One-on-one interviews exploring personal journeys to atheism and the challenges of leaving faith. Guests share their stories, insights, and perspectives in a candid, conversational format.
📄 YouTube Description Annette shares stories of betrayal, shame, and moral confusion during her church upbringing—and how her understanding of ethics radically changed after leaving religion. We dive into purity culture, LGBTQ judgment, and how religious institutions often miss the mark on compassion and justice. It’s a raw, honest look at what happens when doctrine…
What’s it like to grow up queer and questioning religion in the heart of the Bible Belt? In this episode of Ask an Atheist, host Mike Smith talks with Scott Brotten about his deeply personal journey from a small town in Alabama to open atheism and bisexual identity. They explore religious trauma, family silence, internalized…
What if the foundation of everything you were raised to believe starts to crack? What if the stories, rules, and “truths” handed down to you no longer add up? In this episode of Ask an Atheist, I’m joined by Annette Talania-Brandt, who opens up about her personal journey away from religion and toward a secular,…
Meet Larry Warren, a man whose journey from Episcopalian choir boy to confident atheist mirrors the experience of countless Americans who quietly questioned their faith for decades before the internet gave them the tools to understand their doubts. Larry’s story is refreshingly relatable—no dramatic deconversion moment, no religious trauma, just a gradual realization that began…
In this thought-provoking episode of Ask An Atheist on Atheistville, we’re joined by Cynthia McDonald, a powerful voice in the secular movement and a member of Black Nonbelievers. Cynthia shares her personal journey of leaving religion behind while navigating the unique pressures that come with being a Black atheist in a community where church is…
Former Lutheran Mike Gonzalez shares his raw, honest story of religious trauma, childhood abuse, and alcoholism in this deeply personal episode about leaving Christianity behind. Mike reveals how living a double life – pretending to be religious while secretly becoming an atheist – led to years of self-hatred, drinking, and PTSD. This powerful testimony explores…
In this thought-provoking episode, Mike Gonzalez tackles one of the most common challenges thrown at atheists: “Where do you get your morality without God?” Mike flips this question on its head, arguing that we actually develop our moral compass IN SPITE of religion, not because of it. Drawing heavily on Christopher Hitchens’ famous challenge –…
In this episode of viewer questions, Mike and Mike tackle the controversial topic of religious experiences and divine communication. We explore the psychology behind “speaking in tongues,” examine why people claim to receive “messages from God,” and discuss the dangerous authority that religious leaders wield over their congregations. From flow states that can be scientifically…
In this powerful and honest conversation, Mike opens up about his journey from aspiring minister to atheist, and the internal struggle of maintaining leadership roles in religious organizations while questioning his faith. Mike shares his experience as a youth leader who was accepted to Concordia College and considering becoming a military chaplain, before having a…
Join Mike Gonzalez as he addresses viewer Tyler’s claim that “atheism is false” in this thoughtful discussion about belief, geography, and religious diversity. We explore why atheism – as a lack of belief – cannot technically be false, discuss the famous “one less god” argument, and examine how birthplace statistically determines religious belief. This episode…
