GoHealth Podcast

We continue our 2025 season on Belonging and Healing with an inspiring conversation between Gillian and Anglican priest, Father Luigi Gioia. This is a rich and profound episode where they go deep into lived experience and the reality of what it means to pray for healing. The Rev. Dr. Luigi Gioia is the Theologian in Residence at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New York City, and Research Associate at the Von Hügel Institute at the University of Cambridge (UK). He is the author of Say It To God. In Search of Prayer. The Archbishop of Canterbury Lent Book 2018 (Bloomsbury 2017), and The Wisdom of St Benedict. Monastic Spirituality And The Life Of The Church (Canterbury Press 2021). His books have been translated in six languages.  TW: Mentions suicide. Together they discuss: Why pray for healing? The difference between being cured and being healed. What is happening for people at Lourdes. The healing sacraments. The place of death in prayers for healing. The difference between acceptance and resignation. The importance of community in healing experiences. Father Luigi's own very personal current experience of praying for healing. Links: Transcript for this episode is available on our website. Join The GoHealth Community Share your requests for prayers for healing.

Gillian begins our 2025 season on Belonging by talking with Prof John Swinton, Professor of Practical and pastoral theology at aberdeen university. John is an registered mental health nurse, ordained minister and noted theologian, researching particularly in areas of mental health and dementia. He is also President of GoHealth, and a musician, recently releasing an album Beautiful songs about difficult things.  Together they explore:  Countercultural presence  Absence because of mobile phone use  Getting comfortable with disruption in church  Mental health in terms of discipleship and vocation  Moving from ‘fixing' to friendship.  Theology of the Psalms of lament.  Spirituality of darkness.  Helpful and harmful anger.  Solastalgia.  Belonging as being missed.  Learning to be kind.  The Denis Duncan Lecture 2025  Links Join The GoHealth Community Here Beautiful Songs about Difficult Things by John Swinton  Register here for the Denis Duncan Lecture Full transcript available here. Follow the GoHealth Community on our socials @guildofhealth

What is ours to do? We've been deep in this theme of Creation Cares for a number of weeks as a GoHealth Community. In this episode Gillian talks with Clare Fussell from Operation Noah about what we can do in response, and what we can leave undone! Clare Fussell joined Operation Noah in January 2024. Clare has a background in coordinating environmental campaigns, with experience leading The Climate Coalition, managing Christian Aid's Campaign Team, and being Environmental Adviser for Bristol Diocese. She is passionate about linking Christian faith with environmental action, and enjoys learning about permaculture and biodiversity through her role as trustee of Hazelnut Community Farm in Bristol, as well as through the eco work at her church. Clare is married to Luke, a renewable energy engineer, and they have two young children.  In their conversation together Gillian and Clare explore: Would Clare's teenage self imagine she would be doing what she is doing now Responding to the Climate crisis by balancing the big scene with small actions How Operation Noah has been supporting churches through the Bright Now campaign. What churches can do in response to climate change and biodiversity loss. Why climate change and environmental concerns are not a side show to the main purpose of the church. Clare's three tips for avoiding activist burnout as a Christian engaged in climate justice.  Links: Operation Noah The Hazelnut Community Burning Down the House Report - Tearfund The Lost Words by Robert McFarlane and Jackie Morris Borrowed Time - A Green Christian project The Loss and Damage Campaign - Christian Aid COP29 - United Nations Conference of the Parties

What in Creation caught your attention today? Do you have a sense of why that might have been? These are some of the many questions explored in this beautiful conversation between Gillian Straine and Steve Aisthorpe. Steve is the Director of Kilmalieu, a retreat centre on the west coast of the Highlands, part of the Abernethy Trust. He is a coach, retreat leader and author of The Invisible Church (SAP, 2016) and Rewilding the Church (SAP, 2020). He was previously a mission development officer for the Church of Scotland and Executive Director of the International Nepal Fellowship.  Together, Gillian and Steve explore Kilmalieu retreat centre – what is distinctive about its approach. How folk attending the centre connect with the rugged landscape around them. How being at Kilmalieu benefits people. The three ways of seeing. The threshold prayer. How connecting with nature cultivates resilience in the face of the climate crisis. Rewilding the Church - Steve's book. How folk listening can practice nature connection today, wherever they are.    Episode links: Kilmalieu website Abernethy Kilmalieu Facebook Kilmalieu Instagram  GoHealth Creation Cares series Join the GoHealth Community Facebook and Instagram: @GuildofHealth 

 Spending a long time gazing at a flower with a small child, having your hands covered in soil and being held by a fresh water lochan. These are just a few of the ways the GoHealth team share their experiences of nature connection in this special episode.  In this special episode we hear from members of the GoHealth team, chair of the board and a member of the GoHealth Community about their connection with Creation. Some of these reflections were recorded a few years ago just as we were emerging from lockdowns as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. A time when many of us were rediscovering a connection with nature.  May listening back to these reflections help us remember and retrieve that connection if it has since faded.  Graham Fender-Allison shares a precious moment in his garden with his wee boy. Steve Coles tells us about an exciting farm project he and his wife have set up and five things he has learnt in the process.  Gillian Straine describes how her labour of love in her back garden has helped her uncover deep wisdom about faith. Gregory expresses his love and thirst for the outdoors. Wendy Lloyd compares the cleansing of fresh water swimming with the satisfaction of having soil under her nails in the garden. Links: GoHealth Creation Cares series Join the GoHealth Community here. Wild & Other  

Learning from the wisdom of Zen meditation. In this episode Gillian chats with the Revd. Chris Collingwood, a Christian Priest, former canon of York minster and Zen master.   The conversation explores the following:  Chris explains how he felt called to be a priest. What Zen is. How Chris got interested in Zen. How he became a Zen Master. How Zen practice fitted with his role as a canon at York Minster. Christian theological connections with Zen and how it differs. How Zen impacts on how people relate to the world. The experience of non duality.  How Chris responds to folk in spiritual need - does he draw more on his Zen practice or Christian faith? The practice of compassionate non judgement towards others and ourselves. The one thing that Chris offers as encouragement to listeners. Links: Chris's book: Zen Wisdom for Christians. The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth 

