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Everyone's Agnostic Podcast


Cass & Marie interview people you don’t know, about a subject no one wants to talk about. We hope to encourage people in the process of deconstructing their faith and help curb the loneliness that accompanies it. We think the world is a better place when more people live by sight, not by faith.

Sep 5, 2016

We have the good fortune of talking with the writer and director of a new documentary called “A Better Life: An Exploration of Joy and Meaning in a World Without God,” Chris Johnson.  You may have seen a screening of it at the Reason Reason Rally. Chris Johnson is a New York-based photographer and filmmaker. He received his undergraduate degree in film production (along with a minor in religious studies) from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. His photography has been seen in various outlets, including The New York Times. He is the author of the coffee table photography book, “A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak Out on Joy & Meaning in a World without God” that later was made into this documentary. Chris has traveled the world with A Better Life, and continues to do so, speaking and screening the film in over 60 cities on four continents.

For the book, Johnson interviewed many prominent atheist figures such as Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker, Dan Dennett, Derren Brown, Pat Churchland, Julia Sweeney, David Silverman, Penn & Teller, to name a few, plus many every-day people. He has given talks on atheism and his work at conferences, universities, non-profit organizations, and community groups. In addition, he has also been a guest on numerous podcasts, radio and TV shows around the globe.

Chris is the recipient of the Kodak Award for Excellence in Filmmaking as well as the B.F. Lorenzetti Scholarship for Excellence in Filmmaking. Additionally, Chris sits on the Secular Board of Advisors, as well as the board of Openly Secular. And he’s 8 episodes into his own podcast, A Better Life, and it’s really good. Chris is truly a professional.

For more information on Chris’s work and how you can purchase or rent your own copy of the documentary , visit: www.theatheistbook.com

We taped these conversations on August 27th, 2016. If you’re liking our show, please subscribe to it, give it 5 stars, and/or leave a review on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Also, you can support us monetarily on a per episode basis through our Patreon page. That’s www.patreon.com/eapodcast. Or leave a donation through PayPal at our website, www.everyonesagnostic.com.

Credits:
"Towering Mountain of Ignorance" intro by Hank Green https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3v3S82TuxU
Intro bumper "Never Know" by Jack Johnson
The segue music is by Sam Maher recorded on a handpan in the NY subway.

Thanks for listening and be a yes-sayer to what is.

You can find more information on the book/film/podcast/tour at: www.theatheistbook.com

You can support the tour/podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/theatheistbook

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEJXD6r9d78

Who's in the film?

The film version of A Better Life features a selection of those from the book — atheists from around the world from many different backgrounds and professions. They include best-selling authors, award winning artists and scientists, and many well-known public personalities and figures including:

  • A.C. Grayling, Philosopher, author and Master of the New College of the Humanities.
  • Adam Pascal, Musician/Actor, created the role of "Roger" in the musical RENT.
  • AJ Johnson, Vice president and co-founder, Be Secular.
  • Alex Honnold, Rock climber, featured on 60 Minutes & the cover of National Geographic Magazine.
  • Andrew Copson, Chief Executive, British Humanist Association.
  • Cara Santa Maria, Co-host and Producer, TakePart Live on Pivot TV.
  • Dan Barker, Co-president, Freedom From Religion Foundation.
  • Daniel Dennett, Philosopher, author, and cognitive scientist, Tufts University.
  • Donald C. Johanson, Paleoanthropologist, Arizona State University. Discovered the fossil of the hominid australopithecine known as "Lucy."
  • Helena Guzik, Online Publications Assistant, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  • Julia Sweeney, Actress, comedian & author.
  • Matt Dillahunty, Speaker/co-cost; The Atheist Experience.
  • Nahla Mahmoud, Environmentalist/Human Rights Activist.
  • Patricia S. Churchland, Neurophilosopher, University of California San Diego.
  • Robert Llewellyn, Writer, TV presenter, speaker, actor (Red Dwarf), electric vehicle evangelist.
  • Sean Carroll, Theoretical Physicist, California Institute of Technology.
  • Tracie Harris, Speaker/co-cost; The Atheist Experience.