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PODCAST

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall

Atheistville Media

Hosted by Mike Smithgall, Atheistville explores atheism, deconversion, and secular life through open, respectful conversation. The channel features two signature shows:Mike Drop – weekly commentary on religion, politics, and culture from a reasoned, secular perspective. Breakfast with a Heathen – a relaxed Sunday Q&A that tackles listener and Reddit questions about belief, honesty, and living without faith.Together, they create a space for candid dialogue about leaving belief behind, thinking

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

9:42

This Isn’t About Jesus: How Christian Nationalism...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/28

Send us a text Church attendance is plummeting, yet calls for America to be a “Christian nation” are growing louder. In this Mike Drop episode, we unpack the paradox: why Christian nationalism is gaining steam even as religion fades. It’s not about faith, it’s about identity, fear, and power. From empty pews to political pulpits, we explore how branding, nostalgia, and fear drive the movement, and what it means for democracy, atheists, and anyone outside the mold. 💬 Viewer Comment Prompt Do

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15:50

The Rapture That Wasn't: September's Failed Doomsday...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/24

Send us a text This week's failed rapture prediction joins a long list of embarrassing doomsday dates, but it reveals something deeper about human psychology and social media manipulation. We explore the 200-year history of rapture theology, the pattern of failed predictions from 1988 to today, and why TikTok has become the new frontier for apocalyptic anxiety. From Edgar Whisenant's mathematical certainty to Harold Camping's billboard campaign to today's viral prophets, the cycle never ends ...

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16:38

From Pastor to Atheist: The Pain and Power of...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/23

Send us a text 🎙 Podcast Description What happens when faith unravels? In this episode, former pastors and believers reflect on the loneliness of leaving religion, the emotional toll of deconstruction, and the importance of finding community. You’ll hear stories of loss, resilience, and the shift from magical thinking to evidence-based reality. Whether you’re questioning, deconstructing, or supporting someone who is, this conversation highlights both the struggles and the strength in walking

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19:32

Leaving Church Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely: Building...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/22

Send us a text In this episode, we focus on why many secular and humanist meetups don’t last. We hear from longtime organizers about how they rebuilt the social network that people lose after leaving religious institutions. They share how snacks, casual brunches, movies in the park, and simple conversation act as the glue. We look closely at the Black atheist experience and how leaving church means leaving a broader community. This episode offers insights on creating safer, more welcomi...

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15:37

Antifa, Atheism, and the New War on Free Thought

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/20

Send us a text The U.S. government is testing the limits of the First Amendment. In one week, Pam Bondi promised prosecutions for “hate speech,” the FCC threatened ABC over Jimmy Kimmel’s jokes, and Trump labeled Antifa a terrorist organization. In this Mike Drop, I argue why labeling ideas as terrorism is a dangerous precedent. We explore the irony of targeting antifascists, the hypocrisy around January 6, and why both liberals and conservatives should resist this slide. Speech is the founda...

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11:30

Free Speech or Hypocrisy? Pam Bondi’s “Hate Speech”...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/17

Send us a text This week’s Mike Drop examines Attorney General Pam Bondi’s claim that the Justice Department will “target hate speech.” Mike Smithgall unpacks what the law actually says, highlights the hypocrisy of both left and right on free expression, and explains why consistency is the only real protection for free speech. With Trump’s rhetoric, Charlie Kirk’s provocations, and Bondi’s dangerous framing in the spotlight, this episode reminds us that free speech isn’t about protecting word...

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60:17

After Charlie Kirk: Unpacking Political Martyrdom,...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/16

Send us a text This week, we tackle the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk and its broader implications for American democracy. Our discussion covers Kirk's rise as a major figure in Christian nationalist movements, the immediate political reactions to his death, and the troubling patterns of political violence in the United States. We examine how martyrdom functions in modern politics, the performative nature of political outrage, and why both sides aren't equally resp...

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12:09

Dangerous Predictions: How End Times Beliefs...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/15

Send us a text For centuries, religious leaders have predicted the end of the world — and for centuries, they’ve been wrong. In this episode, our panel discusses failed prophecies, the cultural fascination with apocalypse narratives, and the political consequences of end times obsession. We also explore how these beliefs fuel dangerous thinking, from support for apocalyptic foreign policy to the normalization of extremist rhetoric. 💬 Viewer Question Do you think end times preaching is

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6:13

From Silence to Strength: Why Atheists Need a...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/11

Send us a text In this episode, we reflect on growing up without the language or community to identify as an atheist — a reality that left many of us isolated before the internet connected like-minded people. Our conversation explores how religious communities reinforce their beliefs weekly, while atheists lack the same infrastructure or political representation. We also compare the atheist movement’s visibility to the LGBTQ community’s decades-long fight for rights and acceptance, asking wha...

