Ubuntu: I am because we are. 🌍✨

In this bonus episode of Humanism Now, we’re sharing the live recording of Professor James Ogude’s talk from the online event Understanding Ubuntu Traditions part of the Global Origins of Humanism series (co-hosted by Central London Humanists and the Association of Black Humanists).

Prof. Ogude is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria, and a leading authority on Ubuntu—the African ethical tradition of community, compassion and shared humanity.

About the series

The Global Origins of Humanism series is a new programme of online talks and discussions exploring philosophical traditions from around the world that have influenced modern humanist thought. At each event CLH & ABH welcome a leading scholar to introduce their area of expertise, followed by audience discussion.

These events are free to attend online and open to everyone.

Upcoming events (RSVP on Meetup to join live)

• Roots of Rationalism in India with Alavari “AJ” Jeevathol — Wed 17 Sept 2025, 7pm UK
• In Search of Zera Yacob with Dr Jonathan Egid — Wed 15 Oct 2025, 7pm UK

Prof. Ogude covers;

• How personhood is earned through relationships and community
• How Ubuntu differs from Western individualism
• Co-agency: interconnectedness of human and non-human life
• Ubuntu as an ecological ethic for climate and sustainability challenges
• The material dimension of dignity: why justice must include economic needs
• Archbishop Tutu’s role in elevating Ubuntu to a universal framework for reconciliation
• Ubuntu as a process of becoming, not a fixed identity

Selected Books by James Ogude

• Ubuntu and Personhood
• Ubuntu and the Everyday
• Ubuntu and the Reconstitution of Community

More about the organisers

• Central London Humanists: centrallondonhumanists.org.uk
• Association of Black Humanists:

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This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes.

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“The arc of history bends towards justice only if you keep pushing it in that direction.”

David Livingstone-Smith, Ph.D., award-winning author, Professor of Philosophy at the University of New England and a leading authority on dehumanization joins us to unpack how ordinary people come to see others as “less than human,” why that shift makes atrocities feel morally necessary, and what practical tools can help us resist it.

His books include Less Than Human (Anisfield-Wolf Award), On Inhumanity (OUP), and Making Monsters (HUP; Joseph B. Gittler Award; Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize shortlist).

Connect with David Livingstone-Smith

• Website – https://www.davidlivingstonesmith.com
• Newsletter – https://davidlivingstonesmith.substack.com/
• University profile – https://www.une.edu/people/david-livingstone-smith
• Media – https://www.davidlivingstonesmith.com/media

Topics we cover

• What dehumanization is: conceiving others as subhuman creatures or monsters
• How we hold contradictory beliefs (human and subhuman) at the same time
• The role of epistemic authority, leaders, “experts” and propaganda, in spreading dehumanization
• Why racialization often precedes full dehumanization
• Moral framing of mass violence as “self-defence” against monsters
• Economic insecurity and social fear as fertile ground for dehumanizing narratives
• Psychological self-defense: recognizing our manipulability
• What actually helps: honest historical education, dismantling racial thinking, and a robust press

Resources & further reading

• Less Than Human: Why We Demean, Enslave, and Exterminate Others (2011) – https://www.davidlivingstonesmith.com/project-09
• On Inhumanity: Dehumanization and How to Resist It (2020) – https://www.davidlivingstonesmith.com/on-inhumanity
• Making Monsters: The Uncanny Power of Dehumanization (2021) – https://www.davidlivingstonesmith.com/making-monsters

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This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes.

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“Inclusion is the behaviors that result in others feeling valued, respected, seen and heard.”

Dr. Victoria Mattingly (Dr. V)—industrial-organizational psychologist, CEO & founder of Mattingly Solutions, and co-author of Inclusalytics—joins us to show how rigorous data and deeply human connection can coexist. We unpack practical, measurable ways to build cultures of belonging—at work and in communities—where people can thrive as their authentic selves.

