Atheistville with Mike Smithgall
Hosted by Mike Smithgall, Atheistville explores atheism, deconversion, and secular life through open, respectful conversation. The channel features two signature shows:
Mike Drop – weekly commentary on religion, politics, and culture from a reasoned, secular perspective.
Breakfast with a Heathen – a relaxed Sunday Q&A that tackles listener and Reddit questions about belief, honesty, and living without faith.
Together, they create a space for candid dialogue about leaving belief behind, thinking for yourself, and building a meaningful life grounded in evidence, empathy, and ethics rather than dogma.
Podcast Creator Bio: Mike Smithgall
Mike Smithgall is the creator and host of Atheistville, a podcast and YouTube series exploring atheism, deconversion, and secular life through real conversation instead of confrontation. Drawing on his background as a financial professional and lifelong skeptic, Mike focuses on how people think, what leads them to question faith, and how they rebuild meaning without religion.
He interviews former believers, secular thinkers, and progressive voices to highlight shared values of empathy, critical thinking, and human connection. His mission is simple: belief should be personal, not political, and every story deserves to be heard.
Follow his work on YouTube (@Atheistville) or at Atheistville.com.
Atheistville with Mike Smithgall
The Unholy Roundtable: What Is Sin Without Religion? Atheists Redefine Morality, Ethics, and Truth
This Roundtable asks big questions about life after faith. What does “sin” mean when you leave religion behind? How do atheists define morality, deal with religious influence in medical spaces, and navigate the pain of deconstruction? The panel unpacks hypocrisy, cultural double standards, and the struggle to speak openly about unbelief.
Topics Covered:
- Redefining sin through secular ethics
- Religious influence in healthcare and counseling
- The pain of leaving ministry and losing community
- Double standards: why believers proselytize but expect atheists to stay silent
- Building supportive spaces for deconstruction and doubt
📚 2. Recommended Reading & Resources
- The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
Author: Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan
Description: A defense of scientific skepticism against superstition and religious control, tying directly to themes of “sin” and ethics.
URL: https://amzn.to/3IL1QUt - God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
Author: Christopher Hitchens
Description: A sharp critique of religion’s moral authority and its hypocrisy, echoing the panel’s discussion of sin, forgiveness, and abuse.
URL: https://amzn.to/3ZVLSg9 - Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion
Author: Marlene Winell
Description: Practical help for those experiencing pain and loneliness after deconversion, matching the panel’s focus on former clergy and believers feeling lost.
URL: https://amzn.to/3COhu8F - Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon
Author: Daniel Dennett
Description: A philosophical exploration of how religion evolved and why its claims about morality need reevaluation.
URL: https://amzn.to/45JWYZf
Visit us at www.Atheistville.com for more content from Mike Smithgall and the Atheistville team
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🔥 New episodes weekly from Atheistville — Mike Drop with Mike Smithgall, Ask an Atheist, and The Unholy Roundtable
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