When you think of Blackpool, what comes to mind? Kiss-me-quick hats, donkey rides—or maybe hen dos? It may come as a surprise that it’s also the most deprived local authority in England, facing serious challenges with addiction, housing, and low incomes. Esther and guest editor Bishop Jill Duff spoke to Rev. Andy Dykes and Jack Boon, members of St John’s Church Blackpool, about how God is on the move in their community.
With the summer season on the way, how are your holiday plans shaping up? And do they include a Christian festival? The Waverley Abbey Festival takes place later this month, on Monday 25th May—at, you guessed it, Waverley Abbey in Surrey. Sarah Schrack is one of the event leads and joined Esther to share more! Find out more at waverleyabbey.org/festival
With UK local elections approaching and polls predicting gains for Reform UK and the Greens, questions about political division are intensifying—even within churches. Esther Higham spoke to the Rt Rev Philip North and Krish Kandiah about how Christians navigate deep disagreements, share community and communion, and foster understanding when fellow believers hold sharply opposing political views.
On Monday’s show, we celebrated an incredible sporting feat—Sebastian Sawe’s sub-2-hour run at the 2026 London Marathon. But what about a marathon that covers 26 sports in 26 locations over 26 hours, all for Jesus? Scripture Union’s Mark Oliver, Sport Mission Team Leader, and Dave Newton, National Director, joined Esther to share the story.
A viral US worship night has sparked debate by calling out other religions—singing, “Buddha’s in the ground, Mohammed’s in the ground,” while Jesus is alive. But is publicly criticising other faiths a helpful way to point people to Jesus? And 25 years after the Pope first visited a mosque, how do we love people of other faiths without compromising the truth? Evangelist Danny Neale joined Esther Higham to discuss.
Romanian is now the UK’s second most spoken foreign language, with a new campaign pushing for a dedicated GCSE. But what about our churches? How can we better welcome Romanian families and individuals—and what might we learn from their approach to church? Virgil Mitrofan, church elder at Ezra Romanian Evangelical Church, joined Esther Higham to explore these questions and teach us how to praise God in the Romance language.
Sue Monckton-Rickett, Chair of the Association of Christians in Counselling, and Jo Hargreaves, also known as the Faith-Filled Therapist, join Esther Higham to demystify therapeutic jargon and help us navigate the world of counselling. They discuss how to find the right approach for your needs, if it's best to choose a Christian therapist, and the role of prayer in the therapy room.
Charity pioneer and mental health advocate Patrick Regan OBE joins Esther to chat about burnout, why we need to stop trying to be “all things to all people” in church, and his new book, Small Steps for Big Change: A Guide Through Overwhelm.
A recent poll by The John Smith Centre at Glasgow University found that half of young people say they would not fight for Britain “under any circumstances.” The prevailing sentiment was: “Why would I fight for a country that isn’t fighting for me?” Esther spoke to MP Tom Tugendhat and former Major General Roddy Porter to hear their thoughts on why the UK might still be worth fighting for and if Christians should be on the frontline in the first place.
Peter and Vicky Vardy are a sibling duo and the founders of The Calling, a leadership summit in Scotland bringing together leaders from church, business, education, and community life for vision, inspiration, and practical wisdom. They sat down with Esther Higham to share more. Find out about the event at thecalling.scot
Esther spoke to Barney and Ben from “Two Blokes Running” the morning after a historic London Marathon, where Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe broke a record once considered unbreakable.
His musical legacy is undeniable, yet his life was surrounded by serious allegations that continue to divide opinion. A new biopic about him is out this week, and his influence clearly lives on. So why, despite the controversy, is he still so widely loved? To explore this, Esther spoke to gospel artist and producer Ian Green, who worked with Jackson and shared his perspective on the man behind the myth.
Ben Rogers from Hong Kong Watch—a human rights organisation—and Kenneth Harrod, Head of Theology at Release International, reflect on the realities of being a Christian in India and China, and what the global Church can learn from their stories.
After reports that young women are moving into convents for affordable housing, Esther explored whether opening convents, monasteries and churches to those in need could be the next big thing to combat the cost-of-living crisis. To help, she was joined by Catholic Sister Gemma Simmonds and young professional David Rimmer, both living in community.
He’s played bass on some of the most iconic rock songs of all time, but Pink Floyd’s former bassist Guy Pratt has swapped strings for bells, taking up bellringing at his village church. To find out what draws people to the towers, Esther spoke to Dickon Love MBE, a belfry archaeologist, bellringer, and Captain of the Royal Jubilee Bellringers.
