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Libertatheists

125 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratings

Welcome to Libertatheists! We discuss libertarianism and atheism in books, films, and topics that are relevant to our day.

Books Arts Religion & Spirituality books humanism libertarian movies atheism atheist currentevents exlds exmormon films
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Episodes

Ep. 82: Our Final Episode

August 12, 2021 06:46 - 1 hour - 149 MB

Yep, this is the last episode for this podcast.  Thanks for listening!  In this episode, we reflected on our podcast; we took a look at where we were two-and-a-half years ago at the beginning of our podcast and where we are now, as well as our hopes for the future; and we listed our top three books and films that we covered.  Plus our usual Media Moment.

Ep. 81: How Can Libertarians be Culturally Relevant?, with guest Rob

August 05, 2021 08:28 - 1 hour - 122 MB

For our second-to-last episode, we have a returning guest: Rob with the Free State Project.  We discuss heroes; how to communicate better with people; what ways we can get into media and entertainment; and more about liberty and freedom in New Hampshire.

Ep. 80: Life can be Meaningful and Happy without God

July 07, 2021 11:28 - 1 hour - 116 MB

As we're nearing the end of our podcast, this is one of the topics that Adam most wanted to cover.  In our own different ways we both are happier without a belief in God.

Ep. 79: Overcoming the Fear of Hell

July 05, 2021 10:20 - 1 hour - 111 MB

As we're coming closer to the end of our podcast, one of the final topics Lisa wanted to cover is helping atheists and even Christians overcome their fear of Hell.  The main source she used is the book Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife by Bart Ehrman.

Ep. 78: The Rise of Capitalism and its Benefits

June 19, 2021 20:42 - 1 hour - 84.8 MB

This week we discuss the rise of capitalism and how it benefits the average person, while also recognizing some of its flaws and where it could use some improvement.

Ep. 77: Democratic Socialism vs. Socialism vs. Communism

June 10, 2021 08:13 - 1 hour - 104 MB

We're wrapping up our entire podcast soon, and we want our last few episodes to cover topics that we feel the strongest about right now.  This week we covered "democratic socialism" and how it measures up to historical and modern ideas of communism and socialism.

Ep. 76: Starting a Food Truck Business

May 04, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 105 MB

This week in our catch-up segment, Adam explained how the conversation with his parents went when he told them that his wife also left the LDS church.  Then for our main topic, Adam discussed the legalities required to start a food truck business while Lisa discussed some of the ins and outs of actually running the business.

Ep. 75: Films about Cults

April 01, 2021 00:33 - 1 hour - 129 MB

This week we review films that revolve around cults: "Jesus Camp", "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief", "The Master", "The Village", "Marjoe", and a couple of films about Jonestown.

Ep. 74: Book Review— "Combating Cult Mind Control" by Steven Hassan

February 26, 2021 03:35 - 2 hours - 169 MB

Continuing with last episode's theme, we read and discussed a book by cult expert Steven Hassan, and we couldn't help but compare it to our experience in the LDS church.

Ep. 73: Dealing with Lingering LDS Conditioning

February 10, 2021 09:25 - 2 hours - 144 MB

This month Adam has been thinking a lot about the LDS church, and he realized he has some lingering programming from his years in the church.  So we chat about all of that.

Ep. 72: Trump Rally and Protest at the US Capitol

January 19, 2021 19:11 - 1 hour - 118 MB

This week we're catching up on what's happened so far in January: Trump's leaked phone call with Georgia, his Save America March and the protest/riot that happened at the capitol building, and theories that antifa infiltrated the protest.

Ep. 71: Wrapping Up 2020

December 31, 2020 06:12 - 1 hour - 112 MB

For our last episode of 2020, we spend time just free-talking.  We talk about the LDS religion and how Adam's wife and her family are handling leaving the religion; how Lisa will start officially homeschooling her kids in 2021; and how the political climate looks as the election drama and Trump's presidency come to a close.  Happy New Year!

Ep. 70: The 2020 Election and Much More

November 17, 2020 21:29 - 1 hour - 138 MB

After a long break, we have a lot to catch up on: the lockdowns' effects on teenagers; Adam's wife left the LDS church; Lisa visited New Hampshire; Trump and the election; libertarians who don't vote on principle; blondes and redheads; spoilers for "The Good Place"; and Adam's gaming podcast.