Revd Ian Spencer helps us heal from a long history of bodies being denigrated by the Church. Drawing on wisdom from the Gospels, Zen wisdom and from Yoga, Gillian and Ian offer us a transformative body based way of knowing.  The episode explores: Ian's biography including Mindwell Ministries (you can read this in full on the GoHealth website: gohealth.org.uk/podcasts/healing-histories-embody/) Ian shares what inspires him spiritually today. Gillian and Ian get into the sad history of the church in relation to bodies. Incarnation!  The importance of relationship with all things in our overall health. Avoiding overwhelm and the impact we can have in the healing of the world. Body based knowing. Ian provides a really practical example of how to develop body based knowing. Links: Transcript is on the GoHealth podcast page gohealth.org.uk/podcasts/healing-histories-embody/ Mindwell Ministries The body keeps the score, Bessel Van Der Kolk The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth 

There are few stones left unturned in this episode. The Revd Dr Dan Inman, Precentor of Chichester cathedral, leads us on a pilgrimage through liturgy, buildings, arts and pilgrimage itself. TW: Gillian and Dan also get into a delicate conversation about the handling of a specific historic alleged abuse case regarding Bishop George Bell.      Dan shares what a Precentor does.  Cathedrals as more than a quirky english moving museum.  How cathedrals and the liturgy provide a healing space for many. How the George Bell abuse case was handled impacted the naming of places and spaces. The possibility of liturgy helping to heal the wounds of historic abuse. Pilgrimage, the why, what and where of pilgrimage for Dan. Where Dan finds hope for human flourishing, as a Precentor. Links: Chichester Cathedral Bishop George Bell's name restored to Chichester Cathedral building - BBC News British Pilgrimage Trust Scottish Pilgrimage Routes Forum Alastair Mcintosh Poacher's Pilgrimage The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth

How do we heal the history of racism when it is still so present and prevalent? Gillian explores this difficult question with the Revd Dr Sharon Prentis. Revd Prentis is Deputy Director of Church of England's Racial Justice Unit. She is also a tutor in theology and in her previous work was recognised by the Department of Health when she was named as a Mary Seacole Scholar for a project on faith and the impact on health.    Together they cover the following themes: What it means for people to thrive. Institutional health practices and what needs to change. How the Church of England's Racial Justice Unit came to exist. The whole person impact of racism. The daily reality of living with racism including code switching. Healing the history of the slave trade. The role of the church in healing racism and enabling the flourishing of all in our societies. Sharon's personal story of how she came to engage in the work of honest dialogue.  What gives her hope to keep on keeping on. Links: Every Tribe, by Sharon Prentis The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth

Gillian and Associate Professor Mark Roberts tackle big questions, including the nature vs nurture? Mark shares insights from research into bananas and microbes, and much more, to make this a hopeful and fascinating episode where they explore: What genes are and how they influence who we are.  The discovery of genes and history of genetic study Genes being like an on-off switch in simple terms. Genes, illness and disease. Genes help us survive in our context. What Mark wants us all to know about genetics. How the tiniest detail can tell us about how the world works. Links: The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth

Be inspired by a conversation exploring the healing power of psychotherapy and where it sits within Christian spirituality.  In this second episode of the Healing Histories series we share a conversation with Susanne Hyde, Director of the St Marylebone HCC.  In their conversation, Gillian and Susanne cover the following topics:  What is psychotherapy?  What powers psychotherapeutic healing and why is safety important in this approach to healing?  What governs why some people seem to make repeated bad choices?  What is trauma and how can therapy help?  How to engage in the process?  How do religion and spirituality relate to psychotherapy? Trauma and healing Do you have hope that healing is possible?  From the world of psychotherapy and faith, what one thing would you like people to know that might help them if listening today has raised questions.   Links: Episode Transcript will follow soon St Marylebone HCC: St Marylebone HCC Psychotherapy - St Marylebone The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here.

Be inspired by the roots of healing in the early church. Find out how healing was so linked to the growth of Christianity. Consider how we can be a healing presence today by learning from those who have gone before. We hope you find this an uplifting and hopeful podcast episode! In this first episode of the Healing Histories series we share a conversation with Professor Amanda Porterfield, professor of religion at Florida State university and author of ‘Healing in the history of Christianity' Could there be anyone more perfect to launch this new podcast series from GoHealth? We don't think so. In their conversation, Gillian and Amanda cover the following topics:  Why Amanda wrote her book, ‘Healing in the History of Christianity.'  The reason healing played such a large part in the early church.  The history of christian healing in cultural context.  What Amanda means by the word ‘healing' and 'miracle.' How the church might heal from its sometimes harmful history.  How Amanda views the future of healing in the Christian faith.  The role of Community in making the world a better place.  Links: Episode Transcript available here. Amanda Porterfield 'Healing in the History of Christianity.' The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Recent report on social factors and health

What is going on in our brain when we experience pain? Are emotional, mental and physical pain the same? Is it all in our heads after all? In this episode of the GoHealth podcast we take a deep dive into the topic of pain, what it is and how to live with it, with Professor Amy Wachholtz. Prof Amy Wachholtz is an Associate Professor in psychology at the university of Colorado where she is the director of health psychology.  She specializes in talking a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach in identifying ways to improve pain management including in palliative care, acute medical care, chronic pain and addiction.  She is a psychologist who doesn't just sit in the university but has a license to prescibe, working with patients in care, including those with cancer, chronic pain and at end of life. She is also holds a masters in divinity and has worked as a chaplain.   Gillian and Amy cover: How Amy got into the field of pain research. What is pain? Why we sometimes don't feel pain even when injured in some way. The relationship between physical, emotional and mental types of pain. The need for a holistic and integrated approach to main management. How faith influences living with pain. The Ken Pargament Model of the role of religion in pain tolerance. How church can help people living with pain. Being empowered to live with pain. Links: Find out more about Amy's work a the Wachholtz Lab Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth

