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Show 413: HumanLight: Tribute to Joseph Fox

HumanLight: Tribute to Joseph Fox

Audio here!

Earlier this year the humanist community lost a friend. “I” lost a friend.  Joseph Fox was what we all can hope for in a humanist in America today. He was a giving, compassionate, empathetic person whose work was humble, intentions were pure, and friendships sincere and many.  His efforts provided strength and hope.. and built community for freethinkers of all stripes, particularly through his invention – along with fellow humanist Gary Brill – of HumanLight.

HumanLight is a humanist winter holiday which brings the same sense of family and community to freethinkers as religious and cultural holidays bring to the rest of the human family. However, HumanLight is not exclusive as it is open to religious and non-religious persons alike who want to celebrate our common humanity, the importance of science, and the hope for a better tomorrow. Joe Fox will be missed. We had the fortune to have him on ETFF in 2003 to talk about HumanLight and we will play experts of that interview here today. And to recognize Joe’s contribution – HumanLight – we will also play excerpts from the HumanLight spokesperson, and former host of ETFF, Patrick Colucci.

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Show 411: Stephen G. Post

Stephen G. Post on his new book, The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion, and Hope Can Get Us Through Hard Times

Audio here!

Stephen speaks widely on themes of benevolent love and compassionate care at the interface of science, health, spirituality, and philanthropy. His work has been featured in periodicals such as Parade Magazine and O: The Oprah Magazine, and on such media venues as The Daily Show, John Stossel, 20/20 and Nightline. He has addressed the U.S. Congress on volunteerism and public health.

Research has revealed that when we show concern for others—empathizing with a friend who has lost a loved one, mowing the lawn for an elderly neighbor, or volunteering to mentor a school-aged child—we improve our own health and well-being and embrace and give voice to our deeper identity and dignity as human beings. The Hidden Gifts of Helping explores the very personal story of Stephen and his family’s difficult move and their experience with the healing power of helping others, as well as his passion about how this simple activity—expressed in an infinite number of small or large ways—can help you survive and thrive despite the expected and unexpected challenges life presents.

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Show 410: David Niose on his new book, Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans

David Niose on his new book, Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans

Audio here!

David Niose advocates for an identity-oriented approach to secular activism to raise awareness of the secular demographic in American society. Using the LGBT movement as a model, Niose argues that by “coming out” and asserting rights as a minority group, nonbelievers can similarly gain acceptance. Critical of the Religious Right, Niose argues progressive policy goals will be difficult or impossible to attain without the secular demographic in America asserting itself. David has served since 2009 as president of the American Humanist Association, an organization that promotes humanism, and defends the rights of humanists and other non-theistic Americans is the author of Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans.