Joe talks to Professor Ros Gleadow, Emerita Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University, Australia. They discuss the scale and impact of… Read More »Episode 353: The birds and the bees with Ros Gleadow
We have an interview with Dave Tomlinson. Dave and Joe discuss some of the difficult questions people have about God and faith and talk about… Read More »Episode 352: Repairing the world with Dave Tomlinson
Jesus gives us a crucial challenge: ‘Who do you say that I am?’ We discuss our answers to that question. Meanwhile, Joe launches MFC verify… Read More »Episode 351: Fact-checking Christmas
This week, we spend a lot of time discussing the spiritual lessons to be learned from Traitors. Also, we talk about heavily paraphrased Bible verses… Read More »Episode 350: Jesus has gone all yoke
Joe is not very well this week. So here’s just a little something to keep you going: an edited excerpt from an episode done many… Read More »Episode 349: One of our least worst episodes
This week we mainly talk about the Bible. we touch on how it was put together and we share with listeners the Bible verses and… Read More »Episode 348: Boshing the Bible
It’s our ninth anniversary! So, for a nice, relaxed, party-like topic we talk about Israel. Why is it that so many Christians support modern Israel… Read More »Episode 347: Happy birthdays and hard questions
In a packed feedback episode, we consider time, baptism, re-writing scripture, the omniscience of God and the problem of evil. Among other things. Also Nick… Read More »Episode 346: You’ve got five minutes on the problem of evil
Joe interviews Thomas Jay Oord. Theologian, philosopher and, it seems, Joe’s new BFF, Tom directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology. He share his… Read More »Episode 345: The uncontrolling God – an interview with Thomas Jay Oord
In a follow up to last week’s episode we think more about how to process anger. Joe interviews psychotherapist Becky Francis and we talk about… Read More »Episode 344: Anger, and what to do with it
In what has been a brutal week, we think again about what it means to be a peaceful presence in our world. What practices will… Read More »Episode 343: Being a person of peace
Yes, we’re back. And this week Joe interviews a surprise special guest on the podcast who tells us all about an article wot he wrote.… Read More »Episode 342: An interview with a very famous author
Nick is (momentarily) back from holiday, Joe has (surprisingly) been in a prayer meeting and we talk (randomly) about the importance of small moments of… Read More »Episode 341: The Prayer Babel Fish
Lots of feedback this week. We talk about prayer and ritual, about what labels we use to describe ourselves and about finding joy in giving.… Read More »Episode 340: Redeemed Elected Christian Truth Using Men
We revisit Joe’s theses and in particular discuss nonviolence – in many ways the forgotten element of Jesus’ teaching. We discuss the early church’s adoption… Read More »Episode 339: Revisiting nonviolence
This week we talk about the Reformation, and whether we are overdue for another go at it. Joe nails his theses to our podcast door.… Read More »Episode 338: Do we need a second Reformation?
We finally get around to talking about the sacraments. Where did they come from? How many are there ? Is there really a premier league?… Read More »Episode 337: The Sacramental Special
We talk cynics, sceptics and assorted doubters. What is it that pushes us towards cynicism? How can we remain open to the possibilities of prayer?… Read More »Episode 336: Cynicism and how to avoid it
People have sent in limericks about the Trinity. Joe is wondering what to do about the climate crisis. Nick is very grumpy about AI, a… Read More »Episode 335: A senior pair likely in their golden years
Tim Hewes is the author of Finding Beauty Behind Bars – A Climate Activist’s Enforced Retreat, a book he wrote after being arrested during Extinction… Read More »Episode 334: An interview with climate activist Rev Tim Hewes
Back after our break, we celebrate an episode with all the threes by totally solving the issue of the Trinity. I mean, we absolutely nailed… Read More »Episode 333: The return of Father, Son and Floaty Thing
In this Nick reflects on saying goodbye to his beloved dog, Bill, so we talk about joy, prayer, vulnerability, grief and love. Please be warned… Read More »Episode 332: Bill
This week we tackle some feedback, talk about elders and gatekeepers and Joe has an update on his theme. Also, we think about why theology… Read More »Episode 331: A lovely guy but so messed up
In an episode recorded actually together in the same room, we talk about getting older. What is the invitation of this part of life? How… Read More »Episode 330: Growing old disgracefully
In an unexpected move – well, unexpected for Joe, at least – we revisit an episode from 2017. Eight years ago we had a stab… Read More »Episode 329: ‘A certain against energy’
This week’s topics include the ethics of slug control, the 1700th anniversary the council of Nicea, whether transformation is always difficult and what it would… Read More »Episode 328: I’m struggling with killing things
Nick gives his belated thoughts on Easter and reflects on how it’s not about the doctrine but about the story: we are invited to live… Read More »Episode 327: Story eats doctrine for breakfast
It’s the Easter Special! Well, half an Easter Special maybe. Nick has the flu so in this shortened episode, it’s Pastor Joe to the rescue,… Read More »Episode 326: ‘The last word, always, is joy’
As we head into Holy Week, we discuss what it’s like to celebrate Easter in mid-faith crisis. We explore how Easter is about our identity… Read More »Episode 325: Re-Celebrating Easter
We’re back! Joe has returned from Mexico and Nick has returned from an unfortunate act of wire-cutting. We catch up on how things are going… Read More »Episode 324: Baffled in a Christlike direction
With Joe away in Mexico we have an interview with Bekah Legg. She talks about the work of Restored with the victims of domestic abuse,… Read More »Episode 323: An interview with Bekah Legg
It’s our annual themes episode! We talk about our themes for the year, and reflect on how last year’s themes worked out. And Joe has… Read More »Episode 322 : I would like to be your spiritual Stacey Solomon
We discuss how culture shapes art, and especially, how the culture of the time affects the Bible. How do the cultural norms and assumptions affect… Read More »Episode 321: Stuck in a telephone box with only one headlamp
Or not. Because in this episode we delve into some follow-up to last episode’s interview with Danielle Strickland. How can we address some of the… Read More »Episode 320: ‘Women are this, and men are that’
This week, Joe interviews author and speaker Danielle Strickland, about patriarchy – the male-centring and male-ordering of the world. They discuss the challenges of calling… Read More »Episode 319: An interview with Danielle Strickland
More on metaphors. We talk more about the idea of Jesus as ‘Lord’, and discuss how changes in culture, society or even technology might change… Read More »Episode 318: Inside we’re all princesses
Happy Candlemas to one and all. In this episode we talk a lot about baptism: what is it, where did it come from and does… Read More »Episode 317: The Candlemas episode
Lots of interesting feedback this week, including more reflections on worship songs, our calling to attend to our own ‘small’ world, the difficulties of Bible… Read More »Episode 316: The neurodivergent church
Joe has forgotten how to count and Nick is bewildered by a worship song. We discuss whether the metaphors we use are helpful, how God… Read More »Episode 315: Mandatory biblical metaphors
We return to the Bible this week, to the thorny topic of how we deal with difficult Bible verses, particularly verses about eternal punishment and… Read More »Episode 314: Whacking our Biblical moles
Happy new year (although, as we all know, the official Mid-faith Crisis New Year isn’t until March). Anyway we’re back, and in this episode we… Read More »Episode 313: A new year anniversary
Happy Christmas! In this festive episode we share – and then judge – our Christmas micro-sermons. Also we think about the practices that will nourish… Read More »Episode 312: Strictly Come Preaching Christmas Special
After a brief debate about which of us is the more miserable, we discuss whether social media can help us engage with our shadow, detaching… Read More »Episode 311: Go slow and repair things
In this episode, we talk about the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and, more specifically, about the systems of thinking which lead almost inevitably… Read More »Episode 310: It’s the system
Joe talks to award-winning and Billboard-charting artist Flamy Grant, the ‘shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen’ from North Carolina. As well as sharing their story of… Read More »Episode 309: Shame-slayer: An interview with Flamy Grant
We talk about prayer and laughter, about creativity, and about the everyday acts of hope that help us transcend the news. Also we discuss judging… Read More »Episode 308: What the heck, I’ll pray anyway
In times of disappointment, darkness and fear, how should we respond? What difference can we make? We talk about joy as a revolutionary act, and… Read More »Episode 307: ‘Stick two fingers up to the forces of darkness’
We have an interview with singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph. He talks about his career, the craft of song-writing, his campaigning worked the importance of just turning… Read More »Episode 306: An interview with Martyn Joseph
Is God really in charge of the universe? Do prophecies actually happen? We have some fascinating feedback about hearing from God and how he is… Read More »Episode 305: The microphone in my heart
In this episode we explore one of the central questions of theology: is it right to pray for a parking space? If we believe in… Read More »Episode 304: Fetch the prophecy scales!
