Nigeria has risen to seventh and remains one of the deadliest places to be a Christian on Open Doors’ latest World Watch List, with nearly 3,500 Christians killed last year. The issue is now being raised in Parliament by the UK’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief, David Smith MP, who spoke to Esther Higham.
Is “Divorce Day” a real thing — or just media hype? Michaela Hyde, Executive Director at the Marriage Foundation, and Emma Atkins, from Family Life UK, joined Esther Higham to unpack the myth and the reality, explore how churches can talk about divorce without shame, and reflect on how we hold conviction and grace together in our view of marriage.
Pubs can be as much a part of British life as our churches, and in many villages, they’re practically neighbours. However, with rising costs and tighter regulations, more local pubs are facing their last orders. So should the church step in to help keep them alive? The Crask Inn in the Scottish Highlands is owned by the Scottish Episcopal Church, where prayers are offered alongside pints. Manager Shane Sieweke joined Esther to share how faith should be on tap at UK pubs!
Sheridan Voysey from the Friendship Lab joins Esther Higham to discuss the need to step out of the online world and enjoy the “richness” of in-person friendships. They chat about AI chatbots, going on friendship dates, and the epidemic of isolation.
New Year’s Day saw the return of the BBC’s The Traitors, a show all about deception and trust. But spotting a traitor isn’t just a TV challenge. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus warns about false prophets; wolves in sheep’s clothing. So how can we recognise them in real life, especially in our churches and communities? Rev Dr Alasdair Black of Stirling Baptist Church shared his insights with Esther Higham on Inspirational Breakfast.
What defines a great Christian leader today? Influence, conversions, book sales? or something deeper? With modern ministry shaped by platform followers and reach, how can leaders use visibility well without being distracted by metrics? Rich Johnson of New Wine and Tommy Stewart of Transform the World explored these questions with Esther, as well as why platforms can cause our favourite leaders to stumble..
Cancel culture has become one of the most hotly debated topics of modern life. Some argue it gives voice to the marginalised and enforces accountability, while others feel it stifles free speech and shuts down debate. Revd Dr Helen Paynter, Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, and leadership coach Paul Anderson-Walsh joined Esther to explore what the term even means anymore, which Bible characters might be “cancelled” today, and why God chose so many controversial leaders.
The Apostle Paul urges believers in Corinthians to “eagerly desire the spiritual gifts” — but what does that look like in everyday life? And what if we’re nervous about how the Holy Spirit might disrupt our carefully ordered routines? Nick and Rev Ali Herbert, leaders at Gas Street Church and authors of Powerhouse: Encouraging the Ministry of the Spirit, spoke to Esther Higham.
Charles Maasz, CEO of Glasgow City Mission, joins Esther to reflect on the practical and spiritual ways we can help those most severely affected by the cold weather.
Church of England priest Rev Pippa White and Pioneer Minister Rev Eryl Parry joined Esther to reflect on the lessons learnt from nearly six years of online church and where we need to be cautious of relying on it.
When does Christmas really end? For many Christians, including those in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Christmas is still to come. While much of the world packed away the decorations days ago, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th, following the feast of Theophany. Esther Higham spoke to Deacon Caedmon Clark from St Hilda of Whitby, Halifax, to explore what Orthodoxy is, why Christmas falls on a different date, and how Orthodox Christians mark this sacred season.
How do we stop projecting our own image onto Jesus and learn to see him as he truly is? Jonty Allcock, pastor of Globe Church and author of More of Jesus: 50 Truths to Turn Your Heart to Praise, speaks to Esther Higham about where we often misunderstand Christ’s love, what we can learn from his 30 years of obscurity, and why it’s dangerous to co-opt Jesus for our own political agendas.
Have you started a new resolution this year, or are you already feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to improve? Christian psychiatrist Rob Waller, alongside minister and mentor Jaqueline Peart, joined Esther to share simple, practical advice on how to approach resolutions in a healthier, more meaningful way.
How could journaling in 2026 change your life and transform your relationship with God? Coleen Myers, speaker and business consultant, and Emma Lou Francis, founder of Kobey House, spoke to Esther about the health benefits of keeping a diary, why we need to be brutally honest with ourselves, and how we best keep track of what God's done in our lives.
Rev David Snr joins Esther Higham with a rousing New Year message on why there's been no better time to share the Good News with your friends, family and colleagues. Plus, a first look at Premier’s new app Journa — designed to revolutionise your quiet time.
