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36. JC Candanedo on Art as Activism for Solidarity, Identity and Representation

Humanism Now | Secular Ethics, Curiosity and Compassionate Change

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"Inclusion isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about creating a space where people feel safe enough to stay." - JC Candanedo
Artist, activist, and humanist JC Candanedo shares his journey from a Catholic school in Panama to the art studios of London. His work weaves together identity, displacement, and community action, exploring how creativity can challenge injustice and build inclusive, compassionate societies.

In this epsiode, JC reflects on growing up atheist in a deeply religious culture, navigating migration and marginalisation, and why the arts are one of the most powerful tools we have for social transformation. JC shares the challenges of creating welcoming spaces within the humanist community, and how diversity and solidarity must be more than just aspirations—they must be action.

Key Topics Covered

  • How JC’s atheist upbringing in Catholic Panama shaped his identity and activism
  • Art as language: using creativity to open space for difficult but vital conversations
  • Why Latin American and Arab/North African diasporas are "invisibilized" in UK systems
  • The work of the Noria Collective in building solidarity among Global Majority communities
  • How JC discovered humanism later in life—and how it changed his view of religion
  • Practical advice for humanist groups on inclusion, outreach, and community care

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Music: Blossom by Light Prism

Podcast transcripts are AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. They are provided to make our content more accessible, but should not be considered a fully accurate record of the conversation.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to JC Candanedo (00:00:00)

2. Growing Up Atheist in Catholic Panama (00:01:10)

3. Surprising Religious Differences Between Panama, Spain & the UK (00:04:34)

4. The Purpose and Power of Art (00:10:22)

5. Matching Artistic Medium to Message (00:12:41)

6. Identity & Displacement as Humanist Values (00:14:11)

7. "Artivism" - Art as Activism for Social Transformation (00:15:26)

8. The Noria Collective - Shining a light on the invisiblised (00:18:23)

9. Community & Collective Action in the Creative Process (00:24:58)

10. [Ad] Between The States (00:27:07)

11. Improving Diversity Within Humanist Groups (00:27:51)

12. (Cont.) Community & Collective Action in the Creative Process (00:27:51)

13. Advice on Finding Your Passion (00:34:35)

14. Changing minds on Religious People (00:39:09)

55 episodes

#Society #Religion #Atheism #Ethics #Reason #Freethought #Science #Humanise Live | Hosted by James Hodgson #Being Human #Secular #Philosophy #Rational