Joe talks with Shaun Lambert about mindfulness, wonder, and the need to ‘re-perceive’ God. As well as actually leading us in a contemplative exercise, Shaun… Read More »Episode 303: Mindful Formation with Shaun Lambert
We talk about the virtuous circle of comfort: how what we receive we can share with others. Also whether the real purpose of the Holy… Read More »Episode 302: Be generous with comfort
Nick has had a bad week. We talk about approaches to resilience, the meanings we attach to events, our tendency to project bad stories, what… Read More »Episode 301: Nick’s less-than-resilient week
Three. Hundred. Episodes. Who’d have thought it? We think about some of the key things we have learned, and are still learning through doing this… Read More »Episode 300: What we’ve learned so far…
Joe interviews John Philip Newell about his new book The Great Search. What are the things we are really yearning for? Who are the prophets… Read More »Episode 299: The Great Search – an interview with John Philip Newell
Yes! The brothers have reconciled and the podcast band is back together. So, in this week’s show we talk about redeeming the word ‘religion’, what… Read More »Episode 298: We defer to Jesus
This week’s episode is all about money. Why are we so embarrassed by it? Why do we fear dealing with it? Is ethical investing worth… Read More »Episode 297: Jesus was not an accountant: an interview with Sian MacInnes
We talk about the benefits of belonging, and not belonging, to a church. Are there perspectives and opportunities that we can get from a church… Read More »Episode 296: I belong, help thou my unbelonging
Yes, we’re talking again about the Bible, this time discussing how the Bible was compiled and what Paul meant by the line ‘All the writings… Read More »Episode 295: You say inspired, I say God-breathed
A mixed bag this week. We talk about Christian outrage over the Olympics, about the need to belong (without being defined by our belonging) and… Read More »Episode 294: Thank you for being some people out there
In this episode we dive deep into the idea of the wrathful God. Can we understand it in a different way? And what do we… Read More »Episode 293: Now with added wrath
We’re back! And after a long break there is a lot of catching up to do. Has Nick really stopped watching the news? Is there… Read More »Episode 292: Decluttering, deconstructing and sorting your life out
Joe interviews friend and fellow celebrant Claire Bradford about her experiences walking the Camino. They discuss the importance of doing things when you can, the… Read More »Episode 291: Walking the Camino with Claire Bradford
Joe talks to friend of the podcast Dave Tomlinson about his book ‘OMG, A Bad Christian’s Prayer Book’. Dave also chats about prayer, and about… Read More »Episode 290: OMG – A Bad Christian’s Prayer Book with Dave Tomlinson
We discuss the concept of the sabbath, mainly because Nick has heard an interesting sermon on the topic. What if we see sabbath as the… Read More »Episode 289: Start the week with a sabbath
We carry on our discussion about churches and church leadership. Do churches need visible locations? How do we preserve their communal identity without creating barriers… Read More »Episode 288: Happy Be Kind to Clergy Day!
In keeping with his theme, Joe has been nature churching. We discuss his experiences so far, what makes something ‘church’, the importance of your spiritual… Read More »Episode 287: It’s nature, but is it churching?
We have a think about Pentecost. What was it all about? Was it really the birthday of the church? Is it an eschatological thing? Actually,… Read More »Episode 286: God is speaking our language
Following his year of wisdomness, Nick wrote an article on wisdom. We discuss whether the church downplays wisdom in favour of revelation, the steps we… Read More »Episode 285: How to be wise
In a feedback-fuelled episode, we chat about heresy, gratitude, and the circuit board of love. Is heresy just speculation that is not the official speculation?… Read More »Episode 284: It’s theological correctness gone mad
Brian McLaren talks about his new book, ‘Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart’.He and Joe discuss how denial is exhausting,… Read More »Episode 283: Life After Doom – an interview with Brian McLaren
This week we discuss the relationship between human skills and endeavour and the work of God. Or as Nick put it, ‘Why does God get… Read More »Episode 282: Custard is holy ground
There’s a lot about depth this week. We talk about dusting off the Bible and reading more deeply, and how the mid-faith crisis can be… Read More »Episode 281: The desire to go deeper
We thought it was time to revisit the stages of faith – which is really what this podcast is all about. Joe takes us through… Read More »Episode 280: Throbbingly unsettling
It’s our new year themes episode. Joe’s had a bad week so is behind with his homework. Nick has broken his Lenten fast from anger… Read More »Episode 279: Focus and … er… something else
It’s Easter! And we reflect on what Easter means for us this year and how we can see our own faith journeys patterned in the… Read More »Episode 278: The Easter Journey
As the song goes, ‘Praise him on the trumpet, the psaltery and harp!’ But why? In another of our excitingly named Moderately Interesting Questions, we… Read More »Episode 277: Does God really need praise?
We delve into the feedback this week, especially various reflections on the What is the Point of Joe?’ episode. Also we talk about being the… Read More »Episode 276: Gold, Silver and Beryl
Joe talks to Jo about the menopause. And perimenopause. And post-menopause. What is it and why does it matter? And why don’t we talk about… Read More »Episode 275: What the fog? An interview with Jo Ibbott
Joe is having an existential crisis and, worryingly, is asking Nick to help. So we discuss meaning and purpose. What are we here for? What… Read More »Episode 274: What is the point of Joe?
We discuss Lent, Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. We reflect on the purpose of fasting, the way that Lent creates contours in the year, and… Read More »Episode 273: You are a pile of precious dust
Last week we talked about lots of different kinds of church. This week we’re thinking about the purpose. What, actually, is the point of church?… Read More »Episode 272: What is church actually for?
Last week we asked what people would like to see in a church. Turns out a lot of people have an opinion. A lot. We… Read More »Episode 271: A festival of feedback
Welcome to our first ever publicly broadcast planning meeting. And just to get us started, Nick has a few of what he is calling ‘Mid-faith… Read More »Episode 270: The Mid-faith Crisis planning meeting
We’re back! And we talk about what life has been like in the past week or so. We discuss how we can support one another… Read More »Episode 269: Episode ‘I don’t give a monkeys’
Happy Not-the-actual New Year! We start this year with an interview with Paul McGee, aka The SUMO Guy. Among other things, Paul talks about his… Read More »Episode 268: Mancunian Motivation with Paul McGee
Joe is back from Mexico and Nick has got out of bed. We think briefly about our highlights of the podcasting year, before going on… Read More »Episode 267: Happy Christmas to bacteria everywhere
Joe is in Mexico where, assisted by Harvey the dog and an un-named cat we reflect briefly on the importance of knowing that, wherever we… Read More »Episode 266: Emmanuel in Mexico
After a brief bout of illness, we’re back. As well as catching up with each other, we talk about leaving and returning, and ponder on… Read More »Episode 265: I almost raised my Ebenezer
Nick has been to a leadership summit and the results are mixed, to say the least. We talk about how to build an environment which… Read More »Episode 264: Being stoned to death with fridge magnets
This week we have an interview with poet Harry Baker. As well as performing some of his poetry, he talks about faith and prayer, and… Read More »Episode 263: An interview with Harry Baker
We reflect on the interview with Olivia Jackson, and explore the need for us to have more confidence, and the way in which so many… Read More »Episode 262: This drivel may not be for you
This week we have a fascinating interview with Olivia Jackson, author of (Un)certain. Described as ‘A Collective Memoir of Deconstructing Faith’ it’s a fascinating insight… Read More »Episode 261: (Un)certain – an interview with Olivia Jackson
In this episode, we talk about the pain of the mid-faith crisis, and the difficulty of dealing with the loss of what you used to… Read More »Episode 260: Do you suffer from doctrinal dysfunction?
