The Thread, from Alpha

Alpha International

The Thread is a space for fresh perspectives on Christian leadership, global culture, and evangelism in our changing world. Brought to you by Alpha, The Thread shares timely talks, relevant insights, and hosts open free-flowing conversations with diverse leaders from around the globe. All hosted by Stephen Foster.

Play

Open in

25 episodes
weekly
Avg 41 min
English

Episodes 25

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

September 8 · 58 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: Leading Churches: Building Healthy, Growing Local Churches
Leading in a church environment requires particular skills and expression. In this episode, HTB's Archie Coates, Mexico's Andrés and Kelly Spyker, leaders of MásVida, and Canada's Father Simon Lobo, General Superior of the Companions of the Cross, discuss how to navigate the different seasons of church life, how to build a diverse team and draw out the best in others, and how to set and sustain culture.
September 1 · 55 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: Breaking Strongholds: Spiritual Warfare in the Life of a Leader
This seminar from the Leadership Conference explores how spiritual warfare uniquely affects those in positions of influence. Jon Tyson considers how unseen strongholds can surface in life and ministry, and how the way of Jesus leads us to seek genuine freedom and power from God. You will be encouraged to pursue God afresh and lead with dependence, courage, and spiritual resilience.
August 25 · 18 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: An Interview with the Koleoso Family
Nicky Gumbel interviews the leaders of Jubilee Church London, Tope and Kemi Koleoso, alongside their musician sons Femi and TJ from Ezra Collective. They discuss parenting well while leading in ministry, representing Christ in secular spaces, and growing up on mission together as a family.
August 18 · 14 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: Archie Coates, Treasure in Jars of Clay
Vicar of HTB, Archie Coates, turns to 2 Corinthians 4:7 in this message from LC26: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." Reminding us that God's power is made perfect in weakness, he shares that though the containers of our lives are ordinary, the treasure we carry is extraordinary and that the way you walk in weakness is what draws people to the hope of glory that lives in you.
August 11 · 56 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: Digital Reset - Developing a Digital Rule of Life and Making AI Work for You
We all live by a rule of life – including with digital devices which come with default settings that are poorly designed for genuine spiritual, mental, and emotional health. As AI expands, intentional personal and communal practices become more urgent. This episode will help you redesign life rhythms to use technology fruitfully while growing in wholeness, freedom, and deeper humanity.
August 4 · 57 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: Unusual Suspects: Lessons in Leadership from Strange Corners of the Bible
When thinking about biblical examples of leadership, we often turn to the usual suspects for wisdom and inspiration. But what might we discover if we mine the scriptures for leadership examples that are less commonly spotlighted? Join Tim Mackie from The Bible Project and The Orchard's Rachel and Amy Hughes, as they highlight a handful of unlikely leaders in the Bible.
July 28 · 30 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: Stephen Foster, Shaken Yet Stirred
From the main stage at LC26, Stephen Foster teaches on being a joyful leader in an anxious age. Looking to Paul's letter to the Philippians, he shares an exhortation to let the disruption and shaking around you stir a passion within you, to let gratitude fill your heart, and to stay in the fight – because He is worth it.
July 21 · 28 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: Johannes Hartl, Are We Working Too Hard or Not Hard Enough?
In his main stage talk from LC26, Johannes Hartl poses the question, "Are we working too hard or are we not working hard enough anymore?" Referencing Nietzsche's model of the camel, lion, and child, he explains why this is a spiritual question that demands the spiritual solution of being rooted and grounded in the love of God in order to no longer operate as orphans.
July 14 · 22 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: An Interview with Louise Perry
Through working as a journalist and a support worker at a rape crisis centre, Louise Perry began analysing the impact of the sexual revolution and went on to write The Case Against the Sexual Revolution. In this interview with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel at Leadership Conference 2026, she discusses her findings on the cost of removing Christian sexual ethics from society and how this led her to faith in Jesus.
July 7 · 41 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: Tope Koleoso, Cultivating a Prayer Culture
Exhorting the leaders at LC26 to "ask for rain in the time of rain" (Zechariah 10), Jubilee Church London pastor Tope Koleoso shares a powerful message on prayer. He calls believers back to a place of intercession, declaration, confession, and adoration, offering practical teaching on hindrances to prayer and cultivating a prayer culture in our churches and communities.
