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

Apr 26, 2023 · 58 min
Sacred Live: Oliver Burkeman on living a meaningful life in the present moment
This video is of a live recording of The Sacred podcast on 19 April 2023 at the UnHerd Cafe. Elizabeth Oldfield was joined by Oliver Burkeman. Oliver is a British author and journalist, formerly writing the weekly column This Column Will Change Your Life for The Guardian newspaper, and is one of the leading voices on productivity, mortality and the power of limits. He has published multiple books on the topic of productivity and happiness, including the New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals (2021). He spoke about living a meaningful life, living in the present moment and the liberating nature of 'hitting the bottom'. He also participated in a Q&A with the audience at the end. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/04/26/sacred-live-oliver-burkeman-on-living-a-meaningful-life-in-the-present-moment Purchase a copy of his book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Four-Thousand-Weeks-Embrace-limits/dp/1784704008/ref=asc_df_1784704008/ ***** 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
Mar 15, 2023 · 16 min
Series Reflection: What does it mean to be human?
**Upcoming Sacred Live on April 19** Join Elizabeth Oldfield and Oliver Burkeman on April 19 for a live recording of The Sacred with a time for Q&A. Get your tickets today using the promo code SACREDLIVE2023: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sacred-live-feat-elizabeth-oldfield-and-oliver-burkeman-tickets-565116999157 Elizabeth Oldfield reflects on Series 6 of The Sacred. This series she spoke to Nick Cave, Sean O'Hagan, Clover Stroud, Jared Yates Sexton, Yoram Hazony, Tanni Grey Thompson, Katharine Birbalsingh, Lizzie Damilola Blackburn and Kate Bowler, and in these conversations explored topics such as grief, living life to the fullest, what we pass on to the next generation, Paul Bunyan, Marvel Movies and fundamentally what it means to be human. Visit our channel to find all of the Series 6 episodes and more! ***** 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
Mar 8, 2023 · 1 hr 10 min
Kate Bowler on tragicomedy, and the errors of manifesting and prosperity gospel
**Upcoming Sacred Live on April 19** Join Elizabeth Oldfield and Oliver Burkeman on April 19 for a live recording of The Sacred with a time for Q&A. Get your tickets today using the promo code SACREDLIVE2023: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sacred-live-feat-elizabeth-oldfield-and-oliver-burkeman-tickets-565116999157 Kate Bowler is a three-time New York Times bestselling author, and Associate Professor of American Religious History at Duke University. Kate is also the host of the Everything Happens podcast where she talks to people about what they’ve learned in difficult times. She spoke about tragicomedy, finding purpose during times of suffering and why the prosperity gospel and manifesting are so problematic. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/03/08/kate-bowler-on-tragicomedy-and-the-errors-of-manifesting-and-prosperity-gospel CHAPTERS (00:00) Introduction (03:11) What is sacred to you? Kate Bowler’s answer (08:27) Slick preachers, televangelists and women religious celebrities (11:49) Childhood, religion as a worldview, and the lovely nosiness of theology (17:26) Entering academia: dreams, sacrifices, and the horrible truth (21:19) Gendered misdiagnosis, colon cancer and incredible support (27:48) Desperate forms of Christianity and the prosperity gospel’s ubiquity (34:49) The reason for cancer and the life raft of Love (40:40) A book for letting go and a podcast for fighting loneliness (47:42) On how to be supportive to someone who is suffering (53:35) The distortions of social media and how to bowl down the middle (57:16) The ‘faux secular’ perfect world of #blessed, and genuine blessing (61:17) Elizabeth Oldfield’s reflection on her conversation with Kate Bowler ***** 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
Mar 1, 2023 · 45 min
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn on colourism, and the importance of representation in publishing
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn is a British Nigerian author, and writer of 'Yinka, Where is your Huzband?' a book which explores the experience of a young Nigerian woman living in London and wrestling societal/family expectations of faith, life and love. She spoke about her experience growing up in a Nigerian, Christian household, the way her faith shapes her writing, and why representation matters in the publishing industry. Buy a copy of Yinka, Where is your Huzband?' here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/yinka-where-is-your-huzband/lizzie-damilola-blackburn/2928377077259 Get tickets to our Sacred Live event with Oliver Burkeman using the promo code SACREDLIVE2023 here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sacred-live-feat-elizabeth-oldfield-and-oliver-burkeman-tickets-565116999157 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 06:20 What is sacred to you? Lizzie Damilola Blackburn’s answer 09:18 Childhood: God’s love and discovering the third sector 11:59 The need for diverse stories and the divine call to become an author 17:18 Handholding readers and reactions to a Christian celibate protagonist 23:33 Colourism and the bias of beauty standards 27:54 Representation in publishing and the public service of rom-coms 35:13 Elizabeth Oldfield’s reflection on her conversation with Lizzie Damilola Blackburn ***** 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