We discuss Bible translations among other things. Why are verses translated in different ways? Which is the ‘correct’ version? And can we trust the translators?… Read More »Episode 259: Owning my worminess
How do you deal with the tough times when the old ways of praying and responding no longer work? We talk about finding God in… Read More »Episode 258: You are not your feelings
We’re back! And in a largely content-free episode, we reflect on our time away. Joe is thinking about construction rather than deconstruction and claims to… Read More »Episode 257: Grumpily grateful
Joe interviews Joanna Godfrey Wood about her book In Search of Stillness. What is the difference between stillness and silence? How can we find inner… Read More »Episode 256: In Search of Stillness – an interview with Joanna Godfrey Wood
Joe interviews Dr Ali Male who takes us through the Enneagram. Or, to put it another way, it’s a conversation between a number one and… Read More »Episode 255: Introducing the Enneagram with Ali Male
We have some listener reaction to the interview with Lacey Finn Borgo on the feminine divine. Along the way we talk about whether the church… Read More »Episode 254: Reconstructing not deconstructing
Joe talks to our friend Lacey about the feminine divine, the effect of patriarchy on faith, and how ‘anger is not your enemy, bitterness is.’… Read More »Episode 253: Mothering Father – an interview with Lacey Finn Borgo
It’s Joe’s turn to reflect on his version of the good news. What would he change? What has been his journey so far? Is he… Read More »Episode 252: Revisiting the good news Pt 2
Half a podcast lifetime ago (episode 125 to be precise) we put forward our versions of the good news. This week we revisit them –… Read More »Episode 251: Revisiting the good news Pt. 1
It’s episode 250! But there’s no time for celebration, as we discuss the issue of whether the Lords Prayer needs updating. Should we start ‘Our… Read More »Episode 250: Our emotional frisson is out of control
In this episode we discuss the role of music as a place of spiritual encounter. We touch on the need for authenticity in worship and… Read More »Episode 249: Drawing out our tears
We’re back! And we have an episode of top-notch feedback on peoples’ sacred spaces. We think about sacred memories, gardening with God, and encountering the… Read More »Episode 248: We’re here, and that’s just how it is
We talk about how we experience God in nature. If your ‘church’ is the mountains or the countryside what does that mean? Is there anything… Read More »Episode 247: Nature boy v Churchy boy
Wassail! It’s the height of Summer which as everyone knows is the traditional time for the Midfaith Crisis Christmas Special! As usual we dive into… Read More »Episode 246: The 2023 Christmas Special
Joe is back from holiday and Nick is recovering from some cricket. Meanwhile we tackle some of the difficult questions. What empowers us to be… Read More »Episode 245: Carry on up the Spider-verse
We discuss our responses to the interview with Chris Scott in the last episode. Is it possible that the gospels could be both historical truth… Read More »Episode 244: Responding to the Jesus Myth
Joe interviews Chris Scott, psychologist, psychotherapist and priest about his book The Jesus Myth. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of how myth can carry deep truth,… Read More »Episode 243: The Jesus Myth – an interview with Chris Scott
We discuss speaking in tongues. Is there a place for it in public worship? Or should it only be exercised in the privacy of your… Read More »Episode 242: We’ve got glossolalia growing up the trellis
Joe and Nick have both been on retreat, so this week we talk about our different approaches, what works for us, and why we find… Read More »Episode 241: Your spiritual happy place
We reflect on the Coronation service. Was it weird or wonderful? Amazing or anachronistic? Holy or hypocritical? Or was it just like every other church… Read More »Episode 240: Man in hat sits on chair
We discuss different ideas of heaven and the afterlife. Will we have bodies? Do we go to heaven? Will it be largely standing around on… Read More »Episode 239: The Messianic Buffet
Cheer up everyone, it’s an episode all about hell. We reflect on the Staying Defiantly event that Joe hosted earlier in the week. In other… Read More »Episode 238: An eternity in the soft furnishing department
Nick has been useless. Joe has been watching an eagle. We discuss the role of imagination in faith, whether wishful thinking is always bad and… Read More »Episode 237: Attack with love
Joe isn’t feeling Eastery yet. Nick’s valves are burning out. Meanwhile we talk about how we want to be when things go wrong, how Christianity… Read More »Episode 236: The cross and the circle
Happy Easter! And while we’re at it, Happy New Year and Happy Nard-day! Joe is back from his travels and Nick is in a cupboard.… Read More »Episode 235: Too much nard
Just a very quick update. Joe is in Mexico and Nick is in a dangerously low house. We talk about recognising our need for sleep… Read More »Episode 234: The protestant sleep ethic
We talk a bit about politics this week, particularly the conflict between private morality and public leadership. Can we learn to listen to people with… Read More »Episode 233: Being more other-centred
Joe is enjoying his birthday. Nick has been immersed in art. And we discuss the difference between judgement and condemnation, whether tradition and religion are… Read More »Episode 232: Church is not a washing machine
Nick’s life is chaotic. Joe has escaped a fire. And meanwhile, we discuss whether to choose a local or non-local church, how do we actually… Read More »Episode 231: We need a spreadsheet
Life is heavy. Life is stressful. It’s hard to respond wisely, when anger is easier. In this episode we talk about responding to stress, Christianity… Read More »Episode 230: The BP Blessing
We discuss the crucial questions: Is God just some kind of cosmic life-force? Was Jesus just God in a man-shaped onesie? How do we avoid… Read More »Episode 229: Putting our heads above the parakeet
Nick is depressed by a worship song, Joe is frustrated by the church and the feedback sends us off in all directions. Enjoy – because,… Read More »Episode 228: Just a couple of tossed waves
At the third – or possibly fourth – attempt, Nick and Joe return. In an episode which has been dogged by disease, broadband failure, diary… Read More »Episode 227: Service and Wisdomness
What gifts did 2022 bring us? And what were the hardships? We share our experiences this year and reflect on how our themes worked out.… Read More »Episode 226: The gifts of the year
It’s a final, bonus episode for the year. And one recorded in a storm of technical challenges (sorry about that). Do we need to find… Read More »Episode 225: Bonus Christmas episode!
