The Stand-Up Theologian

Is this how Season 1 ends?

Get in touch via text Yes. Season 1 is finally wrapping up. In this episode - Episode 34! - I explain why (it's episode 34?), what I'm up to next and why I'm doing something as chronically unprofitable as The Wycliffe Papers. I also refer to my blog, The Situation Room and this post: https://thesitutationroom.substack.com/p/amuse-yourself I'll be back. Have no fear. You can't keep me away from a microphone, to be honest. I love conversations with friends about ideas and figuring out who we are, how we got here and where we are going. Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

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What's the problem with the flag of St George?

Get in touch via text What is England’s day if not St George’s Day? Who even is St George? Why don't the English celebrate it? Can we walk and talk around Hinton St George, a village in Somerset? Want to see the beautiful church? Here's the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/clk4SIcFUWc See also Cary's Almanac: https://jamescary.substack.com/p/st-george-and-the-dragon-are-dead Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

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Is the Quiet Revival quietly concealing something even bigger?

Get in touch via text Back once again with friend of the show, Rhys Laverty, Editorial and Research Director of the Prosperity Institute who wrote this brilliant article for The Critic about the now retracted and rescinded Quiet Revival report: https://thecritic.co.uk/the-truth-about-the-quiet-revival/ Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

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Is this my favourite war movie? And what's so funny about war anyway?

Get in touch via text James on the War Movie Theatre podcast and the website here. James on the Wit + Grit podcast and on Apple Podcasts Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

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The Sacred Art of Joking

Get in touch via text The Sacred Art of Joking is available in all formats on Amazon/Audible. Every few weeks a politician, pundit or soap star causes a media storm by making a gaffe or tweeting a joke that some people do not find funny. Comedy is very hard to get right and yet we think it's important to have a sense of humour and not take yourself too seriously. On the other hand, a sense of humour failure can lead to losing your friends, your social media account, your job, your career and, in some cases, your life. James Cary knows about this. He is a sitcom writer who's written jokes about bomb disposal in Afghanistan (Bluestone 42), defended comments about Islam by Ben Elton on Newsnight, been on a panel with radical Muslim cleric Anjem Choudary, sits on the General Synod of the Church of England and somehow managed to co-write episodes of Miranda. An odd mix, but one that makes him very listenable. This entertaining, breezy book explains how comedy works (with jokes and quotes) and gives much-needed insights into the controversy surrounding humour. ©2019 W. F. Howes Ltd (P) 2019 James Cary The Sacred Art of Joking book and ebook published by SPCK. Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

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Should I keep making this podcast? w/ Kenny Primrose

Get in touch via text In this longer episode, I wonder about whether I have productivity addiction, and whether this podcast is part of that. So I talk to fellow productivity addict and podcaster, Kenny Primrose. This was prompted by a recent Modern Wisdom podcast episode in which Chris Williamson interviews Oliver Burkemann (4000 Weeks) Then there’s Tim Ferriss talking to Jim Collins. 4000 Weeks Audiobook: The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel H. Pink We also mention: Dougald Hine Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

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Reading the Bible without distraction and with mindfulness? w/ Matt Searles

Get in touch via text Matt Searles is an author, songwriter and mindfulness teacher. We're talking about reading the Bible without devotionals or commentaries, and reflecting - and the perspicuity of scripture. Buy Quiet Paths here. Listen on Spotify here. More info here. The Bible Overbrew with Matt Searles and Rachel Redeemed is here. And James wrote an e-book called Psalm Psupplement. Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

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What can we learn from the life and astonishing death of Bishop Hugh Latimer?

Get in touch via text This time, I'm in conversation with Ros Clarke, Associate Director of The Church Society. We are talking about Bishop Hugh Latimer, burned by Queen Mary on 16th October 1555. Why? And what does that tell us about life and the church today? Watch the video on YouTube here! And this is The Situation Room where I write about writing situation comedy Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

Are we Amusing Ourselves to Death? w/ Nate Morgan Locke

Get in touch via text In this episode James and returning guest Nate Morgan Locke explore Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman, asking whether his warning still stands, whether he romanticises 19th century America and whether the very invention of the clock as destroyed our sense of the eternal. How does this book affect how Nate makes videos and James makes podcasts. WARNING: Contains opinions about The Chosen that some listeners may find disappointing. Keep track of Nate at: Hero's Creed Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

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How can I avoid fudge in Lent?

Get in touch via text Yes, another episode. I can't stay away. A solo episode on fasting. And Avoiding Fudge in Lent. Cary’s Almanac on William Laud Cary’s Almanac on Fasting Cary’s Almanac Avoiding Fudge in Lent The Psalm Psupplement is Here: James Acaster on Netflix You can watch Bill on iPlayer (in UK) Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

How sitcoms are a sketchy business w/ Tilly Dillehay

Get in touch via text I have a conversation with Tilly Dillehay, author of “My Dear Hemlock”, a book in the style of CS Lewis’s Screwtape Letters that does not pull its punches on the female condition. We also talk about writing, sitcom and sketches and then ‘pivot’ into story structure and The Princess Bride. We also talk about books that broke the rules and made us laugh out loud. Check out Cary's Almanac Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