Feb 22, 2023 · 1 hr 1 min
Katharine Birbalsingh on small-c conservatism and the philosophy of Michaela Community School
Katharine Birbalsingh is the founder and headmistress of the Michaela Community School. She is known for promoting ’small-c’ conservative values in the her school, and has subsequently been dubbed Britain’s Strictest Headmistress, which later became the title of an ITV documentary exploring her and her methods. She spoke about the underlying philosophy of Michaela Community School, her journey from being a ‘lefty’ to now a ‘small-c’ conservative, and the lessons she learnt from her dad’s parenting. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/02/22/katharine-birbalsingh-on-smallc-conservatism-and-the-philosophy-of-michaela-community-school CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:35 What is sacred to you? Tanni Grey Thompson’s answer 08:31 Childhood, privilege and dealing with nosiness 15:23 The surgery and about getting on 19:27 Faith, sport and self-discipline 25:33 Un-selfing in sport 32:13 The medical model and disabled people’s autonomy 41:08 Assisted suicide and proper care 44:24 Woke culture, de-platforming and listening to difference 48:50 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
Feb 15, 2023 · 55 min
Tanni Grey Thompson on the joy of sport, and the trials disabled people face in society
Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson DBE DL is an 11 time gold-winning Paralympian, and cross-bench peer in the House of Lords. Her highly successful career has seen her become one of Great Britain's most accomplished athletes, to sitting on and chairing various boards, including @_ukactive, to politics, to her active role in politics. She spoke about the joy of sport and the role it plays in society, her dogged approach to politics, and what has and hasn't changed for disabled people in society. Read the full transcipt here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/02/15/tanni-grey-thompson-on-the-joy-of-sport-and-the-trials-disabled-people-face-in-society Here are some helpful guidelines to consider when when communicating with or about disabled people: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-communication/inclusive-language-words-to-use-and-avoid-when-writing-about-disability ***** 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
Feb 8, 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
Yoram Hazony on Orthodox Judaism, Conservatism, and the true meaning of Nationalism
Yoram Hazony is a political analyst and writer from Israel. He is the President of the Herzl Institute, Chairman of the Edmund Burke, and author of a number of books, most recent of which is 'Conservatism: A Rediscovery'. He spoke about Orthodox Judaism and his path to reclaiming it, the fundamental differences between Conservatives and Marxists, and how Nationalism is frequently misunderstood. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/02/08/yoram-hazony-on-orthodox-judaism-conservatism-and-the-true-meaning-of-nationalism You can buy his latest book, Conservatism: A Rediscovery, here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/conservatism/yoram-hazony/9781800752337 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:00 What is sacred to you? Yoram Hazony’s answer 06:06 Liberal childhood and the Jewish tradition 09:25 Conservative Labour and teenage loyalism 17:02 Spiritual Homecoming 22:55 Conservatism versus Liberalism 29:04 Woke neo-Marxism 37:49 Gratitude in a just conservative society 44:26 The Biblical argument for nationalism 50:10 Different lessons of the Holocaust 55:08 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
Feb 1, 2023 · 1 hr
Jared Yates Sexton on escaping fundamentalism and the mythology of Marvel movies
Jared Yates Sexton is an American writer and political commentator. Having begun his career writing and teaching fiction, things changed as his investigative journaling in the run up to the 2016 Presidential election plunged him into the world of politics. He is also the host of the Muckrake Podcast. He spoke about his childhood in a fundamentalist Christian church, the need for 'good brokership' when engaging across the political divide, and why despite the joy they may bring, Marvel movies are still propaganda for the 'old order'. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/02/01/jared-yates-sexton-on-escaping-fundamentalism-and-the-mythology-of-marvel-movies You can buy his latest book, The Midnight Kingdom here:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/673035/the-midnight-kingdom-by-jared-yates-sexton/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:20 What is sacred to you? Jared Yates Sexton’s answer 06:34 Religious childhood trauma and being curious 18:40 The original idea of God 23:38 From fiction writer to political commentator 29:02 Political storytelling and authoritarianism 36:12 The power of the people 46:41 Marvel movies and the mythology of the Old Order 51:40 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
Jan 25, 2023 · 1 hr
Clover Stroud on grief, God, creativity and horses
