It’s almost Christmas, and instead of a long episode, Daniel takes a moment to reflect.

In this short, candid episode, Daniel — a gay, liberal atheist living in the Bible Belt — talks about community, anger, compassion, and the challenge of choosing love in an increasingly divided world.

Topics include:

• Why hatred is easy — and love takes actual work
• The limits of arguing with strangers online
• Finding common ground without abandoning your values
• How small, local acts of kindness still matter
• What it means to coexist with people you deeply disagree with

This episode is raw, unfiltered, and intentionally imperfect — a holiday pause to ask a hard question:
Can we still be the love we want to see in the world, even now?

🎧 Listeners are invited to leave voicemails at thereisnogodandwereallgonnadie.com to be played and responded to on future episodes.

• (00:00) - Introduction to the Holiday Spirit
• (01:00) - Community Engagement and Personal Values
• (01:51) - Invitation for Listener Interaction
• (03:00) - Freedom of Expression and Political Climate
• (05:26) - Community Engagement and Personal Values
• (08:19) - Navigating Hate and Embracing Compassion
• (08:25) - Navigating Online Conflict and Time Management
• (10:50) - The Power of Love and Coexistence
• (13:37) - Challenging Hate with Understanding
• (16:52) - Reflections on Coexistence and Acceptance
• (19:34) - Holiday Reflections and Future Conversations

This episode wasn’t the one I planned on — but after Donald Trump's grotesque response to Rob Reiner and his wife Michele's getting murdered, I needed to talk about it. I needed to respond to a horrifying act of violence, and an even more disturbing reaction from the President. I unpack the difference between anger and hatred, and wrestle with what it means to stay human in a political climate that seems designed to strip us of empathy.

We talk about:
• Political cruelty and narcissism
• Gaslighting, misinformation, and manufactured outrage
• Living as a gay, liberal atheist in the Bible Belt
• Why anger isn’t the enemy — but resentment might be
• Setting boundaries, loving yourself, and learning when “no” is a complete sentence
• Animals, community, and why kindness is still a radical act

Plus, I take listener calls from all over — about cult recovery, self-worth, Christmas as an atheist, healthy boundaries, and how to keep going when everything feels broken.

If you love this podcast, hate it, or are somewhere in between — I want to hear from you.
Leave a voicemail at thereisnogodandwereallgonnadie.com.

• (00:00) - Addressing Current Events in America
• (00:38) - Introduction to the Podcast and Host's Perspective
• (00:46) - Introduction to Beliefs and Perspectives
• (03:14) - Reflections on Political Discourse and Leadership
• (05:19) - The Impact of Tragedy on Society
• (07:22) - Healthcare and Economic Struggles
• (09:51) - The Call for Compassion and Understanding
• (12:26) - Introduction and Podcast Format
• (14:52) - Celebrating Christmas as an Atheist
• (21:09) - The Importance of Community and Kindness
• (29:33) - Setting Boundaries and Self-Love
• (41:13) - Finding Harmony in Diversity
• (42:07) - Introduction and Voicemail Overview
• (44:11) - The Love for People and Animals
• (47:09) - Navigating Current Events and Positivity
• (48:47) - Introduction to Chris Mitchell
• (53:07) - The Role of Art in Self-Expression
• (55:32) - Reflections on Political Climate and Personal Growth

This week I flip last week’s gratitude list upside down and share 30 things I'm NOT grateful for — from bigots and transphobes to corrupt politicians, gerrymandering, Christian hypocrisy, toxic masculinity, billionaires, ICE, TRUMP, cult-MAGA, and the entire mess of our current political and cultural landscape. Don't worry - it's not all bleak. As always, I have to find the laughter and love in the midst of it all.

I dive into:
• Transgender Day of Remembrance & the trolls who ruin it
• Trump’s pardons, January 6th worship, and “ending birthright citizenship”
• Defiant ignorance, science denial & algorithm-driven rage
• Animal cruelty, corporate greed & billionaire worship
• The ugliness that I believe resides in Kristi Noem's puppy killing heart
• Boundaries, burnout, hope, and why helping others has no guaranteed payoff
• Why I STILL choose love, empathy, and compassion — even as an atheist in the Bible Belt

Plus listener calls about grief, pop music, beauty, and emotional survival.

💬 Leave me a voicemail!
https://www.danieljcartier.com/podcast

🎧 Listen on all platforms:
https://thereisnogodandwereallgonnadie.transistor.fm/

• (00:00) - Introduction to Gratitude and Negativity
• (00:01) - Exploring Personal Experiences with Negativity
• (00:10) - Introduction to Ungratefulness
• (01:21) - Subversive Ungratefulness
• (02:06) - Engagement and Self-Promotion
• (03:37) - Current Events and Political Landscape
• (05:13) - Controversial Policies and Their Implications
• (06:13) - Investigating Extremism: A Government Directive
• (08:40) - Defining Extremism: A Critical Perspective
• (09:56) - Introduction to the Anti-Thanksgiving List
• (10:21) - Engagement with Audience and Voicemails
• (10:32) - Gratitude and Its Absence: A Personal Reflection
• (11:06) - Hypocrisy in Religion and Politics
• (13:26) - Corruption and Presidential Pardons
• (15:43) - Voting Against Self-Interest
• (18:08) - The Role of ICE and Immigration Issues
• (20:55) - Animal Abuse and Societal Values
• (23:27) - Healthcare vs. Wealth Disparity
• (25:36) - Political Retribution and SNAP Benefits
• (28:23) - The Problem with Billionaires
• (31:16) - Defiant Ignorance and Science Denial
• (36:20) - Empaths vs. Sociopaths: A Societal Divide
• (38:37) - The Burden of Coexistence and Compassion
• (40:58) - The Impact of Social Media and Algorithms
• (44:49) - Corporate Greed and Its Consequences
• (48:41) - The Myth of Bootstrapping and Societal Inequality
• (50:51) - The Power of Enlightenment and Empathy
• (52:43) - Addressing Societal Issues and Compassion
• (54:09) - The Ugliness of Division
• (56:24) - Navigating Personal Hatred and Empathy
• (58:43) - Confronting Fake Persecution and Cultural Narratives
• (59:32) - Introduction to Voicemails
• (59:33) - Introduction to Voicemails
• (01:00:33) - Dream Collaborations in Music
• (01:04:26) - Addressing Political Anger and Corruption
• (01:10:31) - Hope Amidst Despair
• (01:14:49) - The Beauty of Subjectivity
• (01:16:52) - The Power of Music
• (01:19:22) - The Joy of Christmas and Relaxation
• (01:20:13) - Introduction and Personal Connection
• (01:22:04) - The Importance of Boundaries
• (01:22:47) - Empathy and Helping Others
• (01:25:27) - Giving Without Expectations
• (01:28:56) - Letting Go of Results