Mid-faith Crisis

We think more about the personalisation of the good news. What is the evidence for fullness of life in our lives? Are we the best… Read More »Episode 368: ‘What if they were a bit saved already?’

We discuss truth and fakery, the simplicity and complexity of the good news, and about how we can encounter the risen Christ through art, music… Read More »Episode 367: Emmaus experiences

After a false start last week, Joe is back with a bit of clarity about his theme for the year. Also, as we approach Easter,… Read More »Episode 366: Defiant hope

Yes, it’s the fabled Mid-faith Crisis New Year’s episode. We talk about how our themes worked out last year (spoilers: not so good) and what… Read More »Episode 365: Happy New Year 2026

Mid-way through Nick’s writing month and it’s time for a catch up. Nick has an apology to make and Joe wants to be Supreme Leader.… Read More »Episode 364: Joice at something you’ve never joiced at before

In this week’s episode we think about goals and training, coping with overwhelmingly needy emails and, most importantly, dealing with the mubble fubbles. Also, Nick… Read More »Episode 363: A case of the mubble fubbles

We revisit genial sin, consider discipleship as an investment account and revel in the origins of the word ‘Lent’. Also, Nick shows off and Joe… Read More »Episode 362: Full of the joys of Lent

As we enter Lent, how can we make space in our lives to hear from God? In this episode we talk about the role of… Read More »Episode 361: Cherish your twiddly buttons

More feedback this week on the key questions: are we friends of Jesus or are we followers? Can we really be friends with a tree?… Read More »Episode 360: The one where we carry on talking about friends

In this episode we think about the metaphors we use for our relationship with Jesus. Are we friends of Jesus? Or followers? Or slaves? Does… Read More »Episode 359: What a friend we have in Jesus?

We return to the subject of grace, forgiveness and justice. Are all sins really the same? If so, what do we make of ‘serious sin’?… Read More »Episode 358: ‘We’ve invented a new category of sin’

We talk about self-understanding (and our apparent lack of it), and reflect on whether you can have seasons of spirituality. And, in the light of… Read More »Episode 357: Sitting on an enormous grace hill

New year, new podcast. But same old us, sadly. Anyway, good to be back with you. This week we visit some old emails and talk… Read More »Episode 356: No, you can’t get an Amen

In our final (probably) podcast for 2025, we each look back on the three things we’ve learned this year. Which doesn’t, apparently, include (a) watching… Read More »Episode 355: So, what have we learned?

Joe is back from Mexico and Nick has recovered from man flu. We talk about who we really are as individuals, and how that affects… Read More »Episode 354: Who do you say you are?

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

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