Social & Game Night

Following the drag show at 9:00 PM, all registered attendees are invited to stay for our casual Social & Game Night. Bring your favorite board, card, or party games to share, or join in the fun as you socialize with fellow attendees, speakers, and special guests in a relaxed atmosphere. This is your opportunity to build meaningful connections within the secular community while enjoying good company and great games for the rest of the evening.

Welcome to Rocket City Reason Con

We’re thrilled you’re here to join us for a day of critical thinking, community building, and meaningful conversation in the heart of Huntsville, Alabama.

John and KC, your conference organizers, will kick off the morning with a warm welcome and an overview of what to expect from this exciting day. They’ll share their vision for bringing together content creators, activists, and science communicators from across the secular community, and thank you—our attendees—for making this gathering possible.

Following the welcome, you’ll meet the dynamic duo guiding you through the day’s events: Chris Mallard, host of The Daily Atheist Morning Show, and Sydney Davis Jr. Jr., a comedian, host of the Growing Up Fundie podcast, and professional debater.

Chris and Sydney will introduce themselves, provide essential information about the day’s schedule, answer logistical questions, and set the tone for an engaging, inclusive conference experience. Throughout the day, they’ll ensure smooth transitions between sessions, keep you updated on any changes, and help maximize your Rocket City Reason Con experience.

Don’t hesitate to flag down John, KC, Chris, or Sydney if you have questions throughout the day!

Content Creation Panel Discussion

The Content Creation panel brings together established atheist and skeptic content creators to explore the vital role of digital activism in today’s landscape. Panelists will share their individual approaches to producing impactful content—from YouTube videos to social media engagement—while offering practical advice for aspiring creators looking to amplify secular voices. The discussion will examine both the creative process and the greater purpose: using content as a tool for education, community building, and challenging misinformation in an increasingly connected world, followed by an audience Q&A session where attendees can ask questions and seek guidance for their own content creation journeys.

Talking To Theists Panel Discussion

Join host Arden Hart (Call the Line) and panelists Thinker (TikTok), Sadie (Leaving Eden), and Jasper Hoffman (Sins of the Amish, Plain Peoples Podcast) as they share proven strategies for engaging in productive conversations with religious believers. This panel offers practical advice for navigating both peaceful dialogues and more challenging confrontations, equipping attendees with effective communication tactics for discussing secular values, addressing faith claims, and promoting critical thinking while maintaining respect and composure. Whether you’re looking to strengthen family relationships, engage in street epistemology, or simply feel more confident in religious discussions, this session provides the tools and insights to make your conversations more impactful.

Activism & Community Building Panel Discussion

Join host Phil Ferguson (The Phil Ferguson Show) and panelists Mandisa Thomas (Black Nonbelievers), Chad Harris (Shiny Happy People S1), and Godless Granny for an empowering discussion on building secular communities and making a difference through everyday activism. This panel addresses the unique challenges of fostering connection within the atheist and secular demographic—from combating isolation to navigating ideological differences—while exploring practical ways to engage in activism in your daily life, whether through grassroots organizing, digital advocacy, or local community initiatives. Learn from experienced organizers who have successfully built thriving secular spaces and discover how you can contribute to the growing movement for reason and social progress.

Science Communication & Debunking Bad Information Keynote

Two powerhouse science communicators take the stage together to explore the critical art of combating misinformation in the digital age. 

Erika, a doctoral candidate in biological anthropology specializing in human evolution and primate biology, has built a reputation for her meticulous debunking of creationist claims and pseudoscientific arguments through rigorous examination of paleontology, genetics, and evolutionary biology on her widely-followed YouTube channel, Gutsick Gibbon. 

Forrest Valkai, a biologist currently pursuing his PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology with extensive training across multiple biological disciplines including bioanthropology and vertebrate paleontology, brings his trademark enthusiasm and pedagogical expertise to breaking down complex scientific concepts while exposing the flaws in anti-science rhetoric on his widely-followed YouTube channel, Forrest Valkai (RenegadeScienceTeacher).

Together, they’ll share proven strategies for identifying, understanding, and effectively countering bad information—whether it’s creationism, health pseudoscience, or other forms of scientific misinformation—while demonstrating how to communicate evidence-based science in compelling, accessible ways that reach skeptics and believers alike.

Closing Remarks

Join conference organizers John and KC as they wrap up an inspiring day of learning, discussion, and community building at Rocket City Reason. They’ll express heartfelt gratitude to all attendees for making the inaugural conference a success, celebrate the incredible speakers and panelists who shared their expertise and passion, and extend special thanks to the MCs, dedicated volunteers who kept everything running smoothly, and the generous sponsors whose support made this event possible.

Before heading to dinner, they’ll also share important information about the evening’s main attraction—the live, in-person Call The Line show starting at 7:00 PM.