More Than This with Sheridan Voysey

This Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of humankind’s first step on the moon. Only twelve people have set foot on that bright grey satellite we gaze at each night. Charlie Duke was the tenth. In this fascinating interview, you’ll hear him describe the experience in gripping detail. What's it like to be strapped into a violently shaking projectile that blasts you into space, with myriad possibilities of you dying in the process? What’s it like riding lunar buggies and playing ‘Moon Olympics’ on that powdery surface? Listen in. It’s just a shame he left his boots up there. More…

More and more of us are single. In the United Kingdom, over a third of the adult population of England and Wales are single, more than half of 25–44 year olds, and singleness is increasing in every age group with 50–64 year olds growing the fastest. Some embrace the single life with joy, others don't, and both society and church can send mixed messages about it. It's time to rethink our attitude to singleness. It is neither a curse to be pitied or a condition to be cured but a status with divine dignity. Here's why. More…

A few weeks ago I spoke at a secular conference for childless couples—an audience of men and women wondering what to do with their lives now they may not become parents. After I'd spoken, a woman approached me in tears. “I've been wondering all day why I came," she said, "but now I know. I needed to hear about Phoebe." How ironic that it was a story about an unborn child that made all the difference. But what's true of Phoebe is true of you too. More…

When you can't become who you want to be, you can still become who you're meant to be. And the person you're meant to be is so much bigger than you've dreamed. In the last few weeks I have done dozens of radio interviews across the US, UK and Australia sharing lessons like this from my book The Making of Us. Here is one of my favourites. In this far-reaching conversation, Susie Larson and I discuss the difference between primary and secondary callings, how fixating on our past achievements can blind us to what God is doing in and through us now, how to leave a legacy, and more. I hope you get as much out of this conversation as I did. More…

One surreal morning some months ago, Merryn and I woke to the news that her father had been taken to hospital following a serious car crash, and my father had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. To complicate matters, my dad is also my mother’s full-time carer, and they all live in Australia. With both parents now needing care, and us so far away, some stressful days followed. But then a man named Helmut stepped into our lives. Here's what happened next. More…

In recent days the world has lost a great hero of the faith. John Smith, legendary Australian preacher, commentator, evangelist and founder of the God's Squad Motorcycle Club has died after a long battle with cancer. He addressed the United Nations, nearly faced execution in the Philippines, and followed a radical call to reach outlaw bikers and the marginalised with the gospel. But in his early years he was anything but the radical. In this 2007 interview you'll hear how the once racist youth became a leather-clad preacher of peace, all because of the 'unconditional, indiscriminiative' love of Jesus. More…

What makes us who we are? How do we adjust when things don’t go as we hoped? Can we recover if we make a choice that’s less than perfect? In The Making of Us I explore these questions and more by telling a story of two friends walking through the rugged beauty of England’s north. May I read some of this story to you? The Making of Us releases on March 19 (April 16 in Australia) in paperback and now in audiobook too! Here are the first two chapters for you to listen to FREE. I can’t wait for you to hear the bit where God shows up in the motel room. And when I get to walk on the clouds. And when the seals start singing. And when I start to discover there’s more to us than our job titles. Go on. Take a listen. More…

One autumn morning not long ago, I walked to an Oxford cafe, took a window table, and pulled out my journal. I wanted to craft a statement - a creed of sorts - that would pull together what I'd learned while writing my new book The Making of Us. Something that captured what matters most in life. Something to read regularly to guide me forward. After many scribbled phrases and crossings out, I arrived at this: The Creed. Today we release it publicly, crafted into a beautiful video by Tyler Jackson, and ready to download as a print for your wall or smartphone. The hand that spins the galaxies wants you here... More…

A troubled home life. Feelings of insecurity. A longing for love. Self-hatred. For Malcolm Duncan these feelings developed into a destructive morning mantra he would repeat in the mirror throughout his earliest years. Then one night he had an experience that changed everything. Malcolm's moving story shows what can happen when we stop repeating lies about ourselves and start believing who God believes us to be. What lies are you believing, and what will you replace them with? More…

