Inspirational Breakfast with Esther Higham

Have you ever filled a Pick-’N-Mix bag at the cinema with every colour and flavour you could grab? A recent article suggests that nearly 40% of Gen Z and young Millennials are taking the same approach to faith, mixing and matching beliefs to suit their own taste. To explore this growing trend, Esther is joined by author and speaker Reverend Dr Ian Paul to discuss what’s driving this shift and how the whole Gospel can connect with younger generations.

Megachurch vs. small congregation—does size really make a difference? Greg Laurie argues that criticising large churches is “like being against restaurants with long lines". But is bigger always better? And how do we recognise genuine spiritual fruit in churches of any size? David Lloyd, Leader of The Garden Church Network, joins Esther Higham to explore what true growth would look like in each context.

Nearly 1 million people in the UK are living with dementia, but how does this condition impact their faith and spiritual life? Author and chaplain Rev Ben Boland shares moving stories with Esther Higham, revealing how God’s imprint on a person’s life can endure, even as memory fades and the mind deteriorates.

Do we need to be wiser with our giving? You want to help, but give too hastily, and you might end up donating to the wrong places, only to see your gift in the wrong person’s pocket or your food donation rotting in a warehouse. And when something like a natural disaster occurs, this decision is more important than ever. Esther Higham was joined by Daniel Jones from Stewardship and James Brazier from Samaritan’s Purse, both involved in ensuring your donations are used as intended!

Ever opened your Bible only to stumble into a scene of shocking violence and wonder why it’s even there? These passages never make it into sermons or onto fridge magnets, so they can catch us off guard. With trigger warnings now standard across media, should some Bible readings come with their own? And how do we help children navigate Scripture’s darkest moments? Children’s minister and Parenting for Faith founder Rachel Turner, and Westcott House lecturer Dr Karen O’Donnell, join Esther to dig in.

Should phones be banned in church? Josh Hinton, Head of Communications at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, and psychologist Sarah Taylor joined Esther to share whether phones should be locked away for a Sunday service or if the positives outweigh the negatives of having them out on a Sunday morning!

A new Bible from the German Bible Society depicts Bible characters as cartoon animals, like Moses as a hippo and Esther as a gazelle! It’s designed to help children engage with the stories, but is that OK? Olly Goldenberg from Children Can joins Esther Higham to discuss whether using phones in church improves accessibility for children or if it risks watering down the Gospel experience.

Janet Gough OBE, architectural historian and author of the new book Divine Light, joins Esther Higham to explore how stained-glass windows can help us encounter and appreciate God. Together, they discuss her favourite examples across the UK, how to read the stories they tell, and why she believes their beauty more than justifies their enormous cost.

A new review of England’s curriculum is recommending fewer exams and a greater focus on life skills and “enrichment.” But how might these changes shape our children’s futures and prospects? And how would God assess our intellect and achievements? Headteacher David Bedford and tutor Chris Follett speak to Esther Higham.

Rev. Major Phil Parker, Ministry Director of SASRA (The Soldiers’ and Aviators’ Scripture Readers Association), joins Esther Higham for Armistice Day to discuss the challenges faced by today’s military personnel, the Christian perspective on warfare, and how remembering the sacrifices of past generations can help us value the peace and stability we enjoy today.

Do you ever wonder if it’s your own voice or God’s? Bill Cahusac, Director of Pastoral Care at Emmaus Road, has learned to take risks in following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. He spoke to Esther Higham about the subtle and supernatural ways God moves, the importance of being interruptible, and the wild experiences that happen when we step out in faith.

Phil Sokell-Miles, author of Sticky Note Prayers, joins Mal Pope to unpack the stories and explore the impact of a movement that began with a single sticky note on a classroom wall and has since reached over 1 million children and young people in more than 7,000 prayer spaces across at least 35 countries.

JD Vance, the U.S. Vice President, has publicly expressed his desire for his Hindu wife to become a Christian. It’s a deeply personal matter—but also one that resonates with many believers who find themselves in spiritually mixed marriages. Author, teacher, and mentor Mo Tizzard—who has written about this in Premier Christianity Magazine—joined Mal Pope to unpack this.

Comedian and author Paul Kerensa joins Esther Higham to share his predictions for the Celebrity Traitors final and why the show's rife with Old Testament parallels.

Is the war in Ukraine more than a political conflict? Could there be a spiritual dimension to what’s unfolding — or should we be cautious about using that kind of language? Esther Higham speaks with Karl Ahlgren, Associate Producer of A Faith Under Siege, and Ella Persedoss, Director of Ukraine Christian Ministries, to explore the experiences and resilience of Christians in the region.