We return to the topic of paying attention and Joe’s latest pier-based epiphanies. We chat about how attention can be a kind of prayer and… Read More »Episode 224: Waiting for the impending failure
Yes, it’s our now annual disagreement about the birth narratives in the gospels. Along the way we discuss the problems of inculturation, why hospitality, celebration… Read More »Episode 223: The rules for Christmas
Nick has been thinking about spirituality and sport. Joe has had a transcendent moment on the pier. We ramble on about advent as a time… Read More »Episode 222: Moments of exaltation
As we head into Advent, we have an interview with Brian Draper. Brian talks about wonder, hope, leaning into the darkness, sharing the inherited riches… Read More »Episode 221: Into Advent with Brian Draper
We talk about the complexities of being Christlike, the joy of temperance and the idea of a self-limiting God. Also, Joe wants to be both… Read More »Episode 220: A lot of wind and no answers
We talk about how we can use outrage to avoid dealing with our own pain, finding peace in the difficult times, not giving up on… Read More »Episode 219: Leaning in to goodness
We discuss some big issues this week: anger, empathy, hope, the prophetic act of listening, the difficulty of making life choices and, most importantly, whether… Read More »Episode 218: The Mid-faith Permacrisis
This week we talk about the need for lament, how Jesus spoke about fear more than anything else, and what we can learn from our… Read More »Episode 217: Welcome back, wristbands
In this episode we talk about hope. In the midst of the chaos and anxiety surrounding us, how do we have hope? What does it… Read More »Episode 216: Fix your mind upon cheeses
We talk a lot about rules and doctrine this episode. What’s the balance between belief and behaviour? Should the church be an exclusive club? And… Read More »Episode 215: Spooking the theological markets
We’re back! Nick’s been in the West Country pondering the state of his aura. Joe’s been speaking at a conference and has caught the plague.… Read More »Episode 214: What we did on our holidays
In a temporally confused episode, we have an interview with Stuart Murray Williams. We talk about the idea of Christendom, and, more to the point,… Read More »Episode 213: An Interview with Stuart Murray Williams
We talk to Oliver Burkeman, author of the brilliant Four Thousand Weeks – Time Management for Mortals. We talk about mortality and finitude, the joy… Read More »Episode 212: An Interview with Oliver Burkeman
A globetrotting episode, with correspondence from around the world. We discuss the complicated relationship between those who attend church and those in authority, the need… Read More »Episode 211: We’re huge in Bucharest
Back together again, we reflect on the relationship between authenticity and vulnerability. We also talk about the need for patience, honesty and empathy when we… Read More »Episode 210: We have decided to follow Jesus
With one of the team taking a well-earned break we thought we’d repeat an episode from the mists of time. Or July 2019 to be… Read More »Episode 209: The Christmas Special. In July. In August.
Joe is struggling to concentrate. Nick is inadvisedly drinking limoncello. We talk about the confidence to be quiet, the origins of liturgy and how communities… Read More »Episode 208: Dealing with sadmin
We talk to Brian MacLaren about his new book – Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned. The… Read More »Episode 207: Do I Stay Christian? An interview with Brian McLaren
A bit of a short episode today, for personal reasons which we talk about in the podcast. Thanks for all your support, as always. Support… Read More »Episode 206: ‘We sang together’
In a week where suddenly a lot of people are concerned about their integrity, we look at thankfulness in prayer, how silence is quite risky… Read More »Episode 205: The integrity alarm went off
Nick is tired, Joe is hangry, so in a slightly shorter than normal episode, we reflect on the recent interview with dave steell about leadership.… Read More »Episode 204: Lobbing proof texts at each other
In this second part we talk about dealing with conflict. How do you deal with conflict with staff members, other churches, and, most importantly, within… Read More »Episode 203: Leading a church in mid-faith crisis (part 2)
In the first of a two-part special, we interview Dave Steell, pastor of One Church Brighton on the challenges of leading a church through changing… Read More »Episode 202: Leading a church in mid-faith crisis (part 1)
It’s a tale of two Andrews this week, as we are mildly– and not so mildly – rebuked for previous episodes. We talk about John… Read More »Episode 201: Jesus gets a brief mention
It’s the 200th episode! So we spend some time looking back at the origins of the podcast, share some of the things we’ve learned and… Read More »Episode 200: The intros are still rubbish
Don your lycra, sew on your sequins and and prepare to give nil points to the podcast, because we have an interview with journalist Lisa-Jayne… Read More »Episode 199: Eurovision Denomination Contest
We explore the role of imagination in prayer, and how that can help us with a real relationship with God. Also why disputes might help… Read More »Episode 198: No such thing as the great commission
We think about why, throughout history, people have moved massive boulders in the name of religion. What boulders of doctrine or belief are we pushing… Read More »Episode 197: The boulders of faith
Lots of questions this week. Why do we sing things we don’t agree with? Have we misunderstood the writings of Paul? How do we know… Read More »Episode 196: I’ve forgotten the second thing
A bit of a catch-up. Joe is back from holiday and Nick’s been preaching over Easter. We chat about looking for the living among the… Read More »Episode 195: Looking for the Living
Joe is on holiday, recording (a) via some flaky internet and (b) on the world’s worst mic, so apologies for that. But consider this is… Read More »Episode 194: Postcard from Mexico
This week a really crucial question: what does God actually do? If he’s just love, what good is that? We talk about finding joy and… Read More »Episode 193: The joy is the relationship
We explore the idea of taking responsibility for God’s believability. If God is not going to intervene in a miraculous way, is it up to… Read More »Episode 192: Time for some prinking
More follow up this week on how to respond to peoples’ prayer requests. How are we supposed to discuss our spiritual journey without feeling superior?… Read More »Episode 191: Draining joy in the name of the Lord
It’s been a worrying week. How do we respond to big events? Can we get the balance right between ignorant bliss and doomscrolling despair? Also,… Read More »Episode 190: Doomscrolling is bad for you
After a deluge of theological cocktail suggestions – and some new TV shows as well – we turn our attention to outrage. Every day we… Read More »Episode 189: A nation of rageaholics
When we do something good is that just God pulling the strings? We explore our own kingdoms, the role of wisdom and suffering the continuing… Read More »Episode 188: A Total Depravity, please, Barman
We carry on exploring yet more fallout from ‘the now famous epiphany’. Joe changes his theme, Nick has learnt the benefit of staying put, and… Read More »Episode 187: The epiphany goes on and on
Last week Joe had an epiphany. This week Nick’s written a ‘poem-ish thing’. We talk more about the need for acceptance and how we so… Read More »Episode 186: Fragments of glory
Joe has had an epiphany. Nick has been to a baptism. We talk about the need for radical acceptance in life, about the difference between… Read More »Episode 185: A Worthing Pier experience
It’s our 2022 themes episode. We reflect on how our themes worked out last year, and look ahead to what we’re going to be concentrating… Read More »Episode 184: ‘Sort it Ahhht!’
Nick has some thoughts on the cricket and whether we can draw any spiritual lessons from sport. Can we plan for spiritual success? What would… Read More »Episode 183: Planning for spiritual success
It’s a Christmas Day episode. Nick has discovered cocktails, Joe has mastered snowballs. We discuss our suddenly altered Christmas plans, talk about what it means… Read More »Episode 182: ‘In a Galilee far far away…’
We talk about Christmas and mid-faith. How do we approach the nativity stories? Are they historic accounts or symbolic tales? What is striking us about… Read More »Episode 181: Reconnecting with Christmas
Yes, it’s here. We have an interview with Becky Francis, a sex therapist and relationships counsellor. What is the relationship between sex and mid-faith crisis?… Read More »Episode 180: The Special Cuddles Episode
There seem to be a lot of trigger words in this week’s podcast, some quite surprising. Mainly we talk about discipleship and whether trying to… Read More »Episode 179: Where’s my sabbatical?