Clover Stroud is a journalist and best-selling author of three books, the most recent of which is The Red of my Blood. She spoke about spoke about her upbringing, grappling with death, and the intertwined relationship between grief, God, creativity and horses. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/01/25/clover-stroud-on-grief-god-creativity-and-horses Purchase The Red of My Blood, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Blood-Death-Life-Story/dp/0857527738/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:05 What is sacred to you? Clover Stroud’s response 07:14 Spirituality and horses 12:47 Grappling with grief 16:38 Growing up in the countryside 26:28 Faith is a lot like creativity 37:43 Nick Cave and the transcendent nature of grief 49:32 Sober intoxication of the Catholic Mass 43:49 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
Jan 18, 2023 · 1 hr 14 min
Nick Cave and Seán O'Hagan on grief, faith and navigating disagreement
Nick Cave is a multi award-winning Australian rock singer-songwriter who over his 40+ year long career has seen the release of countless records, film scores, and writings. Seán O’Hagan is an award-winning journalist for the The Guardian with a speciality in photography. The two of them spoke about faith and religion, the transformative nature of grief, and the experience of writing their book Faith, Hope and Carnage together. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/01/18/nick-cave-and-sen-ohagan-on-grief-faith-and-navigating-disagreement Buy a copy of Faith, Hope and Carnage here: https://store.nickcave.com/products/faith-hope-and-carnage?variant=39745220706370&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiJSeBhCCARIsAHnAzT825KTMDyylIfsYWZMOeO9Sl2vpBly9Dr69h7ovz3E5CIAFBux6e-oaAtMJEALw_wcB CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 02:53 What do you hold sacred? Seán O'Hagan's response. 06:09 Disagreements about faith and religion 11:10 Nick Cave's sacred value 15:32 The transcendent nature of grief 23:54 Faith, Grief, Art and Surrender 27:47 Nick Cave's faith and theology 36:40 The true complexity of faith 40:44 The universal experience of grief 47:31 ‘I/Thou’ moments and pursuing better dialogue 55:50 Forgiveness and the Christian liturgical calendar 01:05:38 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
Nov 30, 2022 · 19 min
Series Reflection: You'll never change someone's mind by shouting at them
This past series Elizabeth Oldfield spoke to Paul Kingsnorth, Sathnam Sanghera, Zara Mohammed, Sarah Langford, Dante Stewart, Rowan Deacon, Jonathan Pageau, Zing Tsjeng and Prue Leith. This wide range of guests brought with them a variety of sacred values, but also some common themes of thought and reflection. This episode Elizabeth pulls together all she learnt from these guests, their values, ideas and worldviews, and helps to unpack what lessons we can learn from the series as a whole. This past series Elizabeth Oldfield spoke to Paul Kingsnorth, Sathnam Sanghera, Zara Mohammed, Sarah Langford, Dante Stewart, Rowan Deacon, Jonathan Pageau, Zing Tsjeng and Prue Leith. This wide range of guests brought with them a variety of sacred values, but also some common themes of thought and reflection. This episode Elizabeth pulls together all she learnt from these guests, their values, ideas and worldviews, and helps to unpack what lessons we can learn from the series as a whole. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/11/30/sacred-reflection-youll-never-change-someones-mind-by-shouting-at-them
Nov 16, 2022 · 51 min
Dame Prue Leith on growing up during apartheid, and the importance of tolerance
Dame Prue Leith, DBE is a South African restaurateur, chef, television presenter/broadcaster, cookery writer, novelist and much more. Today she is widely known for being a judge on Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off. She is also the mother of Conservative MP, and former guest, Danny Kruger. She spoke about growing up in South Africa during apartheid, and the importance of tolerance when speaking to those different from ourselves. She also told wonderful stories about family, wrestling with questions of faith as an atheist, and how she got her moxie. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/11/16/dame-prue-leith-on-growing-up-during-apartheid-and-the-importance-of-tolerance
Nov 9, 2022 · 50 min
Zing Tsjeng on Vice UK's unique voice, and unpacking problematic ESEA stereotypes
Zing Tsjeng is the editor in chief of Vice UK. She is the author of the book series 'Forgotten Women' which profiles underrated historical women in various fields, and is the host of the BBC podcast United Zingdom. She spoke about her experience of growing up in Singapore and the way in which the government monitor the media, what she feels Vice UK's role and unique voice is, and the many problematic stereotypes around ESEA (East and Southeast Asian) identities. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/11/09/zing-tsjeng-on-vice-uks-unique-voice-and-unpacking-problematic-esea-stereotypes
Nov 2, 2022 · 52 min
Jonathan Pageau on icons, political dehumanisation, and befriending Jordan Peterson
Jonathan Pageau is a French Canadian icon carver, public speaker and YouTuber exploring the symbolic patterns that underlie our experience of the world. He spoke about his journey to creating religious art, the different ways people on the political spectrum dehumanise each other, and his friendship with Jordan Peterson.
