Atheist podcasts can mean different things to different people.
For some, they’re a place to find connection, especially after stepping away from religion or faith.
For others, they’re a space to challenge old ideas and think more critically about the beliefs they were raised with.
And sometimes, they’re just a refreshing break, a chance to laugh at the absurd, learn from brilliant thinkers, or hear someone else say the thing you've been too nervous to admit out loud.
This list brings together 20 of the best atheist podcasts out there. You’ll find shows that speak from lived experience, some from academic or scientific angles, and others that just boldly say what needs to be said. What they all share is a commitment to curiosity, truth-seeking, and living authentically without religion.
Here are the top 20 best atheist podcasts you could listen to now!
20 Best Atheist Podcasts Worth Listening To
1) The Atheist Experience
This iconic call-in show from the Atheist Community of Austin has been around for years and remains a go-to for rational, no-nonsense conversations between believers and skeptics. Each episode features live calls, spirited debates, and sharp, logical responses. It’s a masterclass in street epistemology and sometimes even unexpectedly emotional.
2) Cognitive Dissonance
Hosted by Tom Cecil and Tom Curry, two outspoken atheists from Chicago, this podcast is known for its unapologetically brash style. They cover politics, current events, and cultural absurdities with sharp wit and dark humor. A recent episode skewered anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the U.S. with both fury and laughter, showing how the podcast blends outrage with comic relief.
3) The Thinking Atheist
Hosted by Seth Andrews, a former evangelical Christian and longtime Christian radio host, this podcast blends polished storytelling with philosophical depth. After leaving religion, Seth created The Thinking Atheist as a way to humanize nonbelief and build a supportive community for those questioning faith. The show covers everything from the psychology of religion to the power of curiosity and compassion. One standout episode, “Religion and Mental Health,” explores how belief systems can both harm and heal, featuring honest listener calls that are equal parts heartbreaking and uplifting. Seth’s voice is calm, wise, and reassuring, perfect for anyone in the middle of big spiritual questions.
4) The Godless Spellchecker Podcast
Hosted by Stephen Knight, a British secular activist and writer, this podcast leans toward thoughtful interviews with authors, journalists, and public figures who explore religion’s influence on society. Knight has a strong interest in freedom of speech and secular ethics, particularly in Muslim-majority contexts. One standout episode features a deep-dive interview with Maajid Nawaz about extremism, free expression, and secular reform.
5) Friendly Atheist Podcast
Hemant Mehta, who once sold his soul on eBay as a social experiment, and co-host Jessica Bluemke Greif bring warmth and clarity to current events in the atheist world. Hemant has written extensively for outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post, often offering a secular perspective on news that others miss. One memorable episode covers bizarre church-state violations in public schools and the legal battles that followed.
6) The Scathing Atheist
If you're into sharp satire and fearless commentary, The Scathing Atheist delivers exactly that. Hosted by Noah Lugeons, along with Heath Enright and Lucinda Lugeons, the show takes a hilariously unfiltered look at religion’s role in society, especially where it intersects with politics, pseudoscience, and bigotry. The team comes from former religious backgrounds and now uses comedy as a tool for exposing hypocrisy and harm. Their weekly “This Week in Misogyny” and “God Awful Movies” segments are fan favorites. A memorable episode dives into Christian nationalist rhetoric in U.S. politics, breaking it down with biting humor and hard facts. It's irreverent, it's raw, and for many listeners, it's incredibly cathartic.
7) Serious Inquiries Only
Hosted by Thomas Smith, a lawyer turned podcaster with a background in philosophy and debate, this podcast explores complex topics like bioethics, political theory, and misinformation with intellectual honesty and humility. Thomas isn’t afraid to change his mind on-air, which gives the show a refreshing openness. A recent two-parter on “AI ethics and consciousness” is a great example of the podcast’s depth and nerdy curiosity.
8) Secular Jihadists for a Muslim Enlightenment
Armin Navabi, an ex-Muslim atheist from Iran and founder of Atheist Republic, teams up with Ali A. Rizvi, a Pakistani-Canadian physician and author of The Atheist Muslim. Their podcast challenges Islamic dogma while promoting freedom of thought and human rights in Muslim communities. In one gripping episode, they interview an anonymous ex-Muslim woman living in Saudi Arabia who risked everything to leave her faith.
9) Skeptics in the Pub Online
Born out of the UK’s long-running “Skeptics in the Pub” movement, this podcast brings those lively, intelligent pub discussions straight to your headphones. It features recorded talks and Q&As with scientists, authors, journalists, and critical thinkers tackling topics like misinformation, pseudoscience, and societal myths. The vibe is casual, but the content is razor-sharp. One standout episode features Dr. David Robert Grimes discussing the psychology behind conspiracy theories and how to better engage with believers without losing your mind. It’s a great way to stay skeptical and stay social, even if you’re listening from your couch instead of a barstool.
10) Graceful Atheist Podcast
David, the anonymous host who once led Christian worship groups, now creates space for others to deconstruct their faith. His emphasis on “secular grace” is about connecting with humanity beyond belief systems. The show’s "Deconversion Anonymous" series features raw, powerful personal stories. One particularly moving episode features a former evangelical missionary navigating parenthood without religion.
11) Polite Conversations
Eiynah Mohammed-Smith is a Pakistani-Canadian writer and illustrator who tackles topics like religion and politics through a progressive, feminist lens. She often invites guests from across ideological lines, including atheists, reformers, and critics of extremism. A must-listen episode features her conversation with atheist author Sam Harris, where they discuss Islamophobia, identity politics, and secular values in nuanced terms.
