Nonprofit Snapcast

In this episode of The Nonprofit SnapCast, host Mickey Desai visits with Fish Stark, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association (AHA). Fish shares his journey into humanism, his vision for the movement, and the role nonprofits play in safeguarding democracy, empathy, and human dignity in a rapidly shifting cultural and political landscape. They discuss what humanism means today, the threats posed by rising authoritarianism, the importance of protecting religious freedom, and how nonprofits can step into advocacy without overstepping legal boundaries. Fish also emphasizes the vital role of empathy in civic life and why fostering meaning, purpose, and community is essential for both individuals and the nonprofit sector. Key Takeaways What Humanism Is: Humanism centers on inherent human worth, potential, and responsibility—valuing progress over tradition and people over dogma. Shifts in the Political Landscape: Stark reflects on entering his role before the 2024 election, expecting one trajector