We can't think of a better way to draw our series on burnout to a conclusion by talking to Jonathan Malesic - he literally wrote the book on how to end burnout. 'The End of Burnout' was an Amazon best book in 2022 and is being translated into 9 languages - this is an episode many people need to hear! Jonathan Malesic is an essayist, journalist, and scholar whose writing has appeared in the New York Times, The New Republic, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Washington Post, America, Commonweal, Notre Dame Magazine, The Hedgehog Review, The Point, Chronicle of Higher Education, and elsewhere. His work has been recognized as notable in Best American Essays (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) and Best American Food Writing (2020) and has received special mention in the Pushcart Prize anthology (2019). He has been the recipient of major grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Louisville Institute. His first book, Secret Faith in the Public Square, won a ForeWord INDIES gold medal for the religion category (2009). His newest book, The End of Burnout, was named a Best Book of 2022 by Amazon and the Next Big Idea Club. It is being translated into nine languages. He lives in Dallas, Texas. Image credit: Sarah Wall. In this episode, Gillian Străine, CEO of GoHealth explores the following with Jonathan:  What drove him to write The End of Burnout'   The gap between our expectation of work, and the reality – cause it's in the gap that the trouble happens! How Christian theology is both a cause and cure of burnout. How to working well is about remembering what it means to be human. The spiritual discipline of 'getting over it'. The importance of challenging the system as a means to end burnout.   Dwelling in dignity and divinity. What Advent has to teach us about the end of burnout. Links: Jonathan's website: https://jonmalesic.com The End of Burnout - or available wherever you get your books. Jonathan also mentioned '4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman' also available wherever you get your books. Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth

What if every day ended with a sense of satisfaction and contentment, whatever our circumstances? Could Day Crafting be a culture changing antidote to burn out? Gillian Straine explores these possibilities and more with our guest, the brilliant Bruce Stanley.   Bruce Stanley has a long history of creative endeavours. He is currently the Innovation and Product Lead for HeartEdge. In his 20s, he ran away from the circus to get involved in even more creative things – he is a specialist in positive psychology, design and innovation and personal and spiritual development. Ten years ago, he pioneered the Forest Church movement. These days, he is focused on a new methodology called Day Crafting. He's written five workbooks on the topic and is training NHS workers in the UK, circus performers in Sweden and busy leaders in organisations in the US, Canada and Australia. He is usually found with his wife Sara somewhere on a beautiful hill farm in the Cambrian mountains, where they're growing a permaculture forest garden and blending their own wild and herbal teas to sell to locavores.     Gillian explores a number of questions and themes with Bruce including:  What is Day Crafting?  What problems does Day Crafting address, and what doesn't it address?   The potential and meaning of ‘Crafting' in the title?  What is the neuroscience behind it all?  Does Day Crafting help prevent / recovery from burn out?  Is Day Crafting only valuable at the individual level or does it influence community life as well?  Can Day Crafting heal the world?  Links:  Day Crafting  VIA Strengths Model  Join the GoHealth Community 

Where do you go when you kiss the concrete? As part of our Burn Like Stars series Gillian talks with Sarah Horsman, Warden of the Sheldon Community in Devon. A place of refuge and recuperation for many when life in ministry gets tricky. Together they explore: All about Sheldon – What is it, what does it do, where is it and what it was set up.  How Sarah observes burn out at Sheldon Sarah describes her own experience of burn out or her face hitting the concrete They explore the present day factors leading to burn out. The consider what theologies are at work leading to burn out.  Sarah shares some great tips for what helps and how we can avoid being singed out right now. Links: Sheldon retreat: https://www.sheldonretreat.com Sheldon Hub for clergy support and wellbeing: https://www.sheldonhub.org GoHealth Community: https://gohealth.org.uk/gohealth-community/

Gillian talks with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang about his book Rest. He is a Silicon Valley-based consultant and writer. Their conversation explores: Alex introduces his new book 'Work less, do more.' He describes his curiosity about creativity that led him to write Rest.  His research led him to uncover the processes that a number of exceptional creative people used - including the importance of Rest. How do you make the kind of contribution that you want in the world or without burning yourself out? They talk about the skill of rest. What's going on in your brain and the rest of you body, when you rest? Is burn out just the trade off for doing a good job? Work as a calling and identity. Where the word workaholic came from. Explore causes of clergy burn out. The most durable solution to burn out. Anti-burn out practices. A theology of work and rest. The one thing Alex recommends you do in order to flourish. Join the Burn Like Stars series Alex's books. Follow the GoHealth Community on our socials @guildofhealth

Can faith and science share a healed and healing relationship? Gillian shares a fascinating and insightful conversation with Davinder and Matthew Gardner, directors of The Faith Experiment project. This episode is well worth a listen, whatever your relationship is with science, or faith. Davinder currently works as a Clinical Scientist, performing tests and planning radiotherapy treatments. Achieving registration as a Clinical Scientist in 2014, Matthew became a phototherapy physics lead. He also specialised in diagnostic radiology, as well as radiation protection applied to radiology and radiotherapy.  Show notes:  How the Gardners came to faith.  Relationship between faith and science. Evidence thresholds.  Matthew's journey of removing barriers to faith  Davinder's experience of mental ill health in her coming to faith.   How intellectual arguments were no longer enough  Their awareness of how their work in science is healing   Exciting polystyrene person formulas! The faith experiment – accessible apologetics  Two reasons for the workshops - to affirm and educate Christians and show sceptics that you can connect science and faith  They share stories of encouraging feedback from the workshops.  The workshops create a safe space for people to ask questions  Tips to flourish – it's OK to doubt/ faith can deepen/better able to help others/ love God with all our mind. Follow the questions.   Links: The Faith Experiment ECLAS Join the GoHealth Community Twitter and Facebook @guildofhealth Instagram @guildofhealth