Connect with Dr. Victoria Mattingly

• Website – mattinglysolutions.com
• Instagram – @drvictoriamattingly
• LinkedIn – /in/vpmattingly/
• Dr V.s Udemy Course: Ally Up: How to Build and Activate Ally Partnerships
• Dr V. on Google Scholar – https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=L9cutXEAAAA

Topics we cover

✔︎ Defining inclusion with outcomes: behaviours that make others feel valued, respected, seen, and heard
✔︎ “Inclusalytics”: merging workplace inclusion with analytics to measure belonging
✔︎ Why the platinum rule (treat others as they want to be treated) surpasses the golden rule
✔︎ The difference between mentorship and sponsorship—and why sponsors accelerate equity
✔︎ How executive sponsors can empower ERGs without overstepping
✔︎ Allyship as active behavior, not identity
✔︎ Three characteristics of effective partners in allyship: self-awareness, trust, and action orientation
✔︎ Capturing positive behaviors—why we should measure allyship, not just discrimination
✔︎ Using AI and language data ethically to advance inclusion

Resources & further reading

• Pre order: Act Like an Ally, Work With an Ally – Victoria Mattingly – Mattingly Solutions | Kindle
• Inclusalytics: How DEI Leaders Use Data to Drive Their Work – Victoria Mattingly & Sertrice Grice – Amazon | Goodreads
  
  

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This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes.

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“If humanism is anything, it’s self-education. It’s progressing, becoming more educated, more enlightened.” - Dr Bill Angus

Dr Bill Angus takes us on a provocative journey through his transition from devout evangelical Christian to secular humanist in this candid, thought-provoking conversation. After 30 years of committed faith, Angus found himself re-examining the foundations of Christianity, leading to what he calls a “divorce” from Jesus. With humour and clarity, he challenges us to rethink what religion offers – and what humanism makes possible instead.

Connect with Bill & Resources:

• Divorcing Jesus: Atheism for Absolute Beginners – Bill Angus (2024) – Amazon
• Website – billangus.com
• Bluesky – @billangus.bsky.social
• Humanists New Zealand – humanist.nz

Topics we cover

✔︎ Why Bill felt “divorcing Jesus” was the right metaphor for leaving faith
✔︎ Jesus as historical figure vs. fictionalised character of modern Christianity
✔︎ How religion can stunt personal growth through “instant salvation”
✔︎ Humanism as a practice of continuous learning and self-education
✔︎ Rethinking forgiveness, love, and moral values outside divine command
✔︎ Finding authentic community beyond the church
✔︎ Building strength and integrity through secular humanism
✔︎ The wide horizons of life after religion

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This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes.

Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.live

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“It’s on the basis of our shared humanity that we need to try to understand the world and think about how to live in it.”

Professor Richard Norman, philosopher and author of What Is Humanism For?, joins us to explore the enduring question at the heart of secular ethics. From his journey out of Christianity to his role shaping humanist thought in the UK, Richard shares why humanism matters, how it offers a coherent framework for living well, and why it must evolve to address urgent global challenges like climate change and artificial intelligence.

Topics we cover

✔︎ Defining humanism in plain language for all ages
✔︎ Why naturalism underpins humanist philosophy
✔︎ Core values, cooperation, compassion, justice, as products of our social nature
✔︎ Erich Fromm’s “frame of orientation and devotion” and its relevance today
✔︎ How shared values are replacing religion as social glue
✔︎ Climate change and AI as defining issues for future humanist engagement
✔︎ The role of dialogue with religious communities in building understanding
✔︎ Avoiding stereotypes while strengthening humanist identity
✔︎ Inspiring curiosity and critical thinking through school talks

Resources & references

• What Is Humanism For? – Richard Norman (2025)
• On Humanism – Richard Norman (2nd ed., 2012)
• Understanding Humanism – Andrew Copson, Luke Donnellan & Richard Norman (2022)
• Humanist Climate Action – https://humanists.uk/climate-action
• Humanists UK School Speakers Programme – Humanists UK https://humanists.uk/community/school-speakers
• The Sane Society – Erich Fromm (1955)
• “Values are the New Religion” – Linda Woodhead (Cadbury Lectures, University of Birmingham, 2021)

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This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes.

Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.live

Music: Blossom by Light Prism

“I believe in autonomy, I believe in choice, I believe in human freedom, and I believe in having less suffering… all of which are fundamentally humanist values.” – Lizzi Collinge MP

Lizzi Collinge—Labour MP for Morecambe & Lunesdale and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group—shares how openly declaring “I am a humanist” now shapes her work on championing freedom, autonomy and human rights through cross-party collaboration at Westminster.

