51. Maggie Ardiente, President of Humanists International on Spr…

"Another form of resistance is joy.” Maggie Ardiente, newly elected President of Humanists International, joins Humanism Now to share how humanism grounded in curiosity, compassion, and community can meet today’s rising threats to democracy and science. From a Catholic upbringing to global leadership, Maggie lays out a practical, joyful vision: build resilient humanist networks and live our values in the one life we know we have. Connect with Maggie: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/magg...

Show Notes
Guest Profile

"Another form of resistance is joy.”

Maggie Ardiente, newly elected President of Humanists International, joins Humanism Now to share how humanism grounded in curiosity, compassion, and community can meet today’s rising threats to democracy and science. From a Catholic upbringing to global leadership, Maggie lays out a practical, joyful vision: build resilient humanist networks and live our values in the one life we know we have.

Connect with Maggie:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/maggieardiente/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggieardiente/

Topics we cover

Building humanist community: from campus groups to a global movement
Why labels and groups matter for the non-religious
Humanism in public life: defending democracy, science, and human rights
Joy as resistance: living well as a humanist practice
Practical ways to start or grow a local humanist group
Misconceptions about “humanism” in the United States
Leadership skills for secular nonprofits (fundraising, empathy, voice)
Supporting humanists at risk—especially across the Global South

Resources & further reading

Humanists International – Global federation advancing humanist values – https://humanists.international
American Humanist Association – US national org for humanists – https://americanhumanist.org
Secular Coalition for America – Policy advocacy for secular Americans – https://secular.org
Physicians for Social Responsibility – Health professionals for climate solutions & a nuclear-free world – https://www.psr.org

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Maggie Ardiente

President, Humanists International

Maggie Ardiente is an American humanist leader, non-profit executive and advocate at the intersection of secularism, social justice and civil rights. In 2025 she was elected President of Humanists International, becoming the first woman of colour to lead the organisation.

Maggie served for 12 years as Director of Development & Comms at the American Humanist Association, where she helped organise the landmark 2012 Reason Rally and edited for TheHumanist.com. She later joined PFLAG National as VP of Development, bringing her fundraising and advocacy skills to LGBTQ+ rights work.

As President of the Secular Coalition for America, she led a coalition of 20 secular, humanist and atheist organisations working to defend religious freedom, separation of church and state and equal representation of nonreligious Americans.

She is a commentator on reproductive rights, secularism and equality, and has appeared on NPR, The Washington Post and Fox News.

51. Maggie Ardiente, President of Humanists International on Spreading Joy in the One Life We Have