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19:36

My Body, My Choice - But Only Sometimes:...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/10

Send us a text Mike examines Florida's groundbreaking decision to eliminate all school vaccine mandates, exposing how genuine religious concerns have been hijacked by political movements. With vaccine exemptions at record highs and measles cases surging, this episode unpacks the dangerous intersection of Christian nationalism, selective bodily autonomy arguments, and partisan public health policy. From Idaho's 15% exemption rate to Texas's deadly outbreak, the data reveals a pattern of commun...

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10:13

Conversations on Death, Grief, and Saying Goodbye...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/08

Send us a text This segment explores one of the most difficult questions atheists face: what do you say to someone who is dying when you don’t share their faith in heaven or an afterlife? Our panel shares personal experiences with parents and loved ones, the challenge of offering comfort without false promises, and why listening often matters more than words. It’s a candid conversation about compassion, authenticity, and doing no harm at the end of life. 💬 Viewer Question How would you...

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19:55

Throwing Out “Sin”: Building Secular Ethics Beyond...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/07

Send us a text What does the concept of sin mean if you remove God from the picture? In this episode, atheists wrestle with the idea of sin, exploring whether it should be redefined or abandoned altogether. They discuss cultural norms, ethical responsibility, and the role of sin as a tool of control in religious communities. The conversation also dives into institutional abuse, forgiveness at the “11th hour,” and how secular ethics provide a stronger framework for justice and compassion than ...

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11:18

Prayer Works In Your Head, Not In Heaven:...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/03

Send us a text This episode examines prayer from a psychological rather than theological perspective. While prayer doesn't produce supernatural results, it does provide genuine benefits through mechanisms like structured self-reflection, ritual comfort, and social connection. We explore the placebo effect in religious practice, the neuroscience of repetitive ritual, and why understanding prayer's natural benefits doesn't require dismissing its value entirely. Topics covered include intercesso...

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126:43

The Unholy Roundtable: What Is Sin Without Religion?...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/02

Send us a text This Roundtable asks big questions about life after faith. What does “sin” mean when you leave religion behind? How do atheists define morality, deal with religious influence in medical spaces, and navigate the pain of deconstruction? The panel unpacks hypocrisy, cultural double standards, and the struggle to speak openly about unbelief. Topics Covered: Redefining sin through secular ethicsReligious influence in healthcare and counselingThe pain of leaving ministry and losing c...

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18:31

Slavery, Scripture, and Skepticism: A Black Atheist...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/09/01

Send us a text In this powerful conversation, we explore the deep contradictions between Christian scripture and the lived Black experience, especially when it comes to slavery. Our guest shares her personal journey from belief to atheism, shaped by critical questioning within the church and a confrontation with biblical passages that justified slavery. What happens when a faith tradition used to oppress is also the one embraced by the oppressed? This isn’t about attacking individuals, it’s ...

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100:47

From Episcopalian Choir Boy to Confident Atheist:...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/08/31

Send us a text 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 his teenage years and crystallized in his late 40s. What makes Larry's perspective valuable is ho...

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58:25

Catholic School Shooting: Identity, Media Narratives,...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/08/28

Send us a text This episode examines the tragic Catholic school shooting and the reactions that followed. We unpack the immediate framing of the suspect’s identity as trans and atheist, and the way partisan lines shape the headlines. We also reflect on questions of justice, punishment, and personal morality in the aftermath of violence. Viewer Question: Do you think the media focuses too much on a suspect’s identity instead of the root causes of violence? 📑 Relevant Topics or Chapter ...

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11:42

Why “God Told Me To Do It” Can’t Stand in Court

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/08/27

Send us a text In this Mike Drop episode, Mike Smithgall explores Penn Jillette’s sharp observation that courts recognize insanity as a defense, but never “God told me to do it.” Why? Because the law must rest on evidence, not revelation. Mike unpacks the secular foundation of law, the distinction between mental capacity and religious belief, and the dangers of allowing divine authority into legal defenses. Drawing on history, cultural context, and real-world cases, this episode shows why sec...

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100:47

Why Leaving Religion Can Feel Like Betraying Your...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/08/26

Send us a text What happens when faith and identity collide? Cynthia McDonald shares her powerful journey from Christian belief to unapologetic atheism—and how that decision sparked unexpected reactions within her community. In this episode of "Ask an Atheist," we talk about religion in Black culture, breaking free from indoctrination, and what it really means to be true to yourself. Cynthia also shares her work with Black Nonbelievers and the Atheist Community of Austin. Question of the day...

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13:34

What If I’m Wrong? Pascal’s Wager, Satan’s Tricks,...

Atheistville with Mike Smithgall ·

2025/08/25

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the question many wrestle with while deconstructing: What if I’m wrong? We look at Pascal’s Wager, the idea of being deceived by Satan, and how authoritarian religious systems discourage critical thought. The discussion ranges from absurdities like Noah’s Ark to the deeper problem of outsourcing reasoning to leaders who claim to speak for God. This is a raw, thoughtful, and often humorous look at the mental journey out of belief, the role of evidence...

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