The Sacred

Theos Think Tank

A podcast about our Sacred values and how we can talk to people who are different from ourselves.

Each episode features a conversation with someone who has a public voice, from academics to journalists, playwrights and politicians. We ask them where they have come from, what they are trying to do and what might help heal our very divided public conversations.

The Sacred is hosted by Elizabeth Oldfield and produced in partnership with Comment Magazine, and with support from The Jerusalem Trust and Open Society Foundation

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245 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes245

Newest first

Feb 7, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
Greg Wise on the Transcendent Dimensions of Nature, Death, and Acting
Greg Wise is an actor and film producer best known for his roles in Sense and Sensibility and The Crown. In 2018 he published Not That Kind Of Love, a memoir co-written with his sister Clare about the process of her dying and him taking care of her. He is also known for standing next to his wife, Emma Thompson on the red carpet. Greg spoke about his love for rock climbing and solitude in nature, the role actors play in our common life, and what he learnt about death after caring for his sister. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2024/02/07/greg-wise-on-the-transcendent-dimensions-of-nature-death-and-acting ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ Substack: https://morefullyalive.substack.com/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Jan 17, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
Sacred Dialogue: Elizabeth Answers Your Questions on Faith, Doubt, and Building Community
Elizabeth Oldfield is joined by producer Daniel Turner to answer questions sent in by listeners of the show. Thank you to Hannah Clifton, John Ablett, John Ranford, Jess Reid, AJ Bremner, Paul Mitchell, Marc Czerwinski, Anne Weinhold, Rishi Vaidya and Emily Rajeh for sending in your questions. Special thanks Leanne Sedin for writing and producing the song Gather which you can listen to here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GWbq2ZIl2E You can follow the rest of Leanne's work here: https://www.leannesedin.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Intro 00:06:48 Question 1 - Balancing communal acts with personal integrity 00:13:14 Question 2 - Is there anyone you'd like to invite back? 00:17:23 Question 3 - How do we do theology in the Anthropocene? 00:21:46 Question 4 - Finding community 00:30:06 Question 5 - How do you surrender? How do you believe? 00:44:22 Question 6 - Remaining positive about community after painful experiences 00:48:02 Question 7 - Church vs Nature 00:50:38 Question 8 - Sacred reflections 00:54:33 Question 9 - How can we counter a Christianity that is ideologically possessed? 00:59:00 Outro 01:01:30 Gather by Leanne Sedin ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Nov 15, 2023 · 17 min
Elizabeth Oldfield on Avoiding Labels and the Need for Good Formation | Sacred Reflection
This series of The Sacred Elizabeth spoke with nine fascinating individuals about their core values, and how the messages, philosophies and experiences from their childhood shaped them into the people they are today. She spoke with Cole Arthur Riley, Thordis Elva, James Marriott, Tomiwa Owolade, Anne McElvoy, Tea Uglow, Iain McGilchrist and John Vervaeke. In this reflection episode, Elizabeth takes a look back at all these conversations and dwells on a couple key threads that were prominent throughout. Read 'Can there ever be a larger us in the Middle East?', which Elizabeth contributed to, here: https://larger.us/ideas/larger-us-middle-east/ CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Intro: Scheduling Beyond Demographic Boxes 00:03:00 Series Theme 1: Rigorous Particularity 00:03:59 Series Theme 2: Human Formation 00:07:52 Series Theme 3: Taking Time to Reflect 00:12:00 Series Theme 4: Anti–tribalism 00:15:29 Additional reflection: Israel and Gaza ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Nov 8, 2023 · 1 hr 11 min
John Vervaeke on Fundamentalism Trauma, and Embodying Wisdom
John Vervaeke is professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto. He is also the host of the popular YouTube channel ( @johnvervaeke ) where he explores what he has coined the #meaningcrisis. John spoke about his upbringing in a fundamentalist Christian home and what he has learned from that experience after time in therapy, relationships and the nature of reality, and the rehoming of spiritual practises outside of "legacy religions". Find out more about John's work here: https://johnvervaeke.com ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ Substack: https://morefullyalive.substack.com/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Nov 1, 2023 · 1 hr 22 min
Iain McGilchrist on The Divided Brain and Perceiving the Sacred
Iain McGilchrist is a globally acclaimed psychiatrist and writer author of groundbreaking books ‘The Master And His Emissary’ and ‘The Matter With Things’. Iain spoke with Elizabeth about the varying exposures he had to religion in his childhood, how he went from being an English academic to psychiatry, and the effect left-hemispheric dominant thinking has had on our society. Find out more about Iain's work here: https://channelmcgilchrist.com/ ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ Substack: https://morefullyalive.substack.com/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Oct 25, 2023 · 1 hr 15 min
