The symbolic power of charity, w/ Jon Dean
How does charity operate in the real world? We talk to sociologist Jon Dean about giving and the "good glow", from the wave of Covid-19 volunteering to the new fear of the "humblebrag".
With Reason podcast
Season Three is now available to stream, exploring issues of motherhood and choice, black resistance and racist policing, and taking listeners inside the weird and wonderful world of quantum mechanics and behind the scenes of the new Space Race. We also learn why our minds need the wild, and what our ancient ancestors can tell us about who we are today.
Season Two tackles care and mortality, consent and desire, activism and faith, the polarisation of our public sphere, and humanity's relationship to the cosmos.
Season One explores issues of faith and fraternity, intimacy and technology, charity and virtue, black feminism and sensuous knowledge, race and belonging, and work and desire in late capitalism.
Podcast listeners also get a year's subscription to New Humanist magazine for just £13.50 by using the offer code WITHREASON. Subscribe now.
Taking sex robots seriously w/ Kate Devlin
Will future sex tech be more inclusive? What role should robotics play in human relationships? We talk to the author of "Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots" about her research on technology and intimacy.
Faith, fraternity and the Orange Order, w/ Joe Webster
Anthropologist Joseph Webster discusses his research amongst Protestant groups in Scotland, including the Orange Order. We talk apocalypse and conspiracy, faith and fraternity, hate and masculinity.
About the podcast
Intelligent thinking for turbulent times, from New Humanist magazine and the Rationalist Association. Interviews with thinkers who speak to our age – on subjects including religion, race, politics, sex, tech, work and much more. Hosted by Samira Shackle, Niki Seth-Smith and series producer Alice Bloch.