The Atheist Experience

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By: The Atheist Community of Austin

The Atheist Experience is a weekly show in Austin, Texas geared at a non-atheist and atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin.The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition...

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The Atheist Experience 30.24 with The Cross Examiner and JMike
The Atheist Experience 30.24 with The Cross Examiner and JMike episode artwork
#24
Today at 1:18 AM

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, The Cross Examiner and JMike tackle the subtle "little things" of Christian nationalism and the liberating reality of secular mental health! From the Pentagon's reclassification of Mormonism to a personal struggle with depression, the hosts dismantle the idea that faith is a viable substitute for evidence or professional care. Can we find a better grounding for reality than ancient forgeries and emotional placeholders?Levi in LA questions why he shouldn't believe in a higher power if it provides comfort, such as a positive outlook during illness. The hosts use the "diamond in th...


The Atheist Experience 30.23 Godless Engineer and Thinker
The Atheist Experience 30.23 Godless Engineer and Thinker episode artwork
#23
06/08/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Godless Engineer and Thinker celebrate Pride Month by dismantling the "superior" morality of the biblical deity! From the horrific commands to slaughter nursing infants in 1 Samuel 15:3 to the modern-day "crash out" over LGBTQ rights, the hosts expose the moral depravity behind ancient dogmas. Can a religion that affirms capital punishment for love ever claim the moral high ground?
Ashira in South Africa discusses why churches create fear to keep people in pews. She reflects on deconstructing as a black woman after reading biblical violence. Can community exist without hell? How do we...


The Atheist Experience 30.22 with Secular Rarity and The CrossExaminer
The Atheist Experience 30.22 with Secular Rarity and The CrossExaminer episode artwork
#22
06/01/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Secular Rarity and The CrossExaminer tackle the rising tide of Christian nationalism and the subjective nature of "personal" truth! They explore why mandatory Ten Commandment displays fail both the Constitution and basic math, while challenging callers to ground their supernatural claims in evidence. From Near-Death Experiences to the logical boundaries of creation, the hosts examine whether faith is a reliable path to reality.
Kelly in MN cites a Near-Death Experience involving Jesus as proof of divinity. Hosts challenge brain reliability during trauma and the circularity of using a personal moral yardstick to...


The Atheist Experience 30.21 with Thinker and Fe
The Atheist Experience 30.21 with Thinker and Fe episode artwork
#21
05/25/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Thinker and FE tackle the psychology of deconstruction, the fear of questioning, and the pitfalls of defining God into existence! From the "Jesus juice" of religious shortcuts to the biological reality of our brains, the hosts challenge listeners to bring verifiable receipts for their holy claims.
Poz on TikTok claims a universal mind grounds conscious experience. Hosts critique the lack of evidence and use of jargon. They challenge him to find scholarly support for this theory. Does consciousness need a metaphysical supervisor or is it an emergent property of the brain?


The Atheist Experience 30.20 with Justin and Godless Engineer
The Atheist Experience 30.20 with Justin and Godless Engineer episode artwork
#20
05/22/2026

Special Episode: We Are Here 24 hour fundraiser! https://aca.show/wearehere 

This episode was extracted from our 24hour fundraiser live stream on May 16-17. We apologize for the delayed posting!

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Justin and Godless Engineer celebrate the "We are here" fundraiser by exposing forged scriptures and dismantling the toxic "true vine" metaphor! From styleometric algorithms to the brutal reality of biblical editing, the hosts challenge believers to bring receipts for their holy claims.

Aaron in TX critiques John 15, noting Jesus’ vine metap...


The Atheist Experience 30.19 with Justin and Scott Dickie
The Atheist Experience 30.19 with Justin and Scott Dickie episode artwork
#19
05/13/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Justin and Scott Dickie celebrate Mother’s Day by examining the "bad design" of childbirth and the failed promises of the Bible! They dismantle the myth of messianic prophecies, the forgery of the Shroud of Turin, and the logical gymnastics required to ground reality in a transcendental deity.
Isaac in AL argues eyewitnesses and the Shroud of Turin prove Jesus. Justin notes the "500 witnesses" are unnamed, and the shroud is a confessed forgery. They analyze Hebrew text to see if Jesus failed the messianic job description. Will he find a counter?