Ep. 69: Libertarian Review of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (1982)

October 04, 2020 20:49 - 1 hour - 92.8 MB

We're taking a break from recording until the election, and we wanted to pause on a high note.  This week we covered the musical "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", which talks about the libertarian concepts of whether or not prostitution should be illegal, who gets to decide what individual cities do, and the supply and demand of sexual services.

Ep. 68: Atheist Review of "The Sunset Limited" (2011)

September 16, 2020 18:08 - 1 hour - 84.7 MB

This week, after a while of catching up with each other, we covered the cerebral film "The Sunset Limited", starring Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson.  We discuss the film's coverage of arguments for Christianity, of nihilism, and of whether or not life has meaning.

Ep. 67: Atheist Review of "The Invention of Lying" (2009)

September 08, 2020 22:03 - 47 minutes - 58.4 MB

This week we delve into why Ricky Gervais's film "The Invention of Lying" is on multiple best-atheist-films lists—from ideas of an afterlife and what Heaven is like, to the character of God and his role in people's life.  And, of course, lying vs. honesty.

Ep. 66: Libertarian Review of "Dallas Buyers Club" (2013)

August 26, 2020 04:49 - 54 minutes - 64.8 MB

This week we review "Dallas Buyers Club" which is based on a true story about a man who has AIDS and has to smuggle in the medication he needs to keep himself and other AIDS patients alive.  Many libertarian themes throughout the film; it was great!

Ep. 65: Navigating Homeschool and "School from Home"

August 19, 2020 04:11 - 1 hour - 120 MB

This week Adam and Lisa share their tips for homeschooling—what Lisa learned from homeschooling her children last year, and Adam's decade-long experience as a high school teacher.  We hope these tips will help and encourage those who are doing the mandated "schooling from home", and those who may be considering officially homeschooling their children.

Ep. 64: Our Presidential Match-up—"I Side With" Quiz 2020

August 12, 2020 01:07 - 1 hour - 106 MB

As promised, we've revisited our "I Side With" quiz and took it again, now that the presidential candidates have been finalized and we're closer to the election.  Adam compares where he agrees with Trump and with Biden, and we see where our thoughts and opinions have changed over the past year.

Ep. 64: Updated "I Side With" Quiz 2020

August 12, 2020 01:07 - 1 hour - 106 MB

As promised, we've revisited our "I Side With" quiz and took it again, now that the presidential candidates have been finalized and we're closer to the election.  Adam compares where he agrees with Trump and with Biden, and we see where our thoughts and opinions have changed over the past year.

Ep. 63: Life in the Free State Project, with guest Rob

August 04, 2020 08:21 - 1 hour - 135 MB

This week, we have a guest who moved three years ago from California to New Hampshire to be part of the Free State Project.  He shares with us what the movement is all about, what life in New Hampshire is like, sources you can go to for more information on the project, and tips for getting involved in the culture.

Ep. 63: Life in the Free State Project, with guest Robert

August 04, 2020 08:21 - 1 hour - 135 MB

This week, we have a guest who moved three years ago from California to New Hampshire to be part of the Free State Project.  He shares with us what the movement is all about, what life in New Hampshire is like, sources you can go to for more information on the project, and tips for getting involved in the culture.

Ep. 62: A Puff Piece—Adam's Fun Libertatheist Media

July 21, 2020 00:32 - 1 hour - 78.9 MB

In this episode we wanted to take a break from serious stuff and talk about fun media that Adam likes to consume that have libertarian and/or atheist themes: various films, video games, YouTube channels, etc.

Ep. 61: Christianity vs Mormonism, with guest Colton

July 15, 2020 23:52 - 1 hour - 143 MB

This week we have as a guest Adam's friend Colton who is a Christian and philosopher and who is the one that recommended "The Reason for God" to Adam.  We talk about Mormonism and what qualifies as a Christian, as well as different philosophical arguments about God.

Ep. 60: Atheist Book Review—Part 2 of "The Reason for God"

July 11, 2020 05:21 - 1 hour - 89.4 MB

In this episode we're covering Part 2 of Timothy Keller's book "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism".  It's different from Part 1, but it's bad in its own way and doesn't redeem the book for us.  We also highlight some of Adam's problems with Christianity as a whole.

