Podcast
- HNN Links
- Subscribe to Podcast: RSS
- Letter to Producer
- On The Airwaves
- (send to friend)
- HNN Ezine
- Ezine Archives (pre-6/2009)
Humanist Network News Audio Podcast
The Humanist Network News (HNN) Audio Podcast is a monthly one-hour talk show produced by the American Humanist Association.
On This Page:
Every episode of the HNN Audio Podcast explores a different area of humanist thought, from politics to pop culture. Humanism is a worldview which says that reason and science are the best ways to understand the world around us, and that dignity and compassion should be the basis for how you act toward someone else.
A typical episode of the HNN podcast features interviews, commentary, news, and music. Notable guests have included Sir Salman Rushdie, Prof. Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, E.O. Wilson, Alan Dershowitz, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Andy Rooney, Greg Graffin of Bad Religion, Holly Near, Dar Williams and Julia Sweeney.
The HNN podcast is hosted and produced by American Humanist Association staffers Jessica Constantine and Jende Huang.
You can also hear the HNN podcast on the airwaves. Our podcast can be heard on Public Reality Radio, WPRR 1680AM, Grand Rapids, MI.
Many listeners of the HNN Audio Podcast also read the weekly Humanist Network News e-zine.
Questions about our podcast? Trouble listening or subscribing? Contact us
HNN Podcast Flash Player
| Press the title to select a track to play. Click the icon to the right of each track title to view that track's informational webpage. | |
Subscribe to HNN Podcast  Paste this url into your Pod-Catcher: Or click the iTunes link to open and subscribe to HNN in iTunes:  | |
| Put our player on YOUR site: Click on [Share] at the player's top right corner. | |
What the Critics Say about HNN
Critic's Choice, The Independent (U.K.) | |||
| The Humanist Network News Audio Podcast was twice featured in the "Download this..." section of "Critic's Choice" by Robert Moss in The Independent, a major U.K. newspaper published in London.
| ||
Upon Further Review | |||
 | The Humanist Network News Audio Podcast was reviewed on the Upon Further Review podcast. To download this clip, Right/Option click here  or listen in the podcast player below to hear what critics Greg and Clea have to say about HNN. | ||
| player: | <-volume | ||
| Title | Episode Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Humanist Network News Podcast Promo |  |
The Humanist Network News (HNN) Audio Podcast is a monthly one-hour talk show produced by the American Humanist Association. Every episode of the HNN Audio Podcast explores a different area of humanist thought, from politics to pop culture. Humanism is a philosophy of life inspired by humanity and guided by reason. Humanists strive to lead ethical and joyful lives without supernatural belief in gods, heaven or hell. A typical episode of the HNN Audio Podcast features interviews, commentary, news, music, and listener comments recorded on our Toll Free HNN Listener Comment Line. Notable guests have included Sir Salman Rushdie, Prof. Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, E.O. Wilson, Alan Dershowitz, Holly Near, Dar Williams and Julia Sweeney. The HNN Audio Podcast is hosted and produced by American Humanist Association staffers (as of 5/2009) Jende Huang and Jessica Constantine. |
| HNN 31: HNN Highlights |  |
This month's Humanist Network News podcast is a special promotional show recorded for the World Humanist Congress of the International Humanist and Ethical Union which will be held in Washington DC from June 5-8, 2008. The program contains excerpts from dozens previously released HNN interviews, including Sir Salman Rushdie, Richard Dawkins, E.O. Wilson and many other notable humanists. Old interviews are re-mastered for improved sound quality. |
| HNN 38: Meet the American Humanist Association |  |
In this month's audio podcast, Jes Costantine and new co-host Jende Huang are in Washington D.C. to interview staff members of the American Humanist Association. Learn what goes on behind the scenes at one of the largest humanist organizations in the world, and hear what AHA staffers have planned for the future. |
| HNN 39: Neil deGrasse Tyson |  |
In this month's audio podcast, Humanist Network News travels to Phoenix, AZ and take spart in the 68th annual conference of the American Humanist Association. Hear "keynote remarks" from noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, as he reflects on science and culture in American life. |
| HNN 40: Popularizing Science |  |
