Episode Overview
In this week’s adventure, Laura opens the door to a big question: “If someone doesn’t believe in heaven, God, or religious rules, what helps them decide to be a good person?” Join us as we wander through our imaginary library of beliefs, pull down the Humanism shelf, and discover how kindness, curiosity, courage, and fairness can come straight from withinmno creed required. We’ll play Compass Quest, meet inspiring thinkers from Carl Sagan, Jane Goodall, and Hypatia; cozy up for the Stone Soup story; and fill our Belief Backpacks with new treasures of empathy, reason, and responsibility.
Why You Should Listen
- See values in action: Learn how humanists use empathy, truth-seeking, and responsibility as their moral compass.
- Interactive fun for kids & families: Play along with the movement game and guided imagination.
- Build your own inner guide: Our Compass Quest helps children practice making ethical choices whether they believe in a god or not.
- Engaging storytelling: Hear the timeless Stone Soup folk tale that shows how a little kindness brings communities together.
Behind the Scenes
Laura’s own journey as a humanist made this episode a joy to write. She knew the stories, values, and people inside out. But it was also her toughest script yet to keep every segment completely non-biased and open to listeners of all backgrounds.
Resources & Links
Belief Backpack printable
Stone Soup For All Decodable Coloring Book
Coloring Contest
Download either printable, color your favorite page, and send us a photo by June 30, 2025 to enter our Coloring Challenge! You could win a $5 Amazon gift card plus a special shout-out on the show.
Recommended Reading
- It Started with a Big Bang: The Origin of Earth, You and Everything Else
- By Floor Bal, illus. by Sebastiaan Van Doninck
- A dazzling journey through 13.8 billion years. Perfect for sparking wonder about science and our place in the universe.
- Elle the Humanist
- By Elle Harris & Douglas Harris
- A warm introduction to humanism through the eyes of a nine-year-old author, complete with thought-provoking questions and a foreword by Daniel Dennett.
- What If Everybody Did That?
- By Ellen Javernick, illus. by Colleen M. Madden
- A playful look at how small, thoughtless actions can ripple into big consequences and how everyday choices shape our world.
- The Three Questions
- By Jon J. Muth, based on Leo Tolstoy
- Beautiful watercolors and gentle text show that the best wisdom lives in moments of kindness and presence.
- You Are Stardust
- By Elin Kelsey, illus. by Soyeon Kim
- A poetic celebration of how we’re all made of star stuff, weaving simple science with warm reflections on our connection to nature.
- The Little Book of Humanism: Universal Lessons on Love, Hope, and Happiness
- By John Cornwell
- Bite-sized lessons on living with reason, empathy, and creativity; no creed...
