Stephanie speaks on topics in psychology, media literacy/critical thinking, and community management. Contact her if you’d like her to speak at your event.
Talks
“Communities Without Churches: What Fandom Can Teach Organized Atheism”
When people leave religion, they often leave behind a religious community. The secular movement has sometimes struggled to build new communities for them. Science fiction and fantasy fandom has been creating largely godless communities for decades. What lessons should we take from them? Presented at River City Reasonfest.
“Introduction to Religious Skepticism”
This talk was developed for comparative religion students. It’s a brief introduction to the history of European religious skepticism and topics in formal and everyday epistemology with an “Ask an Atheist” Q&A at the end. Presented as a repeat guest lecture at Normandale Community College.
“Justice in a Just World”
The idea that the world is fair is embedded in many of the world’s religions. When we let go of the gods who are supposed to make the world just, we still don’t—or can’t—let go of the idea that good things happen to good people and bad things…well. How do we work to make the world more just when people are invested in believing it already is? Presented to Minnesota Atheists and at Skepticon.
“Taking a Pollyanna Break: Celebrating Our Wins”
Women in the secular movement have been fighting for fair and harassment-free activist spaces for years now. There’s always more work to be done, but let’s look at some of what we’ve accomplished and take a moment to celebrate. Presented to the LA Women’s Atheist and Agnostic Group.
“The Use and Abuse of Psychometrics”
We trust science. We trust numbers. But do we really understand where these numbers come from? How are the tools we use in psychological research created? How do we know whether they measure what they say they do? How have they been misused in the past? Presented at SkepTech.
“What Do You Mean Science Is Racist?”
“Science can’t be racist! It’s how we come to an objective understanding of the world.” The problem, of course, is that science is still a human endeavor. With that come all the biases that plague humanity. Take a tour of science’s racist past, learn how it’s improving, and find out where some of the major challenges still lie. Presented to Minnesota Atheists and at the CFI of NE Ohio Biennial Conference and the 2023 American Humanist Association conference.
Panels
Stephanie is a highly experienced panelist and moderator. The following is a small selection of panels she’s done.
- “AI in Fiction and Reality”, CONvergence 2018
- “Interfaith Dialogue”, Dakota County Libraries 2018
- “Diversifying Atheist Voices”, Skepticon 2017
- “The Future of Humanism: New Voices for the 21st Century”, Humanist Institute 2017
- “Godless Perverts Story Hour”, Skepticon 2016
- “A Guide to Geeks and Death”, CONvergence 2016
- “Events on a Budget”, Secular Women Work 2015
- “PTSD and Geekdom”, CONvergence 2015
- “Gone Off the Rails: How to Moderate”, CONvergence 2015
- “Make Your Code of Conduct Work for You”, FTBConscience 2015
- “When Science Isn’t Your Friend”, CONvergence 2014
- “Fight the Trolls”, CONvergence 2013
- “Gender Equality in the Secular Movement”, Women in Secularism II 2013
- “Interfaith Dialogue”, Normandale Community College 2013
- “Real World Atheism: A Panel on Godless Activism and Cultural Relevancy”, DePaul Alliance for Freethought 2013
- “Atheism and Morality”, Normandale Community College 2012
- “Vive le Difference” (human sex differences), CONvergence 2012
- “The Science of Sex”, CONvergence 2011
- “It’s All Geek to Me”, ScienceOnline 2011
- “Science and the Media”, CONvergence 2010
- “Bulls**t Detection Kit: Why Pseudo-Science Doesn’t Deliver”, CONvergence 2010
- “Trust and Critical Thinking”, ScienceOnline 2010
- “Deconstructing the Paranormal”, CONvergence 2009
Workshops
“Ally Skills Training”
Do you think diversity is important to your communities? Would you like to be part of changing the culture to be more welcoming to women, newcomers, and marginalized people? Come work through scenarios that challenge inclusion in a low-stakes environment before you face them in real life. Developed by the Ada Initiative. Presented at Skepticon.
“Building a Better Workshop”
Do you want to put on a workshop, but aren’t sure how to design an effective one? Learn how to use the interactive nature of workshops to build confidence while conveying useful information. Presented at Skepticon.
“Combatting Impostor Syndrome”
Feeling like a fraud as an activist? You’re not alone. Come find out about Impostor Syndrome and walk away with tested exercises for putting it to rest. Don’t let this common problem get in the way of getting things done. Developed by the Ada Initiative. Presented at Skepticon.
“Dealing with Shame”
Shame can be a healthy emotion mediating our relationship with society. It can also be twisted to apply social control, a tool of many religions. Shame can move you to learn and make amends or paralyze you. Have trouble navigating shame? Come learn how to separate legitimate from illegitimate shame and how to let it help you rather than destroy you. Presented at Minnesota Atheists Regional Conference, CONvergence, and American Atheists National Convention.
“Driving the Narrative”
Ever feel like your online discussions derail instead of talking about the important things? Come find out how to keep people on track and how to give yourself permission to walk away when you can’t. Presented at Secular Women Work.
“Handling Public Criticism”
It’s hard to hear that you’ve screwed up, particularly when you’re pouring time, energy, and heart into making things better. Defensiveness is a natural reaction, but it’s usually not a helpful one. Come discuss strategies to cope with criticism without the world exploding around you. Presented at Secular Women Work and Skepticon.
“Holiday Boot Camp”
Spending time with family as an atheist isn’t always the easiest thing, especially over religious holidays. How do you argue with people without destroying relationships? How do you set boundaries around religious discussion so you don’t have to have the same argument every year? Presented at Minnesota Atheists monthly meeting.
“Reading Science News”
We’re about to cure cancer, have discovered a miracle berry, and confirmed all your prejudices. What should you watch for when you’re reading science news? What are the tells of sensationalist reporting? Presented at Minnesota Atheists Regional Conference.