How can the experience of music help us learn more about what it means to be human? This is the question Gillian explores with Joe Fort in this episode of the GoHealth podcast.   Joe is a conductor and a musicologist based in London. He has been the director of Music at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge since 2021, where he conducts a professional choir in the weekly services  He is the director of the chapel choir and lecturer in music at King's College, London. His performances indeed with that choir have been recognised, and I quote as 'English choral singing as at his best, he has released multiple recordings, most recently these include work with the Britten Sinfonia, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Hanover Band. He goes all over the world, conducting, recently appearing in the Festival de Mexico, White Nights Festival in St Petersburg and the Montreal Organ Festival. His training - he holds a PhD in music from Harvard University and his academic interests focus on 18th century music and dance.  Joe outlines his many roles in the world of music and his journey to being a full time musician.  Joe describes and explains the process of conducting music and how it can become a more emotional experience over and above a technical one.  Music is in everyone! Music as a vehicle in worship.  ‘He [sic] who sings, prays twice' Saint Augustine – music transports people towards the divine.   How music connects ourselves with ourselves.  Faure's Requiem – the healing power of music  How music helps us to live in the world as it actually is right now.  Joe describes the brilliant Stroke Oddessys project he has been involved with.  Joe goes into the detail of the exciting ECLAS funded project at St. Paul's Knightbridge researching the relationship between music in liturgy and wellbeing.  Joe gives his one bit of advice for flourishing.  Links: St Paul's Knightsbridge  Cowbridge Music Festival  In Paradisum, Faure's Requiem  Brain Oddessys Charity  ECLAS  Go Health Community Follow GoHealth on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @guildofhealth  

A special compilation Easter episode sharing nuggets from previous episodes on the theme of resurrection: Bishop Jan McFarlane on her breast cancer experience. Dr Claire Foster-Gilbert on her incurable cancer and repeated resurrections. Dr Paula Gooder helps us find hope in the resurrection. Bishop Adrian Newman reflects on the significance of the stone being rolled away from the tomb. Very Reverend Martin Fair shares his passion and the need for radical resurrection today. All episodes of the GoHealth Podcast along with most of their transcripts can be found here. Find out more and join the GoHealth Community here. Photo credit: Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

What if medicine started with lifestyle solutions rather than seeking solutions to sickness? Listen to Dr Richard Pile's hard won wisdom in the area of lifestyle medicine in this inspiring and challenging conversation with Gillian Straine. Trigger warning - there is a mention of suicide towards the end of this episode.  Find Richard's full biography and the transcript of this conversation here. Richard's extensive biography and multiple jobs  Richard describes how he came to faith as a child and how his journey of faith has taken him to a variety of church expressions over the years  Lifestyle medicine described and explained – moving away from a sickness model to a health model  What is health? Physical, spiritual  The importance of talking about how you are feeling.  Hard won wisdom from adversity and how Richard got involved with life-style medicine  The role of churches and medicine in holding the conversation about purpose.  The healing we receive when helping others.  Dealing with death – how the church can really serve the community.  A different way of doing church  The importance of connection  Doing what we have influence over and finding meaning in what we do.   Richards starting pointers for wellbeing  Links: Richard's book - Fit for purpose Thrive Tribe Zero Three Headspace GoHealth Community Follow GoHealth on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @guildofhealth  

Looking for a positive boost to give you a lift at the end of January? Wanting to give  your New Year's resolutions a kick-start, again? Listen to this inspiring and uplifting conversation between Gillian Straine and Alex Strangwayes-Booth.  Alex has a long history working in religious broadcasting for the BBC and has been on an inspiring journey of health and wellbeing for many years. She shares many hints and helpful suggestions in this episode that also includes themes of: Being brought up in a mixed-faith home  Bringing together the Sunday programme for local radio  The power of personal stories to make people stop and listen  Journey into fitness  Bladder cancer diagnosis  The tools for facing such a diagnosis  The importance of Judaism in her life The importance of community and connection  One Year, No Beer community  Running a half-marathon  The power of writing down your values  The benefits of mental health from exercise  Running as a spiritual activity  Yom Kippur - day of atonement practices in Judaism  A healthy perspective on death as a means to flourish  Coaching as a way to help people  Positive psychology tools and techniques that help change behaviour and achieve potential  Actively boosting your positive content   Shema prayer practice as liberating  Alex's appreciation of faith's shared from her many years of religious broadcasting experience. Links:  Alex Strangwayes-Booth Coaching Fly lady  Jonathan Roche  One Year, No Beer  James Clear Atomic Habits GoHealth Community  Episode Transcript Follow GoHealth on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @guildofhealth 

What are the simple ways to build mental and emotional resilience every day? Gillian gets under the skin of this question in this brilliant interview with Will Van Der Hart.  Will is a coach, author, priest in London and Director of The Mind and Soul Foundation. His interest in emotional health is wide ranging, reflecting his broad experience in a variety of pastoral contexts. He is a Mental Health First Aider and is passionate about equipping church leaders to look after their own emotional health as well as empowering them to manage the emotional needs of their congregations. He is co-author of the new book Mind Fuel the book he co-wrote with adventurous author, Bear Grylls - a focus for this conversation.  Their broad and beautiful conversations covers much ground, including:  Where the idea of the book and the co-write came about and the writing process.  Bear's experience of mending through nature and physical challenges  Physical challenges as mending and the integration of mind, body and soul.  Keeping the language of Mental Health accessible in the book to engage a new audience.  Will's decision making about what to share publicly when experiencing PTSD  What does success look like for those dealing with really challenging circumstances.  Integrating spirituality into all of life.  Will's tips for a flourishing daily life.  Links: Mind Fuel Mind Soul Foundation Join the GoHealth Advent Journey: Waiting Well Full episode transcript available here.

