The Thinking Atheist Podcast

 Sponsored by FREE-FLO 2014 – Freethought Florida Orlando, October 10th- 12.    http://www.free-flo.orgAuthor, columnist, public speaker and proud atheist CJ Werleman has just released a book titled, "Atheists Can't Be Republicans."  (http://www.cjwerleman.com/my-books/atheists-cant-be-republicans.html)We were curious as to Werleman's claim, so tonight he joins us for a podcast that will undoubtedly be a spirited conversation about religion, politics, big money and the Grand Old Party. Want to weigh in?  Email: podcast@thethinkingatheist.comSHARK WEEK link:  http://www.vox.com/xpress/2014/8/25/6065531/shark-week-scientists-david-shiffman-megalodon-submarine-sharkSeth's Patreon page:  http://www.patreon.com/sethandrewsThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3270347/advertisement

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistGIVE A WEDDING GIFT:  http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-BeliefSECULAR THERAPIST BLOG ARTICLE:  http://freethoughtblogs.com/greta/2014/08/20/secular-therapist-project/JERRY COYNE'S ARTICLE ON ROBIN WILLIAMS (with Stephen Fry letter): http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/robin-williams-depression-and-stephen-fryIn recent weeks, we've been dealing with the human mind and its ability to accept irrational things.  This week, we're dealing directly with the complex issue of mental health, specifically things like depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, mood disorders and more.  Blogger, speaker and activist JT Eberhard has revealed publicly his own battles with depression, giving a talk at Skepticon 4 titled, "Mental Illness and Why The Skeptic Community Should Give a Shit."  (LINK: http://youtu.be/UI-YvrHZVvk) Michaelyn Eberhard has a bachelors degree in neuroscience and is a freethought activist.  Jeremiah Beene studies Ph.D Clinical Psychology at the University of Mississippi.  And Dr. Darrel Ray is a clinical psychologist, author and expert on mental health.  They join us for the show, plus your calls and emails.  

In this "bonus" podcast, your humble host shares some (often humorous) stories from his recent Alaska wedding, and then he asks the radio audience for a wedding gift.  That gift...is probably not what you're expecting.VISIT THIS LINK TO GIVE YOUR WEDDING GIFT (and thanks!):  http://www.razoo.com/story/A-Wedding-Gift-Beyond-Belief

SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistIt's a topic we cover occasionally, partially because the issue of secular parenting is such a relevant issue, and partially because the subject is often as complex and unique as the families navigating through it.How does a godless parent approach the teaching of a child as opposed to the indoctrination of a child?  What are some successful methods for raising a genuine freethinker?  What are some of the potential problems?  In this episode, we share your perspectives and stories, and we also speak with Dan Arel, blogger, journalist and author of the new book, "Parenting Without God."  (http://www.parentingwithoutgod.com)Email the show: podcast@thethinkingatheist.com

In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity."  This podcast features the audio from AronRa's San Antonio presentation, and it's part three of a 3-part podcast series from this tour.  Enjoy.  VIDEO of Aron's presentation is on YouTube:  http://youtu.be/bXHsFlizTbs

In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity."  Seth's speech video on YouTube:  http://youtu.be/8tVBtyDqD90This podcast features the audio from Seth Andrews' Albuquerque presentation, and it's part two of a 3-part podcast series from this tour.  Enjoy.  

In the spring of 2014, atheists AronRa, Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty teamed up for a 3-city tour bearing the tongue-in-cheek-titled name, "The Unholy Trinity."  This podcast features the audio from Matt Dillahunty's Amarillo presentation, and it's part one of a 3-part podcast series from this tour.Video of Matt's speech is here:  http://youtu.be/SBwv79WFqAc? 

How does the human brain accept rationality AND irrationality?  What are the mechanisms at play when it comes to the acceptance of religious beliefs and claims?  Are some people more predisposed to superstitious thinking than others?  What are the best approaches to help promote science, reason, rationality and evidence-based thinking?Joining us for this show will be Dr. Caleb Lack (http://www.caleblack.com) a clinical psychologist and educator on psychology, critical thinking and science VS pseudoscience.  He writes the "Great Plains Skeptic" column on the Skeptic Ink Network (http://www.skepticink.com)BOOK:  13 Reasons to Doubt:  http://www.amazon.com/13-Reasons-Doubt-writers-Skeptic-ebook/dp/B00LRFK548/