Conspiracies, the Moon Landings and Thomas Aquinas? w/ Jonny Woodrow

Get in touch via text A deep dive into Conspiracy theories - not a big long list of them, but why we might believe them, or find it hard to prove them one way or the other. A fascinating conversation with Dr (Dr) Jonny Woodrow, host of the Stop it! You're Killing Me Podcast. Listen the episode with with Yours Truly here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stop-it-youre-killing-me/id1738098579?i=1000717379359 Also mentioned: Haunted Cosmos Moon Landings Aquinas 101 The Sacred Art of Joking (Affiliate link) Cary’s Almanac Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

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Psalm Psupplement Psolo Episode

Get in touch via text In this solo episode, I introduce the Psalm Psupplement, forty reflections on the Psalms that might be handy for Lent. This is an audio version of the first batch on Psalm 1. Loyal Lollards (paid subscribers to the Wycliffe Papers) will be getting all forty them thrown in with their membership. Why not join? Plus there'll be a load of bonus audio content to keep you going during the forthcoming hiatus. And I'm reading from the World English Bible - because it's not bad, it's public domain and not owned by Rupert Murdoch. Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

What is the question most asked about the Bible? w/ Andrew Ollerton

Get in touch via text I have a conversation with Andrew Ollerton who has written a new book called God’s Book: An Honest Look at the Bible’s 7 Toughest Topics. And he’s been at the front line of talking about the Bible to people who are just picking it up for the first time. What do they want to know? Check out Cary's Almanac for a weekly newsletter about the Christian way of life with reference to history, scripture and creation. Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

The End of the Upside Down and Schrödinger’s Eucatastrophe w/ Caleb Woodbridge

Get in touch via text Two culture vultures pick over the plentiful remains of Stranger Things. I talked to Caleb Woodbridge who is an imaginative disciple, freelance writer and editor, fan of sf/fantasy, children's & YA literature, Doctor Who, Tolkien & C S Lewis. He writes and podcasts at Bigger Inside. We talk about Stranger Things but also JK Rowling; CS Lewis; Narnia; Harry Potter; Hunger Games, Video Games, Massive Effect, Baldur’s Gate – and why James doesn’t play video games and has a rant about American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Also we mention Indiana Jones, Stephen King, the cost of victory. And what on earth is Schroedinger’s Eucatastrophe? We also mention Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch; Paul Cornell Hidden London; Lockwood and Co; The Pendragon Protocol Philip Purser-Hallard Caleb’s Article about Tim Challies: https://www.equip.org/articles/choose-your-own-enchantment-freedom-and-conscience-in-what-we-watch/ Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

How should we educate our kids? The debate that drives many to madness!

Get in touch via text Last year, I wrote an article about home education for Gareth Crispin, editor of Premier NexGen: https://www.premiernexgen.com/education/why-home-education-is-the-best-option-for-christian-families/20440.article And we talked about it! Oh yes. We talked about it. And here's Dumbing us Down by John Taylor Gatto Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

How I Avoided Making Decisions For 25 Years and What Happens Next

Get in touch via text In this New Year’s Day solo walk-and-talk, I reflect on what happens when long-running momentum finally runs out. Turning 50, finishing six years on the Archbishop's Council, and watching the comedy industry shift have forced me to face an uncomfortable question: have I been relying on professional habits while avoiding fully intentional choices? Prompted by Steven Pressfield’s Turning Pro, I think aloud about career, responsibility, making work that is actually “on,” faith, family, and what it might mean to “turn pro” again in 2026—this time with clarity, purpose and slightly more money. Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

Read any good books lately? What I read in 2025 w/ Barry Cooper

Get in touch via text It's just like old times! Cary and Cooper are reunited for this review of the year in books. We revisit Against the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth, and James explains why there are a number of books he has some serious problems with (I'm looking at you, George RR Martin). Barry's read some Thomas Hardy. Seriously. Very seriously. And Cary does not care for The Way We Live Now by Trollope. You can listen to an extended version of this episode by becoming a Loyal Lollard - a paid subscriber to The Wycliffe Papers. Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

What is That Hideous Strength REALLY about? w/ Dr Michael Ward

Get in touch via text What a treat! James gets to geek about CS Lewis, That Hideous Strength and The Abolition of Man - with the world's leading expert on all things Inkling, Dr Michael Ward! Why should we NEVER call his science fiction books 'The Space Trilogy'? And is The Magician's Nephew actually going to be good? Enjoy! Planet Narnia After Humanity: A Guide to C.S. Lewis’s The Abolition of Man by Dr Michael Ward Life on the Silent Planet: Essays on Christian Living from C.S. Lewis's Ransom Trilogy - featuring an essay by Dr Michael Ward Further reading by Ward in First Things on Matrimony The God Particle Streaming MP4 The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto (Catholic Ideas for a Secular World) Peter Zeihan on demographics. Norm MacDonald on Germany going to war with The World. Clip from The Princess Bride by William Goldman Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

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Is there book in you?

Get in touch via text Is there a book in you? Have you checked? Do you need to be talked into it? Or out of it? And who cares? You care! But will anyone else? Matt Bird helps people write their story. So this is a conversation about the pain, euphoria, self-delusion, vanity and the therapeutic nature of writing a book. Find out more about Matt Bird and PublishU HERE. Want to talk about the podcast and engage with other listeners? Come on over to the Facebook Group. Find out about my touring show, God the Bible and Everything (in 60 minutes) and get in touch via my website. If you’re serious about the Bible and church history and like jokes, I’d recommend subscribing to The Wycliffe Papers. It's free. But you can also support the podcast by coming a Paid Subscriber to the Wycliffe Papers, making you a Loyal Lollard. Could you consider that? Or email me in gmail now you can see how to spell Wycliffe...

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