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Humanism Now

James Hodgson

Humanism Now is the weekly podcast for everyone curious, interested or actively engaged in secular humanism. Each Sunday, host James Hodgson—founder of Humanise Live—welcomes scientists, philosophers, activists, authors, entrepreneurs and community leaders who are challenging the status quo and building a fairer, kinder world.

 

Together we unpack today’s toughest ethical questions—using reason and compassion instead of dogma—and champion universal human rights and flourishing. Expect in-depth interviews on today’s pressing issues, from climate action, protecting freedoms, equality & justice to AI ethics and cosmic wonder. Every episode delivers practical take-aways for living an ethical, purpose-driven life while discovering more about ourselves, others and the universe.

 

Whether you’re a lifelong secular humanist or simply curious about a naturalistic worldview, hit follow for insight-packed conversations that challenge ideas, celebrate human potential and inspire positive change. Join our global community working toward a fairer, kinder and more rational world—for this generation and the next.

Episode

“An estimated one person in three seeking asylum in the UK has experienced torture in their home country.”

This is a bonus episode of Humanism Now, recorded as part of Podcasthon 2026: the global initiative uniting podcasters to raise awareness for charitable causes.

This year, we are supporting Freedom from Torture, a UK charity that has spent more than 40 years providing specialist therapeutic care, rehabilitation, and advocacy to survivors of torture. Their work centres on restoring dignity, safety, and hope to people who have endured unimaginable harm and campaigning to hold perpetrators accountable worldwide.

We are delighted to be joined by Ann Salter, Head of Clinical Services Northwest at Freedom from Torture, who has worked clinically with survivors of torture for over 20 years.

How to support Freedom from Torture

Donate

Get involved in their campaigns

Refer yourself or someone else for support

Things we discuss

How Freedom from Torture has supported survivors for 40 years

The shocking scale of torture globally — and why it still demands our attention

The psychological impact of torture and what recovery really looks like

Why community belonging is central to rehabilitation

Freedom from Torture’s role in the Pinochet case and blocking the Rwanda deportation scheme

About Podcasthon

Podcasthon is a global initiative uniting podcasters around the world to shine a light on the charities and causes that matter. If you host a podcast and want to get involved, find out more and register at podcasthon.org.

The charity and its cause

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Freedom From Torture

Jobs and volunteering Funding & annual reports Our Strategy: 2022-2025 Research collaboration About us Freedom from Torture supports people who have survived torture to heal, feel safe and strong again. Our vision is a world free from torture. We aim to ensure that the human rights of survivors are restored through rehabilitation and protection. We fight to ensure that states responsible for torture are held to account. The experiences of people who have survived torture drive and inform everything we do. Survivors play a leading role in designing, delivering and evaluating our work and their input is vital for improving our services and how we do our work. Our therapists work with survivors to rebuild their physical and mental health. Our doctors document evidence of torture, and our lawyers and welfare advisors help survivors with their asylum cases and social support. We also support other organisations delivering high-quality rehabilitation services. Together, we speak out to expose torture and defend the rights of survivors, nationally and globally. We hold torturing governments to account. And we campaign for women, men and children to be treated fairly when they seek safety in the UK after being tortured. We are able to do it all because we are backed by an active movement of compassionate, outspoken supporters. And as our movements for social justice gain ground globally, it matters more than ever that people with direct experience of torture are leading our common calls for change. Survivor leadership We place people with lived experience at the centre of everything we do, from co-delivering services to empowering survivors to take back their voice and to fight for change. Our specialist model of treatment comprising psychological rehabilitation, social welfare, legal protection and access to communities of support helps support survivors on their journey toward recovery. By empowering torture survivors to lead and drive our service delivery, we're helping to transform the pathway to recovery not just for survivors but for people seeking safety in the UK. Our impact Since our inception, we have supported thousands of torture survivors. Through our clinical services, we provide life-changing support for hundreds of men, women and children who have survived physical and psychological torture. At Freedom from Torture, we campaign for better treatment of torture survivors in the UK. Backed by thousands of supporters, our award-winning Stop the Flights campaign forced airline Privilege Style to back out of the government’s cruel Rwanda refugee expulsion scheme. We also drive positive change through our strategic litigation work. Following one of our legal challenges, an estimated 45,000 people who crossed the Channel in 2022 were not exposed to the heartless policy of turning back migrant boats, potentially saving thousands of lives. What we stand for We stand with anyone, anywhere, who has survived torture. We believe in offering safety to people who risk being tortured elsewhere. We are committed to tackling structural inequality and promoting diversity and inclusion in all of our work to achieve a world free from torture. This includes facing up to the pervasive racism built into our immigration system, our public institutions and our history books. We are committed to survivor leadership in the fight against torture. And by recognising our diversity as our biggest strength, we are becoming a truly inclusive movement. Make a life-changing donation Make a donation today to support torture survivors as they recover and rebuild their lives in the UK. Donate now Our history Freedom from Torture was founded on Christmas Eve 1985 by Helen Bamber and Amnesty International volunteers for the Care of Victims of Torture. Prior to this, there were few services available for people that had survived torture. For 40 years, we have been helping survivors overcome their torture and live better, happier lives. We use the expertise and evidence gained from our direct work with torture survivors to expose torture practices across the world. Values guiding our work Compassion: We understand suffering and work together to end it Empowerment: We unlock strength and help people move from passive to active Resolve: We never give up, no matter what Hope: We know things can change for the better