No leaf is left unturned, not even a fig leaf, in this delightful and uplifting episode of the GoHealth podcast. Gillian talks to the director of the Conservation Foundation, David Shreeve. Take yourself outdoors to listen to it, if you can, and get some of the benefits that Gillian and David talk about here.  Some of the ground they cover includes: They discuss where the term wellbeing might have cpme from David describes his role as a director of a small environmental charity and working with the Church of England on Environmental Matters We hear all about the brilliant ‘Yews for the Millennium' project that he pioneered around 2000 David shares the frustrations and struggles of getting environmental issues taken seriously by the church. They share uplifting examples and ideas of how churches (and all faith buildings )are and could use their green space and gardens for therapeutic purposes and linking up with social prescribing by GPs. The blessing of the bulb  Tracing the Millennium Yew Trees and researching the cause of old Yew Trees dying. The tree following clubs - what is your tree of choice? David shares his practices and pondering for leading a healthy, flourishing life. Links: Episode transcript available on podcast page of website. The Conservation Foundation Join the GoHealth Community Follow GoHealth on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @guildofhealth

In this special first episode of the third season of the GoHealth podcast, Gillian talks with The Very Reverend Martin Fair.  Martin is a Former Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Minister of St. Andrew's Church in Arbroath that operates an inspirational community project called Havilah.  He is the incoming chair of the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum.  But arguably even more interesting than all of those significant accolades he was the Church of Scotland Minister in residence at Balmoral on the final weekend of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's life.  In this inspiring, challenging and touching episode Martin and Gillian talk about The two times Martin has been the Minister at Crathie Kirk where the Royal Family worship while at Balmoral. And the Minister in residence at Balmoral on those weekends.  What a good death looks like and the good death of The Queen. The entanglement of Church and State. Martin shares about the mental health outreach set up by St. Andrew's Parish Church in Arbroath. They discuss the cost of living crisis and how Christians and Churches are and can respond. The role of the Church providing a places of lament and listening. The distinctive hope the Church brings to such times of collective grief through the truth of Resurrection. Martin shares two personal memories from that final weekend of the Queen's life that will remain with him. Links: Join the GoHealth Community gohealth.org.uk Follow GoHealth on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @guildofhealth Havilah http://www.arbroathstandrews.org.uk/?page_id=94 Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum https://www.sprf.org.uk

What is the meaning of health? Bishop Adrian Newman talks with Dr Gillian Straine about the answer to this question, as well as sharing his story about retiring from his role as Bishop due to chronic migraines.  There is so much to ponder from this episode we'll be taking a break in August but will return with our new podcast series in September.   Ponder along with Gillian and Adrian: The traumatic events that Adrian experienced in his formative years that led him to engage with church as a place to consider the questions of life. How a statistical economist became an ordained clergy person. The pyjama and corridor encounters that make a Bishop. Why Adrian chose the Canterbury Cross as the emblem for his time as Bishop. The experience of chronic migraines and mental ill health that led to Adrian's resignation. Vocation and retirement - decomposing and rewilding. Avoiding introspection in times of ill health. The true meaning of health. Why the stone of the tomb was rolled away.  Links Wilderness and wellbeing retreat - book now! Join the GoHealth community. The Canterbury Cross as worn by Bishop Newman can be viewed in this biography for Bishop Newman. Transcript of this podcast episode can be found here.

Nicky Burr, GoHealth community member, talks with Gillian about her healing journey as a transgender woman. This is an episode rich with insights and honesty that you will not want to miss listening to, the many topics covered include: Healthy Healing Hubs project of the Guild of Health and St. Raphael and how Nicky first connected with the GoHealth community.  Gillian shares her honest discomfort about the conversation and fear of saying the wrong thing.  Nicky clarifies that we approach the topic of transgender first and foremost as being humans together.  Nicky shares something of her experiences growing up not knowing what Transgender was.  Nicky describes the deconstruction journey she and her family went on.  Identity is something at the core when the outer shell is removed.  Contemplative spirituality as a means of coming back to the original self.  Nicky describes the journey she went on before identifying as Transgender and how her family reacted to her transition.   Gillian and Nicky describe the significance of names and the importance of names in the process of transition.  Challenges of medical waiting lists for someone wanting to transition.  The terror of transition at the beginning. And the continual fear of being called out in public places.  The Equality Act of 2010 means it is unlawful to discriminate against transgender people.  Nicky explains why people transition and the different forms of transition.  Gillian and Nicky reflect on the incredible experience of community that connected on WhatsApp when Nicky journeyed through gender reconstruction or gender confirmation surgery.   Complications from surgery.  God's presence throughout each stage of the transition journey.  Prayers of the Guild of Health and St. Raphael working in the back of an ambulance in November!  Nicky shares what she perspective she gained when walking along a beach in Bradwell, Essex.  Nicky shares some key questions and things that cisgender people might do to be sensitive to and inclusive of transgender experience.  (The views expressed in the podcasts are personal to those speaking and do not necessarily represent the views of the organisation.) Links:  Come on the Wilderness and Wellbeing retreat  Join the GoHealth community  Find out more about the Healthy Healing Hubs project Transgender and faith resources - links to added Follow us on social media: @guildofhealth. 

Gillian has an honest and insightful conversation with Nick Thorley.  Nick is co-founder and co-host of Nomad Podcast. He lives in Nottingham where he spent most of his 20's working as a Youth Minister for a group of Methodist churches. Since then he's been involved in fundraising for various international development charities. Nick loves to hang out with his kids, run very long distances, drink good coffee and meet up with friends. Themes and thoughts explored: Nick shares about who he is, including his experience of becoming blind from childhood until his late 20s. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) The challenge of going through such a huge life experience in teenage years. The controlling and coping mechanisms Nick turned to or used including addictive behaviours of using pornography and gambling. Nick's sister intervening and suggesting therapy specific to addictive behaviour. Gillian and Nick discuss trauma and shame.  The embodied healing of running for recovery. Honest anger when things are hard is  healing.  Nick shares his experience of God now.  Shalom. Links: Nomad podcast www.nomadpodcast.co.uk GoHealth community https://gohealth.org.uk

Gillian talks with Brian Draper about living with Long COVID and numerous other physical challenges he encountered in 2021. Brian is an author, he is a regular speaker at Greenbelt and other festivals, and he has presented on Thought for the Day on BBC Radio four Today program for over a decade.  Episode notes:  Brian gives an overview of his work. Gillian and Brian talk about labyrinths and a day that Brian facilitated for the Guild.  They discuss connecting with God in creation and Brian shares some practices he facilitates with people in the outdoors.  Being present and unpacking the Hebrew word Hineni – here I am.  Brian shares about the challenging experiences he and his family have endured over the past two years.  He shares how spiritual practices and the online community who engage with his content have been. a rich source of support and encouragement.  Gillian and Brian reflect on the individual and collective wisdom to be learned from those who have experienced illness and adverse life experiences.  The healing power of storytelling along with the vulnerability of doing it.  Brian shares his wisdom on both letting go and how to embrace living well in the present.  Finally Brian gives an overview of how he will live soulfully, in community with others, across 2022.   Link:  Brian Draper https://www.briandraper.org/ for information about the Lent series and other retreats Brian talked about on the podcast.  Soulfulness and Soulful Nature books www.briandraper.org/books-1  Brian's Thought for the Day from May 2021 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09jftqc  Healthy Healing Hubs, GoHealth https://gohealth.org.uk/hhh/  GoHealth Community https://gohealth.org.uk/gohealth-community/  Books referenced  Sacred Journey – spiritual wisdom for times of transition byMike Riddel  The Solace of Fierce Landscapes – mountain and desert spirituality by Beldon Lane 

