Faith, Hope, and Love

Dr. Claire Gilbert knows this struggle well. An author, speaker, and mentor, Claire was diagnosed with myeloma—a cancer of the blood—at age 54 and has lived with it ever since. Her book Miles to Go Before I Sleep: Letters on Hope, Death and Learning to Live chronicles her journey through illness and faith. She joined Lydia Bennett to share how her faith sustained her through the diagnosis.

Blue Monday is just around the corner—the time when bills arrive, days feel darker, and motivation runs low. As Christians, we have a God who promises hope, peace, and life in all its fullness. So why do we still struggle? And more importantly, how can we experience the full life Jesus offers? Psychotherapist, counsellor, and lecturer at the London School of Theology, Dr Ike Odina, joined Lydia Bennett to unpack this.

Ken and Mary Okoroafor are founders of the Humble Penny, a platform helping people to manage their money better and reach financial independence. Their latest book 'The Wealth Habit' helps people to build healthy financial habits that will last. Premier's Lydia Bennett spoke to them about how to break down the money taboo, how to do a finance MOT on yourself and how to avoid impulse buying!

Anwar Bourazza serves the commuters of Kent as a rail pastor offering care, conversation, a smile and a hot drink to anyone who needs it. Premier’s Carlton Baxter spoke with Anwar about his work and why a train could be the best place to share the Gospel.

Beatty Carmichael is a self-proclaimed health and addiction breakthrough expert and author of the Prayer of Freedom, a spiritually driven process that has helped people worldwide get breakthrough healing from mental illness, chronic pain, emotional trauma, and addiction symptoms. He joined Lydia Bennett to share more about this approach to praying for healing and how he found it in scripture.

Starting the year spiritually strong is important, and practices like prayer, reflection, and Scripture aren’t just rituals—they’re lifelines that keep us grounded when life feels uncertain. Amy Boucher Pye is a writer, speaker, and spiritual director who helps people deepen their relationship with God. She joined Carlton Baxter to discuss how we can begin the year rooted in faith.

In West Africa, millions of children lack safe surgical care—a need that feels overwhelming. Yet God is raising people to step out in faith. One is Dr Justina Seyi-Olajide, a Nigerian paediatric surgeon serving on Mercy Ships, the world’s largest hospital ship. She joined Carlton Baxter to share her testimony.

How do you overcome something you feel you can’t live without? Addictions often seem impossible to break—but is that true? John and Sally Childress, founders of Free! Recovery, joined Carlton Baxter to explore the path to freedom.

Jennifer Hebert knows firsthand how God can turn pain into purpose. A survivor of domestic abuse, she now leads The Lampstand Group—a charity providing safe housing and specialist support for women escaping abuse in Hull and the East Riding, where refuge spaces are scarce. She joined Carlton Baxter to share her story and offer practical wisdom for those navigating or recognizing abusive relationships.

The new year is a time to reflect, leave some things behind, and look ahead. But how do we discern what God wants for us in this season? Should we expect an audible voice—or is that only for prophets? Hellie Glynn, prophetic speaker, Bible teacher, and regional consultant for The Filling Station, joined Lydia Bennett to share practical insights on hearing God’s voice in the year ahead.

Revd Ben Cahill-Nicholls is the Chief Executive of the Clergy Support Trust, a charity supporting those in ordained Anglican ministry and their families. He sat down with Lydia Bennett to chat about the stresses and strains of being a church leader and Christmas and how we as the Church can ease the burden on them!

Jesus asks over 300 questions in the Gospels yet many of us struggle to ask even one. Lydia Bennett sat down with J.R. Briggs to talk about his new book 'The Art of Asking Better Questions'. They chatted about the best question he’s ever been asked, when our questions cross the line, and what happens when we don’t like the answers we get.

Holly Phimister, a trained classical singer, once had a life full of promise. But everything changed—financial struggles, emotional battles, and the challenge of single motherhood. Then came a Christmas miracle: through Christians Against Poverty and the kindness of a local church, Holly began her journey to recovery and faith. She joins Mal Pope to share her story.

Howard Espie joins Mal Pope to unpack how we can make Christmas a time to pause, celebrate the birth of Christ, and reflect on the reconciliation of humanity with God.

Lydia Bennett interviews all five members of the Robinson family from The Famalam podcast. They discuss the background and inspiration for starting the podcast, sharing insights into family dynamics, Christian parenting, and how parents and kids can engage in meaningful dialogue together.