Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, but unlike Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday, it often passes us by. So what’s it all about, and what could we be missing? Sister Gemma Simmonds, theologian and spiritual director, joined Esther with a quick “Bluffer’s Guide” to the season, fresh from her early-morning Ash Wednesday service.
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid caused a storm on the slopes last week when he publicly apologised for having an affair. But was such openness wise? Speaker and entrepreneur Kika Ashanike and Jack Valero, founder of Catholic Voices, joined Esther Higham to unpack the Sacrament of Confession, public vs private apologies, and why we can't live without forgiveness.
Heaven is something most people believe in, even if they’re not Christians. It’s often imagined as a place up in the sky, somewhere beyond the clouds. But what if that’s where we’ve gone wrong? According to theologian Tom (N. T.) Wright, heaven isn’t simply a place we go to when we die, it's much, much more. He joined Esther to share more about it and his new book on the subject.
American pop star Meghan Trainor recently faced fierce backlash after posting a photo with her newborn, praising her “superwoman surrogate.” But what does the Bible have to say? And was Jesus technically born via a surrogate? Esther spoke to Dr Susan Marriott from the Christian Medical Fellowship, Tim Dieppe, Head of Public Policy at Christian Concern, and Dr Pia Matthews, senior lecturer at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
How far would you go for someone you love? Daniel Forrester is walking more than 5,000 miles for the person he loves, his fiancée Caroline, who died from cancer in 2024. Starting in the UK, Daniel hopes to finish in Caroline’s home country of Ghana, where he plans to scatter her ashes while also raising money for charity. He’s made it as far as southern Spain and phoned in to share how the journey is going and how God has met him along the way.
With a national social media ban for under-16's on the horizon, could this keep children from encountering Jesus? Young people are spending more time online than ever, but is the risk worth it if they might encounter faith content in the middle of the endless scroll? To help us, Esther was joined by Dr Ben Chang, a medical doctor and author; Judith Davey-Cole, CEO of Girls Brigade; and content creator Esther Tikare to unpack how a social media ban could affect the faith of under-16's...
Some young people are finding aspects of Jesus’s character challenging, according to a report from Youthscape. Gemma Madle, Senior Researcher at Youthscape, and Peter Wright, Assistant Director of Growing Young Disciples, join Esther to reflect on the Troubling Jesus report and whether our Saviour was a mansplainer...
Shara Grylls takes Esther Higham behind the scenes of her marriage to explorer and broadcaster Bear Grylls. From the unique challenges high-profile couples face to the simple power of holding hands, Shara reveals the lessons she’s learned from decades of an adventurous marriage — and the Bible verse engraved inside her own wedding ring.
Premier’s Max Avard sat down with Tabitha Heathcote – mum of three and family discipleship trainer – to explore the enduring charm of Paddington Bear, star of page, screen and now stage. Why do children love him so much? And in what ways does his story and character echo the person of Jesus?
6 in 100 people are diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder each week, according to mental healthcare group Priory. But when do everyday worries become something more? And how can faith be integrated into therapeutic techniques? Jane Kirby, author of Say Goodbye to Anxiety, and consultant psychiatrist Dr Chi-Chi Obuaya spoke with Esther Higham.
Esther Higham is joined by guest editor Mark Greene and worship leader Madeleine Kerzner, both of Jewish heritage, to reflect on the rise in antisemitism — and why supporting Jewish people in our communities doesn’t need to be complicated or political.
Do you struggle to take Jesus to work with you? Author, speaker, and guest editor Mark Greene, joined Esther Higham and her husband Jeremy, founder of Ministers of Jesus Out There (MOJO), to chat about bringing faith into everyday work conversations, getting used to awkward prayer, and why your work clothes are your priestly robes.
Are we living in a new world order? Canada’s President, Mark Carney, seems to think so. He claims that Donald Trump’s policies and aggressive moves on the geopolitical stage have led to a new landscape which hasn’t seen this much change since the Cold War. Esther Higham spoke to Danny Webster, Head of Advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, to ask whether he agreed.
Kanye West has joined many celebrities making public apologies, taking out a double-page ad in the Wall Street Journal to say sorry for recent antisemitic comments. Some see self-awareness; others doubt his sincerity. It raises a question for Christians: are apologies just for God, or also for those we hurt? Minister and forgiveness specialist Lin Button spoke with Esther about it.
Gone are the days when a simple card signalled romantic interest — so how do you start a relationship in 2026? New research from Eido suggests 70% of Christian women want men to be confident and ask them out. But what if it backfires and comes across as inappropriate? Singer-songwriter Sharyn, host of Premier Gospel’s new series "Swipe Right With Jesus", shares her advice on navigating modern dating, but first they addressed the news of the passing of Gospel legend Ron Kenoly.
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