Talk Heathen

Talk Heathen

Talk Heathen is a weekly call-in television show in Austin, Texas geared toward long-form and on-going dialogue with theists & atheists about religion, theism, & secularism. Call 1-512-991-9242 every Sunday from 1-2pm CDT. Talk Heathen is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin. The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop & support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing & friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of government-religion separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists & to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Episodes

July 26, 2026 89 mins
In today's episode of Talk Heathen, ObjectivelyDan, Fe, and Scott Dickie tackle cosmological arguments, martyrdom claims, and the limits of binary thinking!

Felix in Puerto Rico argues that something must have always existed with the power to sustain existence, therefore god. Why does this have to be a binary choice between god and nothing? What scientific explanations have you explored for the universe's origins? The hosts ...
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In today's episode of Talk Heathen, Godless Engineer and Sofia Spina tackle eyewitness testimony, purity culture, and the problem of evil!


Lisa in Canada, a religious studies minor, questions the logical validity of eyewitness testimony for Jesus's divinity. How reliable is human memory, especially decades after an event? The Gospels weren't written by eyewitnesses, and mass hysteria can explain group experiences. Why sh...
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In today's episode of Talk Heathen, Jamie the Blind Limey and Richard Gilliver tackle design arguments, information theory, and the claim that science supports Christianity!

Adam in England presents a design argument rooted in information theory and physics, claiming the universe is the output of a mental state. The hosts press for clearer explanations as the technical jargon makes it difficult to follow. What does it mean f...
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In today's episode of Talk Heathen, ObjectivelyDan, Jamie the Blind Limey, and Ben Clodfelter reflect on America's 250th anniversary and the troubling erosion of secular values in the face of rising Christian nationalism.

Anne in CA shares her mixed feelings about July 4th, explaining that while she dislikes fireworks, this year's Independence Day reminded her that rights must be continually fought for. The hosts explore the...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Scott Dickie and Christy Powell are joined by guest Steven Harder to dismantle the "lazy" shortcuts of misinformation! From the "sacred cows" of religious psychiatrists to the "primal" urge for Norse mythology, the hosts explore why smart brains cling to comforting fictions. Can we find common ground in objective reality, or are we destined to get lost in the source of our own subjective na...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Jamie the Blind Limey and Scott Dickie explore the power of empathy and the human need for community! They discuss bridging the gap between faith and secular humanism while challenging the toxic dogmas that divide families and friends.
Tony shares his journey of deconstruction and the loss of community after leaving his congregation. The hosts discuss the importance of compassion for bel...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Richard Gilbreath and Jamie the Blind Limey tackle the bizarre intersections of TikTok misogyny, religious dogma, and the emotional highs of sports fandom! From the "esoteric" cult-like nature of Mormonism to the shared ecstasy of a World Cup match, the hosts explore how our brains navigate community, grief, and the problem of suffering. Can we find peace in a world without a supernatural s...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, ObjectivelyDan and Jamie the Blind Limey dive into the bizarre world of Star Wars Lego drama and Mormon conspiracies! The hosts debate the merits of internet activism, call out the gerontocracy of the atheist movement, and challenge the semantic games used to define a deity.
Luca in Netherlands asks the hosts to define their atheism and questions the source of intrinsic human value. Dan ...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Christi Powell and Sofia Spina explore the "Cold War" between psychology and religion! Both hosts, working in mental health, discuss the bias of Christian counseling and whether science can explain morality. Can we find a naturalistic grounding for "God," or are we just redefining reality to feel better?
John in CA argues nature is the only real God, claiming the universe gains conscious...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Jamie the Blind Limey and Doctor Ben are joined by guest host Kelly Laughlin to navigate the intersection of medical ethics and ancient rituals! From the hilarity of Chick Tracts to the sobering reality of public health crises, the hosts challenge listeners to prioritize human safety over supernatural comfort. Can community exist without a pulpit, or are we all just seeking an invisible the...
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Special Episode: We Are Here 24 hour fundraiser! https://aca.show/wearehere 

This episode was extracted from our 24hour fundraiser live stream on May 16-17. We apologize for the delayed posting!

In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Richard Gilliver, ObjectivelyDan, and Scott Dickie join the second annual 24-hour live stream fundraiser! They explore the intersection of philosophy and science while disman...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Doctor Ben and the incredible Robotgoat dismantle the top ten worst scientific lies pushed by religion! From faith healing fantasies to the biological absurdity of ribs and sperm, the hosts explore why critical thinking is the ultimate antidote to indoctrination. Can we bridge the gap between ancient myths and modern reality, or are some believers too invested in the "poetry jar" to count t...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Christy Powell and guest host Sarah from Leaving Faith explore the dizzying flexibility of biblical interpretation and the biological "bad design" of the human body! Joined by Dr. Ben, the hosts tackle why reading the Bible cover-to-cover is often the fastest road to atheism and why a perfect creator would wrap the prostate around the urinary tract. Can we find logic in a text that justifie...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Scott Dickie is joined by Coach Renz to explore the "mathematics of truth" and the power of family support during deconversion! They discuss how logic provides an essential framework for navigating faith-based assumptions and examine why a supportive environment is vital for exploring one's own identity outside of religious dogma.
Cliff in OH compares the moon landing to faith, arguing t...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Richard Gilliver and Jamie the Blind Limey tackle the bottom feeders of the philosophy world and the perceived persecution of majority religions! They explore the distinction between academic philosophy and rhetorical trickery, the reality of global religious oppression, and why a loss of privilege is often mistaken for a lack of fairness. Can critical thinking dismantle the defensive shiel...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Sofia Spina and Scott Dickie delve into the delicate balance of secular parenting and setting boundaries with religious family! From wedding stress to the trauma of "all stick, no carrot" Catholic discipline, the hosts explore how to navigate interpersonal relationships when ancient dogmas clash with modern autonomy.

Brittany in Canada seeks advice on wedding planning with manipulati...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Dr. Ben and Deconstruction Deacon celebrate Easter Sunday by examining the boundaries of belief and the psychological power of ritual! They explore the historical validity of religious artifacts, the nuances of modern paganism, and the lasting impact of Catholic upbringing.
Jolly Guy from TikTok rejects evolution for a literal Adam and Eve. Hosts identify his straw man arguments and chal...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Objectively Dan and Sidney Davis Jr. Jr. explore the blurry lines between organized religion and cult mentality. From the "American identity" to the ethical complexities of veganism, the hosts challenge listeners to examine the structures that demand their loyalty and silence their questions. Is there a safe way to belong to a community without losing one’s critical edge?
Jamie the...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Christy Powell and Ben Clodfelter explore the bizarre intersection of religion and reality TV. From the "propaganda" of the Duggars to the normalization of fundamentalist behavior, the hosts deconstruct how faith-based media masks accountability and shifts cultural norms. Can a secular perspective help us see through the clever editing of religious narratives?

Jack in MA shares how l...
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In today’s episode of Talk Heathen, Dr. Ben and guest host Thomas Westbrook (Holy Kool-Aid) dismantle the boundaries of belief and biology! They explore the expanding circle of morality, the scientific reality of observed evolution, and the historical gaps in biblical manuscripts. Can critical thinking bridge the distance between ancient mythology and modern skepticism?
Louis in NY asks why species membership limits moral ...
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