Tea Uglow on Doubt, Life Pre Transition, and the Shaping Power of Technology
Tea Uglow is the former Creative Director for Google's Creative Labs in Sydney and one of Deloitte's #OUT50 LGBTI+ Leaders for 2018. They are also the author of the books 'A Curiosity of Doubts' and 'Loud and Proud: LGBTQ+ Speeches that Empower and Inspire'. Tea spoke about their childhood, prior to transitioning, and the difficulties of growing up during Margaret Thatcher's Section 28 legislation in the UK. They also spoke about the influence of technology in our lives, the power it has to shape our society and where we might have missed the boat on legislating Artificial Intelligence. ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ Substack: https://morefullyalive.substack.com/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Oct 18, 2023 · 59 min
Anne McElvoy on Journalism's Power to Bridge Divides
Anne McElvoy is a journalist and broadcaster, and host of the BBC Radio 4 series 'Across the Red Line'. Her career has seen her writing and presenting for numerous outlets including Politico, The Economist, The Spectator and The Evening Standard. Anne spoke about her childhood growing up going to a Catholic comprehensive school, her journey in the world of journalism, why she's increasingly concerned about the way we have public debates and what she's trying to do about that. Listen to Across The Red Line, here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09m2bj1 ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ Substack: https://morefullyalive.substack.com/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Oct 11, 2023 · 1 hr 11 min
Tomiwa Owolade on Why Black Lives in Britain Matter
Tomiwa Owolade is a journalist and critic, and writer of the highly acclaimed book 'This is Not America: Why Black Lives in Britain Matter'. Tomiwa spoke about his upbringing and moving from Nigeria to Britain as a boy, why we should approach racism differently in the UK to America, and why he doesn't like being seen solely through the lens of race. You can get a copy of This is Not America here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Not-America-Britain-Matter/dp/1838956212 Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/10/11/tomiwa-owolade-on-why-black-lives-in-britain-matter CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:53 What is sacred to you? Tomiwa Owolade’s answer 00:05:29 Roots of Faith and Culture: Growing Up Christian in Nigeria 00:10:59 From Nigeria to London: Smooth Transitions and Cultural Surprises 00:15:51 Settling with ease in the UK, being Christian, and the irony of African Christian identity 00:21:58 Journey to University and Navigating Identity and Education 00:26:37 This is Not America: Why Black Lives in Britain Matter 00:32:42 Diversity of Black British population, and unhelpful generalisations 00:49:18 Academic fisticuffs and unhelpful racial pigeonholing 00:59:01 Outro: Many things can be true at the same time ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ Substack: https://morefullyalive.substack.com/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Oct 4, 2023 · 1 hr 6 min
James Marriott on Literature and the Art of Review
James Marriott is a columnist and book/podcast critic for The Times. His columns cross a variety of topics from culture to ideas and observations of our society. James spoke about his deep reverence for literature, the objectives of critics, and the role of nihilism in shaping who he is today. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/10/04/james-marriott-on-literature-and-the-art-of-review You can read more from James in his column, here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/james-marriott?page=1 ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ Substack: https://morefullyalive.substack.com/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Sep 27, 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
Thordis Elva on sexual assault and the power of forgiveness
*EPISODE DISCLAIMER* This episode was recorded before brand allegations emerged. It feels very timely but also potentially a difficult time for us to be releasing it. In the end, we wanted to leave as is because Thordis and her story is about more than sexual violence, and because the topic of sexual violence itself is about more than one person and their story. But we're also very aware there are a lot of complex and conflicting thoughts following the allegations emerging. So as ever please do get in touch and let us know your thoughts. Thordis Elva is a writer and speaker best known for her powerful story of forgiving and reconciling with her rapist, Tom. Her Ted Talk, given alongside Tom, has been viewed over six million times. Thordis spoke about her story of sexual assault and journey to forgiveness, the challenge of recognising the human nature of those who hurt you, and the uniting force that is hope. Watch Thordis' Ted talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/thordis_elva_and_tom_stranger_our_story_of_rape_and_reconciliation Buy a copy of Thordis' book, South of Forgiveness, here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/south-of-forgiveness/thordis-elva/tom-stranger/9781911344056 ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ Substack: https://morefullyalive.substack.com/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Sep 20, 2023 · 57 min
