A 45-year-old man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after two Jewish men were stabbed in north London. Police are reviewing events nationwide after the UK terror threat level was raised to “severe,” meaning an attack is highly likely. But is it enough to curb antisemitic attacks, and how should Christians respond? Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, and David Burrowes, Parliamentary Director for Conservative Christian Fellowship, joined Michael for comment
Shop prices are rising again, partly due to the conflict in the Middle East. As finances tighten, households cut spending, and charitable giving is often among the first to go, despite deep personal commitment. What does this mean for Christian charities, and how are believers responding to the pressure? Jenny Herrera, Executive Director of Acts 435; Andy Bevan from CREO Ventures; and Daniel Jones, CEO of Stewardship, joined Michael to share what they're seeing!
Oil prices have surged past $126 a barrel amid fears of Middle East disruption, boosting North Sea activity. But life offshore remains harsh: workers face high fatality risks, isolation, long shifts, poor sleep, and time away from family, with some reports suggesting elevated suicide rates. So how can Christian faith endure or grow in such conditions? Michael spoke to former rig worker-turned-minister Colin Webster to better understand if faith can survive on an oil rig.
If adding more entertainment brought more people through the doors, would it be worth it? Or is the message of the Gospel meant to stand on its own? From comedy and drama to something as unexpected as magic—where should the line be drawn? Is there even a line at all? Tom Elliot is an evangelist and entertainer. He spoke to Mal Pope about his unusual path, his new tour and whether the church should ever lean more into entertainment to reach people.
Mal Pope, standing in for Michael, explored how faith holds up in the high-pressure world of professional kitchens, where long hours, stress, and sharp tempers are part of daily life. He was joined by Chef Jonni Smith and Christian caterer Sylvia Parkes, who shared honest reflections on the challenges and rewards of living out faith in such an intense environment, and whether it can truly thrive under the heat!
With movie star Nicole Kidman revealing her training as an end-of-life doula—a trained, non-medical professional who provides physical, emotional and informational support during and after death—Mal Pope, standing in for Michael Fanstone, spoke to Yvonne Tulloch, CEO of AtaLoss, about the need for better bereavement care in the UK and the charity’s 10th anniversary.
Are you up for a prayer walk around the UK? Following the opening of the King Charles III Coast Path, England’s longest managed footpath, Michael spoke with Rev Canon Nigel Marns, creator of the Cornish Celtic Way, about connecting walkers and pilgrims with the rich spiritual heritage of Cornwall’s coastline.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Iran “begged” for a ceasefire and suggested divine intervention shaped the outcome. Should leaders invoke God in matters of war—or avoid it altogether? Michael was joined by Professor of Political Geography Nick Megoran and Joe Connor, Regional Director of Elam Ministries to explore the geopolitical tensions, what the Bible says, and how Christians might respond to the conflict.
Sharon Mac Wilmshurst, co-founder of Prisca, a resource supporting and equipping preachers across the UK, joined Mal Pope (Standing in for Michael) to explore a question many quietly wrestle with: who is preaching really for?
On Good Friday, systematic theologian and author Lucy Peppiatt joined Michael to explore a question many people, Christian or not, still ask: why did Jesus Christ have to die on the cross?
With only a few thousand speakers left of the Aramaic Jesus Christ once spoke, should we be doing more to preserve his language? And how would it deepen our faith if we experienced Scripture in his native tongue? Theologian David Instone-Brewer joined Michael Fanstone, who was also given a quick language lesson by Ewan MacLeod from Jesus Spoke Aramaic.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of Jesus’ most well-known stories: a despised Samaritan helping an injured man ignored by others. In today's society, many report struggling to intervene in emergencies because of the “bystander effect.” So how can we resist that instinct and live out compassion in everyday life? Deborah Akinlawon from the Christian Police Association joined Michael to discuss.
Are there still “edges” of our society where the gospel isn’t being heard? What industries or careers need more spiritual support or community in the UK? Michael was joined by evangelists from the contrasting mission fields of online gaming and weightlifting to explain why Christians need to step up in every space!
A US military commander reportedly told troops that Donald Trump was “anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth". To discuss whether this has could have any Biblical truth, Michael was joined by Revd Dr Ian Paul, theologian and author of Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, alongside John Heathershaw, Professor of International Relations at the University of Exeter.
Spare a thought for Tesco, which recently put up Welsh signs in Cornwall, mistaking them for Cornish. A light-hearted mix-up — but it shows how language shapes identity. Globally, one in five people still await the Bible in their own tongue. We are far from Revelation’s vision of every tribe and language worshipping together. Robin Peake of Wycliffe Bible Translators joined Michael to explain why language matters.
