Freethought Radio, the weekly radio broadcast of the Freedom From Religion Foundation from the secular point of view, will go national on the first weekend of October.
The first guest of the national show will be Christopher Hitchens, author of God Is Not Great.
It is believed to be the first-ever national freethought radio program in the United States.
Beginning on Sat., Oct. 6, the program will broadcast from Air America Radio, stream live and podcast from the Air America website and satellite station. It will also be available by satellite and to any Air America affiliates that wish to pick it up for weekend programming.
The hour-long program, hosted by Foundation co-presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, has been airing on Air America’s Madison, Wis., affiliate since April 2006.
This is radio for the rest of us,” says Dan, who bills himself on the show as “your friendly neighborhood atheist.”
“You can turn on the radio or TV 24/7 to be preached at. This is one hour a week of the public airwaves that offers an alternative,” Annie Laurie said.
Freethought Radio offers irreverent views, news, music and interviews. The show includes news of the week and commentary in a segment known as “Theocracy Alert,” plus one or two interviews, as well as music and other occasional features, including Dan’s “Pagan Pulpit.”
As of presstime, the list of affiliates where Freethought Radio can be heard on Saturdays, 1-2 p.m. Eastern (confirm time with your local listing), includes:
- Ann Arbor, Mich., WLBY-AM, 1290
- Atlantic City, Cape May, N.J., WTAA-AM, 1490
- Austin, Texas. KOKE-AM, 1600
- Charlottesville, Va., WVAX-AM, 1450
- Chicago, Ill., WCPT-AM, 850
- Eugene/Springfield, Ore., KOPT-AM, 1600
- Huntington/Ashland, W. Va./Ky., WRVC-AM, 930
- Ithaca, N.Y., WNYY-AM, 1470
- Palm Springs, Calif., KPTR-AM, 1340
- St. Louis, MO, KRFT-AM, 1190 (will pre-empt for sports from time to time)
- Reno, Nev., KJFK-AM, 1230
- Sheridan, Wy., KYTI-FM, 93.7
- Taos, N.M., KVOT-AM, 1340
- Victor Valley, Calif., KSZL-AM, 1230 In addition, Freethought Radio will be broadcast Saturdays from 7-8 p.m. Eastern over:
- New York, WWRL 1600 AM
- XM Satellite, Channel 167 Freethought Radio will continue to broadcast at 11 a.m. Central:
- Madison, Wis., The Mic 92.1
The show will continue to be produced, with the able assistance of The Mic program director Brian Turany, from Madison, Wis. The show’s own announcer is Buzz Kemper, from Audio for the Arts in Madison.
“Please check your local radio listings,” asks Annie Laurie. “If you have an Air America affiliate in your area, urge it now to pick up our programming that caters to the nation’s growing nonreligious segment.”
“This is a chance for freethinkers to flex a little consumer muscle,” Dan added.
Freethought Radio has interviewed a distinguished roster of authors and activists, including Ron Reagan, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Natalie Angier, Katha Pollitt, Eleanor Smeal, and Betty Rollin.
Freethought Today will also carry updates on which stations are carrying Freethought Radio.