Oct 26, 2022 · 1 hr 13 min
Rowan Deacon on the power of storytelling and the ethics of making a documentary
Rowan Deacon is a documentary filmmaker. Her portfolio includes the multi award winning film How to Die: Simon's Choice, and most recently Jimmy Savile: A Very British Horror Story, which was in the top 10 globally on Netflix. She spoke about what drew her to documentaries, the power of storytelling and the ethical questions at play when producing a documentary. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/10/26/rowan-deacon-on-the-power-of-storytelling-and-the-ethics-of-making-a-documentary
Oct 19, 2022 · 54 min
Danté Stewart on family, church and race in America
Danté Stewart is a church leader and writer whose journalism has appeared in a variety of top newspapers across the America. His most recent book is Shoutin' in the Fire: An American Epistle. He spoke about his Southern Pentecostal childhood, his experience in a white majority church, parenting while black and much more. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/10/19/dant-stewart-on-family-church-and-race-in-america
Oct 12, 2022 · 1 hr 5 min
Sarah Langford on the importance of meaningful work, and how not to change someone's mind
Sarah Langford is a criminal and family barrister gone farmer, and the author of the best-selling book ‘In Your Defence: True Stories of Life and Law’. Her most recent book, 'Rooted: Stories of Life, Land and a Farming Revolution’, is an account of her experience farming after moving to the countryside in 2017 and the stories of the farmers she’s met at a time of unprecedented change in agriculture. She spoke about the importance of meaningful work, how we should view those needing criminal defence with dignity, and why we should meet people where they are at when trying to change their mind. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/10/12/sarah-langford-on-the-importance-of-meaningful-work-and-how-not-to-change-someones-mind
Oct 5, 2022 · 53 min
Zara Mohammed on her muslim faith and the challenges of being a young woman leader
Zara Mohammed is Secretary General for the Muslim Council of Britain. When elected, she was the youngest and first woman to lead the organisation. She spoke about her childhood, her muslim faith and the significance of putting on the headscarf, and the challenges of being a young woman leader running an organisation. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/10/05/zara-mohammed-on-her-muslim-faith-and-the-challenges-of-being-a-young-woman-leader
Sep 28, 2022 · 58 min
Sathnam Sanghera on his Sikh faith, colonialism, and dealing with online abuse
Sathnam Sanghera is journalist for The Times, and best-selling memoirist. His most recent book, Empireland: How Imperialism Has Shaped Modern Britain, has been showered with awards and endorsements. He spoke about growing up in Wolverhampton, his Sikh faith, dealing with online abuse, and his exploration of the history of colonialism. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/09/28/sathnam-sanghera-on-his-sikh-faith-dealing-with-online-abuse-and-learning-about-colonialism
Sep 21, 2022 · 59 min
Paul Kingsnorth on environmentalism, converting to Christianity and his concerns about authoritarianism
Paul is an award winning novelist and essaying, currently best known for his Substack - The Abbey of Misrule. He spoke about his deep environmental commitments, his conversion to the Orthodox Church and his concerns about authoritarianism brought about through technological expansion. Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/09/21/paul-kingsnorth-on-environmentalism-converting-to-christianity-and-his-concerns-about-authoritarianism