In this month's audio podcast, Humanist Network News offers even more footage from the American Humanist Association's 68th Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ. Hear our interviews with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, as he talks about his approach to communicating science to the public; and Barbara Forrest, as she discusses the current state of the intelligent design movement; as well as a talk by Donald Johanson, offering his take on the controversy of popularizing science by touring ancient hominid fossils. |
| HNN 41: Crossing the Streams |  |
In this month's audio podcast, Humanist Network News airs its final installment from the American Humanist Association's 68th Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ. Hear from Norma Ramos, the co-executive director of the Coalition Against Trafficking of Women, as she discusses the perils women face in the sex industry; the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State as he discusses the role that religious believers and humanists can play in defending separation of religion and government; Hillary Matfes, a high school activist that's leading the way with the Secular Principles Pinky Swear and from 2009 Humanist of the Year PZ Myers, as he discusses what happened to him as a child that tore down the wall between his religious beliefs and his love for science. |
| HNN 42: Unscientific America |  |
In this month's podcast, hear from Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum, co-authors of the recently released Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future as they speak with Jennifer Bardi, editor of the Humanist magazine. Kirshenbaum and Mooney will discuss what scientific illiteracy means for our society, possible ways to combat it, and the disagreements they have with the so-called New Atheists over religion. |
| HNN 43: AAI '09 Darwin Legacy Convention + The Atheist Camel |  |
In this month's audio podcast, Jende attends the Atheist Alliance International Convention in Burbank, CA, and hears from an assorted number of conference attendees who make up our movement. Listen in as he talks with an Objectivist-influenced rock band, a leader from a Ethical Culture Society, the founder of a freethought film festival, an Arab atheist, and a Pilates instructor--all who came together in California to take part in AAI's annual conference. Also, Jes interviews one of the founders of Eternal Earth-Bound Pets, a post-rapture pet rescue program run by atheists. |
| HNN 44: HumanLight |  |
In this month's audio podcast, Jende speaks with Patrick Colucci, the vice chair of the HumanLight committee. The two discuss this humanist holiday, now in its 8th year of celebration. Learn more about why it is celebrated, how it is celebrated, and how your family and community can take part! |
| HNN 45: Good without God |  |
In this month's audio podcast, Jende speaks with Harvard Humanist Chaplain Greg Epstein about his new book “Good without God: What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe.” |
| HNN 46: The HEADS Meeting |  |
Jende Huang drops in on the HEADS meeting and speaks to some leaders from across the movement about their upcoming plans for 2010. |
| HNN#47: Sebastian Velez in Haiti |  |
In this month's audio podcast, Jes Costantine and Jende Huang interview Sebastian Velez about his recent experiences in Haiti, following the earthquake that struck on Jan 12, 2010. Velez, a member of the Harvard Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists, as well as a leader of Children of the Border, was on his way to the island nation, when the earthquake struck. Hear him speak about what he saw on the ground in Jacmel, as well as the broader situation in Haiti, and how you can continue to help the people of Haiti. |
| HNN#48: Ethical Focus |  |
In this month's audio podcast, Jende Huang and Jes Constantine visit the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County in Teaneck, NJ and are the speakers at the society's Sunday platform. |
| HNN#49: Foundation Beyond Belief |  |
In this episode, Jende Huang and Jes Constantine speak with Dale McGowan, founder and executive director of the Foundation Beyond Belief. |
| HNN#50: Special Anniversary Show and Farewell, Jende! |  |
Jende Huang, Jes Constantine, and a special guest host discuss some of their favorite moments from the past 49 episodes of the Humanist Network News podcast. |
| HNN#51: Wendy Liu, Humanist Pioneer |  |
Jes Constantine introduces clips from AHA's 69th Annual Conference. |
| HNN#52: Humanist Heroines |  |
Jes Constantine and guest co-host Jennifer Bardi introduce and discuss clips from AHA's 69th Annual Conference, which took place earlier this summer in San Jose, CA. Listen to clips of Meg Bowman and Annie Laurie Gaylor accepting our Humanist Heroine award. Also, learn about the exciting news regarding the HNN podcast. |