Cole Arthur Riley on storytelling and learning to express anger
This episode takes place live at the Greenbelt Festival, and in it Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to writer, Cole Arthur Riley. Cole Arthur Riley is a writer and the creator of the very successful social media account, Black Liturgies - "a space where Black words of dignity, lament, rage, and rest, are curated and integrated with a liberating spirituality". She is also the author of the NYT bestseller, This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories that Make Us. Cole spoke about her childhood and growing up being raised by a young dad, the power of sharing stories, and how she has learned to express rage through her writing. You can follow Black Liturgies on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/blackliturgies/ Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/09/20/cole-arthur-riley-on-storytelling-and-learning-to-express-anger ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ Substack: https://morefullyalive.substack.com/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Jul 19, 2023 · 19 min
Series Reflection: How Stories Shape Our Lives
This series of The Sacred Elizabeth spoke with nine fascinating individuals about their core values, and how the messages, philosophies and experiences from their childhood shaped them into the people they are today. She spoke with Abi Morgan, Dougald Hine, Audrey Assad, Patrick Deneen, Inaya Folarin Iman, Wes Streeting MP, Martin Shaw, Felix Marquardt and Satish Kumar. In this reflection episode, Elizabeth takes a look back at all these conversations and dwells on a couple key threads that were prominent throughout. Read the full transcription here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/07/19/series-reflection-how-stories-shape-our-lives ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Jul 12, 2023 · 57 min
Satish Kumar on Life as a Jain Monk and Lessons from Decades of Peace Activism
This episode takes place live at The Realisation Festival, and in it Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to activist, Satish Kumar. Satish Kumar is a peace activist and formerly Jain monk who has spent his life promoting sustainability, spirituality and nonviolence to audiences and communities across the globe. He is also the Editor Emeritus of the Resurgence & Ecologist Magazine. Satish spoke about his upbringing and the experience of becoming a Jain monk aged 9, the influence of Mahatma Gandhi on his life and outlook and how he deals with those who approach his beliefs and practices with cynicism. Many thanks to the team at The Realisation Festival for organising and recording this event. You can find out more about them and their work here: https://realisationfestival.com/ Read the full transcription here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/07/10/satish-kumar-on-life-as-a-jain-monk-and-lessons-from-decades-of-peace-activism ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Jul 5, 2023 · 1 hr 23 min
Martin Shaw & Felix Marquardt on Religious Conversion, Being Vulnerable, and the Power of Myths
Martin Shaw is a mythologist and author of the award-winning, Branch from a Lightning Tree. Felix Marquardt has worn many hats over his career from author to entrepreneur to French rap producer. He is also the co-founder of Black Elephant - an experiential social network based on vulnerability. They spoke about their respective religious conversations to Orthodox Christianity and Islam, the power of myths and storytelling and the role of vulnerability in bridging divides. This recording took place in Patmos and is an audio only episode. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/07/05/martin-shaw-felix-marquardt-on-religious-conversion-being-vulnerable-and-the-power-of-myths Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:47 What is sacred to you? Martin Shaw and Felix Marquardt’s answers. 00:06:59 Martin’s childhood: Christianity, punk rock, and holding onto conscience 00:10:26 Martin – turning down a career in music, tent living, and rediscovering myths 00:21:11 Martin – A hundred and one nights on Dartmoor and a transformational experience 00:30:36 Felix’s childhood: toxic French secularism, fear of eternity, and escapism through drugs 00:36:58 Felix – Faith through recovery, the 12 Step movement, and showing reverence for synchronicity 00:49:50 Black Elephant: well-sealed vessels, breaking down barriers and trading growth for depth 00:57:23 The Black Elephant Question: common ground beyond the topical and the superficial 01:09:13 Reflection and Outro ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Jun 28, 2023 · 1 hr 3 min
Wes Streeting MP on Growing Up in a Council Flat and Why Politics Matters
Wes Streeting is the the Labour MP for Ilford North, and was elected in 2015. Since being elected he has been appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. He is also the author of the soon-to-be-released memoir 'One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry Up'. Wes spoke about his childhood growing up in a council flat and the figures that raised him, his journey with his faith and sexuality, and navigating political divides within the House of Commons. You can purchase Wes' new book, 'One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry Up', here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Boy-Two-Bills-Fry/dp/1399710109/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1687772807&refinements=p_27%3AWes+Streeting&s=books&sr=1-1 Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/06/28/wes-streeting-mp-on-growing-up-in-a-council-flat-and-why-politics-matters ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Jun 21, 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