June 30 · 26 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: An Interview with Tsitsi Masiyiwa
Nicky speaks to award-winning philanthropist Tsitsi Masiyiwa, who has leapfrogged her way to incredible impact alongside her husband, Strive. The interview highlights stories from their inspirational journey, some of the challenges along the way, and the power of prayer.
June 23 · 22 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: Nicky Gumbel in Conversation with Cardinal Tagle
Speaking to Nicky Gumbel in Rome, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle – one of just 12 Cardinal-Bishops in the Catholic Church – shares his wisdom on humility, being a good listener, remaining anchored in Jesus, and being light of heart. He also gives a one-line response to each of the Alpha episode topics.
June 16 · 23 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: An interview with Evika Siliņa
"Fear is the worst advisor." In a captivating interview with Nicky Gumbel, Latvia's former Prime Minister Evika Siliņa shares her wisdom on leadership. She discusses everything from running Alphas and encountering the Holy Spirit, to being called into politics and her friendship with President Zelenskyy.
June 9 · 45 min
LC26 Bonus Episode: Nicky Gumbel, The Unshakeable Kingdom
In his LC26 address, Nicky Gumbel reminds us that in a world marked by instability, anxiety, and uncertainty, the Kingdom of God remains unshakable. Drawing on Hebrews 12:28 and the biblical image of Jesus as the Rock, he shares a message of resilience and hope – encouraging the church to unite around Jesus, the unshakable rock, and challenging us to play our part in the evangelisation of the nations, the revitalisation of the church, and the transformation of society.
March 18 · 1 hr 8 min
The Open Generation, Going Viral, and Returning to First Love with Xenia James & Jesse Fellingham
Stephen Foster is joined by Xenia James and Jesse Fellingham, two hosts of the Alpha Youth Series and The Way UK. They share their personal journeys to faith, the story behind their street interviews with thousands of young people, and what they’re discovering about Gen Z’s openness to spirituality and Christianity. They also reflect on the pressures of online momentum, the importance of slowing down to prioritise time with God and tend to one’s own internal world, and the role of church community while working to reach a new generation.
March 4 · 40 min
Faith Across Borders with Miles Toulmin, Shaila Visser & Patricia Lau: Stories of Growth, Renewal, & the Next Generation
Stephen Foster speaks with Miles Toulmin, CEO of Alpha International; Shaila Visser, Global Vice President and National Director of Alpha Canada; and Patricia Lau, Executive Director of Alpha Hong Kong about Alpha’s impact around the world. From church planting in Malaysia to student-led Alpha in schools, they explore a global surge in faith, innovative outreach, and how even children as young as 10 are actively sharing their faith.
February 18 · 57 min
The Science of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: Leadership, Meaning, and the Cost of Success
Join Stephen Foster and Arthur Brooks, Professor at Harvard University and New York Times bestselling author, live from Leadership Conference 2025 as they discuss the science of happiness for leaders and the importance of reckoning with idols. Arthur shares fascinating findings on neurochemistry, covering the concepts of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning; the emotional cost of leadership; and insights on impulse control, dopamine, addiction, and truth-telling.
February 4 · 56 min
Against the Current with Louise Perry: Sex, Truth, and the Return to Faith
Author and journalist, Louise Perry, joins Stephen Foster to examine why the sexual revolution has failed many women and families. Drawing on data, lived experience, and her own journey from atheism to faith, she reflects on marriage, dating, power, and why ancient wisdom may speak more clearly to modern confusion than today’s promises of liberation.
January 21 · 47 min
Extraordinary Days with Archie Coates, Al Gordon & Pete Hughes: Spiritual Hunger, Openness, and the Call to Be Ready
Stephen Foster is joined by church leaders Archie Coates, Al Gordon, and Pete Hughes. Together they reflect on a growing spiritual openness across society and a renewed hunger for God within the church. They discuss the surge of people exploring faith, stories of healing and encounter, and what this moment calls for in terms of prayer, invitation, and relational leadership – especially in raising up the next generation.
Dec 10, 2025 · 32 min
Faith in a Shaking World with Nicky Gumbel
In this episode, Stephen Foster talks with Nicky Gumbel about faith and leadership in a world marked by conflict and uncertainty. Nicky reflects on a growing spiritual hunger and openness he’s seeing, including in his own Alpha group. They discuss leading like Jesus, the challenges of leadership today, and the importance of unity and learning from the global church.

Showing 1–20 of 25 episodes