Daytime with Lydia

Is the Church failing single people? Church should be a place of deep belonging for everyone but for single people, it can be often be a place where they feel left out or pressured because of their relationship status. So how do we shift the culture in our churches to genuinely value people of every stage of life? And if marriage is something we hope for, how do we keep it from becoming an idol? Nigel and Careena Van Zyl, founders of Cherish Singles Ministry joined Lydia to unpack.

The story of Rev. Fernando Carrillo stands out among those who were miraculously changed by the love of God. Fernando is the founder and CEO of Wellwater. He is also the host of London’s Leadership Podcast, works as an executive coach, and currently serves as the vicar of Christ Church, Peckham. But life didn’t start easily for Fernando. His journey to faith and to discovering Jesus is truly remarkable. He joined Lydia Bennett to share his powerful story and journey of faith.

Scripture doesn’t tiptoe around human emotion, it speaks of grief, anger, frustration - nothing is edited out or dressed up. And yet, running all the way through the Bible is a promise of peace, comfort, hope. So what happens when our internal world doesn’t match that promise and negativity feels louder than truth? Shaun Lambert joined Lydia to unpack what it looks like to break out of cynical thought patterns, and how we practically step into the joy of the Lord, even when it doesn’t come naturally.

Bikes4Mission exists to equip indigenous workers with the motorcycles they need to take the Good News deeper into unreached communities across Asia and Africa. The organisation was founded less than a year ago, but it’s already seeing key needs being met by the work they’re doing. Founder Ian Read joined Lydia Bennett to share his story and how God has uniquely woven this into this ministry.

We all do it, but comparing ourselves only steals our joy! How can we make sure comparison doesn't plant seeds of bitterness in our hearts? Howard Espie joined Lydia to unpack this question. Howard is an Anglican priest, spiritual director and leader of the Greenwood Retreat on the west coast of Scotland.

In his new book, In Good Faith: How the Nature of Belief Shapes the Fate of Societies, author and former Economist journalist Ryan Avent argues that faith shapes how we cooperate, how we build institutions, and how we imagine the future we’re working towards. He joined Lydia Bennett to explain how he came to that conclusion.

The Bucket Ministry exists to share God’s love through the gift of clean, safe drinking water. Founded in 2012, the ministry has since grown into a worldwide movement. Christopher Beth, the Founder, Chief Storyteller, and Director of The Bucket Ministry, joined Lydia Bennett to share his testimony and the vision behind the ministry.

What happens when the healing we’re praying for is delayed, looks different from what we expected, or doesn’t arrive at all? That is the tension that Andy Robinson had to wrestle with after learning he had stage 4 cancer. In his new book, The Big C in Me, Andy shares his cancer journey and the testing of his faith. He joined Lydia Bennett to share his testimony and how he learned to go from "Lord, why me?" to asking "Lord, what now?"

The Bible reminds us in Song of Songs 2:15, “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards.” It’s often not the big dramatic moments that damage our relationships; it’s the small, everyday “foxes”. So how do we clear out what hinders us and make space for healthier, God‑honouring connections to flourish? Certified Marriage & Relationship Coach, and Affair Recovery Specialist, Adaeze Chiwoko, joined Lydia Bennett to unpack this

Becky Chaplin was abandoned as a baby on the side of a road in Kenya but she was miraculously found and later adopted by missionary parents - this is when Becky’s life took a remarkable turn. Today, she serves as an occupational therapist with Mercy Ships and is mentoring Sierra Leone’s first cohort of physiotherapists. So how did this extraordinary journey unfold? Becky shared her powerful story with Lydia Bennett.

Easter is a reminder that we have access to the power of the resurrection every single day of the year. The very Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is at work within us! So what does it look like to actually live out that resurrection life? Retreat leader, speaker, author and spiritual director Amy Boucher-Pye sat down with Lydia to unpack this before leading a beautiful time of extended meditation.

Shaping identity starts young, which is why it’s so important that children grow up with strong, godly role models. That’s something Dr Nkechi Ifediora is deeply passionate about. As the founder of Sparkle Queen Global Ministries, she joined Lydia to share how Sparkle Queen Dolls are helping young girls discover their God-given identity, through the power of play.

When you think about worship, what’s the very first picture that comes to mind? Daniel Johnson, Programme Leader for Theology, Music, and Worship Studies at the London School of Theology, joined Lydia Bennett to explore what the Bible actually says about worship, Christian worship throughout history, and the practical nuts and bolts of congregational worship.

Can music speak into something as complex, and sometimes as painful, as the asylum system? For Josh Asokan, the answer is a resounding yes. Josh is the founder and director of Odyssey Ensemble - the UK’s first professional orchestra devoted entirely to telling and amplifying refugee stories through music. He joined Premier’s Lydia Bennett to share his story.

From the Gospel accounts not lining up perfectly to the differences across the resurrection narratives, the nature of biblical truth can sometimes feel unclear. Church historian, theologian, and senior pastor of Stirling Baptist Church, Alasdair Black, joined Lydia Bennett to explore why we can trust the Bible even though it isn’t always tidy.