The Atheist Experience 30.18 with Godless Engineer, Genetically Modified Skeptic, and Fish Stark
The Atheist Experience 30.18 with Godless Engineer, Genetically Modified Skeptic, and Fish Stark episode artwork
#18
05/04/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Godless Engineer and Fish Stark from the American Humanist Association tackle the encroaching tide of Christian nationalism and the hollow promises of deity-focused morality! They dismantle the "axis of nonsense" between billionaires and bishops, exposing how forced Ten Commandment displays in schools are more about power grabs than historical accuracy. Can a secular focus on human dignity provide the community we crave without the authoritarian baggage of ancient myths? From military secularism to the "American Empathy Project," the hosts explore how humanists are building real-world power to protect civil liberties for all.


The Atheist Experience 30.17 with Thinker and Trust But Verify
The Atheist Experience 30.17 with Thinker and Trust But Verify episode artwork
#17
04/27/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Thinker and Trust But Verify dive into the dark side of biblical "morality" and the fear of the Holy Spirit! The hosts explore the psychological grip of deconstruction and challenge callers to provide verifiable receipts for their supernatural claims. Can personal anecdotes survive the scrutiny of probability and logic? Join us as we put divine interventions and spiritual "knowledge" to the ultimate test!

Adrian in CA asks why the hosts are no longer believers. He shares that nine years of prayer led to finding his wife. Hosts challenge the post-hoc fa...


The Atheist Experience 30.16 with Godless Engineer and Scott Dickie
The Atheist Experience 30.16 with Godless Engineer and Scott Dickie episode artwork
#16
04/19/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Godless Engineer and Scott Dickie put the "omni-benevolent" creator on trial and examine the silence of the divine! They tackle word salads about information, the emergent properties of consciousness, and the hilarious consequences of childhood church avoidance. Can logic bridge the gap between ancient myths and modern biological reality?
Steph from Canada defines God as truth and information. Hosts challenge this word salad and the claim that rockets explode due to a lack of God. If truth is just correspondence with reality, why is a deity necessary?
AJ from Canada as...


The Atheist Experience 30.15 with Justin and JMike
The Atheist Experience 30.15 with Justin and JMike episode artwork
#15
04/13/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Justin and JMike tackle "wizardly" philosophy, the hiddenness of God, and the dangers of religious bait-and-switches! From vampire lighting to the problem of a hidden cosmic dictator, the hosts challenge listeners to examine if faith is just a mask for mankind's worst instincts.
Steve in OH fears the Noahide laws represent a literal Mark of the Beast. Justin identifies 666 as Nero and explains the tefillin's symbolic role. They debate if Daniel’s prophecies about Greece apply today. Can ancient laws predict geopolitics?
Jason in OH argues for a mind-dependent universe base...


The Atheist Experience 30.14 with Secular Rarity and Dr. Darrel Ray
The Atheist Experience 30.14 with Secular Rarity and Dr. Darrel Ray episode artwork
#14
04/06/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, the secular Jesus Christ himself, Secular Rarity, and
Dr. Darrel Ray rise from the tomb to dismantle biblical prophecies and discuss the necessity of trained secular leadership! From flying goats to religious attachment systems, the hosts put the supernatural under a microscope while navigating the treacherous waters of family deconversion.

Steve in OH claims Daniel 8 predicts B-2 bombers via flying goats. Hosts challenge the special pleading and numerology involving football players. If conflicts always match text, does prophecy mean anything?

Sean in KS discusses the Institute for Se...


The Atheist Experience 30.13 with Godless Engineer and Jim Barrows
The Atheist Experience 30.13 with Godless Engineer and Jim Barrows episode artwork
#13
03/29/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Godless Engineer and Jim Barrows deconstruct the bloody magic of Palm Sunday and the logic of substitutional atonement. From the "hostage negotiation" of salvation to the bizarre preservation of papal hearts, the hosts challenge believers to explain why a perfect deity requires such macabre rituals.

Tiny Rick joins from TikTok to ask which ACA goals take priority. Hosts explain how values like secular humanism and church-state separation are vital when nationalism threatens government. Will focusing on these lead to a more rational society?

Daniel in Mexico worries that on...


The Atheist Experience 30.12 with Justin and Thinker
The Atheist Experience 30.12 with Justin and Thinker episode artwork
#12
03/23/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Justin and Thinker put God on trial for gross negligence! They explore why "spiritual vibes" aren't evidence, the cultural weight of deconversion, and why the crucifixion was just an "inconvenient weekend" for an eternal deity.