In this fascinating conversation Gillian Straine (CEO of the Guild of Health and St. Raphael) and Dr. Paula Gooder, Canon Theologian of St. Paul's Cathedral cover many topics including the following: How lockdown was for Paula The three words for healing in the Gospels/ New Testament The integration of body, mind and soul in the New Testament Mental health, Descarte and dementia The need for science and faith to be integrated The shifting location of power in society How can we have a healthier view of our bodies Christian spirituality split off bodies from mind and soul Your body is a fundamental part of your spiritual journey  Paula's personal reasons for being so passionate about bodies and the bible The quality of our prayer life and the quality of our bodies are intimately connected Pampering is part of spirituality We don't live in Eden anymore - expectation for imperfection Anticipating new creation and the few moments when healing happens Active and passive waiting Joining in the work of the Kingdom coming The point of the miracles in the Gospels Healing does still happen You don't have to believe things you really struggle with The importance of the fuzzy edges of science and faith The need for the Church to be humble  The need to challenge the perception of the Church as being perfect Advice for how to wait well in Advent Links: Dr. Paula Gooder's website Join the conversation: Waiting well - the GoHealth Advent Journey Join the GoHealth community Twitter: @guildofhealth Facebook: @GuildofHealth Instagram: @GuildofHealth Website: gohealth.org.uk Music: Return by Lane King from Upbeat Music Podcast produced in-house by the GoHealth team.

In this episode Gillian talks with Claire Foster-Gilbert, director of Westminster Abbey Institute, about her experience of living with Myeloma.  Claire gives an overview of the work of Westminster Abbey Institute. Claire describes how the Myeloma was found and the experience of diagnosis. The detail of treatment is shared including the experience of having a stem cell transplant.  How unhelpful the war metaphor is for someone with an incurable cancer. Gillian and Claire discuss the complete act of faith it is to put trust in the medical process. Claire shares some of the practices she found helpful during treatment. Gillian and Claire discuss the helpful influence and insights of Julian of Norwich when going through suffering. They discuss what the right thing to say is to someone living with cancer. Claire shares how much she appreciates people praying for her. Claire describes how writing is itself a healing experience. They discuss the importance of humour. Claire reads an incredible extract from her book about getting her hair shaved off. Claire shares how her treatment is an ongoing Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Resurrection experience. Claire finishes the podcast with a prayer she wrote at the beginning of lockdown and included in the end of her book. Links: Myeloma UK website Miles to go before I sleep by Claire Foster-Gilbert GoHealth community review of Claire's book Caroline Chartres review of Claire's book on the Church Times website Waiting well - the GoHealth Advent Journey Join the GoHealth community Find us: Twitter: @guildofhealth Facebook: @GuildofHealth Instagram: @GuildofHealth Website: gohealth.org.uk Music: Return by Lane King from Upbeat Music Podcast produced in-house by the GoHealth team.

To mark and honour Black History Month Gillian has an honest, inspiring and challenging conversation with Rosemarie Davidson-Gotobed, the founder and director of the Sam Sharp lectures and a diversity and inclusion consultant. In this lengthy and indepth conversation they cover many topics, including: Rosemarie's experience of lockdown and how music helped. Walking away and returning to the work of diversity and inclusion in the church. The dashed hopes after the Faith in the City report. The recent BBC panorama documentary on the church and racism. The Lament to Action report of the Church of England. The intersection of gender and racism in the church.  Whiteness as the lens through which everything is seen. The need for education, deconstruction and sharing stories of heritage. Deconstruction illustrated by a house metaphor. The need to include healing as part of the racism conversation. The impact of the pandemic on UKME communities. The impact of intergenerational trauma on physical health. Hesitancy within UKME communities to engage in mental health issues. The helpful, healing song lyrics of 'I need you to survive.' Hezekiah Walker. What we need to do in practice: Educate, empower yourself to ask questions and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Links/ references: Faith in the City: A Call for Action by Church and Nation From Lament to Action: The report of the Archbishops' Anti-Racism Taskforce Azariah France-Williams: Ghost Ship, Institutional Racism and the Church of England. I.O. Smith: An Ebony Cross, being a Black Christian in Britain today. The Sewell Report Yo-Yo Ma Hezekiah Walker: I need you to survive. BBC Panorama documentary: Is the Church Racist? Further Listening: Listen again to our podcast with Azariah France-Williams at the launch of his book, Ghost Ship. Find out more about GoHealth at gohealth.org.uk.  And find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @guildofhealth. 

Welcome back to the first episode of the second season!  This season we take the theme of learning to heal. Learning how to be a source of healing and to be healed ourselves. We begin by exploring how we experience healing in nature. You might find it helpful to listen to this episode out doors! This episode features five short reflections on the healing power of nature as experienced by GoHealth staff, trustees and members. Introduction by Gillian Straine, CEO of GoHealth Graham Fender-Allison, online learning partner Rosemarie Davidson-Gotobed, trustee Gregory Platten, GoHealth member Wendy Lloyd, resource development partner You can find out more about The GoHealth Community at gohealth.org.uk.  And on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @guildofhealth.  Together we flourish.

