Dr. Ryan T. Cragun is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Tampa and the author of books including What You Don’t Know About Religion (but Should).

His latest is called How to Defeat Religion in 10 Easy Steps.

We spoke with Dr. Cragun about whether religious fervor is cyclical or fading, why religious holidays should become secular, and the surprising thing churches can do to stop the shifting trend away from religion.

Notes:

Here’s a link to an article about Dr. Cragun’s paper calculating the cost of religious tax exemptions (His estimate: $71,000,000,000/year).

Jennifer Michael Hecht is a historian, philosopher, and author of several bestselling books including Doubt: A History.

Her latest book is called Stay: A History of Suicide and the Philosophies Against It.

At the American Atheists 2015 convention in Memphis, Tennessee, Jessica spoke with Jennifer about how thoughts of suicide differ between atheists and religious people, how more people in history have been atheists than believers, and whether it’s possible to discern what certain historical figures thought about God.

(Image via Wikipedia)

Gerald Posner is an investigative journalist and author of several books, including ones about the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

His latest book, God’s Bankers, is all about the Vatican’s finances, and how the Church got involved with the Mafia and money launderers.

We spoke with Gerald about how he followed the trail of the Church’s money, what the Vatican Bank is used for, and the advice he has for investigative journalists.

Notes:

Here’s a link to Gerald’s petition to #FreeTheFiles.

Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff are writers and actors best known for their work on Mystery Science Theater 3000.

At the American Atheists 2015 convention in Memphis, Tennessee, Jessica spoke with Trace and Frank about the genesis of MST3K, what they think about podcasts, and whether it’s tough to be known only for the show rather than their other projects.

(Image via Tim Dorr on Flickr)