According to the experts, writing in a journal can help you reduce stress, increase creativity, solve problems, and manage conflict. I’ve also found it to be an incredibly helpful tool for making sense of our personal histories. In this season of New-Year reflection, here are four key themes a journal can help you track to bring clarity to your experience. More…

I was struck with wonder recently on a cold, rainy night in London, when I came across a dozen angels—made of thousands of pulsing lights, hovering above Regent Street. It’s the most jaw-dropping Christmas display I’ve seen. It got me thinking about what that very first Christmas was like, and the sense of awe that’s central to the story. More…

The surprising thing about talking publicly about childlessness, is the level of abuse that's come alongside the messages of gratitude. While many have thanked me for bringing it into the open, an equal number have seen fit to get nasty. I could let it get to me, or I could hit back – but I’ve found a better way to respond… More…

Last year I took part in a piece for a breakfast TV show. As the cameraman and I were driving to the filming location, he told me a story. "Last night some mates and I were in the pub," he said, "and the conversation turned to depression. It turns out some of the guys are on antidepressants. We could never have had that conversation a decade ago. We’d have been too afraid of looking weak." The cameraman and I agreed much progress had been made in men being able to discuss their problems without fear or shame. But I had a hunch there was one topic still too taboo for us to talk about with each other. So I put it to him. Perhaps breaking this taboo will be the next stage of progress in men's health. More…

Some days I wonder why I’m a Christian. In a secular age, it isn’t great for your career; in some countries, following Jesus can sign your death sentence. With so many spiritual alternatives, why believe? I got thinking about this recently. A memory of a close call in the Dominican Republic helped bring my reasons down to two. More…

Political antagonism is growing across the globe. Some have called this culturally polarised time the ‘age of outrage’. In taking a stand for our chosen cause, we’re losing civility. Here are some ways we can stay civil and respectful in the face of our differences. More…

There is a cost to giving. At it's worst that cost is burnout—the emotional (and often physical) collapse of someone who has spent too long pouring out without filling up. Psychiatrist Robert Coles wrote about the hazards that come with a life of service and giving. It was the warning signs of burnout that really grabbed my attention. More…

I have an embarrassing habit of forgetting people's names, even of people I've known for years (it’s pretty bad—you’ll laugh.) Since names are more than mere words, it’s a weakness I wish I could beat. Thankfully there’s Someone who knows you by name, and who will never forget it. More…

After 21 years, I sometimes look at my wife Merryn and wonder how our marriage works. I’m a writer and speaker, Merryn is a statistician. I work with words, she works with numbers. I want beauty, she wants function. And that’s only the start of our differences! Here’s what’s helped us stick together… More…

Modern Christianity has been criticized at times for being about little more than “a ticket to heaven”. But it’s so, so much more. Heaven is where God is, and since God is everywhere, heaven isn't just 'up there' but touches earth too. Here’s some ways we can glimpse heaven's reality now… More…

In 1985 Anthony Ray Hinton was charged with a double-murder, found guilty by a jury, and sentenced to death. But he was innocent. His sentence was overturned only in 2015—nearly thirty years later. What’s most astounding about Ray’s story is that he faced those 28 gruelling, unfair years with joy. How? More…

I can be a real dreamer. There’s always a book, a media project, a life ambition waiting in the wings. So when BBC Radio 2 asked what my hope for the new year was, my mind automatically went down the path of goals and ambitions. But something wasn't right. There's more to life than career goals... More…

'You reap what you sow' is a powerful principle describing the way much of life works. Plant a seed of goodness, kindness or faith, and a harvest of it will follow later. But the metaphor assumes the seed is sown into healthy soil. What if it's not? What happens when we keep trying to get a harvest from an exhausted life? More…

Our new puppy Rupert Reginald McScruffy is quite the celebrity: people stop us in the street, he’s got fans on social media, and now even the BBC wants to follow his progress. Yes, he's gorgeous. But he does have his foibles; and one in particular that can teach us about what happens when we run to false places of safety. More…