| The Humanist Hour #53: Bill Nye the Science Guy, Humanist of the Year |  |
Jes Constantine and guest co-host Jennifer Bardi introduce and discuss clips from AHA's 69th Annual Conference, which took place earlier this summer in San Jose, CA. Listen to Bill Nye the Science Guy accepting our Humanist of the Year award. |
| The Humanist Hour #54: Q+A with Bill Nye the Science Guy and LGBT Humanist Council update |  |
In this month's audio podcast, Jes Constantine plays another clip from AHA's 69th Annual Conference, which took place earlier this summer in San Jose, CA. Listen to Bill Nye the Science Guy answer questions from the conference attendees, after accepting our Humanist of the Year award. Also hear Jes Constantine's interview with Jason Frye of the Humanist Association of San Diego and the LGBT Humanist Council. |
| THH#55: Barefoot rEVOLUTION? |  |
Jes Constantine interviews Dr. Daniel Lieberman, a professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard and Dr. Daniel Howell, author of The Barefoot Book about the benefits of barefoot living and how it relates to humanism. |
| THH #56: Onward Christian Athletes |  |
"Onward Christian Athletes" author, Tom Krattenmaker, presents his book to AHA's 69th Annual Conference attendees. Also learn more about the largest non-religious ad campaign, launched earlier in November by the American Humanist Association. |
| THH #57: Jean Shepherd, In God We Trust (All Others Pay Cash) |  |
Listen to the magical monologist, Jean Shepherd, read an excerpt from his 1966 book, "In God We Trust (All Others Pay Cash)", which originally appeared in the December 1965 edition of Playboy. |
| THH #58: Soldier Spiritual Fitness, Rock Beyond Belief, and Darwin Day |  |
Jes Constantine and guest interviewer, Todd Stiefel, speak with Justin Griffith about his experience as an atheist in the U.S. Army and, more specifically, about failing the Spiritual Fitness component of the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness test and turning that experience into a freethought activist opportunity with Rock Beyond Belief. Also: don't forget to celebrate Darwin Day this February 12th! Happy Birthday, Charles! |
| THH #59: Introducing Todd Stiefel |  |
Listen to Jes Constantine interview her new co-host, Todd Stiefel. Todd Stiefel lives in Raleigh, NC. He is a secular humanist, an atheist and full-time freethought activist. |
| THH #60: Shining the Light of Reason |  |
Jes Constantine and Todd Stiefel interview Fred Edwords of United Coalition of Reason, debate the concept that vegan priorities are humanist priorities with surprise special guest, Jason Torpy, and highlight the AHA 70th Annual Conference with AHA staffer, Maggie Ardiente. |
| THH #61: Rebecca Goldstein, Humanist of the Year |  |
Jes Constantine and Todd Stiefel reflect on the AHA 70th Annual Conference, highlighting the acceptance speech by Humanist of the Year, Rebecca Goldstein. Also, listen to an interview with a very special surprise guest. Don’t forget to celebrate the National Day of Reason on Thursday, May 5, 2011! |
| THH #62: Candace Gingrich-Jones: Humanist Pride |  |
Jes Constantine and Todd Stiefel reflect on the AHA 70th Annual Conference, highlighting the acceptance speech by Candace Gingrich-Jones, the first ever awardee of the LGBT Humanist Pride Award. Also, listen to an interview with Candace and some special guest interviewers. Tune in next month for our sex episode! |
| THH #63: Sex and Secularism |  |
Jes Constantine and Todd Stiefel interview organizational psychologist, Dr. Darrell Ray, about his recent empirical study, called Sex and Secularism: What Happens When You Leave Religion? Also, listen to an interview with movie writer and producer, Matthew Chapman, about his upcoming film, The Ledge. This episode contains explicit content and listener discretion is advised. |
| THH #64: Matthew Chapman and The Ledge |  |
Jes Constantine and Todd Stiefel interview writer, director, and producer, Matthew Chapman about the release of his film, The Ledge and also Science Debate 2012. |
| THH #65: Hemant Mehta, the Friendly Atheist |  |
Jes Constantine and Todd Stiefel talk to Hemant Mehta, the Friendly Atheist, about his activism in the freethought movement. Hemant also gives Jes and Todd a brief public speaking lesson and pop quiz. Plus, learn about the latest news with Rock Beyond Belief and the Reason Rally! |
| THH #66: Steve Wozniak and American teenage atheists |  |