In this end of season recap we listen back to the many golden nuggets of wisdom, experience and insights from the first season of the GoHealth podcast. We revisit the pilot episode and hear again why this first season was titled 'Sacramental stories'. Gillian shares her personal story of healing, also from the first episode. Rev. Azariah France-Williams shares his hard and healing experience of writing Ghost Ship. Peter Walker, sculptor, shares powerful stories of how art can create space for healing. Bishop Jan McFarlane describes her experience of breast cancer and what happened when she was anointed with oil for healing by colleagues. Rev Lucyann Ashdown gives a comprehensive understanding of healing. Professor Jim McManus outlines the opportunity Covid-19 has provided for the church. Rev. Dr. Richard Tiplady describes his experience of being rescued from a fall in the lake district. Professor John Stackhouse gives profound insights on the challenges and experiences of lockdown for people of faith. Finally, the Rev. Elizabeth Baxter shares her understanding of what Christian healing is. And that's season 1. Do visit gohealth.org.uk to find out more and join the GoHealth community. Find us on twitter, facebook and instagram @GuildofHealth

In this episode Gillian talks with Revd. Elizabeth Baxter about the healing that is experienced at Holy Rood House, Thirsk. Elizabeth is the executive director of Holy Rood House, a centre for health and pastoral care. Elizabeth is an ordained priest in the Church of England, a spiritual director, theologian and coordinates the Centre for the Study of Theology and Health. In 2018 she received the Langdon Award for Community Service by the Archbishop of Cantebury in recognition of her many years of work in Holy Rood House. Gillian and Elizabeth remember together the immense influence in the healing ministry of Stanley Baxter, Elizabeth's late husband. Elizabeth describes how she came to be director of Holyrood House and involved in the healing ministry in Thirsk.  Healing ministry active in this area due to the influence of Bishop Morris Maddox and Juliet Ramsden. Elizabeth describes the work they did before in Leeds and their understanding of healing as a justice issue and that Jesus as healer and teacher always went together. The setting up of the North of England Christian Healing Trust and Spenethorn home of healing. The Sisters of the Holyrood - an Anglican order of sisters who set up the first cottage hospital in Britain. Healing includes a healing community of hospitality - finding home as a theology. Their original publicity for Holy Rood house included the World Council of Churches phrase - ‘justice and peace and the integrity of creation.' Understanding of healing that was much bigger than people and always to do with justice. Immediately became members of the British association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Active in the campaign for ordination of women priests - the story of the Holy Rood House itself modelled the equality of women and men ministering together. They put an emphasis on being ecumenical. Elizabeth outlines the understanding of healing at Holy Rood House and what happens there in practice. Elizabeth shares some of the stories of how and why people come to Holy Rood House. She describes the detailed discernment process of how to help people. Everyone is welcome but it is not completely unconditional - they never say no to anyone. Elizabeth describe the Christian Healing process and how it happens at Holy Rood House, drawing on ideas of breathing, embodiment and incarnation. Healing includes justice and is a process experienced in community. Elizabeth shares her own experience of emotional healing as discerned through her body. She describes how Holy Rood House provides a safe space so people can go to the unsafe spaces in their lives - Holy Rood House helps people get unstuck from Easter Saturday.   Elizabeth describes how people are already healers - there is a mutuality in the process. Prophetic witness is part of healing.

In this episode of the Go Health podcast Gillian chats with Professor John Stackhouse, he is a Canadian theologian, author, journalist and academic, and currently is the Professor of Religious Studies at Crandall University in Canada.  Amongst many things, they discuss: The two different responses of the church being distanced even further - that of social action and that of evangelism, the interior response and the material response - both styles of Christianity are under stress. The identify loneliness and isolation as one of the greatest challenges from Covid. Prof Stackhouse shares a theological understanding of the closeness of God. They explore the context of suffering from Covid and the consequences in the wider context of many people already suffering regularly across the world. The discuss the issues that Covid has brought to light including class differences and racism. They consider the question of our time. The suggest that a Christian life should be a healthy life. They unpack vocational epistemology - ‘God will give us what we need to do the things we need to do.' Prof. Stackhouse suggests the church needs to recover its priorities and set them in proper order. He shares from his wife's experience with chronic pain, how we can avoid letting pain or hurt becoming central in our lives. They explore the healing potential of a cup of tea. They consider what to be hopeful for and how the church might respond to Covid-19.

This month Gillian talks with Rev Dr Richard Tiplady, director of context based ministry training for the Scottish Episcopal Church. Richard talks about about his being rescued and recovery process after a mountaineering accident in the Lake District in March 2020.  Richard describes his career journey. They discuss how the church might change as a result of Covid - aware of how unknown that is. Richard shares the story of his fall from Pillar Rock in the Lake district, before, during and when he finally stopped. He gives detail of how pragmatic his response was to the situation. He describes his journey to hospital and the detail of his injuries and gives an update on how he is 12 months on. He talks about how he felt protected on the mountainside when he was on his own. Richard describes his agency in the recovery process. Richard describes how selfishness is required in the recovery process. He describes how he moved through experiencing anger before he felt guilt.  He gives details of the three steps he discerned to work through that guilt; making amends, non-judgment and bearing fruit in keeping with repentance. Richard describes how a big part of the recovery is not letting this experience or injuries define him. He describes how the experience affected him spiritually and dealing with the responses of others. Find out more at gohealth.org.uk facebook.com/GuildofHealth twitter.com/guildofhealth instagram@gohealth_uk

In this episode Gillian takes a deep dive with Professor Jim McManus, into the experiences and lessons of the Covid pandemic, as we approach the first anniversary of the lockdown restrictions in the United Kingdom. Professor Jim McManus is the President of the Guild of Health and St. Raphael, he is also the Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire county council amongst many other things. Prof McManus shares how he ended up working in public health. They discuss the changes over how faith has been regarded in the public sector and scientific community over the years. Prof McManus shares about his work with the Vatican and of his understanding of healing. He shares his personal experience of being treated for grade 4 non Hodgkin's lymphoma. He describes how he has stayed healthy during the global pandemic of the last year. They discuss the challenges of ‘scientism' and good communication during the Covid pandemic. Gillian and Prof McManus discuss the response of the church to the Covid pandemic and the opportunities Covid presents to the church.  They talk about society's relationship to and avoidance of  mortality. Prof McManus shares the learning and lessons he takes from one year of Covid lockdown. Prof McManus shares how churches could be effective partners in Public Health.  Prof McManus shares no less than six examples of where he finds hope as he reflects on one year of the pandemic lockdown.

