What I Believe: the humanist podcast with Andrew Copson

The humanist podcast with Andrew Copson

Well-known humanists on the values, opinions, and convictions they live by.

Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Tim Minchin, Alice Roberts, Richard Dawkins and more than 60 other guests talk about love, death, morality, meaning, and what makes a good life – without religion.

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Listen to every episode

Every episode is a standalone conversation, so start wherever you like. Pick a guest from the list below, or press play to start with the most recent.

What I Believe podcast cover art

Latest episode · Episode 66 · 17 Jul 2025

Stephen Fry

On the uncomfortable truth of AI, the peril of being ‘right’ over being ‘effective’, and the dichotomy of humanity

  1. 66

    Stephen Fry

    On the uncomfortable truth of AI, the peril of being ‘right’ over being ‘effective’, and the dichotomy of humanity

    17 Jul 2025

    41:29

    17 Jul 2025 · 41:29

  2. 65

    Anjali Goswami

    On humanity’s interconnectedness with the world, ‘selfish nihilism’, and a childhood encounter with a tiger

    10 Jul 2025

    39:23

    10 Jul 2025 · 39:23

  3. 64

    Lizzi Collinge MP

    On millennials modernising parliament, living the one life we have, and the joys of being an MP

    3 Jul 2025

    34:52

    3 Jul 2025 · 34:52

  4. 63

    James Forder

    On old fashioned liberalism, the finiteness of our existence, and free enterprise as a moral force

    26 Jun 2025

    49:05

    26 Jun 2025 · 49:05

  5. 62

    Kate Devlin

    On human adaptability in an AI world, AI's ethical challenges, and our obsession with sex robots

    19 Jun 2025

    30:57

    19 Jun 2025 · 30:57

About the podcast

What I Believe is presented by Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK. In each episode he talks with a well-known humanist about the values, opinions, and convictions they live by – and how they came to them.

The series takes its name from two essays, both called 'What I Believe', by Bertrand Russell and E M Forster: two of the twentieth century's best-known humanists, and both supporters of Humanists UK in their day.

New to humanism? Learn more about humanism.

‘The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.’
Bertrand Russell What I Believe (1925)
Find out more about What I Believe: Humanist Ideas and Philosophies to Live By, edited by Andrew Copson

Read the book

What I Believe, edited by Andrew Copson, brings the podcast's conversations to the page.

Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Tim Minchin, Natalie Haynes, Dan Snow, Joan Bakewell, A C Grayling, Alice Roberts and others reflect on art, politics, history, the environment, human nature, growing up, and growing old. All author royalties go to Humanists UK.

Questions about the podcast

What is the What I Believe podcast?

A podcast from Humanists UK in which Andrew Copson interviews well-known humanists about their values, beliefs, and convictions. There are more than 60 episodes across seven seasons.

Where can I listen?

On this page, or in any podcast app, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Search for 'What I Believe Humanists UK' and press follow to get new episodes automatically.

Do I need to listen in order?

No. Each episode is a complete conversation with one guest, so start with whoever interests you most.

Is there a What I Believe book?

Yes. What I Believe, edited by Andrew Copson, collects essays from guests including Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, and Tim Minchin.

What is humanism?

Humanists are non-religious people who think for themselves, rely on reason and evidence to understand the world, and make ethical decisions based on what helps people and other animals to flourish. Read more about humanism.

Recognise yourself in these conversations?

You might be a humanist too. Join Humanists UK and help us make the world a fairer place for non-religious people.