Playback speed
Esther was joined by Rachel Hughes of the Orchard Women’s Conference and Rev Rachel Phillips of Magdalene Community Church, known to many from her appearance on BBC's Gladiators, to discuss changing views on women’s ministry and how we can drop the cultural clichés while keeping biblical truth intact.
Released on 5 Mar 2026
Are we seeing a rise in spiritual singles in pop music? Harry Styles, who rose to fame with One Direction, has just released his fourth solo album, while Bruno Mars put out a track titled God Was Showing Off. But the main focus was new music from U2, fronted by Bono. Dr Daniel Johnson of the London School of Theology joined Esther to discuss the new EP’s spiritual and political themes.
With International Women’s Day just passed and Mother’s Day approaching, Esther has been exploring the expectations many Christian women feel when they read about the so-called “Proverbs 31 woman.” Comms expert Emma Hart, Isabelle Hamley of Ridley Hall, and Andrew S. Kisumba from Cedar Church Birmingham joined her to discuss how women can engage with this passage in a healthier way and how they might find balance between inspiration and pressure.
The relationship between the Church of England and GAFCON has been strained for years over same-sex relationships, with the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury becoming another sticking point for traditionalist bishops. Plans to elect an alternative leader were dropped — but what happens now? Can the Anglican Communion remain united, or is a split still possible? Esther spoke to Gavin Drake, a British journalist and commentator on Anglican affairs.