More about how we approach our difficulties reading the Bible and the need to learn to live with uncertainty and mystery. Then we talk about… Read More »Episode 178: Mystery and naïveté
Is there any point going to church if it’s just going to add to our cognitive dissonance? We explore the idea of putting a bit… Read More »Episode 177: Attending resentfully
We were both a bit tired in this one. But before our batteries gave out entirely, we talked about how the wrong ways of reading… Read More »Episode 176 ‘As somebody said somewhere’
Author Matt Hyam talks about how justice lies at the very heart of the gospel – and how Jesus’ message is an invitation to experience… Read More »Episode 175: An interview with Matt Hyam
It’s a rather odd episode this week covering a bewildering range of topics, including Christian hairstyles, the Euthyphro dilemma, pluralistic ignorance, the unusual Christian fairytale… Read More »Episode 174: The grey world of faith
Yes! It’s the fifth anniversary of Japan’s 12th most-listened to Christian podcast. A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who supports us. This week we talk… Read More »Episode 173: Everything’s important, but none of it is very important
We talk about whether the stages of faith echo the stages of life. Is it possible to have your faith stage and your life stage… Read More »Episode 172: Using my power for good
It’s our Genesis episode. Or the beginning of our Genesis episodes, perhaps. We talk about why Genesis has such influence and power, reading it as… Read More »Episode 171: In the beginning…
All the ‘P’s this week as we talk about pensions, prayer, paradox, people, priests, providence, patience and perspective. We talk about how ‘mystery’ helps us… Read More »Episode 170: ‘Literally a P frenzy’
If we don’t believe in an interventionist God then why are we still driven to pray about world events? Why, despite the questions and the… Read More »Episode 169: A deep desire to pray
Joe and Nick have been visiting lots of old churches, making one of us very happy. We discuss our different ideas of sacred spaces. Then… Read More »Episode 168: It could do with some carpet
An episode in which Nick explains his aversion to the idea of Celtic spirituality. Following on from last week’s interview, we talk about whether new… Read More »Episode 167: The Chicken Tikka Masala of Spirituality
We are joined by John Philip Newell, who talks about his new book Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul. In a wide-ranging interview, John Philip talks about… Read More »Episode 166: An Interview with John Philip Newell
And we’re back. Interesting questions in the feedback this week. Is there is a one-size-fits-all salvation? Are we good citizens of the Kingdom of God… Read More »Episode 165: Being authentically authentic
Among this week’s topics, we discuss renaming the Old Testament, speaking in tongues, and whether Joe is a druid. Also there is more feedback from… Read More »Episode 164: I am a beloved wormy worm
Joe is back from holiday and has encountered a very angry version of the Lord’s Prayer. As well as the usual fascinating feedback, we talk… Read More »Episode 163: Practical salvation
This week we have an interview with Dave Tomlinson. Dave talks about Christian humanism, our ‘common origin in goodness’, the importance of holding your nerve,… Read More »Episode 162: Dave Tomlinson on Christian humanism
Nick’s been listening to God and God, appropriately enough, has been telling him to listen. So this week, helped by some great feedback on the… Read More »Episode 161: Give them a Damn Good Listening 2
This week’s feedback leads us to think about whether church is like a running club, how to use our stories and memories as soul places,… Read More »Episode 160: Dancing with the Bible
Joe has been traumatised by the dentist. Nick has had spiritual speech therapy. But apart from that we continue our discussion of soul places. What… Read More »Episode 159: ‘Give them a damn good listening to’
Nick is back and he’s been in lots of old churches. Joe is facing a highly invasive camera. We talk about whether God is all… Read More »Episode 158: Soul Rest
This week we start with an email on prophecy from someone who may or may not be related to one of the hosts. Should you… Read More »Episode 157: Emphasising the kingdom
We have feedback from the Brian McLaren interview, which leads into a discussion about whether we should all go to more than one church. Do… Read More »Episode 156: Seeking a Balanced Spiritual Diet
In the second part, author Brian McLaren explores how doubt is a friend of faith, and how the Bible itself reflects the four stages of… Read More »Episode 155: An Interview with Brian McLaren – Part 2
The first of a two-part interview with author Brian McLaren talking about his new book, Faith After Doubt. Joe talks to Brian about four stages… Read More »Episode 154: An interview with Brian McLaren – Part 1
We reflect on the three acts of Easter – death, waiting, rebirth – and how this most profound of Christian festivals gives us permission to… Read More »Episode 153: The Journey of Easter
This week we are joined by Dave Steell, Minister of One Church, Brighton, one of the most exciting and innovative churches in the UK. Dave… Read More »Episode 152: Beyond the heaven and hell dynamic
This week we delve into the feedback about the names we use for God. Is using different names just making God conform to our own… Read More »Episode 151: Above our theological pay grade
Our 150th episode! And we pick up on the feedback about shopping, giving and whether tithing is a law, a burden or a cop out.… Read More »Episode 150: Licensed to Bless
We have an interview with Margaret Metcalfe, who talks about language and power. Do the words we use about God exclude others? What values do… Read More »Episode 149: Language to help people flourish
This week we talk about the spirituality of shopping. We discuss the rise of lockdown shopping and the idea of the messiah purchase – that… Read More »Episode 148: The Messiah Purchase
How do we make sense of Lent this year? To help us we have a great interview with our friend Lacy Finn Borgo. She talks… Read More »Episode 147: Making sense of Lent with Lacy Finn Borgo
Joe has hit clay bottom and is recharging about as effectively as an old Nokia phone. We talk about the difficulty of waiting and how… Read More »Episode 146: The Waterproof Trousers of Faith
After a brief sick leave we’re back, and considering if it’s OK to still enjoy the kinds of Christian practices we have rejected. Is it… Read More »Episode 145: Reverse Backsliding
Nick’s had a spiritually challenging experience at the chemist. So is it OK to complain? How would Jesus complain about bad service? Also we discuss… Read More »Episode 144: The spirituality of customer service
When does the mid-faith crisis end? Or is it ever, really, finished? We look at the idea of not so much moving on, but more… Read More »Episode 143: When does it end?
We’re back! We reflect on the treasure we found in 2020, and, more importantly, think about our guiding themes or words for 2021. Also, as… Read More »Episode 142: ‘Own Your Nickness’
It’s our final episode of the year. Nick has been self-isolating, Joe is uncharacteristically unChristmassy. We pick up on some feedback, explore how we can… Read More »Episode 141: Re-connecting with Christmas
More on Nick’s book and we discuss why Christians assume that Christmas trees, holly, ivy and general greenery are somehow pagan. Would Christmas olive trees… Read More »Episode 140: Christmas trees, eggnog and other baubles
We interrupt our series on Nick’s book because we’ve got an interview with Brian Draper about Advent. After a brief discussion of Jesus themed merchandise… Read More »Episode 139: Into Advent with Brian Draper
Nick has a new book out – Christmas: Tradition, Truth and Total Baubles. So we talk about that, mainly on the idea that we always… Read More »Episode 138: Utter Baubles about Christmas
The Bible is very clear that those who oppress the vulnerable, abuse power and cause injustice will face the judgement of God. So what do… Read More »Episode 137: Restorative Justice
Ruth Newton is parish priest of St John’s Sharow, a Silver Eco-Church and is currently undertaking a doctorate in the intersection between environmental activism and… Read More »Episode 136: Ruth Newton on ecology and the Kingdom of God
Welcome back to Lockdown everyone! And welcome back to our discussion of creation and where it all has come from. How do you square a… Read More »Episode 135: A space within God
It’s all gone a bit cosmic this week, as we discuss the creation of, well, everything. Did it all come out of nothing? Is creation… Read More »Episode 134: ‘You end up worshipping the shrubbery’
We talk about getting fresh ideas into the winter wellness plan, and building accountability. There’s a discussion about what the ‘essence’ of church really is,… Read More »Episode 133: The Jesus re-enactment society
It’s our fourth birthday! We listen back to the first episode and reflect on where it all went wrong – sorry – I mean, all… Read More »Episode 132: Reflections on our fourth birthday
This week we look a bit more at spiritual wellness plans. Joe shares a lot of ideas, while Nick is mainly focused on guttering. But… Read More »Episode 131: Wellness and winter thinking
We talk about the need for patience in a society that expects instant solutions. Why did the early church talk about patience much more than… Read More »Episode 130: ‘We have an Amazon Prime Spirituality’
We’re back! Yes, Luxembourg’s premier Christianity podcast returns and in a revolutionary new approach to podcasting, instead of discussing a topic, we are discussing what… Read More »Episode 129: We’ve forgotten what the podcast is about
There are some really horrible bits in the Bible. How are we to read them? Should we just ignore them? Or is our very response… Read More »Episode 128: Mansplaining the Bible
Some deep questions this week. Do miracles actually happen? And what about prophecy? Can we actually experience God’s love? Has Joe filled in a proper… Read More »Episode 127: Miracles and Prophecy
After waiting hours for some printing to get done we revisit our statements on the good news and ask a key question: where did it… Read More »Episode 126: Where has it all gone wrong?