Robert in MN questions why the hosts believe rationality is the only path to God, suggesting a "spiritual feeling" is more universal. Hosts argue feelings are subjective and unreliable for truth. How can internal emotions provide objective evidence?

Emperor on TikTok asks the hosts what specifically led to their deconversion from Christianity. Justin ci...


The Atheist Experience 30.11 with The Cross Examiner and JMike
The Atheist Experience 30.11 with The Cross Examiner and JMike episode artwork
#11
03/16/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, The Cross Examiner and JMike confront the alarming rise of Christian nationalism in the military and the psychological weight of deconversion! From the ethics of animal consumption to the mechanics of prophecy, the hosts challenge callers to ground their reality in evidence rather than "personal truth."


Michael in NM asks about slavery and murder but shifts to veganism. Hosts discuss legal distinctions, altruistic evolution, and moral anti-realism. Is speciesism just biological conditioning? What threshold makes a life worth saving?

Debbie in FL asks why believers proselytize. Graham us...


The Atheist Experience 30.10 with Justin, Allegedly Ian, and Dr. Blitz
The Atheist Experience 30.10 with Justin, Allegedly Ian, and Dr. Blitz episode artwork
#10
03/09/2026

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The Atheist Experience 30.09 with Secular Rarity and Godless Engineer
The Atheist Experience 30.09 with Secular Rarity and Godless Engineer episode artwork
#9
03/02/2026

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The Atheist Experience 30.08 with Justin and Jon the Skeptick (@TruthWanted)
The Atheist Experience 30.08 with Justin and Jon the Skeptick (@TruthWanted) episode artwork
#8
02/23/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Justin and Jon the Skeptic explore the shrinking "God of the Gaps" and the carnages of evolution! They challenge faith-based morality and the logical hurdles of deism in an eternal universe.
Mark in FL argues biological codes require a creator as abiogenesis is undemonstrated. Hosts call this a "God of the Gaps" placeholder with no explanatory power. They compare his god to a unicorn. Is DNA really proof of divine intent?
Alfie in TX asks if biblical morality has utility. Hosts identify these "high" values in Stoicism and Confucius. They ar...


The Atheist Experience 30.07 with The Cross Examiner and Jim Barrows
The Atheist Experience 30.07 with The Cross Examiner and Jim Barrows episode artwork
#7
02/16/2026

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The Atheist Experience 30.06 with Justin and Godless Engineer
The Atheist Experience 30.06 with Justin and Godless Engineer episode artwork
#6
02/09/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Justin and Godless Engineer explore the blood-soaked roots of the Bible, challenge the validity of biblical inerrancy, and play a game of "Infallible" to highlight scriptural contradictions! From the ethical horrors of Esther to the "Jesus mode" of logic, the hosts invite believers to defend a deity whose morality seems stuck in a loop of violence and non-consensual interactions.
Eric in CA asks about the hosts' deconversion journeys. Justin shares how he continued living his life, even performing weddings, while John describes creating an online persona to avoid family conflict. Is is...


The Atheist Experience 30.05 with Secular Rarity and The Cross Examiner
The Atheist Experience 30.05 with Secular Rarity and The Cross Examiner episode artwork
#5
02/02/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Secular Rarity and The Cross Examiner dismantle the legal myths of Christian nationalism and expose the tribalistic roots of biblical law. From the dark history of slavery in the Levant to modern-day "persecution" complexes, the hosts challenge believers to provide evidence that justifies merging church and state!

Mason in OK argues the Bible guides morality. Hosts pivot to laws regarding chattel slavery in Leviticus 25, questioning why a good deity endorses owning people. They challenge the reliance on tradition to mask biblical cruelty. How does one choose which divine commands to fo...


The Atheist Experience 30.04 with Justin and Thinker
The Atheist Experience 30.04 with Justin and Thinker episode artwork
#4
01/26/2026

In today’s episode of the Atheist Experience, Justin and Thinker explore deconstruction and challenge theists to present evidence for their genocidal deities! They dissect the psychological hooks of faith and the sexism faced by secular women in debate.

Jim asks why atheism is frequently viewed as a religion. Justin suggests it is a form of whataboutism used by religious individuals to equalize the playing field and mask their own insecurity regarding a lack of evidence. Thinker notes that atheism lacks the dogmatic monolith of faith. Does the desire to label atheists as religious reveal a fear of in...


