Inspirational Breakfast with Esther Higham

Damilola Makinde, formation pastor at Kings Cross Church, chats to Esther Higham about Cambridge Dictionary's word of the year, "manifest". She explores the rise in manifesting among celebrities, how it differs from prayer, and whether it points to something spiritually dark.

In our busy lives, finding quiet time with the Lord can feel like starting an old engine. Guilt from neglecting Bible reading adds to the discouragement. How can we build a daily habit of connecting with God? In The Quiet Time Kickstart, Rachel Jones shares simple tips to revive this habit. She discussed these insights with Esther Higham.

Rev Canon Michael Parker, Chaplain General of His Majesty’s Land Forces, and former Army sniper-turned-evangelist Neil Obbard, chat to Esther Higham about the role of chaplains in the armed forces. They explore why humour is essential in the armed forces, whether the UK army needs greater resourcing, and how chaplains prepare troops not just for the enemy, but for eternity.

Christmas is fast approaching, and huge crowds are set to gather at carol services across the UK. Despite this, many churches remain scanty throughout the rest of the year. So, how can we be evangelistic and creative with the Nativity narrative? Dr. Rachel Jordan-Wolf from Hope Together and Evangelist Rev. Gary Gibbs joined Esther Higham to unpack this.

According to Girls Not Brides, 12 million girls marry before age 18 each year worldwide. Yet Iraq wants to lower the age of consent to nine, which opponents say would lead to child marriages and further erode women’s rights. As Christians, with examples like Mary and Joseph, how can we address this considering the historical view of marriage and consent in the Bible? Journalist and human rights specialist Julia Bicknell joined Esther Higham to unpack this.

It’s been one thousand and one days since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the last few days have seen a significant escalation in the conflict. US President Biden has authorized the use of long-range missiles. In response, President Putin has revised his nuclear weapons policy. So, is there hope that this escalation can eventually lead to peace? Lord Richard Dannatt, Professor John Heathershaw, and Professor Nick Megoran joined Esther Higham to unpack this.

Incoming US president Donald Trump has chosen an eclectic senior team, including Linda McMahon and Elon Musk. In scripture, Jesus chose unlikely candidates. So, what are the key ingredients for assembling a 'God Squad'—a team with the right balance of people and personalities? Paul Bickley from the Christian think-tank Theos joined Esther Higham to discuss this.

Tola-Doll Fisher, editor of Women Alive magazine, joins Esther Higham to chat about the latest dating trends, why sharing your love life on social media is unnecessary, and when it's the right time to bring up the M-word.

Jennifer Ayoade, PhD student at SOAS University, chats with Esther Higham about Band Aid's 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?' and why she thinks the song perpetuates unhelpful colonial stereotypes.

56% of people with bipolar disorder in the UK remain undiagnosed. So when discovered how can this disorder impact daily life and one's relationship with God? Reverend Lily Strachan, diagnosed with bipolar in 2008, and Kathy Spooner, from the Association of Christian Counselling, discuss this with Esther Higham.

Graeme McKeekin from Tearfund chats with Esther Higham on World Toilet Day about sanitation, what scripture says about the loo, and why your bathroom breaks could be the perfect time to pray.

If you’ve ever failed at something, lost a race or an election, or even been overlooked for a promotion, you’ll understand how it feels to eat humble pie in the public eye. So, what should we do when we go through seasons of disappointment and failure? Author of How to be Unsuccessful Pete Portal and Director of Christians in Politics Andy Flannagan joined Esther Higham to unpack this.

Jon Stockley, Christian Vision for Men, chats to Esther Higham about why men struggle to form deeper friendships and why a simple text to someone struggling can be so transformational.

The countdown to Christmas is on! November is Generosity Month, inspired by Acts 20:35: “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” But with many feeling the pinch, how can we be generous while just making ends meet? Rev. Steve Wood from Generosity Path, along with finance coaches Ken and Mark Okoroafor from The Humble Penny, join Esther Higham and Andy Kind to discuss this.

Premier’s new podcast, ‘Step In: Bible Stories for Children,’ features 15-minute audiobook-style stories from the Bible to help primary school-aged kids engage with God’s word. How can we inspire kids to read the Bible and grow their faith amidst all the distractions? Premier’s David Senior is the narrator, and he shares how with Esther Higham.