Have you been mis-sold your personal salvation policy? In the midst of some pretty bongo-filled weeks, Joe and Nick finally get around to their versions… Read More »Episode 125: What is the good news? (Part Three)
Never has so much feedback been packed into one podcast. We’ve had so many responses to our question about ‘what is the good news?’ that… Read More »Episode 124: What is the good news? (Part Two)
Last episode Nick posed the question ‘what is the good news?’ This week – predictably – they completely fail to answer it. So this is… Read More »Episode 123: What is the good news? (Part One)
Back after a short break and we begin with an argument over courgettes of all things. After that, there’s some great feedback, with more on… Read More »Episode 122: A festival of courgettes
When is it right to leave a church? Is it ever right? Can you leave on good terms? A heartfelt email leads us into a… Read More »Episode 121: Should I stay or should I go?
Nick is being crushed by a deadline but fortunately we have feedback to come to our rescue. How do we deal people and churches who… Read More »Episode 120: Shall we debrief?
A great interview with Jeff Lucas. With his usual depth, humour and honesty, Jeff talks about prayer as a mix of gratitude and complaining, the… Read More »Episode 119: Jeff Lucas on the priceless gift of disillusionment.
The now usual batch of interesting, intelligent and often moving feedback. We look at beliefs versus action, beliefs versus knowledge, a four-person Trinity and speaking… Read More »Episode 118: Questions raised. No questions answered.
It’s Pentecost! And, in what must be the most disrupted podcast ever, we discuss the Holy Spirit, and how the church has never known quite… Read More »Episode 117: The theology of ‘I dunno’
Does it matter what you believe? Welcome to part two of our discussion – well, round two, maybe, since we end up having an argument… Read More »Episode 116: The thin spaces of doubt
Some good feedback this week, including news from down under, another question about hell, and a question that brings up some important questions. How can… Read More »Episode 115: More than just God in a bod
What is spirituality? Is it doing ‘spiritual things’ like praying, meditating, reading the Bible? Or is everything that we do spiritual? Also, some epic emails,… Read More »Episode 114: Grayson Perry’s Spiritual Art Club
We’d like to say that this is a deeply profound episode. but basically, it’s us mucking about. There’s a bit about quiet times, and we… Read More »Episode 113: The cheese stage of grief
What are the origins of Easter? Did Christians build their churches near sacred groves? We touch on Odin, the age of yew trees, and how… Read More »Episode 112: We’re always inventing tradition
We explore how scarcity and limitations make us more grateful, how we constantly need to re-learn forgotten skills and habits, and how we all need… Read More »Episode 111: Small Wonders of God
It’s Easter, everyone. We talk about celebrating the whole story – even the dark bits and, why, this year, Easter Saturday may be particularly relevant.… Read More »Episode 110: It’s our story as well
We have an interview with Dave Hopwood, who talks about how he uses film to communicate and explore deep truths about Christianity. Meanwhile, Joe is… Read More »Episode 109: At the movies with Dave Hopwood
A mixed bag of poetry, prayer and lots of good feedback. We talk briefly about paying attention and its relationship to prayer, and touch on… Read More »Episode 108: Attention, intention and self-isolation
What can you say in the face of everything that is happening in the world? In a time of lockdowns and self-isolation, we have more… Read More »Episode 107: Buying a field
Loads of great response to Ruth’s interview in episode 104: lots of praise, some questions and a bongo load of mystery. We talk about why… Read More »Episode 106: [Bongos] Happen
We have an interview with author and speaker Brian Draper, about how experiencing nature can open up spaces for us to make a deeper connection… Read More »Episode 105: Soulful Nature – An Interview with Brian Draper
How do we approach the subject of healing? Do miracles happen? Or is all of life a miracle anyway? We have a profound interview with… Read More »Episode 104: ‘Strength to walk the journey’
We discuss guilt and confession. Is guilt ever good? Can confession be therapeutic? If so, to whom do we confess? Also, we explore how we… Read More »Episode 103: Confess! Confess!
Along with some important, moving and actually quite hilarious emails, we talk a bit more about demons, Satan, and the lies which dominate both our… Read More »Episode 102: Stan has no authority
This week we’re thinking about involvement with the world. Should we just do the things that we’re passionate about? And if so, how do we… Read More »Episode 101: Demands and duties
We’ve reached three figures! In this episode we chat about why we started the podcast, what’s the best (and worst) thing about it, and where… Read More »Episode 100: Who’d have thought it?
It’s a mega-feedback episode. We explore whether silent retreats are really good for extroverts, what we think of demons and the demonic and pick up… Read More »Episode 99: Retreats for Extroverts and other issues
Happy New Year! We’re back with a discussion of how to reflect on last year using the examen approach. And we talk about setting themes… Read More »Episode 98: New year, new theme
In a strange reversal, Joe is quite grumpy, and Nick is quite upbeat. It’s the shortest day of the year, but there is light in… Read More »Episode 97: Hopes and fears and all that swaddling
Joe has been putting his coffee cup on the altar. Which is not a euphemism for some kind of spiritual discipline, but a real event,… Read More »Episode 96: A coffee cup on the altar!
