What I Believe

Nov 15 2023 57 ep. 35 mins 578

What I Believe Podcast artwork

In this podcast, Chief Executive of Humanists UK Andrew Copson talks to humanists today about what they believe, to understand more about the values, convictions, and opinions they live by.

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EP 57 – Adam Kay on the values of the NHS, fundamental human equality, and the future of one of the UK’s most cherished institutions

Nov 15 2023 37 mins

Andrew Copson speaks to award-winning writer, comedian, and former doctor Adam Kay who shares the beliefs that have shaped his life and career. From the original values of the NHS, to questions about its future, he lifts the lid on one of the UK’s most cherished institutions, founded by humanist Nye Bevan, and offers a glimpse into the challenges facing patients, healthcare worke

EP 56 – Lynne Featherstone on liberalism, being the chief architect of the same-sex marriage act, and her deep aversion to conformity

Nov 08 2023 31 mins

Andrew Copson speaks to Liberal Democrat peer and patron of Humanists UK, Baroness Lynne Featherstone who shares her political experiences as a Minister of the Conservative–Liberal Democrat Coalition Government (2010-2015). From being the chief architect of the same-sex marriage act, to the values that drive her liberal beliefs, it’s a must-listen episode about an individual wh

EP 55 – Alom Shaha on becoming a humanist, the joy of teaching, and writing ’The Young Atheist’s Handbook’

Nov 01 2023 34 mins

Andrew Copson speaks to science communicator Alom Shaha who shares his experiences as a teacher and author. From growing up in a strict Bangladeshi Muslim area in south-east London, to the role of his teachers in shaping his worldview, it’s a thought-provoking episode about the power of education and the thrill of intellectual endeavour. Alom Shaha is a patron of Humanists UK.

EP 54 – Tommy Sheppard MP on republicanism, the anti-nuclear campaign, and why he’s not a nationalist

Oct 25 2023 28 mins

Andrew Copson speaks to SNP MP Tommy Sheppard about his life and career as a politician. From his childhood in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, to his unwavering commitment to Scottish independence, it's an engaging episode that explores the importance of collective endeavour, democracy, and the need for progressive change in a rapidly changing world. Tommy Sheppard MP is the

EP 53 – Samira Ahmed on the art of interviewing, equal pay at the BBC, and the ‘toxic’ nature of UK political discourse

Oct 18 2023 40 mins

Andrew Copson chats to multi award-winning journalist, writer, and broadcaster Samira Ahmed who shares the secrets and skills behind her successful career. From questioning those in power, to taking an equal pay case against the BBC, it’s an inspiring episode about the fight for equality and challenging the status quo. Samira Ahmed is a regular contributor to New Humanist magazin

EP 52 – Adam Rutherford on tackling racist pseudoscience, ’Where are you really from?’, and Taylor Swift Vs Charles Darwin

Oct 11 2023 32 mins

Andrew Copson chats with geneticist and author of How to Argue With a Racist Adam Rutherford about the motivations behind a career spent challenging false claims from religion and pseudoscience. From unshackling ourselves from the constraints of evolution, to charting the trajectory of our long history, it's a reflective discussion that emphasises our common humanity and capacity t

EP 51 – Henry Marsh on being a neurosurgeon, living with advanced prostate cancer, and the arguments for assisted dying

Oct 04 2023 32 mins

Andrew Copson explores the life and work of eminent neurosurgeon and writer Henry Marsh who reflects on living with advanced prostate cancer and the motivations behind his world-renowned career. From his unconventional route into medicine, to his experiences as both doctor and patient, it's a thought-provoking discussion about the complexities of healthcare and the role of assisted

EP 50 – Sandi Toksvig on bishops, Scandi convents, and masterminding a school rebellion

Sep 27 2023 33 mins

Andrew deep dives into the fascinating world of comedian, author, and human rights advocate Sandi Toksvig who shares some of the experiences that have fueled her fervent commitment to equality and justice. From school days spent at a French-speaking convent (where she masterminded a school rebellion), to earlier this year challenging the Archbishop of Canterbury over the Church of

EP 49 – Susan Blackmore

Oct 12 2022 35 mins

In this episode, Andrew speaks to writer and broadcaster Dr Susan Blackmore about what she believes, from being open minded and then skeptical, to arguments leading you somewhere, and the self as the whole embodied person with no free will but happy and good.

EP 48 – Laura Lacole

Oct 05 2022 29 mins

In this episode, Andrew speaks to model and humanist campaigner Laura Lacole about what she believes, from one life, to being who you are, making a difference, and expressing yourself.