GCSE Results Day can bring a huge range of emotions — from celebration and relief to disappointment and uncertainty. So what should young people do if their results weren’t what they hoped for? And how can family and friends offer encouragement and reassurance? Chernise Neo, Head of Impact and Strategic Projects at Spear, spoke to Esther Higham about making the most of results day, whatever the outcome!
Who do you tell when someone you love is diagnosed with a serious illness? And what happens when they ask you to keep it secret? Following Queen Camilla’s comments on the pressure of keeping King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis private, Esther was joined by Professor of Oncology Tim Maughan and Richard Cox from Firm Roots to explore the difficult conversations and practical challenges families can face when navigating illness together — and why Christians can be just as anxious about what to say and do.
Following the death of Jason Arday, what is it like to be a Black Christian in the public eye — and what can our media, academic institutions and churches learn from the events leading up to his death? Esther was joined by pastor and theologian Jeronne Rudder and journalist and broadcaster Roger Bolton to explore the complexities and controversies surrounding Jason’s story.
A new twin study from Lund University suggests IQ is around 75% genetically influenced. Ruth and Claire Jackson join Esther to chat about the unique bond they’ve formed as (near) identical twins, using their likeness to escape detention at school, the continued confusion at family gatherings, and how being a twin has shaped their faith.
How do you get out of debt when it feels like there’s no way out? With 8.5 million working-age adults experiencing material deprivation, what needs to be done to tackle poverty? As Andy Burnham takes his cost-of-living tour around the UK, CAP CEO Stuart McCulloch tells Producer Jamie Pratt what he makes of the new PM’s commitment to tackling poverty — and how CAP is entering a new chapter!
Nigeria is home to some of the world’s biggest churches — including Abuja’s 100,000-seat Glory Dome — and has around 93 million Christians. But thousands of Christians are being killed for their faith each year. So what is it like to follow Jesus in Nigeria right now? And how could the UK government respond? Esther was joined by Rev Gideon Para-Mallam and Ayo Adedoyin from PSJ UK to explore.
Earlier this month, Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said women shouldn’t feel pressured to have a particular type of birth. Are Christians guilty of this? Have we created our own idea of the “ideal” birth, influenced by social media and expectations? Esther was joined by midwife Hannah Ketcher and Dr Joanna Abiola to explore.
What have you been reading this summer? Maybe a cosy crime novel from Richard Osman, a Francine Rivers biblical romance, or perhaps one of the classics. But what makes a book truly gripping — and does every story need to help you get closer to God? Ruth Leigh and Lisa Cavey joined Esther to explore the power of storytelling and how to get writing yourself!
Following the tragic death of Christian aid worker and missionary Elisabeth-Jane Ross, Mal Pope spoke to mission experts about the realities of serving in potentially dangerous places, and how Christians can better understand suffering, risk and support in mission.
Broadcaster and writer Rachel Redeemed joined Esther to explore the importance — or otherwise — of sharing a surname when you get married. Is taking your husband’s surname a biblical precedent? How does a shared name shape a marriage? And what can we learn from other cultures?
New government plans could see 16- and 17-year-olds face an overnight social media curfew, with apps restricted between midnight and 6am. But will these measures really change our habits? And whether you're a teenager or not, how can we build a healthier relationship with our phones? Premier's Max Avard spoke to author, journalist and public speaker Lauren Windle about setting boundaries, breaking the scroll, and creating better routines.
Can the secular films we watch reveal something about faith, hope and redemption? Rev Andy Godfrey, author of Faith on Film, and Rev Bryony Taylor, author of More TV Vicar?, joined Esther Higham to explore this summer’s biggest cinema releases. They review the latest Spider-Man film, discuss the spiritual lessons from The Odyssey, and explore how the big screen can still help us grapple with life’s biggest questions. Plus, why we might be more like Minions than we think...
When you were younger, what did you imagine life would be like? Life rarely follows our plans. How do we make peace with dreams that never happened, relationships that broke down, or seasons of loss? Poet and storyteller Joshua Luke Smith joined Esther to talk about his new book This Is the Main Event and finding God in the ordinary and unexpected.
How important is storytelling to political leadership? And how do we know when leaders are telling a compelling story—or simply spinning one? Mythographer and Christian thinker Dr Martin Shaw joined Esther Higham to explore the power of myths, stories and testimonies. They unpack the new Prime Minister's folktales, how we pursue depth over success, and why your testimony might be even more powerful if you start telling it in the third person.
Clacton was once one of Britain’s best-known seaside resorts, but it’s now closely associated with Nigel Farage and Reform UK. After resigning as MP earlier this month, Farage is standing again in the by-election he triggered. With the main parties not standing and a record number of independents competing, could this be an opportunity for outsiders — and even Christians — to make their mark in politics? Esther spoke to Nims Obunge MBE and comedy writer James Cary.