We reflect on the profound effects that something as simple as kindness and hospitality can have. It’s all about being the Kingdom of God and… Read More »Episode 95: Being the Incarnation
It’s Advent – which is really the start of the liturgical year. It’s supposed to be a period of fasting and waiting and paying attention… Read More »Episode 94: Happy New (Liturgical) Year
More fantastic feedback. More hope in the darkness. Some tough, poignant and sacred stories this week. But we also talk about science, human growth, not… Read More »Episode 93: The reality of our hope
An interview with Lacy Finn Borgo, friend, teacher, author of famous emails, spiritual director and founder of Good Dirt ministries. Joe and Lacy pick up… Read More »Episode 92: Lacy Finn Borgo on Seasons of Silence
We have more wonderful, moving emails reflecting on last week’s episode about death. Thank you to the listeners who share such poignant, sacred things. Along… Read More »Episode 91: ‘He will wipe every tear from our eyes’
We discuss death, the afterlife and all that stuff. Basically because we have two fabulous emails. Can you really make friends with death? What happens… Read More »Episode 90: Making friends with death
Ruth is the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director with Tearfund – a job title which makes Nick and Joe quite jealous. She talks about her… Read More »Episode 89: Ruth Valerio on Creation and the Environment
We talk about disagreement within the church. Are the ideas we adopt in Mid-faith Crisis really new, or merely rediscovered? And in this new way… Read More »Episode 88: New paradigms and other mysteries
Order! Order! It’s a mid-faith crisis look at politics – or political debate and discussion to be precise. How can we disagree well with one… Read More »Episode 87: Look, what the people really want to know…
We’re back from our holidays with a bumper bag of feedback, including reaction to the Steve Chalke interview, questions about the Badly Behaved Bible and… Read More »Episode 86: Back with Feedback
A wide-ranging, powerful, thought-provoking (and quite long!) interview with Steve Chalke. Steve talks about his new book, The Lost Message of Paul and how his… Read More »Episode 85: Steve Chalke on the Lost Message of Paul
We’re away on our holidays at the moment. But to keep you going, here’s a supercut of the best moments from long-time contributor to the… Read More »Episode 84: Now that’s what I call Ethel vol 1
In the final part of our romp through Nick’s book The Badly Behaved Bible, we look at the acts of violence in the Old Testament.… Read More »Episode 83: We need to talk about Jehovah
Continuing through The Badly Behaved Bible, we discuss the crucial role of doubt in the development of faith and how the authority of scripture actually… Read More »Episode 82: Authority and Doubt
Continuing through Nick’s book, The Badly Behaved Bible, we have reached some of the… er… murkier bits. We look at the rough, even rude bits… Read More »Episode 81: The Not-so-good Book
Or, canons, colons, unicorns and other stories. Continuing our relentless march through Nick’s book, The Badly Behaved Bible, we look at the formation of the… Read More »Episode 80: Reading and other acts of resistance
It’s the second in our series looking at Nick’s book, The Badly Behaved Bible. This time we’re looking at how the Bible was created and… Read More »Episode 79: Exile Stories
It’s the first of our series on Nick’s book, The Badly Behaved Bible. We talk about the misinformation surrounding the scriptures, whether Christians have to… Read More »Episode 78: The God-breathed Book
How do we deal with feelings of failure? How do we change the wrong narratives that tend to trap us? We explore the power of… Read More »Episode 77: A World Class Failure
Happy Christmas everyone. For some reason Joe has decided that mid-July is the ideal time to reflect on Christmas. So grab a mince pie, pull… Read More »Episode 76: The Christmas Special. In July.
Nick’s been on a pilgrimage. (Or a pubgrimage as his wife called it). We talk about what defines a pilgrimage, and what makes it different… Read More »Episode 75: On Pubgrimage
Can we really say anything about God? We talk about the need to get rid of old images of God and replace them with new… Read More »Episode 74: Effing the Ineffable
A lot of feedback this episode, with people sharing their thin places, and questions about counselling and communities. We talk about the benefits of spiritual… Read More »Episode 73: Talking therapies
Yes, we’re back from our trip to the RSPB Minsmere Bird Reserve. And in this, short, but perfectly formed episode, we reflect on what we… Read More »Episode 72: Letting go in Minsmere
Nick interviews writer and all-round top bloke Adrian Plass. We talk about church, living in community, speaking honestly, some surprising answers to prayer and how… Read More »Episode 71: An Interview with Adrian Plass
We talk about the places where you really get a sense of God’s presence. We know that God is with us everywhere and at every… Read More »Episode 70: The Thin Places.
Nick talks about his new book. Also we look at the importance of asking the right question, the need to recognise what path of life… Read More »Episode 69: The Badly Behaved Bible and other topics
Nick’s been on a course. On an island. An island off the coast of Ireland. We talk about different kinds of spirituality, about the need… Read More »Episode 68: Pay attention, everyone
We talk about work and its importance in our lives. How can we be a blessing in the workplace? What can it show us about… Read More »Episode 67: Work, work, work
Yes it’s here! Like a thief in the night, the second coming episode has actually arrived. We talk all things apocalyptic. Don’t get left behind… Read More »Episode 66(6) The Second Coming
A look at how Easter can help us explore our journey in a new way. There’s stuff on deconstructing faith, why victims of manflu need more help, the new Christian festivals of ‘Washing the Donkey Saturday’ and the Bifidus Digestum, Calvinist Kinder Eggs and the sheer joy of telling people to ‘bless off’.
Nick has written an article. It’s about how psychology can help us not to sin quite so much. So Joe asks him questions about it. Oh… Read More »Episode 64: Seven Ways to Stop Sinning
We’re joined again by Alexander Shaia who reflects on a 55-day pilgrimage along the Camino way. He talks to Joe about the challenges of coming home… Read More »Episode 63: On Pilgrimage with Alexander Shaia
So, we’re in the mid-faith crisis. Do we still seek to make converts? And if so, what does conversion look like these days? The boys… Read More »Episode 62: Conversing about Converting
We’ve got follow up! Listeners send us great tips for being unhappy. Nick’s wife, Claire, sends in three pages of notes on his behaviour. Joe… Read More »Episode 61: How not to be happy part 2
We were going to do an episode on happiness, but then we realised we weren’t very good at that. So here are our top tips… Read More »Episode 60: How Not to be Happy
And we’re back! After a brief New Year break, we have an interview with Trevor Hudson. Trevor takes us through the cycle of grace, how God’s… Read More »Episode 59: The Cycle of Grace with Trevor Hudson
What actually is the real meaning of Christmas? What does it signify for those of us in the mid-faith crisis? In this yuletide episode we… Read More »Episode 58: Christmas and all that swaddling
An interview with Mark Scandrette about personal growth, the role of the enneagram in understanding ourselves and how through the beatitudes Jesus calls us back… Read More »Episode 57: Back to Reality with Mark Scandrette
It’s the long awaited (and quite long) film show. We pick our top films to help us think about spiritual formation. Typically, Joe’s all come… Read More »Episode 56: The Mid-faith Crisis Film Club
In the feedback from our personality episode, we discuss the ‘masks’ we wear in order to conform, their relationship to personality, and how they can… Read More »Episode 55: Taking off the masks
In this episode, Joe interviews theologian Bethany Sollereder to explore the issue of death and dying. Why is our culture so afraid of death? Why is grieving important?… Read More »Episode 54: ‘Death is a Very Good Part of Life’
What role does personality play in faith? We explore ideas about personality types, and how our different personalities affect what we believe and how we… Read More »Episode 53: Personality Types
Yes, it’s the second anniversary of the Mid-faith Crisis podcast. We reflect on why we started this, what, if anything, has changed in our lives… Read More »Episode 52: Now we are two!
In this second part of our discussion of the cross (recorded about 5 seconds after the end of the first part) we explore some of… Read More »Episode 51: The Mystery of the Cross
In the first of two-parts on this topic, we explore the cross – the event which lies at the heart of the Christian Gospel. In this… Read More »Episode 50: The Scandal of The Cross
It’s a feedback episode with great stories from the listeners about the power of forgiveness. We touch on the need to forgive ourselves, discuss whether… Read More »Episode 49: Serious stuff with jokes in it
Forgiveness is, perhaps, the most characteristically Christian thing that we do. But what does it look like? How do we go about forgiving those who have… Read More »Episode 48: Inching towards forgiveness
We say that ‘God is love’. But how do we know that? This episode explores the need for experiences, feelings and emotions. We look at the need… Read More »Episode 47: You have to leave in order to return
In which our heroes sit on a bench in the North Devon countryside, and ramble on about how the knowledge that God loves us can… Read More »Episode 46: Rambling in Lee Abbey
In which our heroes discuss the value and practice of going on retreat and the need for solitude, silence and reflection. Including our top tips… Read More »Episode 45: ‘A massive suitcase full of us’
In which we look at calling, guidance and all that stuff. Do you have to be called to the ministry or is it OK just to want… Read More »Episode 44: How big is your calling?
