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Podcasts from New Humanist, the London based magazine of the Rationalist Association, promoting reason, debate and free thought since 1885.

Paul Sims


    • Mar 27, 2013 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 5m AVG DURATION
    • 35 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from RationalistUK

    Sanal Edamaruku: Fighting Blasphemy Charges in India

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2013 9:37


    Leading Indian rationalist Sanal Edamaruku with the latest on his fight against blasphemy charges in India, filed one year ago after he debunked a supposed miracle at a Catholic Church in Mumbai. Please sign the petition calling on the Indian Prime Minister to intervene in the case: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/drop-blasphemy-charges-against-sanal-edamaruku

    Rationalist Association Podcast March 2013

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2013 25:50


    In the March edition of the RA Podcast, Alom Shaha discusses Islam's problem with evolution, the new President of the BHA Jim Al-Khalili tells us why it's time for a more accommodating approach to religion, humanist chaplain Chris Stedman makes the case for inter-faith, and comedian Stewart Lee bemoans the lengths to which parents must go to get their kids into faith schools. Length: 25:36 Music by Andrea Rocca

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 24 December: Richard Dawkins

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2012 1:42


    It's Christmas Eve, and in the final Advent Podcast Richard Dawkins tells Robin Ince why we should celebrate Alfred Russel Wallace alongside Charles Darwin as the co-discoverer of natural selection. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 23 December: Dara Ó Briain

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2012 3:32


    In the 23rd Advent Podcast, comedian Dara Ó Briain speaks to Robin Ince backstage at Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People 2008, and is rudely interrupted by Ricky Gervais. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 22 December: Philip Jeays

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2012 5:20


    For the 22nd Advent Podcast singer-songwriter Philip Jeays very kindly provided us with the song he performed at the 2008 Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People shows, "Death Bed" (just in case your kids are around, be warned the song features some colourful language). Recorded in 2008. Additional music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 21 December: Tim Minchin

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2012 3:48


    On 21 December, Tim Minchin talks to Robin Ince about the scientist or philosopher he would like to hold an annual celebration for. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 20 December: Josie Long

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2012 4:30


    In the 20th Advent Podcast, comedian Josie Long tells Robin Ince that she would like to celebrate Kurt Vonnegut at Christmas. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 19 December: Ann Druyan

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2012 5:45


    In the 19th Advent Podcast, science author and broadcaster Ann Druyan explains why she would like to celebrate eight scientists, each one represented by a Hanukkah candle. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    Nine Days of Godless Christmas Day 9: Mitch Benn on the true meaning of Christmas

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2012 4:41


    Musician and comedian Mitch Benn explains the true meaning of Christmas. Taken from the 20-track CD recording of Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People 2010, available for £12 from Gofasterstripe.com

    Nine Days of Godless Christmas Day 8 Jo Neary

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2012 6:55


    Comedian Jo Neary has some handy Christmas gift ideas. Taken from the 20-track CD recording of Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People 2010, available for £12 from Gofasterstripe.com

    Nine Days of Godless Christmas Day 7: The Pub Landlord

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2012 8:37


    Al Murray's Pub Landlord offers the audience an English myth that they can all believe in. Taken from the 20-track CD recording of Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People 2010, available for £12 from Gofasterstripe.com

    Nine Days of Godless Christmas: Day 6 Helen Arney

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2012 5:41


    Singer and comedian Helen Arney with a love song inspired by the habits of animals. Taken from the 20-track CD recording of Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People 2010, available for £12 from Gofasterstripe.com

    Nine Days of Godless Christmas Day 5: Ed Byrne

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2012 5:55


    Comedian Ed Byrne talks about hanging out with Cern physicists and how Brian Cox's Wonders of the Solar System has left him with an intense sense of planetary pride. Taken from the 20-track CD recording of Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People 2010, available for £12 from Gofasterstripe.com

    Nine Days of Godless Christmas Day 4: Jim Bob sings The Impossible Dream

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2012 6:23


    Carter USM frontman Jim Bob performs The Impossible Dream (The Quest), accompanied by Martin White and The Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra. Taken from the 20-track CD recording of Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People 2010, available for £12 from Gofasterstripe.com

    Nine Days of Godless Christmas Day 3: Adam Rutherford

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2012 5:24


    Science writer and broadcaster Adam Rutherford was kind enough to go on the Alpha Course, so you don't have to. (He also gets a room full of 300 rationalists to chant the Lord's Prayer.) Taken from the 20-track CD recording of Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People 2010, available for £12 from Gofasterstripe.com

