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
Leaving Church Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely: Building Atheist Community That Sticks
In this episode, we focus on why many secular and humanist meetups don’t last. We hear from longtime organizers about how they rebuilt the social network that people lose after leaving religious institutions. They share how snacks, casual brunches, movies in the park, and simple conversation act as the glue. We look closely at the Black atheist experience and how leaving church means leaving a broader community. This episode offers insights on creating safer, more welcoming spaces for people questioning faith. It offers ideas and encouragement to anyone wanting to connect through secular social practice.
💬 Viewer Question (to spark discussion)
What kind of social gathering—snacks, games, movie nights, brunch—would help you feel welcomed in a secular community?
📑 Relevant Topics or Chapter Headings
Why secular meetups fade
Role of social habits left behind from church
The Black atheist experience and loss of community
What makes secular meetups last: event variety, leadership, safe space
Building belonging through casual connection
Handling anger, fear, loneliness after leaving religion
📚 Suggested Reading List (3–5 resources, with Amazon links; data from your spreadsheet)
African American Humanism: An Anthology by Norm R. Allen Jr. — Essays and reflections from Black freethinkers exploring secular humanism in the context of race and liberation. https://amzn.to/3GU8O92
Leaving the Fold by Marlene Winell — Addresses the psychological challenge and social isolation of leaving authoritarian religion. https://amzn.to/3GqjZ9l
Living the Secular Life by Phil Zuckerman — Explores how nonreligious people find meaning and morality without faith. https://amzn.to/4jxluQt
Godless Americana: Race and Religious Rebels by Sikivu Hutchinson — Examines atheism through race and gender in the Black experience. https://amzn.to/45iA2yD
Visit us at www.Atheistville.com for more content from Mike Smithgall and the Atheistville team
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