Many worship artists talk about the influence of the Psalms on their music — but for Phil Wickham, that connection went further when he was asked to voice David in the new animated film about his life. DAVID is in UK cinemas from today. Esther Higham spoke to Phil about the film and the parallels between David’s story and his own. Then Micahel spoke to Producer Jamie Pratt who'd watched an early screening!
Do you have aunties and uncles in your life? Not necessarily relatives, but older Christians who check in, offer wisdom, challenge you or simply make sure you’re okay. Should caring for one another be the responsibility of the whole Church? Theo Manderson, a Premier Gospel presenter passionate about mentoring young people, and writer Alex Noel, who focuses on communicating faith and drawing people closer to Jesus, spoke to Michael on the subject...
Are prenups wise preparation — or planning for divorce before you’ve even said “I do”? A recent BBC report found almost half of married Millennials in the US, and more than a third of Gen Z adults, have a prenup. In the UK, it’s around one in ten couples. So are prenups sensible financial planning, or do they reveal something deeper about how we view marriage? Michael Fanstone discussed it with Tony Wilson and Maryane Mwaniki of Eden Relationships.
For 75 years, Mayo’s Gaelic football supporters wondered whether their county was living under a curse. Now that the so-called curse has finally been broken, it raises a deeper question: do words carry real spiritual weight, or are we simply looking for meaning in a remarkable sporting story? Ephesians 6 speaks of spiritual forces. But how should Christians approach the supernatural without fear? Michael was joined by Matt Johnson from the Global Prophetic Alliance.
When we talk about charity, we champion generosity and compassion. But are we getting the way we talk about the people we serve right? Does the “white saviour complex” highlight a genuine problem, or oversimplify? Are we listening to Global South communities, or telling their stories for them? Michael was joined by Ben Rogers from Fortify Rights and Fiona Fearon from Open Doors UK.
How do you let someone know they’re more than a friend, without crossing the line into sin? The Bible doesn’t explicitly say whether Christians should kiss while dating, so where do we draw the line? Is kissing innocent affection, or can it make sexual temptation harder to resist? Michael was joined by Sharyn Kyazze, host of Premier Gospel’s Swipe Right For Jesus, to offer some advice.
How can we practically stand up for the Jewish community? Antisemitic incidents across the UK have risen by a fifth, while difficult conversations continue within the Church about Israel and antisemitism. Michael Fanstone was joined by Steve Maltz, who writes about the Jewish roots of Christianity, and Fiona Sorbala, a Jewish believer in Jesus and co-leader of Chosen People Ministries UK, to ask what it means to love our neighbours in action.
A total solar eclipse will bring darkness to parts of Europe, with the Moon completely covering the Sun and revealing its spectacular corona. It’s the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999! Michael was joined by Stephanie Bevan, a Trustee with Christians in Science, to explore what this incredible sight can teach us about the harmony between science, faith and God’s creation.
England and Wales’ prisons are under huge pressure, with the population at around 86,500 and close to capacity. PM Andy Burnham has paused plans for thousands of early releases while the Government reviews the scheme. But what does our Christian faith say about justice, mercy and second chances? Michael spoke to prison ministry worker Ian McDowell and Paul Cowley, who helps ex-offenders find work, to share how Christians can respond.
Sam Fender has made UK chart history, with Rein Me In spending 19 weeks at number one, breaking a record that had stood since 1953. But if you’re not a Fender fan, you may never have heard it. Streaming and algorithms mean we increasingly listen within our own bubbles. So could this be the death of monoculture, and how can Christianity gain traction in an increasingly fragmented society? Michael Fanstone spoke to cultural commentator Tim Bechervaise to explore.
As AI continues to transform everyday life, we ask: how should Christians respond? Michael was joined by Chris Goswami, founder of the AI Christian Partnership, and Rob Hornby, technologist and AI specialist, to unpack the big AI stories of the day and explore the opportunities, challenges and faith questions raised by this rapidly evolving technology.
Andy Burnham's wife Marie-France van Heel has her own successful career, but how does her new position change things? When a senior pastor, charity CEO or mission leader is appointed, how does it impact their spouse? Do they marry into their partner's ministry? Michael was joined by Dr Mandy Smith, pastor and teacher, to dig into this tricky subject.
Claire Musters, author, editor and host of the Woman Alive Book Club, joins Michael to share her top Christian book recommendations for the summer — from easy-going fiction to thought-provoking and contemplative reads.
Jenny Peters from Connected Lives joins Michael Fanstone to explore attachment styles — what they are, how we recognise anxious, avoidant, secure and disorganised attachment patterns, and the impact they can have on our relationships. Plus, how therapy, church community and focusing on our God-given identity can help us build more fruitful relationships.
Have you ever fallen for a scam? We've all received suspicious texts or too-good-to-be-true investment offers. But what if, behind some of those messages, there's another victim? Yesterday was the UN's World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Across Southeast Asia, thousands have been trafficked into scam compounds and forced to con people online under threats of violence. Molly Hodson from International Justice Mission joins us to expose the hidden crisis.