The Atheist Experience 30.03 with Godless Engineer and The Cross Examiner
The Atheist Experience 30.03 with Godless Engineer and The Cross Examiner episode artwork
#3
01/19/2026

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The Atheist Experience 30.02 with Justin and Seth Andrews 2026-01-11 16-25-11
The Atheist Experience 30.02 with Justin and Seth Andrews 2026-01-11 16-25-11 episode artwork
#2
01/12/2026

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The Atheist Experience 30.01 with Jimmy Jr. and Jim Barrows
The Atheist Experience 30.01 with Jimmy Jr. and Jim Barrows episode artwork
01/05/2026

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The Atheist Experience 29.52 Top 5 Calls of All Time Special
The Atheist Experience 29.52 Top 5 Calls of All Time Special episode artwork
#52
12/29/2025

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The Atheist Experience 29.51 Top 5 Calls Of 2025
The Atheist Experience 29.51 Top 5 Calls Of 2025 episode artwork
#51
12/22/2025

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The Atheist Experience 29.50 with Justin and Godless Engineer
The Atheist Experience 29.50 with Justin and Godless Engineer episode artwork
#50
12/15/2025

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The Atheist Experience 29.49 with Forrest Valkai and Jim Barrows
The Atheist Experience 29.49 with Forrest Valkai and Jim Barrows episode artwork
#49
12/08/2025

In today’s episode of The Atheist Experience, hosts Forrest Valkai and Jim Barrows tackle the dangerous rise of Christian nationalism and its alignment with fascism, explore the limits of biblical morality, and examine the overwhelming evidence for evolution and geology.

Lucy Spina in TX, ACA chair, details the Rainbow Rights Roadshow drive with Equality Texas, aiding LGBTQ+ resource deserts. Hosts stress "no strings attached" secular community support needed against current political threats. Is this grassroots outreach vital?

G-Man (nudibranchs jumping sea slugs) argues atheists lack objective morality, asserting God is the source of all good. Ho...


The Atheist Experience 29.48 with Godless Engineer and Jmike
The Atheist Experience 29.48 with Godless Engineer and Jmike episode artwork
#48
12/01/2025

In today’s episode of The Atheist Experience, Godless Engineer and JMike tackle the concept of arbitrary biblical morality, the search for stance-independent purpose, and failed prophetic claims about global digital currency. Supreme Leader in CO asks if the fulfillment of the Mark of the Beast prophecy, appearing as mandatory one-world digital currency, would force belief. The hosts critique the vagueness of Revelation, noting that a single correct prediction does not validate the Bible or prove magic. They suggest that such vague claims are akin to low-probability guesses. Why does this particular apocalyptic prediction persist despite being easily dismissed? Patrick in...


The Atheist Experience 29.47 with Justin and Richard Gilliver
The Atheist Experience 29.47 with Justin and Richard Gilliver episode artwork
#47
11/24/2025

In today’s episode of The Atheist Experience, hosts Justin (Deconstruction Zone) and Richard Gilliver seek evidence for God, diving into philosophical arguments, biblical contradictions, and the flaws in theological defenses. The hosts challenge callers to step up their game, urging them to drop the evasions and present solid justification for their faith.

Joe in OR, an atheist, asks how to debate various denominations about unfalsifiable claims without being antagonistic. Richard stresses the importance of gaining experience and being humble enough to say "I don't know" rather than risking incorrect biblical arguments. The hosts agree that avoiding errors ma...


The Atheist Experience 29.46 with The Cross Examiner and Jmike
The Atheist Experience 29.46 with The Cross Examiner and Jmike episode artwork
#46
11/17/2025

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The Atheist Experience 29.45 with Justin and Mike Brigandi
The Atheist Experience 29.45 with Justin and Mike Brigandi episode artwork
11/10/2025

In today's episode of The Atheist Experience, Justin (Deconstruction Zone) and Mike Briggs (Geology Daddy) tackle the nature of morality outside of religion, cosmological origins, and deep critiques of biblical literalism and theological consistency.

Sam in FL promotes the "cult of X," defined by hedonism and lack of morality, claiming it is his faith. Recognizing him as a troll, the hosts insist on a clear argument for his specific God, noting he provides no philosophical substance. 

