Inspirational Breakfast with Michael Fanstone

Supporters of Tommy Robinson are reportedly coming to church—some driven more by politics than by faith. Should this make us wary, or should we welcome them in? To explore this polarising issue, writer and socially conservative commentator James Cary and Danny Webster, Head of Advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, joined Michael. They also heard from Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP and host of Premier’s politics podcast A Mucky Business.

In the build-up to the Autumn Budget, there’s been criticism of last-minute U-turns by Labour on key promises. But is changing direction always a sign of bad leadership? Michael spoke with Rachel Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, alongside Gary Spicer, professional mentor for Christian entrepreneurs, and Graham Miller from London City Mission, to explore what strong Christian leadership might look like.

If your music is meant to encourage faith, shouldn’t it ultimately come from God? Yet God created all music, so is it also right to learn from what already works and sounds good? Professional worship leaders Josh Carr and Fiona Crow joined Michael to help all creatives find that sanctified balence.

What should Christians make of the BBC at the moment? A leaked memo showed a BBC show edited a Donald Trump clip to sound like he incited the January 6th riots, prompting the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness and an apology to the White House. Comedy writer and broadcast historian Paul Kerensa and former BBC journalist David Campanale joined Michael Fanstone to discuss the BBC’s future and its Christian roots.

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to truly switch off? Dr Gemma Simmonds, sister of the Congregation of Jesus, joined Michael Fanstone to explore the what, when, why, and how of taking a sabbatical - and why it’s anything but a sign of weakness.

A new National Retirement Forecast report warns that over a third of people may struggle to cover basic living costs in retirement. So, is it wise—and godly—to start preparing now for those leaner years? Paul Houghton from Kingdom Bank and Rosie Venner from JustMoney Movement joined Michael Fanstone to explore pensions, savings, and how to strike the right balance between practical planning and trusting in God’s provision.

Jamaica has been struck by its strongest storm on record. Prophet and mentor Ottis Reynolds has been using his Instagram platform to share updates from people in Jamaica during this difficult time. He joined Michael Fanstone to unpack how Christians can respond — both with their wallets and on their knees.

Founder of the National Day of Prayer and Worship (NDOPW), Pastor Jonathan Oloyede, joined Michael Fanstone to unpack the NDOPW’s 72-hour prayer vigil over the Halloween weekend — and to explain why spiritual discernment is essential and why believers must not fall for the devil’s tactics.

When we fall in love and commit to someone, we often hope it will last a lifetime. But life doesn’t always follow that script. So how do you know when the time is right to enter a new relationship after the previous one has ended? Harry Benson from the Marriage Foundation, and author and speaker Lauren Windle joined Michael Fanstone to unpack this

Esther Tikare, founder of The Serve Network—a Christian media company producing faith-based content—joined Michael Fanstone to unpack how to stay ahead of toxic TikTok trends and better understand the risks young people face online.

Andy Keen-Downs CBE, CEO of the Prison Advice and Care Trust, joined Michael Fanstone to unpack a new report that raised concerns about the state of prison education and its impact on young offenders, as well as the challenges of running a ministry in a broken system.

Life’s challenges can be complex, and while some may have spiritual roots, others may not. How can you tell the difference? Minister at St Crispin’s, Islington and church planter, Rev Dr Paul Blackham, joined Michael Fanstone to discuss this

Ayo Adedoyin, founder of the International Organisation for Peacebuilding and Social Justice, and Ayodele Adio, political commentator and journalist, joined Michael Fanstone to unpack whether the global media is downplaying the Nigerian Christian genocide and how we, as Christians, can pray for the Giant of Africa

Tithing in crypto? Chatbots making salvation calls? AI writing sermons? When it comes to incorporating AI into your ministry, the list of practical, ethical, and theological questions can feel endless. Nick Parker, Partnerships Lead at CV Global, joined Michael Fanstone to explore some of these tech conundrums.

Interim chair of the Christian Police Association, Graham Norman, joined Mal Pope to investigate what it is that keeps us coming back for more when it comes to crime and mystery dramas.