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Religion & Spirituality

Uncommon Ground with Justin Brierley

Justin Brierley

Uncommon Ground is the show where conversations really matter.


Hosted by Justin Brierley, a veteran of debate and discussion moderation with 20 years experience, each episode brings together two big thinkers with profoundly different views on science, faith, atheism, philosophy, Christianity, culture, and God. All in the beautiful setting of historic Yarnton Manor, Oxford.


Instead of adding to the noise of the culture wars, Uncommon Ground creates space to disagree well—aiming to establish curiosity, clarity, and genuine understanding across the polarities that can divide us.


Featuring leading voices from atheism, psychology, science, literature, theology, and more, the show dives into life’s biggest questions.


Subscribe now to hear conversations that move beyond the echo chambers and into the deeper questions we all share—Uncommon Ground: conversations that matter.


Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/


Get early access and more when you become a supporter: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/


Keep up to date, and receive free chapters from Justin's books, by subscribing to the newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/


A production of Think Faith.

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  • 11 episodes
  • Updated June 18

Episodes11

Newest first
  • June 18 · 3 hr 2 min

    #10. Matthew Vines & David Bennett: Can Christians affirm gay relationships? Side A vs Side B

    Can Christians affirm gay relationships? Two same-sex attracted Christians join Justin Brierley to discuss why they disagree on sexuality, marriage, celibacy and scripture. Matthew Vines is the author of 'God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships'. He represents the 'Side A' view that faithful monogamous gay marriage can be affirmed by orthodox Christians. David Bennett is the author of 'A War Of Loves' and forthcoming books 'Queering the Queer in Conte

  • June 4 · 2 hr 6 min

    #9. William Lane Craig & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is it Time to Rethink God & Salvation? The A vs B theory and why it matters.

    Justin is joined by Christian philosopher William Lane Craig and atheist theologian Emily Qureshi-Hurst to discuss the question: 'Is Christian theism compatible with our best understanding of the nature of time?' Craig defends the 'A-Theory' - that time flows from past, to present, to future. Qureshi-Hurst defends the 'B-Theory' - that all times exist at once. In a mind-expanding conversation, they discuss the implications of their different views for the nature of God and the doctrine of salva

  • May 19 · 2 hr 12 min

    #8. Lois McLatchie Miller & Ann Furedi: Is abortion immoral? Pro-life vs pro-choice.

    Over 250,000 pregnancies are terminated in the UK every year. Is access to abortion a woman's right or the taking of an innocent life? Pro-life campaigner Lois McLatchie Miller engages Ann Furedi, the former head of BPAS - the UK’s leading abortion provider. They join Justin Brierley to discuss when life begins, bodily rights and baby rights, and why despite their deep disagreements, they have become friends.

  • April 21 · 1 hr 55 min

    #6. Elizabeth Oldfield & James Marriott: Is there meaning to life? And is our secular culture rediscovering it?

    Elizabeth Oldfield, host of the Sacred Podcast, and James Marriott, literary critic and Times columnist, join Justin on Uncommon Ground to discuss whether we can find meaning in life without God. Elizabeth tells of her own search for meaning in Christian faith, while James explains why, as an atheist nihilist, he still loves art and literature. They discuss the search for purpose, and signs of a new interest in faith among young people.

  • April 8 · 2 hr 2 min

    #5. Paul Davies & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is there purpose in the Universe? Exploring the weirdness of the cosmic and quantum realm.

    Is there a purpose to the largest thing of all - The Universe? And does the weird world of the smallest things - Quantum Physics - tell us anything about it? Atheist theologian Emily Qureshi-Hurst believes the evidence points to a purely physical reality. However, astrophysicist Paul Davies says there's a deeper meaning to the 'directionality' of our cosmos. In this mind-expanding conversation, they join Justin to explain the science they agree on... and work out where they differ.

  • March 24 · 2 hr 19 min

    #4. Iain McGilchrist & Anil Seth: Minds, brains, consciousness and the God question.

    Renowned philosopher Iain McGilchrist and eminent neuroscientist Anil Seth sit down with Justin Brierley to discuss whether consciousness is a product of brain chemistry or points to God. They discuss left and right brain hemispheres, panpsychism, theories of consciousness and how meditation and prayer affect our psychology. Seth also describes his atheist-agnostic worldview, and McGilchrist explains his recent embrace of Christian faith. Subscribe now to hear conversations that move beyond t

  • March 10 · 2 hr 7 min

    #3. Jonathan Pageau & Joe Folley: Does art, culture and human experience point to God?

    Orthodox thinker Jonathan Pageau and atheist philosopher Joe Folley sit down with Justin Brierley to discuss whether art, culture and human experience point to God. In a deep and rich conversation ranging across consciousness, science, religion, the incarnation and the resurrection they debate whether a Divine Logos or natural forces explain the reality we all encounter. Subscribe now to hear conversations that move beyond the echo chambers and into the deeper questions we all share—Uncommon

  • February 24 · 2 hr 41 min

    #2. Alex O'Connor & Glen Scrivener: Did Christianity give us our morality? Debating freedom, slavery, equality and the Bible.

    Atheist thinker Alex O'Connor goes toe-to-toe with Christian thinker Glen Scrivener on whether Christianity gave us our belief in kindness, equality, freedom and consent. Across 2.5 hours of intense conversation moderated by Justin Brierley, they debate whether or not hospitals, welfare, charity, emancipation, gender equality, human rights and consent hinge on Christian influence. Subscribe now to hear conversations that move beyond the echo chambers and into the deeper questions we all share—

  • February 10 · 1 hr 48 min

    #1. Richard Dawkins & Rowan Williams: God vs Science. What is behind the poetry of reality?

    The world's most famous atheist, Richard Dawkins, sits down to talk with the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, in the very first episode of Uncommon Ground, hosted by Justin Brierley. In a wide-ranging conversation on atheism, faith, poetry, music, meaning, love, complexity, suffering, evolution and survival, they discuss whether God or science makes best sense of 'the poetry of reality'. Subscribe now to hear conversations that move beyond the echo chambers and into the deep

  • January 19 · 5 min

    Introducing 'Uncommon Ground'

    Justin Brierley is back in the moderator's chair hosting conversations between Christians, atheists, skeptics and seekers in this new podcast and video show. 'Uncommon Ground' features leading figures from the world of atheism, psychology, science, culture, literature and theology. Recorded in the beautiful setting of Yarnton Manor, Oxford, hey’ll be debating purpose in the universe, meaning in life, faith, atheism and the deepest questions of existence.  But this isn't just another debate-fe