My life has been anything but a straight path. I’ve been nightclub DJ, a youth worker, a radio host, an author, a speaker; I’ve had spiritual crises, burnout, and broken dreams; and life’s curve balls have often landed me where I least expected. It used to trouble me. Until one day, out hiking, I noticed something… More…

My friend Mick works on the Africa Mercy - a floating hospital ship, helping the poorest people in developing nations. When TV crews visit, they shine the spotlight on the ship’s amazing medical staff. Rarely do they point a camera at Mick’s area of work. It’s – ahem - less than glamorous. But without him, the whole thing would stop… More…

When was the last time you had a truly special meal where you left the table changed, uplifted, fulfilled? You came burdened but left lighter (at least emotionally). Your soul was filled, not just your stomach. We need more of these sacred meals. But what is it that makes a meal truly sacred? A few key ingredients come to mind. More…

What a gift it is to do work you love. To get paid for using your talents, and contribute to society. And since we spend so much of our lives working, it makes sense to seek a fulfilling career. But have we gotten things unbalanced? When work becomes our primary source of personal fulfilment—it leaves us vulnerable. More…

In his famous painting ’The Light of the World’, Holman Hunt depicted Jesus in a white robe holding a lantern, knocking gently on a door that represents our heart. With blond beard, flowing hair and serene face, the Saviour is presented as a meek, mild soother of souls. Nice image—but the Holy Week of Easter really messes it up... More…

My Great Grandmother Alice was one brave woman who can teach us a thing or two about facing our problems. Her husband Walter was a good man, but with one vice: he liked his drink too much for her liking. Here’s the ingenious way she dealt with it. More…

When William Paul Young sat down to write a story for his children about a man who meets God in a forest shack, little did he know it would become a publishing phenomenon—and now a movie. In 2008 Paul dropped by the Open House show, to chat about the book’s meaning, the personal story behind it, and to answer his critics. More…

God has a dream for the world. We don’t know exactly what this dream will look like, but we've been given a glimpse: a world of healed wounds, of radiant beauty, of restored harmony, of peace, environmental restoration. And it's a dream that can inspire our dreams too… More…

I once went to hear the Dalai Lama give a public talk. He spoke on the importance of compassion, then took questions from the audience. The last question came from the MC: “Your holiness—what is the meaning of life?” The audience leaned in as he stared at the ground, quietly thinking about his answer… More…

We are the options generation. Most of us can pursue any career we wish and live almost any lifestyle. But affluence can create problems. We can want too much, be pulled in too many directions, and lack clarity of mind and purpose. Jesus's remedy is clear: put God first, and live a simpler lifestyle. Here's 10 practical tips... More…

Strong relationships are one of the four factors that build human resilience. We withstand life’s traumas so much better when we have good marriages, friendships, work relationships and community connections. The problem is, powerful forces drive us apart. Jesus talked about those forces…and how to overcome them. More…

Working with Mother Theresa is one thing. Throwing thousands of dollars away on the steps of the New York Stock Exchange, and flying into Baghdad as bombs are raining down, is another. Meet Shane Claiborne, the dreadlocked Jesus-following peace warrior who says you can be an 'ordinary radical' too. More…

I love autumn. In Australia, it’s a cooling respite from the blistering summer heat. In England, it’s all crisp days and perpetual afternoon light; and in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Forest in the USA, with red and yellow leaves falling all around you, it’s just plain magic. It’s a season of harvest, completion, transition, and shedding the old. And there’s an important life lesson in that… More…

When I raised the topic of angelic encounters with my social media friends, I was expecting some nice stories about lights in the sky and perhaps a few kind strangers. Instead, their stories truly opened my eyes… More…

It was fifty years ago this week when the sci-fi pop culture phenomenon Star Trek, first hit TV screens. While it's mostly largely secular humanist in outlook, that hasn't stopped religious themes slipping into Star Trek's storylines, sometimes quite overtly. In fact, its most beloved character has done some very Christ-like things. More…

