Summer can be an exciting season for young people - school's out, Christian festivals are in full swing, and there's more time with friends. But it can also bring exam results, uncertainty about the future, and the loss of routine. Youth Culture Specialist Nesu Kwaramba from Urban Saints joined Lydia to share practical dos and don'ts for encouraging young people through the summer months.
The first year of marriage can shape everything that follows - so how do you build strong foundations from day one? Pastor Mike Novotny, author of Newlywed: A Christian Guide for Loving Year One, joined Lydia to share practical, biblical wisdom on communication, finances, intimacy and setting healthy expectations for a thriving marriage.
What is it really like to follow Jesus in one of the world's most dangerous places to be a Christian? Dan Chung has spent over 20 years supporting North Korean refugees with Crossing Borders and his new book 'A Hard Freedom' details the trauma and hardship of living in the country and leaving it too. He joined Lydia to share the reality of what goes on inside North Korea and how God is still at work.
Our lives are shaped by the choices we make. For Christians, the biggest is following Jesus, but every day brings another decision: when life gets hard, will we turn towards God or drift away? Speaker, author and storyteller Joanna Watson explores that question in her new book 'It's All About the Light'. She joined Lydia to share remarkable stories of hope, healing and finding God in life's darkest moments.
Richard Storry entered one of the UK's most popular reality TV shows last year - not only did he survive, but he thrived and went on to win the 22nd series of Big Brother. He shared his testimony with Lydia Bennett and what it looks like to reflect Jesus on TV.
Jesus had a lot to say about money, and a lot to say about justice. But what happens when the two come together? Does God care how we earn, spend, save and invest? Sarah Edwards from Just Money Movement joined Lydia Bennett to explore what it means to honour Jesus with our finances, and shared practical ways our everyday spending can reflect our faith.
Following Jesus should mean becoming more like Him - but what happens when your faith feels stuck? When growth stalls and you're not sure how to move forward, how do you deepen your walk with God? Lydia Bennett is joined by Pastor Colin Smith, President of Open the Bible and Pastor Emeritus of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, to explore what genuine spiritual growth looks like and how to keep growing in faith.
What's the hardest thing God has ever asked you to do? Maybe it was leaving something familiar, stepping out in faith, or trusting Him when His plans didn't make sense. Nearly 30 years ago, Amy Boucher Pye left the US for the UK to start married life. In 'Finding Myself in Britain', now celebrating its 10th anniversary, she reflects on navigating a new culture, finding home, and discovering God's faithfulness through every twist and turn.
Dirk Smith is the President of Eastern European Mission (EEM), one of the world’s largest Bible distribution ministries. EEM is launching its biggest campaign yet, aiming to distribute more than one million Bibles in honour of William Tyndale. Dirk joined Lydia Bennett to share the life-changing power of Scripture.
Was Jesus political? It's a question that's being asked more and more. As Christians, we're called to follow Jesus wholeheartedly but does that mean Jesus shapes our politics too? Apologist, theologian, author and speaker Paul Coulter joined Lydia to unpack this big question!
Many Christians long for God to use us in extraordinary ways. But often, those life-changing callings begin with one ordinary moment of obedience. For Matt Roper, that moment came on a road in Brazil. What started as an ordinary journey became the beginning of a calling that would lead him to dedicate his life to serving vulnerable young girls. Today, that work is known as Meninadança. Matt joined Lydia Bennett to share how it all began
Creativity shapes culture, yet many gifted artists, storytellers, designers, and innovators in the Church are still seeking ways to connect their talents with Kingdom impact. So how can the Church inspire and mobilise creatives to become catalysts for mission, discipleship, and cultural transformation? Dr Scott Ingegneri, CEO of ACT International, joins Lydia Bennett to explore the opportunities and challenges facing today's creative generation, and how their gifts can be used to advance God's Kingdom.
If you were asked to picture Jesus walking the roads of Galilee, what image comes to mind? For many Christians in the West, our understanding of Jesus has been shaped by our own culture. So why is cultural context important when we read the Bible? Bestselling author and leading voice on the Jewish roots of Christianity, Lois Tverberg, joined Lydia Bennett to explore this question.
Ruth Naomi Floyd, an acclaimed jazz vocalist, composer, and educator from Philadelphia, USA, thinks it isn't wrong to mix the Gospel with jazz music. Ruth's work blends jazz, theology, and history, drawing on the gospel roots of jazz to explore themes of faith, justice, resilience, and human dignity. She joined Lydia Bennett to discuss why the Gospel cannot be restricted to particular musical genres.
When someone receives a life-changing diagnosis, what do you say? How do you reflect the compassion of Jesus without falling back on clichés? Andy Robinson was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer in 2023. In his book The Big C in Me, he shares his journey with honesty, humour and faith. He joined Lydia to unpack the dos and don'ts of supporting someone who's just been diagnosed.