Larry in TX discusses secular humanism and theists' misperceptions of atheist morality. Mike stresses morality is internal, based on introspection a...


The Atheist Experience 29.44 with Forrest Valkai and Godless Engineer
The Atheist Experience 29.44 with Forrest Valkai and Godless Engineer episode artwork
#44
11/03/2025

In today’s episode of The Atheist Experience, Forrest Valkai and Godless Engineer dismantle claims regarding prerequisites for end-times prophecy and critically analyze an English teacher's grammatical objections to using singular "they/them" pronouns.
Anson in gerrymandered anuses asserts end times prophecy required the 1948 rebirth of Israel, arguing Paul was mistaken about Christ's imminent return. Hosts critique this "going out of business" scheme, asking why God is constrained by geopolitics and human evil. They reject the claim that atrocities like the Holocaust could be "worth it" for salvation. Why must suffering precede divine intervention?
Jason in misanthropic orangutans, an...


The Atheist Experience 29.43 with Secular Rarity and Godless Engineer
The Atheist Experience 29.43 with Secular Rarity and Godless Engineer episode artwork
#43
10/27/2025

In today’s episode of The Atheist Experience, Secular Rarity and Godless Engineer tackle the pervasive threat of Christian nationalism and the historical evidence (or lack thereof) for Jesus. They also dive into challenging calls questioning whether intellectual inquiry is necessary for belief and celebrate a caller's successful deconstruction into secular community.
Robert in WI argued intellectual inquiry is useless for finding God, claiming belief is primarily emotional and universal. The hosts questioned why objective truth regarding God's existence should exclude rational methods used everywhere else. Is intellectual honesty only reserved for non-religious claims?
Mary in NC updated th...


The Atheist Experience 29.42 with Justin and Jim Barrows
The Atheist Experience 29.42 with Justin and Jim Barrows episode artwork
10/20/2025

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The Atheist Experience 29.41 with The Cross Examiner and Justin 2025-10-12 16-25-32
The Atheist Experience 29.41 with The Cross Examiner and Justin 2025-10-12 16-25-32 episode artwork
10/13/2025

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The Atheist Experience 29.40 with Forrest Valkai and Jimmy Jr
The Atheist Experience 29.40 with Forrest Valkai and Jimmy Jr episode artwork
#40
10/06/2025

In today's highly charged episode of The Atheist Experience, Forrest Valkai and Jimmy Jr. dive into the concept of learned helplessness and the vital need for resistance and defiance against systemic injustice and trauma. They challenge callers on the evolutionary origin of meaning and morality, and wrestle with the difficulties of engaging in rational debate with those who redefine terms to avoid definitive answers.

Jeff in LA believes human curiosity is an evolved trait that explains the search for meaning and the rise of religion. The hosts agree that early religion was a "first attempt at science," offering...


The Atheist Experience 29.39 with Dr. Ben and Scott Dickie
The Atheist Experience 29.39 with Dr. Ben and Scott Dickie episode artwork
#39
09/29/2025

In today’s episode of The Atheist Experience, Dr. Ben and Scott Dickie of Talk Heathen stage a friendly takeover, fielding calls on the nature of reality, mathematics, and divine revelation! From philosophical deep dives into *a priori* knowledge to the challenges of grappling with infinity, this episode puts logic and the burden of proof center stage.

Zeno from the International Space Station begins by mentioning intelligent design but quickly pivots to telling the hosts they have faith. Identifying as agnostic, he insists atheists claim God's non-existence. Dr. Ben and Scott challenge him to state his own beliefs ra...


The Atheist Experience 29.38 with Justin and Sara
The Atheist Experience 29.38 with Justin and Sara episode artwork
#38
09/22/2025

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The Atheist Experience 29.37 with Justin and Jim Barrow
The Atheist Experience 29.37 with Justin and Jim Barrow episode artwork
#37
09/15/2025

In today’s Atheist Experience, Justin and Jim Barrows dissect the flimsy foundations of faith, critique the peculiar "design" of the human body, and explore the logical leaps required to uphold belief in the face of scientific understanding. They challenge callers on everything from deconstruction guilt and family relationships to questionable links between Kabbalah and quantum physics.

Mary Cate in NC is working through deconstruction and feels guilty, missing her religious community. The hosts suggest building new secular communities and emphasize that maintaining family relationships without endorsing beliefs is not dishonest. What steps can one take to navigate th...