Support our sponsor:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistThis week's special guest is Wanda Morris, CEO of the organization, "Dying with Dignity." Wanda has been on the front lines of the Right to Die Movement in Canada for many years, educating the public, challenging government officials and fighting for patients' rights regarding end-of-life choices.In this podcast, we explore death, the fear of death, and the question of how humanity should approach life, death, suffering, compassion and dignity.LINKS:http://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/https://www.facebook.com/DWDCanadahttps://twitter.com/DWDCanadahttp://www.worldrtd.net/Speech at IMAGINE NO RELIGION 4:  http://youtu.be/M3-6BIMkjRA

Support our sponsor:  http://www.naturebox.com/thinkingatheistThis week's show is a casual conversation where listeners submit questions and comments about the show, about activism in general, about their own lives and circumstances, and about whatever else might be on their minds.

On April 12th, 2014, Seth Andrews spoke in San Diego, California to a standing-room-only crowd at the VisionPulse Creative Event & Meeting Center.  His presentation, titled "The Ultimate Question," dealt with religion, indoctrination, curiosity, fear and the liberation from superstitious chains.  This is the audio of that presentation.VIDEO VERSION OF THE SPEECH:  http://youtu.be/csxLnEUNNS8THE LETTER:  http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/blog/86/A-Letter-of-EncouragementSpecial thanks to:The Humanist Fellowship of San Diegohttp://www.hfsd.infohttp://www.meetup.com/humanistfellowshipThe San Diego Coalition of Reasonhttp://unitedcor.org/san-diego/page/homehttp://www.SDCoR.org

Merriam Webster defines the word apologetics as:1)  systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine)2)  a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of ChristianityAnd apologists are everywhere, using lofty language and theological acrobatics to defend belief systems which can't otherwise be defended.This two-part podcast talks about many prominent apologists and their arguments, addressing many of the most commonly heard apologetic claims and examining those claims logically, rationally, morally and against the evidence.Last week's episode featured specific information about apologist arguments and tactics.  This show is exclusively dedicated to listener calls with comments/questions.  THE ATHEIST EXPERIENCE:  http://www.atheist-experience.comJT EBERHARD:  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtdARONRA:  http://www.aronra.com  

Merriam Webster defines the word apologetics as:1)  systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine)2)  a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of ChristianityAnd apologists are everywhere, using lofty language and theological acrobatics to defend belief systems which can't otherwise be defended.  This two-part podcast talks about many prominent apologists and their arguments, addressing many of the most commonly heard apologetic claims and examining those claims logically, rationally, morally and against the evidence.This episode is a discussion between several experience debaters: Matt Dillahunty, Tracie Harris and AronRa.  Next week's show will be fully dedicated to listener calls with comments and questions (podcast@thethinkingatheist.com)FRANKEN-KAT PHOTO:  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=672053969537687&set=a.474510282625391.1073741825.100001992705053&type=1&theater

Dr. Carolyn C. Porco is an American planetary scientist known for her work on the Voyager missions to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in the 1980s.  She leads the imaging scientist team on the Cassini mission currently in orbit around Saturn.  She’s also involved with the New Horizons mission launched to Pluto.  She has authored more than 100 scientific papers.  She has given two popular Ted Talks lectures.  She has won numerous awards, including the Carl Sagan Medal presented by the American Astronomical Society for Excellence in the Communication of Science to the Public, she was named one of the 25 most influential people in space by Time magazine in 2012, and she was recently elected to be a laureate of the International Academy of Humanism.On this podcast, we talk with Dr. Porco about her work, about the exploration of our solar system and beyond, about science versus anti-science, and about this new age of discovery that has opened windows into the vast reaches of space.CAROLYN PORCO WEBSITE:  http://carolynporco.comTwitter: @carolynporcoFacebook: carolynporco CICLOPS WEBSITE:  http://www.ciclops.orgTHE DAY THE EARTH SMILED:  http://www.thedaytheearthsmiled.com 

On Saturday, May 31st at the Marriot East in Memphis, TN, atheist Matt Dillahunty and presuppositional apologist Sye Ten Bruggencate took the stage before a live audience to debate the topic, "Is It Reasonable To Believe God Exists?"This is the audio of that exchange.The video version of this debate can be seen on The Thinking Atheist YouTube channel at:  http://youtu.be/OL8LREmbDi0