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The Speakers

Meet the Speakers for NaNoCon 2025:

Seth Andrews

The Thinking Atheist podcast host, author, activist

Seth Andrews is a former evangelical and Christian broadcaster who now hosts The Thinking Atheist…one of the most popular podcasts and online atheist communities in the world. The Thinking Atheist is not a person. It is an icon encouraging all to reject faith and pursue reason and evidence. Seth has authored six books, including "Confessions of a Former Fox News Christian". He also hosts a second podcast, "True Stories with Seth Andrews." With a mix of humor and heart, Seth Andrews has spoken to audiences in the U.S, Canada, Europe, and Australia about his former faith, the promotion of science and skepticism, the importance of Humanism in this often crazy world, and why we should all pursue a personal relationship with reality. https://linktr.ee/SethAndrews

Topic: How Do We Explain This to the Aliens?

In what may be his most exasperated (and relatable) rant ever, Seth Andrews envisions a conversation between himself and cosmic visitors seeking to understand our species in these bizarre and often terrible times. You'll both laugh and lament, yet you might also walk away with a sliver of hope that Earth isn't defined by its most ridiculous residents... and that perhaps we remain a species worth saving.

Candace Gorham, LCMHC

American Humanist Association president, author, activist, counselor, The Clergy Project member

Candace is a former ordained minister turned atheist-humanist activist, researcher, and writer on issues related to race, religion, and mental health. She is the president of American Humanist Association, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), a member of the The Secular Therapist Project, and a member of The Clergy Project. Candace is also the author of "The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women Are Walking Out on Religion—and Others Should Too” and “On Death, Dying, and Disbelief.”

Topic: Humanism for the 21st Century

Religion does not have the corner of the market when it comes to morality and ethics. Because of this, humanism is more relevant to our lives in the 21st century than it has ever been. As scientific advances have increased our understanding of the world, gratifying answers to questions can be harder to find. Humanism is the response. Learn about the past, present, and future of humanism and how it can help you live a more satisfying life.

Dan Barker

Freedom From Religion Foundation co-president, former preacher & evangelist, author, songwriter

A former Christian minister who preached for 19 years, Dan Barker is now an atheist and co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, one of the largest secular groups in the world, with many legal victories on behalf of church / state separation, and producing excellent Super Bowl ads promoting secular visibility. He is a co-founder of The Clergy Project and is co-host of Freethought Radio and Freethought Matters (TV) with his wife, Annie Laurie Gaylor. His first public appearance as an atheist was on Oprah Winfrey's "AM Chicago" show. He has traveled extensively, lecturing and performing on college campuses, and has participated in more than 130 public debates. He is a member of the Lenape (Delaware) tribe of American Indians. Worth noting, this year Dan (and FFRF) are co-hosting a weekend marking the Scopes "Monkey" Trial's 100 year anniversary in Chattanooga, TN, this July. Dan is also a prolific secular author, having written more than 12 books, including Life-Driven Purpose, and several children's books. Last but not least, Dan is an accomplished piano player, songwriter, and a creator of the Godless Gospel secular choir, which will be performing at NaNoCon on Friday evening!

Topic: The Battle of Church and State

April Ajoy

Author of "Star-Spangled Jesus," content creator on Christian nationalism, LGBTQIA+ rights, comedy

April Ajoy is the author of Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith. She is also a content creator and podcast host who uses humor to shine light on harmful, toxic, and sometimes just weird traits of American Evangelicalism. After growing up an evangelist’s kid entrenched in Christian Nationalism and working in conservative Christian media, she saw the harm caused firsthand. Still a Christian, she uses her platform to expose the dangers of Christian Nationalism while promoting a more inclusive faith. April has been featured on Buzzfeed, CNN, Newsweek and more. She’s been married to Beecher for 10 years and they have two daughters together.

Topic: Star-Spangled Jesus: Inside Christian Nationalism

I will share about my background in Christian nationalism: what we believed, our goals and how it connects to modern Christian nationalism in the Trump administration. I'll also talk about how I changed and my hopes for others to leave CN behind.

Tickets

Melina Cohen

American Atheists, Director of Strategic Communications & Policy Engagement, editor-in-chief of "American Atheist" magazine.

Writer, Activist, School Privatization Policy Wonk. Proud to hail from the rural Midwest, Melina spent six years fighting harmful school privatization legislation in Nebraska, where she grew increasingly troubled by the outsized influence of the religious lobby on government. She joined American Atheists in 2023. As Director of Strategic Communications & Policy Engagement and Editor-in-Chief of American Atheist magazine, Melina crafts compelling, evidence-based, and mission-driven messaging that’s both responsive to the moment and reflective of American Atheists’ history as one of the nation’s leading religious equality watchdogs and nonreligious civil rights organizations. Her writing has been featured in Newsweek.

Topic: Communicating for the Common Good: How to Defeat Doublespeak, Dispel Disinformation, and Defend Democracy

Forget the culture war; we’re in the midst of a communication war — between facts and “alt-facts,” the free press and “fake news,” evidence-based public policy and faith-based propaganda. You’ve heard it called spiritual warfare and a battle for the soul of America. Religious rhetoric aside, let’s talk about how to talk about post-truth politics and the most epic (and exhausting) game of tug-of-war in a generation: Privatizers vs. The Public Good. Learn more about its origins, its potential outcomes, and how each of us can use the power of the pen to promote reason, advocate for secular schools, protect our environment, and settle this debate for good, the public good.

Gayle Jordan

Recovering from Religion executive director, lawyer, blogger

Gayle is a former Southern Baptist who left the faith 14 years ago. She ran twice for state senate as openly atheist, for which she was labeled "the most dangerous woman in Tennesse." She is the Executive Director of Recovering from Religion, and the co-founder of NaNoCon and Murfreesboro Freethinkers. Gayle is an attorney and former personal trainer. She blogs about life, endurance event training, and secularism at Happy. Healthy. Heathen. https://gaylejordan.net/