12) Embrace the Void
Hosted by Aaron Rabinowitz, a philosophy instructor and public speaker, Embrace the Void dives deep into philosophical issues from a secular, often leftist perspective. Aaron tackles big questions around ethics, free will, social justice, and meaning, without ever losing his sense of humor or approachability. It’s a favorite among listeners who want to challenge their assumptions and think critically about the systems we live in.
13) Unbelievable?
Unbelievable? is a long-running UK podcast that creates space for thoughtful dialogue between Christians and non-believers. Now hosted by Ruth Jackson, alongside contributions from former host Justin Brierley, the show features respectful, often passionate debates on theology, science, morality, and the big questions of life. A great episode to start with features atheist philosopher Stephen Law in conversation with Christian apologist William Lane Craig on the problem of evil, a debate that’s both intellectually rigorous and surprisingly cordial. Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or somewhere in between, it’s a rare example of civil discourse done right.
14) Humanize Me
Bart Campolo, once a famous evangelical youth pastor and now a humanist chaplain, brings a unique blend of spiritual vocabulary and secular wisdom. The podcast is about building deep, meaningful relationships and living intentionally without God. In one episode, he discusses “how to create your own secular rituals” for life transitions like weddings, loss, or gratitude.
15) Be Reasonable
Hosted by Michael Marshall, journalist, public speaker, and co-founder of the Merseyside Skeptics Society, Be Reasonable is a refreshingly calm and curious exploration of fringe beliefs. Rather than debating or ridiculing his guests, Marsh takes a conversational approach, giving believers in conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, and the paranormal the space to explain their views. One memorable episode features a guest who believes in ancient alien influence on human civilization, offering a fascinating look at how mythology, mistrust, and pattern-seeking can blend into firm conviction. This podcast is a masterclass in skepticism with compassion.
16) Black Nonbelievers Podcast
Hosted by Mandisa Thomas, founder and president of Black Nonbelievers, this podcast amplifies the often-overlooked voices of Black atheists. It explores how race, religion, and identity intersect in secular spaces. Mandisa, a powerful advocate for visibility and inclusion in the atheist movement, brings her own experiences and activism to the mic, highlighting stories from within the community that are raw, inspiring, and deeply necessary. Episodes often focus on building secular community, navigating life after religion, and confronting the cultural weight of faith in Black families and traditions. A standout episode features a roundtable discussion on leaving religion while still embracing cultural heritage, a nuanced and empowering conversation you don’t often hear elsewhere.
17) Everyone’s Agnostic
Hosted by Cass Midgley, a former Christian preacher turned secular humanist, this podcast features heartfelt deconversion stories from people worldwide. The show digs into the emotional and psychological side of leaving faith, and how it impacts family, identity, and personal growth. Cass brings both empathy and humor to these conversations, making guests feel truly seen. One particularly resonant episode includes a guest who left a fundamentalist Christian sect and shares how they rebuilt their worldview and their confidence from scratch.
18) Left at the Valley
Left at the Valley is a Canadian podcast that blends humor, heart, and critical thinking in every episode. Hosted by Kevin Francis and a rotating panel of witty, well-informed co-hosts, the show covers atheism, secularism, science, and human rights, all with a distinctly casual, conversational tone. It feels like hanging out with your smartest, funniest friends who aren't afraid to take on big ideas (or bad arguments). What sets this podcast apart is its balance of light-hearted banter with thoughtful, well-researched commentary. A great episode to check out is their interview with Dr. Darrel Ray, founder of the Secular Therapy Project, where they dig into religion’s lingering effects on mental health, with insight and a few laughs along the way.
19) Recovering From Religion Podcast
Produced by the nonprofit Recovering From Religion, this podcast is a comforting and resource-rich space for anyone navigating the often-challenging journey away from faith. Hosted by volunteers and leaders from the organization, including secular therapists, peer support advocates, and former believers, it features personal stories, expert interviews, and helpful advice for those dealing with religious trauma, doubt, or isolation. The tone is always compassionate, never preachy. One moving episode features Dr. Marlene Winell, a psychologist and expert on Religious Trauma Syndrome, discussing how to heal after high-control religious environments. Whether you're newly deconstructing or years into your secular life, this podcast reminds you: you're not alone.
20) Opening Arguments
Andrew Torrez, a practicing lawyer, and Thomas Smith, also host of Serious Inquiries Only, team up to break down the legal side of issues impacting atheists, civil rights, and church/state separation. Their episode on the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case is a great starting point, detailing how religious freedom is weaponized in modern courts.
Final Thoughts
Atheist podcasts aren’t just about arguing against belief, they’re about exploring life without it. They offer space to ask hard questions, laugh at the absurd, find community, and build a life grounded in reason, kindness, and curiosity. Whether you're on your way out of religion, already on the other side, or just exploring ideas you weren’t allowed to think about before, these podcasts are for you.
Pick one. Or three. Let them walk with you while you're cleaning, commuting, or lying awake at 2 AM wondering how the universe works. You’re not alone, and these voices prove it.
Recap of the Best Atheist Podcasts on Spotify
- The Atheist Experience
- Cognitive Dissonance
- The Thinking Atheist
- The Godless Spellchecker Podcast
- Friendly Atheist Podcast
- The Scathing Atheist
- Serious Inquiries Only
- Secular Jihadists for a Muslim Enlightenment
- Skeptics in the Pub Online
- Graceful Atheist Podcast
- Polite Conversations
- Embrace the Void
- Unbelievable?
- Humanize Me
- Be Reasonable
- Black Nonbelievers Podcast
- Everyone’s Agnostic
- Left at the Valley
- Recovering From Religion Podcast
- Opening Arguments