Lizzi Collinge MP

• 🏛️ Parliament contact –Lizzi Collinge MP
• 𝕏 Twitter – @LizziCollinge
• 📸 Instagram – @lizzicollinge
• 👍 Facebook – @LizziCollinge

Topics we cover

✔︎ Owning a humanist identity in Parliament
✔︎ Lizzi’s life experiences, values & advice for future politicians
✔︎ Putting values into action: autonomy, freedom, less suffering
✔︎ Why transparency about values builds better policy
✔︎ Assisted Dying Bill process & progress
✔︎ APPGs as engines for cross-party problem-solving
✔︎ Confronting illegal schools and protecting children’s education
✔︎ Standing up for persecuted people worldwide

References

• Highest number of MPs ever take secular affirmation – Humanists UK
• Lizzi Collinge’s maiden speech (“I am a humanist”) - Hansard
• Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – UK Parliament
• All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group – Humanists UK
• Illegal Faith Schools – Humanists UK
• Mubarak Bala Update – Humanists International

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This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes.

Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.live

Music: Blossom by Light Prism

"Compassion has no borders" - Katherine Lacefield

Katherine Lacefield—founder of Just Be Cause Consulting—shares why swapping confrontational animal-rights tactics for compassion-first community building creates deeper, lasting change for animals, people and the planet.

Connect with Katherine

• Website – justbecause.consulting
• Facebook – @JustBeCauseConsulting
• Instagram – @just.because.consulting
• TikTok – @justbecauseconsulting
• Threads – @just.because.consulting
• LinkedIn – /in/katherine-mac-donald

Topics we cover

✔︎ From “I hate people” to human-centred advocacy
✔︎ Closing the values–action gap
✔︎ Why confrontation backfires—and what works instead
✔︎ One Health: linking human, animal & environmental wellbeing
✔︎ Letting go of perfectionism in activism

Resources & further reading

• Just Be Cause Consulting – Fundraising & strategy for mission-driven orgs – www.justbecause.consulting
• Just Be Cause Podcast
  • Podcast (Apple) – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-just-be-cause-podcast/id1743692401
  • Podcast (Spotify) – https://open.spotify.com/show/3IKpckZtQIwrUrXL8i0IY0
• WHO “One Health”- an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems.

Send us a text

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This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes.

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Music: Blossom by Light Prism

“Rituals are in the roots of our humankind.” — Iván Antezana

Adrián Núñez and Iván Antezana—leading organisers of the Peruvian Association of Atheists (APERAT)—reveal how their victory in the 2025 Humanist Accelerator Program is turning the dream of legally-recognised humanist ceremonies into a nationwide reality, challenging deep-rooted stigma and funding vital support for Peru’s growing secular community.

Topics we cover

✔︎ Founding APERAT and its legal battles for recognition
✔︎ Why “the atheist closet” remains so deep in Peru
✔︎ Lessons from the Humanist Ceremonies Accelerator
✔︎ Designing inclusive, inter-faith-friendly ceremonies
✔︎ Building a social enterprise to fund legal and social aid
✔︎ Partnering with wedding planners and funeral homes
✔︎ Strategies for nurturing a visible humanist community

The Peruvian Atheist Association (APERAT) continues to work toward a freer, more rational, and truly secular Peru. In a context of growing authoritarianism, censorship, and setbacks in fundamental rights, secular activism is more urgent than ever. APERAT invite individuals, collectives, and organizations who share these values to get in touch and, if possible, offer financial support to sustain public campaigns, events, and advocacy efforts in defence of freedom of conscience and the separation of church and state.

Connect with APERAT

• Website – aperat.org.pe
• Ceremonies – ceremoniaslaicas.lat
• Email – contacto@aperat.org.pe
• Adrián Núñez, Instagram – @sobranmagufos
• Iván Antezana Quiroz, Instagram – @iaq66

Episode References & Resources

📘Les Couleurs de l’Humanisme – Cloutier (2009)

📺 Humanist Ceremonies Accelerator Finale – from Happy Human (Lithuania), Humanists International & Humanise Live

📺 What is a Humanist Ceremony? –Stephen Fry & Humanists UK

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This Podcast is produced by Humanise Live. Humanise Live makes podcasting easy for charities and social causes.

Contact us to get starting in podcasting today at www.humanise.live or hello@humanise.live

Music: Blossom by Light Prism