executive director of the American Humanist Association, Nicole Carr, about her journey to Humanism, why social justice is important (it's about church and state), and what goes into awarding the Humanist of the Year honor. Show Notes Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch 01:55 Intro/Journey To Humanism 09:44 S…

1
Political Scapegoating of the Trans Community 34:21

12M ago34:21

34:21

The last time the word contagion was used to scapegoat a group of people, six million Jews perished in the Holocaust. Transgender people, a minority of a minority, are currently the target of scapegoating in statehouses across the country. These efforts are being lead by conservatives to distract from their failed policies and unconstitutional gerr…

1
How Two Women Got Justice From Their Sexual Harasser with Cami Roth Szirotnyak & Rachel Richardson 41:20

1y ago41:20

41:20

Part memoir, part step-by-step guide, 'On Drowning Rats: How Two Women Took Down A Sexual Harasser and How You Can Too' tells the triumphant story of Rachel Richardson and Cami Roth Szirotnyak, two women who discovered they were sexually harassed by the same man (one of Toledo’s most prominent nonprofit founders and fundraisers), and how they succe…

1
Jim Jordan Attempts To Obstruct Trump's Indictment 44:30

1y ago44:30

44:30

Rep. Jim Jordan attempts to obstruct a state criminal case, VP Kamala Harris is a master politician, a rule giving religious student groups that discriminate school funding should go away, and we find out that vaccine hesitancy is NOT a new thing. Show Notes 00:45 Rep. Jim Jordan Attempts To Obstruct Trump's Indictment 13:06 VP Kamala Harris Deflec…

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