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Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid caused a storm on the slopes last week when he publicly apologised for having an affair. But was such openness wise?
Speaker and entrepreneur Kika Ashanike and Jack Valero, founder of Catholic Voices, joined Esther Higham to unpack the Sacrament of Confession, public vs private apologies, and why we can't live without forgiveness.
Released on 18 Feb 2026
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, but unlike Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday, it often passes us by. So what’s it all about, and what could we be missing? Sister Gemma Simmonds, theologian and spiritual director, joined Esther with a quick “Bluffer’s Guide” to the season, fresh from her early-morning Ash Wednesday service.
Jasper Warwood may be fresh out of school, but he’s already seen God do some remarkable miracles in his lifetime, particularly through Alpha. Now spending a discipleship year at St Thomas’ in Newcastle, he joined Esther to talk about how we can respond to young people’s growing openness to faith and why God never stops!
We’re at the start of Lent, a season of fasting and spiritual discipline. Some give up treats or social media… but what about giving up all your comforts at once? Programmes like Exodus 90 are growing in popularity, challenging participants to 90 days of prayer, sacrifice and accountability. Leadership coach Matt Parkes joined Esther, alongside Ayoola Bandele of Daily Bible Devotions, to discuss whether the harder path is always the holier one.