Inspirational Breakfast with Esther Higham

Olly Perkins, co-founder of Fruitful Work, and Anneka Wallington, founder of Recognised, join Esther to talk about why your business might be one of the most powerful (and overlooked) ways to share the gospel today.

What’s your prayer for the conflict in Iran? As tensions rise, with Donald Trump pushing for a coalition to secure the vital Strait of Hormuz, the situation remains fragile. Martin Thomas from SAT-7, a Christian media organisation operating in the Middle East, joined Esther to share about what life is like for Iranian Christians caught in the crossfire.

Amid ongoing conflict in Iran, Ukraine, and the Middle East, the need for peace feels urgent. This week, 24-7 Prayer is hosting a global week of nonstop prayer, day and night, inviting Christians everywhere to unite in praying for peace. Brian Heasley, international prayer director, joined Esther to share more.

Film critic Andy Godfrey, author of Faith on Film, and Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwem, founder of the British Urban Film Festival, joined Esther to discuss the 2026 Oscars — and what Christians might take away from some of the night’s biggest winners, including Michael B Jordan's surprise victory for horror thriller Sinners.

New research suggests death may be a gradual process rather than an instant event, with some patients recalling awareness after their heart stopped. It raises questions about our final moments, and the ethics of assisted dying and organ donation. Could this window even allow for a final spiritual “grace period”? Prof John Wyatt and Rev Dr Susan Salt joined Esther to discuss..

Paul Birch and Matthew Rutherford from the Riding Lights Theatre Company join Esther to talk about their powerful new play, Night Falls, which imagines the stories of Lazarus and Jairus’s daughter in the dramatic final days of Jesus. They also share the real-life drama that’s hit their tour after their equipment van was stolen.

Beth Ward is part of Circuit Riders, a movement of young missionaries travelling from city to city, sharing the good news of Jesus and praying for people on the streets, university campuses and in churches. The name comes from the original Methodist “circuit riders”, travelling preachers in the 18th and 19th centuries who rode on horseback from town to town. Beth joined Esther Higham to share about the movement and some remarkable healings she says she’s witnessed in recent weeks.

Martyn Link, co‑founder of The Business Connection and workplace leadership adviser, joins Esther for another Work Clinic — responding to your dilemmas and questions with practical and spiritual wisdom. From asking for a pay rise, to the “confidence gap” between men and women, and using the gift of discernment in a fragile job market.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Writer and Christian cultural apologist Caleb Woodbridge joins Esther for a bluffer's guide to Reddit. They explore how to engage graciously with online discourse, the platform's £14m fine for age-check failings, and what happened when Caleb shared the Good News on a Doctor Who forum.

At the halfway mark of England’s disastrous Six Nations Championship campaign, former pro Peter Browne revisits the title race,and reflects on what sporting setbacks reveal about how Christians face disappointment and disruption.

Premier Christianity Magazine has revealed its top 100 Christian books (excluding the Bible)—but did your favourite make the top 5? Editor Sam Hailes joins Esther to share the highlights and surprises from the list!