Todd Stiefel interviews Apple's Co-Founder, author, and the 2011 recipient of the American Humanist Association's Isaac Asimov Science award, Steve Wozniak about the importance of skepticism in today's youth. Also, hear about the experience of two American teenagers who are out as atheists. |
| THH #67: Reason Rally | Jes Constantine and Todd Stiefel interview American Atheists' president, David Silverman, about the largest secular event in world history-the Reason Rally. Jes and Todd also discuss a listener comment about the proposed personhood amendment. | |
| THH #68: Serving the Humanist Community |  |
Jes Constantine and Todd Stiefel interview Rabbi Binyamin Biber about his services to the community as a Humanist Celebrant and Humanist Chaplain at American University. Also, we highlight the AHA’s recent “Naughty” Awareness Campaign, aimed to raise awareness of discrimination against nonbelievers in America. |
| The Humanist Hour #69: Freethought Mixtape |  |
Jes Constantine and Todd Stiefel interview satirical musician Roy Zimmerman, Australian freethought singer / songwriter Shelley Segal, and rational rocker Bruce Harris from Words Such As Burn, about their experience as atheist artists in the music industry. |
| The Humanist Hour #70: Humanist Community Project |  |
Jes Constantine and Todd Stiefel speak with Harvard University's Humanist Chaplain, Greg Epstein, about the Humanist Community Project. Plus, hear a followup interview with Dr. Darrel Ray about his new book: Sex and God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality. |
| The Humanist Hour #71: On location in Cranston, Rhode Island |  |
Jes Constantine heads to Cranston, RI to hear the local residents, students, and teachers voice their opinion about the Cranston High School West prayer banner. Also, listen to Ellery Schempp tell the story of his landmark US Supreme Court case from over 50 years ago, ruling government sanctioned prayer unconstitutional. |
| The Humanist Hour #72: the Reason Rally |  |
Experience the Reason Rally, the largest gathering of the secular movement in the world: Author and blogger Greta Christina tells us why she is angry, Taslima Nasrin describes her experience of fighting for secularism in a country from which she has been exiled, Mythbuster Adam Savage describes his definition of reason, with Australian musicians Tim Minchin and Shelley Segal. |
| The Humanist Hour #73: the Reason Rally (part 2) |  |
In this month's podcast, experience even more of the Reason Rally, the largest gathering of the secular movement in the world, with: British stand up comedian Eddie Izzard, youTube activist Cristina Rad, long time humanist activist and leader "the Amazing" James Randi, best-selling author Richard Dawkins, and our very own Todd Stiefel. |
| The Humanist Hour #74: Bad Religion |  |
Todd Stiefel and guest co-host, Scott Burdick, interview Bad Religion lead vocalist, Greg Graffin, and bassist, Jay Bentley backstage at the Reason Rally. |
| The Humanist Hour #75: America's War on Sex |  |
Jes and Todd interview Marty Klein, Ph.D., who suggests a humanist approach to healthy sexuality. |
| The Humanist Hour #76: Cenk Uygur |  |
Jes and Todd interview the Young Turks main host and co-founder Cenk Uygur about the relationship between humanism, the media, and politics. Cenk was awarded with the Humanist Media Award at the AHA's 71st Annual Conference. |
| The Humanist Hour #77: Nonbeiver Nation |  |
Jes and Todd interview AHA President, freethought activist, blogger and author David Niose, about his book, Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans. |
| The Humanist Hour #78: Gloria Steinem, 2012 Humanist of the Year |  |
Jennifer Bardi, editor of the Humanist, interviews world famous author and activist Gloria Steinem. “It’s not about not believing,” says the 2012 Humanist of the Year. “It’s about rejecting a god who looks like the ruling class.” |
| The Humanist Hour #79: The Evolution of Comedy |  |
Todd and Jes speak with comedians Ian Harris and Jason Resler about their show, the Evolution of Comedy: Intelligently Designed Humor. |
| THH Web Special: Cecil Bothwell | In this THH Web Special, Todd and Jes speak with Cecil Bothwell about his experience as an atheist politician in Asheville, NC. | |
| The Humanist Hour #80: AHA President Rebecca Hale |  |
In this month’s podcast, Todd Stiefel interviews Rebecca Hale, the newly elected president of the American Humanist Association. |
| The Humanist Hour #81: The Clergy Project |  |
In this month’s podcast, Todd Stiefel and Margaret Downy interview three members of The Clergy Project. |
| The Humanist Hour #82: A. C. Grayling |  |
In this month’s podcast Todd Stiefel’s co-host is Kim Ellington. Together they interview A. C. Grayling. |
