Big Breakfast

Can you be a Christian and work at the cutting edge of technology? Nia Oloyede is a humanoid robot designer AND a Christian - but how do faith and the future of robotics fit together? She joined Max and Lydia to explore where the industry is heading, what we should be celebrating about these technological advances, and what we might need to be concerned about.

Can a broken relationship with a parent ever be restored? And how do we honour parents who have hurt us? Emma Fowle, Deputy Editor of Premier Christianity, shares with Max and Lydia how her dad, former world-champion powerlifter Arthur White, went from addiction and infidelity to a life transformed by Jesus - and how that changed their relationship. Her story is told in her memoir, All the Times You Were Not There.

Vicki Smith, CEO of Growing Hope, joined Max & Lydia to unpack the new government review warning about the risks of overdiagnosing ADHD and autism. They discuss whether labelling are loved ones is ever helpful, what the Bible might tell us about neurodivergence, and how therapy can strengthen the relationship between parents and children with additional needs.

When the alarm goes off, firefighters run towards danger, facing situations where lives are at risk and there’s no room for panic. So what does it look like to be Just Like Jesus under pressure? Lydia spoke to Simon Hewitt from Firefighters for Christ, who spent 31 years in the fire service, about how faith shapes courage, integrity and compassion when you’re running towards the flames.

Sarah Davison, Research and Innovation Lead at Scripture Union, joined Max & Lydia to unpack new research showing that while young people see their online and offline lives as inseparable, they still place greater value on trusted relationships and real-life conversations when exploring faith.

Imagine a wedding without a photographer… no first kiss, emotional speeches or embarrassing dance-floor moves captured! Behind every great photograph is someone who knows how to spot the moment before it’s gone. But what does it look like to bring Jesus into the picture? Can photography actually be an act of worship? Birmingham-based wedding photographer Dom Mould, joined Lydia and Max to share how he bring Jesus into his work.

Tommy Sharpe from A Better Story joined Max & Lydia to chat about Christian nationalism, being careful with the term 'far-right', and how we get better at talking to people we fundamentally disagree with.

Max sat down with Canon Ellen Loudon, Director of Social Justice for Liverpool Diocese, to talk about her new collaborative book Project Kindness: Conversations about Doing Justice in Hostile Times. Ellen reflects on hearing the kindest thing she’s ever heard at one of the hardest times in her life, the unique challenges and opportunities of serving in Liverpool, and how we can respond to political division in our families and friendships with simple acts of kindness.

You might think being a church leader already comes with enough work... but not for Ryan Rodrigues, who decided to pursue a career in politics alongside his ministry. Max & Lydia sat down with the priest and politician to hear more about what led him into local government, how he balances the two roles, and his advice for navigating political divides in your own church. Plus, some much-needed pothole chat!

Richard Storry didn’t just survive one of Britain’s most famous houses - he THRIVED! He went on to win Big Brother series 22, making history as the show’s oldest-ever winner. But what was it like being an unapologetic Christian under the spotlight? Richard joined Max and Lydia to lift the lid on his Big Brother experience, and reveal what he decided to do with his winnings!

With Freshers’ Week just around the corner, how can students start uni looking a little more like Jesus? Max and Lydia were joined by Judith Holmes and Ayo Eluyera from Just Love UK, a charity helping students pursue justice holistically, fruitfully and sustainably. They unpacked campus politics, being bold in faith from day one, and what pursuing justice actually looks like at university.

Worship leader, church pastor and Max’s former boss Tim Hughes joins Big Breakfast for a wide-ranging chat about his love of Coldplay, healthy ambition, why he’s open to using AI in songwriting, and how the news around Soul Survivor led him to pick up his guitar again. Plus, his history degree is put to the test with a tricky quiz. How much can he actually remember?

Making a decision for yourself is one thing. Making a decision that could affect the livelihoods of hundreds of employees? That’s a whole different ball game. So what does it look like to bring Jesus into the boardroom? Gary Grant, founder and former Chief of The Entertainer, joined Max and Lydia to share how his faith shaped everything from working hours and finances to the products they sold.

With over 80% of the UK active on social media, it’s where we shop, scroll, debate and connect. But behind the likes and follows can be trolls, comparison and plenty of negativity. So how do we bring Jesus into the online world without losing ourselves? Christian content creator Jay Painter joined Max and Lydia to share his top tips for surviving, and thriving, as a Christian online.

What’s it like marrying someone from a different culture? For Premier’s Kelly Valencia, it meant misunderstanding “I love you”, navigating British politeness and discovering a whole new way to live out her faith. Kelly and husband Ben joined Max & Lydia to talk about their first year of parenting, why Ben thought they were dating before Kelly had a clue, and how intentional prayer has shaped their relationship. Plus, what it takes to be a Christian journalist.