Inaya Folarin Iman on Race, Immigrant Conservatism and the Importance of Free Speech
Inaya Folarin Iman is a political commentator and former GB News presenter. Her written work has appeared in the The Telegraph, Politics Home, UnHerd, Spiked and The Daily Mail. She is also the director and founder of the Equiano Project, which is as "a debate, discussion and ideas forum" that "focuses on race, culture and politics". Inaya spoke about her childhood which involved moving many times, growing up with a single mother, the ingrained conservatism that many immigrants have and why free speech is vital to a flourishing society. Check out more from The Equiano Project here: https://www.theequianoproject.com/ Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/06/21/inaya-folarin-iman-on-race-immigrant-conservatism-and-the-importance-of-free-speech ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Jun 14, 2023 · 1 hr 12 min
Patrick Deneen on the Failure of Liberalism and the Importance of Relational Living
Patrick Deneen a professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame and author of multiple books including the upcoming 'Regime Change: Toward a Postliberal Future'. Patrick spoke about his childhood and the relationships built by a 'front porch' community culture, why liberalism has failed, and what a postliberal future looks like. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/06/14/patrick-deneen-on-the-failure-of-liberalism-and-the-importance-of-relational-living Purchase a copy of his book, Regime Change, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Regime-Change-Towards-Postliberal-Future/dp/1800753292 ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
Jun 7, 2023 · 1 hr 3 min
Audrey Assad on Faith, Deconstruction, and Music as an Outlet for Spiritual Angst
Audrey Assad is an American-Syrian singer-songwriter who since the start of her career has released 6 studio albums and 4 EPs. She is also the author of the blog 'The Violet Fields' which explores topics such as consciousness and creativity. Audrey spoke about her childhood growing up in a fundamentalist Christian community and subsequent conversion to Catholicism, her career as a musician and the role music has played in her life, and her public deconstruction from the Christian faith. You can find her music and blog on her website here: https://www.audreyassad.com/ Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/06/07/audrey-assad-on-faith-deconstruction-and-music-as-an-outlet-for-spiritual-angst ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
May 31, 2023 · 1 hr 14 min
Dougald Hine on Climate Change and How to Respond to a Bleak Looking Future
Dougald Hine is a social thinker, writer and speaker. After an early career as a BBC journalist, he co-founded organisations including the Dark Mountain Project and a school called HOME. He is most recently the author of the book 'At Work in the Ruins'. Dougald spoke about his childhood growing up in the United Reformed Church, his decision to leave the BBC, and how to respond to the 'end of the world'. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/05/31/dougald-hine-on-climate-change-and-how-to-respond-to-a-bleak-looking-future Buy a copy of his book 'At Work in the Ruins' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/At-Work-Ruins-Pandemics-Emergencies/dp/164502184X ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185
May 24, 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
Abi Morgan on finding meaning in tragedy
Abi Morgan is a screenwriter and playwright with a career spanning 25 years in TV, Film and Theatre. She is the creator of films such as 'The Iron Lady', TV shows such as 'The Hour', and is most recently the author of the very successful book, 'This is Not a Pity Memoir'. She spoke about her journey into writing, how stories give us a sense of self, and how she makes any kind of meaning out of the multiple tragic events that she has experienced. Buy a copy of her book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Pity-Memoir-heartbreaking-life-affirming/dp/152938835X/ref=asc_df_152938835X/ Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/05/24/abi-morgan-on-finding-meaning-in-tragedy ***** The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events. CONNECT WITH THE SACRED Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/ CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH OLDFIELD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESOldfield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ CONNECT WITH THEOS Theos monthly newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/E9E17CAB71AC7464 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theosthinktank Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theosthinktank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theos---the-think-tank/ Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108 Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185