Ep. 60: Part 2 of our Atheist Review—"The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller

July 11, 2020 05:21 - 1 hour - 89.4 MB

In this episode we're covering Part 2 of Timothy Keller's book "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism".  It's different from Part 1, but it's bad in its own way and doesn't redeem the book for us.  We also highlight some of Adam's problems with Christianity as a whole.

Ep. 59: Atheist Book Review—"The Reason for God", Part 1

July 02, 2020 23:37 - 1 hour - 94.9 MB

We realized that we've been neglecting the atheist side of our podcast lately, and so for this week's episode we're delving into the first half of "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism" by Timothy Keller.  And boy do we have some strong opinions of this book so far!

Ep. 59: Atheist Review of "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller, Part 1

July 02, 2020 23:37 - 1 hour - 94.9 MB

We realized that we've been neglecting the atheist side of our podcast lately, and so for this week's episode we're delving into the first half of "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism" by Timothy Keller.  And boy do we have some strong opinions of this book so far!

Ep. 58: Our Social Contracts

June 17, 2020 06:14 - 1 hour - 94.8 MB

In this episode we talk about Hobbes and Locke and where our country's social contract theories come from. We talked about the social contracts we have with each other and how we can strengthen them.  We also had fun talking about movies and books and such, which went on a bit longer than usual.

Ep. 57: Where are the Conservative Atheists?

June 11, 2020 01:43 - 1 hour - 86.9 MB

This week, we tackle atheism in America and why American atheists not only seem to be mostly liberals, but also why many of them think that conservative atheists can't be a thing.

Ep. 56: The Murder of George Floyd

June 02, 2020 05:28 - 1 hour - 76.1 MB

In this episode, we're covering what led up to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the events surrounding his death, and the aftermath in Minneapolis and around the country.  We also discuss police and what can be done to change things.

Ep. 55: Our Top 12 Most-Seen Logical Fallacies

May 20, 2020 06:50 - 59 minutes - 67.7 MB

This week we delve into logical fallacies.  We've picked the twelve that we see as the most common in modern discourse, and we explain what they are and we highlight them with examples from politics and religion.

Ep. 54: Can Our Country be Turned Around Before it Collapses?

May 14, 2020 21:26 - 1 hour - 98.7 MB

Lisa's husband joins us this week as we discuss our country's financial situation—the national deficit and debt, the causes of our current situation, and some solutions.

Ep. 54: Can Our Country Recover Before it Collapses?, with guest Mike

May 14, 2020 21:26 - 1 hour - 98.7 MB

Lisa's husband joins us this week as we discuss our country's financial situation—the national deficit and debt, the causes of our current situation, and some solutions.

Ep. 54: Can Our Country be Turned Around?, with guest Mike

May 14, 2020 21:26 - 1 hour - 98.7 MB

Lisa's husband joins us this week as we discuss our country's financial situation—the national deficit and debt, the causes of our current situation, and some solutions.

Ep. 53: Who is Justin Amash?

May 06, 2020 08:53 - 57 minutes - 87.4 MB

In this week's episode we delve into who Congressman Justin Amash is, why he's seeking the nomination for president of the United States, and we find out just how libertarian he is with how he's voted and his stances on some major political topics.

Ep. 52: What Role Should Government Have in a Crisis?

April 23, 2020 03:58 - 57 minutes - 86.3 MB

This week we ask the question of what is the best role for government to have in a crisis.  We bring in examples of Michigan, of Sweden, Trump and his press conferences, and classic libertarian philosophy.

Ep. 51: Where Can We Turn in a Crisis?

April 16, 2020 03:54 - 58 minutes - 87.5 MB

This week we ask the question, "Where can we turn in a crisis?", and we answer it with current events during this COVID-19 time, such as how religions are responding, how the government is acting or failing to act, and what businesses and individuals are doing to help.

Ep. 50: Governing Ourselves is now Libertatheists

April 06, 2020 10:32 - 8 minutes - 12.7 MB

Hey folks!  After much thinking and discussing, we've decided to make some changes to our podcast.  We're changing our name from Governing Ourselves to Libertatheists, a silly name that will reflect the new fun direction where we want to take our podcast.  We'll also have a more structured, segmented format.  Let us know on social media what you think!

