Ethics Episodes

Scientist-turned-philosopher Massimo Pigliucci on reclaiming skepticism from the deniers, proportioning belief to evidence, and why doubt can lead to a life worth living.

Janet Ellis, the Blue Peter presenter, actress, novelist and new President of Humanists UK, talks to James Hodgson about how she came to humanism, why she finds real comfort in the fact that life is finite, and how to find joy without guilt in anxious times. She discusses her Humanists UK film All We Have Is Each Other, grief after losing her husband, whether Blue Peter was quietly humanist, talking to children about belief without indoctrination, the joy of writing, assisted dying, and why more humanists should say so openly.

“Transcendence is the connection with something wider; the world, the cosmos, nature, other fellow human beings, and doing good in this life.” — Dr Lindsay de Wal

When Dr Lindsay de Wal became the first non-religious head of chaplaincy in the NHS, she redefined what spiritual support can look like in modern healthcare. From sceptical colleagues to international media headlines, her appointment marked a turning point for inclusive pastoral care. In this personal conversation, Lindsay shares how she built a humanist framework for care grounded in deep listening, horizontal transcendence and unwavering compassion.

AI technologies pose significant threats to fundamental human rights, reinforcing historical biases and power imbalances. This week, we are joined by Susie Alegre, international human rights lawyer and author, to explore the impact of generative AI on gender and racial equality, labour markets, and information ecosystems.


Susie has worked for international NGOs like Amnesty International and organisations including the UN, the EU and the Council of Europe.

Susie has published two books cover...

"It's difficult to think of an area of work life that isn't connected to humanistic thought. If you start with ideas around the dignity of each human, compassion, kindness, ambitions, ways to behave, being evidence-based and being equitable, fair and not biased wherever possible, you start to understand that those are the foundational concepts of humanism" - Paul Harrison, Humanists in Business Network

This week on Humanism Now, new panellist Christian joins AJ to discuss activism and campaigni...