Join us in our captivating dialogue with the dynamic Greer Aeschbury, Ohio's senior campaign manager with All Voting is Local Action. She provides her expert perspective on the essential work the Ohio Voter Rights Coalition is doing to ensure voting accessibility and fairness. Together, we dive deep into their battle against State Issue 1 and the repercussions of the new voter ID law. A significant part of our discussion centers on the implications of Ohio's collaboration ban. We unravel how it adversely affects poll worker recruitment, voter registration, and voter education. Despite claims from the Secretary of State that the law is an anti-fraud measure, it's clear that it's hampering the Board of Elections' ability to cooperate effectively with community groups. We take a moment to laud the fundamental work of poll workers and encourage you, our listeners, to take an active part in this process. As we round up our discussion, we give a nod to the upcoming special election on August 8th. It's a chance for Ohio's citizens to protect their constitutional rights, so be sure to cast your 'no' vote. We also explore the challenges in requesting and returning ballots, and the necessity of visiting your board of elections in person. With the help of the Ohio Voter Rights Coalition, we emphasize the importance of spreading the word and getting involved. Tune in to be part of this enlightening discussion and make a difference in promoting accessible and fair voting. Show Notes Get our free newsletter Check out our merch 01:01 Introduction and Voting No on August 8th 07:57 Getting a free ID to vote isn't completely free 13:42 Collaboration ban hurts poll worker recruitment 22:58 What can average person do against these voting obstacles --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/glasscityhumanist/message

Join us as we sit down with Josie Schreiber, a regional organizer for Rank the Vote Ohio, to uncover how the implementation of ranked choice voting can shift the dynamics of our current election system. Listen as Josie reveals the mechanisms of ranked choice voting, highlighting its potential to secure a majority vote for winning candidates and eliminate voter apathy. Our enlightening discussion explores the organization’s mission and efforts to promote a stronger voice and greater choice for all Ohioans. Josie also offers a historical perspective on ranked choice voting in Ohio, discussing its impact on representation in elections and how it can potentially revolutionize our electoral process. We also talk about the tangible changes that ranked choice voting can bring, such as eliminating toxic campaign practices and empowering the people's voice. Josie’s passion for a more inclusive, representative democracy shines through as we discuss the many ways ranked choice voting can make democracy more accessible and fair for everyone. Don’t miss this insightful conversation! This is our 60th episode! Show Notes Get our free newsletter Check out our Merch 01:00 What is Rank the Vote Ohio and Ranked Choice Voting 06:49 Some Concerns Addressed 13:49 Opposition to State Issue 1 16:35 How Do We Get Involved --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/glasscityhumanist/message

Join us for a riveting discussion with Allison Gill, Vice President of Legal and Policy for American Atheists. Listen in as we discuss the mission of American Atheists and their ongoing fight for religious equality. We also touch on the case of an incarcerated person in West Virginia being forced to undergo religious substance abuse treatment in order to qualify for parole, as well as a Fifth Circuit case in Mississippi on the state's license plate motto reading “In God We Trust”. We also discuss American Atheists' state scorecards, which provide benchmarks across states and show how many states have or don't have certain protections in place. We explore how these scorecards differ from a voter's guide and how they are used for advocacy purposes. Additionally, we touch on the tactic of filing a First Amendment lawsuit against abortion bans and why it is not always ideal. Finally we examine the idea of Third Party Harm and how granting religious exemptions can be destructive and favor some religions over others. We highlight the importance of seeking help from organizations such as the National Suicide Helpline and the Trevor Project in light of the coordinated attack on the trans community happening in Ohio. Show Notes Subscribe to our Free Newsletter Check out our Merch 01:00 Episode Note 02:45 American Atheists mission to defend religious freedom 11:46 State Score Cards 17:43 Using the 1st amendment to protect abortion rights 20:30 Third party harm and religious freedom 26:12 Religious Extremism Targeting the LGBTQ Community 36:30 How to contact American Atheists if you believe your rights were violated --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/glasscityhumanist/message

What happens when you combine the power of women voters with a dedication to inclusivity and advocacy? You get the incredible League of Women Voters, Toledo, Lucas County! We had the pleasure of talking with Anne Fabazac Payne, the organization's co-president, who shared her insights on the league's mission and we dove into the new voter restrictions in the state, highlighting hidden barriers like government-issued ID requirements and the need for birth certificates to verify name changes. Show Notes Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch 00:45 Intro/League Of Women Voter's Mission 08:21 Barriers To Voting In Ohio 30:10 Education Bills That Worry The League --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/glasscityhumanist/message

As the weather turns warmer, Humanists look to attend various conferences, events, and fairs. We gather in groups for affirmation, networking and the fun of socializing. We speak to Bob Barnes, President of Bluewater Atheists Humanists and Agnostics in Sarnia Ontario, about their conference coming up in August. Show Notes Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/glasscityhumanist/message

We talk to the interim executive director of the American Humanist Association, Nicole Carr, about her journey to Humanism, why social justice is important (it's about church and state), and what goes into awarding the Humanist of the Year honor. Show Notes Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch 01:55 Intro/Journey To Humanism 09:44 Social Justice Is About Church And State Issues 16:18 Deciding How To Award The Humanist Of The Year 21:19 The 82nd AHA Conference --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/glasscityhumanist/message

Part memoir, part step-by-step guide, 'On Drowning Rats: How Two Women Took Down A Sexual Harasser and How You Can Too' tells the triumphant story of Rachel Richardson and Cami Roth Szirotnyak, two women who discovered they were sexually harassed by the same man (one of Toledo’s most prominent nonprofit founders and fundraisers), and how they successfully—and publicly—sought justice. Show Notes Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch 00:59 Introduction And Learning They A Lot In Common 19:10 One Incident Is Too Many - Why They Fought Back 28:30 Should We Let A Harasser Be Redeemed? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/glasscityhumanist/message

The Missouri Legislature enacted a total ban on abortion and were not subtle about writing and supporting it because of their religious beliefs. Rachel Laser, President of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State is our guest. She will explain why her group joined with faith leaders in a lawsuit to block the ban why separation of church and state is the foundation of democracy and we learn about an upcoming Religious Freedom conference hosted by her group. Show Notes Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch 01:00 Intro/Missouri Abortion Ban Lawsuit 19:38 The Summit for Religious Freedom (SRF) 23:08 Johnson Amendment 28:33 School Vouchers --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/glasscityhumanist/message

Toledo found out about algal blooms when they caused the water supply to shut down for three days in 2014. Mike Ferner, activist and former Toledo city council member, and his group, Lake Erie Advocates, have the solution to the blooms but the Ohio statehouse isn't listening. Is it too late? Show Notes Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch 00:50 Why We Should Oppose Factory Farming 12:19 Maumee Dumps Sewage And What We Can Do To Help 23:25 Mike's Thoughts On East Palatine And Carty Finkbeiner --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/glasscityhumanist/message

At our January meeting, we had Jill Burdick from Camp Quest Michigan via Zoom to tell us all about the only summer camp for kids not based on religious beliefs. Camp Quest has many locations around the country and it's time to sign up to be a camper or volunteer or to donate so more kids can attend. Show Notes Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our merch 00:49 Prolog & WAKT Announcement 07:24 Overview of Camp Quest 25:03 Camp Quest is inclusive 42:39 General costs and communication --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/glasscityhumanist/message