Matt Bernstein

But anyway.

Going into my research for this episode, I had kind of this idea in my mind that Candace's newest like conspiracy streak was the newer iteration of like her and her career.

But learning about this like Gamergate stuff and the way that conspiracy was really tied in with the way that she like abandoned any sort of like liberal ideology she ever had.

It made me realize that conspiracy is like actually the bedrock for who she's kind of been her entire adult life.

And that this newest iteration is like less of a of a transformation and more of like a return to form.

And this is 2016.

And we're right on the precipice of Trump winning presidency for the first time.

So you can see how all of this is like seductive to 26 year old Candace Owens.

I would like to give a quick thank you to the American Humanist Association for sponsoring this episode.

And I was so grateful when they reached out because the AHA's value system really aligns with my own.

So it was just a very natural fit.

And if you are a frequent listener of this podcast, then they probably line up with yours too.

Humanism is fundamentally about living ethically, caring about other people, and making decisions based on evidence instead of dogma.

And on a legal level, it means enacting laws that center our shared humanity over religion and shielding us from coercive laws that center religion over humanity.

For example, earlier this year, the AHA got involved in a case regarding West Virginia's taxpayer funding because basically West Virginia decided that $5 million of West Virginia's taxpayer funds were going to go towards a religious school.

In Ohio.

I don't even know how the hell that happens.

But in any case, the AHA challenged that funding, and it was ultimately ruled unconstitutional, and that those taxpayer funds could not go to religious education, much less in another state.

The AHA puts my belief in fairness and humanity free from religious coercion and overreach into action, which is why I think it is a great group to support.

And if that interests you, you can check out the American Humanist Association at humanist.org slash fruity.