Joe interviews Steve Chalke. Always engaging and thought-provoking, he talks about how we wrongly define church, what the gospel is and the meaning of the Greek word, pistis. No,… Read More »Episode 43: Taking the Pistis with Steve Chalke
Along with a humungous amount of excellent, thought-provoking feedback this week, Joe temporarily masters technology enough to record an interview with listener Shane Styles, whose guidelines… Read More »Episode 42: Flippant Depth
In what can only be described as a ‘low-key’ episode, our heroes meet in a hotel in the countryside somewhere to discuss the future of… Read More »Episode 41.5: Bonus episode – Back to the future
In which our heroes discuss hell, damnation and other associated, cheery subjects. Is there such a thing as an orthodox view of hell? What are the… Read More »Episode 41: What the hell!
In which our heroes discuss the need to detach from distractions, especially social media and all that stuff. We talk about the need for space in… Read More »Episode 40: Detachment and Deep Work
Happy Easter, everyone. This week we have the second part of our interview with Alexander Shaia on his idea of the fourfold journey as it… Read More »Episode 39: Interview with Alexander Shaia Part 2
In the first of a two-part interview we hear from Alexander Shaia, author, teacher, speaker and, most remarkably, a person who is prepared to go… Read More »Episode 38: Interview with Alexander Shaia Part 1
In which we talk quite a lot about how a wrong image of God leads to problems with prayer. Plus lots of other topics, (not least why the mid-faith… Read More »Episode 37: The magic prayer word is banana
In which our heroes tackle a whole bunch of feedback on various topics, including stages of faith, the good and the bad side of beauty… Read More »Episode 36: ‘There is something hypnotic about your podcast…’
In which our heroes share their expertise about being parents. A short podcast, then. Anyway, we discuss how to talk to children about God in the Mid-faith Crisis, why pretending… Read More »Episode 35: How to succeed at parenting and other myths
In which our heroes discuss the body. Is dieting a spiritual discipline? Is it wrong to care about our appearance? How can we achieve a… Read More »Episode 34: How to Look Good Sacred
In which our heroes discuss different ways of building thankfulness into our lives. What difference does it make? And is Nick ever going to be… Read More »Episode 33: Practical Thankfulness
Yes, it’s the Christ-tide Eve-Eve show. In which our heroes discuss all things Christmassy. We focus on what’s really important about Christmas, the sparkliness or otherwise… Read More »Episode 32: Happy Christ-tide Eve-Eve!
In which our heroes reflect a bit on last episode’s arguments before going on to discuss the spirituality of… er… Paddington 2. Why do we… Read More »Episode 31: The Spirituality of Paddington
In a strangely argumentative episode, Nick and Joe talk about what it means to follow Jesus. Nick gets very insistent on the resurrection, Joe uses the word… Read More »Episode 30: Jesus Part 1
In which we have an interview with Roy Searle, one of the founders of the Northumbria Community. Roy talks about the importance of space, the… Read More »Episode 29: The Landscape of the Heart
In which our heroes get up early and talk about books. What books have transformed your understanding of God or of what it means to be… Read More »Episode 28: Lots of Books
In which our heroes talk about all the feedback from the last episode, reflect on the first ever Day for the Bewildered (including Ethel immortalised… Read More »Episode 27: We’ve got a big announcement
It’s our first anniversary! And to celebrate, we’ve got actual content, with an interview with the very wonderful Jill Rowe, in which she talks about women and… Read More »Episode 26: Walking each other home
In which our heroes deal with more feedback from recent episodes. How do we cope with the painful, destructive effects of sin? Do we hold our beliefs, or… Read More »Episode 25: ‘Weakness, negligence and deliberate fault’
In which our heroes discuss sin, guilt and other bad stuff. Do we take sin too seriously? Or not seriously enough? And is there anything we… Read More »Episode 24: It’s a sin!
In which our heroes deal with the excellent feedback from last episode. After our podcast on creeds, we hear from the listeners about their beliefs.… Read More »Episode 23: Definitely Maybe
In which our heroes try to come up with a creed for the Mid-faith crisis. In what will surely end up as a schism between… Read More »Episode 22: The schism starts here
In which our heroes record the podcast – in a Pod! On holiday! Yes, a bit of an unusual edition this one, recorded on holiday in Scotland. We… Read More »Episode 21: What we did on our holiday
In which our heroes write a letter to their younger, less bald versions. And, indeed, where we share some lovely letters that our listeners have… Read More »Episode 20: Letters to our younger selves
In which our heroes discuss change and transformation. How do we change? What does it look like? How can Nick claim to have changed when… Read More »Episode 19: Marginal Gains
In which our heroes sit in Joe’s garden, listen to the birdsong, chill out and discuss… er… anger. What makes us angry? Is it always… Read More »Episode 18: Don’t make me angry
In which our heroes discuss the use and abuse of labels. Are you liberal or conservative? Progressive or traditional? Catholic or evangelical? What do we… Read More »Episode 17: Lifting the Label
It’s our second ever interview! It’s another man called Dave! Joe interviews Dave Tomlinson, author of How to be a Bad Christian, The Bad Christian’s… Read More »Episode 16: How to be a Bad Christian
In which our heroes discuss how hard it is to be truly honest and what stops us from letting others see behind the masks we… Read More »Episode 15: Telling the Truth
In which our heroes discuss the necessity of waiting and the hope of resurrection. It’s Easter Saturday, a day when, in the gospels, nothing much happens. Hopes have… Read More »Episode 14: Waiting for Resurrection
In which we feature our very first interview! Joe interviews Dave Steell, who leads One Church, Brighton, and discusses the idea that, with the right values, the… Read More »Episode 13: Values, not vision
In which our heroes discuss one of the key practices of the Christian life. Yes, it’s the first of a series we’re calling by the… Read More »Episode 12: The Problem of Prayer
In which we look at what it means to belong. Joe shares his life story, Nick has been giving himself, and we discover the menopraise, which is like the… Read More »Episode 11: We all need to belong
In which our heroes look at what it means to be saved. What does it mean to be born again? Should we even still be using the… Read More »Episode 10: Yes, but are you ‘born again’?
It’s a feedback show! In which our heroes share some letters and emails from some of our listeners – all of which are more profound, intelligent… Read More »Episode 9: Get grumpy about something that matters
In which our heroes discuss the gospel. What’s so good about the good news? Along the way we explore the concept of a press release from… Read More »Episode 8: The good news, part one
In which our heroes discuss happiness. Happy new year, everyone! But what does it mean to be happy? Can we really pursue happiness? What really makes… Read More »Episode 7: I’m H.A.P.P.Y
In which our heroes celebrate Christmas. Why is it good news? It’s a special Christmas episode, enlivened by the fact that Joe and and Nick… Read More »Episode 6: ‘Do not be afraid…’
In which our heroes discuss church. What is it? Why do people stop going? This week’s podcast look at the strengths and limitations of church,… Read More »Episode 5: Church, and how to survive it
In which our heroes discuss what it means to have a dialogue with the Bible. How do we read the Bible? Why are people threatened… Read More »Episode 4: The Bible is a weird thing…
In which our heroes discuss the difficulties of having false and even pagan images of God. Are the images we have helpful? How do we change them?… Read More »Episode 3: Father, Son and Floaty Thing
In which, our heroes discuss Carl Jung’s ideas about mid-life and the masks we wear. Along the way, Nick and Joe discuss what realistic worship songs might sound like, whether Brian McClaren should have a performing goat, and Nick’s failure to preach enough about sin.
What are the symptoms of the mid-faith crisis? And what can we do about it? This introductory podcast looks at how we can respond when our faith seems to be in meltdown. Along the way Joe and Nick explore doubt and hope, the dangerously scary inner work of the heart, Nick’s experience dating Teresa of Avila, the possibilities of backsliding as an Olympic event and what it’s like to wear the trousers of ambiguity.