Gillian talks with Rev Lucyann Ashdown, the vice chair of the board of trustees of the Guild of Health and St. Raphael. Lucyann has spent most of her career in health care, training as a registered general nurse at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. During this time she became interested in women's health and went onto do her Midwifery training at The Royal London. In 1989 she became an Independent Midwife specialising in home birth across London. Alongside this Lucyann facilitated antenatal groups in the NHS in Tower Hamlets, taught pre and post registration midwives, held workshops for prospective Independent Midwives and gained a degree in Social Anthropology. In 2003, Lucyann became a senior lecturer in Public Health at Anglia Ruskin University until she was ordained in 2008 and has continued to teach about Spirituality and health at the pivotal moments of birth and death. Lucyann has also trained as a supervisor at The Centre for Supervision and Team Development (CSTD) in Bath. She is Bishop's Advisor for health and healing in the the Diocese of Salisbury's. In their conversation they cover the following topics: A formative childhood experience led to Lucyann's healthcare career. A desire to integrate faith with healthcare led to ordination in the Church of England. Moving from midwifery to hospice chaplain. Resonances between the birth and death journey. Being an ‘alongsider' The ‘handy' women. 'Western Attitudes Toward Death' - book by Philippe Ariès Wisdom about transition Dualistic thinking about spirit and body. What does a good death or good birth mean? The generative journey of parents when giving birth. The deep resources of love that carers have. A story of what life means in the light of death. What is healing? Shalom - having a deep sense of wellbeing in the midst of immense suffering. Story of one man's healing of others in the face of his own death Meaning making and purpose as a source of healing Birth and death as thin places. Health as the strength to live and to die Childlessness  'Becoming a Mother' Book by Kate Mosse Questions and learning on the long journey of bereavement. Gateway women, Jody Day and the Reignite weekend.  Disenfranchised grief. The pain of Advent and changing relationship to Scripture What changes society and the church need to make that would help those living with childlessness. Covid-19 and our relationship with loss Profound personal experience that Lucyann had at 70th anniversary service for the NHS Concern for NHS staff during second lockdown.  Think more creatively about lament, loss and death and how we can be with each other in it. Importance of the Psalms of Lament Finding hope during the pandemic Find out more at gohealth.org.uk facebook.com/GuildofHealth twitter.com/guildofhealth instagram@gohealth_uk

Gillian talks with Bishop Jan McFarlane about her experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer and living with the difference that such an experience makes. Bishop Jan shares a powerful story of being anointed with oil and the experience of being prayed with during her experience of being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Together they discuss: Wellbeing during lockdown. The experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer. How such a diagnosis impacts you. The waiting between diagnosis and prognosis. Anointing with oil for healing. The complexities of healing. Going public and not hiding her cancer. God being with us in the suffering - not the cause. The language surrounding cancer experience. Cancer as a blessing. Living with the unknown. How the church can best support those who are suffering. Find us here: website gohealth.org.uk facebook @GuildofHealth twitter @guildofhealth instagram @gohealth_uk

Released during Advent 2020, this episode provides an opportunity to reflect on our collective experience of living through Coronavirus in 2020.   Gillian talks with internationally renowned sculptor and artist, Peter Walker, who has created an exhibition called 'Leaves of the Trees' which is touring Cathedrals across the United Kingdom. The exhibition offers a moment to reflect and to hope together. Peter is Artist in currently Residence at Lichfield Cathedral. The episode was recorded during September 2020, on the threshold of another Coronavirus lockdown and without any news of a vaccine. The many topics they cover in this conversation include: Peter's experience of lockdown. How he came to be Artist in Residence at Lichfield Cathedral. Cathedrals as spaces as and for art. Tension between expectations and experiences in a Cathedral. Why people go to Cathedrals. Powerful stories of art as healing. How Peter deals with the responsibility of art as healing. What assumptions are made of Peter and his art. The new 'Leaves of the tree' exhibition created by Peter. The significance of the word hope in the exhibition. The relationship between rationality and emotion. The invigorating potential of a blank canvas.  

This episode was edited from a Book launch for Azariah France-Williams book ‘Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England' hosted by the Guild of Health and St. Raphael in September 2020. Gillian makes known her discomfort chairing the conversation as a white woman and describes her experience of reading the book. She outlines her hope for this conversation to lead to action. Azariah describes how he came to write the book, initiated from MPhil dissertation research ten years ago. He describes how he realised many Black and Brown clergy were facing the same challenges as him and were also suffering in silence and suffering in silos. Azariah describes the format of the book - that of the larger institutional journey and his own journey within that. He tells the story behind the name of the book and outlines the argument and case of the book. Azariah describes how the book as has been received by different people in the Church of England. Azariah explains why he wrote the book in the style that he did. He describes how he has practiced self-care during the writing, publishing and promotion process.  Gillian reflects on healing through narrative medicine Intersectionality within the church is discussed, Azariah describes the solidarity he has found with others who have felt excluded. Azariah provides some specific suggestions about what churches can do. Azariah describes the difference between introvert, ambivert and extrovert black. Gillian and Azariah reflect together on the power of sharing stories. Azariah suggests different contexts and practices for good conversations and sharing stories. Azariah highlights the need for education, to do the work and to actually read the book. Gillian reflects on the need for radical disruption for necessary change. Azariah outlines how he changed the ending and what he thinks is needed for change to happen. Links  Ghost Ship available to purchase https://scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9780334059356/ghost-ship GoHealth gohealth.org.uk https://gohealth.org.uk/ Twitter @guildofhealth Facebook @guildofhealth Instagram @guildofhealth The River of Life by Lofter https://www.lofter.co.uk

Introducing the GoHealth podcast! Gillian Straine (CEO) hosts the first episode, introducing the theme of storytelling as healing. Gillian shares her experience of healing from having cancer in her early twenties. Wendy Lloyd talks about how long it can take for wounds to scar over in her experience of having ovarian cancer. Graham Fender-Allison describes different moments of healing along his life after growing up in a turbulent home environment.