Maria Jacobson is an artist and musician based in Chicago, IL. She has a songwriting project and band called Fran that has released two albums to critical acclaim. Her second album, Leaving, was borne partially from a reconsideration of the role of religion and God in human life. Maria was raised Catholic and for many years had written religion off as harmful or misguided. Over time, and especially during the pandemic, she took a closer look at how humans’ relationships with God have shaped how we have made sense of our lives throughout history, especially in times of pain, grief, and hardship.
Her new radio show, Godless, literally asks the question: “Do you believe in God?” It is a frustrating and nuanced question that cannot be answered without a slew of other questions: How were you raised? What joy and grief have you experienced? How do you live your life every day? Godless looks at all these questions and examines our complicated relationships with spirituality through conversations with people Maria loves and admires: friends, artists, religious leaders, scientists, and family.