    Nine Days of Godless Christmas: Day 2 Nick Doody sings My Big Lovely Jesus Hat

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2012 7:24


    Comedian Nick Doody's paean to the Messiah's headgear – My Big Lovely Jesus Hat Taken from the 20-track CD recording of Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People 2010, available for £12 from Gofasterstripe.com

    Nine Days of Godless Christmas: Day 1 Robin Ince reads Richard Feynman

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2012 4:00


    Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People creator Robin Ince delivers his reading from Richard Feynman, without which no Godless show would be complete. Taken from the 20-track CD recording of the 2010 shows, available for £12 from Gofasterstripe.com

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 18 December: Mark Steel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2012 6:12


    In the 18 December Advent Podcast, comedian Mark Steel tells Robin Ince why the French revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat deserves an annual day in his honour. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 17 December: Marcus Brigstocke

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2012 3:58


    In the Advent Podcast for 17 December, comedian Marcus Brigstocke tells Robin Ince that we should celebrate a different scientist every year. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 16 December: Laurie Taylor

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2012 4:34


    In the 16th Advent Podcast, our very own Laurie Taylor tells us why, if he could celebrate any scientist with an annual day, it would be his own father, Stanley Douglas Taylor. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 15 December: Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2012 4:42


    In the 15th Advent Podcast, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant tell Robin Ince which thinkers should be celebrated at Christmas, and reveal their surprising decisions to convert to Christianity and creationism. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 14 December: Eddie Izzard

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2012 6:12


    In the Advent Podcast for 14 December, comedian Eddie Izzard tells Robin Ince his thoughts on the personal hygiene of scientists, and the "smelly genius" of Isaac Newton. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 13 December: Andrew Collins

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2012 3:36


    In the 13th Advent Podcast, broadcaster Andrew Collins makes an unusual (and fictional) choice for the thinker he would like to honour with an annual day of celebration. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 12 December: Ben Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2012 1:32


    In the Advent Podcast for 12 December, comedian and actor (and holder of a PhD in quantum physics) Ben Miller explains why Einstein deserves an annual day in his honour. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 11 December: Chris Addison

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2012 3:07


    In the 11th Advent Podcast, comedian and actor Chris Addison decides to nominate a well-known populariser of science for a special annual celebration. He would also like a Spinning Jenny for Christmas. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 10 December: Martin Rowson

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2012 6:28


    On the tenth day of our Advent Podcasts, cartoonist Martin Rowson looks back with great sentimentality on how we lived before the dawn of civilisation, and says we should replace Christmas with a celebration of the anthropologist Christopher Boehm. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 9 December: Ben Goldacre

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2012 2:23


    On the ninth day of our Advent Podcasts, science writer and doctor Ben Goldacre says he would like to hold a celebration for Archie Cochrane, who he calls "the grandfather of evidence-based medicine". Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 8 December: Simon Singh

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2012 1:31


    On the eighth day of Advent, Simon Singh celebrates the genius of Galileo. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 7 December: Natalie Haynes

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2012 2:20


    In the Advent Podcast for 7 December, writer and critic Natalie Haynes tells us about why she thinks the Roman philosopher and playwright Seneca deserves to be celebrated with an annual day. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 6 December: Dave Gorman

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2012 3:56


    In the sixth Advent Podcast, Robin Ince talks to Dave Gorman about the mathematician Paul Erdős, and how, where all actors have a "Bacon Number" to denote their degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon, all mathematicians have an Erdős Number. He would also like a Soda Stream for Christmas. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 5 December: Alexei Sayle

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2012 3:06


    On the fifth day of our Advent Podcasts, Robin Ince talks to comedian and novelist Alexei Sayle about which scientist he'd like to honour with an annual celebration. And listen out for his choice of the scientific invention he'd like to receive for Christmas. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 4 December: Christina Martin

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2012 1:58


    On the fourth day of the New Humanist Advent Podcasts, comedian and writer Christina Martin tells us why she's like to replace Christmas with a day in honour of Vasily Dokuchaev, the founder of modern soil science. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 3 December: Robin Ince

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2012 3:09


    In the third New Humanist Advent Podcast, comedian Robin Ince explains why the world needs an annual Carl Sagan Day. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 2 December: PZ Myers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2012 1:20


    In the second of the New Humanist Advent Podcasts, PZ Myers tells us which scientist from history he'd like to honour with an annual celebration, and which scientific gift he'd most like to receive. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

    New Humanist Advent Podcast 1 December: Stephen Fry

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2012 3:24


    In the first of the New Humanist Advent Podcasts, Stephen Fry tells us which scientist from history he'd like to honour with an annual celebration, and which scientific gift he'd most like to receive. Recorded in 2008. Music by Andrea Rocca.

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