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

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 workers, and the NHS as a service.   Adam's new book, Kay’s Incredible Inventions, is out now: https://www.waterstones.com/book/kays-incredible-inventions/adam-kay/henry-paker/9780241540787   He is a patron of Humanists UK: https://humanists.uk/about/our-people/patrons/adam-kay/   In May 2023, Humanists UK held an 'In Conversation Event' with Adam Kay, hosted by its President, Adam Rutherford: https://humanists.uk/2023/05/17/humanists-uk-presents-adam-kay-with-the-voltaire-lecture-medal/ What I Believe was the title of two separate essays by the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the philosopher EM Forster in the early 20th century. These two humanists set out their approach to life, their fundamental worldview, in a way that was accessible to all. In this podcast, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson, speaks to humanists today to understand more about what they believe, to understand more about the values, convictions, and opinions they live by. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non religious people to advance free thinking and promote a tolerant society. If you’d like to support the podcast or find out more about the humanist approach to life or the work that we do, please visit humanists.uk. If you like what you see, please consider joining as a member:  You can follow Humanists UK on Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok – and please remember to leave a 5 star review! What I Believe is produced by Sophie Castle.

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 whose actions have left a significant impact on the world of politics and social change. What I Believe was the title of two separate essays by the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the philosopher EM Forster in the early 20th century. These two humanists set out their approach to life, their fundamental worldview, in a way that was accessible to all. In this podcast, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson, speaks to humanists today to understand more about what they believe, to understand more about the values, convictions, and opinions they live by. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non religious people to advance free thinking and promote a tolerant society. If you’d like to support the podcast or find out more about the humanist approach to life or the work that we do, please visit humanists.uk. If you like what you see, please consider joining as a member:  You can follow Humanists UK on Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok – and please remember to leave a 5 star review! What I Believe is produced by Sophie Castle.

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. In 2012, he published The Young Atheist’s Handbook: Living a Good Life Without God. The book chronicles his upbringing in a strict Bangladeshi Muslim area in south-east London in the 1970s and 80s and outlines the intellectual journey which led him to identify as a humanist. It was launched at an event organised by Humanists UK, which later ran a successful crowdfunder to distribute copies of the book to every school in the country. Alom is also a former trustee of Humanists UK.   What I Believe was the title of two separate essays by the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the philosopher EM Forster in the early 20th century. These two humanists set out their approach to life, their fundamental worldview, in a way that was accessible to all. In this podcast, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson, speaks to humanists today to understand more about what they believe, to understand more about the values, convictions, and opinions they live by.   Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non religious people to advance free thinking and promote a tolerant society. If you’d like to support the podcast or find out more about the humanist approach to life or the work that we do, please visit humanists.uk. If you like what you see, please consider joining as a member:    You can follow Humanists UK on Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok – and please remember to leave a 5 star review! What I Believe is produced by Sophie Castle.

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 Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, a cross-party group of Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords of all the main parties, including members from the Crossbenches in the Lords: https://humanists.uk/about/humanists-in-parliament/   He secured a backbench business debate on the presence of 26 unelected bishops in the House of Lords in July 2023: https://humanists.uk/2023/07/06/mps-slam-automatic-right-for-bishops-to-sit-in-the-house-of-lords/   What I Believe was the title of two separate essays by the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the philosopher EM Forster in the early 20th century. These two humanists set out their approach to life, their fundamental worldview, in a way that was accessible to all. In this podcast, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson, speaks to humanists today to understand more about what they believe, to understand more about the values, convictions, and opinions they live by. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non religious people to advance free thinking and promote a tolerant society. If you’d like to support the podcast or find out more about the humanist approach to life or the work that we do, please visit humanists.uk. If you like what you see, please consider joining as a member:  You can follow Humanists UK on Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok – and please remember to leave a 5 star review! What I Believe is produced by Sophie Castle.  

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 magazine: https://newhumanist.org.uk/contributors/5253/samira-ahmed She also regularly chairs Humanists UK events: https://www.youtube.com/@HumanistsUK  What I Believe was the title of two separate essays by the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the philosopher EM Forster in the early 20th century. These two humanists set out their approach to life, their fundamental worldview, in a way that was accessible to all. In this podcast, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson, speaks to humanists today to understand more about what they believe, to understand more about the values, convictions, and opinions they live by.  Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non religious people to advance free thinking and promote a tolerant society. If you’d like to support the podcast or find out more about the humanist approach to life or the work that we do, please visit humanists.uk. If you like what you see, please consider joining as a member: https://humanists.uk/ You can follow Humanists UK on Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok – and please remember to leave a 5 star review!   What I Believe is produced by Sophie Castle.

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 to build a better society.    Adam Rutherford is the current President of Humanists UK. He delivered Humanists UK’s 2019 Voltaire Lecture, How to argue with a racist, which became the basis for his 2020 bestselling book of the same name: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYf-xNsIb2I   What I Believe was the title of two separate essays by the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the philosopher EM Forster in the early 20th century. These two humanists set out their approach to life, their fundamental worldview, in a way that was accessible to all. In this podcast, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson, speaks to humanists today to understand more about what they believe, to understand more about the values, convictions, and opinions they live by.    Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non religious people to advance free thinking and promote a tolerant society. If you’d like to support the podcast or find out more about the humanist approach to life or the work that we do, please visit humanists.uk. If you like what you see, please consider joining as a member: https://humanists.uk/   You can follow Humanists UK on Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok – and please remember to leave a 5 star review!     What I Believe is produced by Sophie Castle.

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 dying in modern society.   Henry Marsh addressing parliament on assisted dying in 2022: https://humanists.uk/2022/05/25/dr-henry-marsh-addresses-parliamentary-humanists-on-assisted-dying/   Henry Marsh calling for an assisted dying parliamentary inquiry in 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9arXH8D1tbo     What I Believe was the title of two separate essays by the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the philosopher EM Forster in the early 20th century. These two humanists set out their approach to life, their fundamental worldview, in a way that was accessible to all. In this podcast, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson, speaks to humanists today to understand more about what they believe, to understand more about the values, convictions, and opinions they live by.    Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non religious people to advance free thinking and promote a tolerant society. If you’d like to support the podcast or find out more about the humanist approach to life or the work that we do, please visit humanists.uk. If you like what you see, please consider joining as a member: https://humanists.uk/   You can follow Humanists UK on Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok – and please remember to leave a 5 star review!     What I Believe is produced by Sophie Castle.

Andrew Copson 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 England's stance on same-sex marriage, it's a thought-provoking conversation that's equal parts humour and heart.   For more info on Sandi's public call earlier this year for Church of England bishops to be removed from the House of Lords over its continued opposition to same-sex marriage: https://humanists.uk/2023/02/03/sandi-toksvig-calls-for-cofe-bishops-to-be-removed-from-lords-over-same-sex-marriage/   What I Believe was the title of two separate essays by the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the philosopher EM Forster in the early 20th century. These two humanists set out their approach to life, their fundamental worldview, in a way that was accessible to all. In this podcast, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson, speaks to humanists today to understand more about what they believe, to understand more about the values, convictions, and opinions they live by.    Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non religious people to advance free thinking and promote a tolerant society. If you’d like to support the podcast or find out more about the humanist approach to life or the work that we do, please visit humanists.uk. If you like what you see, please consider joining as a member: https://humanists.uk/   You can follow Humanists UK on Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok – and please remember to leave a 5 star review!     What I Believe is produced by Sophie Castle.

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.

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.