Ep. 49: Part 2 of the BITE Model Applied to the LDS Church

April 01, 2020 23:58 - 1 hour - 98 MB

In this second half of our BITE model episode, we're covering Thought control and Emotional control.  We tally up the numbers of all four sections at the end and see where the LDS Church lands, and we discuss that it all means.  If you think of examples we missed, let us know.  We also announce some changes we're going to make to our podcast!

Ep. 48: Cult Control—Applying the BITE Model to the LDS Church, Part 1

April 01, 2020 03:35 - 1 hour - 133 MB

As two ex-Mormons we have a lot of insight into the LDS church, and so we're taking two episodes to apply Steven Hassan's BITE model to the LDS Church.  BITE is an acronym for Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional control, the four areas where destructive cults try to control their members.  In Part 1, we're covering Behavior and Information control.

Ep. 47: COVID-19, and Irish History with "Black '47" (2018)

March 18, 2020 08:33 - 1 hour - 84.9 MB

This week we cover two topics: the first is the current event that has everyone talking—COVID-19—and the other topic is in honor of St. Patrick's Day where we cover what happened with the Irish Great Hunger, or the Irish Potato Famine of 1847.

Ep. 46: Super Tuesday 2020 Results

March 12, 2020 06:49 - 59 minutes - 90.5 MB

Super Tuesday was last week on March 3rd, and Adam and Lisa talk about the remaining candidates for the Democratic Party, how they match up against President Trump, and our thoughts on the Libertarian Party and a few of its 2020 candidates.

Ep. 45: Libertarian Movie Review—"The Big Short" (2015)

March 02, 2020 06:33 - 51 minutes - 76.2 MB

This week, we discuss the informative comedy-drama "The Big Short", based on the true story of a few men who saw that the '07-'08 housing crisis was going to happen and they bet against the market and made a ton of money doing so.  A pretty good companion film to Ron Paul's End the Fed.

Ep. 44: Atheist Video Review—"The Four Horsemen - Hitchens, Dawkins, Dennet, Harris [2007]"

February 24, 2020 09:14 - 40 minutes - 60.2 MB

This week we're reviewing a YouTube video of a round-table discussion between Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Dan Dennet, and Sam Harris, which earned them the nickname "The Four Horsemen of new atheism".  Whether you're new to atheism or a seasoned veteran of atheism, these are men whose work you should know.

Ep. 43: Governing Ourselves Book Review—"The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman

February 18, 2020 10:22 - 59 minutes - 80.6 MB

This week for a belated Valentine's Day episode, we review a book called "The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts" by Gary Chapman.  This book gives you information and teaches you skills that you can learn to realize the power you have to improve your marriage by making your spouse feel loved.  It also helps you discover your own "love language" so you can know yourself better and so you can know what to request of your spouse to help you feel loved in return.

Ep. 42: Libertarian Book Review—"Permanent Record" by Edward Snowden

January 21, 2020 23:38 - 1 hour - 82.8 MB

This week we cover what brought Lisa to libertarianism: learning about US government's mass surveillance revealed by Edward Snowden.  He came out with a book in late 2019 and that's what we're reviewing today.

Ep. 41: Libertarian Movie Review—"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014)

January 14, 2020 22:41 - 53 minutes - 77 MB

For our first libertarian movie of the year, we're covering one of Adam's favorites: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier", and how its messages of government spying and the digital world are especially relevant to us today.

Ep. 40: Libertarian Book Review—"End the Fed" by Ron Paul

January 07, 2020 04:36 - 52 minutes - 74.5 MB

We're starting off 2020 by reviewing an excellent book by the person who got Adam into libertarianism: Ron Paul.  He explains the history of the Federal Reserve, what it is and how it affects our economy, and he lays out several good cases for abolishing it.

Ep. 39: Atheist Movie Review—"Klaus" (2019)

December 23, 2019 07:27 - 45 minutes - 64.1 MB

For our final episode of the Christmas season and of 2019, we're covering the new Netflix original movie "Klaus", a family-friendly animated Santa Claus origin story.