The human heart craves beauty. It’s why we visit art galleries, gaze at photographs, seek out the window seat, give flowers to the sick. And it’s why I was so deeply overwhelmed one memorable day in the lagoon on Lord Howe Island... Natural beauty restores, refreshes, inspires. Here’s the reason. More…

'Who can you call in the middle of the night when everything has gone wrong?" When I first heard this question some years ago it shook me to the core. I didn't have an answer. Even recently, I've found myself in need of deeper friendships. So I did some thinking and came up with a few keys to building friendships that really, really count... More…

We’ve all had days we’d rather not see our reflection in life's big metaphorical mirror. Catching a glimpse of our true selves can sometimes leave us unimpressed. I had one of those moments one day at a 'driver survivor' rest stop in Australia. I'd rather not tell you, but I've already shared it on BBC Radio 2's Pause for Thought, so it's out now---and sharing can be good for the soul... More…

As any psychologist can tell you, our understanding of God is vitally important. Many are held captive by an imaginary deity shaped by fear, pain, past, or our own desires. These humanly-inspired gods always fail us, or forever holding us in torment. So the question is, what is God really like? How can we spot the authentic from the counterfeit? More…

As a primary-schooler I contemplated God and felt trapped. At the time my parents were in one of the world’s more zealous religious sects, I was being raised according to its tenets, and the God of this faith was difficult to please. We all hold an image of God in our minds. So who is your God? What is your God like? Here's one way to find out when, and how, you formed your image of God... More…

British MP Jo Cox's murder yesterday sent the nation into shock, halted the EU referendum campaign, and sparked spontaneous vigils last night. It came just days after another history-making tragedy, the Orlando shooting. The loss of a young wife, mother, politician and humanitarian, applauded by all as a woman of astounding compassion, and those lost or injured in Orlando, can leave us questioning the existence of a good and loving God. Here is the message I shared on BBC Radio 2 this morning. In the end, hate will not have the final say. More…

It was late, the club was packed, and I was one of the featured DJs. The night would be both a disaster, and one that would change the course of my life. It’s just one of the many stories in my new audiobook of Unseen Footprints… Download your free chapters! More…

If you’re a journal-keeper from way back, you’ll probably nod in sage agreement at these 7 great benefits of journaling. But if you’re thinking “Oh, journaling? I tried that once but couldn't keep it up”—then here are the reasons to give it another try. There's also 8 tips to get you started, and a sneak peek into what I write about in my own journals… More…

I saw an ad the other day. The headline read, 'Be born again.' It was for a plastic surgeon. It's not the first time advertisers have promised eternal life. Levi's jeans once did the same. And yet, science has proven what Jesus taught centuries ago: material things will never satisfy spiritual needs... More…

When I was asked to speak on mental health for BBC Radio 2's Pause for Thought segment, I consulted my brilliant Facebook community. They shared deeply and with insight on just how we can be more accepting of those who suffer this way. The starting point? See people as bigger than their illness... More…

Miracles can be hard for the modern mind to accept. And I can be sceptical myself about 'miracle' stories. I've heard too many that proved to be bogus or didn't last. But Dr Sean George's story is remarkable. Medically documented and verified, it's one miracle I can believe. And it happened through the power of one simple, little, silent, heartfelt prayer... More…

You know those happy coincidences or unexpected discoveries that take us by surprise? We call it serendipity. Not all serendipity is chance, accident or coincidence. A good deal of it is in fact divine. Like my miraculous little encounter as I stood, with aching legs and blistered feet, among the back pillars of Durham Cathedral... More…

Fans adore Joel Osteen’s positive-thinking sermons. Critics say he’s more self-help guru than gospel preacher. When I sat down with Joel at the 2009 Hillsong Conference, I met a meticulously styled man with a friendly smile and courteous spirit. I put the critics' concerns to him, got some answers, left thinking well of Joel, but also with a bunch more questions. More…